Want to know the top three things that scare me?

The Top Three Disasters That Scare Me

As a prepper and a preparedness professional there are still things that scare me. Few things do, but there are some things that even if you’re prepared for can still be a nightmare. What are those three things? I’ll tell you.

1. A Pandemic (sorry but this one COVID-19 Isn’t it – I’ll explain why).
2. A HEMP (High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse).
3. Civil Unrest (Civil War).

Pandemic

Coronavirus

Yes, a pandemic scares me. I watched as this one unfolded in China and eventually spread around the globe. I watch China and other parts of Asia for potential outbreaks because throughout history, most of the diseases have started in China and Asia before spreading.

The good news – I saw this one coming as it was evident China was unable to control the spread. The Bad news – the official news coming out of China and the WHO (World Health Organization) was unreliable and untrust worthy.  The only thing I knew for certain was that there was no way SARS-CoV-2 wasn’t airborne and that it was being spread human-to-human during a time when both China and WHO denied this. I made this conjecture due to the amount of video evidence e leaking out of China.

With this I started asking polls on Twitter – (not exactly reliable, but I was able to get what I was looking for). I was mostly asking:

1. Have you made any changes to your routine based on the Coronavirus?
2. Has your company made any changes or implemented any pandemic planning based on the Coronavirus?

While not a scientific poll I can tell you this. Only a very small handful of respondents to the poll started changing up their own routines. And, zero respondents stated the organizations they worked at started implementing any changes. I asked these questions back on January 27, 2020. I also started asking how prepared you were for Supply Chain disruptions on this date.

On February 5^th I commented cracks in the global supply Chain were starting to show already. The next day, Qualcomm warned that the outbreak would impact the smartphone industry. Businesses like Nike, Adidas, and Tesla already reported that they were being impacted from China based exports of supplies.

China also invoked their Force-Majeure (unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract) contract clause on their LNG contracts and refused delivery.

As of January, 21^th the U.S. reported their first official confirmed case. Three days later January 24^th the U.S. confirmed its 2^nd known case. The point here is, I was one of the few people that watched this unfold from the beginning and I was telling people to dust off and look at their Pandemic Plans or get started creating one on January 22^nd.

One of the things that was hard to know (and still know) was the death toll or mortality rate coming out of China. There is still some disturbing information around this, such as the 2 million drop of Chinese phone subscribers. Phones are used for extensive tracking in China, including the need to access government resources like healthcare.

With the unconfirmed and unreliable data coming out of China it appeared that the mortality rate was high. This could still be the case, but it is nearly impossible to confirm at this point, and we may never know the truth when it comes to China.

What we did and do know now is, it spreads easily and quickly, and asymptomatic people can be infected and spread it without ever knowing they had it. But the mortality rate remains very low. Even if you are infected you have a better than 98% chance of surviving. It is this reason alone that I am not too worried about COVID-19.

It’s still too early to tell in the long-term if this will change. As there could be a significant mutation that makes it more deadly, or a second more significant wave causes an increased mortality rate. Though it is unlikely the disease will become more deadly.

Ultimately the reason why I said this isn’t the pandemic I fear is due to the low mortality rate. We don’t see vast amounts of people dying in the streets, hospitals are not overwhelmed, and funeral homes are not over-run. Granted in some places like NYC some of these things were seen, it was not the overall result around the United States. If these things were occurring the impact would have been far worse.

Unfortunately, we did have self-imposed government shutdowns lasting over what I would deem to be a long period. Initially the shutdowns along with a shelter in place were announced to be for fifteen days initially. Fifteen days turned into three months, and as I write this, some areas (including where I live) the shutdowns are being extended.

When this is over, this will likely be the biggest single disaster impacting the United States from an economic standpoint. We’ve already seen countless small businesses shut their doors permanently. Several large businesses that were already facing economic troubles also permanently closed or filed for bankruptcy protection to restructure.

Interestingly, it is known that when small businesses close for just ten days or longer, due to a disaster they tend to go out of business. Kind of makes you wonder doesn’t it?

HEMP or High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse

Starfish Prime (Credit: Defense Atomic Agency)

The next event that scares me is the use of a HEMP device, Super-EMP, or even a large-scale solar flare causing a geomagnetic storm that impacts our atmosphere. Any of these three events would essentially have the same impact on the United States, which could result in the complete collapse of the electrical grid.

How likely is it? Great question. Well, if you research the Carrington Event from 1859 it will provide you a glimpse into the potential of what could happen to our highly connected, electrified world. In addition, there have been similar albeit smaller events that have impacted telecommunications and the Canadian electrical grid.

In addition to this natural phenomenon one of the side effects of setting of a nuclear weapon is an Electromagnetic Pulse that can both temporarily or permanently damage electrical devices and the electrical grid. The scary part is all it would take is just one, well placed and well-timed explosion of a nuclear device in the atmosphere above the United States to impact the entire Continental U.S.

There has been evidence of again the Chinese developing a super-EMP weapon. I have been hearing of them working with and paying North Korea to develop them as far back as late 2001. More recently however evidence suggests that the Chinese have satellites that they can utilize to the same effect. This gives the Chinese plausible first strike capability to take out the entire United States in one shot.

The impact would be devastating. The entire electrical grid would immediately shut down. No running water, No TV, Radio, No internet, No Gas. Anything electrical based would grind to a sudden halt. But that is just the beginning.

It is estimated that it could take several years before the electrical grid could be repaired to full working capacity again.

Why it scares me? A large swath of the population isn’t expected to survive, and the chaos would begin almost immediately. Certainly, on the first or second night.

NOTE: The similarities between the Coronavirus and Starfish Prime detonation is not lost on me. 

Civil Unrest

Civil unrest on a wide scale throughout the country is already happening. The Country is divided in several ways and both outside and internal actors are further influencing the certain factions increasing that divide.

While the potential for civil unrest (or more unlikely Civil War) has existed for some time several recent factors had increased the odds for it happening. First, due to the pandemic and subsequent shutdowns millions of people have lost their jobs, can’t meet their monthly bills, are facing difficulties buying enough food to feed their families, and increased stress.

Add to that real and perceived beliefs around, political differences, decline in long-held American values, earning and wage gaps, socialism vs capitalism, all the kindling was there. All it needed was the spark to kick things off.

It could have been nearly anything, but that is what we got with the death of George Floyd. No matter where you stand on any of the issues his death never should have happened. Even if he was actively resisting arrest and a carotid choke hold was warranted, there is zero excuse to do it to the point of death. That aside, the outcome is civil unrest and the movement has clearly been high jacked to an agenda that goes beyond policing issues.

It quickly moved to rioting, looting and wanton destruction of not just businesses but now threatens the basic fabric and building blocks of a nation. While no nation is perfect and has its problems and needs correcting from time to time, the future the socialist left wants will surely make things worse if it occurs.

In the end, it is not really the civil unrest itself that worries me, but the potential state that might rise if the so-called Democratic-Socialists and Marxism wins. It will end badly as it always does.

So, these are the three scenarios that scare me. What scenario(s) or disasters scare you?

Disaster Tip of The Week: Prepare to Adapt to Changes In Your Life

Sometimes, life causes us to make changes. One's we didn't really plan for. In the last few years I have had to change my plans and the way I prep. I went from being a Bug-Out person to one of Bugging-in. Let me share the story.

I started “prepping” when I was quite young. Around the age of seven I believe. Back then we would go to the Otsego County fair in upstate NY. My favorite place to go was the area where the Red Cross and Civil Defense were set up. I would collect every piece of paper I could get my little hands on. When I would get home, I would sit and read them for hours.

I always thought I was lucky because living and growing up in Staten Island, NY I was near the City (Manhattan), and went to my grandparent’s place (upstate NY) several times per year.

I grew up learning to shoot, hunt, fish, hike and find my way in the woods. It kinda helps when one of your friends decides when he’s going to not listen, and go this way, and we ended up getting “lost”. I did get us home, but it took a few extra hours. But I digress.

So, back to prepping. At some point I decided to make a Bug-Out-Bag. In it I put extra cloths, food, fishing line, fishing hooks already tied off with line, a trusty knife and a few other items. My intention was to hike the roughly 200 miles to my grandparent’s house in the event I had to get out of dodge.

Big hike for a kid but figuring one of our twenty plus miles hikes a day in the boy scouts it would take me a little less than two weeks to get there. Yeah, I had it all figured out back then.

Fast-forward

Later on in life I had a car taking that trip down to just a few hours.

Alas, my grandparents passed, the property was sold (thought it would always be there), I moved across the Country, got married, had kids.

And here we are today. We have a very nice home in a wonderful area, and I have no where to Bug-Out to. While that will change in the future, bugging out with kids can be difficult, if not downright dangerous depending on where you are.

Plans change, and we must adapt with what life throws at us. Currently my perspective and circumstances have changed to one of bugging-in. Yes, there are events that could happen in which bugging-out would have to happen. However, bugging-in is the best option for us at this time.

We are well stocked – and under the current circumstances, my wife says she will never question why I get at least two of everything. So she says. Time will tell.

Long-term we will go back to the bug-out plan but for the time being hunkering down and staying in place is our only option.

How about you? Are you going to Bug-in or Bug-out? Do you have family? What are your circumstances? Are you a life-long prepper that had to adapt or make changes?

Scenario of the Month: An Ice-Storm Wrecks Havoc

Melted Fiber-optic Cable

It is Mid-November. After a week of above-average temperatures and some heavy rain. A massive cold front has moved into your area causing an ice-storm and covering everything in layers of ice.

The Mayor has declared a local State-of-Emergency and has asked everyone to stay home and off the roads for safety and clean-up.

A fire has broken out downtown at an underground sub-station causing both a power outage and melting of fiber-optic cables impacting the internet and 911 calls.

Officials are stating it could be up to 6 days before repairs are complete and it is only Tuesday morning.

What do you do?

Disaster Tip of The Week: Set Meeting Points to Reunite With Family and Loved Ones

Meeting Points

It's hard to believe I wrote a brief post about this over ten years ago - Have a Designated Meeting Place For Your Family. Today, I'd like to expand on this a bit more.

Odds are when a disaster or other unexpected event occurs you are likely to be at work. Your spouse or significant other will also be at work and your kids, they'll probably be at school. Perhaps you're out shopping or your kids are at the movies. 

Then all of a sudden it happens... A major earthquake, wildfire, tornado or other significant event occurs in your area. Your neighborhood is in ruins. 

You barely get out alive. You have no idea where any of the other members of your family are. But you have a plan. 

At this point, I hope you do have a plan to reunite. If not, pay attention and I will help you create your Family reunification Plan. 

Creating a plan is fairly easy. Before we get to that let's talk some basics. First, decide on how many meeting points you will have. While more is better, you will have to physically go to these meeting points at least daily until you reunite with your family. So, you don't want to have too many. 

Working with families on this I have found five to be the magic number most people are comfortable with. Though I will say you should have at minimum three meeting points with at least one location in a major area of your neighborhood that would still be recognizable even if it sustains major damage. 

The first meeting point you select should be the easiest since it should be located just outside your home. It can be the end of your driveway, by the mailbox, the entrance to your building or some other close by location. 

The second location should be either across the street from where you live, outside neighbors' house or just down the road from your home or building. The main reason for this is the proximity. If for instance, your home was on fire, you can quickly meet up with family members, get a headcount and notify the authorities if someone is missing. 

The third location should be the closest major cross-street closest to your home. This is still close enough to home while being in a safer place should that be required. Also, most busy intersections can be safer than just anywhere and allow other people to see you or your family. 

Once you have these three meeting points selected choose another place nearby in your area that is easy to walk to. It could be the parking lot of a major strip mall, gas station, fast food place or any other easily recognizable location that has traffic and a parking area. 

Once you have selected all of these locations you can start to build out other locations as needed. I would recommend as long as it is within walking distance and it is safe to do so include your kid's school as another location. After that, I would consider adding somewhere in the next neighborhood. 

Once you decide on your meeting points go to your preferred online based mapping system. You can also use the map to help you choose locations. 

Once you decide upon a meeting point, you can dd a pin (or meeting point) onto the map and label it as Meeting Point #1. Continue the process for each meeting point you add and then take a screenshot. 

Once you do this you can print out the Meeting Points and add it to your Emergency Binder and/or give copies to each family member. Make sure they know to go to these meeting points after a disaster. 

One other important item to mention here is that you should set a time during the day when each site will be checked and stick to it. Also, make certain your family knows that they can and should go to a shelter if possible. 

This system also works best when coupled with having an Out of State Contact which you can read about there. 

Medicine and Preparedness: The 22 Medications You Need in Your Personal Stockpile

Mdeicine for Survival

Medicine and Preparedness: The 22 Medications You Need in Your Personal Stockpile NOW!

I have seen and read many posts over the years about adding or using medicines meant for pets during preparedness or survival situations. Now, I am not going to go all out and say that you shouldn’t do this or go this route, but there are several problems with this. I am also going to provide you with what I believe is a better solution.

The first problem that arises is the expiration data and shelf life of medicines. The biggest factor in this is that some medicines can as they degrade become toxic. Other medicines contain preservatives that may allow bacteria to grow once the preservative is no longer effective.

In addition, during survival situations – scavenging comes to mind and where we tend to find most medicines throughout most homes (the bathroom) is not the ideal place to store medicine. The heat and humidity is not ideal and makes the medicines degrade faster.

What is interesting is that the Department of Defense had the Federal Drug Administration test some drugs for what is known as the Shelf Life Extension Program (SLEP). It has been found that the shelf life of some drugs can be extended. Though not all drugs, and the drugs tested were kept in their original containers – unopened and in optimal temperature and humidity conditions. NOTE: When you obtain a prescription drug at the pharmacy and they place it into a medication bottle – that is not the original container.

Some other life-saving drugs have been found to degrade after the expiry date, such as EpiPen’s and Insulin. Nitroglycerin decreases in potency quickly once the bottle is opened. Most vaccines and biologicals such as blood products also degrade quickly after their expiration dates.

If any medicine has become powdery, crumbly, caked, has a strong smell, cloudy, or has dried up it should be discarded and not used.

During normal situations if you have medicine at home and you need to take it and the medicine is expired no evidence has been found that it would be unsafe to take. Though, it would be best to acquire a new prescription as soon as possible.

Research does show that medicines past their expiration date do and will degrade in potency over time. Under ideal conditions and in original containers within the military stockpile medications have been shown to retain as much as 90 percent of their potency. Though most household conditions do not meet these standards.

The second problem is that pet based medicines were not included in these studies. Now some of the medications may be the same thing, but as I said I have a better solution for you.

If you can, start your own stockpile of medicines. This may cost you some money out of pocket but you will have them when you need them. The good news is, most of the medications I will be recommending have been found to have no failures when tested and typically can have a long shelf life.

In addition to the medicines I recommend you should consider obtaining and even storing some of the medicine you may need on a regular basis. This may be easier said than done, since most drug insurance programs limit the amount you can obtain. So, you may have to get creative or even pay out of pocket to establish your supply.

Uncle Sam and Your MedsThe government does even recommend you keep a small extra supply of medicine in case of a disaster. Try telling that to your insurance company though. Some things you can do to get creative in this area:

1.       Tell them you lost your medication while on a weekend trip.

2.       Tell them you need an extended supply for a trip.

3.       Try telling them you need extra in case of an emergency.

4.       Purchase the extra month- 3 months’ worth from the pharmacy.

Some insurance programs will give you up to three months’ worth of medicine if you purchase through a mail order program. Ask them.

Once you are successful in obtaining ‘extra’ medicine it is important that you store them properly and rotate them. So, as you get new prescriptions filled, store those and take the ones you were holding onto in case of an emergency.

Now, here is an extensive list of medications to obtain for your own Disaster Preparedness Supply. Please do your own research on usage, dosages and contraindications.

Medication List for Survival

NOTE: These and all medications listed are intended for your preparedness stockpile. If you become sick during normal times and you need medication go to your doctor and obtain a prescription. If you have the medicine and can swap out of your stockpile even better.

ANTIBIOTICS:

1.       Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) 500 mg – 750 mg tabs – 750 mg is a high dosage, but if you can get it go with that one. Otherwise get the 500 mg.  Reasons to have: It can treat a wide variety of ailments but can also treat Anthrax, Plague, Travelers Disease, Cholera, Tularemia, Typhoid, Pneumonia, Infectious Diarrhea, and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s). In the event of a major outbreak, epidemic, or even pandemic supplies may be short and allocated to certain individuals. I do not recommend for prophylactic use just to have in case of real sickness. Please review contraindications of use on your own.

2.       Bactrim DS (trimethoprim/sulfa methazole) 160/800 mg tabs This is another Cover it all antibiotic agent. Good for UTI’s, pneumonia, bite wounds and MRSA skin infections.

3.       Amoxicillin 500 mg tabs – This is good for Upper Respiratory Infections, UTI, Bronchitis, skin or soft tissue infections, Pneumonia, and Lyme Disease.

4.       Flagyl (Metronidazole) – 500 mg tabs This covers Giardiasis (Beaver Fever)

5.       Azithromycin – If you can get it I recommend adding a couple of 3-day and/or 5-day Dose Packs for each member of the family. Good for Pertussis and Pertussis Prophylaxis, URI, Bronchitis, and several STD’s.

Topical Creams and Ointments:

1.       Triple Antibiotic Ointment (Neomycin, Polymyxin B Sulfates, Bacitracin Zinc, Neosporin,) – A good cure-all for topical based infections. While I like creams and ointments, I had a wound specialist doctor share with me that the Neosporin cream is better than the ointment. It helps promote faster healing and reduces scaring. He seemed to be correct and I primarily use this now.

2.       Lamisil or Tinactin Cream – Antifungal. Athletes foot, Jock itch, Ring Worm

3.       Lotrisone (Betamethasone/Clotrimazole) – prescription strength Antifungal (covers entire body)

4.       Hydrocortisone Cream – Great for skin rashes, bug bites/stings, and itchy skin.

5.       Silver Sulfadiazine (SSD) – For preventing and treating skin infections after second and third degree burns. Targets multiple types of bacteria and yeast.

Anti-Diarrhea:

1.       Imodium (loperamide) – The best solution for diarrhea.

Anti-Vomit:

1.       Zofran (ondansetron) – Anti-Vomiting.

Pain:

1.       Aspirin 325 mg tabs – Aspirin is often overlooked these days, but 2 tabs or 650 mg works great for relieving most aches and pains.

2.       Ibuprofen – Another good choice for aches pains and minor to moderate injuries. Also, helpful at reducing fever.

3.       Tylenol (acetaminophen) – Another good choice for minor to moderate injuries, aches and pains. Fever reducer.

4.       Oxycodone 5 mg – Narcotic – is great for major injuries, but will require a prescription and is a heavily restricted narcotic.

5.       Codeine 30 mg – Narcotic – Good for moderate pain but again a prescription is required.

NOTE: For high and prolonged fever, you can give both Ibuprofen and Tylenol together at every six and four hours respectively.

Other Medications:

1.       Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – is an antihistamine for treating sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, cold and allergy symptoms and mild allergic reactions. (severe allergic reactions will require a shot). Will cause dizziness and drowsiness (sleepiness).

2.       Neosporin Antiseptic Spray – easy to use spray that offers both antiseptic properties and pain relief. Topical use only.

3.       FlexSEAL – Spray on water tight bandage. Great for quickly covering minor cuts and scrapes.

4.       New-Skin – Liquid bandage – waterproof.

5.       Hydrogen Peroxide.

As mentioned previously, some of these may be difficult to obtain unless you have a prescription from your doctor. If you have a close trusted relationship with your doctor you may be able to ask and explain why you wish to obtain these. Additionally, you may want to consider adding a doctor to your preparedness group if you have one and have them help you gather the needed supplies for your group.

If you do not belong to a preparing group, now is a good time to start considering one and looking for good people like a doctor or pharmacist to join you.

All the information in this post are based on survival and preparedness and not considered medical advice. As with any medical situation you should always seek out proper medical advice. We recommend consulting with your doctor before proceeding.

You can also download a PDF of our Medications to Stockpile for Preparedness.