Citizen Preparedness : Getting Ready for the Next Big Disaster

Like a good Boy Scout, one must be prepared for disasters...man made or natural. Here's a comprehensive guide courtesy of FEMA. Simply click on the link(s) to be taken to the full document.

Additional resources will be added so bookmark this page. If you have suggestions and links to add to this page, please email them to me at: PoorManSurvivor@yahoo.com

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This section includes: Build your own 72-hour Bugout kit
What foods you should always keep in your pantry

Keep Reading to See Our Latest Poor Man III Survival Offer!

Q: You write a lot about the end of America as we know it. Clarify your thoughts on this and when it might happen? --Bob n Lisa, AZ

No one, including myself can predict precisely what or when the ultimate catastrophe might take place, but consider this…

The outstanding public debt is $12.3 TRILLION. The U.S. has a little over 307 million people, so that means everyone in this country owes more than $40,000. It’s increasing at a rate of $3.5 billion per day.

OPEC, China and India are pushing to dump the dollar as the currency of choice and America is falling behind many other countries in terms of scientific innovation, energy independence, health care and other vital areas.

How will it end? Potentially, in an economic depression that is worse than the Great Depression. Perhaps even a currency crisis (inflation), where the dollars in your pocket lose value day by day and hour by hour.

There’s a lot more that can go wrong — potential shutdowns of large portions of the U.S. power grid, civil unrest, pandemics and more. In a worst-case-scenario, the US will default on its debts which could mean the end of pensions for military and government employees, ending of Medicare, Social Security, etc.

The era of panic may only just beginning as we’ve become so vulnerable to our foreign creditors. Former Wall Street bigwig, Barton Bigs has warned his investors to adopt a new ethos of survivalism:

“You should assume the possibility of a breakdown of civilized infrastructure. Your safe haven should be well stocked & capable of growing food…think Swiss Family Robinson.”

PLAN: Be aware of and plan for the dangers you face — not only the “common” emergencies like fire and flood, but earthquakes and other natural disasters that may threaten your locality, as well as financial crises that lurk under the surface of our economy.

PREPARE: People who get scared can panic, and people who panic can spend too much money. Once you identify what you need to do, find solutions that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. A big part of my site & CD ROM is about how to save money in your everyday life, and how to spend that money wisely to prepare for the worst.

PROACTIVE: If civil unrest breaks out in your town, what are you going to do? What about if the lights go out and don’t come back on ... or the water stops coming out of your faucets…will you be prepared?

Some have called me Chicken Little, but it never hurts to be prepared which is why our readers get both of our Poor Man Recession Survival CDs for only $4.95 + shipping....or get our advanced Poor Man Part III Strategy CD - see below.

I invite you to download our newest report(s). No charge, compliments of the house!

>>How the Washington-Wall Street Cartel is Decimating America

>How to store fresh game, Basics of caring for your septic, 3-day Emergency Kit, Coping w/ Farm Emergencies, Basics of plumbing systems, Growing Garlic...just click on the folder icon or go to:

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It Can’t Happen Here! Your Personal Bugout Kit…

This is what many of us say when we hear of a disaster, whether it be man made or natural. We don’t have damn breaks, hurricanes, tornadoes, oil spills, epidemics (except for stupidity), floods, mud slides, sandstorms, forest fires, deluge rains, etc. etc…and of course, if we did, the government would take care of us!

Most of us also know that you can’t buy life insurance after you’re dead but we frequently forget to do so.

Build your own ‘just in case” bug out kit. The primary purpose of a bug-out bag is to allow one to evacuate quickly if a disaster should strike. It is therefore prudent to gather all of the materials and supplies that might be required to do this into a single place, such as a bag or a few storage containers. The recommendation that a bug-out bag should contain enough supplies for seventy two hours arises from advice from organizations responsible for disaster relief and management that it may take them up to seventy two hours to reach people affected by a disaster and offer help.

Typical contents

The suggested contents of a bug-out bag vary, but most of the following are usually included: (Note-guns optional dependending on your personal perspective)

Enough food and water to last for seventy two hours. This includes:

Water for washing, drinking and cooking. Canada recommends 2 litres per person per day.New Zealand recommends 3 litres per person per day for drinking.US recommends 1 gallon (3.78 litres) per person per day.
Non-perishable food.
water purification supplies.
Cooking supplies.
Cutlery and cups/dishes.

A first aid kit.
Fire starting tool (i.e. matches, ferrocerium rod, lighter, etc.)
A disaster plan including location of emergency centers, rallying points, possible evacuation routes etc.
Professional emergency literature explaining what to do in various types of disaster, studied and understood before the actual disaster but kept for reference.
Maps and travel information.
Standard camping equipment, including sanitation supplies.
Weather appropriate clothing (poncho, headwear, gloves, etc.)
Bedding items such as sleeping bags & blankets.
Enough medicine to last an extended evacuation period.
Pet, child and elderly care needs.
Battery or crank operated Radio.
Lighting (battery or crank operated flashlight, glow sticks).
Firearms and appropriate ammunition.
Crowbar (weapon, building and vehicle entry, etc.)
Cash and change, as electronic banking transactions may not be available during the initial period following an emergency or evacuation.
Fixed-blade and folding knife.
Duct Tape

You can purchase these kits from the suppliers listed at our website or (see listing above too) or check with the Red Cross at: http://www.redcross.org/

Manipulating the food supply to bring about shortages while hiding the very fact of the crisis will insure not only panic, but social unrest too.

What to always keep in your food pantry...

That unrest will require strong and swift use of force, the curtailing of civil liberties, the confiscation of weapons and hard currency, the closure of banks, a declaration of martial law, and now we've discovered, even shutting down the internet for four months...or longer.

With the country in a virtual state of imprisonment, food supplies will disappear and prices will be unaffordable even for the lucky few who have something to barter with. Perhaps you are like many and are buying gold and silver...but what if you are forced to exchange a gold coin presently worth $1,200 for a pound of potatoes because your family is starving? Will the gold seem like a good investment under those circumstances? If you do not have your own food source, you will starve or will be forced to join the food line, where you will exchange your liberties, your dignity...even your faith for a ration card. It has all happened before...and it is the means to controlling the population.

Recent crop failures, natural disasters and related challenges in India, China and other countries point to higher prices in the US also (they’ve been rising in case you hadn’t noticed). Here are items we suggest to always keep stockpiled for any kind of emergency.

What to Always Keep in Your Pantry
These items have lengthy expiration dates, so you can stash them away for long periods of time. Make a list of everything in your stockpile and check expiration dates every 6 to 12 months to keep things fresh. And don’t forget to have a can opener on hand at all times--all that food won’t be of any use if you can’t open it.

• Peanut butter A great source of energy, peanut butter is chock-full of healthful fats and protein. Unless the jar indicates otherwise, you don’t have to refrigerate after opening.

• Nuts and trail mixes Stock up on these high-energy foods—they’re convenient for snacking and healthful. Look for vacuum-packed containers, which prevent the nuts from oxidizing and losing their freshness.

• Cereal Choose multigrain cereals that are individually packaged so they don’t become stale after opening.

• Granola bars and power bars Healthy and filling, these portable snacks usually stay fresh for at least six months. Plus, they’re an excellent source of carbohydrates.

• Dried fruits, such as apricots and raisins In the absence of fresh fruit, these healthy snacks offer potassium and dietary fiber. “Dried fruits provide you with a significant amount of nutrients and calories.

• Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey Generally lasting at least two years in the pantry, canned meats provide essential protein. Vacuum-packed pouches have a shorter shelf life but will last at least six months, says Diane Van, manager of the USDA meat and poultry hotline.

• Canned vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, and peas When the real deal isn’t an option, canned varieties can provide you with essential nutrients.

• Canned soups,stews and chili Soups and chili can be eaten straight out of the can and provide a variety of nutrients. Look for low-sodium options.

• Bottled water Try to stock at least a three-day supply--you need at least one gallon per person per day. “A normally active person should drink at least a half gallon of water each day.

• Powdered milk Almost all dairy products require refrigeration, so stock this substitute for an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D when fresh milk isn’t an option. This piece has been compiled from various sources including Yahoo, MSN and others. For more, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/PMFoodShortage <<<>>>

Good resources from subscriber Jason - we all thank you!

Good section on ‘how am I going to afford all this stuff!”…In depth how to guide!

thenewsurvivalist.com very practical survival site your readers need to know about. covers all aspects of survival in many situations. also covers the birth of money and our dollar and how and why we are being led to economic ruin by big banks and big gov. very informative….Complete with videos.

Constitutionbooklet.com Free US constitutions for the masses. even has youtube instructions on how to assemble.

See the article below on making your own basic emergency survival kit.

Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness

Are You Ready Full Document (PDF 21MB)

Separated by Sections

Natural Hazards

Technological Hazards

Terrorism

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Assemble Your Emergency Kit

From Mother Earth News magazine, by Barbara Pleasant

Most of us have experienced short-term power outages and have learned we can get through a day without power. Even most of the 50 million people in the northeast United States and southeast Canada who lost power during last summer's historic grid collapse found their lights back on within a day or so.

But prolonged power outages are a real possibility after a serious hurricane or winter storm. After all, it doesn't take much to bring the grid crashing down: In the summer of 1996, a tree fell on a power line in Idaho, setting in motion a blackout that affected 15 Western states.

I'm still trying to forget nine powerless days my family endured a few years ago: the smell of unflushed toilets, the power plays for batteries between father and daughter, the gas-station chicken fingers we had for Christmas dinner. Last fall, I devoted a week to preparing a simple and inexpensive emergency kit that will help my family ride out 14 days without electricity. This kit gives me peace of mind because now I know the next blackout won't be a nightmare.

Saving Safe Water

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having 2 quarts per person per day for drinking water, and 2 quarts per person per day for washing, flushing toilets (keep reading) and other purposes. And don't forget the water needs of your animals. My 60-pound dog drinks at least half a gallon a day.

Commercially produced bottled water lasts for a year when stored in a cool, dark place. But you don't have to buy bottled water. Instead, store your own in thoroughly cleaned 2-liter plastic bottles. Make sure bacteria or other microorganisms can't contaminate your stored drinking water; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends mixing in four drops of unscented chlorine bleach per quart of water just before capping the containers, although some sources disagree with this advice. If you do use bleach, check the label to make sure that the only active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite.

If a disaster catches you by surprise and you don't have stored water, fill up every available container - including your bathtub - right away. A backup plan is to melt ice from your freezer. After that, drain the water from your water heater (but first turn it off at the circuit box). To eliminate bacteria and other parasites in water of questionable quality, you have three options: Bring it to a full boil for 1 minute, filter it, or treat it with iodine or chlorine - both are available as tablets, or you can use plain chlorine bleach.

Missing Bathrooms

Even if the power is off, you can force a toilet to flush by pouring water into the tank. To determine how much water your toilet needs to flush just turn off the water supply, flush it once to empty the tank and then measure how much water you pour into the tank in order to execute one good flush. The best way to force flushes is to pour the amount of water needed into the reservoir tank, hold down the handle and let it rip. Melted ice or snow makes fine flushing water.

But in some situations, such as during a flood, your city's sewer system or your household's septic system may not work. To be prepared, store materials to make a "sawdust potty" in your emergency kit as well. All you need is organic material such as sawdust, peat moss or soil, and a 5-gallon bucket with a lid. After you use the potty, just pour a layer of organic material in the bucket and put the lid on.

Food and Other Supplies

Set aside cabinet space or a storage bin to store canned foods; unopened peanut butter and jelly; dried fruits and vegetables; crackers and hard candy. When stored in airtight containers, these foods will keep for a year. If your backup generator isn't powering the refrigerator, raid it for the food, but don't open the door more than necessary.

When a blackout hits, immediately make necessary phone calls. Tell an out-of-town relative you're OK and prepared for the emergency; ask him or her to pass on the news to other loved ones. Then turn off your cell phone to conserve its battery. Use a car charger (if you can safely get to your car) if your phone battery is low.

If you have an old cell phone that you no longer use, save it for your emergency kit. By law, every cell phone can call 911 (as long as it can get a signal), even if you do not have current service with a wireless company. A small battery-operated or crank radio is another must-have. Weather radios aren't much for entertainment, but they are an excellent source of information. With any type of radio, playing it at low volume is the best way to conserve the battery.

A blackout is one of those times when attitude really is everything. My emergency kit includes a deck of cards, paper and pencils, and a jigsaw puzzle. My teenager's plan includes drawing, lots of reading and making a scrapbook.

Measured in peace of mind, the little time and money I invested in blackout preparedness was well worth it. My stockpiled supplies provide reassuring security, so now I can look forward to the future with confidence rather than fear.

-Mother Earth News contributing editor Barbara Pleasant lives on a dead-end road in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Excerpted from Mother Earth News magazine, the original guide to living wisely. Read the full story at www.motherearthnews.com or call 800-234-3368 to subscribe. Copyright 2005 by Ogden Publications, Inc.

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Survive the Coming Food Shortage