Are you ready for an emergency?

[w4wtf]

This is something that every household should do, and every person should do…but few do.

Imagine right now if a firefighter or cop came to your door and said (insert emergency here- chemical spill, flood, wildfire etc) was happening and you had to evacuate now. You have 5 minutes to grab everything you need.

Could you?

All hams have read and seen reports of how long it takes for help to come in any emergency. The standard estimate is 72 hours.

Can you care for yourself and your family, wherever you need to go, with what you can grab in less than 5 minutes, for at least 72 hours?

Every responsible person and household should have a 72 hour kit packed and ready to go… not just to take care of yourself, but to ease the burden on emergency responders because so many will not be prepared.

So if that knock on your door comes, are you ready? The water came to my door several years ago and I was not, luckily I made out because family was un affected…. Next time I will not be so unprepared or dependant upon others.

Are you prepared?

[kd5kfl]

This is why I have a motorhome. Keep the tanks full, or empty, depending on their function. Start it once a week. One week of clothing, canned food, et cetera.

[N2RJ]

Yes.

I have a "mobile ham shack" and lots of canned food.

Also have a tent in a bag and a blow up air bed and I know where they are.

[w4wtf]

Here is the list we came up with when doing a program on this at our last ham club meeting:


72 Hour Kits

Pack…comfortable for the user.
Food, minimum of 4 MRE’s or equivalent
Fire starting material
Poncho
Light/wool blanket + space blanket
Large trash bags
3-6qts water plus purification tablets/filter
All medications- 1-2week supply
Basic first aid kit
Radio
Seasonal change of clothing
Candles
Flashlight
Nylon cord
Socks
Soap and washcloth
Toilet paper
Knife/
Spoon
Cash in small bills
Copies of important documents

In vehicle
5 Gallons Water
5 gallons Fuel
Sleeping bags
Tent
Extra food
Tools

Tips:
Standard battery sizes
Ponchos can be both wet weather protection and shelter
Buy quality….your life depends on it.
Rotate stocks of food, medicine, water every few months.
Pack most needed items on top and in side pockets.

[n2ize]

Evacuate ?? Yeah right. Not from a place like this.

[w4wtf]

Quote[/b] (n2ize @ July 15 2007,18:41)]Evacuate ?? Yeah right. Not from a place like this.
Even so, should your home, block, or several blocks be evacuated... can you get by on your own then wherever you may end up?

[KI4PJW]

BUGOUT bags for all in the house are a must.
Live less than 1,000 yards from RR tracks. With the train derailment in Graniteville, SC a little while back, many in our area have figured out they need a PLAN.

[W4INF]

2.5KW gen
A few gals of gasoline
3 tanks of propane
propane lanterns (Gotta love Coleman!)

many other assorted goodies and odds and ends...

And plenty of .223 ammo. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KC9ECI]

Yes. The wife has been instructed where to go for various situations. If it hits that fan to the point that we're evacuating the town, I'm already up to my behind in alligators.

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (W4INF @ July 15 2007,20:01)]2.5KW gen
A few gals of gasoline
3 tanks of propane
propane lanterns (Gotta love Coleman!)

many other assorted goodies and odds and ends...

And plenty of .223 ammo. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I am going to ask what kind of .223 or I would assume 5.56 ammo (yes there is a difference), because the green tipped stuff isn't going to be as good as you think it is. Thats unfortuantly what most people buy to.

[w4wtf]

Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,20:39)]Quote[/b] (W4INF @ July 15 2007,20:01)]2.5KW gen
A few gals of gasoline
3 tanks of propane
propane lanterns (Gotta love Coleman!)

many other assorted goodies and odds and ends...

And plenty of .223 ammo. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I am going to ask what kind of .223 or I would assume 5.56 ammo (yes there is a difference), because the green tipped stuff isn't going to be as good as you think it is. #Thats unfortuantly what most people buy to.
The SS109 round is good for some stuff... not so much for others.

Just gotta choose the right round for the job.

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (w4wtf @ July 15 2007,20:42)]Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,20:39)]Quote[/b] (W4INF @ July 15 2007,20:01)]2.5KW gen
A few gals of gasoline
3 tanks of propane
propane lanterns (Gotta love Coleman!)

many other assorted goodies and odds and ends...

And plenty of .223 ammo. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I am going to ask what kind of .223 or I would assume 5.56 ammo (yes there is a difference), because the green tipped stuff isn't going to be as good as you think it is. Thats unfortuantly what most people buy to.
The SS109 round is good for some stuff... not so much for others.

Just gotta choose the right round for the job.
Thats not exactly true and the SS109 is actually not american its british etc. The almost identical round is called the M855, and it is green tipped as well. Heres the issue. The bullet depending on range barrel length, barrel wear etc, can actaully not do what it was designed to.

In the photo below you will see two M855 rounds. The white line is the depth gauged for best perfromance in a direct shot to the chest, while th yellow would be a side shot into the arm.

As you can see there is a big issue. Two soldiers can shoot at people and one guy will claim 7 hits and the guy ran away, while another shot 2 times and has a dead body. Both soldiers hit there mark and maybe even center mass, but got two different results from the same batch of rounds, and from seemingly identical rifles.

The conclusion? M855/SS109 isn't a round the average citizen should use for self defense or hunting.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/InfernoMDM/lightfighter/40052-MilitaryAssaultRifleWPcopy.jpg

[al2i]

I use the full metal jacket boat tail version of the 7.62x.51 http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (al2i @ July 15 2007,21:11)]I use the full metal jacket boat tail version of the 7.62x.51 http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
A decent round but I recommend you get hollow points. They are far more effective and give you a better chance of putting a animal/human down without wasting rounds. If you aren't a competition shooter, or out plinking ball ammo should be left at home.

[w4wtf]

Wound ballistics invovlve more than just wound channels or penetration. There is a school of thought out there that says that minimal penetration..and therefore maximum energy transfer, are desired.

That said, round placement is the #1 factor.

A primary factor in ammunition selection should not just be terminal performance in flesh, but also in things that may be bewteen the muzzel and the target.

The M855 round is fine for what it is designed for.

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (KC9ECI @ July 15 2007,19:30)]The wife has been instructed where to go for various situations.
If I tell mine where to go I will probably evacuate my bowels. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Seriously, we have massive forest fires from time to time and my home is surrounded by the same forests. I used to have a "go kit" but let it lapse. Thanks to WTF for making me remember my transgression. Everyone should feel responsible for the basic preparedness of their own family.

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (w4wtf @ July 15 2007,21:17)]Wound ballistics invovlve more than just wound channels or penetration. There is a school of thought out there that says that minimal penetration..and therefore maximum energy transfer, are desired.

That said, round placement is the #1 factor.

A primary factor in ammunition selection should not just be terminal performance in flesh, but also in things that may be bewteen the muzzel and the target.

The M855 round is fine for what it is designed for.
That train of thought died about 10 years ago with better science. Unfortunately the myth of energy transfer (although important) wont help you if the round doesn't penetrate deeply enough. The reality of wound ballistics unfortunately is still lost on about 80% of shooters here in the US.

For instance the old safety slugs that were supposed to do so well were found to break apart and penetrate 4-5 inches upon impact. Add a jacket, going through a rib etc and all you have done is scare and probably anger the person you just shot.

First, what is between you and the target really has squat to do with hollow points. When a 50 call can be made to keyhole by sticks no thicker then a pencil, and the target is less then 10 feet behind the sticks don't think a smaller round will do better.

If you don't believe me you need to go and check out 10-8forums and other places where the leaders of the field, and the science resides, not grampa's backyard assumption.

P.S. If the M855 round was designed to kill someone within 1-2 shots I think it has a major flaw. If the round zips through you, or doesn't go deep enough it wont kill most people or animals fast enough giving them time to kill you.

[VO1GXG]

if something happened in this town the NL government or emergency associates would not bother trying to help . i havent seen a police car in 3 years ! . Our firefighters are nick named " The Pouch Cove Foundation Savers ".

[kd7msc]

Yep. If we have a flood, fire etc. I will make sure I take the correct ammo. :rock:
Now if you were forced to hunt to provide for you family you would be better off with a shotgun of some sort and a 22 rifle.
Best to have lots of clean water, canned food, fuel and all the other stuff mentioned before this became a gun thread. BTW the emergency, its Bush's fault http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (kd7msc @ July 15 2007,21:29)]Yep. If we have a flood, fire etc. I will make sure I take the correct ammo. :rock:
Now if you were forced to hunt to provide for you family you would be better off with a shotgun of some sort and a 22 rifle.
Best to have lots of clean water, canned food, fuel and all the other stuff mentioned before this became a gun thread. BTW the emergency, its Bush's fault http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
I would say the shotgun is probably the most versitile, but firearms are my caviot, and I like to inform people so they don't do stupid things. It would be like telling a new ham to go to the local truck stop and get a CB radio.

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,13:31)]firearms are my caviot, and I like to inform people so they don't do stupid things. #It would be like telling a new ham to go to the local truck stop and get a CB radio.
10-4

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (VO1GXG @ July 15 2007,20:28)]i havent seen a police car in 3 years !
It used to be like that in Wasilla, and I never felt more safe. Then a new sales tax was voted in that passed by 20-some odd votes and a new police department was started.

Now, I and my business have lost tens of thousands of dollars to the damn tax, and, I cannot get through town without running a virtual gauntlet of cop cars. A few random burglaries would not have cost a tenth so much, and I could prevent those by my own effort.

You are very, very lucky to live in such a wonderful place. Kiss the Canadian earth for me.

[w4wtf]

Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,21:27)]Quote[/b] (w4wtf @ July 15 2007,21:17)]Wound ballistics invovlve more than just wound channels or penetration. There is a school of thought out there that says that minimal penetration..and therefore maximum energy transfer, are desired.

That said, round placement is the #1 factor.

A primary factor in ammunition selection should not just be terminal performance in flesh, but also in things that may be bewteen the muzzel and the target.

The M855 round is fine for what it is designed for.
That train of thought died about 10 years ago with better science. #Unfortunately the myth of energy transfer (although important) wont help you if the round doesn't penetrate deeply enough. #The reality of wound ballistics unfortunately is still lost on about 80% of shooters here in the US.

For instance the old safety slugs that were supposed to do so well were found to break apart and penetrate 4-5 inches upon impact. #Add a jacket, going through a rib etc and all you have done is scare and probably anger the person you just shot.

First, what is between you and the target really has squat to do with hollow points. #When a 50 call can be made to keyhole by sticks no thicker then a pencil, and the target is less then 10 feet behind the sticks don't think a smaller round will do better.

If you don't believe me you need to go and check out 10-8forums and other places where the leaders of the field, and the science resides, not grampa's backyard assumption.

P.S. If the M855 round was designed to kill someone within 1-2 shots I think it has a major flaw. #If the round zips through you, or doesn't go deep enough it wont kill most people or animals fast enough giving them time to kill you.
Actually come on over to AR15.com, no place on the web has had more debate or experts on the M855 round.

It is not perfect, but more than adequate for what it is used for. Coupled with the fact that its price is much more in line for those of use who run through thousands of rounds a year and it looks even better.


Now granted my first mag I grab for close quarters inside the home work is loaded with 75gr Hornady TAP...but that stuff is too expensive, for me at least, for all around use.

[KD7ZRT]

You guys must live in much worse neighborhoods than me if you need to worry about which rifle round is the most effective killer.

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (KD7ZRT @ July 15 2007,20:50)]You guys must live in much worse neighborhoods than me if you need to worry about which rifle round is the most effective killer.
They need the ammo to procure food and essential supplies from you. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[w4wtf]

Quote[/b] (al2i @ July 15 2007,22:00)]Quote[/b] (KD7ZRT @ July 15 2007,20:50)]You guys must live in much worse neighborhoods than me if you need to worry about which rifle round is the most effective killer.
They need the ammo to procure food and essential supplies from you. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Or prevent the reverse!

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (w4wtf @ July 15 2007,21:01)]Quote[/b] (al2i @ July 15 2007,22:00)]Quote[/b] (KD7ZRT @ July 15 2007,20:50)]You guys must live in much worse neighborhoods than me if you need to worry about which rifle round is the most effective killer.
They need the ammo to procure food and essential supplies from you. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Or prevent the reverse!
I am not going to trust you if you are hungry enough OM! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (al2i @ July 15 2007,14:05)]Quote[/b] (w4wtf @ July 15 2007,21:01)]Quote[/b] (al2i @ July 15 2007,22:00)]Quote[/b] (KD7ZRT @ July 15 2007,20:50)]You guys must live in much worse neighborhoods than me if you need to worry about which rifle round is the most effective killer.
They need the ammo to procure food and essential supplies from you. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Or prevent the reverse!
I am not going to trust you if you are hungry enough OM! # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Think he likes HAM? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[al2n]

I live in earthquake country as well as 2000 miles from what most folks consider America.

I have a stash of emergency gear in the house as well as in the shed. In the winter each car has a survival kit as well.

Where I grew up we would get cut off from town every year for a few days. Power outages were normal after a storm. We got along just fine with no support from the outside world for up to two weeks.

I find it hilarious that most folks in this country freak out if they are without power or running water for more than 12 hours anymore.

Katrina was a prime example. Folks standing around the arena screaming for help. Why did they not follow the news trucks that somehow managed to get in there and film all the stuck people?? A complete lack of self reliance will be the downfall of many.

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (w4wtf @ July 15 2007,21:48)]Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,21:27)]Quote[/b] (w4wtf @ July 15 2007,21:17)]Wound ballistics invovlve more than just wound channels or penetration. There is a school of thought out there that says that minimal penetration..and therefore maximum energy transfer, are desired.

That said, round placement is the #1 factor.

A primary factor in ammunition selection should not just be terminal performance in flesh, but also in things that may be bewteen the muzzel and the target.

The M855 round is fine for what it is designed for.
That train of thought died about 10 years ago with better science. Unfortunately the myth of energy transfer (although important) wont help you if the round doesn't penetrate deeply enough. The reality of wound ballistics unfortunately is still lost on about 80% of shooters here in the US.

For instance the old safety slugs that were supposed to do so well were found to break apart and penetrate 4-5 inches upon impact. Add a jacket, going through a rib etc and all you have done is scare and probably anger the person you just shot.

First, what is between you and the target really has squat to do with hollow points. When a 50 call can be made to keyhole by sticks no thicker then a pencil, and the target is less then 10 feet behind the sticks don't think a smaller round will do better.

If you don't believe me you need to go and check out 10-8forums and other places where the leaders of the field, and the science resides, not grampa's backyard assumption.

P.S. If the M855 round was designed to kill someone within 1-2 shots I think it has a major flaw. If the round zips through you, or doesn't go deep enough it wont kill most people or animals fast enough giving them time to kill you.
Actually come on over to AR15.com, no place on the web has had more debate or experts on the M855 round.

It is not perfect, but more than adequate for what it is used for. Coupled with the fact that its price is much more in line for those of use who run through thousands of rounds a year and it looks even better.


Now granted my first mag I grab for close quarters inside the home work is loaded with 75gr Hornady TAP...but that stuff is too expensive, for me at least, for all around use.
You need to check out 10-8forums man in all honesty AR15.com isn't the best resource of information when it comes to ballistics.

Most of the guys on that forum are regurgitating MAJ Dean and Lefauntine(sp) experiments that are based on a rather flawed ARL computer calculation.

Let me quote a friend, and yes I have read a god bit of the data he is talking about, still trying to understand it all myself.

Quote[/b] ]Anybody who has seen the actual data from some 10,000 test shots collected by the JSWB-IPT at 3-10m, 100m, and 300m distances or who has read the original 331 page final draft report dated 12 April 2006, knows that this statement avoids the factual truth. The clear and unequivocal best performing cartridge in the JSWB-IPT was 6.8 mm. In addition, several other 5.56 mm loads performed better than current M855. This was validated by other recent military and law enforcement agency (LE) testing—all of which repeatedly have demonstrated that 6.8 mm offers the best terminal performance of ALL assault rifle calibers tested to date. Of course MAJ’s Dean and LaFontaine know this, as the JSWB-IPT remarked that: “The 6.8 mm projectile had a near optimal balance of MASS, VELOCITY, and CONFIGURATION to maintain its effectiveness, even at a lower impact velocity.”

You have to be in the industry to get on 10-8forums, but you can read the forum and search without making an account.

[KI4WTY]

Sorry for the going so far off topic, its something of great interest to me, and although firearms are a minor part of survival it shouldn't be ignored, and ignorance should always be corrected.

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,21:13)]Sorry for the going so far off topic, its something of great interest to me, and although firearms are a minor part of survival it shouldn't be ignored, and ignorance should always be corrected.
If threads stayed on topic it would not allow me to blame Bush. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (al2n @ July 15 2007,21:11)]Where I grew up we would get cut off from town every year for a few days. Power outages were normal after a storm. We got along just fine with no support from the outside world for up to two weeks.
I can survive a long time in my house Mike, but I haven't been ready for an evacuation, which is my likely scenario under my biggest threat. You probably don't have much of an evacuation threat.

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (al2i @ July 15 2007,14:20)]Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,21:13)]Sorry for the going so far off topic, its something of great interest to me, and although firearms are a minor part of survival it shouldn't be ignored, and ignorance should always be corrected.
If threads stayed on topic it would not allow me to blame Bush. # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
I have a Colt not a BUSHmaster. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[w4wtf]

Ohh 6.8 beats 5.56 hands down. Comparing it to M855 is not even fair.

But that does not mean that for 5.56 M855 is not a decent round. Not the best, but not the worst either.

For the money, for someone that shoots 2000-3000 rounds a year and likes to carry what they train with, M855 is a good choice. Since when deployed it is also what I will use, that makes me training with it even more valid.

If I was choosing ammo for a PD where cost is borne by the taxpayer, I would go with Hornady TAP and buy all 6.8 uppers and gladly have the taxpayers pay the costs... but out of my pocket surplus M855 or the good lots of the Brit Radway Green SS109 work fine.

[AE6IP]

Well, two pages into this thread, and I've yet to see any indication at all that people are prepared to do anything more than debate rifle rounds.

So, on average, I'd say, no, QRZ members aren't.

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (w4wtf @ July 15 2007,22:26)]Ohh 6.8 beats 5.56 hands down. Comparing it to M855 is not even fair.

But that does not mean that for 5.56 M855 is not a decent round. Not the best, but not the worst either.

For the money, for someone that shoots 2000-3000 rounds a year and likes to carry what they train with, M855 is a good choice. Since when deployed it is also what I will use, that makes me training with it even more valid.

If I was choosing ammo for a PD where cost is borne by the taxpayer, I would go with Hornady TAP and buy all 6.8 uppers and gladly have the taxpayers pay the costs... but out of my pocket surplus M855 or the good lots of the Brit Radway Green SS109 work fine.
The M855 doesn't work fine, and from the above photo I posted you would see that. I am going to dump some info on you and please understand if anyone else wants this info they are more then welcome to PM me.

Basically your knowledge, and that of many people who think they are in the know, of that round comes from one recent article from Infantry magazine by the above people. They are wrong the whole industry says they are, and the round has major Fleet Yaw issue even out past 100m.

Quote[/b] ]Likewise, the ideal combat ammunition should exhibit minimal AOA and fleet yaw issues. The ammunition should be light and compact enough for the operator to carry an adequate supply of ammunition in magazines of at least a 25 round capacity. The rifle should be similar in size, weight, and ergonomics to the proven M4/M16 weapons.

Before you claim something if fine please get the data, and back it up instead of just saying its a fine bullet.

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,13:31)]It would be like telling a new ham to go to the local truck stop and get a CB radio.
Or telling the same new Ham to go to QRZ to learn about guns and ammo from some stranger on the web.

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (kd7msc @ July 15 2007,23:20)]Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,13:31)]It would be like telling a new ham to go to the local truck stop and get a CB radio.
Or telling the same new Ham to go to QRZ to learn about guns and ammo from some stranger on the web.
If you don't like what is being talked about you have the full right and capability to move to another thread. If you don't like the talk about guns and ammo please move on to another area.

In all honesty your right this isn't the place to find alot of firearm savvy people, however it was brought up in conversation and it is something I know a good deal about. If you don't like it invest in the main topic or move on. I don't think anyone needs to here your random chiding. I got that after the first time, and promptly ignored it. You can easily do the same with my posts.

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,15:53)]it is something I know a good deal about.
Says you http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
You are just another person sitting behind a computer.

[wv6z]

Here's my list Tim;

1) I have a bunch of weapons and ammo.

2) If I run out, Brad isn't far away

*end transmission*

[KI4WTY]

Quote[/b] (kd7msc @ July 15 2007,23:59)]Quote[/b] (KI4WTY @ July 15 2007,15:53)]it is something I know a good deal about.
Says you http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
You are just another person sitting behind a computer.
The same could be said about everyone on this forum that responds to my dumb questions in the QA section. I haven't shown a lack of knowledge on the subject, I am by no means a expert, but I know my stuff.

If you don't care to debate me about the subject, or aren't willing to ask questions to see if I know what I am talking about maybe you should move into a area where you know more.

Firearms is my hobby and Amateur radio is a new hobby for me. Plain and simple.

[kd7msc]

If I have any gun questions I will go to a gun forum.
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x1/kd7msc/cat11359405371.gif[/IMG]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[al2i]

http://www.davemcgraw.com/Images/ChimpSemiAuto.gif

[KD6NIG]

Quote[/b] (al2n @ July 15 2007,22:11)]I find it hilarious that most folks in this country freak out if theyare without power or running water for more than 12 hours anymore.
I find it hilarious that you think 12 hours. In most parts of this country, people freak out once the laptop battery dies, if the internet provider they have is still up during that time.

If not, within 5 minutes without the internet, they start to hyperventilate!

Course, with the advent of cordless phones, most people don't even have a landline if the power goes out. I always insist on having at least one phone that will work on phone line power only, because most of the time they still work.

Most people "go kits" consist of a laptop, enough cat 5 to plug into the nearest ethernet port, and whatever water and stuff they have in the fridge.

If they can find the ice chest they bought 5 years ago and buried under all the other stuff they bought, they might be able to keep it cold as long as the ice in the ice dispenser lasts.

I keep enough canned goods around to feed myself for a week, easily, among other things. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Never a bad idea to remind people about having to survive with reduced or no utilities. I've had power outages for 24 hours in the winter, but with natural gas heat and cooking the only "annoyance" was the lack of lighting. Course, we had sufficent blankets and other means if need be if the gas went out too, but it didn't. We had water also, so we had shower capability, but also had the ability to be ok without that too.

Some people assume that if the power goes out everything is out. Remember other resources. Oh, and don't put the blue tidy bowl stuff in your toilet tanks, in a pinch that water CAN be boiled and used. People often forget that the water heater will be full too and can be used in an emergency also. That drain spigot has more than one use.....

Don't wait till you can't use your computer to want to look up disaster preparedness http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ki4rdg]

About 4 months ago I put together a go/jump/evacuation/emergency kit using a large rolling back pack that was laying around the house.

Within it are 4 HTs (2m ham,CB,FRS/GMRS and a scanner),
rubber duckie antennas for all,
2 meter dipole,
2 meter 1/4 wave mag mount antenna,
speaker mics for all,
earphones,
10pk AA batteries,
power cords/chargers,
soldering tool,
assorted tools,
operating aids (log book, band plan, ARES field resource guide, KY state road map, Louisville streetfinder, note book, public safety freq lists for Louisville area, copy of my license, pens and pencils)
multi tool,
pocket knife
fanny pack
military issue canteen w/ holster
military issue flashlight
first aid kit

I still have a few more things to add like food, change of clothes and emergency cash but if I had to evacuate from a disaster area (or activate to one) today I think I would be ready or at least as ready as my funds will allow at the moment.In the future maybe I'll have some pics of it to add.

[AE6IP]

Nope. Still no sign of anyone actually ready for an emergency.

[NL7W]

Imagine another 9+ earthquake in S. Central Alaska, similar to the Good Friday Quake of 1964... We're due for another "big one" up here.

Now, imagine that happening during a cold spell, say -25 to -35 below zero for days on end in January or February. Imagine loss of electricity and ruptured natural gas lines, both transit lines and within broken homes.

Could I and my family survive -- yes, but with poor heat -- maybe enough to keep the pipes from freezing.

So, how many of us know where and how to turn off the gas line feeding our homes, if someone smells gas in the house? How many of us have installed transfer switches and own decent generators, keep stocks of food, clothing, duct tape and plastic sheeting to replace broken glass windows, as well as other emergency supplies readily accessible?

Unless my home is severely damaged, I won't abandon it. There's no need, as there are few road choices (3) to escape the Matanuska-Susitna Borough area we live in -- which is the size of a modest state down south. These three road escapes will likely be closed due to bridge issues, snow avalanches, rock slides, etc.

Cheers.

[N4AUD]

Yes, I would be better off in my home than wandering around. If evacuated, I've got everything I need ready to go, and have emergency supplies in my truck as well. I've got bottled water, MRE's, canned food, tent, etc. here at home and easily accessible.

As far as weapons go, the one you are the most competent with is the one you need. Personally, if I had to grab one handgun and one long arm I would pick up my Mark II .22 target and my M1 rifle, or maybe a pump shotgun with different shotgun rounds.

The only area where I feel I am lacking is not owning a generator. I need to get one. Otherwise, I'm good to go, either in a disaster where I stay here or if I get evacuated.