The Story of My 72 Hour Kits
Many years ago, I suddenly got this wild hair about preparedness and decided it was time to really get going. I got on the "kick" to really get it all done, and decided that since we had none, 72 hour kits were a good starting point for me. I WENT CRAZY! When I was finished, I plopped them on the shelves in the garage and haven't given a thought to them ever since. Now, since I am thinking about it again, I realize I need to go in there and take a look...but, honestly, I'm scared. Here is what I KNOW I will find (I shudder to think about what I might find that will surprise me...)
- Sweatshirts and pants in little kid sizes (we're talking LITTLE KIDS SIZES). Yes, my kids are all adults now, and no, not one article of clothing in those packs will fit a single one of them. I guess they could still be used if you ripped them up and used them to bind wounds, but if you're a wet, muddy mess or all covered in other yucky stuff, they really aren't going to be any help at all.
- VERY nasty, tasteless crackers. I also put little bags of Goldfish crackers in there...because what little kid doesn't want to snack on goldfish in an emergency? I'm sure they are pounded to dust and probably were from the moment I put them in there and closed up the pack.
- Packages of instant oatmeal. I'm sure they have turned into one solid piece by now and you know that really old taste you get with wheat and graham crackers? I bet it would taste like that. Maybe if you're starving you don't care, I guess.
- Candy and gum that has probably turned into jawbreakers. I guess that's still good.
- Flashlights with dead (and probably exploded) batteries. I may have stored the batteries separately, but either way I'm sure they are dead by now.
- Expired medications. Just because I don't know what I was thinking. I think I planned on rotating them out and just never did. I'm not even sure anyone takes the same prescriptions anymore, but maybe they could be used as a poisonous weapon against enemies.
- Diapers. I have diapers in there. No explanation needed. Maybe if I wait long enough, I will be the one using them.
There is one thing in there that I know is probably still good...and that is some little cans of tuna. But guess what, folks? I bet you anything there isn't a can opener in there!
Now, some might say "Well, at least you HAVE a pack...we don't have packs at all! Something is better than nothing!" But I beg to differ. Having a pack sitting in my garage might give me a false sense of being prepared (although, really, I have now faced the realities of it all and am ready to deal with the consequences) but when it's time to use those packs they aren't going to do much good, other than maybe some comic relief in the face of disaster...however, I doubt I'd be in the mood for a good laugh at the time.
So what have I learned? It's great to be all gung-ho and get it done, but I didn't have a plan, didn't spend any time trying to figure out what I needed to do and the best way to do it, and because I went so crazy so fast, I quickly lost steam. The end result is the packs sitting in my garage collecting dust (and probably bugs I'm guessing) and no real plan.
Levels of Preparedness
So in researching how I need to begin, I have found some great and sound ideas that I think will work for me, and hopefully for everyone else that finds themselves in the same boat. If you divide your preparedness into sections and then slowly (but steadily) build on them, this is the key.
Are You Prepared to Walk Away?
In a nutshell...if you were forced to leave your home ON FOOT and take only what you and your family can carry, drag, push, or pull...are you prepared to do so?
Are You Prepared to Drive Away?
Being able to drive away definitely helps in the amount of stuff you can take, but if you were forced to drive away taking only what you can fit in the vehicles you are taking, are you ready?
Are You Prepared to Stay Home?
This might seem easier, being able to stay home...but consider the idea that you are FORCED to stay home--no access to grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors, etc. Are you prepared to be trapped at home, isolated from the outside world, for an extended period of time?
Are You Prepared for Your Own Personal Emergency?
This could be something such as a home fire or burglary, an extended illness, or the loss of employment. It would involve things like insurance and financial stability, as well as a long term storage of food, household and personal items, etc.
As I move forward in ideas and offerings to help everyone get prepared, I'd like to get a small taste of where everyone is at right now. (No sense finding stuff for 72 hour kits or water storage if everyone is already all set in that area.) Please take a minute to click on the link and complete the survey. Don't worry--it doesn't ask for your name so there is no need to feel ashamed if you're as unprepared as me (and if you're all prepared already and just want to gloat, you'll have to get shirts made letting everyone know because this survey won't announce it for you.)
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