Prepare Against A Flu Pandemic with a Survival Kit

Throughout the centuries, diseases have at times ravaged the human population due to its weak or non-existent immunity against them.  One of the most deadly pandemics in our last century has been the flu.  The last influenza pandemic was the Spanish Flu in 1918, which is estimated to have killed over fifty million individuals.  Should another type of flu evolve in our current environment and society, the results could be catastrophic.  Emergency kits for flu pandemics are designed to reduce the chances of contamination through infected individuals and stem the spread of the disease.  Many of these kits come with a mask, goggles, sterile gloves and antimicrobial wipes.  This helps to reduce the chances of contracting the flu when coming into contact with or treating an affected party. 

                Survival kits are valuable in many situations, but when it comes to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, they can be the difference between life and death.  In the case of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, there were not nearly enough doctors, nurses and licensed medical practitioners to help treat the dying population.  In fact, a large number of medical staff died while treating other patients, which made the problem even worse.  Should this type of pandemic occur again, the ability to protect yourself, your family or your friends from the spread of the flu could become critical; given that a shortage of medical staff would mean that you are on your own.  The right survival gear can help stave off the effects of the flu, especially if you are stranded within your home or an abandoned area for days without medical attention.

Prepare Against Terror Attacks With a Survival Kit for Your Family Members

The daily risk of terror attacks throughout the United States and the free countries of the world in general have increased mightily over the past decade.  Following the terror attacks of September 11th on the World Trade Towers in 2001, the radical organizations of Al-Qaeda and various factions continue to pose a threat towards the Western world.  Survival kits should become a staple in every home, especially in the United States where the imminent threat of biological bombs is becoming an increasingly realistic threat.  Have a gas mask available for each member of your family in the case that a bomb of that nature is released upon the public; the government works as hard as it can to prevent any attacks on its citizens, but in the event that a situation such as this occurs it is best to have emergency kits available.  Relying solely on the government for protection is a dangerous risk; do everything possible to keep your family’s life out of harm’s way.
    A bomb or biologic explosion is not the only type of damage a terrorist or terrorist organization can inflict; if they sabotage the electric grid, power lines or means of communication, it could mean that your family could be on its own until the situation is resolved.  If no one is there to help you, how will you help you and your family survive?  Survival gear such as warm clothing, food, water, lighting capabilities such as flashlights and lanterns, compasses and other critical items should be available at a moment’s notice. Potassium Iodide tablets are a necessity as well in the event of a nuclear attack; these tablets block the absorption of radiation into the thyroid gland, which dramatically increases the chances for survival. If an attack on the electric grid or water system also occurs, having enough supplies to last for at least several days is the best course of action to take to prevent your family from being affected.  Be as prepared as you possibly can!

Fight off hypothermia with survival gear

Hypothermia is a severe condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce.  One of the easiest ways to catch hypothermia is either camping or being outdoors in the wind and rain, with a temperature of fifty degrees Fahrenheit or less.  If camping, packing survival gear that can help treat hypothermia can be the difference between life and death.  Most survival kits carry at least one piece of equipment that can help fight off the effects of hypothermia, whether it is an article of warm clothing or a hot water bottle.  Since the body is normally in the range of 97.5 degrees and 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit, it is important to monitor one’s body temperature and symptoms signifying this condition.

                Some symptoms to watch out for that indicate a hypothermic reaction is intense shivering, skin that is cold, pale or bluish-grey, and numb hands and fingers.  If you are stranded in the wilderness for some reason, it cannot be overstated enough to have some types of emergency kits available. Having access to hand and body warmers, as well as a thermal blanket in your survival gear is critical for when you suspect you might have hypothermia.  If you catch hypothermia in the early stages, it can be treated easily enough by yourself.  The first step for treatment when out in the wilderness is to remove yourself from the wet environment; search for a dry cave or a thickly wooded area where rain and wind cannot reach you; if you can make a fire, heat water and store it in a hot water bottle and keep close to your chest.  If you have the ability to contact help, keep yourself in a warm and dry area and have a medical team evaluate your condition as soon as possible.

Classroom Lockdowns: Why Every Classroom Needs to be More Prepared

Students at nine Los Angeles area high schools were kept in lockdown for as long as five hours recently as police conducted a massive manhunt in response to the shooting of a fellow officer near El Camino Real High School. The initial anxiety and fear of parents turned to anger over both the length of the lockdown and the perceived lack of communication and preparedness on the part of some schools. That anger sharpened further when it turned out that the crisis may have been the result of a hoax. The officer involved in the shooting reportedly later admitted to accidentally wounding himself and lying about a gunman.

Lockdowns are an alarmingly common occurrence in Los Angeles and in other school districts nationwide. Since the El Camino High School incident, several other lockdowns have occurred at Southern California schools including one at an elementary school in Echo Park after an armed man was spotted on campus.
Given the spate of school shootings that have grabbed headlines in recent years, it is hard to fault school administrators for issuing lockdown orders when threats arise. But there can be no excuse for schools that are ill-prepared to conduct emergency procedures in an orderly manner, one that minimizes risks and anxiety to students and staff, and makes the lockdown period as comfortable as possible.

Clearly, every school needs to have lockdown plans in place and practice them frequently. Lockdown plans should include procedures for a variety of emergency situations that can occur inside or outside of the school. Teachers need to know whether students are to be confined to the classroom or moved to a common area, whether doors and windows are to be locked or not, and how to communicate with school administrators, first responders and parents.

Simple procedures also need to be in place to provide students with a modicum of comfort while they wait for the "all clear" announcement. One very easy step to take is to provide every classroom with a lockdown kit as a supplement to its basic emergency and first aid supplies. A lockdown kit should include food and water for students. It should also include a portable toilet to provide students, who may not be able to leave the classroom for hours, with a relatively comfortable and sanitary means of going to the bathroom.

The value of having proper emergency supplies in place cannot be overvalued. Along with their practical application, they can help significantly in reducing stress and maintaining order during a most difficult situation. Students who feel that the situation is under control and that their teachers and prepared for the emergency are less likely to become panicked or distressed.

More information on classroom lockdowns and other emergency issues is available at the More Prepared website, www.moreprepared.com