Water Purification

    I have already confessed to being a gadget lover.  Some gadgets are just that, gadgets.  But I have just acquired a new “essential item” that you may want to add to your kit.  I still get requests regarding storing sufficient quantities of water.  I don’t need to tell you of the necessity of having enough water on hand.  I can also tell you that logistically speaking, it is usually not very practical to store that much water in your closet. The Red Cross (www.redcross.org) and FEMA (www.ready.gov) suggest that you make storing water a priority.  The amounts seem to be a bit of overkill until you actually have to dip into your supply.  If you are reduced to gathering rainwater off your roof or dipping water from a creek, then it must be purified.  Boiling or adding bleach will do the trick.  Boiling is considered the best method.  Bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute then allow to cool.  Unscented household bleach is typically between 5 and 6 percent chlorine.  Cloudy water should be filtered before boiling or “bleached”.  Use ⅛ teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water and up to ¼ teaspoon if the water is cloudy or very cold.  

      I have noticed that several folks who depend on rain water, wells or springs, use an in-line, ultra-violet filter for purifying their household water.  I won’t try to go into the technical description of how UV rays work, but they have been in use for purifying water for nearly 100 years.  Ultraviolet filters are simple and effective, capable of killing 99.99% of germs, parasites and other illness-causing organisms.  

Now for the gadget.  This item is called a steriPEN.  It is about the same size and shape as a regular screwdriver.  There are batteries in the handle and the “blade” portion of the thing is actually an ultra-violet wand.  The one I have came with a water bottle and a built-in filter for use on cloudy water.  Fill a container with water, then simply insert the wand portion into the water, push the button on the handle and use a stirring motion while you wait.  In less than a minute, the green light comes on, indicating your water is now safe to drink. Watertight seals keep moisture away from the electronics.  The company claims to be able to purify 16 oz of water in approximately 48 seconds, while a 32 oz. container takes roughly 90 seconds.  Cost varies from $50.00 up to the $200.00 range, depending on the model you choose.  When’s the last time you visited a foreign country and felt comfortable drinking their water?  Has your municipality issued a “boil your water” order lately?  This item would be handy for any foreign travel and also whenever you had a question about your water.  I carry mine in my get home bag in the event something happens and I have to spend unexpected time away from home.  Check it out and see if this is something in which you might want to invest.

As always send your comments and questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.

10 Principles of Disaster Preparedness

Part 3

    This is third in a series on my Principles of Disaster Preparedness.  I believe your preparations should be guided by certain principles that provide boundaries and direct your plans. Growing your pantry and gaining supplies is all good, but without definable, workable parameters, your efforts may be for naught.  If you missed the last two weeks, check out my blog for the installments you missed.

Principle #7.  Develop useful skills. Learn to cook without relying on prepared, pre-packaged, “high in everything that’s bad for you” fare.  Practice getting by without a daily trip to the grocery store.  Learn to fix things without calling a professional or buying new.  I remember my dad building the most ingenious gate latches or other gizmo out of what he had on hand.  The lessons learned in the Great Depression years stayed with him all his life.  The “make do” philosophy has served our family well.

Principle #8.  Get first aid training.  Similar to #7 above, but so vital, it deserves its own category.  Take a class in first aid.  Build skills that will be invaluable if there are injuries in your neighborhood.  Put together a first aid kit that includes such things as a suture kit, (available online), blood pressure cuff, and inflatable splints.  There are video classes at www.redcross.com to teach skills in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  Learn about triage and why hard decisions have to be made in times of disaster.  When the time comes, you will be an asset rather than a liability.  YouTube videos are a great source of information.  For example if you need to learn to use that suture kit, there are YouTube videos covering the topic.  Also check out the Patriot Nurse, a straight-talking prepper who pulls no punches when it comes to medical readiness.

Principle #9.  Build relationships with your neighbors.  Mapping Your Neighborhood is a program which gets you acquainted with your REAL first responders.  When disasters strike, the Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Responders are all going to have their hands full with someone else’s emergency. Having an inventory of your neighborhood skills is vitally important when it comes to response on a down home level.   It is imperative you know who in your neighborhood may need your help and who has the skills to be of assistance. Are any of your neighbors elderly and may need assistance?  How about propane tanks or natural gas shut-offs?  All these questions are covered when neighbors get together and inventory their assets.

Principle #10.  Spiritual  preparedness.  I may have saved the most important for last.  Your core values and belief system will always be your first line of defense, and will be the first point of challenge in an emergency.  How you are guided by your beliefs and values will dictate how well you respond and whether or not you will be successful.  Time after time survivors interviewed after a disaster proclaim their strength to survive came from their faith.  

Will you be a source of strength and stability for others or will you be yet another basket case demanding attention?

As always send your comments and questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com. 

Dave’s 10 Principles of Disaster Preparedness

Part 2

    Last week I started a series on my 10 Principles of Disaster Preparedness.  It is my sincere belief that your preparedness should have a plan.  Being prepared is more than a full pantry of Spam, rice and beans.  Preparedness begins with a mindset that says, “No matter what happens, we’re going to get through any disaster thrown at us!”  Accumulating extra stores and planning ahead is all part of the overall picture, but there should be some guiding principles behind how you prepare and for what reasons.  In case you missed the first three principles, see last week’s column or check it out on my blog.  

4.  There is value in redundancy.  An old joke among government employees is that somewhere deep in the bureaucracy swamp known as Washington, there is an agency known as the Department of Redundancy Department.  This principle sounds a bit like #3, “Always Have A Plan B,” but if you only have one way of purifying water, then two ways is even better.  If you have one case of toilet paper, two is better.  The more you have stored, the more you have available for barter or charity.  Equally as important are the qualities of versatility and flexibility. Disasters don’t follow a rigid design, so it’s best if you design your plan with a certain adaptability factor as well.

5. Don’t make preparations out of fear.  Several months ago we held a class at our church on Disaster Preparedness.  There were about 25 people in attendance.  We discussed some of the reasons for prepping including the possibility of a mega-earthquake.  After the class one of the attendees went home, gathered her children and pitched a tent out in the middle of a field in fear of an earthquake destroying her house.  I carry a spare tire in my car, not out of fear of a flat tire, but just in case.  I have Band-aids in my wallet, just in case.  The story is told of an 80 year old woman confronted by police.  It was found she had two handguns in her purse, one in her glovebox and a shotgun under the seat.  The officer asked, “Ma’am, just what is it you are  afraid of?”

Her reply, “Nothing!”  When you lay in extra stores, do so with the posture of “just in case.”  Not because you’re afraid of what might happen.

6.  Beware of “Style Over Substance!”  Politicians are fond of making laws, usually with great pomp and volume, that are long on publicity and short on actual effectiveness.  We all know of products that don’t live up to their billing.  Not everything labelled “Survival” will be of benefit when actually put to the test.  I am convinced that much so-called “survival” gear was designed by the P.T. Barnum School of Marketing.  You’ll recall their motto, I’m sure:  “There’s a sucker born every minute!”  When making a purchase for your preparations, do your research and think it through. First ask yourself if you know how to use it.  Then try to determine the probability of necessity if there is a disaster.  Make smart, well-informed purchases before you invest.  It’s not only your money at stake, your life may depend on this thing.

Next week we’ll continue with more of my Ten Principles.  As always send your questions,  comments and suggestions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.