Its just a matter of time. The question is not if, but when and just how bad it will be when we all feel the impact of a major earthquake, especially here in southern California.
Everyday, it seems more and more earthquakes are becoming more and more frequent. All around the Pacific 'ring of fire', these tremors are noticeably more intense. After the earthquake in Japan, there is obvious concern for just where the next 'big one' is going to hit.
After the mega-storm Sandy decimated much of the northeast coast last year, many people are starting to take emergency preparedness a lot more seriously than ever before. If you are asking yourself what you can do to mitigate against such natural catastrophes, you are not alone. Fortunately, we live in an age of technology that can we can all take advantage of while stacking the odds in our favor when it comes to survival in a post natural disaster situation.
The Essentials:
There are basic things to remember about survival...especially during a earthquake. This a list of things to consider and need when it happens in your area.
1) Lighting
2) Power
3) Communication
4) Heat/Cooking
5) Water (purification)
If you can plan ahead and secure these items prior to a disaster, your survival rate increases exponentially. Your mental stability and focus will be better maintained as well.
LIGHTING
There is a 50% chance that you are going to get caught off guard when it hits at night. Your first instinct will be to go for the light. Even if you do have power, it may not last for long. Always have portable lighting readily available in the same location all the time. Preferably near your bed and at exits on the way out of your home. Sadly, most people go for their flashlights that haven't been used in years, equipped with dead or dying batteries. This is why you really need to have not only a cache of fresh batteries, but solar and hand-crank style lighting devices. There are several on the market today all within affordable price ranges. Goal Zero and Eton are both leaders in the solar lighting industry, delivering dependable and sustainable lighting when conventional sources fail.
POWER
Providing enough power for your home and to function normally during an earthquake disaster is going to be unlikely. However, you can equip yourself with some pretty amazing products that can make your life a whole lot easier without much effort. Unfortunately, gas operated generators are only as good as their fuel supply lasts. Sandy storm victims will be the first to tell you that gasoline runs out real quick, and the dangers of carbon monoxide asphyxiation is all too common and often fatal.
Fortunately for southern Californians, sunshine is plentiful and an excellent energy resource and solution. Solar again wins hands down. Wagan Tech, a solar energy pioneer based in Hayward, California, excels in solar generators and collector panels. The Solar e Power™ Cube 1500, delivers up to 1500 watts of AC inverted power as well as 12Volt DC outlets and 2.1 Amp USB power ports supported by a 55 AH gel battery. The 'Cube' folds out to increase solar surface area collection, even during cloudy days, then folds back for easy storage. The Cube collects enough power to run many lights at night as well as microwaves and heaters.
Goal Zero also comes to the rescue with an array of solar energy devices designed to provide sufficient power for smaller appliances, like computers, battery packs, etc.
COMMUNICATION
During an earthquake catastrophe, the need to communicate is vitally essential. Not only can cell phone /service power be limited, but also radio and television. Without either, emergency services and information is lost. The need to reach out to the rest of the world is crucial.
Waka Waka Power company has developed an incredible compact solar power station and light, that is so efficient and powerful, it can charge and sustain, radios, iPhones, iPads, iPods and other smart devices, while including an excellent reading light.
Eton manufactures a line of Red Cross emergency radios that are hand cranked for continuous immediate power to keep connected with S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) while updating you on rescue, weather and seismic conditions.
HEATING/COOKING
When it comes to portable and efficient cooking, as well as heating, few sources compare to the innovative genius of the BioLite camp/home stove system. The BioLite is so energy efficient, you can literally cook and heat with twigs and other small burning tender. While avoiding fossil fuels, which may not be available in an emergency, you are also able to keep your cell phone charged as a bonus. BioLite's high-tech design actually charges your cell phone devices while you cook.
WATER PURIFICATION
Clean, pure and plentiful water is the key to the basics of survival. Without it, your days are literally numbered. Even if you have a swimming pool or nearby running stream/lake/reservoir, its only a matter of time before they all become very contaminated. Besides having several cases of bottled water on hand, back-up water purification is a mandatory necessity and something that you will be so happy to have on hand.
Keeping with portable and ease of use, SmartPlanet utilizes nano-silver membrane technology that catches illness inducing pathogens in a handy compact system, portable enough to fit in just about any backpack or emergency preparedness bag.
If you really want compact, Aquamira markets an ingenious 'Frontier Filter' drinking straw that filters as you slowly drink direct from the source or container. They do, however, recommend that their purification tablets and treatment drop be used, depending on the immediate quality of water. It is efective in eliminating protozoan cysts. (Giardia and Cryptosporidium)
Lastly, if you live near the ocean or lake, you can utilize a 'Steam2Water' distillation water purification system. Not as compact, but still portable, highly effective and pays for itself over and over.
Most all of these emergency preparedness items are reasonably priced and readily available online. Set aside a budget for what systems are best for you and your family. It is only a matter of time. Better to be glad you did, than wish you had.
