Disaster Preparedness: Advice from Rick Stonell
THE BUG-OUT BAG
With luck, you will never experience a huge and overwhelming disaster like Hurricane Katrina. However, if disaster threatens your family and/or forces an evacuation, you may need a fully-stocked and easily-reached emergency “bug-out” bag. This could help make rescue, recovery and a “return to normal” easier and more successful; in the early stages of a disaster, it could even save lives.
A bug-out bag is basically a big bag or backpack containing the following:
- Photocopies of ID documents such as birth certificates, drivers’ licenses, passports etc. Keep the originals in a safe deposit box or similar – non-notarized photocopies are OK for temporary ID in emergencies.
- Insurance details - again use photocopies and keep the originals in a safe location.
- Cash ($30-100) for immediate emergency use. Remember, in a power outage, you won’t be able to use debit/credit cards. Try to have at least one roll of quarters (for payphones and vending machines).
- Any prescription drugs needed. Rotate these for freshness. You can do by filling prescriptions “one refill ahead”. When your current package or bottle is finished, begin using the next supply from the bag - and replace with a new refill.
- Meal replacement and energy bars. These don’t have to be expensive items like MRE’s - but buy quality products like protein bars and hikers’ meal bars. You can also include dried foods or nuts, candies and oatmeal packs.
- Water purification kits or hiker’s filter system. Bottled water is bulky, heavy and goes stale - and did I mention that it’s HEAVY?
- Pre-paid phone cards and a list of emergency numbers. Check for expiration date and replace as needed.
- Communications/power. Again - remember that you may not have power. Get some way of powering a flashlight and radio (and cell phone if you have one ). Various manufacturers produce radios and cellphone chargers; you can get solar, squeeze-charge or even clockwork systems. Also, walkie-talkies have become so cheap nowadays that you should give serious thought to getting one for each member of your family.
- Multi-tool, Swiss Army knife or pocket tool kit. You may be able to make small but vital repairs and jury-rigs. Just don’t try to be MacGyver
- First aid kit: bandages, antiseptic ointment, sunscreen, a bottle of contact lens saline solution (good for cleaning injuries and flushing eyes), something to stop diarrhea (caused by bad water) and pain relievers.
- A safety lighter and candles (even Birthday Cake candles can be used). NEVER use these if there is ANY risk of igniting gas, propane or other leaking fuels. For safety, use your flashlight for your light source. Use the lighter and candles for starting cooking/heating fires.
- An indelible, waterproof black permanent marker - Bic Sharpies are a good choice (keep in package until needed). Useful for many things including leaving notes for rescuers or others on whatever is at hand, marking your gear at a shelter, and writing ID and medical info on the arms of kids, the elderly etc. - Warning! Use your judgement about revealing ID to strangers.
- Pet carriers - if you have pets, keep their carriers clean and readliy available. Your kit should have food, medications, leashes and important papers necessary for your pets Not all evacuation shelters will take animals. Plan ahead of time where and how you will take care of them.
The bag should be checked and the edibles or expirables rotated at least every 3 months or as needed (personally, I do it on the beginning of each month - this is also when I check my smoke/fire alarms). This list will cover most survival situations, but I encourage you to tailor it to fit your particular needs (especially if you have children: -diapers, toys, powdered milk, books, etc). Just keep the weight and size of the kit to something that you can carry for a long time - even if tired, hungry or injured.
Placement: a bug-out bag should be stored by the main entrance/exit, or in an easily accessible central location. I’d recommend that similar kits should be kept in your car or at your place of work.
Remember! A bug-out kit does not guarantee your safety! All it can do is help you and your family have the best possible chance of surviving a disaster.