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No — we're not all going to die from a new strain of flu from outer space. Not now, anyway. Disasters do happen, however, and having the supplies that can save your life on hand is always a smart idea. What should you always have access to?
Staying Home? Here's What You Should Have For A Disaster Scenario
In our scenario, the very worst happens. We won't have power, running water, a working toilet, or the ability to access medical services. Supermarkets are empty. By staying inside your home at all times, you reduce the risk of becoming ill with the deadly mystery virus significantly. Only those who have food and water can afford to do that, though. You can go without food for about 30 days, but without water for no more than three.
This scenario is rather unlikely to come to pass — remember, scientists estimate there's only a 0.0001 percent chance of that kind of thing. Prepping for disaster will also, however, increase your chances of getting through a hurricane, the aftermath of a terror attack, serious floods, and similar unexpected disaster-rather-than-total-doom scenarios.
- Water is your Number One priority. Everyone benefits from having a large amount of bottled water in their house in case the tap water stops running or becomes unsafe. You are also going to want a water filter, and not the kind that attaches to your tap but the kind you screw into a bottle. This could render rain water, river water, and water harvested from cars and the like safe for drinking. One gallon a day is the standard minimum recommendation for water consumption.
- You'll want about three months of food for all members of your household. Rice and dried beans are all very well when you have access to a stove, but you might not. Cans of corn, peas and fruits can be consumed without boiling them. It may be yucky, but you won't starve. Pickled and dehydrated supplies will also come in handy, as will crackers. And chocolate, for a quick energy boost.
- If you are going to cook (or just need a way to stay warm), you'll need something to get a fire started. Portable gas heaters for camping will tide you over a while, but you may want to learn how to start a fire yourself. You'll definitely want lighters and fire starters or sticks, as well as wood, cardboard, dryer lint, and wadded paper.
- In disaster scenarios featuring the total breakdown of government, people can get violent. You'll always want a very good pen knife for all kinds of things (Kershaw, Gerber, and Opinel are all good choices), but this is a situation in which a gun and plenty of ammo may also save your life.
Finally, no matter how bad things get, humans naturally engage in bonding activities and entertainment. A pack of cards will ensure that you have something fun and social to do in a world where your electronic devices aren't working any more, and it will serve you well if you decide to hit the road too. Intimacy doesn't come to an end in disaster scenarios either, but the midst of a global pandemic isn't the right time to have a baby. You'll want plenty of condoms, and Plan B in case one breaks.
Thinking Of Leaving Town?
The big city won't be a good place to be in our story. If you're urban, you may want to leave, to get away from dense and disease-spreading populations, violence, and a lack of food in the long run. The same applies to a scenario where your city was hit by a hurricane, earthquake, or tsunami, or attacked by terrorists. One thing is clear: in this type of situation, you won't be the only one seeking to exit. The road ahead may be perilous, and your car may or may not be available. You could run out of gas with no way to replace it, or the roads could be blocked.
You will need solid-quality hikers' backpacks for the whole family, as well as excellent boots that will keep you going. Water will be the main thing to take, as well as those filtered bottles we mentioned earlier, and that way to kindle a fire. Thermal mylar blankets can save your life if you're going anywhere cold. You'll need those weapons, too, either to defend yourself or to fight your way into some place with food. And identifying documents, just in case order is restored. Antibiotics and fever-reducing painkillers are another must, as well as morphine or something else that can end the life of someone who is already doomed quickly and painlessly.
And if you're, like, really into doomsday prep? Learning to grow crops is the single most useful thing you can do.
- Photo courtesy of Esparta: https://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/3483781370/
- Photo courtesy of US Army Africa: www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyafrica/5546285062/
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