If you are having heavy rain and snow melt in your area, be aware that landslides could occur. They can also occur after earthquakes and other natural disasters. They can move really slow or they…
Source: Landslides
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Landslides
If you are having heavy rain and snow melt in your area, be aware that landslides could occur. They can also occur after earthquakes and other natural disasters. They can move really slow or they can move faster than you can run. If you are living in an area that had a forest fire be especially aware of landslides. It doesn’t take much to get one moving. If the ground is saturated the area is more likely to have landslides.
If you are living in an area known for having landslides, talk to your family about evacuation plans, where are you going to meet, do you have someone you can all call in to in case you get separated. Practice your plan, if you have handicapped or elderly people in your group make sure that you can help them in case of emergency. Build a Go Bag or bug out bag. Something you can grab in a moments notice with some essential items in it to get you and your family through the crisis.
If you know a landslide is eminent get out of the area, call 911 so rescuers can get moving to the area. Help your neighbors if possible. In times like these everyone needs to help each other. Listen for cracking tree branches or rolling rocks, if there is water associated with it pay attention to how fast or slow it Is moving. Be aware there could be a flood behind the landslide. They can both be caused by the same weather events.
If you make it out of your house watch the road very carefully, water could have eroded underneath and taken the road out. Make sure to take your pets with you, who knows when you will be allowed back into the area. Many landslides happen at night, if you are experiencing a storm stay vigilant and alert. After the danger is over stay away from the area. There could be downed power lines, wait for the authorities to give the all clear before going back to your property.
Stay calm when facing any emergency. If you are prepared a head of time it will be a lot less stressful for you and your family.
written by Barbara Conover
http://www.sundancesurvivalsupply.com
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Flash Flooding
Have you ever given any thought to flash flooding? They can happen at any time, when you least expect it. There might not be any rain in the area when it happens. Flash floods are caused by a lot of rain in a short amount of time. The water can come in seconds. Flash floods are the number one weather related killer in the United States.
Soil conditions, ground cover, ground saturation, topography all will determine how severe a flash flood might become. Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall. Keep in mind water is a powerful force, it can move cars, trucks, boulders, houses, take out bridges, tear up roads, rip out trees. Think what it could do to you.
If you have tropical storms, thunderstorms or hurricanes in your area, they can dump huge amounts of water in a short amount of time. If you live is this kind of area get yourself and family to higher ground. If you drive upon water going across the road don’t cross it. It only takes 6″ of fast water to move your car. A depth of 2′ can float your car. If you are still thinking about crossing think about this, the road could be washed out under the flood. You wouldn’t be able to see something like that. Dry creek beds, low spots in the road or gullies can flood in seconds
The difference between a flash flood and a regular flood are simple, a flash flood usually will occur within 6 hours of the weather rain event. A regular flood is more long term, they can last a week or more
So what can you do to protect yourself and family before it happens? Know the area you live in, do you know the evacuation routes, does your family? Keep your car full of gas in case you need to leave immediately. Have some nonperishable food and water stored for you and your animals. Have a good first aid kit, get yourself a portable weather radio, make sure all flashlights and lanterns are charged up and ready to go in case power goes out. If you are storing canned food make sure you have a can opener that you can use without electricity.
After the flash flood don’t go down and check it out, there could be emergency operations or rescues taking place, you would be in the rescuers way. Report any downed power lines and stay away from them also. If you are thinking about building a disaster kit for this scenario here is a small list to get you started.
Water and food for every person in your group for at least 3 days, don’t forget your pets or animals. Have an extra set of clothes and socks so you can change into something dry and warm. Sleeping bag or blanket, prescription medicine, a good first aid kit, extra batteries, extra set of keys and some cash in case the power is out.
http://www.sundancesurvivalsupply.com
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Before During and After an Earthquake
Before, During and After an Earthquake
Before an earthquake make sure you know a few safety things. Do you know where and how to shut off the gas or utilities? Have you went through your house and fastened down anything that could fall? For instance heavy pictures, book shelves, ceiling fans , mirrors, your television and cabinet. Even all the little knick knacks you have are they secured so they don’t become flying death traps. There is a ton of things to do before an earthquake, take the time and acquaint yourself with your home and its contents.
What do you do during an earthquake?
Stay put where you are if at all possible until the shaking stops. If you are in a spot where something could fall on you try to get as low as possible on the floor next to some low furniture. Standing in a doorway is not a good idea either, you could get hit by flying or falling objects. Stay as low to the ground as possible, a table might be a good spot to be. Drop down to the ground on your own before the earthquake knocks you down. Stay away from the windows, glass or outside doors and anything that could fall on you. If you are in bed stay put if possible. Hazards are hard to see sometimes. If you happen to be outside when an earthquake strikes get out in the open. Stay away from buildings, utility lines and anything that could harm you if it fell. If you are in a car stay off the roads if you can, bridges and roads may have been damaged in the earthquake. Try to move your car into an open area and stay put.
What do you do after an earthquake?
If you find yourself trapped under rubble try not to move around too much, you could kick up dust making it hard to breathe or you could dislodge something that could harm you. If you have a cell phone check and see if it works. If it does call for help. Find a rock or piece of rubble to bang on a pipe or wall with so the rescue people can find and help you.
If you are not trapped when the shaking stops carefully look around. If you have an easy path to get to safety leave the building and go to an open area. Be prepared to drop down on your hands and knees in case there is after shocks afterwards. Watch for downed power lines or trees that could have been damaged that could fall.
Contact your loved ones and make sure they are ok. You should have a plan in case of emergencies to contact each other. Sometimes you might have to call someone out of state because the phone lines locally don’t work. If that is the case make sure everyone knows who to call and what your plan is.
Written By Barbara Conover
http://www.sundancesurvivalsupply.com
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A few things you might not have thought of for your bug out bag
We all know we need an emergency kit, or bug out bag, we pretty much know we need food, water, shelter, knife, fire starter and so on. But have you given any thought to other things. For instance d…
Source: A few things you might not have thought of for your bug out bag
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A few things you might not have thought of for your bug out bag
We all know we need an emergency kit, or bug out bag, we pretty much know we need food, water, shelter, knife, fire starter and so on.
But have you given any thought to other things. For instance do you have a copy of your identification in your bag, or a recent photo of your family members. What if you get separated how are you going to tell the authorities what the person looks like. A photo would make it so much easier.
Do you have a list of phone numbers? We are so used to just pushing one number to call or text we have all but lost the ability to dial a full phone number. You will need this in an survival situation. Do you have a plan in place for all your people to call to check in. Speaking of the phone do you have an extra charging cord in your bag. In a survival situation I doubt you will be able to go to the local cell phone store and get another one.
If you take prescription medicine do you have extra in your bug out bag? Do you have a good first aid kit, more than just bandaids? Have you had emergency first aid training? In an emergency you might be the only one with any training at all. Right now is the time to prepare. If you wear contacts do you have an extra pair of glasses?
For personal defense what about pepper spray or something of that nature. Do you have anything extra in your bag to barter with? Bartering is a good way to get the things you need without using up your cash supply. Do you have a map of your area in your bag and can you read a map? If not, now is the time to learn.
These are just a few things to think about when building your bag, I hope you will think about it and maybe think of a few more things. The better prepared you are the better off you and your family will be.
Written by Barbara Conover
http://www.shop.sundancedivers.com
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What do you bring to the table in a survival situation?
Have you ever given any thought to what skills you have that could be useful in an emergency? Can you build, hunt, garden, or any of a hundred different survival situation tasks. Some people think oh I will just go to your house, I am pretty confident saying nobody is going to take you in unless you have something to contribute. If you are planning on couch surfing through an emergency situation you might want to rethink that.
There is no place for free loading in an emergency. Every movement and action counts. Your survival and the survival of others are going to count on you pulling your weight. No one is going to have the time or desire to help someone that didn’t think it was necessary to help themselves. Take a good hard look at your personal skill level, if you are lacking in different areas now is the time to fix that. Get some training to overcome it. Be an asset to your group not the person they want to kick out.
Remember also if you do find yourself in a survival situation, keep a positive outlook. Everyone is in the same boat, whining about it won’t change anything. Have you ever watched the series survivor? People get at each others throats over the smallest thing. They will beat each other down for a grain of rice. Imagine if that was a real life scenario people will be in a different mind set. Being polite and kind for a lot of people will go out the window.
This is where you are going to need to know how to protect yourself and your family. Your good friend that lives next door may all of the sudden be waving a weapon at you trying to take what you have. Get some training now while you have time. Be wary of strangers that show up on your doorstep, they may seem harmless but maybe they are planning your demise.
I like to make a list of people that would be good in my small circle during an emergency. I make a mental note of who has what skill. People that I like with no skills don’t make it to my circle. Survival is not a game, it is life and death.
http://www.shop.sundancedivers.com
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Situational Awareness what is it and how do we get it.
Situational Awareness means simply being aware of your surroundings. It does not mean staring at your phone while walking to your car in the dark. That is what the bad guys look for. Don’t give them an opportunity. Walk with purpose, looking all around as you do. Have your keys in your hand. If you look like you mean business you will be more likely to be left alone. Bad guys want an easy target. When you walk around the corner of a building don’t hug the corner, we all do it. Swing wide a little bit so you can see if someone is hiding waiting for you. When you are unlocking your car, look under the car before you get to it. Make sure there is no one hiding there. Parking garages are kind of dark anyway. If you feel like someone is following you, drive right to the police station, a bad guy don’t want any part of law enforcement.
Try not to take the same exact route every time. We are all creatures of habit. We take our breaks at the same time, we eat at the same place for lunch, we take the same exact route home every time. Change it up a little, keep the bad guys always guessing. They will look for an easier target.
If you get the feeling something is wrong trust it, something probably is wrong. The better you get at situational awareness the more control over your own life you will have. You will start to notice things out of the ordinary. You will look at people a little different than before. If you don’t have situational awareness that is ok, it is something you can practice and learn, but please start learning for your own safety.
http://www.shop.sundancedivers.com
written by Barbara Conover
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Become invisible when the SHTF
Article on the importance of blending in, if there is an emergency.
Source: Become invisible when the SHTF
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Become invisible when the SHTF
We all spend our whole lives trying to stand out in a crowd. In an emergency situation you might want to think about blending in. You might wonder why, the reason is simple. If you look like you are too flashy, or confident or have something someone would want, you become a target. An angry mob of people will act first and think later. Don’t get caught in a an angry mob.
So what do you do to become invisible, first of all you want to blend in and don’t draw attention to yourself. Wear clothes that are earth tones or neutral colored. Don’t wear anything someone would remember later. If you have a scar or tattoo that someone might recall at a later date you might want to cover it up. Be as ordinary as you can in all ways. If you dress like you are on a secret combat mission people will remember that. That is not blending in to your surroundings. You want to become invisible to everyone, including the police and the bad guys.
Know what is happening but don’t look like you do or care. Stay to yourself, don’t look directly at people, avoid eye contact. Move slowly and deliberately don’t do anything that would make someone be able to remember you.
If you are in your own home town you already know how to act like a local. If you are from a big city and find yourself in a rural area, learn how the locals walk and talk. Remember blending in to your surroundings is what you are trying to achieve. Stay away from big crowds, learn the streets in your area so you know which areas are safe and which one are not. Learn where the hospitals, police, gas stations are located in the area you are in. That is one of the first things I do when I go somewhere new. I find out at least where the hospital is, you never know what could happen.
If you are a woman you must be especially diligent. Don’t do anything to stand out, even wearing perfume could cause someone to notice you. Smell is a powerful thing. Keep your situational awareness, don’t look directly at someone. Blend in don’t leave any kind of impression on those you might come in contact with.
If you look like you have something to hide or something valuable, people will take notice. They will wonder why you are so paranoid, that will make them want to investigate. You might have something they want or need. You don’t want to walk around oblivious to your surroundings, you just want to look that way. Pay attention see and listen to everything. Be ready for anything, don’t look prepared but be prepared.
Written by Barbara Conover
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