Having a Plan is a vital part of being prepared for Emergency and Survival Situations. Two main strategies dominate the survival strategies within the Prepper and Survivalist Movement: Bug In and Bug Out. Bugging In or Bug In refers to strategy of having the capacity to deal with disruptions in the society, survival or crisis situations in the Home. Bugging Out or Bug Out refers to the strategy of having the option to evacuate if a situation would call for this approach.
First of all: No Plan is likely to survive its first encounter with reality. A Bug In Plan can help you to deal with emergencies by providing useful information, procedures for how to deal with different types of problems and critical information like maps, phone numbers etc. This is a suggestion for a framework that you can use when you make your own plan, but this is not a one-size fits all solution for making a Bug In Plan. You may face several types of problems that are unique for your setting and situation. The Plan that you make must be made for you and by you. Own the Process.
Facing an Emergency
Natural Disasters or Man Made Disasters can result in situations when one’s life, health or property is at stake. A Disaster can cause severe problems for transportation, electricity, electronic communications, the access to gas, heating and other systems that most people rely on an everyday basis and take for granted. Most modern appliances like phones, computers, lights, heating, refrigeration, air condition and even water pumps can cease to function in this type of scenarios. Bugging In refers to the tactic of minimizing the impact that such an event may have for you. Many situations do not have to result in a life or death situation if you simply have a plan and the means to deal with them.
A disaster rarely disrupts all functions in a society even if this is a possibility. Functions are often brought back relatively fast after a disaster, power companies can often be able to make repairs relatively quick etc. But some natural disasters like the 2006 Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, The Haiti Earthquake and the recent Japanese Tsunami are event that have affected and will continue to affect entire regions for long periods of time. Disasters can also have a long lasting impact on local areas. In most crisis and survival situations life may completely or partly keep on going as normal – school, work and other activities may continue even if massive damage has been dealt to a community. The magnitude of disasters is not only total devastation or normality; therefore I suggest that you try to have a sliding scale approach in your Bug In Plan.
Normality
During your everyday life you can often get Early Warnings for potential disasters like hurricanes by following the news and your local weather prognosis. How much time you should spend on following the events around the world is a matter of personal preferences; you can just make a quick check every morning and having a weather application for your Smartphone or computer; or you can spend basically an unlimited amount of time checking multiple international, regional and local news media. Another potential important source of information is your local or national crisis management agency like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
[ ] Check the Weather Forecast and News Every Morning
Increased Preparedness
Some types of disasters like storms, Hurricanes and Blizzards may be foreseen before they actually take place. In these cases an Early Warning may be given by authorities or other sources that may allow for Preparations to be made. In these types of situations it is however very common that people ignore or downplay the threat; it’s hard for people to really perceive a hurricane as a threat if the warning is given several days before it hits when the sun is shining and the weather is great.
[ ] Follow the Development of the Situation
[ ] Make a timeline for what information that you have received, at what time and from what source.
[ ] Inform Friends and Family about the ongoing Situation
[ ] What you know about this type of Situation or Threat? Make some basic research to learn more about how this type of situation and what you can do to minimize the potential impact.
[ ] Check if there are any plans made by local, regional or national crisis management agencies for how to deal with this type of situation.
Alert
At some situations it can become clear that a situation will become a real problem and that it will affect you. In this case you should make all the preparations that you can to minimize the impact.
[ ] Continue to Follow the Development
[ ] Continue to make a timeline for the ongoing development
[ ] Check in with friends and family. How are they are planning to deal with the situation? Do they require any help or is there anything they can do to help you?
[ ] Make Preparations to minimize the potential Consequences
[ ] Check Supplies and your Inventory. Is there and field where you should increase your capability?
Bug In
A few types of scenarios may make it necessary to stay indoors in the Home. A catastrophic pandemic, massive civil unrest, a blizzard or a chemical or radioactive release may make require this approach for short or long periods of time. This represents the most extreme action required; most situations are not likely to require such drastic actions.
Part 1: The Risk Assessment
I suggest that as the first part of your Bug In Plan should be your Risk Assessment. A Risk Assessment is an attempt to find and classify Risks in a systematical manner by trying to judge the potential Consequences and how Likely a certain risk is.
This Assessment will give you an idea of potential threats that you may face, how likely they are and what consequences they might have. From this perspective you can start to action in order to minimize the potential impact of the Risks and acquire knowledge, skills and equipment that may allow you to cope with them in a better way. There are always Risks that may not be possible to foresee, but making an Assessment can help you to avoid some of the threats that you may face. Your setting will affect your vulnerability to these Risks; your type of housing, how high your Home is located above sea level, insulation etc. Dependencies on gas or district heating are other examples of factors that can make you vulnerable to certain types of Risks.
After you have made you’re Risk Assessment its time that you ask yourself what kind of capacity that you want to have in order to deal with different kind of emergencies or disasters. Some questions that can be relevant:
• How long do you think that you may have to be able to cope without external assistance?
• What kind of Skills and Knowledge may help you to overcome these events?
• What type of Equipment and Gear can be useful to deal with these threats?
• What kind of solutions is most effective for your specific setting and situation?
• How much of your time and income are you willing to invest in being prepared?
Part 2: The Group
In the second part of the Plan I suggest that you gather information about the members of your household, friends and other people that are important to you. This information can help you to get in contact with them and make you aware of potential medical needs they may have during an emergency or how you should contact if anything would happen to them.
• Home Phone Number and Fax Number
• Home Address and Type of Housing
• Mobile Phone Number
• E-mail Address
• Work Address and Occupation
• Work Phone Number
• Date of Birth
• Special Medical Needs
• Blood Group
• Immunizations
• Known allergies
• Physical Description; Length, Weight, Hair, Eyes etc, a photograph can also be useful.
• Skills and Education
• Access to Specific Equipment
• What type of driver licenses does the person have and what vehicles can they operate?
• How should you contact if anything would happen to them? Write down the name of the persons and contact information like Phone Number, E-mail and Address.
Part 3: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
How will you maintain your every day needs like Water, Food, Cooking, Trash Disposal, Hygiene and Sanitation, Light, Communications, Emergency Power during the types of Risks that you have identified? I suggest that you create Standard Operating Procedures, or in other words standardized solutions for how to deal with different types of needs. Here you can include predures for anything from where and how you can gather and purify water, how you will prepare food without electricity or gather information about an ongoing event.
Examples of SOP:s for a Bug In Plan
• Monitoring an ongoing Crisis
Create a Timeline: What has Happened? When Did You receive This Information? From what Source did you receive This Information? Multiple sources: The Media, Radio, TV, FEMA, Local Crisis Management Agencies etc.
• Communications with Friends and Family
Cell Phone, Social Networks, CB or HAM Radio, Landline etc
• CBRN Management and Preparedness
Closing Ventilation, Closing Doors and Windows. Using towels and or tape to seal cracks around doors or windows.
• Collecting and Purifying Water
Extra Water Containers, Water BOB, Water Purification Filter, Water Purification Tablets, How much bleach to use in order to disinfect water etc
• Emergency Toilets and Hygiene – Routines
Same people using the same toilets, where to put waste, hand sanitation, routines for how often to clean facilities etc.
• Loss of Electrical Power
Eat food that need refrigeration first, Light Sources, How to receive news (Battery powered radio or other alternative solutions) etc
• Fire Safety
Fire Escapes / Fire Drills / Evacuation, Fire Alarms, Where can extinguishers be founds etc
• Staying Warm
Heaters, Warm Clothing, Extra Blankets, Sleeping Bags etc
Part 4: Getting Home
Disasters may strike at any time; most people spend much of their time either at work, school or some other type of daytime activity. If disaster strikes and you are far away from home it can be good to make preparations that may help you to get back home. This Plan should not only be for you but also for other family members. If you have children, elderly or disabled members in the household how where will they be picked up and how can they be transported? I also suggest that you make some meeting points, one primary and one secondary.
Communications
Communications is another critical aspect. How would you communicate? Phones or Cell phones is normally the easiest way of communications since most people often carry their Cell Phones with them at all times. Social Networks, E-Mail, CB-Radio or Ham-Radio could be other alternatives forms of communication.
Get Home Bag
A Get Home Bag (GHB) is a tool designed to provide you with the tools you may need to deal with everyday problems, emergencies and situation when you have to make back home during a disaster. A Get Home Bag may be the bag that you carry with you at all times with some additional equipment to cope with an emergency or a specific bag that you keep at your work place on in your vehicle. Having a GHB can be a great resource, but in a worst case scenario you may have to make do with the items that you carry on your person; this is equipment is often referred to as and Every Day Carry (EDC).
Distance from Home
If you and your family members live close to your work place, school or other types of day activities getting everyone back home do not have to be a very complicated process. But if you work a long distance from Home, or possibly work in another area or town during the weeks this may be a more difficult process. How much efforts you must put into this type of preparedness depends on your own situation.
Transportation and The Routes Back Home
Getting back home during an ongoing Crisis Situation can be a very easy matter if you work very close to your home, but there are also people how commute long distances and may find them far away from home if disaster would strike. Your Every Day Life must govern your own plans and efforts. I suggest that you take the following steps when you make your plan for getting back home after an emergency.
• Start with marking potential routes on Maps from your work place back to you Home; using markers with different colors can make the routes easy to view and follow. Online tools like Google Maps can also be used to establish routes.
• Try to have both a Primary means of transportation like Vehicles available and a plan for a secondary means of transport like using public transports, bikes or walking.
• Add information about the Route. Where can you find potential shelters, access to water, gas stations, hospitals, hotels, motels, hostels, hazards, repair shops, do you have any stashes on the way etc.
• Try to identify Potential Choke Points like bridges, tunnels etc and potential ways around them.
• Identify key infrastructure on the routes that can possibly be affected by events. Bridges could possibly be damaged or collapse from an Earthquake and Tunnels or roads be flood by a dam break etc
Part 5: Budget
Having an Emergency is also a vital part of your Bug In Plan. A Disaster can cause direct economical los to your Home and other belongings; it may result in injury, destroy businesses and put people out of work. All these type of events require that you have some forms of emergency funds that can be used to cover expenses like rent, fuel, food, medical bills etc. Having the proper form of medical Insurances, Insurances for your Home that cover Natural Disasters etc may also be critical.
Reducing your Loans and Debt are also actions that give you a more solid financial situation if you have to deal with an emergency. This budget may also be of great use for other situations like a job loss, unexpected expenses or home repairs.
I also suggest that you try to keep a medium amount of cash at hand so that you can pay for your needs if you are dependent on a credit or debit card in case of black out. Make sure that you have a safe place to store your cash, other valuables and important documents to prevent theft or the loss of these from hazards like fire. A safe can be a good alternative if you can afford it, a Bank safety deposit box can be another alternative or complement.
Part 6: Inventory
Having an Inventory of your supplies makes it easy to know what you have available during a Crisis Situation and this can also help you to plan and organize your preparedness efforts. There are many ways of organizing your inventory; one way can be to organize it into different categories like:
[ ] Water and Food
[ ] Cooking
[ ] Warmth – Blankets, Sleeping Bags, Warm Clothing
[ ] Alternative form of Heating source: Wood Stove, Heat-Pal, Kerosene Heater, Candles,
[ ] Medical Supplies and First Aid
[ ] Light
[ ] Equipment to Start a Fire
[ ] Fire Safety
[ ] Cash, Important Documents, Family Photos etc
[ ] Tools
[ ] Equipment for Repairs
[ ] Emergency Sanitation and Hygiene
[ ] Energy – Generator, Extension Cords, Spare Parts and Fuel, Solar Chargers for batteries etc
For more suggestion on what kind of supplies that can be useful to have during an Emergency check out the article: Equipment for Your Home – Checklist.
Part 7: The Transportation and Logistics Plan
A Disaster can temporarily disrupt the access to fuel and other types of transportation so it can be vital to have a Plan for how to deal with your day to day transportation needs and if there would be a need to transport a wounded friend or family member to a hospital.
I suggest that you both have a Primary and Secondary means of transportations in your Bug In Plan, a primary mean can be vehicles or trucks; examples of secondary means can be motor cycles, bikes, walking or public transport. Also make sure that you know what types of public means of transport that is available in your area like subways, trains, buses, airports and make sure that you have phone numbers and contact information to these companies.
Vehicles
• Primary means of Transportation – Cars, Truck etc
• Secondary Means of Transportation – Public Transport, Bikes, Motorcycles, Walking etc
Fuel is one of the things that often becomes scares after a disaster and is used as fuel for vehicles, generators and heating. I suggest that you try to keep at least the equivalent of full tank of gas for your Vehicle Available. Fuel is flammable and must be stored safely; make sure to check your local recommendations and rules for storage. Fuel and Gasoline must also be rotated on a regular basis, since it deteriorates over time, even stabilizers can increase the shelf life of fuel. Diesel generally has a longer shelf life than gasoline and a lower flammability. Having some Spare Parts and Tools for Repairs available can also be a good idea.
Part 8: Appendix
In the appendix of the Plan you can gather important information like
• Map – City Maps, Road Map, Topographical Maps, Sea Charts etc.
• Telephone numbers and addresses to hospitals, your house doctor, Police Department, Fire Departments, CERT, The Red Cross, FEMA, local Non Governmental Organizations (NGO:s), The Red Cross, Insurance Companies, Power Companies, Gas Companies etc.
• Contact Information to Alternative Forms of transportation; Airports, Trains, Boats, Subways etc. Phone Numbers, Websites and Addresses to companies.
• Phone Numbers and Contact Information to friends, people at work, contacts etc. Write down information like phone numbers, e-mail address, birthday, home address and what they do for a living and if they have any specific type of skills.
• Articles, Books and other type of reference materials.
Specific Needs
Many people can have special needs like a Wheelchair for getting around, Glasses, Insulin for diabetes, Heart medication or hearing aids. Make sure that your plan Include this specific needs.
Also see:
Bug In - An Introduction
Risk Assessments
Equipment For Your Home – Checklist
Get Home Bags (GHB)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Midsummer
I’m currently writing on the next article for The Free Online Survival Guide – The Bug In Plan. Last weekend we had the traditional summer celebration of midsummer here in Scandinavia. For us how live at the Arctic Circle the sun never set in the middle of the summer and it never comes up over the horizon in the middle of winter. We experience large seasonal variations and right now it almost seems absurd that the sun will not be seen at all in six months. But the days will get shorter and shorter. The summers are short and the winters are long here. I thought that it could be a good idea to share some pictures to give the readers some kind of idea about what type of setting that the author encounters.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The Bug Out Plan
Having a Bug Out Bag that is adjusted for your particular situation and needs is a good start, but another critical aspect in the step towards being ready for an evacuation is to have a Plan. It is likely that you will overlook something or that you might need more information if you would ever really need to evacuate, but to having a Plan and some options is a good start.
In this article I will present some advice concerning what you can think of when making your own Bug Out Plan. There is no Plan that is perfect for every person or every setting. One Size does not fit all; you might have several personal needs that are not included in this article that you have to cover. You must own this process yourself; this is only advice and guidelines. First of all, let’s be clear: No Crisis Plan is likely to Survive its first encounter with reality. You will have to improvise and find solutions for situations that cannot be foreseen before they happen. You cannot plan for every possible scenario.
In a Crisis Situation you will face time pressure, insecurity and great values like you life or safety will be at stake. The very dynamic of the situation means that you will have to make decisions based on incomplete information. Not even the crisis staffs of government organizations will have access to all information during this type of situations.
Starting Out: Keep it Simple
As I first step I suggest that you make a very basic Bug Out Plan. It’s possible to make a very comprehensive Bug Out Plan but as your first step I suggest that you try to keep it simple. I suggest that you establish some basic parameters like:
1.) Establish two means of Getting in Contact with other Group Members; Cell phones are often the best primary alternative since most people carry them on an Everyday basis. HAM radio, CB-Radio, Social Networks like Facebook or E-mail can be potential secondary means of communications.
2.) Establish Meeting Points: One Primary Meeting Point and One Secondary Meeting Point.
3.) Establish Two alternative routes to get out of your area.
4.) Establish a Primary and Secondary means of transportation; Normally Vehicles like a car, truck or motorcycle will the primary alternative; travelling by foot, bike or public transportation can be a secondary alternative.
5.) Make sure that you have a Bug Out Bag (BOB) and some basic equipment available.
6.) Make sure that every Group member is aware of the Plan and have Copy.
Making a more Comprehensive Bug Out Plan
I suggest that the basic layout of your Bug Out Plan should be as easy and uncomplicated as possible. A comprehensive Bug Out Plan with multiple alternatives can have advantages but if a plan for a Group is extremely comprehensive it can be hard for members to remember all the details of the plan and it can also make the plan hard to understand. My suggestion is that you first make a Basic Plan and that you later add to this plan and adjusts it depending on new findings and developments.
Part 1: Activation
So when should one choose to evacuate? The easy answer is: when your chances to survive are better somewhere else then in your home or where you are right now. The dynamics of a Crisis makes it very hard being able to tell when it’s better to evacuate and when it isn’t. You will most likely not have all the information that you would need when you will make the decision to stay or evacuate. I would recommend that you do not just view this problem from a perspective with only two options. It can be good to have a sliding scale approach to the problem so that you have more steps to take than just too stay or go.
Normal
During your normal everyday life there are things that you can do in order to be able to get information at an early stage like
• Check the Media and your local news paper every morning
• Check the weather prognosis every morning
• Check FEMA or your local crisis management organizations webpage every morning
Many of these organizations can have news feeds that you can get for your computer or smart phone so that you can get information at an early stage.
• Have a Bug Out Bag Ready.
• Make sure that your Vehicle is in a good working condition and that you have some extra fuel stored that you rotate on a regular basis.
Elevated
When a crisis situation takes place news papers, TV news channels, WebPages and the radio are common sources of information. During an early stage the information is often incomplete and sometimes even contradicting. If you receive this type of information make sure that you write down
• What information have you received
• At what time did you receive it
• From what source did you receive it?
Also make sure to:
• Inform the other members of your Groups
• Follow the Development
Increased Readiness
If you have received information that suggests that an evacuation might become necessary but don’t know the severity of the situation or if an evacuation is necessary I suggest that you start taking steps in order to prepare.
• Check in with everyone and make sure that they are informed, make sure that you have routines for this; having specific e-mail or text messaging lists ready can make it easy to inform several people at once. I also suggest that you create a standard procedure for the members to confirm that they have received the information.
• Stay Updated
• Is there any information that suggests that your intended routes may be affected?
• Check Vehicles and Fuel Levels
• Check Bug Out Bags
• Check Supplies
Evacuation
This step can be taken either after an Early Warning or Incubation period or it could be taken at a moment’s notice like in the case of a Tsunami Warning or an alert for some type of immediate danger. In some situations like a Tsunami all efforts must be focused on getting to safety at once; no time can be spared to load equipment etc; waiting to do this could cost you your life. Therefore I recommend that you Plan for two types of scenarios: An Evacuation when you have the time to prepare and an Evacuation when you must leave at once.
If the scenario does not present an immediate danger like a tsunami it’s important to establish routines for how the decision to evacuate will be made. If there is a group will there be a vote or will someone that the group trusts make the decision? What does one do if some members of a Group want to stay behind? This is a very difficult subject and you must find a solution that makes sense for You.
When deciding these parts it can also be good to think of different types of Scenarios like:
• The Scenario takes place during daytime when people are at work or school
• The Scenario takes place during the night
• The Scenario takes place when you are at Home
Part 2: The Routes
Establishing the best routes in case of an evacuation can be a hard thing to do. During many large scale evacuation the evacuation takes time for several reasons; it takes time for people to get ready and meet up with family members. Other potential problems like pile ups can result in a situation when the pace of the traffic comes to a complete halt or moves very slowly. During a large scale evacuation this is a problem that will be very hard to completely avoid.
Making the Routes
• Start with selecting some Primary Meeting Points
o A natural primary meeting point is your Home; it can also be good to have a designated location close to your Home in case of events like a Fire if your house would be inaccessible.
• Select some Secondary Meeting Points
o Secondary meeting points should be easy to access and be well known by all members of a Group. The location of relatives or friends can be a good secondary meeting point.
o I also suggest that you establish a way of signaling to the other members of a party if you have been at a meeting point but had to keeping on moving. When did you arrive at the meeting point; were you alone and where are you planning to go next?
• Mark the potential routes on Maps; using markers with different colors can make them easy to view and follow. Online tools like Google Maps can also be used to establish routes.
• Add information about the Route. Where can you find potential shelters, access to water, gas stations, hospitals, hotels, motels, hostels, hazards, repair shops, do you have any stashes on the way etc.
• Try to identify Potential Choke Points like bridges, tunnels etc and potential ways around them.
• Identify key infrastructure on the routes that can possibly be affected by events. Bridges could possibly be damaged or collapse from an Earthquake and Tunnels or roads be flood by a dam break etc
• Are there community plans and routes for an evacuation? Check with your local and regional agencies. If you haven’t made a Risk Assessment also ask for their latest Risk Assessments if they have public reports.
• Has there been Previous Evacuations from your community? Are there any lessons that can be learned? How did the evacuations work?
Part 3: The Party
The next important step that I recommend that you take is to collect information about the members of party that can be necessary to have during and evacuation. I suggest that you list all the members and add details like
[ ] Home Phone Number and Fax Number
[ ] Home Address and Type of Housing
[ ] Mobile Phone Number
[ ] E-mail Address
[ ] Work Address and Occupation
[ ] Work Phone Number
[ ] Date of Birth
[ ] Special Medical Needs
[ ] Blood Group
[ ] Immunizations
[ ] Known allergies
[ ] Physical Description; Length, Weight, Hair, Eyes etc, a photograph can also be useful.
[ ] Skills and Education
[ ] What type of driver licenses does the person have and what vehicles can they operate?
[ ] Friends and Family (Possibly Phone Number and Address to those)
Part 4: Equipment
The needs for evacuation can come fast and without warning. There are some types of threats like a Tsunami, Dam Break, Spills from Chemical Plants or Transports, a Massive Earthquake, Melt Down in a Nuclear Power Plant and other events that may require an immediate evacuation. Other types of scenarios when an Early Warning can be given like with the case of Hurricanes or Blizzards can allow for a more planed sollution.
In a worst case scenario all you might have is what you carry on your person; your Every Day Carry (EDC) or a Get Home Bag (GHB). These may not be designed for an evacuation scenario: But they may all that you have.
If an Early Warning is given it may be possible to make preparations before; go to your home, load up vehicles, get your Bug Out Bag and other supplies.
[ ] Bug Out Bag.
[ ] Extra Equipment for Vehicles; Spare Parts, Fuel, Etc
[ ] Maps, Compass and GPS
[ ] Additional Supplies: Water, Food and Clothing
[ ] Equipment required for specific Scenarios
[ ] Paperwork and Documents
Part 5: Scenarios and Risks
If you have made a Risk Assessment I also suggest that you add information about the potential hazards that you have identified that could require an evacuation.
• Could these scenarios affect Routes?
• Is there any particular additional equipment that could be critical?
Part 6: Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are different types of standardized means of approaching a potential problem. Creating SOP:s in a Bug Out Plan can be a way of training for different types of problems and challenges. Examples of SOP:s can be to train radio commutations and decide what frequencies or channels that the party will use and always make sure that walkie-talkies work before leaving with vehicles. Other procedures can be to have a checklist so that one can check that all equipment has been loaded.
• How to make Contact and Communications
• SOP:s for Equipment Check, Radio Check etc.
• SOP:s for how to make Decisions or the Chain of Command
How does the Group make decisions? Is one person in charge or do the group make decisions together? Create routines.
• SOP:s for Travelling with Vehicles
The Distance Between Vehicles; Always Keep Windows Up, Doors locked, Keep valuables hidden, Seat Belts, Check Fuel Levels, Always park in the direction you intend to leave etc.
• SOP:s for Traveling by Foot
• SOP:s for Transportation of Injured Persons
• SOP:s for Checkpoints
Part 7: Appendix
It can also be good to have additional information attached to your Plan in an Appendix. Some suggestions for information that can be useful to have:
• Telephone numbers and addresses to hospitals, police, fire departments, CERT, The Red Cross, FEMA, local Non Governmental Organizations (NGO:s), Insurance Companies, Power Companies etc.
• Possible Alternative Forms of transportation; Airports, Trains, Boats, Subways etc. Phone numbers, websites and addresses to companies.
• It could also be good to know what the different persons plan on bringing along when it comes to equipment and have an inventory list of this in the plan.
Special Needs
Most groups will likely consist of some people that have special needs; these may be children, elderly persons, people with some type of disabilities etc. Individuals may also have special needs like glasses, hearing aids or medication. These needs must be planed for and taken into consideration when making your Bug Out Plan.
Paperwork and Documents
Having the access to documents can be very important during an evacuation scenario. If you have to evacuate your Home there is telling for sure how long it will be until you can return or if you will ever be able to. I suggest that you include paper works as a basic part of your Bug Out Plan preparations. Some examples of paper work that can be vital:
• Passports, ID, Driver Licenses, Vehicle Registration and Immunization Cards. Possibly other information like medical insurance, insurance, permits, birth certificate and other types of information.
• By scanning the paper work you can make a digital back up that you can store on some kind of device like your cell phone or USB stick. Some of this information may be private and sensitive; make sure to check out options for encryption and password protection in order to protect the information.
Distributing the Plan
A printed version a Bug Out Plan can be a good thing to have in your Bug Out Bag. A waterproof container can be good in order to protect it from the elements. If you are really serious and have the money Rite In The Rain makes water resistant copy paper than can be used with laser printers. A PDF version of the Plan can be kept on a USB stick or viewed on Smart Phones.
Summary
The Bug Out Plan is only a part of what should be your general Plan for coping with crisis and Survival Situations. In this article I have present some advice on what you can include into your own Bug Out Plan; Your Plan must be adjusted accordingly to your own specific needs and situation. You must reach the point when you feel that your plan is made by you and for your own situation. Own the process.
The aim of the Plan as I see it is twofold; the first part is to provide some options for action; the other aspect is to provide a tool to deal with unexpected events by having critical information about your group and local setting available.
Checklist for the Bug Out Plan:
[ ] The Bug Out Plan
[ ] Maps; City Maps, Topographical Maps, Road Maps, Sea Charts etc.
[ ] Passport, Driver License or ID
[ ] Birth Certificate, Immunization Card, Permits, Prescription for medicines, Medical Insurance Card, Permits etc
[ ] Cash (Bills and Coins) and Credit or Debit Card
In this article I will present some advice concerning what you can think of when making your own Bug Out Plan. There is no Plan that is perfect for every person or every setting. One Size does not fit all; you might have several personal needs that are not included in this article that you have to cover. You must own this process yourself; this is only advice and guidelines. First of all, let’s be clear: No Crisis Plan is likely to Survive its first encounter with reality. You will have to improvise and find solutions for situations that cannot be foreseen before they happen. You cannot plan for every possible scenario.
In a Crisis Situation you will face time pressure, insecurity and great values like you life or safety will be at stake. The very dynamic of the situation means that you will have to make decisions based on incomplete information. Not even the crisis staffs of government organizations will have access to all information during this type of situations.
Starting Out: Keep it Simple
As I first step I suggest that you make a very basic Bug Out Plan. It’s possible to make a very comprehensive Bug Out Plan but as your first step I suggest that you try to keep it simple. I suggest that you establish some basic parameters like:
1.) Establish two means of Getting in Contact with other Group Members; Cell phones are often the best primary alternative since most people carry them on an Everyday basis. HAM radio, CB-Radio, Social Networks like Facebook or E-mail can be potential secondary means of communications.
2.) Establish Meeting Points: One Primary Meeting Point and One Secondary Meeting Point.
3.) Establish Two alternative routes to get out of your area.
4.) Establish a Primary and Secondary means of transportation; Normally Vehicles like a car, truck or motorcycle will the primary alternative; travelling by foot, bike or public transportation can be a secondary alternative.
5.) Make sure that you have a Bug Out Bag (BOB) and some basic equipment available.
6.) Make sure that every Group member is aware of the Plan and have Copy.
Making a more Comprehensive Bug Out Plan
I suggest that the basic layout of your Bug Out Plan should be as easy and uncomplicated as possible. A comprehensive Bug Out Plan with multiple alternatives can have advantages but if a plan for a Group is extremely comprehensive it can be hard for members to remember all the details of the plan and it can also make the plan hard to understand. My suggestion is that you first make a Basic Plan and that you later add to this plan and adjusts it depending on new findings and developments.
Part 1: Activation
So when should one choose to evacuate? The easy answer is: when your chances to survive are better somewhere else then in your home or where you are right now. The dynamics of a Crisis makes it very hard being able to tell when it’s better to evacuate and when it isn’t. You will most likely not have all the information that you would need when you will make the decision to stay or evacuate. I would recommend that you do not just view this problem from a perspective with only two options. It can be good to have a sliding scale approach to the problem so that you have more steps to take than just too stay or go.
Normal
During your normal everyday life there are things that you can do in order to be able to get information at an early stage like
• Check the Media and your local news paper every morning
• Check the weather prognosis every morning
• Check FEMA or your local crisis management organizations webpage every morning
Many of these organizations can have news feeds that you can get for your computer or smart phone so that you can get information at an early stage.
• Have a Bug Out Bag Ready.
• Make sure that your Vehicle is in a good working condition and that you have some extra fuel stored that you rotate on a regular basis.
Elevated
When a crisis situation takes place news papers, TV news channels, WebPages and the radio are common sources of information. During an early stage the information is often incomplete and sometimes even contradicting. If you receive this type of information make sure that you write down
• What information have you received
• At what time did you receive it
• From what source did you receive it?
Also make sure to:
• Inform the other members of your Groups
• Follow the Development
Increased Readiness
If you have received information that suggests that an evacuation might become necessary but don’t know the severity of the situation or if an evacuation is necessary I suggest that you start taking steps in order to prepare.
• Check in with everyone and make sure that they are informed, make sure that you have routines for this; having specific e-mail or text messaging lists ready can make it easy to inform several people at once. I also suggest that you create a standard procedure for the members to confirm that they have received the information.
• Stay Updated
• Is there any information that suggests that your intended routes may be affected?
• Check Vehicles and Fuel Levels
• Check Bug Out Bags
• Check Supplies
Evacuation
This step can be taken either after an Early Warning or Incubation period or it could be taken at a moment’s notice like in the case of a Tsunami Warning or an alert for some type of immediate danger. In some situations like a Tsunami all efforts must be focused on getting to safety at once; no time can be spared to load equipment etc; waiting to do this could cost you your life. Therefore I recommend that you Plan for two types of scenarios: An Evacuation when you have the time to prepare and an Evacuation when you must leave at once.
If the scenario does not present an immediate danger like a tsunami it’s important to establish routines for how the decision to evacuate will be made. If there is a group will there be a vote or will someone that the group trusts make the decision? What does one do if some members of a Group want to stay behind? This is a very difficult subject and you must find a solution that makes sense for You.
When deciding these parts it can also be good to think of different types of Scenarios like:
• The Scenario takes place during daytime when people are at work or school
• The Scenario takes place during the night
• The Scenario takes place when you are at Home
Part 2: The Routes
Establishing the best routes in case of an evacuation can be a hard thing to do. During many large scale evacuation the evacuation takes time for several reasons; it takes time for people to get ready and meet up with family members. Other potential problems like pile ups can result in a situation when the pace of the traffic comes to a complete halt or moves very slowly. During a large scale evacuation this is a problem that will be very hard to completely avoid.
Making the Routes
• Start with selecting some Primary Meeting Points
o A natural primary meeting point is your Home; it can also be good to have a designated location close to your Home in case of events like a Fire if your house would be inaccessible.
• Select some Secondary Meeting Points
o Secondary meeting points should be easy to access and be well known by all members of a Group. The location of relatives or friends can be a good secondary meeting point.
o I also suggest that you establish a way of signaling to the other members of a party if you have been at a meeting point but had to keeping on moving. When did you arrive at the meeting point; were you alone and where are you planning to go next?
• Mark the potential routes on Maps; using markers with different colors can make them easy to view and follow. Online tools like Google Maps can also be used to establish routes.
• Add information about the Route. Where can you find potential shelters, access to water, gas stations, hospitals, hotels, motels, hostels, hazards, repair shops, do you have any stashes on the way etc.
• Try to identify Potential Choke Points like bridges, tunnels etc and potential ways around them.
• Identify key infrastructure on the routes that can possibly be affected by events. Bridges could possibly be damaged or collapse from an Earthquake and Tunnels or roads be flood by a dam break etc
• Are there community plans and routes for an evacuation? Check with your local and regional agencies. If you haven’t made a Risk Assessment also ask for their latest Risk Assessments if they have public reports.
• Has there been Previous Evacuations from your community? Are there any lessons that can be learned? How did the evacuations work?
Part 3: The Party
The next important step that I recommend that you take is to collect information about the members of party that can be necessary to have during and evacuation. I suggest that you list all the members and add details like
[ ] Home Phone Number and Fax Number
[ ] Home Address and Type of Housing
[ ] Mobile Phone Number
[ ] E-mail Address
[ ] Work Address and Occupation
[ ] Work Phone Number
[ ] Date of Birth
[ ] Special Medical Needs
[ ] Blood Group
[ ] Immunizations
[ ] Known allergies
[ ] Physical Description; Length, Weight, Hair, Eyes etc, a photograph can also be useful.
[ ] Skills and Education
[ ] What type of driver licenses does the person have and what vehicles can they operate?
[ ] Friends and Family (Possibly Phone Number and Address to those)
Part 4: Equipment
The needs for evacuation can come fast and without warning. There are some types of threats like a Tsunami, Dam Break, Spills from Chemical Plants or Transports, a Massive Earthquake, Melt Down in a Nuclear Power Plant and other events that may require an immediate evacuation. Other types of scenarios when an Early Warning can be given like with the case of Hurricanes or Blizzards can allow for a more planed sollution.
In a worst case scenario all you might have is what you carry on your person; your Every Day Carry (EDC) or a Get Home Bag (GHB). These may not be designed for an evacuation scenario: But they may all that you have.
If an Early Warning is given it may be possible to make preparations before; go to your home, load up vehicles, get your Bug Out Bag and other supplies.
[ ] Bug Out Bag.
[ ] Extra Equipment for Vehicles; Spare Parts, Fuel, Etc
[ ] Maps, Compass and GPS
[ ] Additional Supplies: Water, Food and Clothing
[ ] Equipment required for specific Scenarios
[ ] Paperwork and Documents
Part 5: Scenarios and Risks
If you have made a Risk Assessment I also suggest that you add information about the potential hazards that you have identified that could require an evacuation.
• Could these scenarios affect Routes?
• Is there any particular additional equipment that could be critical?
Part 6: Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are different types of standardized means of approaching a potential problem. Creating SOP:s in a Bug Out Plan can be a way of training for different types of problems and challenges. Examples of SOP:s can be to train radio commutations and decide what frequencies or channels that the party will use and always make sure that walkie-talkies work before leaving with vehicles. Other procedures can be to have a checklist so that one can check that all equipment has been loaded.
• How to make Contact and Communications
• SOP:s for Equipment Check, Radio Check etc.
• SOP:s for how to make Decisions or the Chain of Command
How does the Group make decisions? Is one person in charge or do the group make decisions together? Create routines.
• SOP:s for Travelling with Vehicles
The Distance Between Vehicles; Always Keep Windows Up, Doors locked, Keep valuables hidden, Seat Belts, Check Fuel Levels, Always park in the direction you intend to leave etc.
• SOP:s for Traveling by Foot
• SOP:s for Transportation of Injured Persons
• SOP:s for Checkpoints
Part 7: Appendix
It can also be good to have additional information attached to your Plan in an Appendix. Some suggestions for information that can be useful to have:
• Telephone numbers and addresses to hospitals, police, fire departments, CERT, The Red Cross, FEMA, local Non Governmental Organizations (NGO:s), Insurance Companies, Power Companies etc.
• Possible Alternative Forms of transportation; Airports, Trains, Boats, Subways etc. Phone numbers, websites and addresses to companies.
• It could also be good to know what the different persons plan on bringing along when it comes to equipment and have an inventory list of this in the plan.
Special Needs
Most groups will likely consist of some people that have special needs; these may be children, elderly persons, people with some type of disabilities etc. Individuals may also have special needs like glasses, hearing aids or medication. These needs must be planed for and taken into consideration when making your Bug Out Plan.
Paperwork and Documents
Having the access to documents can be very important during an evacuation scenario. If you have to evacuate your Home there is telling for sure how long it will be until you can return or if you will ever be able to. I suggest that you include paper works as a basic part of your Bug Out Plan preparations. Some examples of paper work that can be vital:
• Passports, ID, Driver Licenses, Vehicle Registration and Immunization Cards. Possibly other information like medical insurance, insurance, permits, birth certificate and other types of information.
• By scanning the paper work you can make a digital back up that you can store on some kind of device like your cell phone or USB stick. Some of this information may be private and sensitive; make sure to check out options for encryption and password protection in order to protect the information.
Distributing the Plan
A printed version a Bug Out Plan can be a good thing to have in your Bug Out Bag. A waterproof container can be good in order to protect it from the elements. If you are really serious and have the money Rite In The Rain makes water resistant copy paper than can be used with laser printers. A PDF version of the Plan can be kept on a USB stick or viewed on Smart Phones.
Summary
The Bug Out Plan is only a part of what should be your general Plan for coping with crisis and Survival Situations. In this article I have present some advice on what you can include into your own Bug Out Plan; Your Plan must be adjusted accordingly to your own specific needs and situation. You must reach the point when you feel that your plan is made by you and for your own situation. Own the process.
The aim of the Plan as I see it is twofold; the first part is to provide some options for action; the other aspect is to provide a tool to deal with unexpected events by having critical information about your group and local setting available.
Checklist for the Bug Out Plan:
[ ] The Bug Out Plan
[ ] Maps; City Maps, Topographical Maps, Road Maps, Sea Charts etc.
[ ] Passport, Driver License or ID
[ ] Birth Certificate, Immunization Card, Permits, Prescription for medicines, Medical Insurance Card, Permits etc
[ ] Cash (Bills and Coins) and Credit or Debit Card
Monday, June 6, 2011
Bug In - An Introduction
How one should best prepare for a Crisis or Survival Situation is a well debated subject. Within the Survivalist and Prepper Movement there are two main strategies that dominates the approach to Crisis and Disaster Preparedness: Bug In and Bug Out. Bugging In or Bug In refers to a strategy that focuses on having the capacity to deal with a crisis or survival situation in the home. Bug Out Refers to having the option of evacuation if this would be needed.
In this introduction article I will discuss some of the factor that you will have to take into consideration when deciding what you should focus on for a Bug In approach. All locations are unique and this is just some of the factors that you may have to take into considerations.
1.) Climate
The Climate where you live in one of the most critical aspects when it comes to what strategies that you should focus on if you are preparing to Bug In. What type of temperatures and weather do you normally encounter? Do you live in a climate where Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Blizzards, Wild Fires, Extreme Heat or Extreme Cold can be a factor? Another critical factor is the seasonal variations in your climate.
2.) Setting
Your setting is also critical aspect that must be taken into consideration. Do you live in an Urban, Sub-Urban, Rural or Wilderness setting? Is your Home located near the sea, a river or lake? What type of terrain surrounds your local setting?
3.) Type of Housing
Another aspect is what type of housing that you are living in. Do you live in a House, Apartment or on a Farm? Many not have their own housing but may either rent a room, live with their family or live in other small types of accommodations like student rooms. How many people are there in the household?
4.) Access to Water
One of the most important factors for survival is water; a human will only survive a few days without water. Some settings like cities located in the desert may be almost totally dependent on water from other locations in order to maintain the needs of the city. How much rainfall do you get every year, is there nearby sources of water like lakes or rivers? If there are local sources to water how far away are they located from your home and is it safe to drink this water without treatment?
5.) Energy
What kind of energy systems do you relay on in your home? Some common types of energy that people depend upon are Electricity, Natural Gas, Oil Heaters, Wood Stoves and District Heating. Most people rely on electricity but other may also be dependent on Natural Gas or Oil for heating or remote heating in some cities.
5.) Transportation
Another critical aspect for your approach is your need for transportation. How long do you have to travel in order to get to work? How long are the distances you have to travel to hospitals, first responders, grocery stores and other types of services that you depend upon? How many vehicles are there in the household and is it possible for you to bike or walk for your basic needs like groceries? What other types of transportation is available like buses, airports, ports, railways and subways?
6.) Budget, Work and Income
People with a high budget can afford solutions that are not accessible to everyone like owning a farm or living in a gated community. How much income do you have every month and how big is your expenses? Economical Preparedness is also a critical part of Crisis and Disaster Preparedness and is often a prerequisite for many solutions.
Urban Environments often provide more opportunities for finding an income and work than a rural setting. The access to more specialized stores and education is often higher in larger cities as well and this is some of the driving forces behind the urbanization trend in the world today. The high population density of cities can however lead to many casualties if a disasters strikes and make evacuations a problematic process.
7.) Your Social Network
Another critical aspect for a Bug In approach is the proximity to your friends, family and social network. Is your family located near or are they located far away? Do you know your neighbors and what kind of relation do you have with them?
8.) Storage Solutions and Keeping an Inventory
All homes have different potential for storage, if you want to be able to store supplies you must find solutions that allow you to access the equipment that you may need and make it easy to organize. Keeping an inventory is also critical so that you what you got and where you can find it.
9.) What Kind of Scenarios Do You Prepare For?
Maybe the most important aspect to your approach is the risks that you are facing and what type of scenarios that you are trying to prepare for. What types of Natural Disasters are common in your area? Are Hurricanes, Wild Fires, Blizzards, Floodings, Tornados, Earthquakes or Tsunamis a potential problems? Are there other types of man-made threats like chemical plants, nuclear power plants or hydro plants in your proximity? By making a Risk Assessment you can get an idea of some of types of scenarios that could possibly affect you.
• How long do you want to be able to make it without external assistance?
• What are the most critical areas that you want to cover?
Summary
A remote rural or wilderness setting is often described as the most ideal setting to cope with a Crisis or Survival Situation. As I see it there is no perfect location that is superior, all locations have their pros and their cons and you must do the best you can with what you got.
A remote area may be a nice place for a recreational house but there are many disadvantages for this type of setting as well; you may have to travel long distances in order to get supplies and groceries, medical assistance in case of accidents may be far away, you may be very dependent on vehicles for transportation, there may be less specialized resource to cope with a crisis in than in a large city and most importantly it can be hard to find a source of income.
Advantages
• You can store much more supplies in your Home than you could ever carry in a Bug Out Bag
• Your Home Provides an excellent shelter against the elements
• You often know your local terrain, local hazards and the people around you
Disadvantages
• Your Home and all your supplies can be possibly be destroyed by a number of events like a fire, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, earthquake or other types of disasters.
• Some scenarios like a Hurricane, Earthquake, Volcano, Wildfire or Tsunami may require an evacuation no matter if you would like to or not and you may have to abandon your home.
Bug In and Bug Out are two strategies that are often combined; personally I recommend that you should have the capacity to do both in case of an emergency.
Other Articles:
The Bug In Plan
Risk Assessments
Equipment For Your Home - Checklist
In this introduction article I will discuss some of the factor that you will have to take into consideration when deciding what you should focus on for a Bug In approach. All locations are unique and this is just some of the factors that you may have to take into considerations.
1.) Climate
The Climate where you live in one of the most critical aspects when it comes to what strategies that you should focus on if you are preparing to Bug In. What type of temperatures and weather do you normally encounter? Do you live in a climate where Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Blizzards, Wild Fires, Extreme Heat or Extreme Cold can be a factor? Another critical factor is the seasonal variations in your climate.
2.) Setting
Your setting is also critical aspect that must be taken into consideration. Do you live in an Urban, Sub-Urban, Rural or Wilderness setting? Is your Home located near the sea, a river or lake? What type of terrain surrounds your local setting?
3.) Type of Housing
Another aspect is what type of housing that you are living in. Do you live in a House, Apartment or on a Farm? Many not have their own housing but may either rent a room, live with their family or live in other small types of accommodations like student rooms. How many people are there in the household?
4.) Access to Water
One of the most important factors for survival is water; a human will only survive a few days without water. Some settings like cities located in the desert may be almost totally dependent on water from other locations in order to maintain the needs of the city. How much rainfall do you get every year, is there nearby sources of water like lakes or rivers? If there are local sources to water how far away are they located from your home and is it safe to drink this water without treatment?
5.) Energy
What kind of energy systems do you relay on in your home? Some common types of energy that people depend upon are Electricity, Natural Gas, Oil Heaters, Wood Stoves and District Heating. Most people rely on electricity but other may also be dependent on Natural Gas or Oil for heating or remote heating in some cities.
5.) Transportation
Another critical aspect for your approach is your need for transportation. How long do you have to travel in order to get to work? How long are the distances you have to travel to hospitals, first responders, grocery stores and other types of services that you depend upon? How many vehicles are there in the household and is it possible for you to bike or walk for your basic needs like groceries? What other types of transportation is available like buses, airports, ports, railways and subways?
6.) Budget, Work and Income
People with a high budget can afford solutions that are not accessible to everyone like owning a farm or living in a gated community. How much income do you have every month and how big is your expenses? Economical Preparedness is also a critical part of Crisis and Disaster Preparedness and is often a prerequisite for many solutions.
Urban Environments often provide more opportunities for finding an income and work than a rural setting. The access to more specialized stores and education is often higher in larger cities as well and this is some of the driving forces behind the urbanization trend in the world today. The high population density of cities can however lead to many casualties if a disasters strikes and make evacuations a problematic process.
7.) Your Social Network
Another critical aspect for a Bug In approach is the proximity to your friends, family and social network. Is your family located near or are they located far away? Do you know your neighbors and what kind of relation do you have with them?
8.) Storage Solutions and Keeping an Inventory
All homes have different potential for storage, if you want to be able to store supplies you must find solutions that allow you to access the equipment that you may need and make it easy to organize. Keeping an inventory is also critical so that you what you got and where you can find it.
9.) What Kind of Scenarios Do You Prepare For?
Maybe the most important aspect to your approach is the risks that you are facing and what type of scenarios that you are trying to prepare for. What types of Natural Disasters are common in your area? Are Hurricanes, Wild Fires, Blizzards, Floodings, Tornados, Earthquakes or Tsunamis a potential problems? Are there other types of man-made threats like chemical plants, nuclear power plants or hydro plants in your proximity? By making a Risk Assessment you can get an idea of some of types of scenarios that could possibly affect you.
• How long do you want to be able to make it without external assistance?
• What are the most critical areas that you want to cover?
Summary
A remote rural or wilderness setting is often described as the most ideal setting to cope with a Crisis or Survival Situation. As I see it there is no perfect location that is superior, all locations have their pros and their cons and you must do the best you can with what you got.
A remote area may be a nice place for a recreational house but there are many disadvantages for this type of setting as well; you may have to travel long distances in order to get supplies and groceries, medical assistance in case of accidents may be far away, you may be very dependent on vehicles for transportation, there may be less specialized resource to cope with a crisis in than in a large city and most importantly it can be hard to find a source of income.
Advantages
• You can store much more supplies in your Home than you could ever carry in a Bug Out Bag
• Your Home Provides an excellent shelter against the elements
• You often know your local terrain, local hazards and the people around you
Disadvantages
• Your Home and all your supplies can be possibly be destroyed by a number of events like a fire, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, earthquake or other types of disasters.
• Some scenarios like a Hurricane, Earthquake, Volcano, Wildfire or Tsunami may require an evacuation no matter if you would like to or not and you may have to abandon your home.
Bug In and Bug Out are two strategies that are often combined; personally I recommend that you should have the capacity to do both in case of an emergency.
Other Articles:
The Bug In Plan
Risk Assessments
Equipment For Your Home - Checklist
Friday, June 3, 2011
Survival Prep Number One: Health and Physical Fitness
In The Survivalist and Prepping Movement there is often a major focus on equipment like Bug Out Bags, Flashlights, Survival Knives, Firearms, Pocket Survival Kits, Every Day Carry and Get Home Bags. One field that is often overlooked in the discussion is the subject of Health and Physical Fitness.
Fitness
In almost all wealthy nations and in many poor nations as well the population often suffer more problems from eating too much and a lack of exercise than they do from Famine and Starvation. Common types of problem related to this problem are overweight, diabetes and heart disease. Exercise is important for a number of different reasons; it reduces stress, burn calories and improves your physical fitness.
Having good health is not only a critical aspect that can mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation. Being able to drag a wounded person to safety or walk that extra mile to safety can be make the difference between making it and don’t. Health and fitness it is also a vital part for living a good life and can increase the time that you will live and your quality of life. If you don’t exercise on a regular basis I suggest that you find a type of activity that you like and start exercising three times a week. Also make regular check-ups at a doctor.
Dental Health
Having bad teeth can be a great discomfort in your everyday life. During a survival situation your teeth is a great tool as long as they are not damaged or broken.
Take care of your teeth; brush them two times a day and remember to exchange your toothbrush with regular intervals. An electrical tooth brush can make it easier to clean parts of clean teeth that can be hard to reach with a regular tooth brush. Also make a habit of using dental floss; Plackers and other types of dental floss makes it easier to use dental floss, if you haven’t tried them I suggest that you do. There are also different types of fluoride solutions that can be a great complement to dental floss. Avoiding eating sweets does not only reduce overweight, it also helps keeping your teeth in a good condition. If you have problems with your teeth you should always visit a professional dentist to let them help you with whatever problems you might have. Make regular checkup so that potential problem can be identified in an early stage, if you do not deal with these kinds of problems in an early stage. For emergency situations there are special medical kits from a number of companies like Lifesystems.
Immunizations
There are many types of disease that can be easily prevented by getting an immunization. In most countries some basic types of immunization is given the entire population but it can be a good idea to get some extra. Some of the immunizations that can be worth considering:
Tuberculoses (TB) is a disease that is very hard to treat if one gets infected by it, it normally requires the treatment with multiple types of antibiotics for a period of around six months and there are some strains of TB that are even more resistant to antibiotics. The immunization does not offer complete immunity but reduces the chance of contracting the disease.
Hepatitis A and B are liver infections can be prevented by getting an immunization. Hepatisis B is one of the most common causes of liver cancer and the virus is highly contagious, up to 100 times more contagious than the HIV virus. The most common way to contract the virus is through sexual contacts, children how contract from their mothers and intravenous use of drugs. There is currently no immunization against Hepatitis C.
Tetanus is a dangerous disease with a high mortality rate that can be prevented by an immunization; the immunization must be repeated with a regular interval in order to be effective. A booster can be a good if it was more than ten years ago since you got your last shot.
There are a number of other immunizations that can provide protection against regional diseases. Always consult your doctor before getting an immunization and ask for a recommendation.
Fitness
In almost all wealthy nations and in many poor nations as well the population often suffer more problems from eating too much and a lack of exercise than they do from Famine and Starvation. Common types of problem related to this problem are overweight, diabetes and heart disease. Exercise is important for a number of different reasons; it reduces stress, burn calories and improves your physical fitness.
Having good health is not only a critical aspect that can mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation. Being able to drag a wounded person to safety or walk that extra mile to safety can be make the difference between making it and don’t. Health and fitness it is also a vital part for living a good life and can increase the time that you will live and your quality of life. If you don’t exercise on a regular basis I suggest that you find a type of activity that you like and start exercising three times a week. Also make regular check-ups at a doctor.
Dental Health
Having bad teeth can be a great discomfort in your everyday life. During a survival situation your teeth is a great tool as long as they are not damaged or broken.
Take care of your teeth; brush them two times a day and remember to exchange your toothbrush with regular intervals. An electrical tooth brush can make it easier to clean parts of clean teeth that can be hard to reach with a regular tooth brush. Also make a habit of using dental floss; Plackers and other types of dental floss makes it easier to use dental floss, if you haven’t tried them I suggest that you do. There are also different types of fluoride solutions that can be a great complement to dental floss. Avoiding eating sweets does not only reduce overweight, it also helps keeping your teeth in a good condition. If you have problems with your teeth you should always visit a professional dentist to let them help you with whatever problems you might have. Make regular checkup so that potential problem can be identified in an early stage, if you do not deal with these kinds of problems in an early stage. For emergency situations there are special medical kits from a number of companies like Lifesystems.
Immunizations
There are many types of disease that can be easily prevented by getting an immunization. In most countries some basic types of immunization is given the entire population but it can be a good idea to get some extra. Some of the immunizations that can be worth considering:
Tuberculoses (TB) is a disease that is very hard to treat if one gets infected by it, it normally requires the treatment with multiple types of antibiotics for a period of around six months and there are some strains of TB that are even more resistant to antibiotics. The immunization does not offer complete immunity but reduces the chance of contracting the disease.
Hepatitis A and B are liver infections can be prevented by getting an immunization. Hepatisis B is one of the most common causes of liver cancer and the virus is highly contagious, up to 100 times more contagious than the HIV virus. The most common way to contract the virus is through sexual contacts, children how contract from their mothers and intravenous use of drugs. There is currently no immunization against Hepatitis C.
Tetanus is a dangerous disease with a high mortality rate that can be prevented by an immunization; the immunization must be repeated with a regular interval in order to be effective. A booster can be a good if it was more than ten years ago since you got your last shot.
There are a number of other immunizations that can provide protection against regional diseases. Always consult your doctor before getting an immunization and ask for a recommendation.
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