Winter’s a’comin’

Morning temperatures are sliding toward the freezing mark here on the Southern Oregon Coast. Many folks in our area still heat with wood thus creating a hazard all its own.  Injuries occur when neophyte chain saw users take to the woods to cut their own firewood.  Felling trees, cutting (bucking) firewood chunks, loading and stacking are all hazardous.  More injuries occur when even experienced woodcutters try to split their wood. Some years ago, a friend of mine managed to cut himself seriously with a chainsaw while getting firewood.  Problem number one, he was about 20 miles from town and bleeding badly.  Problem number two, he was accompanied by his eleven year old son.  Fortunately his son was more capable than most eleven year olds and managed to drive the pickup back to town.  No permanent damage.  Both father and son have a story to tell their grandkids.   

A residential fire is the most common disaster in the United States.  Over 3500 adults die in home fires every year.  

Now’s the time to do a safety check around your home.  You don’t have to be an expert in locating and fixing fire hazards.  For those of you who burn wood, have your chimney inspected

by an expert.  Destructive flue fires are the by-product of neglecting chimney maintenance.  Soot and creosote build-up are like fatal cholesterol for your flue.  Easily remedied by a competent chimney sweep.

Cooking equipment should be inspected periodically.  Most cooking utensils cook with electrical heating elements.  Wires can become frayed or loose with time and usage, and a simple visual inspection can discover a loose wire or screw.  Oftentimes a repair can be made with only a piece of electrical tape or replacing a cord.  

Faulty wiring can be another fire-starting culprit.  If your home is 30-40 years old, chances are your wiring can be overloaded.  Shorts, overloads and huge sparks can set off fires inside your walls, delaying discovery of a disaster by precious minutes.  Another case for having an expert inspect your home.  The cost of an inspection is certainly worth the peace of mind and less than trying to rebuild.

Dryer lint.  Nothing ignites a campfire like a big wad of dryer lint.  A good prepper hack is to save your dryer lint, stuff a wad into the compartments of a cardboard egg carton, then dribble some candle wax on it to hold it in place.  The dryer lint catches a spark from your favorite fire starter, the cardboard burns nicely and the candle wax prolongs the blaze, thus igniting your kindling.  The downside against anything that flammable is that if it catches a spark at the wrong time, the results can be disastrous.  The moral of this story:  Clean your lint trap after each dryer load.

Candles.  Our grandparents trimmed their Christmas tree with candles.  I cannot imagine how many Christmas tree fires resulted from that little bit of genius.  Fortunately we no longer use candles on our trees, but candles can still be a hazard.  Personally I like the smell, the atmosphere and coziness candles provide.  But they are still an open flame and if placed in the wrong location, they can still be dangerous.  Try to use candles that are short and wide, not the “easily tipped over” variety.  Also be very careful when you set the thing out.  Keep it away from curtains, or anything easily flammable.  Just a little bit of wisdom can keep you from being a statistic.

As always, send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.

Financial Readiness

Disaster victims at all levels face the same challenges when it’s time to rebuild after a disaster or emergency.  Having your personal financial, medical, and insurance records organized before disaster strikes will take a load of stress off when you start to put things back together after the big event.

FEMA’s website, www.ready.gov, offers the following tips for dealing with the business end of a disaster:

Gather all your crucial financial, legal, personal and medical information.  This can mean scanning copies of your insurance policies, vehicle titles, divorce or child custody papers and storing the copies electronically to a flash drive or on on the cloud in an environment you can access from a different computer.  Sometimes it’s just important to be able to provide a policy number.

Put aside some cash at home.  Disasters routinely take out ATMs or any means of using a debit or credit card.  Cash in small bills can help make those necessary fuel, food or supply purchases.  How much cash you tuck away depends on your personal situation.  If you can manage more, then tuck away more.  Make sure you save small bills and (I shouldn’t have to mention this, but) keep it confidential.

If you don’t have it, get insurance.  Homeowners, renters, health and life insurance will all help with the process of recovery.  If you already have insurance, be sure to review your policies so you are comfortable with the amount and extent of coverage you have in place.  Also note that most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage, so you may need to purchase additional flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program if you live in a potential flood zone.

Here are a few random items you may want to consider.  Veterans make sure you have a copy (originals are better) of your DD214.  Photos or scanned copies of social security cards, birth certificates, car titles photo IDs for family members and mortgage information.  The list goes on and on.  Just ask anyone who has lost everything in a house fire how many things there are to replace and you’ll understand your life will be so much easier if you have planned ahead and followed this advice.

If you receive retirement checks through the mail, now would be a good time to have those things deposited directly.  If the U.S. Mail isn’t running and you can’t get your check, at least it will be in your bank account on a hassle free basis.  If you are one of those that doesn’t trust direct deposit, get over it.  I have been having my paychecks and now social security checks directly deposited for 35 years and I have never missed a beat.  It makes things really simple when you’re out of town or can’t get to the bank for some reason.  The deposit has already been made for you.  I can remember delaying travel plans for the simple reason I had to wait for the check to come so I could get it in the bank.  No more.  The twenty-first century is upon us folks, might as well get updated.

Planning your financial well-being isn’t as exciting as buying supplies or even a new gun, but having your stuff together will make you a real hero when the time comes to rebuild after a disaster.  

As always email your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Older columns can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.

Check Your Pulse

If just watching the news the past few days doesn’t motivate you to begin to prepare for a disaster then you might want to check your pulse.  Locally we have wildland fires that are burning unchecked across a large portion of the Northwest.  Offshore breezes have improved our air quality, but the landscape is still being scorched.  

Reports of a major earthquake offshore from Mexico City remind those of us in the Pacific Northwest of the Cascadia Subduction Zone parked off the coast about 60 miles that could break loose at any moment and unleash a 9.0 earthquake, the likes of which none of us have ever seen.  

Then there is the mop-up still underway in Houston and vicinity.  Thousands of volunteers, electrical linemen, EMS and even the Cajun Navy is still busy rescuing folks out of their flooded homes.  One video I saw even showed a couple of guys on their jet skis picking up flood victims and taking them to dry ground via jet ski.  

At this writing, Hurricane Irma is churning her way up the West Coast of Florida, leaving a path of destruction in her wake.  I believe this is the first time I have ever witnessed the encouraged evacuation of an entire state.  Most are heeding the urgings of authorities while some are staying behind to “ride it out”.

For those still affected by the disaster in your area, there’s not much you can do now to pre-pare.  If you haven’t pre-positioned your supplies or your plan, now is too late.  You are either at the mercy of the weather, the shelter managers or the incident commanders in your area.  Either way, because you have failed to make decisions ahead of time, someone else is making choices for you.  Personally I prefer to make my own choices.  It is just possible that someone else’s judgement is flawed and to subject my safety and the well-being of my family to their choices is simply not acceptable.

Make a commitment right now to start putting things together when this is over.  Never again do you want to be in this situation.  Never again do you want to be “not in control” of your safety when disaster strikes.  If you’re telling yourself that this will never happen again, then you’re listening to a fool!  Get over yourself and start doing the responsible thing.  There is simply no excuse for not laying in extra canned goods.  Shop the sales and the BOGO deals.  Watch for the cases of bottled water to come on sale.  Check the garage sales for a good camp stove.  Pick up a few extra soup mixes the next time you get groceries.  There is no need to buy one of those expensive kits online.  You can make your own for usually much less than the guy online is asking for the pre-assembled kit.  Often they contain items you will never use, or take the time to learn about.  Buy your own kit components, that way you are invested and you know what you’ve got in that bag.  Plan on starting with a 72 hour kit.  If you live along the California, Oregon or Washington coast, keep going until you have at least a two or three week supply.  There are great lists on my blog, ready.gov, or www.redcross.org.  (You could buy my book and it’s all spelled out there.)  Point is, there is no time like right now to get started.  Your children and loved ones are counting on you.

As always, send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns are on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.

Fire and Flood

In my neighborhood, there is no need to turn on the news to find out what’s going on with the weather.  One hundred degree heat, and visibility of ¾ mile due to smoke and airborne particulate matter make for interesting moonrises.  Southwestern Oregon is circled with wildland fires along with a huge portion of the rest of the state.  

And then there’s Hurricane Harvey.  Houston, Texas, is still reeling from 130 mile-per-hour winds bringing destruction, power outages and flooding not seen in anyone’s memory.  This storm has, so far, earned two presidential visits and a host of organizations and thousands of private volunteers.  The “Cajun Navy” has risen to the occasion with a miles-long procession of pickups pulling boats into the region to help evacuate people to safety.  

Every disaster, whether forest fire or hurricane, draws its share of news trucks, TV cameras and (sometimes pesky) news hounds trying for the perfect camera angle or profound sound byte.  While most news organizations manage to cover the story in some fashion, it’s the untold stories that fascinate me.  There are heroes whose pictures and stories are posted all over the newscast, and there are heroes who nobody ever hears about.

One fellow I spoke with has hauled nearly 10,000 pounds of livestock feed to supply animals evacuated from a wildland fire.  Hundreds of animals were sheltered in a nearby county fairgrounds facility.  Others have hauled thousands of bottles of water to keep the firefighters hydrated, while still others have brought in donated travel trailers and fifth wheel trailers for displaced folks to have a place to lay their head.  

Stories of generosity and heroism continue to leak out in spite of no major media on the scene.  It’s those stories that continue to reinforce my faith in humankind.  

I have always advocated that the most effective thing you can do to prepare for a disaster is to inventory your neighborhood.   “Mapping Your Neighborhood” consists of bringing your neighbors together and learning who lives in your immediate area.  Find out if your neighbors have skills that are useful in the event of a major disaster.  Who has medical training, who is experienced in dealing with folks who have been traumatized:  How about a counselor or minister or teacher who can manage children?  Is there someone who can play a guitar or piano?  How about someone who owns a backhoe, or generator or can operate a chainsaw?  How about someone skilled in carpentry or plumbing?  All these things are useful when the phones don’t work and the usual first responders are tied up with someone else’s emergency.  This system makes you a first responder for your neighbor and vice versa.  If this interests you, simply do an internet search for “Mapping Your Neighborhood” and get started.  There is no cost involved, all it takes is one person willing to assume the role of leader/facilitator.  

As always send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other online booksellers.

Chicken Delight

I live a short distance from town.  Small acreage, just right for the frustrated gentleman farmer in me to get some satisfaction.  I don’t do horses, cows, pigs or goats.  Well, I tried goats a few times to control the brush, but they also control my wife’s roses and other ornamentals so we have an agreement which includes the phrase:  “No more goats or else!”  What we do have is chickens.  We like farm fresh brown eggs and when we can collect them directly from the “factory” we know they are indeed fresh and haven’t been shot up with a bunch of stuff we’d rather not ingest.

I’ve had some successes and some failures with the chicken venture.  True, we do get a ton of eggs and when the chickens are producing, we have plenty to share.  The biggest problem I have had with chicken farming is they keep getting murdered.  I used to think raccoons were cute when they would sneak up on my deck and eat dog food out of the dog’s dish.  When they got comfortable doing that, they would bring their babies and make sure the little ones got fed as well.  When I discovered my chickens were being picked off by the little suckers, they stopped being quite so cute.

In the past I have allowed my birds to roam “cage free” and then lock them securely in the chicken house at night.  The trouble with that plan is that sometimes raccoons (who are reportedly nocturnal) forget they are supposed to sleep in the daytime.  By the same token, chickens are easy pickin’s for any neighborhood dog who happens to also be at large.

I purchased a whole new batch of chicks in February and have been diligent to keep them secured inside a pen or locked up at night.  They should start producing eggs within the next four weeks.  

If you’re interested in disaster preparedness, then maybe you should consider chickens as a part of your plan.  First of all once they mature, they provide a steady supply, and sometimes an overabundant supply, of fresh eggs.  Be careful because once you’ve had farm fresh eggs, it ruins you for the store-bought variety. Some folks even get a rooster and work at hatching their own chicks, thus perpetuating the flock. No you don’t need a rooster to get eggs, only if you want those eggs to hatch into baby chicks. If that confuses you, then you need to ask your mom to review “the talk”!  

Then some raise chicks especially to butcher.  There are some varieties that gain weight very quickly and can be butchered in six to eight weeks time.  Certain breeds are better for laying eggs, and still some are a good cross between both types.  My most recent chicken purchase was for 24 Cinnamon Queens.  I chose that breed because of their reputation for early production and their ability to produce large, brown eggs.  As always send your comments, questions and chicken stories to me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.

Directions By Phone

Global positioning satellite (GPS) technology has wormed its way into our daily lives in ways that only science fiction writers could imagine just a few short years ago.  We first made friends with those little hand-held receivers that hunters, hikers and holiday travellers used to navigate. We learned to find our way back to the truck while hunting and then found our way over the hills and through the woods to grandma’s house.  Not only that but we learned how to get to our favorite restaurants, the hotel  and we figured out where to gas up.  

The drawback was you had to read that little book that came with the device.  I have had more than one person tell me, “I’ve got a GPS, but I have no idea how to use the thing!”  True, unless you spend an evening reading the book and playing with “the thing”, you probably expected it to just operate itself.  That’s where we can get into serious trouble.  There is no shortage of internet stories about people who misused either their GPS receiver or their common sense.  One fellow planned a trip from New York to Pennsylvania.  The GPS directed him to drive north, which he obediently did and wound up in Canada, rather than Pennsylvania.  The lesson here is don’t let your common sense take a vacation when using a GPS.

Two weeks my wife and I flew to the east coast for business.  Because we felt taking our grandkids along would be beneficial to their overall education, we included them.  Most of us carry an iPhone.  Including the grandkids.  Who knew Siri would know the way from Washington, D.C. to Annapolis, Maryland?  We rented a car and the agent asked if we needed a GPS.  I almost said “yes” when my grandson said, “No thanks, we got this.”  Without flaw, Siri led us from Reagan National Airport to Annapolis, Maryland, and got us exactly where we wanted to go.  If you have no idea who Siri is, ask your kids or grandkids.  After an amazing lunch at Buddy’s Crabs and Ribs in Annapolis, she guided us through the maze of interchanges, off ramps and exits right back to Reagan National.  All you have to do is speak into your iPhone, “Hey Siri.”  She confidently, calmly, and without raising her voice I might add, directs you to take the left at the proper exit and to “proceed for eighteen miles.”  Easy as pie.  No booklet required.  

There is however, an app for the older style GPS that gets you back to your hunting rig. It takes a bit of practice, and it’s all in one handy little package that we all carry nowadays. The cell phone.

Combat units use GPS technology to track their soldiers on the battlefield.  Postal managers follow the progress of mail carriers, as well as UPS managers, trucking fleet dispatchers, armored truck companies and almost every company whose employees are on the move.  GPS technology is not only here to stay, but is growing every day.  

As always, send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.

Prepper or Survivalist

Most everyone has heard this one:  What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle?  The answer:  The person who is playing it.  So what’s the difference between a Prepper and a Survivalist?  

Here’s my humble opinion.  A survivalist makes plans for a widespread apocalypse including societal, governmental and economic collapse.  He stocks up beans, bullets and bandaids.  He has a plan for every contingency.  He owns a bug-out vehicle, fully stocked to take him and his family to his ultra-secret bug-out location where he will hole up and ride out the storm. For him this is nothing short of a sacred calling.  His passion is kept in check only by his concern for “op-sec”, that is operational security, otherwise he will be doing his best to convince everyone in earshot of his amazing skills, plans and inventory of supplies.   His guns, his food,his skills and his supplies are going to carry him through until sanity is once again restored.

The prepper knows that someday the lights may go out and he will be required to get by on what he has on hand.  Power outages, wind storms, tornados, blizzards and earthquakes are more his concern.  He knows if an event disrupts the normal flow of life around him, he will have what it takes to get him, his family and yes, maybe even some of his neighbors through the crisis.  

Ultimately both guys are planning for the same thing.  And that is to come out the other side of whatever happens to interrupt the status quo.  

Both are planning on success, both are being wise with their opportunities at the present, and both are taking precautions on a future event that may or may not happen.  

Now this may not concern you.  But I’m betting that you carry a spare tire in your trunk.  Why?  

Just in case.  That’s why.  Some of us also carry a few tools with us.  Why?  Because you may encounter someone who needs a bolt replaced or a radiator hose tightened.  Just in case.  Most women carry a purse.  That’s where they carry their hairbrush, lipstick and maybe a makeup kit.  (We used to call them a “compact”, who knows what they’re called now.)  Why?  Just in case.  That is ultimately why preppers and survivalists do what they do.  Just in case.  

So the difference between a prepper and a survivalist is, the person doing the prepping.  Their motivation and their mindset distinguishes their behavior and how they interact with their neighbors.  No matter which category you identify with, whether you prefer the toe-tapping music of a fiddle or the melodious strains of a well-played violin, your end result is the same.  And that is to emerge from the other side of an emergency reasonably intact.  

As always send your comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns may be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other online booksellers.

Neighborhood Mapping

“What’s the single most important thing we can do to prepare for a disaster?”  The question nearly always comes up when I’m speaking to a group or someone catches me at the market.  My answer is simple:  Get to know your neighbors.  The reality is that during a major catastrophic event, You are often the first responder.  Y.O.Y.O. (You’re on your own.)   The police, fire and ambulance personnel are probably not going to respond to your emergency.  They are already stretched beyond their resources.  This is why neighborhoods all across the country are instituting a program called ‘Mapping Your Neighborhood’.  The only cost is a couple of hours of your time and the willingness to step up to a position of leadership on your street.  Mapping Your Neighborhood is a simple grassroots plan that relies on people organizing their own neighborhoods and building a network of contacts based on who lives on your block or in your immediate vicinity.  Generally made up of fewer than 20 homes, a list is compiled of who lives where.  Do they have natural gas or a propane tank?  Is there an elderly person in the home, one who may need assistance in the event of a disaster.  Are they on oxygen?  How about insulin?  Does anyone have a toddler or infant in the home?  On the other hand, is anyone in your neighborhood equipped with a backhoe, generator, chainsaw or other item that could come in handy during a crisis.  How about skills?  Is anyone trained in medical care, maybe a nurse or someone who can give care to an elderly person or a young child?  Does anyone have carpentry, electrical or plumbing skills?  Anyone skilled in counseling, maybe a minister or professional counselor?  

All these questions will be answered at your first neighborhood meeting.  What is needed is for someone to grasp the vision of seeing their neighborhood come together and get organized on a very local level. Most groups also agree on a plan to check on your neighbors immediately after a disaster.  Remember Y.O.Y.O.  Only one meeting per year is really necessary and only then to update files.  Some groups simply compile a list of their neighbors and make a basic plan while others do fundraisers to buy needed equipment like fire extinguishers, generators or community-owned chainsaws.  How far you want to take it is strictly up to your local neighborhood.

To begin, contact your local office of Emergency Management or search online for “Mapping Your Neighborhood.”  You will find information you can print off to get you started.  If you want to contribute to your neighborhood, this may be just the opportunity for you.  There is no federal funding, but most cities have someone who is designated to assist with disaster preparedness. As always you may contact me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com  Other information can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.  

To Conspire or Not:  My Theory

I’ve never been one of those who buys into any of the hundreds of conspiracy theories floating around cyberspace.  And plenty of those theories have to do with folks who prepare for disasters.  As with most theories, they may or may not be founded in fact, but given enough credibility and traction, some people order their lives around conspiracy theories. Apparently they love the drama.  Then the theory is passed on and like the old grade school game of gossip, the story can grow and evolve into something totally different than the original.  One particular concept of which I’ve recently been made aware deals with Presidential Executive Orders.  

During the past few years, much news has been made of Executive Orders.  Whether or not you agree with the decisions of the various presidents, the fact is Executive Orders are in effect until rescinded by either the issuing POTUS or one of his successors.  And they carry the same weight as legislatively-enacted law.

One E.O. most concerning to preppers is one put forth by President Jimmy Carter.  President Carter is responsible for establishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (F.E.M.A.) in early 1979.  Subsequently Executive Order #12148 issued a few months later combines a handful of other federal agencies and grants sweeping powers to the newly formed F.E.M.A. Several existing Executive Orders were also consolidated at the same time.  This E.O. is interpreted by many to give F.E.M.A. authority, in the event of declared emergency, to not only confiscate all stored supplies but also to press the general citizenry into service to assist with managing the disaster.  This interpretation can scare the life out of folks who have independently and wisely worked hard to prepare for an emergency.  

Personally I don’t really have an opinion and I am certainly no expert on Presidential Executive Orders, but here’s what I do know:  Keep on quietly accumulating extra groceries and equipment you think you’ll need in the event of a disaster.  If necessary, make ready for an evacuation and likewise, keep all your plans on the down low.  Keep your gas tank on the upper half and set aside some cash in your sock drawer.  Tune up your camping gear, make sure that camping stove will light and pick up a few extra propane canisters.  Flashlight batteries, candles, and matches are also on that list as well as non-perishable food items.  In other words, just keep doing what you’re doing while staying under the radar.

As always send your questions, comments and conspiracy theories to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns are on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired Postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other online booksellers.

Basic Meds

Baseball season on the Southern Oregon Coast involves doing a do-si-do with the weatherman and still we cancel about as many games as we actually play.  A game called on account of rain is a routine occurrence and not the exception.  On a recent sunny Saturday, my 10 year old grandson actually played in three games.  One of those was a make-up game for one cancelled earlier due to rain.  That evening we noticed he was moderately toasted by the sun as he is fair-skinned and prolonged exposure to the sun gives him that painful red glow with which we are all so familiar.

I’m the guy who always had Band-Aids in his wallet when my kids were young.  I still keep a good supply of Band-Aids close at hand.  Among the meds I always carry is a remedy for diarrhea. After Band-Aids and headache remedies, some kind of response to the green-apple quick-step is among the most requested items in my family.  And now because of the glow my grandson earned on that rare, sunny day, we carry sun screen in all our vehicles just to protect against nature’s over-exposure.  In fact, the next day he began to exhibit symptoms of heat exhaustion.  Might I add that we were a half hour from home, washing some worms at our favorite fishing spot.

According to one medical website, heat exhaustion occurs when the body’s ability to cool itself is overwhelmed, usually by exertion on a hot day.  Some of the symptoms include profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, weakness, light-headedness and muscle cramps.  Treatment is as follows:  Stop the activity immediately and move to a cooler environment.  Then begin rehydration.  My grandson complained of a headache and a tummy ache.  I dug through my kit and found a single headache pill (Alleve) and began pouring a sports drink down him  Most of which came back up on a couple of subsequent occasions.  He eventually cooled down and his appetite returned, as his temperature subsided.  At this writing, all is well.

Not all disasters involve earthquake, tornado or terrorist.  Some are just simply a test of what you have on hand or your knowledge of simple first aid.   With summer approaching you may want to brush up on your first aid, especially heat-related issues.  Make sure everyone is hydrated.  Sunscreen in every vehicle.  Simple meds, diarrhea, headache, and sunburn spray.  A case of bottled water and some sports drinks in your trunk may save the day.  No longer is it enough just to be the guy with the Band Aids in his wallet.  

As always send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  For previous columns check out my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is a retired postmaster and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other online booksellers.  

Oroville Evacuation

As I’m writing this, Oroville, California is under a mandatory evacuation order.  A couple of days ago, the news reported a large breach in the spillway due to erosion, and the decision was made to lower the water level in the reservoir.  Oroville is midway between Redding, California and Sacramento, a few miles east of Interstate 5.   Emergency release orders went into effect late Sunday afternoon accompanied by the evacuation order.  In excess of 100,000 cubic feet per second is being released to bring down the water level and minimize impact in the event of further structural failure. Over a hundred thousand people are in the process of evacuation.  Freeways are jammed and gas station/convenience stores are doing a booming business.  One evacuee who spoke with a TV reporter said his fifth-wheel trailer was full but there was no diesel available for his pickup, that he would have to take his chances as he headed for Sacramento.  Others interviewed reported they were going to stay with relatives and others had made hotel reservations before they left home.  

This is a textbook example of the necessity of being prepared.  If your family has a plan in place, a bag prepared and a destination, then an orderly evacuation can take place in very little time and you’re way ahead of the crowds.  (And way less stress on the marriage, I might add.)

The public is being assured that downstream water levels are being kept well below flood stage.

On another note, I want to make a comment on an item I’m sure everyone carries in their camping gear, survival kit or go-bag.  It’s the space blanket.  They’re available everywhere and fairly inexpensive as well.  They take up little space in your bag, but give the impression of being life-saving if needed.  I received a “Tact Bivy” for Christmas this year.  This is in essence, a sleeping bag made from the same material as a space blanket.  Keep in mind there are various grades of space blanket, but most are a metalized mylar-foil product that claim to keep astronauts comfy in outer space.  The Tact Bivy comes packaged in a nice draw-string nylon bag to keep it folded, rolled and ready for use.  Since a few other members of my family also received them for Christmas presents, we decided to give them a try.  I pulled mine out of the draw-string bag and unrolled it on the floor.  I reached my hands inside to expand it out, the same as you would with a paper sack to open it for use.  In doing so, I managed to split a seam about 6 inches along the side.  I did manage to slither inside, fully clothed on the carpet of my living room with no further damage to the Tact Bivy.  

Space blanket technology isn’t designed to insulate, rather it is designed to reflect body heat.  So if you’re going to depend on your space blanket to keep you alive out in the elements, you may be wise to use it instead as a fire reflector or windbreak rather than trying to snuggle down out of the cold night air.  Inside the Tact Bivy I did feel an elevation in temperature, but then I was fully clothed in my living room.  Reports of shredded space blankets on rocks, sticks or other sharp objects are common on the internet.  So if you still insist on making a space blanket  a part of your kit, be sure to spend a little extra and get the heavy duty version, but also make sure a wool blanket is tucked away somewhere as well.

As always send your space blanket stories, comments or questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.

Winter Weather

Here on the Oregon Coast we are accustomed to fairly balmy weather.  We rarely see snow at our altitude and it is discussion-worthy if we drop below freezing.  ,These past couple of weeks have given all of us  reasons to re-think our winter driving habits and how we approach snowy mornings.  Our local counties don’t bother with buying snow removal gear, so when it does snow, schools close, people don’t go to work and those who do show up are either lauded for their bravery or chastened for their foolishness.  

One family friend spent 16 hours stranded with her eight-year old daughter in the Portland area.  Icy roads, snow and total gridlock shut down the entire city and surrounding area.  Fortunately her gas tank was on full when the adventure began and she was wise enough to ration her gasoline by starting her car to warm up only when absolutely necessary.  Another person I heard of lives on the east side of Portland and works a few miles west of the city.  He made it to work by mid-afternoon on Monday and stayed in a motel through Thursday night because of the dangerous travelling conditions.  

I grew up in Nebraska and can’t remember staying home through the worst blizzards.  School may have been released early to send the students home on the bus, but society simply did not come to a standstill because of a little snow, ice and wind.  Simply put, the local governments were equipped with snow removal equipment and the locals knew to adjust their driving habits when the roads turned slick.

The best advice for motorists is simply “stay home!”  You can’t have an accident, contribute to the gridlock or get stranded at the side of the road if you call off the trip.  Some of the toughest decisions I have had to make involve cancelling a trip, especially if someone else is counting on you to be at a particular function 200 miles from home.  Pilots have been known to suffer from a disease known as “get home-itis” when they are gone from home and bad weather sets in.  The wrong decision can be more than inconvenient.  Crashing an airplane has been known to have serious consequences.  Better to remain overnight in an airport lounge than become the object of a search party.  

I have become fond of a quote that keeps popping up on social media:  Good judgement comes from experience, and experience often comes from bad judgement.  I have also learned it is best to learn to profit from other peoples’ mistakes.  

Bottom line is this;  if you find yourself travelling in winter conditions, take along some extras.  A blanket or two, something to eat, maybe a thermos of coffee and for goodness sake, a full tank of gas.  Of course tire chains, maybe a tow strap, a charged-up cell phone and your paid-up auto club membership.  Then before you go, do what pilots do, let somebody know where you are going, the route you will be taking and an estimated time of arrival.  That way we’ll know where to send the search party.

As always, send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave.@gmail.com.  Previous columns can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.

Winter Weather

Here on the Oregon Coast we are accustomed to fairly balmy weather.  We rarely see snow at our altitude and it is discussion-worthy if we drop below freezing.  ,These past couple of weeks have given all of us  reasons to re-think our winter driving habits and how we approach snowy mornings.  Our local counties don’t bother with buying snow removal gear, so when it does snow, schools close, people don’t go to work and those who do show up are either lauded for their bravery or chastened for their foolishness.  

One family friend spent 16 hours stranded with her eight-year old daughter in the Portland area.  Icy roads, snow and total gridlock shut down the entire city and surrounding area.  Fortunately her gas tank was on full when the adventure began and she was wise enough to ration her gasoline by starting her car to warm up only when absolutely necessary.  Another person I heard of lives on the east side of Portland and works a few miles west of the city.  He made it to work by mid-afternoon on Monday and stayed in a motel through Thursday night because of the dangerous travelling conditions.  

I grew up in Nebraska and can’t remember staying home through the worst blizzards.  School may have been released early to send the students home on the bus, but society simply did not come to a standstill because of a little snow, ice and wind.  Simply put, the local governments were equipped with snow removal equipment and the locals knew to adjust their driving habits when the roads turned slick.

The best advice for motorists is simply “stay home!”  You can’t have an accident, contribute to the gridlock or get stranded at the side of the road if you call off the trip.  Some of the toughest decisions I have had to make involve cancelling a trip, especially if someone else is counting on you to be at a particular function 200 miles from home.  Pilots have been known to suffer from a disease known as “get home-itis” when they are gone from home and bad weather sets in.  The wrong decision can be more than inconvenient.  Crashing an airplane has been known to have serious consequences.  Better to remain overnight in an airport lounge than become the object of a search party.  

I have become fond of a quote that keeps popping up on social media:  Good judgement comes from experience, and experience often comes from bad judgement.  I have also learned it is best to learn to profit from other peoples’ mistakes.  

Bottom line is this;  if you find yourself travelling in winter conditions, take along some extras.  A blanket or two, something to eat, maybe a thermos of coffee and for goodness sake, a full tank of gas.  Of course tire chains, maybe a tow strap, a charged-up cell phone and your paid-up auto club membership.  Then before you go, do what pilots do, let somebody know where you are going, the route you will be taking and an estimated time of arrival.  That way we’ll know where to send the search party.

As always, send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave.@gmail.com.  Previous columns can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.  Dave Robinson is the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.

10 Principles of Disaster Preparedness

Part 3

    This is third in a series on my Principles of Disaster Preparedness. Your preparations and plans 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 repair 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 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 contribute to the business of survival.  Are any of your neighbors elderly and may need assistance?  How about propane tanks or natural gas shut 9z9xoffs?  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. available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other online booksellers.