Survive That Disaster

The greenhouse effect helps to regulate the temperature of our planet. It is essential for life on Earth and is one of Earth’s natural processes. It is the result of heat absorption by certain gases in the atmosphere (called greenhouse gases because they effectively “trap” heat in the lower atmosphere) and re-radiates downward some of that heat. Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas, followed by carbon dioxide and other trace gases. Without a natural greenhouse effect, the temperature of the Earth would be about zero degrees F (-18°C) instead of its present 57°F (14°C). So, the concern is not with the fact that we have a greenhouse effect, but whether human activities are leading to an “enhancement” of the greenhouse effect.
Human activity has been increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (mostly carbon dioxide from combustion of coal, oil, and gas; plus a few other trace gases). There is no scientific debate on this point. Pre-industrial levels of carbon dioxide (prior to the start of the Industrial Revolution) were about 280 parts per million by volume (ppmv), and current levels are about 370 ppmv. According to the IPCC Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES), by the end of the 21st century, we could expect to see carbon dioxide concentrations of anywhere from 490 to 1260 ppm (75-350% above the pre-industrial concentration).

Food For Survival

Food is critical to your survival – but not in the short term.  In most emergency survival episodes, the food you eat before you go a field is more critical than anything you might forage.  In a desert survival situation, food is one of your last worries.  Yet more has been written over the years on foraging and snaring than on getting rescued.

Two factors tend to relegate survival food to the “nice to have” category.  First, your body stores quite an impressive amount of food energy.  People have lived in excess of a month without eating.  Even under rigorous conditions, survival histories of two or three weeks without food are well documented.  Second, long term survival episodes are becoming more rare each year.  If you just file a flight plan or tell people where you are going, there is little chance you will ever have to survive for more than a few days and you can do that on internally stored food.

In the short term, however, food is important to your spirits.  It can be a strong psychological factor and improve your efficiency and endurance.  That means if you can eat, you will be able to do more to help yourself and “enjoy” your survival experience more.

First, insure that you begin with a “full tank” of energy.  That means eating a well balanced diet day to day.  Second, carry some food with you.  Modern technology has made that very convenient to do.

Finding Water In the Desert

You must have water to survive any extended time in the desert.  Finding water, if you do not have water with you, can be a problem sometimes.  When traveling in the desert you should always make sure you carry water with you in case of an emergency.

Reflections can mean a mirage, or they can mean a possible water source of water.  Evaluate the distance to be traveled and then head toward the potential water only if you are reasonably sure that it actually is water and that you will be able to travel that far.
Dry streambeds are possible sources for water.  Just below the surface, you can sometimes find damp soil and even water, which will pool in an excavated hole.  Don’t waste your time, however, if the hole you’re digging looks unpromising.  Move on and try somewhere else.

Any sign of wildlife, especially birds sitting in a tree, may mean nearby water, as most wild animals require a water source.  A word of caution, you may have animals at any water hole you find.

If you see a storm coming, find catchment’s basins or lay out a tarp to trap as much rain as possible.  Fill every available water-holding device as quickly as you can, for the shower might be brief.  Sometimes you’ll find small pockets of dew in the wee hours of morning.  Lap up as much as you can.

Treat It Before You Drink It!

Yes, you must treat your water even in the desert because there can be a host of potentially nasty microscopic vermin.  If the water you are eyeing is full of silt, which is the case with most desert streams, ponds and rivers, you won’t want to ingest too much without first letting the silt settle.  Drinking in large quantities of silt with your water can lead to a bad case of diarrhea.   Diarrhea in the desert is not only unpleasant, it’s dangerous as you are now losing body fluid at an alarming rate and at the same time losing the desire to eat or drink.  Only by consuming pure, filtered water over a 24-hour period and flushing out your system will the diarrhea disappear.

Of course, you can’t just filter the water either, since the silt will clog just about any filter on the market within minutes.  The solution?  Carry a collapsible plastic or nylon bucket, which you can use to scoop up a gallon or so of heavily silted water.  Let the silt settle to the bottom of the bucket (it takes about 30 minutes) and then carefully filter the top three quarts, being certain not to stir up the silt or pump any of the sediment on the bottom of the bucket through the filter cartridge.

Although evacuation may be viewed as the last resort, it is sometimes the best solution. All disasters can cause evacuations for at least some segments of the affected population. When the alternative is loss of life, evacuation is the only choice. The disaster that most likely necessitates a quick exit is hurricanes and other volatile storms, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires. Every family plan should include an evacuation plan, just in case.

Situations may arise when your own observations will tell you to enact your plan, even before officially ordered to evacuate. It is important to trust your own judgment and act decisively. For example, when you see the flames of a wildfire burning the prairie below and whipping up the hill, it is time to run. Take your stored emergency provisions and leave. When thunder has accompanied a deluge of rain for days and the nearby river boils over the banks, it is time to enact the plan. When the earth shakes beneath your feet, when the volcano or tsunami warnings are broadcast, or when the dark skies and swirling winds signal a tropical cyclone, it is time to survive. You must be prepared to evacuate if lives are endangered.

The evacuation plan will include having a destination such as the home of a relative or friend not living in the affected area, a shelter, or a motel. Escape passages out of the house will have been predetermined and procedures for reuniting the family will also be in place. Several alternate routes for both driving and walking will have been mapped out ahead. An out-of-the-area contact person will have been chosen so that family members can communicate and important medical and insurance information can be provided. Supplies will have been stored in emergency locations in easy-to-carry gear such as backpacks and garbage cans with roller wheels. You will be more self-sufficient if you are able to carry some possessions and supplies with you, particularly if you are in a remote area.

Government aid is potentially available in distressed areas, and a sometimes state of emergency is declared. Any major event is a priority for services to affected communities. The Red Cross will set up first aid stations including food, and shelter facilities, although this may take up to three days following the disaster. In the interim, prepare to be on your own. Insurance companies may be of immediate help. Full insurance coverage is always the best defense against loss of property and loss of use. After a disaster, your insurance company may issue cash or vouchers for food, lodging, transportation, or other immediate expenses from a temporary base of operations in a central location. Although it is best to have your policy information and proof with you, conditions may present a relaxing of demand for formal documentation in the strike of a disaster.

Following is a list of conditions under which to evacuate:

Condition for Evacuation

a) Uncontainable interior fire
b) Encroaching wildfire
c) Explosions
d) Gas smell indicating leaks and possible explosion
e) Flooding
f) Asbestos leakage (from popcorn ceilings, wrapping on furnace pipes, furnace ducts)
g) Landslide
h) Unstable, shifting ground
i) Collapsing buildings
j) Tsunami warnings
k) Typhoon warnings
l) Tornado warnings
m) Volcano warnings

The Teton Dam was a federally built dam on the Teton River in southeastern Idaho in the United States which suffered a catastrophic failure on June 5, 1976. The collapse of the dam resulted in the death of 14 people and approximately 13,000 head of cattle. The dam cost about $100 million to build, and the federal government paid over $300 million in claims related to the dam failure. The dam was never rebuilt.

The ruins of the Teton Dam

The dam was located in the Teton Canyon approximately 44 miles (71 km) northeast of the city of Idaho Falls. The Bureau of Reclamation awarded the contract for Teton Dam, including the Power and Pumping Plant, to Morrison-Knudsen Company of Boise, Idaho, and the contractor received the notice to proceed on December 14, 1971. Clearing of the job site started in February 1972. Completed in 1975, it was a 305-foot (93 m) high earthfill dam intended for irrigation, electricity, flood prevention, and recreation. The dam was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which later received most of the blame for the collapse. The site of the dam is accessible to the public.

The dam site is located in the eastern Snake River Plain, which is a broad tectonic depression on top of rhyolitic ash-flow tuff. The tuff, a late-Cenozoic volcanic rock dating to about 1.9 million years, sits on top of sedimentary rock. The area is very permeable, but no seepage was noted on the dam itself before the date of the collapse. However, on June 3, 1976 workers found two small springs had opened up downstream.

The collapse and immediate aftermath

At the time of the collapse, spring runoff had almost filled the new reservoir to capacity, with a maximum depth of 240 feet. Water began seeping from the dam on the Thursday before the collapse, an event not unexpected for an earthen dam.

At 7:30 AM on Saturday, June 5 a muddy leak appeared, suggesting sediment was in the water, but engineers didn’t believe there was a problem. By 9:30 AM the downstream face of the dam had a wet spot on it and embankment material began to wash out. Bulldozers and crews were sent to plug the leak, but were unsuccessful. Local media appeared at the site, and at 11:15 officials told the county sheriff’s office to evacuate downstream residents. Work crews were forced to flee on foot as the widening gap swallowed their equipment. The operators of two bulldozers caught in the eroding embankment were pulled to safety with ropes. At 11:55 AM Mountain Daylight Time, the top of the dam collapsed; two minutes later the rest of it disintegrated. By 8:00 p.m. that evening, the reservoir had completely emptied.

The communities immediately downstream, Rexburg, Wilford, Sugar City, Salem, and Hibbard, suffered horribly. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed. One estimate placed damage to Rexburg, population 10,000, at 80 percent of existing structures. The small community of Sugar City was literally wiped from the riverbank. Communities to the southwest, such as Roberts on a lower section of the Snake River, received significant damage. The city of Idaho Falls, even further down on the flood plain, had time to prepare. At the old and unstable American Falls Dam downstream, engineers released water before the flood arrived. That dam held, and the flood was over. Cleaning up took the rest of the summer.

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it’s best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air, first-aid supplies and warmth.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

Water one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking sanitation
Food at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Communication Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both extra batteries
Flashlight
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

a. Prescription medications and glasses
b. Infant formula and diapers
c. Pet food and extra water for your pet
d. Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
e. Cash or traveler’s checks and change
f. Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from
g. Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
h. Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
j. Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
k. Fire Extinguisher
l. Matches in a waterproof container
m. Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
n. Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
p. Paper and pencil
q. Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Each person’s needs and abilities are unique, but every individual can take important steps to prepare for all kinds ofSenior  emergencies and put plans in place.  By evaluating your own personal needs and making an emergency plan, you can be better prepared for any situation.  A commitment to planning today will help you prepare for any emergency situation.  Consider how a disaster might affect your individual needs.  Plan to make it on your own, at least for a period of time. It’s possible that you will not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore.

Identify what kind of resources you use on a daily basis and what you might do if they are limited or not available.  Get an emergency supply kit.  If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if possible.  However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside.  Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets; consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area who would be willing to host you and your pets in an emergency.

Create a Support Network

If you anticipate needing assistance during a disaster talk to family, friends and others who will be part of your personal support network.  Write down and share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your support network.  Make sure everyone knows how you plan to evacuate your home or workplace and where you will go in case of a disaster.  Make sure that someone in your local network has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies.  Teach those who will help you how to use any lifesaving equipment, administer medicine in case of an emergency.  Practice your plan with those who have agreed to be part of your network.

Additional Supplies and Documents

If you take medicine or use a medical treatment on a daily basis, be sure you have what you need to make it on your own for at least a week, maybe longer.  Make a list of prescription medicines including dosage, treatment and allergy information.  Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what else you need to prepare.  If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital or if you receive regular services such as home health care, treatment or transportation, talk to your service provider about their emergency plans. Work with them to identify back-up service providers and incorporate them into your personal support network.  Consider other personal needs such as eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries, and oxygen.

Emergency Documents

Include copies of important documents in your emergency supply kits such as family records, medical records, wills, deeds, social security number, charge and bank accounts information and tax records.  Have copies of your medical insurance and Medicare cards readily available.  Keep a list of the style and serial number of medical devices or other life-sustaining devices.  Include operating information and instructions.  Make sure that a friend or family member has copies of these documents.  Include the names and contact information of your support network, as well as your medical providers.  If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information notes the best way to communicate with you.  Keep these documents in a waterproof container for quick and easy access.

The middle of the US is being pounded by storms producing tornadoes and floods. How do we survive these storms and protect our families and important documents? Underground shelters or heavy steel reinforced structures will protect us from most tornadoes and solidly built safes will protect our important papers, pictures, jewelry, and videos. But what about floods, underground shelters tend to fill up with water and safes may not be water–proof. So when we plan our survival techniques, we have to plan for many type of disasters. A plan only to survive tornadoes usually will not succeed during a flood. And then there are earthquakes and wild fires.

People are growing softer today. Elements of modern-day living not only make us more vulnerable, they also make us unprepared. Most of us have only the vaguest idea of survival. If thought about at all, we have some quaint rule of thumb passed down through our family or from people we are acquainted with. We face the bitterest winters at home with mental composure and are surprised, shocked and hurt when threats of exposure and frostbite turn into reality. Prevention is better than cure, but no one is immune from human or mechanical failure, or an Act of God. Instead of being mesmerized with fright, you are more likely to be ready and braced in a sudden crisis if you are prepared.

Start with a Plan

People are growing softer today - yes, but it is a cheering fact that, given a plan of action, even though despairing and shocked, people can and do react well in a crisis. Once the initial shock has lessened you stand every chance of becoming a survivor if you had made a plan.

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations. It may be easier to make a long-distance call than to call across town, so have an out-of-state contact. Make sure every member of your family knows this phone number. Familiarize all members of the family with mobile phone, cell phone, text messaging and email if applicable.

Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, that is most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. All family members should be familiar with the methods your community notifies the public of impending emergencies. Inquire about emergency plans where your family spends time: work, daycare, school, etc. If no plan exists, consider volunteering to help create one.

Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, decide whether you stay put or get away. Use common sense and available information to determine whether there is immediate danger. Whether you are at home, work, or elsewhere, there may be situations when it’s simply best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside. Watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

There may be conditions under which you will decide to get away, or there may be situations when you are ordered to leave. Plan how you will assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency.

A good plan will determine supplies you should have on hand if you stay put and other supplies you can have in a backpack to take with you if you decide to leave. The plan should also provide for medical supplies that may be needed. When making your plan remember special needs for older people and infants. Prescription medicine should also be considered for storage.

Reading CBS and ABC articles along with an article by Paul Joseph Watson on the disappearing bee problem, I have asked myself what is more important for our government, the global warming, terrorists, or the disappearing bee colonies. The disappearing bee colonies could be one of the most serious disasters of our times.

It is a mystery causing heated debate in the world of beekeeping. What’s wrong with the bees? Why are they suddenly and without warning leaving their colonies? Why are they disappearing almost overnight by the millions in the United States, Canada and Europe? Colonies are going down. The bees aren’t dead in the box or dead out front; they have just disappeared or vanished.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 27 states from New York to California are now affected by the bee mystery. Many people don’t realize the vital role bees’ play in maintaining a balanced eco-system. According to experts, if bees were to become extinct then humanity would perish after just four years.

Others would say four years is alarmist and that man would find other food sources, but the fact remains that the disappearance of bees is potentially devastating to agriculture and most plant life. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says parasites and disease have killed bees in the past, but never anything like this. Investigating multiple hives where the bees had vanished, investigators could not find anything that they would even call a beehive.

Part of the mystery is that colonies can go from active and healthy to dead and gone within days. For now, plenty of beekeepers are stacking up silent and empty hives. But scientists are working hard to find the cause and a cure for what’s ailing the bees. After all bees do for us, it’s the least we can do for them.

Reports that bee populations are declining at rates of up to 80% in areas of the U.S. and Europe should set alarm bells ringing and demand immediate action on behalf of environmental organizations. Experts are calling the worrying trend “colony collapse disorder” or CCD.

Beekeepers are complaining that the basic science of what is happening to the bees isn’t being done. Officials with the Department of Agriculture testified that they have collected samples of bees but they don’t have the money to process them.

Beekeepers can only guess at the cause. Some blame an insecticide called Gaucho, because it has the effect of disorienting insects. Others say it’s the effects of drought or a warmer than normal winter. And still other beekeepers say that keeping bees is a complex task and less-experienced keepers are making basic mistakes.

Scientists are thus far stumped as to what is causing the decline, ruling out parasites but leaning towards some kind of new toxin or chemical used in agriculture as being responsible. Experts believe that the large-scale use of genetically modified plants in the US could be a factor. In many cases, scientists have found evidence of almost all known bee viruses in the few surviving bees found in the hives after most have disappeared. Some had five or six infections at the same time and were infested with fungi, a sign, experts say, that the insects’ immune system may have collapsed.

While we are lectured by government to change our lifestyle and cough up more taxes for the supposed peril of man-made global warming, an environmental catastrophe that could eliminate the human race in the blink of an eye is looming. Why are major environmental groups and lobbyists ignoring this mammoth threat to our very existence? Where is Greenpeace? The hyperbole surrounding man-made global warming is swallowing up all the attention while the government is not addressing real dangers like the rapid die-off of bee populations. Governments and activist foundations largely shun its link to the world food supplies.

It is normal for hives to see populations fall by some 20 percent during the winter, but the sharp loss of bees is causing concern, especially as domestic US bee colonies have been steadily decreasing since 1980. And the number of beekeepers has halved. The situation is so bad, that beekeepers are now calling for government intervention.

In cases of colony collapse disorder, flourishing hives are suddenly depopulated leaving few, if any, surviving bees behind. The queen bee, which is only one in the hive allowed to reproduce, is found with just a handful of young worker bees and a reserve of food. Curiously though no dead bees are found either inside or outside the hive. The fact that other bees or parasites seem to shun the emptied hives raises suspicions that some kind of toxin or chemical is keeping the insects away.

Scientists working to unravel the mysteries behind CCD believe a new pathogen may be the cause, or a new kind of chemical product, which could be weakening the insects’ immune systems. The finger of suspicion is being pointed at agriculture pesticides such as the widely used neonicotinoides, which are already known to be poisonous to bees.

So far, the scientists know only two things for sure. The main symptom has been the mass abandonment of hives. And the variety of fungi, viruses and mites found in collapsing hives suggests a widespread failure of the bees’ immune systems. One beekeeper said it is a lot like AIDS.

A CBS News correspondent John Blackstone states: In spite of all the advances in agriculture, honeybees remain indispensable. By moving pollen from flower to flower, bees are the only efficient way for many crops to pollinate.

Although evacuation may be viewed as the last resort, it is sometimes the best solution. All disasters can cause evacuations for at least some segments of the affected population. When the alternative is loss of life, evacuation is the only choice. The disaster that most likely necessitates a quick exit is hurricanes and other volatile storms, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires. Every family plan should include an evacuation plan, just in case.

Situations may arise when your own observations will tell you to enact your plan, even before officially ordered to evacuate. It is important to trust your own judgment and act decisively. For example, when you see the flames of a wildfire burning the prairie below and whipping up the hill, it is time to run. Take your stored emergency provisions and leave. When thunder has accompanied a deluge of rain for days and the nearby river boils over the banks, it is time to enact the plan. When the earth shakes beneath your feet, when the volcano or tsunami warnings are broadcast, or when the dark skies and swirling winds signal a tropical cyclone, it is time to survive. You must be prepared to evacuate if lives are endangered.

The evacuation plan will include having a destination such as the home of a relative or friend not living in the affected area, a shelter, or a motel. Escape passages out of the house will have been predetermined and procedures for reuniting the family will also be in place. Several alternate routes for both driving and walking will have been mapped out ahead. An out-of-the-area contact person will have been chosen so that family members can communicate and important medical and insurance information can be provided. Supplies will have been stored in emergency locations in easy-to-carry gear such as backpacks and garbage cans with roller wheels. You will be more self-sufficient if you are able to carry some possessions and supplies with you, particularly if you are in a remote area.

Government aid is potentially available in distressed areas, when a disaster area is declared. Any major event is a priority for services to the affected communities. The Red Cross will set up first aid stations including food, and shelter facilities, although this may take up to three days following the disaster. In the interim, prepare to be your own. Insurance companies may be of immediate help. Other agencies and churches will also try to provide aid as soon as possible. Full insurance coverage is always the best defense against loss of property and loss of use. After a disaster, your insurance company may issue cash or vouchers for food, lodging, transportation, or other immediate expenses from a temporary base of operations in a central location. Although it is best to have your policy information and proof with you, conditions may present a relaxing of demand for formal documentation in the presence of a disaster.

Following is a list of conditions under which to evacuate:
Condition for Evacuation
a) Uncontainable interior fire
b) Encroaching wildfire
c) Explosions
d) Gas smell indicating leaks and possible explosion
e) Flooding
f) Asbestos leakage (from popcorn ceilings, wrapping on furnace pipes, furnace ducts)
g) Landslide
h) Unstable, shifting ground
i) Collapsing buildings
j) Tsunami warnings
k) Typhoon warnings
l) Tornado warnings
m) Volcano warnings

Center for Disease Control and Prevention
!-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
(888) 232-6348 (TTY)
www.cdc.gov

www.FirstGov.gov, The U. S. Government’s Official Website
1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636)
www.firstgov.gov

Department of Homeland Security
1-800-BE-READY (1-800-237-3239)
www.ready.gov
www.dhs.gov

Federal Pandemic Influenza Information
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
www.pandemicflu.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
1-800-621 FEMA (3362)
www.fema.gov

American Red Cross
1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4336)
www.redcross.org

Citizen Corps
www.citizencorps.gov