INTRODUCTION:

Someday, Shit is going to Happen, and you damn well better be prepared for it. What is this Shit of which I speak? Who knows. . . Shit appears in a multitude of forms, each presenting a different array of problems to be dealt with in order of precedence. If you are prepared to deal with a crisis situation, you have a much improved chance of survival. If you are unprepared for a given crisis, at the very least you will find yourself miserable and uncomfortable. Preparations must be taken well in advance of possible events in order to be of use. It will be too late to buy fresh flashlight batteries after the supermarket shelves have been picked bare. Preparation is not "survivalism" — it’s just common sense.

Various doomsayers have predicted numerous catastrophes, ranging from nuclear destruction to an asteroid striking the Earth. Some things, there just isn’t anything you can do about. One catastrophe, which can be precipitated by a vast plethora of catalysts, is widespread long-term disruption of electrical power.

Blackouts have many causes, but most commonly are the result of severe weather. Since modern society is entirely dependant upon electrical power, the repercussions of a blackout are such that, in effect, society will be disrupted for the duration. Without electricity, computers will not work; this means that most businesses, government offices, public services, and utilities either will cease to function, or will be severely impaired. Electric water pumps will no longer operate, nor will gasoline pumps, furnaces, telephones, refrigeration units, televisions, or lights. Water will not flow, toilets will not empty, vehicles will run out of petrol, houses will be cold, communications will be mostly limited to CB radios (cell phones will not work, and shortwave HAM radios are in scarce supply), food will spoil, news will be limited to the Emergency Broadcast System and rumors, and nocturnal activity will be limited to keeping fires lit and standing guard versus looters.

If the power is knocked out for an extended duration, how would you deal with the consequences? Dependant upon circumstances, you could very well find yourself in a true "life or death" situation. Assuming that your family already has adequate shelter, you will immediately need to ascertain that you also have: a heat source (if outside temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit), an adequate supply of potable water, and an adequate supply of edible foodstuffs — mind you, this is the bare minimum your family will require to live! Things like toilet paper and flashlights are generally considered to be "essential items," but it is possible to live without such luxuries (albeit very uncomfortably).

Morale (or "will to live," which is similar) is considered by most experts to be one of the primary factors in deciding the outcome of a survival situation — particularly if the situation is in effect for an extended duration (weeks, if not longer).

morale n : the level of psychological well-being based on such factors as a sense of purpose and confidence in the future

In order to clarify things a bit, an individual with a strong will to live can live for months, outdoors without a change of clothes, by drinking rainwater and eating bugs (or garbage, in an urban scenario); however, the average individual (which most families are composed of) is accustomed to a certain "comfort level" (or "standard of living") and would not do very well on their own in an inhospitable environment. Such an individual could very well "crack," and succumb to either hysteria or despair. Certain amenities are necessary for the average individual to maintain proper perspective.

Drinking water is necessary for survival, but large quantities of additional water (as well as soap) should also be available for bathing, laundering, and cleaning cookware — otherwise one will soon be living in squalor. Toilet paper and trash bags are also necessary to promote cleanliness. If your family is unclean, and your living quarters unsanitary, not only will you all smell bad, but you will be at high risk of contracting a serious illness (primarily infections and food poisoning). You can live on canned beans for months (although you’ll soon begin to suffer the effects of malnourishment), but wouldn’t it be much better to have a selection of various foods that you’d enjoy and look forward to? And what will you do in your spare time? You could alternate between moping and sleeping, or instead you could either read a book or throw a ball around. Many seemingly insignificant things, which we often take for granted in our everyday life (like: a bar of soap, a pair of clean socks, a roll of toilet paper, a bag of throat lozenges, or a simple rubber ball), are suddenly transformed into valuable treasures when they can no longer be obtained simply by strolling down to the corner store.

If the blackout occurs in the winter (as many do, due to ice storms), your top priority is to keep your dwelling warm. If it is poorly insulated and lacks a woodburning stove or fireplace, this could present a major problem.

If you have woodburning capability, you need a sufficient supply of firewood (seasoned split hardwood), tinder, and matches, as well as all the necessary accoutrements (ash bucket, poker, tongs, shovel, and fire extinguisher). Various firestarting aids (such as paraffin/sawdust blocks, dryer lint, and foot-long matchsticks) usually prove helpful. Furthermore, your woodburning system needs to be either designed or modified for maximum efficiency (most standard fireplaces allow too much of the heat to escape up the chimney) as well as regularly maintained (creosote buildup leading to chimney fire can easily result in total loss of the structure).

If you lack woodburning capability, either a portable kerosene or propane heater should be acquired. The manufacturer’s instructions regarding use, ventilation, refueling, maintenance, and fuel storage should be read and strictly adhered to, as portable heaters can be extremely hazardous. If you lack any sort of portable non-electric heater, a propane (or natural gas) oven (set at its lowest temperature) can provide heat for a few days (provided the tank is adequately filled). In a dire emergency, chemical heat packs, butane fueled pocket handwarmers, kerosene lamps, or even a candle in a tin can may provide sufficient heat to forestall hypothermia. Charcoal grills, camp stoves, sterno, open fires, and various improvised "fireplaces" should be avoided due to the extreme danger of either carbon monoxide poisoning or uncontrolled conflagration. Of course, windows and doors should be adequately insulated and parkas, blankets, bedrolls, and miscellaneous cold weather gear should all be in good supply.

After heat is assured, water is your next priority. Your electric pump will no longer function. A gasoline generator might be able to power your pump when necessary, and would be a good investment. Hand pumps are good, when operational, but few homes have one.

If a spring is nearby that is neither frozen nor dried up, water can be collected. Spring water should be professionally tested for impurities, bacterium, and parasites before being used, but if that is not possible a quality ceramic filter is an excellent investment. Water purification kits and boiling are also options. Rainwater can be collected and snow can be melted. Water from a river or pond should be avoided (due to possible contamination by pollutants, bacterium, or parasites) unless no alternative source exists.

For people who lack a viable water source, as well as for reasons of convenience, large quantities of water can be stockpiled. Only suitable receptacles should be filled, and the water must be properly treated to inhibit bacterial growth (some people advocate the addition of one drop of chorine bleach per quart, but that would be necessary only for long-term storage, and could pose a health risk in itself). Plastic containers of spring water, water cooler bottles, and packets of emergency drinking water can all be purchased from a variety of sources (I recommend stocking up on pint-sized bottles for drinking and gallon jugs for washing).

Not only is it necessary to drink a minimum of a quart of water each day, but water must also be used to clean things with, to cook with, and to bathe oneself. It needs to be strictly rationed as well as protected from contamination. You should have several weeks worth of water on hand in the event of an emergency (needless to say, your water supply must be stored where it will not freeze, rupturing the containers).

After heat and water comes sustenance. At least a month’s supply of food for each member of your family (as well as pets) must be stored in the event of an emergency. Food should be non-perishable, nutritious, and somewhat palatable. Fortunately, food is easily and inexpensively stockpiled.

Dehydrated foods, freeze dried foods, and MRE type foods can all be purchased, but they are somewhat costly and are an unnecessary investment unless you are planning on filling a backpack with them (their light weight and flat profile makes them ideal for camping). For home storage and use, canned goods are far more sensible. Not only are cans cheap to purchase and easily stored, but they are impervious to insects and vermin. Canned goods should be stored in a location free of moisture. Many cans and tins are equipped with pull-rings or keys, eliminating the need for a can opener (which can be broken or misplaced). If it is unlikely that you will be transporting your provisions, glass jars can be used as well. If you have insect and vermin resistant containers, sugar, flour, pancake mix, pasta, crackers, and bulk foods can all be safely stored.

Prior to purchase, ascertain that your canned goods are "ready-to-eat," requiring neither cooking nor additional ingredients. When a can is opened, the food should be eaten immediately and not set aside for later consumption (which can result in spillage, contamination, or spoilage). Canned meats (such as: Spam, hash, vienna sausages, potted meat, deviled spreads, and mechanically separated chicken) should all be avoided because they are nasty and unhealthy.

Canned goods should be used and restocked each year to assure quality. Cans that are dented (especially near the seal) or rusty should be discarded. Prior to use, examine each can by pressing down on the lid — if there is any "give" it is probably due to either a defective seal or fermenting contents, rendering the food inedible. If you get food poisoning in a survival situation, you will most verily regret it.

Your best investments are canned pasta, ready-to-eat soups, stew, vegetarian chili, tuna, sardines, kippers, fruit, and vegetables. Some canned vegetables, such as peas, carrots, and string beans are nasty — good choices include: legumes, beets, succotash, creamed corn, mushrooms, and pumpkin. Canned applesauce and fruit cocktail should be avoided, but peaches, pears, cranberry sauce, and pie filling are all acceptable. Other choices for desserts and snacks include: energy bars, granola bars, chocolate bars, peanut brittle, beef jerky, nuts, trail mix, and individual servings of pudding. Creme-filled snack cakes full of artificial ingredients are not recommended, but they stay fresh indefinitely. If your family likes cereal, you can stock up on cartons of Parmalat or any of the various soy, rice, or almond based milk substitutes — none of which require refrigeration prior to opening. Individual packets of instant oatmeal are also good to have on hand.

Bottled spring water is widely considered to be one of the most healthful of all beverages. If, however, the thought of drinking nothing but water is distasteful, alternative beverages should be stored with your survival rations. Tea, coffee, and cocoa can be made, or bottles of juice and sports drinks can be opened — it is advisable that you avoid stocking up on artificially flavored drink mix, diet soda, or alcoholic beverages (with the possible exception of Guinness stout, which contains many essential nutrients and is actually beneficial in moderation), as you will need to safeguard your health. If you are a coffee drinker, you’ll probably want to secure an old percolator — otherwise, you’ll have to drink either instant coffee or sludge.

You should plan on at least two full meals each day, including entree, side dish, dessert, and beverage. This is important if you wish to maintain both vigor and morale — while one can subsist on baked beans and bottled water for some time, malnourishment and depression would surely result. A good supply of condiments (ketchup, maple syrup, honey, peanut butter, barbeque sauce, and spices should all be on hand), paper plates, paper bowls, plastic utensils, moist towelettes, and napkins should be stored with your survival rations (as well as trash bags in which to properly dispose of them) — make sure that you have a full month’s supply of these essential items for each month’s ration of food, as it is unsanitary to reuse them and it would be highly inconvenient to run out.

Meats such as canned hams, canned roast beef, and tinned corned beef are far more nutritious than canned dog food and should be stocked up for your animals (avoid products similar to hash and Spam, as they are far too rich and may cause illness), along with boxes of biscuits (Read the ingredients, and be sure to avoid brands which contain artificial flavors or questionable "meat by-products") and large bags of kibble.

In a survival situation, it is strongly advised that one chew all food thoroughly to ascertain that all the available nutrients will be properly assimilated, rather swallowing food in gulps and passing many undigested lumps in one’s stool. Furthermore, everyone should take a quality vitamin supplement each day (you’ll need to get these from a health food store — mass produced vitamins sold in supermarkets have little value and often fail to dissolve in one’s stomach). If your family has access to a supply of carefully selected foodstuffs, health and morale should not suffer.

After heat, water, and food comes sanitary and first aid supplies. You will need to take dumps and urinate, and your toilet will not be operational unless you are able to refill the tank. If you cannot refill the tank, you will need to have a chemical toilet or dig an outdoor latrine. If neither of these is a viable option, you can affix a plastic trashbag to the inside of your empty toilet bowl. Trashbags will need to be disposed of regularly (far from your dwelling), and a good supply of toilet paper must be on hand.

Plenty of cleaning products, paper towels, disposable gloves, and moist towelettes should be available, as well as readily accessible (it would be far better to have too many cleaning supplies than not enough — especially if it becomes necessary to clean up blood, vomit, or feces). It is also recommended that deodorizing/disinfectant spray, odor neutralizing spray, room deodorizing products, and incense be on hand.

Bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, rubbing alcohol, tampons (if applicable), skin cleansing pads, disposable razors, anti-bacterial dish soap, and scouring pads should all be available. Various waterless hygiene supplies (such as shampoo and soap) are marketed for outdoorsmen as well as pet owners, and may be used if bathing would be inconvenient.

Laundry detergent, clothesline, clothespins, tub, and scrub-board should be available if it becomes necessary to clean one’s garments. Clean garments are beneficial to morale as well as health, and a supply of extra socks and underwear should also be on hand.

Several weeks worth of prescribed medication should be held in reserve (especially if a family member has a potentially life-threatening ailment, such as asthma or a heart condition), as well as over-the-counter medication for colds (Contac), allergies (Benadryl), diarrhea (Ammodium AD), constipation (Correctol), nausea (Pepto Bismol), pain (Motrin), and fever (Tylenol). Tissues, lozenges, and Tussin expectorant syrup (or capsules) should also be on hand in the event that someone becomes ill — the person should then be quarantined (if feasible), and antiseptic spray, latex gloves, and face masks should be utilized to prevent the disease from spreading to others.

Antiseptic and antibiotic ointments, as well as various sizes of bandage, dressing, and splint, should be in your first-aid kit. Ichthammol ointment (AKA "black salve" or "draw-out salve") is required for treatment of infections. Oil of cloves is necessary to anesthetize broken (or rotten) teeth, and if someone in your group has had extensive dental work, it is recommended that you have a bit of "temporary filling material" on hand as well. Balm for chapped lips and windburn is also important. Scalpel (not X-acto) blades, top quality scissors, tweezers, forceps, sterile sponges, butterfly bandages, and a squeeze bottle of saline solution (such as is used for the care of contact lenses) can be used for minor surgery (such as removing foreign matter from wounds, debridement of necrotic tissue, or draining infections). If possible, penicillin capsules, codeine tablets, and a suturing kit should also be procured.

After heat, water, food, sanitation, and medical care, comes "miscellaneous supplies." In addition to various useful household tools and cookware, you will need to be able to provide light, protection, and entertainment for your family.

Several flashlights are a necessity, as are a good supply of batteries. Candles are good in an emergency, but burn down rather quickly and could prove dangerous. An oil lamp with chimney and extra wicks and fuel is a wise investment, but could become a firebomb if accidentally broken. You should have several packages of disposable lighters, as they are generally preferred over matches for firestarting.

For protection, you want a gun and several fire extinguishers. The choice of gun is up to you, but even an old bolt-action .22 or single-shot 20 gauge stored disassembled and unloaded in the back of one’s closet is far better than no gun at all. Unless you are highly proficient in their use, black powder firearms are not recommended due to the fact that they are slower, less reliable, and much more dangerous than firearms using modern cartridges. If you need to protect your family’s rations from hungry looters, your baseball bat and kitchen knives just aren’t going to do it. Fire extinguishers are necessary in the event that a fire (light, cooking, heat, etc.) suddenly spreads and threatens to consume your shelter (and all therein).

A large dog can alert you to potential trespassers as well as provide you with loyal companionship, entertainment, and comfort. A good supply of books should be available to provide a diversion once the day’s chores are done. Athletic supplies (even something as simple as a frisbee or a rubber ball) could be used to boost morale. If there are children present, toys and board games can provide them with hours of entertainment.

As long as you have adequate shelter, heat, water, and food, you can survive nearly anything. If you have good quality food, sanitary surroundings, medical supplies, a reasonable expectancy of safety, and entertaining diversions; you will not only survive, but maintain your physical and mental health as well. Most extended blackouts last less than a week, but there have been instances where power (in some areas) had been interrupted for approximately a month (usually due to major catastrophes such as tornados, ice storms, and earthquakes). If the power is out, you cannot rely upon others to help you (everyone else will have problems of their own). . . you must be able to deal with emergencies yourself. The better prepared you are (with supplies as well as knowledge), the better your chances will be of successfully dealing with the eventual crisis situation.

Remember, there is no excuse for lack of preparation! The need for survival rations, as well as essential emergency supplies (like a well stocked first-aid kit) is valid, as they will eventually be used (probably at least once, within a three year period) — even if it’s just because you happen to be snowed in for a weekend and don’t want to risk driving to the store. Twenty bucks can purchase a dozen gallons of spring water and ten canned meals — a hundred dollars (wisely spent) can provide three adults with enough food and water to last nearly a month! One’s emergency rations can then be stored in Rubbermaid containers, which can be placed out of the way (like at the back of a closet, under the bed, or under the basement stairs) and forgotten until needed.

As a warrior, you are responsible for the well-being of those you care about. If you know that you are unprepared, do not procrastinate! Start stocking up on essential items today. This is not "paranoia" . . . it is just common sense.