Like a Boy Scout 2.0

This is an update to a posting I had done earlier in the year. I am updating because of some of the shocking tales of survival I have been reading coming from the East Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Some of the suffering could not have been avoided, no matter how much prep was done. However, for the most part, proper preparation would have helped thousands.

I need to first disclose I have never been a Boy Scout. I was never in the Cub Scouts. My youthful associations were with the YMCA. However, I knew quite a few kids in the Boy Scouts and developed a lot of respect for the program. They really do teach and promote the right stuff. In particular, their motto of "Be Prepared" is more appropriate today than any other time I can remember.

This is not about being a survivalist. It is about being prepared for an event that could disrupt our distribution system. Many experts believe a family of four should have emergency provisions on hand for a week, others say three days, some say a month. My personal feeling is a family of four should have enough to survive on for a month. If a disruption goes longer than a month, all of us will be in survivalist mode and we will be in big, big trouble.

First and foremost is water. It is amazing as humans how quickly we can become dehydrated, even to the slightest degree. For example, Mayo Clinic believes a family of four would need 2.5 gallons of water a day for normal hydration. In time of emergency, that number could be safely reduced to 2 gallons a day. For a thirty day event, assuming the normal sources of potable water were not available, sixty gallons would need to be on hand. Take a look around your house to see how much potable water you currently have. Chances are it is no where close to sixty gallons. The good news is it is not expensive and it is easy to start stocking up on. In addition, if spring water is stored in a area which is not exposed to sunlight, the shelf life is just short of forever. Remember, if you run out of water, any other preparation you do won't mean much.

In addition to water, consider having the following items on hand for a thirty day disruption:

• At least ten gallons of fresh gasoline properly stored in your garage. If gas stations run out of gasoline, ten gallons would be enough to use in an emergency.
• A good power generator. This should be powerful enough to run at least the refrigerator, freezer or electric heater.
• Adequate first aid kit with everything needed for emergency triage. Also regular aspirin should be in the kit.
• Fresh batteries for flash lights and emergency radio. Every pack of batteries have the expiration date, so make sure the batteries have a good amount of life remaining.
• If the power is off, food in the freezer or fridge will only be good for a day or two. Make sure adequate non-refrigerated food is on hand that will feed your family for a month. It does not have to be fancy - the name of the game is to stay healthy and alive.
• Have a small amount of cash on hand (like a few hundred dollars). If the banks are closed, even a small amount of cash could be helpful.
• Matches and candles.
• Charcoal and/or propane for cooking.
• Paper plates and plastic silverware.
• Fire wood if you have a wood burning fire place or stove.

One final thing. Many people will have not done any preparation in the event of an emergency. If possible, share with friends and neighbors who are not as prepared as you. However, dehydration or starvation will cause good people to commit desperate acts.  Make sure you can protect your family in the event someone comes  uninvited in your house to take what you have.

All of us hope that by stocking up on some essentials is just like buying insurance - we hope we never need it. However, if becomes needed and is not available, your life can take an unexpected and tragic turn. I could think of a dozen scenarios where our distribution system could fail and goods and services would not be available. However, it is an event that I can not yet imagine that concerns me the most. The only think I can do is listen to the what the  Boy Scouts have now preached for decades - Be Prepared....