Notes

The Top 5 Simple ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE to Be Ready For Anything
We are busy people. And for reasons uknown we have a tendency to take care of things that are urgent however, not important before we spending some time on those things which are not urgent yet important. That alone might explain our tendency toward the fast-paced busyness that defines our lives. Because we are so caught up in those urgent little details of life I wanted to produce a simple package that could help prepare you for all those rare, yet life-altering events that catch us by surprise and not in a great way. Nassim Nicholas Taleb, an expert in financial derivatives and the author of the hugely successful book The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, would argue that it is far more good for one's survival to pay close attention to, and prepare for those things which are unlikely to happen but would have an enormous impact over those things which occur frequently but are of little consequence in your life, relatively speaking.

For example, it's strongly suggested to have some type of fire insurance on your own house and/or possessions. Despite the fact that it's unlikely your home and everything in it will rise in smoke, it will be devastating to have to displace everything from scratch. In contrast, many people spend lots of time dealing with calls and e-mails that aren't important and have little to no effect on their productivity, safety or well-being.

The purpose of this guide is not to tell you to stop wasting time on unimportant things, you can find enough voices for the reason that choir already, the purpose is to give you some ideas on how to fit in a few critical tasks which will give you piece of mind now and in rough times. As that is an evolving process, I encourage your feedback and comments.

1. The Emergency Kit

Some people refer to this as a Bug Out Bag or BOB. There are always a million variations on this and a lot of lists available online if you have the time and need to go in search of them and likewise have the time and money to go searching for the items to put in your kit. I've been working on my very own kit for about a year now and I often feel it's incomplete. I made a decision to create something very easy that many people could put together with items within their home already in order to avoid the dangerous and paralyzing procrastination surrounding the production of a crisis kit.

The fastest solution to do this is to buy a kit already made. Both disadvantages with a ready-made kit are that the kit is really a one size fits all and it might not fit you, and it's likely very costly. Feel free to look online for a ready made kit to be able to skip this task, otherwise read on.

There are three important elements that we need to survive. Shelter, water and food. For some reason it's typically written as food, water and shelter which is strange because that's actually in the reverse order of importance. Why is shelter first, you ask? Consider the rules of three. The average indivdual can survive for three weeks without food, three days without water and around three hours without protection from sun and rain. Therefore shelter is definitely your priority. Shelter may take many forms from the roof over your mind to your shoes and clothing. No real matter what the weather there's some kind of risk because of exposure. In the summertime the chance is from the sun in the form of a sunburn or heatstroke or rapid dehydration. A sunburn can be an injury to the skin that uses your body's resources to fight the injury, resources which are very valuable in a higher stakes situation. In the spring and fall rain or other water sources are a menace, soaking your clothes along with other valuable survival what to keep you warm and safe. In prolonged contact with cold water or when the temperatures drop during the night, wet clothing can quickly result in hypothermia and death without adequate treatment. I don't believe I need to enter the risks of exposure in the wintertime, especially the Canadian winters where I live.

Water is fairly straightforward, but where can you get clean drinking water if you can't start the tap or break open a fresh bottle of spring water? Many of us are surrounded by water that we can't drink as well as use to bathe so we need to either carry water, which is heavy and will quickly run out, or we need to devise a way to clean the water without a complex filtration system. Unless of course you fancy carrying around a filtering and also have one in your closet right now.

Food is really a nice luxury in an emergency situation. We'll cover it a little bit but for short term emergencies it's not the best priority.

These three elements give a good notion what simple things you can throw into your emergency kit that might be lying throughout the house or can be purchased on your way home from work tomorrow. Take into account that this kit will outfit a couple of adults and you'll have to make adjustments to consider other family member's needs.

You don't need a special bag to put this stuff in unless you have one. A backpack is most beneficial but a good pillowcase or fabric shopping bag will suffice. As long as you put the kit within an an easy task to reach place you have to be able to evacuate your home or office in 30 seconds or less.

If you are really tight for time here's the bare minimum for a basic kit:

o Bottle of water

o Emergency blanket

o 2 methods for starting a fire

o A good knife

o Chocolate or perhaps a few hard candies

o A little bit of cash (whatever you can spare)

The rest is gravy so start adding items as you think of them. Below are a few suggestions for a more robust kit:

Shelter

o A tarp or tent, when you have one. A few ropes or bungee cords are helpful here but not required.

o OR a few durable garbage bags are better than nothing. Be sure they're the truly heavy ones rather than the regular bags. You will end up using your supplies hard within an emergency and you want them to last so long as possible.

o Hat, mitts and scarf

o Pair of warm socks (cotton isn't warm but wool is)

o A foil emergency blanket is warm, compact and waterproof. You probably don't have several lying throughout the house, so I recommend purchasing one for each family member. They are not expensive, are easy to find and take up hardly any space. Failing that, throw in a sleeping bag or a blanket. Wool is most beneficial but anything you have will suffice for the present time.

Water

o Several bottles of normal water. These can be reused to get more water later.

o And/or a water filter system, in case you have one. You will still need 2 bottles, one to gather dirty water and the other to place clean water into. Never mix up your bottles or you'll contaminate your drinking supply.

o Water purification tablets, or household bleach (not the type for fabric) or iodine. Once you have added these items to your kit spend a couple of minutes learning what level of chemical to add to the water. An excessive amount of could make you sick but too little can make you even more sick. Write down the directions for your clean water potion and keep it together with your kit because you're bound to your investment formula.

o Small, clean cloth to greatly help filter water from a raw source.

Food

o Compact, high energy snacks that do not require water or cooking like nuts or power bars.

o Hard candies

o Chocolate (careful, it melts!)

Other Necessities

o A sharp, good quality knife. You cannot do much of anything without this. In fact, it is possible to pack nothing but a decent knife and survive in virtually any situation. This is actually the one thing you might not already have in the home that you will need to buy. In the meantime, make a quick and dirty cardboard sheath for a vintage kitchen knife and throw that in your kit. You really should have a knife sharpener too or at least ensure your kitchen knife is already sharp. A Swiss Army style knife will also make due here. A locking blade is recommended but any knife is preferable to no knife.

o A way to start multiple fires. You will find a saying by survivalists that three is two, two is one and something is none. more info want at least two sources of fire in your kit. Grab some matches and a lighter to start. You might also desire to smear a few cotton balls with Vaseline and put them in your kit (in a container of course). Fluff up the ball when you need it and you'll get a nice firestarter from it. It only takes a second to do. There are many other ways to start out fires and you could add those tools in the future if you need to.

o A metal container or tin-foil to boil water so that you can purify it. Tin foil is a good addition to any kit because it has many uses. Fold it up into a small packet also it takes up very little space.

o Duct tape. I'm sure you're alert to many uses because of this. Instead of going for a whole roll work with a straw, chopstick or pencil (could also be used for writing) and roll your personal mini roll in order that you don't take up an excessive amount of space or weight in your bag.

o Fishing line and a hook or paper clips. You need to use the line to tie down a tarp, repair something or even to catch dinner. It's light and occupies very little space.

o Some cash or other styles of payment. You're likely to still be in or near an urban centre when something goes wrong so it is smart to carry a number of different types of payment with you. You may want credit cards although cash is (almost) always accepted so put as much as it is possible to in your emergency kit. In case you only have $20 to spare today put that in and put in a reminder into your calendar to add more on payday. You might need it to purchase food or water for the family to stay in a motel a ways out of town until you find other sleeping arrangements.

o Medicine. If you or a relative require medication make sure you pack enough for a week or more and check the expiry every 4-6 months and rotate your stock.

o First Aid Supplies. You may want several bandages, polysporin and something to clean wounds. A little cut is normally a non-issue for most people however in a survival situation it could mean life or death if it gets infected and there is little or no medical attention available.

o Wind up flashlight. Headlamps are also highly useful so pack one plus a spare battery. Wind ups are great because they don't require batteries. Unless you have either of these throw in any old flashlight and spare batteries.

o Soap or hand sanitizer. These things have many uses besides causing you to smell nice. When you don't have the blissful luxury of the lifestyle we enjoy currently you can't risk infection or contamination. Soap may also become a lubricant in some instances which may can be found in handy.

Nice to Have

These are things that are nice to possess but unless you have the space, time or the extra items on hand don't sweat it. You can add these items later or simply just forget about them and go about your day in peace understanding that you're already prepared for the worst.

o Toiletries are great simply for making you feel normal when life is anything but. They can also be traded for other activities. Throw in a few toothbrushes assuming you have them.

o Spare clothes may be used to keep you warm, keep the sun and bugs off you or can be ripped or cut up and used in many other ways. They are able to also be sold or traded for other necessities.

o Batteries are important in the event that you feel the urge to carry some electronic devices in your kit. Also, they are highly valuable trading commodities and don't take up an excessive amount of space.

o Additional, easy-to-prepare food when you have enough time, space and money.

o A list of people to contact and their phone numbers and addresses. In the event that you forgot your mobile phone or the battery dies at the very least you don't have to memorize all this info, although that would be ideal.

o Something fun and useful just like a pack of cards. There is no shortage of games that can be played with cards to help keep morale up and have a break from the circumstances. And they may be used as kindling if required.

It might appear to be a lot, but as I've mentioned previously there are many items that are not totally essential to put your mind relaxed. You could have a kit like this in your house, office and/or car depending on how ambitious you are. You will get creative and make little modifications like having an emergency blanket - the ultra thin foil sheet - rather than a tarp or a sleeping bag to save lots of space. The key would be to spend an evening at home collecting these basic items in a bag and having it prepared to be grabbed at a moments notice. I understand I feel much better having my kit near the front door. And if I never need to use it that's fine with me. Just as I hope to never need to use my fire insurance.

IMPORTANT: Just having a kit is greater than having nothing yet the items in your kit are not highly functional if you don't know how to utilize them. After you have packed your kit find about 20 minutes to apply using a few of the tools to be able to perform under great pressure if need be. Establishing a shelter, starting a fire and purifying water will be the three most important skills to practice.

Don't have time to practice? Go over it in your mind as often as possible or watch online videos to get ideas.

2. Remain Calm

In essence, this can be a most important section of any preparedness plan. It is a trait that is rather difficult to develop amid an emergency situation without the assistance of a heavy sedative. Therefore, prior learning and preparation is require. Understanding how to calm yourself will not be easy but it can be simple. A lot of us live in a constant state of mild tension. We are so accustomed to this declare that it feels like we have been relaxed because we haven't known any different for years. It's time to retrain the body and the mind to enter a relaxed state at will.

To begin you may find that having just a little the help of some natural calming remedies helps to remind you what it feels as though to be relaxed. You may also want to put some of these items in your emergency kit.

o Bach's Rescue Remedy is a tincture that will come in a little glass bottle and comes from homeopathically prepared flower extracts. It is soothe and comfort in times of stress. I always keep some on hand since I tend to keep plenty of tension in my own jaw (TMJ) also it really helps to provide relief when I've forgotten how to relax for a period of time.

o Nerval Tonic from Flora is really a soothing tea that's not only delicious it includes a strong relaxing effect. I have found that it's difficult to acquire this tea at natural food stores every once in awhile so when I really do find it I tend to stock up. Please note that tea contains liquorice extract which is not recommended for pregnant women.

o There are a variety of other teas that also have calming properties. Search for ingredients like chamomile or valerian root. Chamomile could cause allergy symptoms in individuals who are prone to plant allergies so try all calming remedies before you should employ them.

Being truly a meditation master, although helpful, isn't necessary to cultivate a calm mind and body. A simple way to begin this relaxation process is to notice any time you feel stressed, pause for a moment and locate where in fact the tension is. Are you currently holding it in a particular part of your system? What does it feel just like? Describe it, note any colours or images linked to the tension. Be sure you breathe so when you do imagine the breath entering that section of the body, taking the tension away as you breathe out. You may need to do this many times before you begin to feel relief. If you need to, seek some assistance in the form of a relaxing tea or natural remedy. When you're new to this sometimes you have to throw a few resources at the strain in order to understand what a relaxed state feels like.

It may seem as if you can't afford to take any moment from what you're doing and all of your deadlines so that you can relax. The difference a relaxed state makes to your focus and performance is so remarkable you truly can't afford not to. I suspect that most people, running around in a state of mini-crisis more often than not, have no idea what we're missing.

At the very least, if you remember nothing else, just remember to breathe (in AND out).

Here are some other simple answers to start you on the road to a calm self:

o Are you currently getting enough water, nutrients or sleep? Usually a lack in any of these areas can result in stress on the body. I have a feeling you already know which ones are in short supply that you experienced.

o Intense physical activity is which can reduce stress and a many other benefits. This can take any form you like from running up and down the stairs at work, swimming, cycling, frisbee and a romp in the bedroom. Whatever you're motivated to do find a way to fit it into your schedule and make it a top priority.

o Smile! It appears ridiculous, especially in public areas for no reason at all or in the center of an emergency, however the results are well documented. Try it at this time and see on your own. This fast, simple technique can be applied anytime, anywhere and has no adverse unwanted effects.

o Concentrate on facts not stories. In lifestyle or in an emergency situation you can find the facts and there is what everyone makes it mean. If you concentrate on the facts you concentrate on the truth in fact it is from the perspective of truth where the best decisions are made. This will allow you to reassert control over a predicament and prevent you from over-thinking and avoiding action.

By understanding how to remain calm you can dramatically enhance your performance within an emergency situation.

3. You Are Not Your Stuff

Typically we become fearful or stressed when we feel we have been losing something. It may be as intense as losing someone you care about or losing our job to little things such as losing a wallet. The reason being we think that our stuff is who we are, it defines us, and we are in need of that stuff to continue on. The people inside our lives can also be considered our stuff because it's quite common to feel a sense of ownership over us and friends. It could be hard to psychologically release ownership of the people in your life but you can start small with the physical items that you own.

This can be a lengthy growth process and can be an ongoing experience so to make it simple all you need to do is remind yourself that you will be not your stuff. Somehow you began at birth with nothing and have were able to create quite an extraordinary existence on your own out of so little resources. Along the way you've learned a lot and that knowledge can't be extracted from you. Nearly everything in our lives can be replaced and with the experience you have had you can create something fresh and more advanced than what existed before.

Although it usually will not seem like it at the time, breakdowns and loss often come with a silver lining and when we are patient these difficult times will likely prove to be a great blessing.

4. Go Without

It may not appear to be a good time however in reality it is a fun and simple experiment. At least once a month spend 1 day or a day without some kind of modern convenience. Unplug all your electrical devices for 4 hours on a Sunday or switch off the lights and play a card game by candle light or spend a winter night sleeping outside in the yard in a tent.

There are no rules or restrictions - you invent those yourself. The purpose of this exercise is to assist you and the people you live with become accustomed to living without modern conveniences in order that if you do have to go without it's not a shock. This exercise will also expand your idea of what's possible in situations that seem to be less than ideal. Furthermore, it also gets the added good thing about bringing family and friends together which brings us to the ultimate simple step...

5. Build Community

Undertaking the suggestions in this workbook is not normal. These 5 steps aren't the forms of activities most people take part in and you'll find, if you haven't already, that some people think being prepared for anything extreme is a waste of time. Besides, the federal government will take care of these, right?

If you don't think that and don't look for a large amount of support around you I encourage you to keep looking. There are numerous people out there, most of them flying under the radar, who believe that preparedness is important. So as to stay on task also to reassure yourself you are not crazy it's wise to find a minumum of one other person you can talk to who shares your fascination with this topic. You'll find the support helpful, reassuring and, probably, advantageous. It's hard to take care of everything yourself, which why we've always needed community in order to survive and to live a full and satisfied life.

You can join a local community or start your own. If you are in the Southern Ontario area check out the Toronto Survivalism Group on meetup[dot]com. If you'd like some help with starting your own community please feel absolve to contact me.

Best wishes,

Laurie Varga

Laurie Varga is and emergency preparedness enthusiast, tree hugger, business owner and the Founder of Seed+Stone.

Please be aware that you, the individual is ultimately in charge of you possess safety and well being. Please practice caution and good judgment in virtually any situation. The author is not liable for anything that may occur as the result of applying the information presented in the following paragraphs.
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