Explosions

Terrorists frequently use explosive devices as one of the most common weapons. It is not hard for a terrorist or anyone to find the information or supplies to make and explosive device. Many hardware, and auto supply shops have the necessary supplies available and information on making different devices are available in books and on  the web.Explosives are highly portable and easily detonated from remote locations.

An Explosion is caused by the sudden chemical conversion of a solid or liquid into gas with resultant energy release. Explosive devices are categorized as either High-order Explosives( HE) such as C4 and TNT or Low- order( LE) such as pipe bombs, gun powder, and Molotov cocktails. HE detonation involves supersonic, instantaneous transformation of the solid or liquid into a gas occupying the same physical space under extremely high pressure. these high pressure gasses rapidly expand outward in all directions from their point of formation as an over pressure blast wave. The extent of injuries produced by an explosion are determined by several factors:

• Amount and composition of explosive material
• Method of delivery
• Distance between victims and the blast
• The setting(open or closed space, structural collapse)
• Other Accompanying environmental conditions

Related Injuries

Primary blast injuries result from HE detonations and the impact of the blast wave. Damage occurs mainly to the gas containing organs( lungs, ears, gastrointestinal tract)

Secondary blast injuries result from penetrating and blunt trauma caused by fragments and flying objects striking the victim

Tertiary blast injuries include blunt and penetrating trauma cause by displacement of the victim( E.G. being thrown against a wall)

Quaternary blast injuries are other injuries resulting from detonation of an explosive device and exacerbation of chronic diseases resulting from the blast. This includes burns, crush injuries, and toxic inhalants from components of the device

 

Protective measures

If you receive a telephone threat regarding a bomb you should:

Get as much information as you can from the caller if possible

Where is the bomb? What will cause it to detonate? What time will it go off? What does the bomb look like?Who are they? Why are they doing this? Did they place the bomb?

Keep the caller on the line and record everything that is said.

Notify police and building management.

Suspicious Packages/ Envelopes

Take precautions with packages that are:

Unexpected of from someone unfamiliar

Have no return address, or have one that can’t be verified as legitimate

Are marked with restrictive endorsements such as ” personal”, ” confidential”, or ” do not x-ray”

Have protruding wires or aluminum foil, strange odors, or stains

Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn’t match the return address

Are of unusual weight given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped

Are marked with threatening language

Have inappropriate or unusual labeling

Have excessive postage or packaging material, such as masking tape and string

Have misspellings of common words

Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated

Have incorrect titles or titles without a name

Are not addressed to a specific person

Have hand written or poorly typed addresses

Refrain from eating or drinking in a designated mail handling area

Never sniff or smell suspect mail

Put suspicious letters or packages in plastic bag or container to prevent leakage

or cover with anything available

If you find a something leave the room close the door and seal off the area. Wash hands with soap and water to prevent spreading powder to face.

Make sure to report the incident immediately. Make sure to give a list of anyone in the area when the letter or package was recognized and give the list to the public health authorities and law enforcement.

If there is an explosion, you should;

Get under a sturdy table or desk if things are falling around you. When they stop falling, leave quickly watch for obviously weakened floors and stairways. Watch for falling debris when exiting the building.

Leave the building as quickly as possible. Do not stop to gather personal possessions or make phone calls

Do not use elevators

Once out of the building

Do not stand near windows, glass doors or other potentially hazardous areas

Move away from sidewalks and streets to be used by emergency officials or others exiting the area

If trapped in debris:

If possible use a flashlight to signal your location

Avoid unnecessary movement to prevent kicking up dust

Cover your nose and mouth with anything you have.

Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear where you are. Avoid yelling to save energy, shouting can also cause someone to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. If possible use a whistle to signal. A whistle is much loader than you can yell and uses much less effort.

Other things you should consider in a terrorist event:

Secondary Explosions

Secondary explosive devices are bombs placed at the scene of an ongoing emergency response that are intended to cause causalities among responders. These devices are designed to explode after a primary explosions or other major emergency response event that has attracted a large number of responders to the scene. SEs are usually hidden out of view camouflaged by placing the devices in ordinary objects. They can be detonated by time delay or radio controlled devices and cell phones.

Terrorism

I hope If you have been reading my posts you are starting to see that preparing for one disaster is almost the same as preparing for any disaster. At least that’s how i see it. Though each disaster has its uniqueness, You can adjust for them when the time comes as long as you prepare now.

 

Now its time to talk about Terrorism.

Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the united states for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. Terrorists create threats to:

Create Fear

Try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to prevent terrorism

Get immediate publicity for their causes

 

How to prepare for terrorism

Be aware of your suroundings

Learn about emergency exits in building you frequent

Be prepared to do without services you depend on. Electric, telephone, natural gas, gasoline pumps, cash registers, atms.

All the things you should do for

Volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes,  earthquakes, floods, that drunk guy that crashed into that power line on the corner.

Be prepared for life to run its course.

Soon i will get into more specifics about terrorist threats like biological, explosions, dirty bombs and more.

But when i do remember the basics and add to your knowledge.

Volcanoes

A volcano is a vent through which molten rock escapes to the earth’s surface. When pressure from gases within the molten rock becomes too great, an eruption occurs.

Eruptions can be quiet explosive. There may be lava flows, flattened landscapes, poisonous gases, and flying rock and ash.  Because of their intense heat, lava flows are great fire hazards. Lava flows destroy everything in their path, but mostly move slowly so people can move out of the way. Fresh Volcanic ash, made of pulverized rock, can be abrasive, acidic, gritty, gassy, and odorous. Ash can cause lung damage to small infants, older adults, and those with severe respiratory illness. It can also damage machinery and mixed with water can become heavy enough to collapse roofs.

A volcanic eruption can also be accompanied with, Earthquakes, mudflows, flash floods, rock falls, landslides, acid rain, fire and sometimes tsunamis.

Before a Volcano

Add a pair of goggles and breathing mask to your kit

To protect yourself from falling ash you should:

Wear long sleved shirts and pants

Use goggles and eye glasses instead of contact lenses

use a dust mask or damp cloth to protect your airway

Avoid areas downwind from the volcano

Stay indoors until ash has settled if it is safe to do so.

Close all doors windows and vents entering the house if possible

Avoid driving in heavy ash and avoid running engines volcanic ash can damage moving parts and stall engines

If you can avoid being near an active volcano all together.

When it comes to disaster preparedness i think a lot of people forget the first step in being prepared.

That is to avoid the situation all together.

These posts are for the unavoidable

My adventures have thrown me into many dangerous situations and when i look back they could have almost all been avoided. But for those that live in areas that are in possible danger of volcanos or any disaster please be ready and prepared.

I always keep a dust mask and goggles in my kit. Also consider what else you might have in your kit that can be useful. Protective layering, bandannas. anything that can be used to protect you from the ash and aid you in evacuation.

Also in your bug out plan make sure you have a further bug out location.

A Little bit from Wikipedia( not usually my first place to look)

In 1980, a major volcanic eruption occurred at Mount St. Helens, a volcano located in state of Washington, in the United States. The eruption (which was a VEI 5 event) was the only significant one to occur in the contiguous 48 U.S. states since the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak in California.^[1] The eruption was preceded by a two-month series of earthquakes and steam-venting episodes, caused by an injection of magma at shallow depth below the volcano that created a huge bulge and a fracture system on the mountain’s north slope.

Prior to the eruption, USGS scientists convinced local authorities to close Mount St. Helens to the general public and to maintain the closure in spite of local pressure to re-open it; their work saved thousands of lives. An earthquake at 8:32:17 a.m. PDT (UTC−7) on Sunday, May 18, 1980, caused the entire weakened north face to slide away, suddenly exposing the partly molten, gas- and steam-rich rock in the volcano to lower pressure. The rock responded by exploding a hot mix of lava and pulverized older rock toward Spirit Lake so fast that it overtook the avalanching north face.

An eruption column rose 80,000 feet (24 km; 15 mi) into the atmosphere and deposited ash in 11 U.S. states.^[2] At the same time, snow, ice and several entire glaciers on the volcano melted, forming a series of large lahars (volcanic mudslides) that reached as far as the Columbia River, nearly 50 miles (80 km) to the southwest. Less-severe outbursts continued into the next day, only to be followed by other large, but not as destructive, eruptions later in 1980.

Fifty-seven people were killed, including innkeeper Harry R. Truman, photographer Reid Blackburn and geologist David A. Johnston.^[3] Hundreds of square miles were reduced to wasteland causing over a billion U.S. dollars in damage ($2.88 billion in 2014 dollars^[4]), thousands of game animals were killed, and Mount St. Helens was left with a crater on its north side. At the time of the eruption, the summit of the volcano was owned by the Burlington Northern Railroad, but afterward the land passed to the United States Forest Service.^[5] The area was later preserved, as it was, in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Active Shooter

PROFILE OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in

a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no

pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate

deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law

enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation

Good practices for coping with an

active shooter situation

• Be aware of your environment and any

possible dangers

• Take note of the two nearest exits in any

facility you visit

• If you are in an office, stay there and

secure the door

• If you are in a hallway, get into a room

and secure the door

• As a last resort, attempt to take the active

shooter down. When the shooter is at

close range and you cannot flee, your

chance of survival is much greater if you

try to incapacitate him/her.

CALL

911

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO!

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR

VICINITY

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that

customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an

active shooter situation.

1. Evacuate

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind

• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

• Leave your belongings behind

• Help others escape, if possible

• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be

• Keep your hands visible

• Follow the instructions of any police officers

• Do not attempt to move wounded people

• Call 911 when you are safe

2. Hide out

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely

to find you.

Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the active shooter’s view

• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed

and locked door)

• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

• Lock the door

• Blockade the door with heavy furniture

If the active shooter is nearby:

• Lock the door

• Silence your cell phone and/or pager

• Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)

• Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)

• Remain quiet

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:

• Remain calm

• Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location

• If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen

3. Take action against the active shooter

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to

disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

• Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her

• Throwing items and improvising weapons

• Yelling

• Committing to your actions

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES

Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will

proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.

• Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4)

• Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets,

and other tactical equipment

• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns

• Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation

• Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety

How to react when law enforcement arrives:

• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions

• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)

• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers

• Keep hands visible at all times

• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety

• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling

• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the

direction from which officers are entering the premises

Information to provide to law enforcement or 911 operator:

• Location of the active shooter

• Number of shooters, if more than one

• Physical description of shooter/s

• Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s

• Number of potential victims at the location

The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue

teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial

officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call

upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises.

Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area

by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

Remember if you are asked to lay down near the Active Shooter you should lay face down with your feet pointing in the direction of the shooter. This is to minimize any serious damage to your body if shot at.

Wilderness First Responder

Wilderness First Responder

I have recently finished a Wilderness First Responder course and I found it to be very helpful.
So here’s a little bit to give you an idea what a WFR is or does

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Wilderness EMT are job training programs leading to certifications. Based on the Department of Transportation’s First Responder and EMT curriculums, the WFR and WEMT programs integrate wilderness and medical training. By definition, ” wilderness” in wilderness emergency medicine is based on the concepts of:
1.Distance from traditional care or transport – usually one hour or more
2.Environmental concerns such as severe weather, altitude, heat, cold, and depth
3.Improvisation of equipment so as to minimize weight
4.Difficult or hazardous terrain

Wilderness Emergency Care versus Urban Emergency Care

Time and Distance
Wilderness- beyond the golden hour, more like the golden day
Very delayed notification, usually via foot, may take hours
Very delayed response and evacuation time, usually hours

Urban- within the golden hour
Rapid notification, usually via phone to 911
Rapid response and rapid evacuation time, usually within minutes

Environmental Concerns
Wilderness- long term exposure and weather concerns
Dramatic impact on patient care and on rescuers

Urban- short term exposure, weather of minimal concern

Difficult or Hazardous Terrain
Wilderness- frequent, unavoidable rough handling of patient
Rough, uneven litter ride on evacuation
Difficult footing for rescuers
May require specialized equipment and technical skills

Urban- usually minimal and easily controlled with abundant resources to help

Improvisation of Equipment and Resources
Wilderness- have to carry gear on your back
Maximize efficiency to minimize weight
Improvisation of equipment very common
Very limited equipment and access to other resources

Urban- access to modern equipment and a variety of resources

Specialized Skills Not Commonly Used In Prehospital Care

Wilderness- providing long term patient care and team management
Maintaining caloric intake and hydrating patients
Reducing angulated fractures and dislocations
Managing environmental emergencies
Using bivouac and survival skills, expert outdoor skills
Using map and compass; search and rescue skills
Forecasting weather and surviving severe weather conditions
Utilizing technical rescue skills, ropes and knots, water rescue skills

Urban- rare if necessary call” medical control”

The first day of class was full of information. It was more then my brain could handle and then the next day we had to use it for skill scenarios and more information. By day 4 I was getting the idea of things but I ran into a lot of mistakes and missed things. That was exactly the point. The instructors were constantly throwing a curve ball and it worked. By day seven we had the steps down. And the knowledge to deal with most things. In 8 days I learned the patient assessment system, how to take vitals and fill out a soapnote, how to safety move patients, how to manage an airway, How to give effective CPR, how to handle heart attacks, different types of shock,soft tissue injuries, burns, fractures, dislocations, head and spinal injuries, cardio thoracic trams, abdominal and genitourinary trauma, different medical emergencies, seizures,diabetes,dyspea, environmental emergencies, frost bite, hypothermia, heat stroke, drowning, bites stings and poisons, AMS, HAPE, HACE,how to make a splint out of just about anything, how to build a litter and backboard and carry a patient out, and I learned how to treat these things to the best of my ability with what I might have in a backpack out in the wilderness for extended periods of time.

A person could read books on the stuff everyday and not have the confidence to react. It was a satisfying experience that I will not forget about.

Earthquakes

One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature

is a severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects. An earthquake is a s

udden movement of the earth, caused by the abrupt release of strain that has accumulated over a long time.

For hundreds of millions of years, the forces of plate tectonic

s have shaped the earth, as the huge plates that form the earths surface slowly move over, under, and past each other. Sometimes, the movement is gradual. At other times, the plates are locked together, unable to release the accumulating energy. When the accumulated energy grows strong enough, the plates break free. If the earthquake occurs

in a populated area, it may cause many deaths and injuries and

extensive property damage.

Know The Terms

Earthquake

A sudden slipping or movement of a portion of the earths crust, accom-

panied and followed by a series of vibrations.

Aftershock

An earthquake of similar or lesser intensity that follows the main earth-

quake.

Fault

The fracture across which displacement has occurred during an earthquake. The slippage may range from less than an inch to more than 10 yards in a severe earthquake.

Epicenter

The place on the earth’s surface directly above the point on the fault

where the earthquake rupture began. Once fault slippage begins, it expands along the fault during the earthquake and can extend hundreds of

miles before stopping.

Seismic Waves

Vibrations that travel outward from the earthquake fault at spe

eds of several miles per second. Although fault slippage directly und

er a structure can cause considerable damage, the vibrations of seismic waves cause most of the destruction during earthquakes.

Magnitude

The amount of energy released during an earthquake, which is computed from the amplitude of the seismic waves. A magnitude of 7.0 on

the Richter Scale indicates an extremely strong earthquake. Each whole

number on the scale represents an increase of about 30 times more energy released than the previous whole number represents. Therefore,

an earthquake measuring 6.0 is about 30 times more powerful than one measuring 5.0.

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your property in the event of an earthquake:

• Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible utility connections.
Get appropriate professional help. Do not work with gas or electrical
lines yourself.

• Bolt down and secure to the wall studs your water heater, refrigerator, furnace,and gas appliances. If recommended by your gas company, have an automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.

• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Fasten shelves, mirrors, and large picture frames to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.

• Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or in cabinets that fasten shut.

• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.

• Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.

• Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage.

• Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by moving to these places during each drill.

• Hold earthquake drills with your family members: Drop, cover, and hold

During and earthquake

If Indoors

• Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or bench or against
an inside wall, and hold on. If there isn’t a table or desk
near you, cover your face and head with your arms and
crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls,
and anything that could fall, such as lighting fi xtures or
furniture.
• Stay in bed—if you are there when the earthquake
strikes—hold on and protect your head with a pillow,
unless you are under a heavy light fi xture that could fall.
In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity
to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing
doorway.
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go
outside. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when
people are hit by falling objects when entering into or
exiting from buildings.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler
systems or fi re alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators

If outdoors

• Stay there

• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires

In a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the
vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees,
overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped,
watching for road and bridge damage.

Trapped under debris
• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a
whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort—
shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of
dust.

After an Earthquake

• Be prepared for aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage
to weakened structures.
• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
• Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations.
• Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

Like always keep your BOB ready and be ready to bail if needed.

Related articles

• Catastrophe Tips, Preparing For An Earthquake – Allstate (allstate.com)
• How to prepare for an earthquake (smartsign.com)

Hurricanes

Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and Tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes and microbusts, create storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from rainfall. Heavy rain can also trigger flooding, landslides or mud slides.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

Hurricanes are classified in five categories.  All hurricanes on this scale warrant your full attention.

Category       Winds (MPH)         Damage                                                 Storm Surge

1                        74-95                 Minimal:   Unanchored mobile homes        4-5 Ft

Vegitation, and signs

2                        96-110               Moderate: all mobile homes                            6-8 Ft

roofs,  flooding

3                        111-130             Extensive: small buildings                               9-12ft

low lying roads cut off

4                        131-155             Extreme: Roofs, destroyed, trees down  13-18ft

road cut off, mobile homes destroyed

beach homes flooded

5                   More than 155     Catastrophic: Most buildings destroyed    18ft +

vegetation destroyed. major roads cut off

homes flooded

Know The Terms

Tropical Depression

An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface

circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 MPH (33 knots) or less.

Sustained winds are defined as one-minute average wind measured at

about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface.

Tropical Storm

An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface cir-

culation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 MPH (34-63 knots).

Hurricane

An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-

defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 MPH

(64 knots) or higher.

Storm Surge

A dome of water pushed onshore by hurricane and tropical storm winds.

Storm surges can reach 25 feet high and be 50-100 miles wide.

Storm Tide

A combination of storm surge and the normal tide (i.e., a 15-foot storm

surge combined with a 2-foot normal high tide over the mean sea level

creates a 17-foot storm tide).

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch

Hurricane/tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area,

usually within 36 hours. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial

radio, or television for information.

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning

Hurricane/tropical storm conditions are expected in the specifi

ed area,usually within 24 hours.

Short Term Watches and Warnings

These warnings provide detailed information about specific hurricane

threats, such as flash floods and tornadoes.

Before a Hurricane

• Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the bestprotection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8”marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent win-dows from breaking.

• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame struc-ture. This will reduce roof damage.

• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.

• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

• Determine how and where to secure your boat.

• Consider building a safe room.

Hurricanes

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or TV for information.

• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.

• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator ther-mostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.

• Turn off propane tanks.

• Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.

• Moor your boat if time permits.

• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

Remember that you should also follow preparations associated with hurricanes such as flooding, tornadoes, lightning, and landslides

If you are instructed to evacuate by local authorities, do so immediately.

Make Sure you are prepared to bug out and get to your BOL.

Having multiple Bug Out Locations can help in this case. Hurricanes can cover many miles and having a farther location preferably out of the storm path would be ideal.

If unable to evacuate, bug in the safest room in the structure.

Studying how to prepare for many different disaster will help keep you and your family safe when it counts most. Knowing what these type of damage these disasters cause and how to prepare will keep you ready for most things. Remember the basic principles are the same and you should always have your BOB ready to go if needed.

Side Note

Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane

Center and now maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological

Organization. The lists featured only women’s names until 1979. After that, men’s and women’s names

were alternated. Six lists are used in rotation.

The only time there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the continued use of

the name would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. When this occurs, the name is stricken

from the list and another name is selected to replace it.

Sometimes names are changed. Lorenzo replaced Luis and Michelle replaced Marilyn. The complete

lists can be found at

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

under “Storm Names.”

Related articles

• Statistics From the Devastating Hurricane Katrina (politics.answers.com)
• 7 Tips to Limiting Your Losses After Hurricane Sandy (mint.com)

Extreme Heat

Heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.

Terms

Heat Wave– Prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity

Heat Index– A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells you how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature.

Heat Cramps– Muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they often are the first signal that the body is having trouble with heat.

Heat Exhaustion– Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim’s condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer a heat stroke.

Heat Stroke- A life threatening condition. The victims body temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

To Prepare yourself for extreme heat:

• Install and insulate window air conditioners
• Check air conditioning ducts for proper insulation
• Install temporary window reflectors( for use between windows and drapes) to reflect heat back outside
• Weather strip doors and sills to keep cool air in
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades or awnings.  Outdoor awnings can reduce the heat that enters a home by 80 percent
• Keep storm windows up all year.

During a Heat Emergency

• Stay Indoors and limit sun exposure as much as possible
• Stay on the lowest floor out of the sun if air conditioning is not available
• Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation
• Eat well balanced light meals, Avoid using salt tablets unless instructed by a physician
• Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heat, kidney  or liver disease are on fluid restricted diets. or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing fluid intake.
• Limit intake of alcoholic beverages
• Dress in loose fitting lightweight and light color clothing that cover as much skin as possible
• Protect face and head by wearing a wide brimmed hat
• Check on family, friends or neighbors without air conditioning if they spend much time alone.
• Never leave children or pets in closed vehicles
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use the buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent brakes.

First Aid

Sunburn- Shower using soap to unblock pores. Oils may prevent the body from natural cooling. Tend to and blisters  with dry sterile bandages. If extreme seek medical attention.

Heat Cramps- Move to cooler location, place bag of ice on affected muscles. give sips of cool  or sugar/ electrolyte drink every 15 minutes. discontinue if nauseated.

Heat Exhaustion- Move to cooler area and lie down. loosen or remove clothing. spray with cool water, cool cloth to neck.  Fan or move to air conditioned area. If conscious give sips of water or sugar/ electrolyte drink  slowly every 15 minutes. If Vomiting occurs seek medical attention.

Heat Stroke- Call 9-1-1. Move to cooler area immediately or to cool water up to the neck. Remove clothing. Use a wet sheet or sponge or bath to reduce body temperature. Watch for breathing problems. Use fans and air conditioners.  Be prepared for CPR. Stop Cooling if feeling better.

Remember that people in urban areas may be at greater risk or a heat emergency. Concrete and asphalt store heat longer and gradually release heat at night producing higher night time temperatures known as ” urban heat island effect”

During a heat emergency be prepared to bug in and cool off. If another disaster occurs or even a power outage on a hot summer day you may find yourself in a heat emergency. Preparing for a heat emergency and taking steps to cool your home with also help with the electric bill and over running your AC unit and fans.  If venturing out on a hike or other outdoor activity prepare accordingly. Exertion and extreme heat is a dangerous combination. In Extreme dry heat your sweat may evaporate so quickly that you don’t even know you are sweating. With the sweat gone your body cant cool itself and it will take other measures and more fluids to regulate your body temperature. Frequent breaks in the shade  and wetting clothing will help your body cool down.

Over the summer I was exploring an area on foot. I was told this hike was only 5 miles out and back and packed light with only one canteen of water, a stick of beef jerkey and a cliff bar. The morning was cold, Temperatures in the 40s as i set out on this hike. Then the day started to heat up. By noon the temperature was 103 degrees  in a sandy canyon with little shade from the mid day sun.  I was already 6 miles into the canyon still not finding what I had come to see. I found an over hang and took a rest. I had already gone through most of my water thinking id have a short hike and refill back at the car. I was tired and exhausted and thirsty.  I skipped eating because of the water shortage I took small sips of water wetting my lips and mouth before swallowing. I opened my survival kit on my belt and pulled out some hard candy to give my body some sugar for energy and to keep my saliva going. then I started back. Looking for water and shade but finding none. The hike followed a creek bed but it was bone dry this time of year and digging would only exhaust me more. I was playing a game against time. Sooner or later I would run out of water and with the high temperatures my body would start shutting down. Taking it slow, Over a few hours I had only two miles left tot he car and no water. I was doing well or at least thought I was until I fell and couldn’t get up right away. I was fatigued and starting to become delusional. I needed to do something. I moved to a small over hang of rock and tucked in the small shade left and started digging to expose the cooler dirt under me and I laid there. I laid there for almost an hour until I snapped out of it. As the day grew later the shade grew too. I got up and started trying to make it back to the car stopping every 20 min in a shady spot to cool down until finally getting to the car. I had water in the car that had baked in the sun all day. I first used it to wet my lips and clothes . The area where I parked was at the opening of the canyon and strong winds passed through to help cool me. I had the car running the air conditioning on full blast trying to cool off and slowly sip water until I was feeling much better. Then I started the long drive home.

Prepare for your activities appropriately. Do your own research, I would have prepared better if I knew what I was getting into. Check the weather conditions and study the climate your in. With Flat canyon walls reflecting heat temperatures could have exceeded  110 degrees in the more narrow areas. I have learned my lesson. Be Prepared.

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Wildfires

Wildfires are usually triggered by lightning or accidents.They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes.

This past summer there was the Yarnell Hill Fire

On June 28, 2013, a lightning storm ignited the Yarnell Hill Fire in the high desert northwest of Phoenix. Two days later, the brush fire that covered a few hundred acres exploded across 13 square miles. Hundreds of people fled from Yarnell, Glen Ilah and Peeples Valley as flames destroyed 127 homes. The Granite Mountain Hotshots, who had been hand-cutting firebreaks along the blaze’s flank, descended from a mountain ridge into a bowl where they became trapped. The 19 men deployed protective shelters but all were overcome by a wall of fire so hot it fractured boulders.

Read More: http://www.azcentral.com/news/wildfires/yarnell/

Before A Wildfire

• Mark the entrance to your property with address signs that are clearly visible from the road

• Keep lawns trimmed, leaves raked, and the roof and rain gutters free from debris such as dead limbs and leaves.

• Stack firewood at least 30 feet away from your residence
• Store flammable materials, liquids, and solvents in metal containers outside your residence at least 30 feet away from structures and wooden fences
• Thin trees and brush within 30 feet around your home. past 30 feet, remove dead wood, debris and low branches
• Consider landscaping your property with fire resistant plants and vegetation.
• Keep fire hydrants and other water sources (ponds, pools,wells)unobstructed for easy access for the fire department.
• Consider fire resistant roofing materials such as stone, brick and metal to help protect your home
• install multi-pane windows, tempered safety glass, or fireproof shutters to protect large windows
• Use fire resistant draperies
• Have chimmneys, wood stoves and heating systems cleaned and inspected annually
• Insulate chimmneys and place spark arresters on top. chimmneys should be 3 feet above the roof.
• Remove Branches that hang above and around chimmneys

Follow proper local procedures for burning debris to reduce risk of wildfire

During a wildfire

• Shut off gas at the main ( remember only a qualified technician can turn the gas back on)
• Seal attic and ground vents with precut plywood or comercial seals
• Turn off propane tanks
• Place combustible patio furniture inside
• Connect garden hose to outside taps. Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above ground fuel tanks.
• Wet the roof
• Wet of remove shrubs within 15 feet of residence
• Gather fire tools such as a rake, axe, handsaw,or chainsaw, bucket, and shovel
• Park your vehicle facing the escape path. Shut doors and roll up window. Leave the key in the ignition and doors unlocked. If in a garage, close doors and disconnect automatic door openers.
• Open fireplace dampener,close screens
• Close Windows, vents, doors, blinds, draperies. Remove flammable Drapes and curtains
• Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors
• Close all interior doors and windows to prevent drafts
• Place valuable that will not be damaged by water or in a pool

If instructed to evacuate, do so immediately.

Have a plan ahead of time and a travel route. Have a BOL in mind before leaving. Keep your BOB by the door and ready to go. If moving through and area already in flames, wet clothing and and watch for falling trees and debris.

Remember if you have a safe or strongbox, do NOT try to open it. It can hold intense heat for several hours. If the door is opened before the box has cooled the contents could burst into flames.

A few years ago I was living in a remote area in Northern Arizona, a driver threw a cigarette but out of their car window. Within hours there was a wildfire burning through the forest. It took fire crews four months to finally put the fire out. Now a sparse wasteland borders the roads instead of lush pines and aspens. The fire spread across the forest floor pretty quickly catching all the deadwood and dried brush. The fire did not spread enough for us to evacuate, but we were told it was a possibility and prepared evacuation plans. With one road in an out if the fire blocked it we would all be trapped, It would also cut off our food supplies.

Size up the risk you are in and watch it as the seasons change. Then Prepare accordingly.

Related articles

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• 6 Tips to Protect Your Home From Wildfires (inhabitat.feedsportal.com)

Fires

Each year, more than 4,000 Americans die and more than 25,000 are injured in fires. To protect yourself, it is important to understand the characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly ; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames. Heat and smoke can be more dangerous than the flames, inhaling super hot air can sear your lungs.poisonous gasses can make you disoriented and drowsy, instead of being awakened by a fire you may fall into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths.

Before a Fire

Install smoke alarms.

Place smoke alarms on every level of your home

Test them once a month, replace batteries once a year and replace the alarm once every ten years

Have an evacuation plan and an escape route for each room.

Practice your evacuation plan.

Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut.

Make sure security bars on windows can be opened easy from the inside.

Consider escape ladders for rooms on higher levels

Teach family members to stay low on the floor when escaping a fire

Keep storage areas clean, Do not let trash or old newspapers pile up.

Never us gasoline, or other flammable liquids indoors

Store flammable liquids in proper containers

Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top. Chimneys should be at least 3 feet higher than the roof, remove any branches near or over a chimney

keep a screen in front of a fireplace

Have heating units inspected and cleaned annually

Place heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable materials

Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs

Make sure outlets have covers

Do not overload outlets or extension cords

Sleep with your door closed

Install A_B_C type fire extinguishers and become familiar with how to use them properly.

During A Fire

If your clothes catch on fire

STOP

DROP

ROLL

until the fire is extinguished

Check Closed doors for heat before opening

This can be done by using the back of your hand to feel the door knob, top of the door, and the crack between the door and door frame.

If you can not leave through a hot door, use a window or another door. if none are available hang a white or other light color sheet out the window to alert firefighters to your location

If the door is cool, open slowly to make sure the route is clear. If the route is blocked , shut the door and look for an alternative way.

If clear leave immediately through the door and close it behind you. Smoke and heat rise so stay low near the floor.

Close doors behind you to decrease the spread of the fire.

Once out you are out call 9-1-1 and do not reenter.

If near a burn victim or are one yourself,

make sure the scene is safe

call 9-1-1

Cool burns with water and cover

Have a plan and practice it. Have a hard copy of emergency contacts and maybe even leave some copies with neighbors and friends.

Make sure you know how to use a fire extinguisher and what types of extinguisher to use for different fires. Use them for getting out safely.

http://www.fireextinguisher.com

Do not try to fight the fire.

If you have time to grab your BOB on you way out.

You should keep it in an easy to get location by the door.

Chances are you will not be able to grab it and you should not try to if it puts yourself or others in more danger

Related articles

• Types of Fire Extinguishers (fireextinguishersigns.com)