SELF-RELIANCE FRIDAY EDITION FOR SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2020

 

HAVE AN AWAY PLAN: PART I

The odds are that the average Ann and Andy will be away from their home when an event hits.

That is because most of us have to earn a living so we will be either commuting to or from, or be at work. If we aren’t doing that then we are shopping, out with friends, at movies, sporting events, etc., or we are taking the kids to and from school or be at some school event. We might even be on vacation somewhere.

I know. That conflicts with the PC image of the “prepper/survivalist” huddling in their home a step away from their bunker. It also happens to be reality.

There are exceptions, of course, where the event can be seen coming (the slow train wreck) such as icy roads, heavy snow, wind or rain storm or tropical storm, school is canceled and your boss might actually let you stay home (LOL! Yeah, right). But many events hit without warning ( bolt out of the blue)  such as earthquakes, tornados, some flash flooding, power outages, , bridge/highway collapse, landslide, wild fire, terrorist act or other shooting rampage, nuke plant problem, or solar flares.  

Because of this you have to try and plan for the worst case scenario in which your freedom of action is limited by some authority and you have very little gear.

Your freedom of action may be limited by your boss or the company “emergency plan” in general. Many of these are well meaning and quite a few of them are well planned and reasonable. But there is always the bozo who thinks because they are in the boss they know how to deal with that kind of event.

You may also be faced with a “lockdown” situation, especially if you are a student on a campus, or at your child’s school.  Lockdowns can also be put into effect by police for people at work or in stores. Also stores themselves, when faced with a power outage, may “lockdown” to prevent looting or people leaving with items. While this may be illegal, some bozo store manager may not be able to be reasoned with. Any kind of threat or direct action in this case should be used only under life threatening circumstances. As with the boss at work, you have to be careful that your actions don’t come back when the dust settles to bite you on the butt.  As unbelievable as it seems, many people were later punished because of actions they took at the height of Katrina. Again, this is the real world ladies and gentlemen, so forget Hollywood and the movies.

In turn this will mean you can’t get to any kind of emergency bag in your vehicle. You are without your gear. Now what?

First try to assess the situation. What type of event is going on? Is it simple power outage or a solar flare/EMP?  Is it a weather effect? Knowing can give you an idea of how long you may be in lock down and whether you should just “chill out” for now.

Lack of gear can be handled to some degree depending on the situation. If you are at work you might have been able to have a “lunch box” emergency kit, so you have something to work from. Such a kit, as we will describe in the following article, can be in a desk drawer or locker.  Where possible you can carry it to work each day as part of your normal “lunch bag”. What you can have depends on the security issues of your firm.

In addition to that are items that can be carried in a pocket or purse. Again we will go into detail about these later, but they could include pepper spray (where legal),mints, gum, antacids, a key chain pill holder with water purification tablets, a mini flashlight, a cough drop tin with a bouillon cube or energy drink mix, a small but sharp knife ( there are numerous styles)  and sandwich baggies for water. Also try to have $20 or so of cash in fives, ones and change on you at all times. I know that’s not easy for all of us.

As far as information, most people have cell phones. The fact that they all would be out would be one warning sign of possibly a major event. Having a mini AM/FM radio in a lunch bag kit is recommended also.

Stores in general and “big box” stores in particular are very bad places to be if the situation is widespread enough and disruptive enough to prevent police protection as they will be the target  ( no pun intended) of looters in a very short time. If you are caught in such a store get away from the front area and any high dollar item areas. If you must hide, go to a janitor’s closet, rest room, or non-fashionable clothes area. It will probably be dark, so you should be relatively safe. But, don’t hesitate to pick up a weapon if you so choose, A crowbar beats nothing if your life is at stake. Also, see if you can find an emergency exit. Be careful however, as looters may be trying to come in or go out that way. The advantage a small shop might have is that it is not worth the looter’s interest at least at first and it may have soda, candy or other food and support items you can buy with your cash.

So you hang in there until the lockdown is lifted and you have your freedom of action again. Now what?  With luck the event is over. If your vehicle is intact and operational and the roads are passable, head home as best you can.  If not, then we will cover some options in Part II.

 

THE “LUNCH BAG” KIT

            This is your basic “ace up your sleeve” kit that can be taken into almost any average work environment and never draw so much as a second look.

            It starts with a simple, average lunch bag (photo 1), but inside it has the basics for your survival.

            It holds ( photo 2, left to right from the top) assorted sized zip lock bags for carrying water and other uses, a tin box for carrying the items, signaling, and possibly cooking in, a Mylar foil blanket for warmth, a mini AM/FM radio with batteries and ear buds, water purification tablets, an emergency poncho, a pack of 2 light sticks, a candle, matches and a disposable lighter, a mini multi-tool,  a mini flashlight, ( photo 3) and a mini first aid kit with band aids, tape, ointment, and gauze pads. (You can also put in a small tin with aspirins, cold meds, etc.)

            Most of the items fit in the front pockets. Leaving you room inside to carry your zip lock bags of water, or to put a small cloth bag to carry the water bags in. Add mints, gum, energy bars and tissues, or stash them in a locker or desk drawer.  For your key chain you can add a Para cord bracelet and compass along with pepper spray where legal.

            Totally discrete, it’s a stealth kit that will give you that extra edge.