In the last podcast, we talked about where you should be with your preparedness plan.  This is geared towards people that are newer into preparedness, but it’s also a good review for us old-timers, too.  For me, it’s easier to break up the overall plan into smaller segments, like categories.  Many of the things that need to be accomplish will overlap these categories, no matter how you break it up, but the main point is to write it down so you can focus on it.

First thing to do is settle on a target goal.  This target is how long you can be self-sufficient for without leaving your home.  We’re just going to use 2 weeks as the target for this discussion, but it could be whatever you think you can achieve.  Just remember not to try to accomplish more than you can realistically accomplish

(NOTE: On Jan 26th, I added a bullet point to Shelter, Fire and Warmth for Alternative Heating)

At the end of the article is a link to the podcast.

Categories:

Food and Cooking

• 2 weeks of food, mostly everyday foods, with some ability of portability.
• Some way to cook food other than your kitchen stove.  Preferably a camping stove, but a grill would also work if you had enough propane.  Make sure you have enough fuel for your target goal.  If you plan to cook over a wood fire, make sure that you have cooking pans and utensils that can withstand an open flame.
• Durable flatware and cups or enough disposable for 3 meals a day.
• There are other things, like having recipes and spices, but for a short time like 2 weeks, food boredom isn’t nearly as important as with longer durations.
• Manual can opener

Water

• you’ll hear different opinions, but in general, plan on 1 gallon of water per person per day.  If you want to do any washing (like plates, pans, your body, etc.), then plan on 1.5 – 2 gallons per day per person.  Keep in mind this is a rough estimate and will vary wildly depending on your activity level, what time of year it is, etc.
• If you don’t have a way to obtain water, like from a well with a non-electric pump, or a lake or stream, you need to store water for the entire target duration.
• Even if you store enough water, you should plan on treating water to make it safe to drink.  One of the easiest ways of doing this is with a drip filtration system like a Katadyn or Berkefeld water filter.  There are also hand operated filter pumps, but you can also use coffee filters and bleach as a low-tech solution.
• One of the easiest ways I’ve found to use stored water is to get one of those containers that has a spigot on it.  I like the ones called Aquatainers, as I find their spigot to be pretty durable, unlike the Coleman brand.

Shelter, Fire and Warmth

• Even though you may plan to stay in your home, you should have enough tent space for all of your family or group.  Just in case you’re forced out of your home for one reason of another, you’ll be able to provide yourself with some sort of shelter.
• Have a sleeping bag, or similar sleeping materials, for each member of your family.  To include pillows and spare sheets and blankets.
• Be able to start a fire in several ways.  I prefer to use one of those long candle lighting lighters, but butane lighters, flint and steel, and matches are all acceptable. 
• Alternative heating methods.  If you live in a part of the country where it gets brutally cold, you’ll need some way to stay warm beyond coats and sleeping bags.  These alternative methods can be dangerous, so use the appropriate caution when using them.

First-Aid, Medical

• Have a quality first aid kit.  Make sure it’s big enough to provide enough materials for 2 weeks of injuries and illnesses.  Keep in mind that you will probably experience more due to stress-induced accidents.
• Keep a supply of common OTC meds, including stuff for children if you have kids or expect some to show up.
• If you need prescription meds, make sure you always have an extra supply on hand to cover the target duration.

Light

• Flashlight of each member of family or group, including kids.  LED lights are preferred because they last longer on a set of batteries.
• Area lighting.  Again LED lanterns are a pretty good compromise between having light and battery efficiency.  Coleman and kerosene lanterns will also work but be careful of the fire danger.
• Make sure you have enough batteries to keep these running.

Personal Care and Sanitation

• You need some way to handle going to the bathroom without running water.  A chemical toilet works pretty well, but they can be expensive.  Alternatives include a bucket and garbage bags.  Check out the camping toilet deodorizers that are available for keeping down the smell.
• Toiletries.  Look at what you use everyday in the bathroom and make sure you have extra on hand to get through the duration.
• If you wear prescription glasses, you should have a spare pair.  If you wear contacts, have enough solutions and a spare pair of glasses.

Economic

• Have enough cash on hand to pay bills, buy groceries and sundries, gasoline, etc.  If there is a bank holiday, where they close the banks, you won’t have access to any of your money that’s in a bank.

Communications 

• A radio to gain information on what’s happening.
• Whistle for kids

There are other categories and not to say that they aren’t important, but the above should be where you focus first.

- Rob

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Tags: Preparedness Planning

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 5:13 pm and is filed under Preparedness, Rob. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.