"AN INSPECTOR CALLS"

If you haven't watch the movie "AN INSPECTOR CALLS" rent it!

“Listen to me. Never forget. There are millions and millions of Eva Smith’s still left with us in the world with their lives and hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness all intertwined with our lives and what we think and say and do, We don’t live alone upon this earth. We are responsible for each other and if mankind will not learn that lesson then the time will come soon when he will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”

Bugging In: What To Do When Bugging Out Is Not An Option

BUGGING IN VS. BUGGING OUT

While general focus is on bugging out, true emergency preparedness requires you to be prepared for all eventualities—including the less exciting thought of bugging in.  In fact, bugging out should be your last option in most situations, not your primary plan.  Think about it like this—home is where the bulk of your supplies and gear are located, right?

On top of that, there really aren’t that many potential scenarios where bugging out is going to be your best option.  By their very nature, most disasters, natural or man-made, will result in conditions that are decidedly unfavorable for travel.  Moving about, whether on foot or by vehicle, can make you a target, too.  If you’re the only person or group out on the roads, people are going to notice.  Even if there are other people out and about, they might decide you look much better equipped than the average refugee.

Therefore, bugging in (often referred to as sheltering in place) is going to be the best course of action in most situations.  Of course, that means you need to prepare for doing so ahead of time…

And don’t hear me wrong and leave saying “Mark told me having a bug out bag isn’t a good idea.” I’m not saying that at all.

If anything, having bug out bags ready to go will make it easier for you to leave at a moment’s notice should you need to, and it will also make your gear easy to transport and locate when you have specific need. Just because it’s a bug out bag, doesn’t mean you can’t use it for bugging in as well.

So let’s run down the list of basic needs and what you can do to prepare in case you find yourself bugging in for a period of time.

BUGGING IN BASICS: PREPARATIONS AND SURVIVAL TIPS

Water

Realistically, the more water you have stored, the better.  Various experts suggest one gallon of water per person per day of the crisis is sufficient.  Okay, but how do you know ahead of time how many days you’re going to be on your own?  And really, one gallon per person isn’t much, not when you consider that might be all the water you can access.

Shoot for 1.5-2 gallons of water per person and start with at least one full week’s worth.  When you hit that point, extend it to two weeks.  One case of half-liter water bottles comes to roughly three gallons of water.  Storing cases of bottled water is cheap and easy.  Just keep them in a cool, dark corner and they’ll be fine until you need them. Under beds or in the back of closets are great locations.

Here’s a well-designed underdeck water cistern that holds 250 gallons of water.

In an extreme pinch if the water gets shut off, you may also decide to use water from your water heater as well as tanks above the toilet bowl. Depending on its carrying capacity, a water heater alone could supply anywhere from 20 to 80 gallons of untapped water. Of course you’ll want to purify any water source before consuming…

This brings to thought, don’t overlook the necessity of a good water filtration system, too.  With it, you can make use of “wild” water, such as collected rainwater or water from nearby streams and rivers.

Boiling water is the best way to render it safe but that requires heat and fuel.

Food

You don’t necessarily need to stockpile any *special* food to use in emergencies.  Instead, just stock up on the stuff you and your family like to eat, with an eye toward foods that will store well over lengths of time.  Examples include canned soups and stews and boxes of pasta with jars of sauce.

In an emergency during a lengthy power outage, consume the perishables first.  Cook up meat before it goes bad and eat up the veggies in the refrigerator.  It makes little sense to let those resources go to waste.

If the power is out, the microwave isn’t going to be working.  Neither is the stove top if you have an electric one.  Gas ranges should still work, though you might need to light it with a match.  Either way, plan ahead for ways to cook food and boil water.  Patio grills work well for food, though they are very inefficient for boiling water or cooking small pots of soup.  Campfires in the backyard will work, too.  Picking up a small camp stove and the correct fuel for it might not be the worst idea, just in case.

Check this awesome 1500 Watt portable solar power generator

Don’t overlook the importance of comfort foods.  A little bit of junk food and sweets can go a long way toward raising spirits.

First Aid

Many homes don’t have much more than a half-full box of adhesive bandages and a bottle of ibuprofen.  You’re going to want a little bit more than that.  The most common injuries are likely to be cuts and scrapes, so you’re going to want plenty of gauze pads as well as disinfectant.  Pain relievers are going to be needed, too.

On the illness side of the equation, stomach upset is a common reaction to stress and sudden diet changes.  Stock up on meds that will treat tummy troubles.

First Aid Kit By Renegade Survival; It Is a Complete Kit for the Preppers Who Wants the Best Tactical Gear

If you have family members who rely upon prescription medications, be sure to have a supply of those meds on hand to last at least a couple of weeks.  An easy way to do that without incurring added expense is to refill the prescription as soon as possible every month.  Usually, there’s an overlap of a couple of days before the current supply will run out.  Use the doses from that overlap period for your stockpile.  Next month, do the same, but make sure you use the older doses and replace them from the new supply.  Over time, you’ll build up a small stash of medications.  Never skip a dose for the sake of stockpiling!

Hygiene

Most homes have adequate supplies of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and the like to last at least a week or two.  If you don’t fall into that category, consider stocking up when you find your preferred brands on sale.

If the plumbing isn’t working due to the calamity at hand, you’re going to need an alternate method for disposing of waste.  Many restaurants, delis, and bakeries have empty 5 gallon buckets available either free for the asking or at a nominal cost.  Call around until you can secure one.  Then, get a pool noodle and a razor knife.  Cut the noodle down so it is just long enough to go about ¾ of the way around the bucket.  Then, slit it along one side and slip it over the lip of the bucket.  Say hi to your new commode.  When you need to use it for real, line it with a heavy-duty garbage bag.  Keep a box of baking soda or powdered laundry detergent nearby and sprinkle a bit in after each use.  Be sure to change the bag before it gets too full and thus heavy.

You might also consider stocking up on toilet paper.  While there are alternatives, such as cutting up old t-shirts, good ole TP is what we’re used to.

Tools

When the power goes out, so do the lights inside and out.  Invest in several good quality flashlights and a supply of batteries.  Crank powered flashlights are good for children’s bedrooms as they won’t run down the batteries and render the light useless.

Know where the water and gas shutoffs are for your home and invest in a gas shutoff wrench.  Remember, while you’re able to turn the gas off in an emergency, only the gas company is allowed to turn it back on.

Disasters often bring storm debris and such.  A good chainsaw and fuel will make short work of downed tree limbs.  Work gloves and safety glasses are a must when dealing with such things.  Be on the lookout for downed power lines and stay away from them.  Notify the authorities when you’re able to do so.

Communication

We often say on this site – “Hope for the best, plan for the worst.”  While we have many communication tools at our fingertips, such as our smartphones, tablets, and laptops, we need to plan for the possibility that the Internet, texting, and such won’t be up and running.  A simple crank powered radio will allow us to still listen to news broadcasts and gather information about the situation.  Information is critical so we can make decisions based on facts rather than guesswork.

Entertainment

At first, this sounds like a frivolous category.  However, I guarantee you that about 2 hours into a power outage, if you have kids who aren’t able to access their favorite games or apps, they’ll be climbing the walls and driving you nuts.

Board games can be found very inexpensively at thrift stores and garage sales.  Decks of cards are cheap, too.  Teach your kids that it is indeed possible to play solitaire without a computer.

Many preppers are avid readers and likely have plenty of unread books on hand already.  That said, library sales are great places to stock up on new reading material.  Storytelling is a lost art and something you might explore as a family when the power is out.  Pick a book and each read a chapter out loud.

For the younger crowd, arts and crafts can keep them busy for hours.  You can find construction paper, crayons, markers, glue, and all that other fun stuff on sale pretty cheap during back to school time.

An added benefit of these family oriented activities is that it keeps everyone in one room.  In the dead of winter, keeping the family together like this will help to keep everyone a little warmer.  Cover the windows with blankets, close the door, and the room will warm up a fair amount in a short period of time.

Conclusion

Sheltering in place or hunkering down is likely going to be your best bet in the vast majority of disasters.  Of course, the circumstances will determine exactly what the safest course of action will be.  As with any other area of preparedness, there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all solution.

Prepp 101 | Know Your Snakes

When it comes to any wilderness survival situation, there is one potential danger for which many people are not prepared. I’m not talking about lawless bandits or some form of the plague; I’m talking about snakes. The last thing you want to do is prepare to survive in the wilderness, whether you had to bug out of the city during a pandemic or you are camping for a week in the bush, and then get bit by a snake and not know what to do.

Knowing your snakes is an incredibly important part of wilderness survival. Many snakes are perfectly safe, but there are many that are poisonous, so poisonous they can kill you. The further south you go, the more of an issue poisonous snakes will be. In this article, I will take you through the 10 most dangerous snakes on the US mainland and then discuss snake first aid, something that might one day save your life.

10 Most Dangerous Snakes

Copperhead

It is very fortunate that the Copperhead is known to have the weakest venom of the dangerous snakes because it is the snake that inflicts the most bites. This snake is known to freeze in place when spooked, rather than slithering away, which causes it to frequently get stepped on by hikers. Once it has been stepped on it will bite – guaranteed.

Timber Rattlesnake

It is a good thing that the timber rattlesnake has a relatively mild temperament because its venom is some of the most potent there is. This snake is also capable of pumping a large amount of venom into its victim through very long fangs. Fortunately, the timber rattlesnake will give plenty of warning before striking and is very patient, so most people can get away before any serious injury occurs.

Tiger Rattlesnake

The tiger rattlesnake is named for its striped appearance and lives only within a small region close to the border between Arizona and New Mexico. It has the smallest head of any of the rattlesnakes and its venom is considered to be the most potent of all pit vipers. However, this snake does not pump out much venom in a single bite, making it less dangerous than some other snakes on our list.

Eastern Coral Snake

This snake has the potential to be very deadly, but actually poses only a small risk. The eastern coral snake is a recluse, which means it is rarely seen. In addition, when it does bite, it generally only injects a small amount of venom into its victim. But don’t be complacent around these snakes because with a big enough dose of venom, the victim can die within two hours of being bitten.

Cottonmouth

This snake is also known as a water moccasin and is the only snake that spends part of its time in the water. The cottonmouth can swim well and is found in bodies of water across the southeastern US. This is not a snake you want to mess with. They generally hide in the water and attack without warning and their venom is strong enough to eat away at the skin and flesh of its victim. It is common for bite victims to require amputation after being bit by a cottonmouth.

Prairie Rattlesnake

The prairie rattlesnake is one of the less harmful rattlesnakes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be deadly. This rattlesnake can be found anywhere from southwestern Canada, through the entire western US, and into northern Mexico. One of the drawbacks of this rattlesnake is that its venom contains neurotoxins that pack a punch.

Mojave Rattlesnake

This rattlesnake has the most potent venom of all the rattlesnakes. The thing to know about being bitten by this snake is that at first the bite doesn’t seem too bad. But the venom has a delayed effect and over time blurred vision and respiratory failure will occur. Without treatment, the Mojave rattlesnake’s bite is nearly always fatal.

Black Diamond Rattlesnake

I’ll say right off the bat that diamondback rattlesnakes are the most dangerous of them all. There are seven subspecies of the black diamond rattlesnake that span from British Columbia throughout the western half of the US right to the Mexican border. These snakes have very potent venom that attacks the nerve endings. When bitten, an extra high dose of anti-venom is required to treat the victim.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Unlike the tiger rattlesnake, which has potent venom, but doesn’t inject a lot into its victim, the western diamondback rattlesnake has weak venom, but pumps out a large volume of it when biting. The high volume of the venom pumped into a victim makes this rattlesnake one of the deadliest.

Related: Survival Techniques That Tackle the Unexpected

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the biggest of all the venomous snakes in North America and the most deadly of them all. In fact, this rattlesnake has the biggest fangs of any rattlesnake in the world. On top of this, this snake pumps out a lot of venom in a single bite and that venom is very potent. Those who are bitten can experience bleeding form the site of the bite and from the mouth and as many as 30% of the people who are bitten by this snake will die. That’s in our comfy, modern world. Imagine what it would be like getting bitten by this slithering beast post-collapse.

Snake First Aid

If you are bitten by a snake, you need to take that bite very seriously. Unless you are absolutely certain of what snake bit you and you know without a doubt that it wasn’t a venomous snake, you must assume it was. You have to seek treatment as quickly as possible when bitten by a snake. If you are close to civilization, then you will have a better chance of getting to a hospital and getting the anti-venom treatment you need quickly, but if you are in the bush or far from a hospital or other treatment facility, then you need to know what to do.

What Not to Do

First, I am going to take you through what NOT to do when you are bitten by a venomous snake. I am putting this section first because it is very important that you do NOT do these things and in a situation in which you may not be thinking clearly, you should have these do-NOTs down pat. When bitten by a venomous snake, DO NOT:

• Make a tourniquet as this can cut off the blood supply to the limb, leading to gangrene and the possible amputation of the limb
• Give a painkiller, particularly Aspirin, as it can cause the blood to thin and the venom to spread through the body more quickly
• Apply ice or a cold compress to the wound as research shows this does not deactivate the venom and can cause frostbite to the area of the wound
• Flush the wound with water or clean the wound as trace amounts of venom left behind can help in the identification of the snake, making treatment easier and quicker
• Try to suck out the venom as this puts the victim at risk further injury to the site of the bite; the person sucking by mouth risks the poison entering their system and bacteria from that person’s mouth can contaminate the wound
• Cut the wound in an attempt to remove the venom as this causes increased damage and can cause infection of the wound
• Use an electric device, such as a stun gun on the wound as the use of electricity has been proven ineffective and potentially harmful through animal studies
• Put the area of the body that has been bitten higher than the heart as this will cause the venom to reach the heart more quickly
• Capture the snake as this is dangerous and increases the potential for additional bites (it’s enough to remember what the snake looked like so that you can tell those who will treat the snake bite)
• Give the victim alcohol or caffeine as this will speed up the spread of the venom throughout the body

What to Do

Now that we have the do-NOTs out of the way, let’s talk about what you need to do when you or someone else gets bitten by a venomous snake. First and foremost, stay calm and get away from the snake. Be absolutely sure you are out of the striking range of the snake so that it cannot inflict another bite.

The next thing you must do is call for medical help. If you are able to get to a phone or use your cell phone, then call 911 (or whatever your local emergency number is) and ensure that help is on its way. While you are waiting for help to arrive, do the following:

• Take off any tight clothing or jewelry in the area of the bite that can become too tight and cut off blood flow as the victim begins to swell
• Remove the victim’s shoes if the bite was on the foot or leg so they won’t become too tight and cut off blood flow as the limb swells
• Place the victim in a position that ensures the bite is either heart-level (preferable) or below it; if the bit is too high the venom can reach the heart more easily and if it is too low, there will be increased swelling
• Move as little as possible to keep heart rate low; the more you move around the faster the venom will circulate through the body (this is difficult if you are hiking alone and need to go for help)
• Dress the bite with a pressure bandage if the bite is on a limb (remember not to clean it or flush it with water) to help stop any bleeding and keep swelling down
• If the bite is on the trunk of the body, apply firm pressure to the wound to keep it from bleeding and keep swelling down
• If you do not have any dressings for the wound, then keep track of the swelling by tracing the area of swelling and inflammation with a pen or something that will leave a mark; track it through time as it spreads, making a note of the time each time you retrace the area; this information is very helpful for the medics when they arrive and begin treatment

Influencing Factors

Every venomous snake bite is unique because there are a number of factors that affect how serious a bit is. These factors include:

• The health of the person
• The psychological state of the person
• The person’s age and size
• Whether one or both fangs penetrated the skin
• The location of the bite and whether it is close to any major blood vessels
• How much venom was injected
• The health of the snake
• How long it has been since the snake previously expelled venom

Extra Snake Bite Facts

There are a few additional facts that are good to know when it comes to venomous snake bites:

• Children are at greater risk if they are bitten by a venomous snake because of their smaller body size and lower weight
• A snake that is dead can still bite within an hour of its death, due to a reflex action
• Not all snakes found in or near the water are venomous (remember if you aren’t absolutely certain the snake is not venomous, then treat the bite as if it is)
• Not all venomous snakes are fully charged with venom, and even if they are, not all of them inject a fatal dose when they bite

Remember…

Venomous snakes can be deadly. If you or someone you are with is bitten by a venomous snake or if you are not certain if the snake is venomous, then follow the instructions given above to ensure the best possible chance of survival and the least possible damage. Ultimately, you have to be on the lookout. Respect the snakes you see, give them their space, and enjoy your time in the wild.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is provided “as is” and should not be mistaken  for or be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your physician before trying any of the advice presented on this page.

Your Home’s Basic Defenses

The world we live in is full of dangers, many of them two-legged. Protecting our homes and families from these dangers is paramount. Fortunately, most states have some version of the “castle doctrine” otherwise known as “stand your ground” on the books, allowing us the right to defend our homes, rather than having to flee if someone invades our homes.

There are three basic types of attacks our homes can come under, if we assume that the United States isn’t going to be invaded by extra-terrestrials or zombies. While related, each is unique:

• Robbery – Someone breaking in to the home, with the goal of grabbing what they can of value and getting out of there as quick as possible. Robbers want to get in and out, without alerting anyone that they are there, so robberies generally happen when nobody is home. The perpetrators look for unlocked doors or windows to gain access.
• Home Invasion – Someone forcibly entering the home, either by tricking the occupants into opening the door or by physically breaking in, through a door or window. Perpetrators of home invasions don’t care if anyone is home or are purposely waiting until someone is there, in the case of rape. Violence against the occupants is part and parcel of a home invasion.
• Gang Attack – This is most likely to happen after a disaster, when people are breaking into homes, looking for supplies so that they can survive. These desperate people may band together, especially if they find a home which they believe has a lot of surprise. In such a case, they will attack the home, intending to overwhelm the occupants and steal what they have. Violence is seen as a tool to get in and get what they want.

Obviously the first two are much more likely to occur than the last one. But a full home defense plan must take all three into account. As there is some overlap in the defenses that we use, preparing for a gang attack that never comes isn’t a waste. It’s insurance that can help you defend against a home invasion as well.

So, how do we protect home and family? There are a variety of different things we should do, but just like there are three different categories of attacks that can come, there are also three different categories of defenses. A good defensive plan has to take all three of them into account.

• Passive Defenses – Your home should defend itself, at least to some point. That means having good quality locks on doors and windows, so that it is not easy to break into your home. It also means making access to windows difficult, so that someone with criminal intent can’t easily jimmy open or break a window. Properly done, passive defenses can help you with your active defenses as well.
• Appearance – The appearance of your home is important, as criminals “case” homes, looking for ones that look like good targets. Part of what they are looking for are homes which are likely to have easily disposed of goods, that they can make a profit off of. Another part of what they are looking for are homes they can get into, without being seen. If your home is isolated, with entry ways that are not visible to the neighbors, the chances of criminals getting in unseen increases. You can counter that by adding motion-activated lights, which attract attention and make the criminal more visible.
• Active Defenses – Part of your defensive plan has to include taking up arms in defense of your home. No passive defense system you can put into place will be perfect, unless you turn your home into a concrete bunker. If attackers are determined enough, they will get through your home’s defenses. At that point, your family’s safety is dependent on you, with a gun in your hand.

These three must work together. Controlling the appearance of your home, so that it doesn’t look like a good place to rob, helps prevent your passive defenses from being tested. Those passive defenses buy you time to prepare, so that you can actively defend your home. They also provide you with some protection from the bad guys, while you are defending your home. At the same time, your active defenses back up your passive ones, encouraging those bad guys to give up and leave, before they breech your defenses.

Suicide Prevention: Choose to Stay

Flash Flood Watch

Bountiful City Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness wanted to make certain that all of our districts are aware of a Flash Flood Watch issued by the National Weather Service.  The watch has been issued for much of Utah including Bountiful for Tuesday starting at 6 am and in effect until 4 am Wednesday. 

We are asking that all of our residents be prepared as recent storms have caused some flooding in our city.  In order to help our neighborhoods prepare, Bountiful City has sandbags available at the city shops if needed.  Please help get the word out to all of your district members.

Thank you for your help in our preparedness efforts.