A little placeholder to write an introduction to emergency preparedness, and to note that I have promised to write at least the following:
- general preparedness
- water storage and purification specifically
- long shelf-life food
- first aid
- evacuation bags (“go-bags”) and what should be in them
- the difference between battery types and how to best store them
—
There are a whole lot of different disasters that can occur – Civil Defence lists a few options – so if you tried to create an individual plan, or plans, for every possibility you would be working on them for a long time.
Instead, we focus on six different impacts – three to do with your location and three to do with lifeline utilities.
These are:
- Stuck at home
- Can’t get home
- Must evacuate from home
- No power
- No water
- No phone or internet
Plan around those impacts, and you know your plan will be versatile and effective. Start with this page and see where it takes you. It doesn’t cover everything (“no supply lines” is noticeably missing) but it’s a good start.
Using those impacts as a guide: you want a certain level of supplies at home, a smaller more specialised amount of stuff for an evacuation bag, and a different smaller amount of stuff in your EDC/purse/bag/work locker/car boot for if you can’t get home.
“EveryDay Carry (EDC)” (also known as “what have I got in my purse”) is very subjective. You may not want to carry a spare pair of comfortable walking shoes with you when you go out to dinner in high heels. If you go clubbing on the town, then security are not likely to even let you in with a backpack. It’s all about compromise based on your level of comfort. My keyring includes a pencil sharpener. Do I use a pencil sharpener all that often? More than you’d expect, but also it’s small and light and it’s my emotional support pencil sharpener. Don’t judge me.
At minimum, I recommend carrying a phone (doubles as a torch), wallet with extra cash, keys, and if possible a powerbank and charging cable. Bonus points for painkillers and sticking plasters.
If it’s a small stash in your car, desk or locker, you have more leeway. (Car should include vehicle-specific equipment like jumper cables.) Depending on your situation you may be able to store some spare things at a friend’s or family member’s place, and vice versa.
More on all of these stash styles to come!
