Survival training – make a list of the possible disasters that might impact you, so you would have to evacuate your home and begin to train yourself to survive in those events.
Disasters: one is unexpected, and one, has a short notification like a storm is coming your way. Prepare for each, but in a different way. Your area weather history can help you be better prepared.
Evacuating
In a disaster, most people will have to get out of town as quickly as possible. They will most likely be on the road for a day or more, which could be the most remarkable survival challenge they will face. Everything will depend on how well you survive this time away from home.
Although it is impossible to recommend one approach that would suit everyone, here is some practical advice.
Most people who live in places that might have disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes should have a disaster supply kit packed and stored away. If they have any warning of a pending disaster, they can get to the kit quickly and prepare to leave.
Like insurance, a disaster supply kit is similar. Plan for the unexpected and hope for skipping that challenge. If notified, get your bug out bag, your disaster supply kit, out and ready before an evacuation order comes.
When you hear authorities say evacuate immediately, you have five minutes to grab your bag and get out of there. That means taking what you can, but the most important thing is to get out of there right away.
Have everything ready to go. Don’t take your time. Just grab what you need to survive for a few days, and then get out of there if you hear an evacuation order. Don’t even stop to reconsider.
Have a Plan
Plan exactly where you will go in a disaster and how they will get there. Have an already-packed disaster supply kit ready to go by the door. Discuss in advance with your family what you would do for food and water if you had to evacuate.
If you have decided that you would probably stay with a relative or friend who lives close to you, if they are not in the area that has to evacuate too, that’s where you would go.
Or, you might have friends a short distance from your evacuation area, so there would be adequate shelter. You have already decided how you would get there, and you agree on the route. Get your family in your vehicle, and head for your friends’ house or your relatives house.
After picking up your family and getting them to your friend’s or your relatives’ house, then if possible, go back to your home to check on it. Make sure you turn all utilities off and that there is no one still inside the house.
Your time is limited if there are people in your house that you must rescue. You have to go back and get them quickly. Make sure they know to follow you out of there. If an evacuation order comes, make sure your family is safe before going back into the disaster area.
Survival Training – Checking on Your Home
The worst thing possible is if a loved one can not come with you. Go together as a family whenever possible. So you have to accept that the possibility exists that the family might not be there when you return to get them.
Tell your family to consider themselves on their own if everyone has to evacuate, and you may be across town when they are evacuating. They must be prepared to look out for and after themselves.
Survival Training
This isn’t a situation in which you want to leave someone behind. Never do that because there is always the chance that you could get back there and find them. You have to hope that if something happened to them, that they would get to safety somehow.
On the other hand, you have to accept the possibility that your family might be safe and sound somewhere else while you are putting yourself in harm’s way inside the evacuation zone. If that happens, you might not end up being together.
Most families will always follow a family member out of their home and never try to get out by themselves during a disaster. They know if they follow that family member out who will be leading the way, they have a better chance to remain together.
Never send them ahead while you are still trying to rescue someone or call for help. Every family understands this and should have talked about it.
Be Ready Early
It is vital to get your disaster supply kit ready long before you might need it.
You never want to be caught with a partially filled kit when disaster strikes. Get it together now, and then make sure you can access it easily at a moment’s notice.
Keep your disaster supply kit by the door. You can pick it up and go in a second if you have to. If you do this, you won’t have to reach for anything or look for anything before you go.
Don’t waste any time thinking about where little pieces or items of your kit might be. Have your kit in a waterproof container so that you can grab your kit and go—no time to waste looking for anything.
Survival Training
When preparing your disaster supply kit, put items of clothing in the container first.
Clothing is the bulk of your kit. Keep enough clothing in it to last for three days. It helps to think of this as ‘three days’ worth of clothes. If you can’t remember to prepare for a ‘disaster,’ look at it instead as preparing for ‘three days’ worth of clothes. That’s a lot easier to remember.
Keep a small container of food inside the kit. Use this for canned food and other survival foods. It fits nicely in the outer waterproof container. Put freeze-dried food in your disaster supply kit.
Include a small bag of rice in case it ever really comes to that. Still, if your water is contaminated, you could cook the rice with the water you have and end up having something to eat.
If you didn’t need any food from your kit, fill it all up with clothing. It has a lot of room in it. The kit can hold a lot of things. Don’t fill it up just with food.
Also, put some matches in the container. These are the long-lasting matches that will stay lit in a downpour. And have your compass with you too.
Prepare Ahead of Time
When an unexpected disaster comes, you won’t have time to go hunting around for your stuff.
Be ready ahead of time. Make sure it is portable and convenient. Carry your kit in your trunk all the time if that is easier.
The other option is beside your door inside your house. There is not a single wrong thing about having a prepared kit. It could save your life.
Having a disaster supply kit at home with extra supplies can make things go smoother if there is an emergency. Prepare ahead of time. Have your kit in the house where you can quickly get it or put it in the car. Always be sure that you have a copy of your plan; don’t just leave it to chance.
Check Your Bug Out Bag
Do a regular schedule check of your bug out bag (your kit) to be certain everything is working.
Exchange items as needed. Any out dated foods and expired batteries should be at the top of your list to be extra thorough in checking.
Replace it if something looks like it is wearing out or has broken. Don’t let your kit become out of date and not usable because you never check it and replaced things as they broke. That’s one of the most common mistakes folks make when putting together a disaster kit.
If you get an evacuation order – always obey it. For any mandatory evacuation because of floods or wildfires, or other disasters, leave. Go as soon as you are notified so conditions do not make it impossible to go safely.
Wrap Up
Emergencies are always a challenge and can seem overwhelmingly complicated in our fast-paced lifestyles. Knowing can be reassuring once you have figured out how you can maintain your balance but it can be demanding.
It’s all about prioritizing. Be willing to spend time preparing so that if disaster does strike, you will be ready.
For more tips and techniques on preparing your family for a disaster, contact your local police or fire departments and see what they recommend. Attend any free classes offered locally—a number of departments provide these classes for residents.
Qualified local instructors can provide practical information and expert advice about preparing yourself, your family, home, and workplace for natural disasters or other crises.
Books from your library on this topic can be found in every town or city, so check them out today. How to train yourself for survival should always be at the top of your list for taking care of yourself and your family.