Emergency Preparedness

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A Personal EDC

Everybody has their own personal EDC (Everyday Carry). They are as individual as the person. I believe that if you call it an EDC, then it means you actually carry it Everyday. The photo above shows what I actually carry on my person each and everyday so it is truly my EDC. I will provide a description for each item below the picture.

DIY First Aid Kit Modules

I have always carried some type of a first aid in my various packs. The problem is when it comes time to change out expired items, I have to go through the various packs and kits. I usually carry a small kit in my day pack for hikes and such. This kit is more of a "boo-boo" kit and is for minor injuries I might expect to incur. I also need one for my Get-Home Bag which is pretty much for the same purpose. However, for my Get-Home Bag I also want a Trauma Kit, just in case.

Get-Home/Bug Out Bag Mini Bolt Cutters

This video shows a pair of mini bolt cutters that can be easily carried in a Get-Home or Bug-Out Bag and explains why you might need a pair.

Small Tool Kit Pouch

This video shows the updates to my Small Tool Kit Pouch in a Maxpedition Micro Organizer Pouch.  It compares the tool kit to the Mini Tool Kit Tin which I did a video on previously.

Mini Tool Kit Tin

This video shows a Mini Tool Kit Tin that I made using a large survival kit tin. Great for Urban Survival when traveling or just to have a small tool kit. This is not a "survival Kit" just a tool kit.

Urban Survival - Things To Avoid

Urban survival can be very different than wilderness survival. It is an entirely different environment with a lot more people. There is much more crime, and chances are you will not know many people.

Keep That Bug-Out Vehicle Rolling

We often talk about Bug-Out Vehicles, especially in regard to what type of vehicle to have. Obviously, that choice will be yours, but no matter what you decide on, you will need to keep it rolling.  

The FIFO Method Pantry

Our  pantry is set up using the FIFO Method. This means “First In, First  Out.” In other words, we continue to buy what we normally eat, but we  buy more than we need. It is stored in two pantries. We have a large  pantry where all food that comes in is stored. This pantry feeds a  smaller pantry that is closer to the kitchen. The food is constantly  rotated using the oldest first.

Be Prepared To Get Home

In an emergency situation, there will be more people concerned with Getting Home than Bugging-Out, and once they are home, the decision to leave will be an important one.

The Get-Home Bag

A Get-Home Bag can be an essential item for people who are at work when an emergency situation occurs. I always hear people discussing Bug-Out Bags. However, they are normally kept at your home and you need to be there to get them. Also, you must keep in mind that you may not necessarily be bugging out. You may be heading home to bug-in. Don’t always assume that you need to get home to leave, you may just need to get away from the present problem and get to the safety of your home. Your car or truck may have broken down and you just need to walk.

Do You Have Emergency Funds?

I was at my bank the other day and there was an easel sitting in the lobby with a sign on it that asked, "What percentage of people have emergency funds? Ask you teller." So I asked my teller and was told that only 47% of people have emergency funds. I thought that figure was a little high and asked what amount of emergency funds was used as the criteria for the basis of that figure. I was told they didn't really know.

Simple Solar

I often hear people say that they wish they could take advantage of solar power, but it is just too expensive and elaborate to set up. I disagree, as all solar power does not consist of a large array of solar panels, battery controllers, and inverters. It can be very simple as a supplemental power source during an emergency.

Recharging On The Go

Whether you are in an urban, suburban, or wilderness environment, you  probably carry some form of electronic devices or equipment.  If you carry items such as a Smartphone, a GPS, a camera, flashlight, or a small tablet, as part of your everyday carry  (EDC), or as part of your get-home bag, bug-out bag, evacuation kit, or  wilderness pack, you should have some way to recharge those devices.

Are You Really Prepared?

When it comes to emergency preparedness, some people might be prepared with some supplies, but are they really prepared to survive for more than a few days? It takes more than a few supplies.

Don't Put All Your Preparedness Eggs In One Basket

I read a lot of articles about emergency preparedness and I have written many of my own. They often revolve around the type of supplies and gear you should keep on hand in the event of an emergency situation. These articles are important, but what we must realize is that we should always look past the current situation, towards what might happen next.

Don't Bank On Banks

This  may sound like a contradiction of terms, but let me explain.  As we have discussed earlier, in order to be  self-reliant you can't rely on others for everything.  However, most people rely on banks for the  holding, safekeeping and the dispersing of their money.  Many people today don't even see their money  on payday, but instead, have it deposited directly into their bank  account.  This is with the blind faith,  that when they want it, it will be available.

Emergency Communications

First, I am by no means an expert in communications or electronics, but have been puttering around it for a few years. This article is not intended to be a technical  thesis on radio usage or signal propagation.   With that being said, it is more a familiarization of the various  communication options available for an emergency situation and some basic  information about those options.

Carrying Emergency Information

Whether you are Evacuating, Bugging Out, or simply going on vacation, don't leave home without having your Emergency Information with you. To be honest, I never leave home without it. You could simply be going to the mall and while you are gone, your house could burn down.

Quick Deploying Rain Catchment - Video/Article

n regard to Emergency Preparedness, I am always trying to think of ways to collect water, whether it be for drinking, or to supplement water for a garden. Many people in the country, like myself, use rain barrels to collect water. However, there are other individuals who live in an apartment or condominium, and don't have the luxury of connecting into a gutter and down spout system, due to regulations or lease agreements. However, it would be handy to be able to collect some rain water.

UV For Bug-Out Security

I was talking to a fellow on the phone the other day about bug-out bags. He indicated that he had read somewhere lately that he should mark his map with three routes to his B.O.L. (Bug-Out Location). He asked what I thought of the idea.

Bug-In/Bug-Out Bicycle

I wanted to set up a bicycle for various emergency situations. It could be used during a electrical failure whereby getting gas from a gas station was not an option. During a longer term situation where I decided to Bug-In instead of Bug-Out, it could be used for travel, and have the ability to carry things on it.

If You Bug-Out, Don't Stand Out

I'm not an advocate of Bugging-Out as your first option in an emergency situation, but there are times when it might be necessary. However, if you must Bug-Out I recommend that you do so discreetly. Oftentimes, articles, movies, and television portray those who "Bug-Out" as wild looking Road Warriors. However, as the photo above depicts, this is not the way you want to look in a bug-out situation.

Are You Blind To Prepping

Unfortunately, I see this all the time. Many people  just don't see, or don't want to see, why it is important to prep. They just  don't seem to understand that prepping is not always about the end of the  world, a zombie apocalypse, or Armageddon.  It is about being prepared for everyday situations.

Bug-Out Water Option - Video

This video shows how to obtain water from a hose bib on the outside of an industrial or commercial building using a Sillcock Key.

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