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Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:06 |
Because so many Earth changes are happening right now — at what seems to be an ever-increasing rate of acceleration — we’ve decided that it was important to update our recommendations on preparedness, especially in light of the fact that we have many new members. This article contains some information that has been previously published in “Intuitive Flash” as well as some new information. If you have not reviewed your own preparedness plan now is the time to do so. Remember it was only a few years ago that television networks showed millions of people attempting to survive in New Orleans and Texas after Hurricane Katrina. We are now entering a timeframe where Earth changes are more severe and we need to take such changes seriously by having a family emergency preparedness plan.
What first comes to mind for most people when they think of emergency preparedness is probably a plan for continuing to provide the basic necessities — food, water and shelter — for themselves and their families, when disaster strikes. But although these things are vital, there is more to being prepared than the simple accumulation of such necessities and perhaps mapping out a basic plan for survival.
To be truly prepared for possible life-threatening events, we must develop and hone the art of awareness — the ability to use all of our five senses, as well as our extrasensory skills, so that we can clearly read the warning signs of impending danger. We all have the ability to train our perceptions to be acute and on-alert in the background of our consciousness. And this training is crucial to your individual preparedness plan; so that when the need arises, you will be warned in time by your own senses, and you will have the chance to take the appropriate actions necessary to protect your loved ones and yourself.
Communications
When the power grid goes down for an extended period, for any reason, the ability to communicate with the world outside becomes critical. Without it, knowledge of the situation beyond your own home or car is left to face-to-face contact with others, often strangers who may or may not want to lend aid. Just look at what happened in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina flooded that city. Even the police, fire and emergency people were unable to communicate with each other. People were literally in the dark, without power, or communications. Until we find ourselves without electricity, many of us don’t realize how much we depend on telephone, radio, television, newspapers, and the internet to help us to know what to do! Perhaps the most important thing we can do to prepare for disaster situations is to give serious thought to what we would do if some or all of these services become disabled.
Since we last updated our preparedness information, there has come about a virtual revolution in new communication technology. While, in the past cell phones were readily available, they were not as popular as they are today. Many people now rely entirely on cell phones instead of the old-fashioned hard-wired phones that everyone had in the past. Hard-wired phones do not rely on electricity, and will often work even if the electric grid is down. Cell phone communications will only work if the cell towers are functional and the power to operate them continues. Even so, an average cell phone’s battery charge may last only one to a few days, depending on usage, and if there is no electricity, you can’t recharge them. The only other way to recharge them would be in your car, and depending on circumstances, that may not be possible. Another kind of popular telephone service comes through the internet and is often provided by your cable company. This type of service requires electricity, and although companies provide backup systems in case of power outages, they will only last for 40 to 50 hours. Recall, it was a week or more before people were rescued at the Superdome in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. For that day when the power goes out, it might by a good idea to keep at least one hard-wired phone line in your home along with any other type of phone service you might have.
However, when electricity fails and phones of any type fail, the best way to keep in touch with what is going on in the world is with a battery-powered radio. Small, battery-powered AM/FM radios are the least expensive way to ensure emergency reception during a disaster. Be sure to check your batteries on a regular basis, and keep several spare sets with the radio.
Ham radio is another well known system for emergency communication. I have been a ham radio operator for over 50 years (call letters K1BWC) and have participated in numerous emergency operations. When the power goes out, well equipped ham radio operators are able to maintain a life line for days, even weeks. I suggest you check out who is a ham radio operator in your area. A good place to start is through the local emergency management office, or the police department. Optionally, try the American Radio Relay League (www.arrl.org), as they may be able to network you to an active ham radio operator in your area.
Water and Power
If your water comes from a private well, as ours does, your first priority will probably be keeping your water-pump going, so that you can continue to receive fresh water in your home. For that you will need a back-up generator. We use a 12,000 watt propane generator that provides both 220-volts and 110-volts. We also have a 1,000 gallon underground propane tank that I estimate could last me months with daily use. We have also installed an auto-transfer switch panel near our home’s power-breaker panel, which detects power outages and turns on the generator. This system can run our entire home. However, I also have the option of running the generator for thirty minutes three times per day, which would give us fresh water and heat for an indefinite time period without the generator running 24/7 during long outages.
If you live in an apartment or an urban area, you will have a whole different set of problems. If you can leave the area in an emergency, do so; the city is not the safest place to be in such situations, and relief efforts will probably be over-burdened. If you are unable to get away, having a 72-hour emergency kit may be your only option, until assistance arrives. In any case make sure you have a good supply of candles, flashlights and plenty of batteries.
Medicines
Something as simple as aspirin can become a rare commodity during a disaster. I recommend that you maintain a minimum three-month supply of any prescription medicines you use, as well as an adequate, fresh supply of any over-the-counter remedies your family might need. Take an inventory of your medicine cabinet, and calculate the quantity and frequency of use for each item. You should have enough of each medicine to last you and your family for at least three months. Check expiration dates and rotate them as necessary. A large well-stocked first-aid kit is always a necessity both for your home and your car.
Clothing
Depending on where you live, your clothing needs will vary widely. It would be wise to keep an appropriate selection of comfortable clothes and shoes, such as you might wear for camping, in an overnight bag in your car, garage, or closet. Know where it is, in case you need to be mobile in a hurry. Regardless of your location, however, I recommend having a wool blanket on hand for each member of the household. In cold climates, winter sleeping bags are recommended. We have several sleeping bags which are good for 20-below-zero conditions and during one winter storm and power failure, before we had our generator, we were glad to have them! I keep mid-calf rubber boots on hand, and several pairs of wool socks — wet or very cold feet can lead to frostbite and disease. In warmer climates, lightweight waterproof walking boots and a wide-brim hat should be considered.
Survival Food and Water
I recommend a three-month supply of food for each member of the family. The least expensive way of accomplishing this would be to establish a rotational system of canned, freeze-dried, or dehydrated foods in your pantry. Store the food properly out of sunlight, and in a cool, dry place. Note the expiration date on each item and rotate your supply with newer stock on a regular basis.
Drinkable water may be in short supply, depending on where you live. For the rural dweller, sediment filters and water purification tablets are good to have on hand. As power grids fail, even those with wells will not be able to access water without power, so an emergency generator capable of running your pump will be necessary. In addition, locate optional sources of water.
For the city dweller, drinking water will be a major concern, because in most urban areas aqueducts feed water to homes and buildings. When geophysical upheavals or electrical failures cause a crisis in these areas, water will become more valuable than gold! Store a minimum of 3 gallons of water for each family member — enough for 3 days. During an emergency, water may also be collected and treated with antibacterial tablets (available where camping supplies are sold) when needed. Keep a plentiful supply of these tablets on hand, as your running water may be contaminated for some time, and boiling may not be possible.
Other Necessities
It is also helpful to take stock of the toiletries that you use on a daily basis. Keep an extra supply of such basic things as hand soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, and dental floss. Also, having nail clippers, a nail file, tweezers, and scissors for use in an emergency would certainly add to your comfort and well being.
First-Aid
Another very important way to be prepared is to take a refresher course in first-aid. The Red Cross provides these courses on a regular basis in most communities. Being well-versed in CPR and other emergency medical techniques can be life-saving during an emergency. Another thing to consider is getting involved in the Community Emergency Response Team Program (CERT). This training is made available to local communities by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A CERT program trains ordinary people in how to respond during a disaster and also includes basic first aid training. As we have so often seen, when disaster strikes, it is the ordinary person that has to deal with the emergency long before the professional first responders can get to the site. This kind of training can make the difference between life and death. Cynthia and I have participated in a local CERT program and we highly recommend it for anyone interested in preparedness.
Safe Places
When it comes to preparedness, another very important thing to consider is where you live. While disaster can strike anywhere, some places are obviously going to be safer than others. The best help I am able to give is contained in my “Future Map” series. When I am asked about how safe specific areas shown on my maps are, I continue to recommend living a minimum of 50 miles inland from the new coastlines I’ve predicted. The “Future Map” series can certainly be a starting place in your search. As you spend time looking at it and thinking about moving, you will get distinct feelings about one area or another. Listen to those feelings. If you need to move from your present home, you will feel it. When the greater changes occur, the safest areas will be in small rural areas, at least 1 to 2 hours driving distance from a large city. For example, Cynthia and I live in a township with a population of about 3,000. We are about 2 hours from Boston, and 1-1/2 hours from Hartford.
In my audio seminar “Best Places to Live,” I also mention some areas that would be safe, geophysically. The program is designed to help you with moving decisions. I believe we are guided to the places we live by spiritual forces. This guidance or “inner urge” comes directly from our higher self, and from our connection with the other members of our soul group. In lifetime after lifetime, we are reconnecting with the same family and friends; sometimes this occurs at birth, and our karmic family reunites as our biological family. In other lives, we may come back together with our past life group later in life, through marriage or by accepting a job relocation. It is important to listen to that inner guidance with all decisions.
In conclusion, to be prepared, we must learn to balance our concerns about the future with our current needs. While we continue to become more aware of where we are going and how to prepare the future, it is important that we fully appreciate each moment we are living in. Don’t let fear keep you from paying attention to where you are. Earth is here — for us, with us, beneath us — right now! |
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