Getting Started
As you begin this journey, it is important to realize that your mental attitude and outlook will greatly influence your success. Many survival and preparedness experts believe it is the most significant factor in any survival scenario. However, it is not unusual for us to find very aware people who are eager to be self-reliant but because they are Overwhelmed, Uncertain, or Anxious, they remain locked in place. Don’t let your emotions sabotage your efforts…just take it one step at a time!
Steps 1-6 are the most critical preparedness steps. While some people may wish to tackle these steps in a different order than presented or by addressing a few at once, they are listed in order of importance to your survival. The U.S. Military as well as survival training groups will drill on "the rule of 3": 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food (and some will include 3 seconds without prayer!). This is a general rule of thumb for how long a person can survive. Clearly then, some needs come into play before others. These steps have been structured to address preparedness needs according to this reality.
Step 1: Respiration
It’s pretty obvious to all of us how important it is to breathe. And yet we all take it for granted and don’t spend much time thinking about it. But if for some reason we find this ability compromised, nothing else matters. We’ve all learned of the dangers of inhaling smoke and know to ‘get low’ to minimize the exposure. But beyond that, we don’t really hear much about dangers that could impede our ability to simply breathe.
Dangers
In addition to fire and smoke, nature can cause a compromise to our breathable air with volcanic ash as well as indirectly create threats when earthquakes and powerful storms cause structure damage that release toxins and gases into the air. We can also experience reduced breathability if we are in close proximity to an explosion, collapse, or destruction in which dust and debris clouds are full of small particles. And in our modern world, we must also consider the dangers of man-made threats: nuclear, chemical, and biological agents. Whatever scenario(s) you consider possible, you will want to take measures to ensure you will maintain your ability to breathe.
Living Prepared - What you can do
At a minimum, covering your nose and mouth with a cloth will give at least some protection in many situations. However, we recommend that you invest in several N95 masks for every member of your household. These are inexpensive, readily available in hardware stores or pharmacies and filter more than 95% of dust particles (non-oil) and viruses. There are also masks specifically designed to better filter bacteria, viruses, and germs.
If you want to take it a step further, military grade gas masks are available through many online retailers, even Amazon, but if possible, find a local store where you can try one on. Even if you purchase elsewhere, it is helpful to know what it feels like to wear one and to compare differently designed masks for comfort and visability. The costs range from $25.00 to over $100.00 each so spend the time learning about the masks and their capabilities, comparing and reading reviews.
In your home or emergency shelter, we recommend that you keep 4 mil or higher plastic sheeting and lots of duct tape. In the event of a nuclear, chemical or biological emergency, you can significantly reduce your risk of exposure by sealing off every door, window, and opening. Additionally, the plastic can be used for sealing off rooms for people who may be contaminated. *Note: Keep in mind that people holed up in very small sealed spaces will require regular air exchanges (remember why your mother told you not to put your head in a plastic bag). There are simple DIY filter options as well as commercially made products that you can buy to address this need.
Dangers
In addition to fire and smoke, nature can cause a compromise to our breathable air with volcanic ash as well as indirectly create threats when earthquakes and powerful storms cause structure damage that release toxins and gases into the air. We can also experience reduced breathability if we are in close proximity to an explosion, collapse, or destruction in which dust and debris clouds are full of small particles. And in our modern world, we must also consider the dangers of man-made threats: nuclear, chemical, and biological agents. Whatever scenario(s) you consider possible, you will want to take measures to ensure you will maintain your ability to breathe.
Living Prepared - What you can do
At a minimum, covering your nose and mouth with a cloth will give at least some protection in many situations. However, we recommend that you invest in several N95 masks for every member of your household. These are inexpensive, readily available in hardware stores or pharmacies and filter more than 95% of dust particles (non-oil) and viruses. There are also masks specifically designed to better filter bacteria, viruses, and germs.
If you want to take it a step further, military grade gas masks are available through many online retailers, even Amazon, but if possible, find a local store where you can try one on. Even if you purchase elsewhere, it is helpful to know what it feels like to wear one and to compare differently designed masks for comfort and visability. The costs range from $25.00 to over $100.00 each so spend the time learning about the masks and their capabilities, comparing and reading reviews.
In your home or emergency shelter, we recommend that you keep 4 mil or higher plastic sheeting and lots of duct tape. In the event of a nuclear, chemical or biological emergency, you can significantly reduce your risk of exposure by sealing off every door, window, and opening. Additionally, the plastic can be used for sealing off rooms for people who may be contaminated. *Note: Keep in mind that people holed up in very small sealed spaces will require regular air exchanges (remember why your mother told you not to put your head in a plastic bag). There are simple DIY filter options as well as commercially made products that you can buy to address this need.
Step 2: Thermo-Regulation
Along with the number "3" (see above) the most important number you need to keep front and center as you prepare is "98.6". Maintaining your core body temperature is paramount to your well-being and an essential part of your preparedness plan. Under normal circumstances, we have the luxury of moving in and out of heated or air conditioned environments pretty much at will so we don't think about core body temperature unless someone is sick with a fever. But in a scenario that leaves you exposed to the elements during very hot or very cold temperatures, you could find yourself faced with a very serious threat.
Dangers
Hypothermia is what it is called when a person’s core body temperature drops below 98.6 . Now we’ve all experienced cold when we shiver, our teeth chatter, our toes go numb and our lips don’t cooperate with speech. But it was most likely short lived and amounted to nothing more than unpleasant. However, a sustained exposure will gradually defeat the body’s mechanisms to generate heat and our core body temperature will drop. Unfortunate, we don’t have far to go before we enter the danger zone. A drop to just 96 will effect one’s ability to think, cause confusions, and deteriorate dexterity and fine motor skills. 94 will show even greater difficulty with cognitive and motor skills, and 92 will render someone barely able to walk to speak coherently with possible hallucinations. Below 90 and you’ve entered the ‘Death Zone’ where body function begin to shut down and without intervention, death follows. So you can see how small the margin is for sustaining life when our core body temperature is decreased.
Hyperthermia is obviously the opposite. This occurs when the core body temperature goes above 98.6. And just as with hypothermia, there isn’t much wiggle room before you’re in trouble. With temperatures of 100 to 102 a person will experience headaches, weakness, excessive thirst and possible disorientation. Move up the thermometer a bit to 104 through 106 and we see delirium, rapid pulse, shallow breathing and possibly seizures or loss of consciousness, also known as Heat Stroke. At 107 the body’s cells literally begin to melt and without intervention, death will occur.
Living Prepared - What you can do
Never take for granted that the setting you rely on to keep you comfortable will always be available. Conditions change and the unexpected happens so being prepared is vital.
Bottom Line – cold conditions require the ability to protect the heat we have and generate additional heat as needed.
Protect your heat
Your toasty 98.6 should be guarded like Fort Knox. You can do this by:
+ Wearing layered clothing and keeping extra handy. Be especially focused on the head,
neck, and torso.
+ Staying dry!! Water will cause your body to cool many times faster than if dry.
+ Creating or finding shelter.
+ Avoiding sweating.
Create additional heat
In a prolonged cold environment, you will need to generate additional heat by:
+ Starting a fire,
+ Having chemically-activated hand/foot warmers available.
+ Eating calorie-dense, high-carbohydrate foods frequently to keep the body’s furnace going.
+ Exercising the body’s large muscle groups (legs)
On the other hand, warm conditions require the ability to dissipate excess heat and find external cooling sources.
Release the heat
Your body is designed with mechanisms to rid itself of excess heat. You can assist by:
+ Dressing in loose, airy clothing.
+ Sweating, sweating, sweating. And by all means, don’t wipe it away. In this case, you want
to be wet!
+ Staying hydrated.
+ Seeking shade and ‘green’. Plants and grass provide a much cooler environment than
concrete.
+ Avoiding sunburn!!
+ Taking it easy! Limit activity and exercise.
Get cool
+ Creating air movement.
+ Increasing exposed skin surface area. That’s right, take your clothes off! Just be mindful of
where you are, what your mother would say, and absolutely avoid sunburn.
Humans have managed to work this ‘thermo-regulation’ thing out for much longer than we’ve enjoyed forced heat and central-air. It’s all about living prepared!
Dangers
Hypothermia is what it is called when a person’s core body temperature drops below 98.6 . Now we’ve all experienced cold when we shiver, our teeth chatter, our toes go numb and our lips don’t cooperate with speech. But it was most likely short lived and amounted to nothing more than unpleasant. However, a sustained exposure will gradually defeat the body’s mechanisms to generate heat and our core body temperature will drop. Unfortunate, we don’t have far to go before we enter the danger zone. A drop to just 96 will effect one’s ability to think, cause confusions, and deteriorate dexterity and fine motor skills. 94 will show even greater difficulty with cognitive and motor skills, and 92 will render someone barely able to walk to speak coherently with possible hallucinations. Below 90 and you’ve entered the ‘Death Zone’ where body function begin to shut down and without intervention, death follows. So you can see how small the margin is for sustaining life when our core body temperature is decreased.
Hyperthermia is obviously the opposite. This occurs when the core body temperature goes above 98.6. And just as with hypothermia, there isn’t much wiggle room before you’re in trouble. With temperatures of 100 to 102 a person will experience headaches, weakness, excessive thirst and possible disorientation. Move up the thermometer a bit to 104 through 106 and we see delirium, rapid pulse, shallow breathing and possibly seizures or loss of consciousness, also known as Heat Stroke. At 107 the body’s cells literally begin to melt and without intervention, death will occur.
Living Prepared - What you can do
Never take for granted that the setting you rely on to keep you comfortable will always be available. Conditions change and the unexpected happens so being prepared is vital.
Bottom Line – cold conditions require the ability to protect the heat we have and generate additional heat as needed.
Protect your heat
Your toasty 98.6 should be guarded like Fort Knox. You can do this by:
+ Wearing layered clothing and keeping extra handy. Be especially focused on the head,
neck, and torso.
+ Staying dry!! Water will cause your body to cool many times faster than if dry.
+ Creating or finding shelter.
+ Avoiding sweating.
Create additional heat
In a prolonged cold environment, you will need to generate additional heat by:
+ Starting a fire,
+ Having chemically-activated hand/foot warmers available.
+ Eating calorie-dense, high-carbohydrate foods frequently to keep the body’s furnace going.
+ Exercising the body’s large muscle groups (legs)
On the other hand, warm conditions require the ability to dissipate excess heat and find external cooling sources.
Release the heat
Your body is designed with mechanisms to rid itself of excess heat. You can assist by:
+ Dressing in loose, airy clothing.
+ Sweating, sweating, sweating. And by all means, don’t wipe it away. In this case, you want
to be wet!
+ Staying hydrated.
+ Seeking shade and ‘green’. Plants and grass provide a much cooler environment than
concrete.
+ Avoiding sunburn!!
+ Taking it easy! Limit activity and exercise.
Get cool
+ Creating air movement.
+ Increasing exposed skin surface area. That’s right, take your clothes off! Just be mindful of
where you are, what your mother would say, and absolutely avoid sunburn.
Humans have managed to work this ‘thermo-regulation’ thing out for much longer than we’ve enjoyed forced heat and central-air. It’s all about living prepared!