Almighty Dad | A stay at home dad blog

In light of the several recent large earthquakes around the world (the Okinawa quake was 13 miles into the crust so it didn’t do much) I’ve started thinking about what I would do if a disaster struck close to home.  But, living in Boulder, the only natural disaster I could think of was the super-volcano that is Yellowstone, and that isn’t enough to get me to prepare in much of a hurry.  But then I saw this article in a Southern California Radio Station Website about these huge solar flares that happen every so often that have the potential to take our electricity away.  What the article didn’t mention but that I’ve heard before is that if a solar flare took out our grid it could take over a year to put it back together again.  Apparently it does more than just flip the breaker; all the hardware would actually need to be replaced (which means manufactured).  That makes it a pretty serious problem.  It’s an interesting article that seems to be less of a threat than a promise; it’s just a matter of when it’ll happen.  Well, the only thing I’m prepared with is a rudimentary knowledge of edible plants and my proficiency with a bow and arrow.  I don’t own a generator or any emergency rations of water.  That makes me unprepared because they’re home essentials in any disaster.  I’m making it a new priority to make a disaster plan for my family.  Are you ready for an emergency?         

When I was a kid I used to hoard rubber bands.  For some reason I thought they were the one item everyone needed and I always wanted to be ready with one just in case.  I carried them in my coats and in my shorts pockets for the occasion someone said “Hey, I sure could use a rubber band.”  And I’d be there ready to help.  Unfortunately, in a real disaster rubber bands aren’t what we really need.  What do we need?         

I’m not making a wilderness survival kit; that would be a different list.  This list assumes you still at least have shelter (because a solar flare isn’t going to blow away your house).         

Water: You can’t live without it and you certainly don’t want to see your kids die of thirst in front of you.  You should have one gallon of water per person per day.  The government says you should have a 3 day supply.  I think that’s a good idea, but after those 3 days you’ll want more if the government decides to pull a “Katrina” on you and not show up to help.  So I recommend a good pump filter.         

Food: Those energy bar things keep forever.  The best ones should have lots of protein and calories.  You aren’t dieting, you’re surviving.  Beef Jerky is good and so is canned nuts and dehydrated fruit.         

Matches: Unless you’re a survival expert it’s really hard to start a fire without a match (I did it once, but it took me an hour of aggravation).  Also, do yourself a favor and get waterproof ones.  If you want to be really awesome get a magnesium fire starter. They’re easy and last a long time.  While you’re at it you might as well get two because they’re cheap.         

Flashlights and Batteries: You know all those stars in the sky that scientists keep talking about?  They’re still there but all our modern gadgets outshine them.  When all those gadgets go off it’ll get really really dark.  So dark that you’ll trip over stuff without a flashlight.         

Radio: You’ll want to know when the zombies are headed your way.  NOAA is in Boulder so I can always go knock on their door for the weather report and other less likely dangers than zombies.  And, if solar flares interrupt radio signals — well, I guess it’s a paper weight.          

First Aid Kit: When you trip over your dog while looking for the flashlight you’ll probably hurt yourself.  If you haven’t taken a first aid class in a while I recommend it.  It’s always good to know the basics.         

Can Opener: You don’t want to look like a monkey with a rock, right?  A can opener is a simple invention that keeps you from looking like a suburban idiot monkey.         

A Weapon: I have two shotguns, lots of ammo and two bows with several dozen arrows.  The bow is for small furry mammals and the guns are for my neighbor who wants to “borrow” my can opener.         

Tools and Knife: It’s amazing how handy knives are.  Even when there is no emergency a pocket knife is an essential item.  I carry a 3 inch Benchmade in my pocket for daily use.  In an emergency situation a few tools and a good knife are life savers.         

Blankets: You’d think people would have blankets, right?  But, consider a 4 person family with no electricity in the middle of winter at 0 degrees outside.  It’s going to take more than a couple to do the job.  Even better, sleeping bags (not Walmart ones).         

Bonus Stuff         

Diapers: Seems simple, right?  But I remember the days when the boys could go through a package per week.  If a disaster happens and you can’t get diapers, what do you plan on doing?  Also, I hate to put it in the same category, but feminine supplies function on the same principal.            

Baby food: If you have a baby of course – or a toothless grandma.   

Survival Manual: You don’t have to be an expert when you’ve got a handy book that tells you everything.  I have the Army issue survival guide and also a big giant one I found at Cabela’s (presumably for lost hunters).  The more complete guides will tell you edible plants, knot tying, shelter making, hunting techniques, first aid, navigation and everything else you can think of on how to survive.  Just a handy reference because you can’t remember everything.      

Propane: That BBQ might come in really handy when the power goes off.      

Generator: This is if you really want to watch a DVD!  Just kidding, a generator can make your life reasonably comfortable where otherwise you’d be struggling figuring out how to be a cave man.      

That’s all the stuff I can think of.  Of course we’d all like to include every luxury in our kits, but I’m thinking of only the things that seem necessary provided your house is still intact.  For other disasters a tent would be a necessity as would sturdy outdoor clothing, fishing gear, hatchets and the like.  But, I’m not going to go there now.  What do you think of my list?  Have I missed anything that seems like an absolute necessity?      

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