After Armegeddon-The Documentary

Last weekend I was lucky to catch a very good documentary on the History Channel. It was dealing with the after affects of natural disaster and such. It had the usual experts talking about human behaviour and how without modern day comforts that we turn against each other. This is true. Sometimes.

Mixed in with the university sociology professors and the survival experts were actors playing out the roles of survivors. I found it both educational and dramatic. If you have never gone without food for several days or had to deal with no electricity or running water, I guess this documentary would scare you.

For individuals that are prepared, this is just a opportunity to see what most people never even think about.

There are 2 great letters that were written to http://survivalblog.com/ . Both of these letter make interesting comments about the documentary and survival in general.



Episodes of After Armageddon can be seen on YouTube. Check them out.



http://www.survivalblog.com/2010/01/two_letters_re_the_after_armag.html

http://www.survivalblog.com/2010/01/letter_re_the_after_armageddon.html

Shock - How to Understand and Treat

I have always considered when an human being goes into "Shock" what it really meant. Most people have seen it on television shows, but never truly understood what was going on physically to that person.

Medical Shock is defined as a breakdown of effective circulation at the cellular level and/or failure of the peripheral circulatory system. In simple terms it means your cells are not getting what they need the most...oxygen.

There are several different types of Shock:

Hypovolemic Shock - This is caused by hemorrhage, burns, and/or decreased water and electrolytes.

Cardiogenic Shock - This type is caused by cardiac issues or congestive heart failure.

Neurogenic Shock - Caused by spinal injuries, trauma, and some head wounds.

Septic Shock - Caused by wound infection.

Anaphylactic Shock - Systemic reaction by respiratory distress, vascular collapse.

There are many different types of Shock. Depending on the situation and the class of first aid that is at your disposal the following things can be attempted.

Run IV fluids as soon as possible.

Keep the patient warm and dry and place in the shock position.

Analgesics can be given for pain.

Without proper medical intervention a person can die from shock after an injury. With the proper understanding it can be treated. A great idea is to get first aid training. You never know when you might need to use it.

Emergency Evacuation Routes

The topic of emergency evacuation routes is not only critical, it is essential in survival and preparedness planning. Major cities throughout the world put together comprehensive disaster plans for the "What Ifs". These plans can include normal possibilities such as infrastructure issues to the unusual, such as tsunami and terrorist attacks.

Any family or individual who would like to increase their person level of preparedness should include an Emergency Evacuation Route in their survival plan. This will help keep things in perspective when chaos and panic start to make thinking straight difficult.


What can be expected when using an emergency evacuation route?

Human beings are capable of fantastic things when put to the test, on the flip side they can be paranoid and selfish when faced with a potential life and death situation. There will be many individuals and families leaving to evacuate. The more people that you crowd together, the more chance for civil disorder.

There will be a presence of law enforcement and maybe even armed forces personnel along the route. Expect most gas stations and convenience stores to be either sold out of gas and goods. This will make tempers short and fighting could break out between individuals.

What will you need to make your evacuation safe and comfortable?

Do your research first on the location that you might relocate to. Having friends or family where you could hold up is a logical first step. If you have a cottage that is off the major roads is a great opportunity. Always remember to pack your bug out bag just in case you have to abandon your vehicle. Stay sharp mentally and never drop your guard down. Always expect the unexpected and you will stay alive.

Earthquake & Tsunami - What can you do?

Today an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale hit the country of Chile. Like most days on planet earth the crust is constantly moving giving us a tremor here and a small earthquake there. This one is fairly large to say the least. The quake hit during the night and has toppled buildings and created terror for the people trying to figure what was happening.

Most of the infrastructure such as hospitals that were not built recently with upgraded earthquake protection have had to be evacuated. Electricity and other services including water have been knocked out. Over 120 people have been killed from this quake. The quake was centered 325 kilometres southwest of the capital, Santiago, at a depth of 35 kilometres, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

This has also sent Tsunami warnings all across the Pacific rim. Chile is situated on the famous Ring of Fire that circles the Pacific and is highly seismic.

When there is an earthquake there are a few things that an individual can do:

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur after. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

•Drop to the ground; take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; hold on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

•Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

•Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

•Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.

•Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

•Do not use the elevators.

•Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.

•Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If trapped under debris, do not light a match.

•Do not move about or kick up dust.

•Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

•Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Tsunami

With some quakes that are off-shore, they can cause a tsunami. There are several things that you can do to increase your chances of surviving.

The following are guidelines for what you should do if a tsunami is likely in your area:

•Turn on your radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning if an earthquake occurs and you are in a coastal area.

•Move inland to higher ground immediately and stay there.

•Stay away from the beach. Never go down to the beach to watch a tsunami come in. If you can see the wave you are too close to escape it.

• If there is noticeable recession in water away from the shoreline this is nature's tsunami warning and it should be heeded. You should move away immediately.

Like anything that deals with Mother Nature, always be cautious, stay calm and use common sense and you will more than likely survive to see tomorrow.

What If everything that runs on electricity stopped working right now?

Would you be ready? Would you know what to do? These are very normal things that happen in 2nd and 3rd world countries on a regular basis. In North America we have become so used to reliable and abundant electricity.

I think a great eye opener for most people on the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada was the last large power outage. Most people coped well. Most got along knowing that the power would be restored in several hours or maybe by morning. Everyone was fairly civilized. Helped their neighbours, had community bbqs and kept an eye on each other. Would it be the same if the power never came back on?

One example of the power not coming back on was when hurricane Andrew swept through Florida. The individuals that decided to shelter in place were faced with people who wanted loot and pilage the houses of people who survived the hurricane. Most of the infrastructure was blown to pieces and most people only had basic survival rations. I believe that having enough equipment and food to last 2 weeks is not enough. You should have enough for 1 month. You just never really know what kind of timeline you might be dealing with.

In the next post I will go into more detail about the what can be done and what should be done to prepare and make your adjustment time quicker and increasing your comfort and survival of you and your family.

Family Plan - What to do when hard times hit..

An emergency can hit anytime and anywhere. Today, most families are very busy and spread out over large geographic areas. At least two members of a family may have to commute to work everyday. Kids being driven to daycare, to school and dance classes. Because we are a very mobile society are lives have become separated by many miles and kilometers. If an event such as a terrorist attack, rioting or war causes civil disorder many families would have difficulties contacting each other.

Having a solid family plan could help keep families together after an national or regional event.

Here are some ideas to get your family talking and laying out your own family emergency plan.

1. Mental Attitude: A positive mental attitude can make a huge difference on you and your family's survivability.

2. The Threat: There is no way to know when an event will cause civil disorder. Be like the fox and read the signs, look and listen and keep vigilant. This means read the newspaper and watch television and read between the lines.

3. Physical Condition: If you are out of shape and can't even walk to the car, you have a huge problem. Get you and your family active and in shape. This will greatly increase your chances if your family and you have to walk 20 kilometers to get home.

Most plans should have a primary and secondary meeting location. I personally like to have a extra just in case the primary and secondary are compromised. Everyone in your family should memorize these locations.

It is crucial that the method of transportation(car, truck) are kept in top working order. In your transportation you should keep your Bug Out Bag.

This brings me to your safe locations. The safe location should have an area that is completely ballistic resistant. This is to ensure that if bullets or small projectiles are sent in your direction you have a place to go. This area will be where you and your family will sleep.

The best thing that you can do is talk as a family before a natural or man-made event occurs.

Frank

Bug Out Bags

For many years I have had a 'Bug Out Bag' just waiting to be called into action. For the folks who are new to survival ideology, it is a backpack, a duffel bag or really anything that can be carried by one person. Inside there can be a multitude of gear that can be utilized by an individual to help them and their loved ones during an emergency(natural or man-made).


The Bug Out Bag can be very simple or can be outfitted for more complicated situations.

A simple bag would include the following:

1. A lock blade knife - This can be utilized in many ways such as cutting things, a tool and as a defensive weapon.









2. A mylar space blanket - Handy in hot and cold weather and can be utilized as a shelter.


3. Garbage bags - a multi-use item and can be used as a rain coat.


4. Power bars - these are lightweight and can provide needed energy quickly.


5. Disposable Lighter - multi-purpose item...self explanatory.


6. Small Mini-mag flashlight - Makes your life a little easier. Seeing in the dark can help.


7. First Aid Kit - small kit with different size band-aids and other items.


8. Light weight leather gloves - Protects hands and stops individuals from getting blisters.


9. Compass - Most people don't know how to use them...learn...it can help you when you least expect it.


10. Money in small bills - This could come in handy to buy yourself out of a problem.


11. Change of clothes - This could be a pair of jeans or some camouflage pants. Anything to make yourself more comfortable.


12. Hiking Boots - I personally like a good solid pair of leather army boots. The boots should be high enough on the ankle to provide support and this helps to ensure you don't break or sprain you ankle.

Think of a Bug Out Bag as an insurance policy to help you make it home or to a safe location. As you start to put together your first bag you find items that should be added. It is also possible to put together several different types of bags. You could have one at Work, in the car and one for Home. Emergencies can happen at anytime, it is all about being prepared.


Frank

Food Wars - Part 2

Yesterday I discussed Panic. I don't think there will be panic. Things will happen and we will just be facing this issue.

After work today I went to pick a few things up at Costco Wholesale. This is what I purchased.

The following list could be a starting point to ensure that you and your family survive and thrive.

1. 2 - 2.5 kg bags of pasta (fusili)

2. 12 boxes of Kraft dinner whole wheat

3. 6 - 500 ml mason jars of pasta sauce

4. 3 - 5 kg bean and legumes mix

5. 2 - 4 kg bags of white sugar

6. 12 tins of albacore tuna

7. 10 tins of assorted soups

8. 12 tins of corn

9. 16 tins of diced tomatoes

10. 2 boxes of powered potatoes

All together this cost me $170. This is definitely a start to ensure that you and your family have the resources available to you when things get difficult. I would like to stress several points. It is important to have a multitude of canned or dried foods stored. Along with your stored food have a plentiful supply of water.

Pasta is a great food that fills up stomachs and stores easily. Beans and Legumes are perfect protein packages that can take the place of animal proteins. Canned tuna, chicken, turkey and other meats are in my stockpile. Powered potatoes should be in everyones pantry because they are easy to make and are easily transportable.

Keep this in mind. The 6 billion or so humans on planet earth are facing three very large problems. The downward slope of Peak Oil, possibility of food shortages and financial recession/depression. These could lead to wars over water, food and natural resources.

China has been slowly over the past decade searching the globe for natural resources such as oil, natural gas, precious metals to name just a few. I the next 6 to 24 months China is going to become very fixated on trying to secure enough food for its huge population. At the same time the rest of the world is going to be doing the same. I think you can see where I am going with this.

As Canadians and Americans shop for the best deals, the cheapest merchandise and blue light specials in aisle four, every single product including most processed foods have at least one ingredient that is probably from China. Here comes the best part, they have been quietly building one of the largest standing armies in the world, a huge modern navy and getting ready for the day when they may have to use it... Could it be over food?

Frank

Food Wars

Tonight's topic is about something that we all have to do everyday. Most of us take many things in our life for granted. FOOD being one. In the last 3 to 6 months talk of food riots, food chain disruptions and food rationing have slowly progressed from the alternative media outlets to major newspapers and television networks.

Most North Americans had no idea that places like Haiti, Egypt and many African countries were experiencing major problems with providing adequate food for their populations. Closer to home in Mexico City people protested the rising cost of flour for tortillas.

As these events continued to increase the main stream media in North America filtered out almost all the coverage of food related events. The only coverage to be found was on BBC world and some other European media.

North Americans(Canadians) never take one moment to think about how the food they eat is affected by weather and the changing market economies. As I write this most of the folks I work with have no concern for food shortages. "That won't happen here." is the response.

What I call the Gruesome Foursome is at work with the grain growing areas in the United States and Canada.

1. Almost one quarter of the corn, red wheat and other grains are being subsidized for ethanol production in the U.S.

2. Canada/United States are considered one of the bread baskets of the world. The export of our grains to other famine ridden locals is known globally.

3. Since the late 1990s to this year key growing areas have either experienced severe drought or flood events. Thus, helping to reduce total harvests.

4. China and India have become serious players on a global scale. Anything they do will affect economies, trends, and basic necessities.

Now is the time to start planning for food shortages. When you go to the grocery store, pick up a couple of extra tins of vegetables and fruits. People are getting their gardens ready for planting. This is opportunity to grow a vegetable garden this year. I will talk more about specifics later.

There are people in New England and California reporting that availability of rice at big wholesale chains have been reduced and even some rationing to control the reduced supply has been reported.

This comes down to really controlling the population and hoping that they don't panic.

Tomorrow I will continue Part 2 of Food Wars.

Frank