Food Storage

Preparing For a Widespread Disaster
By: Alan Detwiler

There are at least seven global or widespread disasters that seem likely to occur at sometime in the future. A large asteroid hitting the earth is one of those seven. It is generally accepted by scientists that asteroids have struck the earth in the past causing widespread damage. It is believed that asteroids will continue to collide with the earth every now and then. Maybe every sixty million years a big one comes along that is large enough to have a global effect on survival of earths living things. The chances of such an event happening in a particular persons lifetime are tiny. But that tiny chance is there.

It is unpleasant to consider such terrible things. But the best attitude it seems to me is to ignore to a very large extent the unpleasant feelings that the topic causes. That allows a person to consider what might be done to increase the chances of surviving a disaster. No way can a person be fully prepared. And since we cannot know just what is going to take place it may be an exercise in futility. But you never know simple basic preparations could bring you through some calamity.

And why not take the attitude that your efforts and interest in such preparation is something to feel good about. Those efforts can be fun and interesting. The topic certainly grabs my attention better than a Hollywood movie. By doing what I can to become prepared I am doing something that could dramatically make my life much more pleasant should I be involved in a catastrophe. Disaster preparedness is an interesting and enjoyable hobby that could pay off bigtime. Knowing that all the benefits of modern life are not necessarily a given is a reason for enjoying them more.

The seven possible widespread or global disasters:

1). Very large volcanic eruptions. Hugh volumes of gas and dust could spread around the globe. There is some evidence that these have occurred before. Doesnt that mean that it could happen again

2). An epidemic. There was the flu epidemic of 1918 that killed 30 million people worldwide. There was the plague that killed about one fourth of Europes population in the Dark Ages. Viruses and germs are known to mutate and change. They may become resistant to vaccines and medications become more deadly and become more contagious. Viruses and other pathogens could mutate into virulent forms that could spread rapidly around the world by people using air travel.

3). Crop failures due to plant diseases climate change or ozone depletion.

4). Climate changes including global warming and the effects that might come with it such as extreme heat drought and severe storms.

5). Nuclear war.

6). Terrorist act which could bring about widespread effects. If for instance a nuclear device was detonated in Washington D.C. and another wiped out Wall Street the effects could be unpredictable and could include economic depression anarchy shortages of consumer goods and war.

7). Something unexpected. A disaster could be caused by a completely unknown event. It is unreasonable to think we are smart enough to be aware of all threats that could bring catastrophe.

There are many other plausible scenarios for widespread catastrophes. These include such things as a large solar flare that shoots out radiation and charged particles toward the earth; an object such as a black hole passing close to the earth; and a technology accident such as a genetically modified organism being released into the environment.

In recent years vast quantities of methane gas have been discovered on the sea floor where the water is very deep and in places where the water is very cold. It is believed that global warming or earthquakes could cause the methane to be released perhaps suddenly and in massive quantities. Methane is explosive and could displace oxygen causing suffocation.

Below are some things you can do to be better prepared for emergencies.

Store food and water: About a gallon of water a day per person is a reasonable goal. How many days worth is anybodys guess you have to use your own judgment about what is practical for you. Know where to get water if your standby supply runs out. Water of unknown purity should be boiled at least 3 minutes to kill any pathogens. If boiling is not possible add 16 drops or 1/4 teaspoon

of household bleach per gallon and let stand at least 30 minutes. Smell the water. If it does not have a slight bleach odor repeat the process. Use bleach that contains nothing else other than water and 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Bleach is most effective for killing bacteria but is not effective against parasitic organisms.

Choose long storage food such as canned goods dry food such as nuts seeds beans and grain products in plastic or glass containers. Most dried beans will need to be soaked and cooked before eating. Examples of dried beans that can be eaten after soaking and without cooking include split peas mung beans lentils and blackeyed peas. Wheat and corn can also be soaked and eaten without cooking. Peanut butter and vegetable oil are good choices because they are calorie rich long keeping and require no preparation. Canned meat provides protein and requires no cooking. A multi vitamin will help with adequate vitamin requirements.

Keeping warm: The colder the climate where you live the more important this is if the electrical power fails or you are forced to leave your home. Have enough heavy clothing and blankets in your home to keep you warm. Have ready to go to put in your car such as in a garbage bag: at least two changes of clothing that will keep you warm a sleeping bag or a couple of blankets gloves knit hat and sturdy shoes.

First aid kit: The most important items may be soap for washing a wound an antiseptic ointment and bandaging.

Tools and supplies for shortterm emergencies: Flashlight and batteries candles matches can opener soap batterypowered radio and batteries face mask for filtering the air you breath

Tools and supplies for long term emergencies: all of the items above for shortterm emergencies plus the food items listed above plus: long lasting led flashlight windup flashlight windup radio unscented 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite bleach for purifying water sturdy knife and sharpener salt grain grinder food storage containers shovel blankets rifle and ammunition.

Tools and supplies for your car: gallon of drinking water blanket extra clothes (sweatshirt long underwear boots socks gloves hat) compass rain gear batterypowered radio and batteries long storage and lightweight food maps siphon (20 feet plastic tubing 1/2 inch diameter) gas can wrenches pliers screwdrivers portable light. Longterm and extras: bleach for purifying water shorts or swimsuit tube tent (or 10 by 10 tarp cord) ground moistu