# 4389
Evacuations of low lying coastal areas have been called for in Hawaii, and no doubt, have (or will be) issued in other regions of the Pacific as the scope of today’s Tsunami becomes better defined.
Whether it be due to a Tsunami, earthquake, flash flood, hurricane, or fire . . . sometimes you need to get out of Dodge in a hurry. And being prepared for that contingency can make all of the difference in the world.
Ready.gov has long advocated that everyone be ready with a bugout bag, emergency supplies for sheltering in place, and most importantly . . . an emergency plan.
Last year FEMA declared 59 major disasters in the United States.
In 2008, there were 75. Hurricanes, ice storms, blizzards, wild fires, floods, severe storms, earthquakes . . . you name it . . . we live on a dangerous planet.
All of which points out the need to be prepared for emergencies, no matter what the cause.
Disasters happen.
And so you need to have adequate emergency supplies (including a good first aid kit), to care for your family for at least the first 72 hours following a natural disaster.
Other good places to get preparedness information include:
FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm
AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/
As a former paramedic, I can’t stress enough the importance of having a good first aid kit at home, and in your car. And just as important, learning how to properly use one.
Taking a first-aid course, and CPR training, are both investments that could pay off big someday, for you, and for your loved ones.
I’ve written on the necessity to have a `to go’, or bug out bag (BOB), several times in the past, including a tour of my own bag.
Inside My Bug Out Bag
What About BOB?
For a complete description, follow the link to Inside My Bug Out Bag, but here are a few pictures of what I keep at the ready 24/7.
The next disaster may strike with little or no notice. You and your family may have only seconds to react. Being ready means you can go on with life without worrying obsessively about those things you cannot predict or control.
As I tell people:
Preparing is easy. Worrying is hard.
