Core77

What are Your Go-To Disaster Prep Items?

By Rain Noe - November 2, 2012

in Strategy & Research

As a necessity of writing for a site with a diverse readership, my knowledge in certain areas is dismayingly shallow and broad. When it comes to drilling down deep into a particular topic, it is often a handful of Core77 readers, expert in that area or card-carrying members of a relevant subculture, who can provide some seriously in-the-know information.

There are of course different levels of disaster you prepare for. I've chosen, as your average non-survivalist urbanite, to stop at the relatively mild one-week-with-no-power. Others are ready for far worse, like the human-vs.-human situation frequently discussed in survivalist books. (The scenario where, to paraphrase the comedian Bill Burr, you stock up on a lot of supplies so that someone with a better gun can take them from you, like lunch money.) Despite people's perceptions of New York, I think the city—particularly the neighborhood I live in—would have to be off the grid for at least two weeks before we saw that kind of citizen-on-citizen violence. I'm trying to picture Soho vs. Nolita residents wielding stale baguettes to fight over the last scrap of mortadella.

If I had to prep for a disaster with money no object, I'd pony up for a generator. Previously I'd have opted for a gasoline-powered generator, but after reading through some survivalist books—ignoring the shrill political invective and seeking only the practical information—it seems propane may be a better way to go for reasons of shelf life.

With no cause to learn about generators and gasoline as part of my daily life, I'd have never found this stuff out without exposure to the survivalist subculture, as they eat, sleep and breathe that stuff. So I'd like to ask you design-minded Core77 readers, whether urban or rural, and regardless of what subculture you belong to, what your preferences are for disaster-prep objects. Anything you can tell us about one object's superiority of design over another is the most valued.

Please let us know in the comments what level of disaster you're prepared for, and what your go-to items are. Also, if you're willing to answer some questions on the topic as part of a roundup entry, please send me an e-mail at [rain] at (core77) -dot- com with the subject line "Disaster Prep."

* * *

See all of our Hurricane Sandy coverage

NYC on Hurricane Lockdown:
» First Impressions
» Taping Windows is Probably a Waste of Time. Now We Need a Video Demonstrating Why
» Three Types of Flood Barriers, from Sad to Serious

Hipstomp's Dispatches from the Dark:
» Good Objects, Bad Preparation
» Public Behavior, during the Blackout, in Traffic & Communications
» What Came in Handy During Sandy?
» What Are Your Go-To Disaster Prep Items

Plus:
» AT&T Sending Mobile Hotspot "Satellite COLT" Trucks into NYC
» Two Versions of the Manhattan Blackout
» Hurricane Sandy vs. NYC Cyclists

Last but not least, check out our list of ways to help

o

Favorite This
Q
7

Comment

Comments

DrSpiv

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I'm a wildlife photographer, and in that way spend a lot of time away from normal civilization. I'd probably fall in to more extreme categories, so I'll dial it back for what I think is relevant in the case of a temporary (say, two week) situation, along with some ideas of what I have in my "go bag."

Water, food, shelter. In that order, unless you are where extreme cold is an issue (such as the case of many states that got serious cold an snow in this last one). Medical needs to be there somewhere, but is going to depend on your needs as well. Staying safe and without injury is different than having to worry about your insulin shots or heart medication. Cellphone is way down the list. Chances are circuits will be down or overrun, as will emergency services.

Water: if water stops coming out of the faucet, or becomes undrinkable for some reason, you will need to find a source of non-runoff, non-sewage water. Keep both iodine and chlorine dioxide tablets on hand. They last, are small and light, and will kill most things in water that will kill you. After 48 hours without water you're as good as done, so make sure this is solved. Good reason to keep some water in the closet too, of course, but you probably will not have two weeks worth. I also have a small filter pump. It stays at home for most places, but out n the swamp it is quite helpful.

Food: cereal, peanut butter, and other things that keep well in the pantry are good. Not a fan of canned goods, though they keep they are often hard to open and cook in a bad situation. When I'm off in nowhere I like instant rice with lemon and a packet of tuna fish. I cook the rice on a trangia style alcohol burner in a metal cup. Trangias are nice because you can keep fuel inside, and any sufficiently proofed alcohol will work. Denatured alcohol, heet fuel additives, a strong vodka, etc. You know, stuff found in my garage. Lights easily with a striker. Wood burners are nice, but dry wood could be an issue. So can starting a wood fire if you're not used to such things.

Shelter: exposure kills. If it is too cold in your home (no heat), or your home is no longer available, warm clothing and warm sleeping arrangements. Cotton kills too: it gets wet and stays wet, and is a poor insulator when it is. This is where synthetic (or down) coats are great things. Light weight tents will keep you mobile and protected if it comes to that.

Medical: everyone has different needs. Plan for them. Don't wait until you have two days of that life sustaining medication to refill your prescription. I'm a darn clutz, so for me it is just as important to keep iodine, bandaids, steri-strips (if you think you are going to sew yourself up you have another thing coming), and quick-clot.

And practice with this stuff. Cook yourself a decent meal every now and then without the kitchen appliances. Test out that filter pump. Go camping now and then (not in a camper/camp site/cabin).

Stay safe. I can only imagine what a Katrina level disaster would be like, and hope I never have to find out. But hopefully I could keep me and my loved ones safe.

I'm going to throw a quick picture up on my WordPress of what I am taking to Yosemite this winter if anyone is interested.
!Report as spam
Tom Mc

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Adam:

You take for granted that in some places in the US, no power = no water as you can't pump water from a deep well by hand. Also, in a cold climate if you can't maintain your home temperature above freezing at a minimum, you risk damaging infrastructure as your pipes freeze.

In such rural areas, propane tanks are the norm for home heating anyway, and provide myriad options for generator location. If it's noise you're worried about, the exhaust can always be muffled. Coming to steal it would mean death.

Remember: there are some places that when SHTF, you don't leave - you stay. People from the city leave because they are dependent on infrastructure. When that crumbles they have nothing. Out in the country you can provide a lot of your own infrastructure. Barring contamination or an onslaught of hungry urban thieves, there's no reason to leave.

Propane generator is the way to go. It's a shame Generac only makes a portable one is under 4kw. It would be nice if they made a 5.5kw that was still on wheels.

!Report as spam
Splodge

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

As an impoverished student residing in the UK, I am in no way in a position to know much about prepping.

I can, however, point you at some people who are:

http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/blogs/klessons/
!Report as spam
Jason

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Leatherman, magnesium fire starter, paracord and wool blanket. Bare necessities, you can then scavage and make everything else. I am military trained though so I don't need much. An axe would be helpful too.
!Report as spam
Adam

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Personally I think a propane generator would be about my last choice. Propane tanks are one of the things that most frequently start fires in emergency situations. there's video from Japan, New Orleans, countless tornadoes and now New York to prove it.

Second, in an otherwise quiet neighborhood they can be heard from a mile or more away, and nothing says "come loot me" quite like a gurgling genset. Solar panels and a few batteries would be better, but what do you need electricity for anyway? you need heat and light but there are smarter ways to get those.

A high efficiency portable wood stove would be high on my list:
http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Stoves-Woodgas-Stove/dp/B0089XXAWU
!Report as spam
TreadHead

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

First off...a preparedness mindset, training, and a plan. Emergency food and water supplies, multitool, survival rifle/ handguns, ammo, generator, bug out bag, energy sources, flashlights, rope, camping equipment, and a vehicle that can go off road. This is not all it's just a start.
!Report as spam
Philippe J-G

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I usually have on me or in my car a knife, a lighter, multitool, water, old cellphone with car charger to do 911 call, a flask of rhum ( for cuts or depressing moments) and some metal wires (to catch some small game).
!Report as spam