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In an evacuation emergency, you won’t have time to assemble survival items like prescriptions, dog meds, trauma supplies and antibiotics. PRINT this list and keep it handy!

 

 

 

DISASTER PACKING LIST

by Roberta Lee, DD., PhD., ND. TheDogPlace Science Editor

 

DISASTER AND YOUR DOG

  1. If your dog needs cover make sure you take a warm vest for him/her. Nothing fancy but something that will weather well. Skip the booties, he's a dog not a baby.

  2. Take several leashes. ALWAYS keep your dog on a leash no matter how well trained because he will be stressed by your stress and may be panicked by the unexpected.

  3. Part 2 showed doggie back packs. Make sure they fit properly and train your dog to wear it now! Make it fun (treats) and do it now.  Become inventive NOW and let your dog feel useful and have fun with his new job.

  4. If disaster hits in winter let your dog sleep with you. His body temperature is 3 degrees warmer than yours so you won’t have to use as many blankets.

  5. Pack your pet’s medication in waterproof pouches in different packs. Be honest with your veterinarian about why you need the extra supply and ask how to cycle the meds so you don’t end up with out of date medication.

  6. Neosporin is excellent topical antibiotic for humans and animals but you'll need to wrap the area with gauze.  Honey is not only energy for you, it is also for wound healing as bacteria won’t grow in honey. Seal in plastic packets, honey doesn't go bad.

  7. Make sure you have dry (kibble) dog food. Cans are too heavy. If hungry, your spoiled pets will eat it.  In a real pinch, you can eat it just like K-rations.  Better than starving.

  8. Make sure you have sufficient water and because it is heavy, a safe source in mind to resupply.  We all can go longer without food than we can without water.

  9. As for other gear, remember that you will be in a survival mode. You can’t take everything. Pack just what you have to have to keep yourself and your pet safe.

OTHER SURVIVAL ITEMS:

Most people think they know more than they do, so it is wise to have a manual for “Emergency Treatment and Management.” There are tons of light-weight paperbacks available today, which should tell you they are felt to be needed. Get a book that covers the everyday type of injuries that occur during disasters.

 

What is the first and most important item to you and your pet’s survival? If you said, “WATER” you are right. So this section will be about water.

 

SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON POTABLE WATER:

Water will be like gold in a disaster. Remember we are talking about survival here, so the most important water is for drinking or first aid.  Stock up on water purification tablets If you live in an arid area of the world, you should begin to stockpile water. Use only glass bottles for storage. If sealed properly it should last about a year. If you have to “bug out” to another location, transfer the water to lightweight fabric or plastic water bags.  Your dog can also carry water in his packs.

 

Even if you are where it rains a lot, you still should have a year’s supply of water on hand for cooking and drinking (3 gallons for adults less for pets).  For that you will need two new garbage cans. Wash them thoroughly and put the lid on securely. When it rains, take the lids off and allow the rain water to fill one. You can use clean kitchen pots to help collect more to go in the “safe” garbage can. The second one should be put under the rain gutter to collect water that will be used to flush your toilets (if you stay where you live), water your veggie garden, and limited bathing which will be done by the cupful!

 

Using a little apple cider vinegar will be beneficial. It leaves the hair squeaky clean and you can pat a little under your arms as a deodorant. For bathing, water and apple cider vinegar should be two parts water and one part vinegar. This will help make your water go further even if you are lucky enough to not have to travel. Water that is used for bathing, washing your hair or washing dishes should be saved and recycled to flush your toilet or other waste water jobs.

 

If you are running out of water, remember your hot water heater has anywhere from 40 to 60 gallons of water. Make sure you disconnect the hot water heater first and allow it to cool.  Then open the drain at the bottom.  The first water gallon or so will have sediment in it so it can be saved for other uses, not for cooking or drinking but the rest should be potable (drinkable) water. You may have access to other water sources; lakes, rivers, streams and ponds but you will have to use your purification tablets to ensure safety. If you have failed to buy tablets then you can boil the water for at least 5 minutes and then agitate it by shaking or beating it to re-oxygenate it.

 

EMERGENCY RATIONS & SURVIVAL FOOD:

I will not bore you with the particulars of what drastically cutting down on the caloric intake does to the body. To go even two weeks without food can and does start many physiological changes in the body that signal you are in danger of death, and what’s more, just commencing to eat again does not necessarily fix the problems that developed from starvation.

 

I am not going to make a grocery list for you but I will give you ideas that will allow you to go on the hunt with your computer. Let’s prepare for the worst. Whatever you buy for the worst case scenario can be used at any time.

 

K-RATIONS or MRE (Meals Ready To Eat)

This is what our military eat when they are in the field. MREs require no fire or boiling water. They are light weight and easy to carry and packed with vitamins. There are also any number of vacuumed packed grocery store “meals” that will stay fresh for a long time and the most they will require is a little water, which your body needs too. Nutrition bars are good to stock pile also. They are easy to carry and will give you needed energy in the event you can’t prepare a meal.

 

If you think you will not be able to travel then you can store canned goods. These are good for at least two years, but be alert for tops that bulge or dented cans both of which can indicate the seal is corrupted and you may have spoilage. As with vacuum packed foods, there are many canned soups and meals plus meat such as tuna, salmon, chicken, beef, and pork.

 

Nuts are a great source of protein. They come canned, shelled, and whole (in shell).  Crackers are not high in nutrition but they are lightweight, filling, and could be added to any snack or meal.  Beef and chicken stock comes in boxes and can add flavor to whatever you cook.  Honey is wonderful. Not only is it nutritious but it is great for cuts, burns, and scrapes. Remember that bacteria will not grow in honey.

 

Prescription Medications: You must keep them safe, dry and out of the hands of other people, especially children. I would add a good quality hunting knife, scissors and tweezers of the medical type, and a small sewing kit with needles and cotton thread.

 

TRAUMA SUPPLIES

Several packs of Quick Clot to stop bleeding fast! It is like Quickstop for toenails but this stops major wounds.

QuikClot is like Quick Stop for bleeding, even serious trauma blood loss20 packages of sterile 4x4’s and 20 of sterile 2x2’s

10 ABD type dressings (maxi-pads work nicely!)

20 rolls of gauze bandage, 6 triangular bandages, assorted Band-Aids

5 chemical ice packs and 5 chemical heat packs

4 four inch ACE wraps and 4 three inch ACE wraps

10 rolls of Transpore and 4 ladder or SAM splints

10 bottles of irrigation fluid (saline or sterile water)

10 sterile oval eye patches

2 pairs of Trauma Shears

2-4 boxes of sterile gloves

2 Penlights

5 Bottles of Isopropyl Alcohol and 5 Bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide

 

SUGGESTED MEDICATIONS

Pain and/or fever: Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Aspirin

Stomach: 2 bottles of Antacid, 2 Bottles of Benadryl, Syrup of Ipecac

Colds, Flu: decongestant (Sudafed), cough medicine, cough drops, Nyquil

Wounds or Itches: Calamine Lotion, Sting-Eze Swabs, SolarCaine Spray, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone ointment

Assorted children’s strength medications

several tubes of InstaGlucose

Bactine or other astringent

COPD inhalers or ammonia Inhalants

boxes of betadine Prep Pads

eye wash

 

CELL PHONES AND SOLAR POWERED RADIOS

World Band Radio (this requires no electricity or batteries)

Large industrial type flashlight. There are those that are water proof, and are hand cranked like the radio above. There are also flashlights that work on solar power and can charge your cell phones just in case they still work.

 

SURVIVAL PLANS TO LIVE BY:

Remember, reading about a plan for survival is great but print out survival plan! Make sure the whole family not only reads it but puts it into practice. You know what they say about practice? Practice makes perfect. Your plan won’t be like your neighbors or mine. This is what your family is most likely to do or where you think you might be able to go. If you practice your plan then when the time comes you will be more appt to follow it.

 

The first hours of any emergency will bring fear, stress and in some cases terror. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Make it cheap but think it through and get what you will need.

  2. Make it easy and quick. You can even take classes!

  3. Forget your life style. You may be on foot or bike and you will have your pets with you.

  4. Make your plan flexible. Remember Murphy’s Law. If it can go wrong it will.

  5. Plan on how to know where the family is at all times. Emergencies don't always come when you are all together.

  6. If cell phones are out, everyone knows exactly where you will meet if home is not an option.

  7. Delegate. Each family member over the age of 12 should have a part to play in this plan. Something they can do efficiently.

  8. Make sure your plan allows you to go back to step one in case you jump the gun. It happens.

  9. Make a simple list of who does what and make sure every member of the family has a copy.

  10. Do NOT depend on cell phones for anything! In a disaster or attack cell towers may not work.

I know this has been long but then survival isn’t easy and can’t be planned for in one or two words. Above all, remember You must survive for the safety of your children and family. Take this seriously, because it is.

 

Don't miss these two very important preparation articles by physiologist Dr. Lee;   Disaster Survival Plan 1  ~  Disaster Survival Plan 2

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