Preparedness Archives - Ready Your Future

Our Crazy World – A Serious Conversation!

Do you feel like you’re living in a crazy world? I first penned this letter on December 2011. Back then, I was very concerned about our crazy world and the direction that I saw it going. The signs have been there for a while. For those paying attention, looking, researching and reading, you could easily find a myriad of problems that point to how fragile our world, country, state… is. But now, the problems are glaring and in your face! You really have to be Mary Poppins to think there isn’t “something” wrong! It seems like our world is going crazy!

From our economy to terrorism, to natural disasters, to deadly viruses, crime and more, you can easily find reasons to be concerned for yourself and your family!

There Are Major Problems in Our Crazy World!

The thing is, many of the problems that can arise because of these issues can be mitigated if you just put a little effort into being prepared. Many of you won’t though because you are too distracted with “living the dream” and having fun or you just are irresponsible! Responsibility is a problem in today’s world! We all want the government or some other entity to come through for us! And what if they don’t? Are you willing to have your family staring you in the face, wanting to know what to do because they are in a desperate situation that could have been avoided or not as bad because you weren’t man enough to make some decisions and get off your butt?

People always ask, what if I prepare and nothing happens? Well I say, that is good! You don’t really want anything to happen! Or, you don’t want terrorist to hack the electric grid and be without power for however long! You don’t want the economy to tank and possibly lose your job! Neither do you don’t want the drought or an earthquake in California to affect the food supply so much that you forgo buying fruit because it is too expensive! You don’t want any of that stuff to happen! But if it does….you want to be ready!

It’s Crazy, So What Should You Do?

Being prepared doesn’t mean you go buy a lot of camo, guns and go out into the woods. Being prepared or living a prepared lifestyle just means you live responsibility by planning, thinking ahead and putting some things back for a rainy day! There are so many aspects to it and each family is going to be different! But failing to plan and prepare is setting your family up to fail!

You will tell that my letter below is a lot “softer” than what I’ve written above! Back then, I didn’t want to freak people out. I wanted them to think critically! But now, I think people need a wake-up call!

After you read the letter below, I would be happy to answer any questions or point you to resources that can explain your question in better detail!

Peace,
Todd
July 2019

An Open Letter to Family & Friends

I’m writing this letter because I care about you. Please take a few minutes to read it and think about what I’m saying.

Why the Letter?

Our lives are crazy and sometimes it seems like we live in a crazy world! We take care of our family, work, eat, play chauffeur, pay the bills, etc. When we have a little bit of free time, we like to just veg in front of the TV and watch some brain-numbing pictures flicker across the screen. We can go at it like this for days, weeks and even months, not knowing what is going on in the world outside our local community and just get by with the talk around the water cooler.

And when we take life in these little chunks, separate blocks of our time and attention, it seems a little bit more manageable. We move from one task, event, errand, or chore to the other.

The problem is when we look at our lives from a big-picture perspective. What if our lives, all of a sudden changed? What if the stress of the day came bearing down at you all at once? How could this happen? This can easily happen during an emergency. I’m not talking about your son just stuffed his GI Joe down the toilet, or the dog is out of food emergency. I’m talking about the BIG stuff.

The Big Emergency

The BIG emergency is the one that stops you in your tracks. It can be personal, based in your local community or worldwide. But it is the one that everything else stops and all resources and energy are put towards it.

The problem is that most people are not prepared for a BIG one.

Prepared?

Are you and your family most people? Do you have an emergency fund for financial emergencies? Or, do you have insurance for medical emergencies? Do you have food and water if there is a food supply/transportation emergency? What about having another means of cooking and preparing your food if utilities weren’t available? Do you have first aid supplies and extra medicine on hand? Can you rely on some basic skills that could help you: fire starting, water purification, gardening, first aid, etc.?

This is the whole reason for my letter. I want to help you see the importance of being prepared and to start being more self-reliant. It’s not too hard, but it does take time, planning and effort. But then again, what would the time, planning and effort that you put in ahead of time be worth in the middle of an emergency? You’ll be glad you did!

Getting Prepared Action Steps:

Make a plan – What are you preparing for? What needs to be done? Don’t look at the magnitude of the plan, that can be overwhelming. Take it in chunks. In reality, you will never be “prepared.” You can be “not prepared” or “overly prepared,” but never “perfectly prepared.” Consider the basics: financial, medical, etc…but also keep in mind your region of the country; hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, fires, etc…

Set goals – When do you want _____ accomplished?

Get a 3 day supply of food. Then move to a 3 week supply.
Revisit insurance: house, vehicle, medical, life, etc…
Think about home and personal security.
Start an emergency fund – 3-6 months of expenses
Start a garden
Take a class: first-aid, sewing, gardening, firearm, wilderness survival
Watch some videos on Youtube (search preparedness)
Read blogs and articles on “preparedness” and “prepping
Listen to Podcasts that deal with the topic of preparedness.

Get active – go meet your goals!

Warning

The world of preparedness/prepping can be an addictive one. It can suck you in, mess with your emotions and get you seeing are already crazy world in an even crazier way! It is always best to approach preparedness within community. You should go it alone only if no one else is willing. Eventually, they will realize that you were right, even if that is in the midst of a storm.

It’s A Crazy World and It’s Fragile!

It is not in the scope of this letter to discuss all the possible emergency scenarios that you should prepare for. But outside of regional, natural disasters, it is important to me to briefly mention our global situation. Things outside our local community have gone from bad to worse! At first, we might not care about what is going on in some Asian or European country, but the fact is that we are ALL tied into each other now. What happens over there, affects us over here.

There are many “End of the World as We Know It” type scenarios out there. One such scenario is an economic collapse. Someone recently replied to me and said, “Yes, times can get hard, but we have been through it before during the Great Depression.” The fact is that it is way different this time. Our country didn’t have the debt that we have now. And, if for some reason the world loses faith in our government’s ability to pay its debts, we are up the creek. It really isn’t too far-fetched to imagine this happening if you’ll look into it. The concern has gone beyond the tin-foil hat people. Just research it!

Do Something

Please take this letter seriously. If you prepare and don’t need it, the worst is that you have some food (food costs are going up/buy now at cheaper prices) and other supplies. But if you ever find you are in a position that you do need it, you and your loved ones will be glad you were prepared!

Peace,
Todd

Survival And Safety- How Being Prepared Can Make A Difference

Life is unpredictable, and you can never be too prepared to deal with unexpected situations. Survival and safety are two critical concerns for any citizen, particularly if you have a family to protect. Riots, shootings, and bombing attacks are rampant, and even petty criminals in your neighborhood can be dangerous. While dangers lurk as you step out, you cannot be too sure about safety at home as well.

Apart from violent incidents, you may also have to deal with natural disasters like pandemics, earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis. The situation can get all the more critical when there are young children, old parents or a disabled family member to look after. Being prepared with a survival and safety strategy always makes sense. Let us explain how you can stay one step ahead of an SHTF situation.

Visualizing different scenarios

When it comes to survival and safety, unpredictability is the biggest challenge you face. In simple words, you can never know the dangers that lie ahead and exactly when they would strike. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, came as the biggest shock for the world. Even some preppers were taken by surprise with the outbreak.

It makes sense to visualize different survival scenarios so that you can be ready for them. Taking a solution-focused approach would be the best thing to do, as you need to think beyond disasters and incidents. Ideating a solution for each of the scenarios makes sense as it gets you ready on the fly.

Practicing situational awareness

While visualizing the possibilities will keep you one step ahead, you can never know what would happen until it actually happens. But things often happen (unless it is a disaster like an earthquake) with a forewarning, and situational awareness can help you reduce the risk with timely action.

Keeping an eye on the surroundings and taking even small precautionary measures can make all the difference. If there is civil unrest in your area, try to stay indoors and secure your living space. Avoid going out if there is a warning of a storm brewing in your area. Skip your holiday plan to a destination threatened by terrorists or virus-like outbreaks.

Gathering your SHTF stuff

Another good reason for being prepared with a survival and safety plan is that you will have all your SHTF stuff in place. It is a clear advantage because you wouldn’t have to rush out for supplies amid a riot or a pandemic. You will be safe indoors and the family will be well provided for. Stock up emergency supplies of food, water, medicines, toilet paper, and other essentials, and have at least enough to cover your needs for a month.

Ballistic protection is another survival essential you cannot ignore. You can pick a bullet proof vest to stay safe even as you have to step out. Body armor not only protects you from bullets and weapons but also gives you the confidence to face the toughest situations while you safeguard your clan.

Preparing your loved ones

While preparing for an emergency is important, it isn’t something you have to do alone. Even the best preparation would be worthless unless your family supports you during the situation. Consider involving your family when you create a survival and safety strategy for diverse scenarios. Create a complete plan of action so that everyone knows their roles clearly. The family can follow bodyarmornews.com regularly to understand tactical situations and self-defense better. At the same time, prioritize the value of safety and tell them that nothing matters more than saving themselves when a disaster strikes.

Awareness keeps them on track because they will be able to do their bit when a disaster strikes. Share a list of contact numbers to get help if they can escape during a situation. Investing in self-defense training for the entire family is a smart move because everyone will be able to do their bit during an emergency. Discuss the strategy from time to time so that everyone is on the same page.

Being ready for evacuation

Evacuation planning is a vital element of disaster preparedness. If you have a proper survival and safety strategy in place, you can easily evacuate your family from the dangerous area. It is vital to know your building well enough if you get trapped inside and want to escape at any point. Preparing a bug-out bag for every member is a good way to ensure that they can survive even if they are on their own after evacuation.

Your evacuation plan should also cover aspects like evacuating young children, seniors, and disabled members in grave situations. In addition to having a plan to evacuate your living space, discuss scenarios like being trapped in public places or outdoors during riots or violent events. Don’t miss the importance of getting out and seeking help for others, no matter how tough leaving your loved ones may sound.

Having a survival and safety plan can make a difference between life and death, no matter how serious the situation is. Apart from knowing safety basics and self-defense, also build up your confidence because it can keep you going even during the most challenging times.

This is a guest post.

6 Emergency Preparedness Tips You Need to Know

Emergency preparedness may invoke images of doomsday preppers building underground bunkers, but it’s not just that. Emergency preparedness means that you’re prepared for whatever happens, whether that be a pandemic illness, hurricane, or power outage. Many realistic threats can occur at any time, so here are some tips to prepare for anything.

Understand the Types of Disasters and Threats You May Face

Knowledge really is power, and it’s impossible to prepare for emergencies if you don’t know what they are. If you live in the Midwest, you likely face tornadoes. If you live out West, you’ll have to deal with earthquakes. Many places on the East Coast deal with hurricanes and flooding, and fires occur everywhere.

No one resides in a disaster-free location. If you don’t know the disasters your area faces, Ready.gov has some excellent resources on emergencies and disasters. The Red Cross also has excellent resources on things like creating an emergency plan for your family.

Further Reading: Survival for the Common Man – Where to Start

Make Sure You Can Receive Emergency Warning Messages for Your Area

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) helps authorities send critical messages via multiple pathways using their Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). You can even get text messages.

Officials can also send free texts up to 90 characters to mobile devices that are close to cellphone towers in the affected location. These messages are called Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). You need to make sure that your phone can receive these messages. Some prepaid phones can receive WEA, but others can’t. FEMA has more information on these alerts.

Your city or town may have its own emergency preparedness alert system, so check with them. Cities and towns usually send their emergency alerts by text or email, so you can choose the alerts you get and how you receive them.

Learn the Locations of Your City or Town’s Shelters and Evacuation Routes

You shouldn’t wait until a hurricane is knocking at your front door to find out where your local shelters are. Evacuations are quite common, but it won’t be as stressful if you know where to go ahead of time and the safest route to get there.

When you create an emergency plan, identify the easiest and safest way to get out of your house. Include obscure exits such as basement windows in case the obvious ways are blocked.

Establish More Than One Meeting Spot for Your Family

Meeting places for your family are crucial because you may get separated during an emergency event. Some meeting spots may not be good choices if something happens to them during a disaster. So, having more than one ensures that you can safely find your family. The consensus is that four is the magic number for meeting spots.

Indoor meeting spot – Having a dedicated, safe indoor meeting spot for a natural disaster such as storms and tornadoes is essential. Choose a room without windows like a closet, bathroom, basement, or hallway.
Meeting spot out of town – Some emergencies may require an evacuation of your whole town or city. If you and your family are in different parts of your city when you get the evacuation notice, establishing an area outside your region is smart.
A meeting spot in town – If you need to leave your home but not your city, you can still get separated in all the craziness. Pick a meeting place in the town that everyone can meet like a library or church. You can even choose another relative’s house as a gathering spot.
A spot in your neighborhood – Even if you’re in the same house, you can get separated, or if your home is unavailable as a meeting spot, pick another meeting spot in your neighborhood. Whether it’s a park, a large tree in a neighbor’s yard, or even a mailbox, choose one that every family member can remember.

Pack a Bug Out or Go Bag for Each Family Member

Since you never know when a disaster will strike, having the necessary supplies to survive is critical. You’ll need food, water, essential first aid kits, flashlights, vital survival gear, and more, especially if you need to leave your house.

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to pack everything for your family in one bag. Even kids can carry a small bag so you can distribute the supplies throughout the family. Packing a bag for each person also ensures you have back-up supplies in case a Go Bag is destroyed or lost.

You can tailor each bag to that specific person, and if you get separated, those family members will have what they need to survive. Try to have three days’ worth of medicine and copies of prescriptions. FEMA has a helpful checklist of the basics you need to pack to survive an emergency.

Don’t forget your pets. While they can’t carry a lot, you can pack some of the things they need in a bag that they wear on their back.

Emergency Preparedness Pro Tip: Keep Important Documents or Copies Ready to Go

Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, and other disasters can destroy everything you have. That includes critical records and documents such as birth certificates, medical information, passports, and more. Store them safely in a fireproof and waterproof safe but package essential documents so you can grab them quickly.

You can also store copies of your documents on hard drives as long as they’re encrypted. It’s a good idea to keep a flash drive with updated documents with your other important files and paperwork.

The most critical element of emergency preparedness is planning. If you fail to plan, you’re gambling with your life. Learn about the disasters that affect your area and how you can get alerts and emergency messages. Make sure you can receive those messages and alerts.

Find out where the emergency shelters are in your area and learn the evacuation routes. Make sure you pack Go Bags for every member of your family and establish multiple meeting sites. When you prepare and plan for anything, you increase your chances of survival significantly.

About the Author – Mark Hedman serves as the CEO for LA Police Gear. Mark oversees a little bit of everything, from product development to walking the dogs from our Valencia, CA headquarters. Before joining LA Police Gear, Mark was just a kid that was very interested in programming and e-commerce. Starting from the bottom, he worked his way up through all stages of the company. Mark loves animals and the outdoors. He tries to spend as much time at the range as possible or hanging out with the pups.

How to Prepare for an Extended Power Outage

An extended power outage is not an uncommon occurrence, especially during the stormy season. All it takes is one bolt of lightning or downed tree to crash into a power line and plunge your entire neighborhood—or even your entire city—into complete darkness. Power is usually restored within a matter of minutes. But what if your power is out for hours, days or weeks?

It’s not an unlikely scenario. The United States’ electrical grid is old, fragile and woefully underfunded. Storms and natural disasters continually threaten our aging grid, some of which can potentially result in blackouts that leave Americans without power for weeks.

A little preparedness can go a long way in lessening the impact of an extended power outage on you and your family. Below, here are a few things you can do to better prepare for a power outage.

Make Your Food Last

Food spoilage is often a big concern during and after an extended power outage, and rightfully so. No one wants to get sent to the emergency room for food poisoning. In addition to stocking your pantry full of shelf-stable foods, it’s important to know how to keep perishable food cold in the case of a power outage.

Avoid Opening the Refrigerator/Freezer Door – Try to limit how much you open the refrigerator/freezer door. Each time you open the door, you’re letting out precious cold air and, thereby, reducing the storage time of your perishable food.
Know the Safety Threshold – A packed refrigerator can remain at a safe temperature for about four hours. A packed freezer can maintain a safe temperature for about 48 hours.
Keep a Spare Cooler – If you’re coming up on four hours, transfer your perishable food items to a couple of hard coolers packed with ice. Be sure to read up on how to pack a cooler properly to keep your items cooler for as long as possible.
Consider Using Dry Ice – Using dry ice in your cooler can also be beneficial in the case of an extended power outage. Dry ice (which is simply frozen carbon dioxide) is extremely cold and can keep your perishable foods colder for longer in an emergency. If you don’t know how to use dry ice in a cooler, don’t worry—it’s not complicated. Just be sure to handle dry ice with care (always use gloves) and use a cooler that is considered dry ice compatible.

Read: The UBER Guide to DIY Food Storage with Mylar Bags, O2 Absorbers and Buckets!

Procure Safe Drinking Water

You always need some bottled water in your preps!

When the power goes out, your water purification system may be impacted. This largely depends on where you get your water. If you have city water, you’ll probably have water until the city water tower runs out. Private wells, on the other hand, require electricity to work properly.

Stock Up on Bottled Water – No matter where you get your water from, it’s critical to have an emergency water supply ready. You should store at least one gallon of water per day for every person and pet in your household. Aim for a two-week supply for everyone.
Have an Emergency Water Source – In the case of an extended power outage, you may need to source your water from nature. To ensure that your water is safe to drink, consider keeping water purification tablets and unscented liquid chlorine bleach in the house.
Do Not Drink Carbonated/Caffeinated/Alcoholic Beverages – Don’t count these beverages as part of your water supply! Alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages will dehydrate your body faster and increase the need for regular drinking water.

Invest in Emergency Lighting

Once a power outage occurs, you’ll be left in the dark. The last thing you want to do is scramble through a dark house for a flashlight that doesn’t even work. Having multiple sources of emergency lighting is crucial to finding your way around for however long the power outage lasts.

Flashlights – Pick up some quality flashlights that are made to last and store them in different areas of your house. This way, you’ll never be far from a light source when the power goes out.
Glow Sticks – Glow sticks are a good source of temporary light for your home. Added bonus: the kids will love them.
Solar Lights – In the case of a prolonged outage, you can bring your outdoor solar yard lights inside to light your home. Just remember to put them back outside during the day so they can recharge.
Propane Lantern – Although it may be an old school lighting option, a propane lantern is a reliable source of light that you can use for any emergency.

Read: Lights Out! NW Houston Edition: Lessons for Non-Preppers!

Build a Blackout Bag

You’ve probably heard about a bug out bag before, but what about a blackout bag? It’s a similar concept. A blackout bag is simply an emergency kit stocked with items you’ll need in the event of an extended power outage. Although your kit should be personalized to suit your needs, there are a few essential items that we recommend stocking in your blackout bag.

Flashlight – You should have several flashlights, one of which is stored in your blackout bag. Don’t forget batteries!
Headlamp – Consider adding a quality headlamp to your blackout kit. It will be useful for when you’re rummaging around in the dark and need to use both hands.
Portable Phone Charger – If your phone wasn’t fully charged before the power outage, you’ll be glad to have a portable phone charger to keep your cell phone alive.
A Fan/Mister – Keep in mind that most power outages occur during the hot, humid months. If you live in the South, a fan/mister will help keep you cool when the AC stops working.
Hand Warmers – Although power outages are more common in the summer, they can also happen in the winter. In addition to blankets and sleeping bags, make sure that you have enough hand warmers for everyone in your family.
Medical Supplies – A first aid kit is a must-have for any blackout bag. If you or a family member is taking medications, consider stocking a few extra medications to get you through an extended power outage.
Emergency Radio – An emergency radio is one of those items that you buy while hoping you’ll never need to use it. But, in case you find yourself in a crazy storm, an emergency radio can potentially save your life by giving you invaluable weather updates and other emergency alerts.
Emergency Generator – OK, so you can’t exactly fit an emergency generator into a bag, but it’s something you may want to consider having in case the power goes out. A standby generator can supply emergency power to keep your household operating normally until electricity returns. Just remember to keep it away from the house to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Read: The Bugout Formula – If You Have to Ask Yourself, It’s Already Too Late!

Emergency Outdoor Lights — Solar powered landscape lights work well for emergency backup lighting.

Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best

While most power outages are nothing more than a minor inconvenience, prolonged blackouts can prove deadly. A little preparedness can do more than just reduce the impact of a power outage on your family. It can potentially save lives.

Author: Kyle Shaw is an avid outdoors man who has spent the last 4 years traveling and backpacking around the world. His favorite activities are fly fishing, hiking and snowboarding in these new places. Due to the current circumstances he has returned to his home base, Jackson Hole and has begun blogging about his experiences.

10 Common Sense Things You Should Be Doing RIGHT NOW!

Lay in a supply of postage stamps. Alot of things can still be done using the mail. Your outgoing and incoming mail are ideal for social distancing and obtaining supplies… especially items that are hard to find at retailers, even during normal times. Purchase stamps using the mail or online.
Take advantage of curbside grocery pickup. This is a no brainer. Find a store that allows you to assemble an order and pay online, for pickup at a designated time. This allows you to strategically think about what to buy.
Devise a method to make bread. If you have a bread machine, get it out and set it up for use. You need flour, sugar, yeast, oil and salt.
Plant, and prepare to plant, vegetables. If you have a lawn, you can grow vegetables. If you have a deck or patio, you can grow vegetables. Seeds, water, sunshine and work.
Get some bleach and learn how to use it. Bleach is a powerful disinfectant. You can substitute dry bleach if necessary: “Pool Shock”
Setup a place to isolate a sick person. They need a separate place to lay down, with as much isolation as possible. Stock it with some water, a bucket and easy-to-eat food.
Fill the gas tank of your vehicle. A working vehicle with a tank of gas gives you options… Including a temporary place to shelter in the extreme circumstance of a house fire, or other disaster.
Store some water. You can’t store too much water. Empty pop bottles are perfect for this application.
Buy a solar panel. There are all kinds of inexpensive setups available made for charging handheld devices and flashlights. This gives you options if the power cuts out.
Eat healthy and exercise. You don’t want to go anywhere near sick people at a health care facility now.

Author Bio: Michael from Michigan is a long time prepper, gardener and family man.

A Guide to Assessing & Responding to Emergency Situations

Emergency situations can occur at any time. Basic emergency preparedness is an essential skill for survival. Here’s a guide that walks you through each step of assessing and responding to emergency incidents. This guide focuses more on medical emergencies and crime-related incidents.

Emergency Planning

Emergencies are inevitable, and planning keeps you ahead of the game. While you can’t prepare or plan for everything, you can get ready for emergent situations that happen more frequently. When you prepare mentally, as well as logistically, you increase your ability to help someone, possibly saving their life. Practice and logistical preparation mean that you have the tools you need and the knowledge to assist in most crisis situations. Natural disasters, fires, traffic crashes, and building collapses are just some of the emergency situations you may have to face. Keep basic emergency supplies such as a medical kit and blanket in your car and in your house for a quicker response.

Don’t Panic if You Find Yourself Near or in an Emergency Situation

Panicking is bad during a crisis. With practice and preparation, you’re less likely to panic because you’ll know how to handle the situation and what to expect. Firefighters certainly don’t panic when the alarm sounds for a fire. They have the right tools and plan regularly. While you may not be a firefighter, you, too, can enter a zen-like state during an emergency. Things will flow smoothly, and you’ll be more help with practice.

Evaluate and Assess

Your body’s natural fight or flight response might kick in, and you may only have a few seconds to assess the situation. Consider your options and do your best to stay calm and collected.

Should you evacuate the area?
Who do you call for help?
Should everyone who is involved shelter in place?
If you’re inside a building, where are your exits?

See who is on the scene and what they’re doing. Take charge of the scene immediately if anyone is injured or in danger. Some bystanders will completely ignore the incident, assuming someone else will help. This is a psychological response known as the bystander effect. Some people simply become overwhelmed and shut down during emergency situations. You may need to give them explicit instructions and lead them, but, generally, they step up and follow your lead.

Get Help

If you’re too busy assessing the situation and evaluating patient care, give direct orders to people who can get you the help you need. Give specific directions such as “You! Call 911 now. Get help!” Getting bystanders to summon the help you need lets you get back to triage.

Consider the Environment Around You

Always be aware of your surroundings. Yes, essentially, you need eyes in the back of your head. You don’t know who’s a danger to you or the people around you that you’re trying to help. Remember that when you’re stressed or experiencing tunnel vision, you may not be aware of the dangers right next to you. It should seem obvious not to render aid to a person right next to a burning vehicle, but we don’t always think clearly in emergency situations. Look at all the environmental factors affecting the incident scene. Make sure it’s safe to help. Most emergency scenes are unsecured in the early stages. If the emergency involves a building on fire, don’t rush in. If you’re in the roadway, there may be no traffic control if law enforcement hasn’t arrived yet.

The crisis could involve an active shooting scene. Self-defense is critical in these instances, and you shouldn’t do anything dangerous. You never know if the suspect is still in the area waiting to ambush anyone who attempts to help. Keeping self-defense weapons on hand and in your car and on your person may save you and any victims’ lives.

Fires cause structural instability in buildings, gas leaks can cause hazardous conditions, and vehicle fires are just plain unsafe. Be careful of power lines down at emergency scenes as well. Don’t touch vehicles on fire or try to move electrical lines unless you have the training to do so. If someone is in a burning vehicle, this may be the one time you can move an injured person to save them from perishing in a fire. Just be aware of hazards at the scene and try to get injured people as far away from them as possible. It’s important to save lives, but make sure you don’t become a victim too.

Triage

Grab your first aid or trauma kit. Check which victim or victims need help the worst. Check their breathing and check for bleeding. Remember the CABs of life support. That’s right. It’s not the ABCs anymore. Instead of checking the airway, breathing, and chest compressions, the American Heart Association changed the sequence to chest compressions, airway, breathing. The change was because chest compressions were often delayed. With compressions first, blood flow gets to the vital organs quicker. Try to stop any bleeding that you can. Look for signs of shock and fractures or broken bones. Access them as well as you can, depending on your safety and the circumstances. Loosen restrictive clothing if it’s interfering with circulation or breathing. If feasible, check for any emergency medical ID bracelets or necklaces that can give more information to first responders.

Don’t give anyone unconscious anything by mouth. They may choke. Don’t move someone with injuries, unless they’re next to a car on fire or near any other hazard. You can make their injuries worse or even paralyze them. Only move them if the hazard is life-threatening. Keep victims quiet and as calm as possible. Try to keep them from moving and keep them warm. If you carry a blanket with you, it can help keep patients from going into shock, which further complicates the emergency.

Emergency situations can occur anytime and anywhere. Preparation and training provide you with the skills you need to tackle just about anything. Keep calm and remain in control, and you’ll always handle a crisis efficiently and effectively.

Author’s Bio – Dave Artman is the founder and CEO of The Home Security Superstore. Every month he uses his expertise to produce content focused around the six important areas of personal well being; security, self-defense, surveillance, spy, safety and survival. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and all things outdoors.