To those of us that live in earthquake country, I wanted to see if all of you have an earthquake survival/emergency survival kit at the ready.
My son, my husband and I took a C.E.R.T. course in 2008 with both the LA Fire Department and LA County Fire Department. While the emergency medical part of it was just a refresher for my husband and I since we did emergency services in NJ, the earthquake part really got us to think about what we needed in the event one happens.
Here is what we have: (please share your kits or ideas as well)
1 55 gallon drum of purified water w/syphon & purification
tablets
4 doz Energy bars in lemon and vanilla flavor
32 8 oz packets of water w/drinking straws kind of like juice
packs
1 gasoline powered generator
3 emergency kits w/first aid supplies:
2 doz 4 x 4 squares pkgs (containing 200 individual
squares)
4 boxes bandages, varying sizes
12 8 x 10 combines--for severe bleeding
3 rolls of emergency tape
1 emergency radio w/batteries
7 day supply of MRE's for 4 people
2 filled propane tanks for gas grill
Pantry of canned goods (tuna, veggies, fruit, etc)
starting our own vegetable garden with broccoli,
carrots, squash (4 varieties), parsnips, tomatoes,
lettuce, peas, scallions, onions, beets, cucumbers,
cantaloupe & honeydew melon, lemons, fresh herbs
rosemary, dill, stevia, sage, basil, taragon &
potatoes (which will be planted in July for autumn
harvest)
3 doz bottles electrolyte drinks
2 bags dog food
1 doz blankets
1 inflatable mattress-twin size
1 inflatable mattress-queen size
1 large patio umbrella
2 cans gasoline-remember gas pumps won't work
32 rolls toilet paper
2 5 gal paint cans for use as toilets
10 4 x 4 (wood for bracing)
10 2 x 4 (wood for bracing)
1 gas shut off wrench
1 hand punch for breaking windshield if
trapped while on road
3 stethescopes
3 BP cuffs
2 pen lights to check eyes
24 rolls gauze--varying sizes
1 land line phone-cordless will be
useless if no power
Remember, if you live in an area that is prone to disasters (such as Florida or the Gulf Coast with hurricanes, West Coast for earthquakes, etc.) have at least a 7-14 day supply of needs. If a major event happens, emergency crews will not be able to get to you for possibly 3-5 days at minimum. They will be sent to the most serious areas first, then sent to other areas once those with the most damage are stable. I have gone through a hurrican and I can tell you it is no fun without electricity for 7 days. Don't forget your pets. They will need water, food, any meds if they are taking them and most of all, you keeping as calm as you can be. The do feed off of our energy and fears. Same with small children.
One thing I cannot state enough is that for those of us in earthquake areas, please DO NOT RUN OUTSIDE if an earthquake begins. Take cover under a desk, table, or whatever you can manage to get under that will protect you if things begin to fall. HANG ON TO THE DESK OR TABLE. They will move. It is useless to be under one and not hang on, because it will be across the floor and you will be vunerable. Our first instinct will be to run out of whatever we are in, whether it be a building, home, etc. Stay put. Electrical lines come down rather easy and so does the exterior of buildings and homes. Being hit be an electrical line with 50K volts, well lets just say, you won't live to tell about it. With exteriors falling off of buildings, this may cause head injuries or even death especially if it is glass. So while I really understand that you want to get out, stay inside and hold on. Once the shaking stops or the danger has passed, call out to everyone you are around to make sure they are alright. If everyone answers, then look outside to see what dangers are present. Is your house leaning? Has it shifted? Are power lines down? Once you can view the outside and if it is safe, proceed very slowly outside. If it is not safe, have your landline phone (cell phones also won't work as the system will be overloaded) at hand and call either the power company or 9-1-1 to report the lines down and STAY INSIDE. Even if you don't smell gas turn it off with your wrench.
I would also suggest that you make a disaster plan. Make a list of what to do once things have settled down (that is after the initial event has passed). If you and your spouse, significant other are separated due to work, call them first from a land line to see that they are safe. If everything is alright there then call an out-of-state contact. Call that person to let them know that you are alright and to pass that information down line to either family members or friends that will be concerned. Try not to tie up phone lines unnecessarily. They are going to be jammed as it is. Also keep some cash on hand, say $100-$200. ATM's and banks won't be open.
Most of all, try to stay calm. It isn't easy trust me, but just remember that if you are feeling the movement or hearing the noises you know you are alive. While not a pleasant experience to go through, just keep as calm as you possibly can. Also, if you have any condition that requires daily medication such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart, etc., talk with your physician and see if you cannot have an emergency prescription of 14 days additional made out for you. Even if you have to pay cash for it, most pharmacies will fill it, unless it is a narcotic or other close classification. You won't be able to get to a pharmacy for a few days so if you have only 2 or 3 pills left, you could be in trouble. Keep that medication in your medicine chest or emergency kit. Also have a kit in the car with enough to keep you going for atleast 12 hours. Again, stay in the car until you survey your surroundings. Your tires are rubber and if power lines come down, you will automatically be grounded. DO NOT attempt to drive if they are one you--hence forth energized lines & gasoline. Not a good idea. Don't touch anything metal in the vehicle. Emergency crews will get you out, but it could be a bit of a wait.
I hope that I have covered enough and I know that I have probably missed things but if you want to ask me anything, please feel free. If I don't know the answer, I will ask my son, who is going to go to the fire academy in the fall of this year or my husband who is a safety administrator for an aerospace/defense contractor in the SFV.
Most of all, if you haven't got a kit, start to make one. You don't need to be elaborate, just use common sense. If nothing else, keep enough water on hand for 7 days. That will get you through the initial days until crews can get to you. Maybe also if you and a couple of neighbors can get together, you can all split the cost of purchasing supplies for each other and keep them in a common location.
With hurricanes you do get enough warning to either stay put if you choose or leave. Those of us in earthquake country are not so fortunate. That is why it is so important to have things at the ready.
Hope this helps. Would love any suggestions.
My son, my husband and I took a C.E.R.T. course in 2008 with both the LA Fire Department and LA County Fire Department. While the emergency medical part of it was just a refresher for my husband and I since we did emergency services in NJ, the earthquake part really got us to think about what we needed in the event one happens.
Here is what we have: (please share your kits or ideas as well)
1 55 gallon drum of purified water w/syphon & purification
tablets
4 doz Energy bars in lemon and vanilla flavor
32 8 oz packets of water w/drinking straws kind of like juice
packs
1 gasoline powered generator
3 emergency kits w/first aid supplies:
2 doz 4 x 4 squares pkgs (containing 200 individual
squares)
4 boxes bandages, varying sizes
12 8 x 10 combines--for severe bleeding
3 rolls of emergency tape
1 emergency radio w/batteries
7 day supply of MRE's for 4 people
2 filled propane tanks for gas grill
Pantry of canned goods (tuna, veggies, fruit, etc)
starting our own vegetable garden with broccoli,
carrots, squash (4 varieties), parsnips, tomatoes,
lettuce, peas, scallions, onions, beets, cucumbers,
cantaloupe & honeydew melon, lemons, fresh herbs
rosemary, dill, stevia, sage, basil, taragon &
potatoes (which will be planted in July for autumn
harvest)
3 doz bottles electrolyte drinks
2 bags dog food
1 doz blankets
1 inflatable mattress-twin size
1 inflatable mattress-queen size
1 large patio umbrella
2 cans gasoline-remember gas pumps won't work
32 rolls toilet paper
2 5 gal paint cans for use as toilets
10 4 x 4 (wood for bracing)
10 2 x 4 (wood for bracing)
1 gas shut off wrench
1 hand punch for breaking windshield if
trapped while on road
3 stethescopes
3 BP cuffs
2 pen lights to check eyes
24 rolls gauze--varying sizes
1 land line phone-cordless will be
useless if no power
Remember, if you live in an area that is prone to disasters (such as Florida or the Gulf Coast with hurricanes, West Coast for earthquakes, etc.) have at least a 7-14 day supply of needs. If a major event happens, emergency crews will not be able to get to you for possibly 3-5 days at minimum. They will be sent to the most serious areas first, then sent to other areas once those with the most damage are stable. I have gone through a hurrican and I can tell you it is no fun without electricity for 7 days. Don't forget your pets. They will need water, food, any meds if they are taking them and most of all, you keeping as calm as you can be. The do feed off of our energy and fears. Same with small children.
One thing I cannot state enough is that for those of us in earthquake areas, please DO NOT RUN OUTSIDE if an earthquake begins. Take cover under a desk, table, or whatever you can manage to get under that will protect you if things begin to fall. HANG ON TO THE DESK OR TABLE. They will move. It is useless to be under one and not hang on, because it will be across the floor and you will be vunerable. Our first instinct will be to run out of whatever we are in, whether it be a building, home, etc. Stay put. Electrical lines come down rather easy and so does the exterior of buildings and homes. Being hit be an electrical line with 50K volts, well lets just say, you won't live to tell about it. With exteriors falling off of buildings, this may cause head injuries or even death especially if it is glass. So while I really understand that you want to get out, stay inside and hold on. Once the shaking stops or the danger has passed, call out to everyone you are around to make sure they are alright. If everyone answers, then look outside to see what dangers are present. Is your house leaning? Has it shifted? Are power lines down? Once you can view the outside and if it is safe, proceed very slowly outside. If it is not safe, have your landline phone (cell phones also won't work as the system will be overloaded) at hand and call either the power company or 9-1-1 to report the lines down and STAY INSIDE. Even if you don't smell gas turn it off with your wrench.
I would also suggest that you make a disaster plan. Make a list of what to do once things have settled down (that is after the initial event has passed). If you and your spouse, significant other are separated due to work, call them first from a land line to see that they are safe. If everything is alright there then call an out-of-state contact. Call that person to let them know that you are alright and to pass that information down line to either family members or friends that will be concerned. Try not to tie up phone lines unnecessarily. They are going to be jammed as it is. Also keep some cash on hand, say $100-$200. ATM's and banks won't be open.
Most of all, try to stay calm. It isn't easy trust me, but just remember that if you are feeling the movement or hearing the noises you know you are alive. While not a pleasant experience to go through, just keep as calm as you possibly can. Also, if you have any condition that requires daily medication such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart, etc., talk with your physician and see if you cannot have an emergency prescription of 14 days additional made out for you. Even if you have to pay cash for it, most pharmacies will fill it, unless it is a narcotic or other close classification. You won't be able to get to a pharmacy for a few days so if you have only 2 or 3 pills left, you could be in trouble. Keep that medication in your medicine chest or emergency kit. Also have a kit in the car with enough to keep you going for atleast 12 hours. Again, stay in the car until you survey your surroundings. Your tires are rubber and if power lines come down, you will automatically be grounded. DO NOT attempt to drive if they are one you--hence forth energized lines & gasoline. Not a good idea. Don't touch anything metal in the vehicle. Emergency crews will get you out, but it could be a bit of a wait.
I hope that I have covered enough and I know that I have probably missed things but if you want to ask me anything, please feel free. If I don't know the answer, I will ask my son, who is going to go to the fire academy in the fall of this year or my husband who is a safety administrator for an aerospace/defense contractor in the SFV.
Most of all, if you haven't got a kit, start to make one. You don't need to be elaborate, just use common sense. If nothing else, keep enough water on hand for 7 days. That will get you through the initial days until crews can get to you. Maybe also if you and a couple of neighbors can get together, you can all split the cost of purchasing supplies for each other and keep them in a common location.
With hurricanes you do get enough warning to either stay put if you choose or leave. Those of us in earthquake country are not so fortunate. That is why it is so important to have things at the ready.
Hope this helps. Would love any suggestions.