Emergencies

There are different types of emergencies and disasters and different ways of dealing with them. You should have a plan formulated for dealing with different emergency scenarios. One of the first decisions is whether you should stay at your current location or go elsewhere. Roads could be clogged or they might be impassable. If you must go do you have a destination and can you survive at that destination. Is your vehicle able to traverse the landscape if roads are damaged or gone?

Stay Put or Vacate

Many wannabe preppers boast about bugging out and surviving in the outdoors but many do not have the training or equipment to survive. You must know your abilities and your limits. With many emergencies and disasters a viable option is to stay and ride out the situation. In a major emergency the government agencies could be completely overwhelmed and you should strive to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks. There may not be electricity, gas, water, emergency services, or phones for days or weeks. Your home may be damaged so you should have adequate food, shelter, and water.

There are times when you will forced to vacate an area. Your emergency plan should include several places where you can go until the danger passes. Always have backup plans. Know how to vacate your workplace and/or school.

Types of Disasters/Emergencies

Disaster Plans

Your disaster plan should include contract details.

  • Where will your family members meet?
  • Who is your out-of-state “check-in” contact

Be aware that in a disaster the cellular network will probably be overwhelmed. LAN lines might work better. Try to text whenever possible because it puts far less burden on the communications infrastructure. Also have plans for escape or evacuation.

  • What route can you use to escape your neighborhood?
  • What are the alternate escape routes?
  • How can you escape your current environment (home, school, restaurant, etc.)?
  • Do you have a means of transportation and fuel?