"...but if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."
We have heard this perhaps more than a time or two and it is fitting to suggest that this is absolutely true in all things. Preparedness both temporally as well as spiritually is a sure way to ensure that ones days should be "long upon the land" as the scriptures go. The promise of both prophets of old and of modern prophets is such... "Keep the commandments of God and ye shall prosper in the land of promise."
Here are some tips and helps that could make your preparations for emergencies go a little more smoothly as well as enable you or empower you to begin NOW and have no fear while doing so.
First of all, start with what you have and decide how long you plan to survive outside of or inside the home and plan accordingly. Financial planners do the same thing when they ask you about retirement. "How long do you plan to live after..." and then fill in the blank. If the answer is, "A terrorist attack" then you might want to ensure that the proper protection is available to you such as a taser, a gun or some other light weight weapon that you could carry in case you encounter some sort of intruder. Knowing this and knowing exactly what is needed will ensure that you have the greatest of chances of 'living through these times" and doing so with the proper resources for doing it.
Start now, not later.
Even if you are on a tight budget or on NO budget at all, you can still prepare and you can still get organized. Begin looking around in the home for some of the things that are laying about and you'll find that you have more than you think you do. Even on a tight budget, you could begin putting things into a box until you could purchase a back pack for 5-10 dollars. The Dollar store is a good reference for things that could go into your backpacks. About 80% of the things I have in my 72 hour kit was purchased little by little from the things I could find at the dollar store including but not limited to: granola bars, LED flashlights, batteries, trail mix, sunflower seeds and so forth. We also use Amazon Prime in order to find great deals on those things that we cant get cheap but can usually find quickly and at only 2 days shipping, ships 7 days a week. Amazon Prime is where I was able to pick up 3600 calorie bars, water pumps, a life straw and other things and I was able to do so with free shipping while on prime. Army surplus stores are nice to visit as well if you're looking for additional camping gear however it has been my experience that these places are expensive and if you're on a tight budget, you want your 200-500 dollars to cover as much as it can possibly cover.
Safety and other concerns should also be discussed and explained to members of the family in case of any emergency both disasters man made as well as natural ones.
1) Where to meet up in case of an emergency.
2) Having ready to grab at a moments notice of about 15-30 minutes enough food an clothes and were it possible blankets and sleeping bags to last every member of the family for at least 3 days.
3) Have read the means for personal protection such as a shot gun or a hand gun to fend off an attacker or possibly any wild animals should one take their refuge in the mountains.
4) Plan for both long term and short term eventualities and other such disasters so that you are not adequately prepared for one but hilariously unprepared for something else. Note: Probably preparing for a total blackout via some sort of disruption to a power grid and/or some sort of airborn EMP device ought to be answered with equally effective preparation such as: On going energy needs, transportation, food, light, and access to communication via a handheld radio or other such instruments to send and receive messages to area leadership and to be able to speak with those who aim to provide aid and support to any and all that are also trying to cope with and thrive during an environment of complete isolation from the outside world and some of life's amenities.
I have also wondered what is supposed to go in ones 72 hour kits. Bottom line is simply this. "What will keep you nourished, warm and independent while on your own for 3 days?"
You don't have to be MacGuyver to successfully stay away from danger or out of harms way for a pair of days here and there but you should have things that could aid you in starting a fire, eating food, fending off danger and ultimately get you around while heading in the right direction.
Things that may be included in your kits may possibly be: a radio, map, a compass, flint, matches, fire starters, flashlights, batteries, laser pointers, first aid and last but not least spare clothes. Bonus: If you plan to be out in nature, consider getting a notepad and ways to write things and/or a field guide of some sort which can help you positively identify food, animals and trees. Having this field guide can help you steer clear of any poisonous plants or foods which if coming in contact with those things could spell problems, then it would be best going into that situation 'in the know.'
What can I eat? I recommend MRE foods, granola bars and also 3600 calorie bars or 'bricks' as I like to call them. These will allow you to function for at least 1 day each if plenty of hiking and moving about is necessary.
I recommend trail mix, hard candies and some gum as well to help curb your appetite during your time away thus helping you NOT to consume all of your calories too soon leaving you destitute for food well before it's time.
A way to get clean water or a way to clean your water and make sure that you stay well hydrated. Even in colder temperatures, one must be hydrated in order for the blood to circulate the warmth that is within you properly into the other extremities of the body which need to be warm such as the fingers and toes. Consider a "Life Straw" or "Life Straw Bottle" where possible, chlorine tablets, and also bottles of water for drinking and later mixing of water with the chlorine tablets.
Travel light, travel in packs or with a buddy.
If you can travel with a companion or your family, then all the while better. More than 2 people can also stay close together and help to keep one another warm in the event where one has to stay overnight somewhere and aren't able to go home whether out in the wild or not. Even if you have a safe place to go and have some shelter over your heads, the buddy system will always serve.
Last but not least...
Keep your things out and not packed away some where. A hidden or buried survival kit will do you very little good if this means that you have to leave in a hurry and do so without your provisions. Also: Remember to set aside some money, silver, or other things that you could barter with in case you meet someone else who might be able to provide you additional provisions for a price.
The Lord and his prophets have warned mankind since the days of revelation began and could be recorded and kept for our benefit. We are living in the last times spoken of by mouth of his holy prophets and as the days move along, the world will move along completely unaware of the calamities and the tribulations which lay ahead of us all. There will be much confusion and concerns as to how one may continue to prosper. According to Thomas S Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we ought to "Be of good cheer. Y(OUR) future is as bright as your faith!"
Having a bright future is all good and well however, one should have to prepare for that. Letting ourselves believe that our futures are bright is all fine and well however one must prepare for that.
This will not be granted to us from the blue fairy... regardless of our race, gender, or spirituality, one should lay up in store for themselves a surplus of both food and water and keep on hand for themselves, at the very least, 6 months worth of food and water, where it may be possible.
The Lord loves you and as long as you stay close to him and remain obedient to his commandments, he will be able to see you through any situation and you will be led to places of safety. Pray always and faint not.
Scriptures for your consideration and study:
Doctrine and Covenants 105:14 "For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles."
Doctrine and Covenants 45: 68 And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety. 69 And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. 70 And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand. 71 And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.
