| We hear the term disaster so much these days | | | | prepare for the worst!" |
| that the meaning seems to get watered down | | | | An emergency situation is not always predictable |
| somewhat. To some anything that doesn't go | | | | or avoidable and having the necessary supplies in |
| according to their schedule or plans is a disaster. | | | | the location where you need them can save your |
| On a personal level, a fire in our shed could be | | | | life. Hypothermia has claimed the lives of many |
| considered a disaster or even worse a fire in our | | | | stranded travelers that got stuck in blizzard |
| house. | | | | conditions. Something as simple as a candle or |
| However, it is important to understand the | | | | thermal blanket could have been all that was |
| difference between a personal tragedy, an | | | | necessary to save their life. |
| emergency, and a true disaster. This will allow you | | | | A disaster is defined as an event causing great |
| to keep things in perspective when making your | | | | loss, hardship, or suffering to many people. When |
| own disaster preparedness plans. | | | | we think of this kind of event we usually think of |
| A house fire, even if nobody is injured is certainly | | | | catastrophic events like hurricanes, earthquakes, |
| a personal tragedy. I can't begin to imagine the | | | | floods, and even man-made disasters. In situations |
| feeling of seeing your life go up in flames. But as | | | | like this help may be unavailable because rescuers |
| tragic as it is at a personal level, help is usually | | | | may be in the same predicament that you are, |
| close by and aside from an initial flurry of | | | | and it could take a considerable length of time for |
| headlines your personal tragedy is soon forgotten | | | | outside help to arrive. |
| by outsiders and rebuilding your life begins. | | | | Disaster preparedness is the sensible thing to do. |
| Planning for tragedy of this nature is really limited | | | | It doesn't need to be expensive; and it can save |
| to ensuring you have done everything possible to | | | | your life! In these situations we are not talking |
| prevent it in the first place; being prepared to | | | | about loosing heat or power for a few hours we |
| extinguish small fires before they spread; being | | | | are talking about losing essential services, under |
| prepared to ensure safe evacuation; and having | | | | extreme circumstances, for a prolonged period of |
| the appropriate emergency supplies like thermal | | | | time. Water, heat, shelter, and finally food are |
| blankets and a quality first aid kit on hand. | | | | your main concern. After that things like light and |
| An emergency situation could include such things | | | | communications, or at least a means of receiving |
| as a car accident, breakdown in a remote location, | | | | information should be considered. |
| a school lock-down, localized weather events, and | | | | Disaster planning is disaster preparedness; disaster |
| wilderness misadventures. Preparedness for this | | | | preparedness is disaster survival! Taking the time |
| type of event is possible and practical. I have a | | | | to think about these things before a disaster |
| personal motto that helps me envision potential | | | | occurs will go a long way towards ensuring your |
| emergency situations: "Expect the best, but | | | | survival and the survival of your loved ones. |