Ebola. It's all in the news. According to the CDC, the President and MSNBC, everyone is perfectly safe. President Obama even came out and said it was extremely unlikely that Ebola would arrive in the United States. Well, they were wrong. Or just playing to the masses. It has arrived in Dallas via air travel. The first man died but not before he passed the virus onto one of his attending nurses. Now, it's being reported that another nurse out of the same hospital has tested positive for Ebola.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to start preparing to be self reliant. That doesn't mean that we should live in fear and count on the worst. It just means that we should be preparing for the worst. In this day and age, we've been taught that our government is there to help. We have this mindset in place that the Federal government is able to jump at a moments notice to provide and shelter us from all the ills in the world. However, time and time again we see this as nothing but bluster and false reassurance. Katrina, Sandy and border security are all examples of where our government has failed it's people. We've gotta change our mindset. Rather than waiting for government to aid, lets own our personal destinies. By being self reliant in cases of emergency, we not only help ourselves but we help our families our loved ones and our neighbors.
Every family and/or single person needs to have "bug-out bags" packed and ready to go. These would be hiking packs that are prepped with survival gear such as sterno, matches, clothing, iodine tablets, a compass, flint striker, rope, hunting rifle, handgun and ammo and a reliable utility knife. Basically, think Boy Scouts and you're set. If you live in a major city your bug-out bag will probably look a little different from people living in the suburbs or the countryside. And with each setting will come significantly different obstacles if the worst were to happen. But this article isn't about the worst. It's about surviving the bad.
Bug out bags are really for the worst case scenario. If you're in a situation where travel or exposure to threats are going to limit such travel, stocking up on bottled water and emergency rations will be the way to go. But be dynamic, do both.
Packing light will be very important. If I were to pack right this moment, I'd purchase light, non canned, prepackaged foods. For example, pasta packets, ramen, and dried fruit and nuts would be high on my list. Those might not be the most healthy of choices but they provide two things you need in emergency situations; energy and utility. One exception would be a small can or container of honey. Honey is not only edible but it also has great antiseptic properties. I'd include basic medications such as ibuprofen, neosporin, powdered ginger root (for upset stomachs) and some antihistamines. All these medicines add little to the weight of your pack but can be lifesavers down the road. Also don't forget your iodine tablets to treat your water. Staying on the keep light mantra, the less water weight you have to carry the better.
Communication and visibility will also be important. There are a plethora of hand cranked and solar devices that will keep you non reliant upon batteries or plugs. Below I've included a few links of affordable devices that would be in my opinion, critical for survival.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to start preparing to be self reliant. That doesn't mean that we should live in fear and count on the worst. It just means that we should be preparing for the worst. In this day and age, we've been taught that our government is there to help. We have this mindset in place that the Federal government is able to jump at a moments notice to provide and shelter us from all the ills in the world. However, time and time again we see this as nothing but bluster and false reassurance. Katrina, Sandy and border security are all examples of where our government has failed it's people. We've gotta change our mindset. Rather than waiting for government to aid, lets own our personal destinies. By being self reliant in cases of emergency, we not only help ourselves but we help our families our loved ones and our neighbors.
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| Did they have a bug out bag? |
Every family and/or single person needs to have "bug-out bags" packed and ready to go. These would be hiking packs that are prepped with survival gear such as sterno, matches, clothing, iodine tablets, a compass, flint striker, rope, hunting rifle, handgun and ammo and a reliable utility knife. Basically, think Boy Scouts and you're set. If you live in a major city your bug-out bag will probably look a little different from people living in the suburbs or the countryside. And with each setting will come significantly different obstacles if the worst were to happen. But this article isn't about the worst. It's about surviving the bad.
Bug out bags are really for the worst case scenario. If you're in a situation where travel or exposure to threats are going to limit such travel, stocking up on bottled water and emergency rations will be the way to go. But be dynamic, do both.
Packing light will be very important. If I were to pack right this moment, I'd purchase light, non canned, prepackaged foods. For example, pasta packets, ramen, and dried fruit and nuts would be high on my list. Those might not be the most healthy of choices but they provide two things you need in emergency situations; energy and utility. One exception would be a small can or container of honey. Honey is not only edible but it also has great antiseptic properties. I'd include basic medications such as ibuprofen, neosporin, powdered ginger root (for upset stomachs) and some antihistamines. All these medicines add little to the weight of your pack but can be lifesavers down the road. Also don't forget your iodine tablets to treat your water. Staying on the keep light mantra, the less water weight you have to carry the better.
Communication and visibility will also be important. There are a plethora of hand cranked and solar devices that will keep you non reliant upon batteries or plugs. Below I've included a few links of affordable devices that would be in my opinion, critical for survival.
We do live in some scary, uncertain times. I myself don't have a child but if I did I wouldn't wait another day to make these preparations. If you have a family, it would be wise to sit down and draw up a plan so if the day ever comes, you're not a leach upon those around you. You can't plan for every single scenario but its easy to prepare for the general. In truth, we all hope we'd never have to have a plan or an emergency kit. But hope wont feed your family when and if times get bad. I'm going to be hitting up some local stores in the area to put together my bug out bag this weekend. Although I did link you guys to Amazon, I would stress the importance of buying locally. It might actually help out our local businesses if the worst doesn't come to fruition. By local and support your community.
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