International Preparedness Network

 

Your first step toward the creation of a highly effective disaster preparedness & response program must be to accept the fact that YOU are at the center of it. NOT the Police … NOT the Fire Department … NOT  F.E.M.A., or any other federal agency but, YOU.   The truth is, when disasters strike, you instantly become your own first responder until help arrives.  It may come quickly, or, depending on the size and scope of the disaster take days, weeks,  or — in the case of events such as nuclear terrorism,

 

 

weeks or even months before it reaches you, that is … IF it ever does at all!   If you want to prevent this from happening to YOU or, YOUR FAMILY,  you MUST TAKE CONTROL NOW! and, make a commitment to take all the necessary steps to develop a comprehensive, disaster preparedness, response and recovery plan.  

Preparedness begins with the individual!  Your plan will focus on this fact and build a solid foundation around it.  To begin, you must first recognize that:

• Disasters and emergencies differ in their types and size, but,  the tools (personal protective equipment — PPE’s) and skills you need to respond to most (outside of particular disasters & emergencies that require specialized protective gear & skills such as nuclear accidents, toxic gas release, chemical and biological warfare etc.) are basically the same.  

• Your physical health is the most important aspect of the program. Without it, you are already compromised. Many disasters and emergencies create conditions that require intense physical activity. You may need to walk long distances, move heavy objects, walk up stairs or many other physically demanding challenges.  If you are out of shape, you may not be able to  move out of harm’s way or, even be rescued by responders.  This is why you MUST begin a basic fitness program that will help you to not only increase your fitness level, but also your personal safety. 

• Before beginning any physical training regimen, you must check your health with your personal physician.  You must get all of your booster shots (especially Tetanus).  Tetanus is a bacillus toxin (bacterial poison) that enters the bloodstream through major or minor lacerations (cuts).  Injuries are common during emergency situations. A tetanus booster is a safeguard against the disease called lockjaw. For those with existing health concerns such as High Blood Pressure (Acute Hypertension), Heart Disease, Diabetes, or any other debilitating illness, must have an extra supply of medication on hand.   
• Know your blood type and wear a medi-alert tag or bracelet if you have allergies, a chronic illness, or any health concern that may require medical attention.    If you do not want to wear the ID, carry a medi-alert card in your wallet.  
• Be sure to specify allergies to any medication or substance, your condition, daily medications, dosage, and so on.  A strict daily regimen of physical exercise, a low fat, semi-vegetarian, vegetarian or vegan diet, and nutrient supplementation (vitamin & mineral supplements) is recommended.  Vitamins C, D, E, and B complex can be acquired separately or together in a multivitamin supplement.  The same is true for the minerals and trace elements Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Selenium, and Zinc.  In the event of an emergency, good supplements may not be available.  Always remember to purchase extra to store away.  The proper way to store supplements is to keep them in a cool dry place.  Water soluble vitamins like vitamin C are destroyed by moisture and light, and UV – ultra-violet radiation.  Do not break the seal until you are ready to use them.  Most importantly, supplements that are heat or chemically processed have absolutely no nutritive value.   Purchase supplements that are naturally processed, and are made from organic food sources.  Recommended brands are Solgar, Gary Null, Shaklee, Twin Lab, and Naturade.  Crystallized vitamins are always best.   
• When using vitamin pills, make sure to pulverize them before consumption to maximize their absorption into your system.    Super greens are highly nutritious food supplements that are the closest things to whole foods.  Barley, Chlorophyll, Spirulina, and Wheat Grass, contain vitamins, minerals, protein, amino acids, chlorophyll and other active enzymes.  Recommended brands are Green Foods and Pines.

• Know what you are up against!  There isn’t any point of preparing a theoretical  emergency preparedness, response and recovery plan.  You need something for the real world and the only way to accomplish this is to design your program to respond directly to the most frequently encountered disasters in your area.  Prepare a list  starting with the most active and ending with the least.  For each disaster, select methods that will allow you to eliminate or, minimize damage and maximize safety.   For example,  people who live in earthquake prone areas such as Los Angeles, should have  EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS KITS handy.  This would include protective helmets (for falling rubble), work gloves, goggles, shovels and other earthquake oriented preparedness items.  If you are a frequent traveler, or, live in multiple locations, you will need to create an all-purpose preparedness plan. Make sure that with each trip, you take the appropriate measures that conform to the environment you will be visiting.
• Not only will you need to develop skills, but you will also need a set of critical emergency response tools that can help you do survive disasters and emergencies.  They must be carried with you at ALL TIMES  in a sturdy pouch or bag (preferably something that can be worn on a belt to prevent loss) called an E-kit.  the IPN and Global Meltdown Survival Clinic official e-kit is pictured below.  It is made by Civilian Lab  and is specially made for the type of gear you will need to carry.  Not only is it stylish  and  durable, it  can also be worn in many different configurations. .

Civilian Lab Designer Phillip on a secret mission!

IPN IT Guru & Club 2012 creator RJ Cote ready for anything wearing his Civilian Lab rig!

Another great IPN/Global Meltdown Survival clinic E-Kit is the Nite-Ize  Pock-Its sold fully stocked by Mother Eagle 

Your E-kit must contain the following basic preparedness related items

 A good multi-tool is an item that you should “never leave home without!  Most models contain a strong pliers, folding knife, small saw, metal file, hole punch, Phillips and flat head screwdriver, wood saw, wire cutter – and for some scissors.  They range in price from $15 dollars to $120.  Whatever you pay, recognize that it is worth the price.  During disasters, a good multi-tool is an indispensable item that cannot be undervalued.  

Next up is a good L.E.D. flashlight.  It should be durable, and non-incendive  meaning simply that it cannot spark an explosion. 

Non-incendive flashlights are typically waterproof and They They are typically rubberized and sealed with “O” rings to prevent the accidental ignition of flammable gases and vapors by static charges or electrical sparks generated on the outside or, inside of the flashlight.  Some of the best L.E.D. lights available are manufactured by  Inova  Fenix, & Streamlight .

Is is preferred that you carry a battery free flashlight in your E-kit.  The only drawback is that the hand crank models are not waterproof or, non-incendive.  They are also more delicate because of their mechanics.  The magnetic shake lights are great, but must be kept isolated from credit cards, I-pods & computers due to their strong magnetic fields. The easiest way to balance this is to carry both types!  Their compact size low price and light weight makes it possible.  I carry two at all times with no problem.

Next on the list is a matches & lighter combination. You never know when you’ll need to light a fire for warmth, to cook, boil water, or even sterilize medical equipment.  You should also carry some extra “fuel” for your fire in the form of what is called “tinder” and a sparking device (magnesium) just in case your lighter malfunctions & your matches don’t work.  Cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly work great!  place them in a small plastic bag, squeeze out the air, roll or flatten them up and you are good to go.  I carry a small “tea” candle and special trick birthday candles that can’t be blown out.

550 lb test paracord is a must have for every E-kit.  It allows you to have the ability to tie down or hang items with high strength line that won’t break.  A ten-to 15 foot section is easy to carry.  20 lb fishing line also works well but can be difficult to handle.  It can also be tough on the hands when tying something down.

A pocket first-aid kit is another essential item for your E-kit. It should contain band-aids, antibacterial cream, antiseptic /disinfectant wipes, Tylenol, Motrin, Asprin, tweezers, a small roll of medical tape, small dental emergency kit, gauze and other items that can help you to treat scrapes, insect stings, splinters, small eye injuries and a number of other minor injuries.  If you are allergic to insect stings, your pocket first-aid kit should also include an Epi-pen Auto-Injector (epinephrine) to avoid anaphylaxis. Adventure Medical Kits makes some of the best available.  

 

A good whistle must be included in your E-kit.  It allows you to signal for help, or to alert others to danger.  

A mini prybar is an often ignored but extremely valuable tool that is used for emergency entry or escape.  

 

Mini water filtration/purification units are now available at low cost, and they are small enough to be carried in your personal kit.  You never know where you might wind up after a disaster and the safety of your source of water may be questionable.  A small water filter/purifier can solve this problem by allowing you to always have safe drinking water.

Maintaining personal hygene during disasters and emergencies is of the highest order.  Toothbrushes, travel-sized tubes of toothpaste, deodorant bottles or, cans along with hand sanitizer and wipes can all be carried in small pouch.  The IPN & GMSC uses the OSHO toothbrush , Lavalin Solid and cream pictured below

Smoke escape hoods and partial face respirators are a must have item in your E-kit. They can provide you with the critical respiratory protection that you need to escape a fire, or protect you from toxic particulate, mists and vapor that may be in the air after a chemical fire, nuclear power plant accident etc.  Smoke hoods are the best line of defense.  Although some may be cumbersome, they offer the best form of protection that is portable.  They can filter carbon monoxide, provide protection from superheated air, and protect the eyes.  Smoke escape hoods range in price between $60-200 dollars and are worth whatever price you pay!   Because of the detailed, serious and unusual nature of this particular item, the GMSC will make a specific product recommendation.  The most effective and inexpensive high quality smoke escape hood is called the Xcaper.   If you can’t afford a smoke hood, a partial face respirator will also serve you well.  

A small (N-100, N-95 type) particulate respirator for other types of emergencies that require respiratory protection must be included in your E-kit.  (pictured below 3M 8233 N-100 mask).

A good strong pair of EMT scissors is something that you should not be without during an emergency.  $ 2.00-$5.00 at most good hardware stores  (Some are available at local area 99 cent stores). 

FISHER SPACE PEN AND NOTEPAD - The best type of note pad is called a tactical notebook.   They are made with waterproof paper that can be written on in rainy weather without the ink running and blurring.  Fisher Space Pens® are available at most high-end stationary stores.  Tactical notebooks are available from Shomer-Tec.com.

E-KIT PRICES - A well-constructed E-kit with high-quality components will range in price between 100-170 dollars. (omitting high quality knife and smoke escape hood). The price depends on the components that you decide to select.   The following is an example of a reasonably priced high quality E-kit.

1 Leartherman super tool                                       $ 50.00

1 Pelican  Super MityLite                                        $ 15.00

1 Mini Prybar or 4 way hatchet tool                     $   8.00

1 Box weatherproof matches and case                $   8.00

1 Butane lighter                                                          $   1.00

1 Pock-its or EMT tool pouch                                 $ 20.00

1 Mini-first aid kit                                                     $ 20.00

1 Fisher space pen  & tactical notebook              $  30.00

1 whistle                                                                       $    2.00

Total                                                                            $154.00

LOW COST E-KIT ALTERNATIVES - You can put an E-kit together for much less (approx. $25.00).   The best way to do it without skimping on quality is to buy a no-frills multi-tool, flashlight, pouch and a low-cost smoke escape hood (Exitair- Kaptair).   

Preparedness expert Doug Ritter, also makes a great high quality low-cost pocket E-kit 

It’s called the Pocket Survival Pak.  This is the most useful type of its kind.  No nonsense, extremely small and useful.

• E-KIT CARRY RULES - Federal buildings, sports arenas, and other secured areas will not allow you to take your entire E-kit inside.                                                                                                                                                            
• You will only be permitted to carry your flashlight, smokehood, first-aid kit and some of the other smaller items.   The Multi-tool and/or the prybar will either have to be left at home, your office or at another safe location nearby.  This same rule applies for airline travel.   Make sure to pack your E-kit in your checked baggage.  Do not try and wear it on the aircraft unless you have removed the multi-tool, EMT shears, lighter, matches and mini-crowbar.   In today’s environment, even a harmless item like a smoke escape hood may raise some eyebrows, so make sure and check with the company about their rules concerning protective devices of this type before you step aboard the plane.

THE “G&G”(GRAB & GO) BAG  – In many cases, emergencies and disasters produce extreme conditions that may require a rapid evacuation of your home, and if you are at work, your office.   When this occurs, you will need more equipment and material that can be carried in an E-kit.  This additional gear must be stored in a large backpack called a Grab & Go or, G&G bag for short. 

• WHAT A G&G Bag  SHOULD CONTAIN - A G&G-bag contains all of the items (food, shelter, first-aid etc.) that you and your family would need to survive a disaster for a basic minimum of three days (hence 72 hour kit).   The IPN IADO (pronounced AYE-YAY-DO) protocol stresses the word minimum because the 72-hour figure is a very conservative time period.  Many emergencies extend well beyond seven days.   This is why we suggest that you pack enough supplies to last for a longer time period (one to two weeks).    This will increase the weight & size of your bag – but, the extra food & other items will more than make up for the added size & weight.    Also, as time passes, the weight of the bag will reduce with the consumption of the food and other perishable items in the bag.    You will also need to include duplicates (or originals) of all your most important records (insurance, will etc.) and even valued pictures. 

• NEVER BUY PRE-ASSEMBLED G&G BAGS -They should ALWAYS be assembled by the user.  Pre-packaged bags are designed for people that are too lazy to take the time to learn how to construct their own personalized pack.   Most of the time, they are usually stuffed with low-end equipment and useless filler items like flimsy faux Swiss Army knives and flashlights that are designed to trick the consumers into believing that they have actually purchased something of value.   Do yourself a favor – take the time to design and pack your own. 

• THE BEST TYPES OF G&G BAGS – Without question, backpacks are the best type of bags for 72-hour kits.  You must choose a high quality bag to secure your survival materials.    They should be selected for strength & durability,  storage capacity,  weight, function and, water resistance.    A rain cover can be purchased to protect your gear.   A good strong large trash bag can also do the trick in a pinch.   For an additional edge of protection against moisture,  waterproof bags used by white water rafters and special ops in the military called dry bags  such as the Armor Bags dry backpack shown at screen left can also be purchased.   They are completely waterproof.   The downside is that they are usually either very expensive or, they are constructed from vinyl and sacrifice strength for waterproofing.     
• G&G Bags for the physically challenged or, injured – Your choice of backpack or bag for your G&G bag is determined by your specific needs.  If you are physically challenged or injured, you will not be able to use a backpack. If this is the case, there are a number of alternative ways to carry your gear.  You will need to use a combination of different types of bag to substitute for a larger backpack.   With the right mix, you will be able to haul quite a bit of gear and supplies.    Not as much as a backpack, because of weight limitations, but more than enough to help you in an extended crisis.    Your first bag should be a large messenger bag.  They can be slung over the shoulder and placed on the lap for easy access to your essential items such as flashlights, tools, water or medicine.    The next bag should be a wheelchair bag.  These bags have straps that can be slung around wheelchair seat posts.   Adaptable designs Inc. sells a great model called “Jazz” It has deep multi-pockets and room for more important gear.    Small wheelchair pouches can be attached to hang on manual wheelchair armrests or beneath the seat.

You will also need to assemble a full sized first-aid kit for your G&G bag.  Physical injuries during this time are inevitable.  Expert medical treatment may not be available, and a good first aid kit (along with emergency medical training) may make the difference between life and death.