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Posts Tagged ‘earthquake’

Natural Threats – Managing A Mean Mother Nature!

The reality is none of us can control Mother Nature and her moods, especially when she is in a mean one! There are parts of the world where she is meaner more often than other places… these are places to avoid at all costs but unfortunately some of us have little choice. We either have to live where we do or we are there at the wrong time, whether we like it or not.

Floods, fires, earthquakes, storms, blizzards, tsunami, landslides, avalanche, typhoons, hurricanes, cyclones, lightening strikes, any ‘natura disaster’ or, as insurance companies are fond of claiming in order to deny liability; ‘acts of God’.

We often forget that we don’t control our world as much as we think we do. While we can predict and forecast bad weather far more accurately there is little if anything we can do to change what will happen. Knowing we are about to be hit by a severe typhoon/hurricane/cyclone is one thing but what can you do to stop it? Nothing!

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, droughts, forest fires, mud slides, tsunami’s and blizzards are all potentially life threatening. If not directly then as a result of conditions caused by the event. A storm might knock out the power for a day and during that time gangs roam the darkness looking for easy targets. You might be evacuated in the face of an approaching flood only to return and find the house high and dry yet cleaned out by looters. What if you catch a couple of them in the act? The threat category then changes to Man-Made Direct but more of that later.

More appropriately for this division is what will you do to survive with no power, no fresh water and no food other than what is already in the cupboards? Natural risks are present whenever we find ourselves in the classic survival situation; alone in the wilderness with a knife and little else kind of thing. Lucky you have the knife, right?

You don’t have to be the survivor of a plane crash in the desert or jungle to be confronted with natural threats to your life. You might even be playing a round of golf and a sudden electrical storm finds you the tallest object around for some distance holding up a metal lighting rod called a five iron! Do you take cover under the trees off in the rough? Haven’t you always been warned never to stand under trees in a storm? Do you lie down in the open and get soaked? Do you keep on playing and figure the odds are in your favour?

None of these choices are a problem until you get it wrong and the dice roll the other way for you. Zap! You get hit with a zillion volts and thrown across the green. Your buddies panic and run for help and you lie there in the rain wondering if you are going to survive this unforeseen drama. Surely this is as life threatening and worthy of personal protection planning as getting mugged at the ATM one night?

If you have never been a victim of Mother Nature, take some time now to research the natural hazards you may encounter. Floods, typhoons, mud slides and whatever else. Check out the weather and the seasons, even getting heatstroke is avoidable yet surely it is as potentially dangerous as being mugged?

Earthquake Survival Advice from the Earthquake Research Institute of the University of Memphis:

What to do before, during and after an earthquake, and preparing an earthquake survival kit for your home, automobile, and office.

WHAT TO DO

PREPARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY NOW

Have an earthquake survival kit on hand. All family members should know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity. Plan family emergency procedures, and make plans for reuniting your family. Know emergency telephone numbers (doctor, hospital, police, 911, etc) Anchor heavy objects to walls (bookcases, wall units, mirrors, cabinets, etc.) Never place heavy objects over beds, and keep heavy objects lower than head height of shortest member of family.

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE STAY CALM

Inside, stand in doorway, or crouch under a desk or table, well away from windows or glass dividers.

Outside, stand away from buildings, trees, telephones and electrical lines.

On the road, drive away from underpasses and overpasses; stop in safe area; stay in vehicle.

AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

Check for injuries-provide first aid. Check for safety-check for gas, water, sewage breaks; check for downed power lines and shorts; turn off appropriate utilities. Check for building damage and potential problems during aftershocks. Clean up dangerous spills. Wear shoes Turn on the radio and listen for instructions from public safety agencies. Use telephone for emergencies, only.

Earthquake Survival Kits

SURVIVAL SUPPLIES:

Water-2 quarts to 1 gallon per person, per day.
First Aid Kit-ample, and freshly stocked.
First Aid Manual-know how to use it.
Food-canned or individually packaged;precooked, requiring minimum heat and water. Consider infants, pets, and other special dietary requirements.
Critical medication, extra eyeglasses
Can opener
Blankets
Radio-portable battery operated, spare batteries
Critical medication and eyeglasses, contact cases and supplies
Fire Extinguisher-dry chemical, type ABC
Flashlight-spare batteries and bulbs
Watch or clock-battery or spring wound.

COOKING:

Barbeque-use outdoors ONLY-charcoal and lighter, or Sterno stove
Plastic bags-various sizes, sealable
Pots-at least two
Paper plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels

SANITATION
Large plastic trash bags-for trash, waste, water protection
Ground cloth
Large trash cans
Hand soap, liquid detergent, shampoo
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
Deodorant
Feminine supplies
Infant supplies
Toilet paper
Powdered chlorinated lime-to add to sewage to disinfect and keep away insects.
Newspapers-to wrap waste, garbage; may also be used for warmth.

SAFETY
Heavy shoes for every family member
Heavy gloves for every person cleaning debris
Candles
Matches-dipped in wax and kept in waterproof container
Knife-sharp, or razor blades
Garden hose-for siphoning and fire fighting
Clothes-complete change kept dry

TOOLS
Axe
Shovel
Broom
Crescent wrench-for turning off gas main
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Hammer
Rope or bailing wire
Plastic tape
Pen and paper
Mini Survival Kit for Automobile
Non-perishable food-store in coffee cans
Boiled water
First aid kit and manual
Fire extinguisher
Blanket
Sealable plastic bags
Flashlight-spare fresh batteries and bulb
Critical medication, extra eyeglasses
Tools-screwdriver, pliers, wire, knife
Short rubber hose
Pre-moistened towelettes
Feminine supplies
Sturdy shoes and gloves
Your emergency supplies should be adequate for at least 72 hours (3 days).
A 10-day supply of water, food, and medicine is recommended.