Captain Dave's Survival Center

Captain Dave's Survival Guide

Questions to Consider as you Plan

Here are some questions to ask yourself during the initial planning stage:

1. What natural disasters or extreme conditions am I (we) l likely to face in the next five years?

Make a list and rank them in order of most to least likely to impact you. Consider your location from a geologic and meteorological standpoint. You can review our list of possible natural disasters if you need to.

Your list might look like this:

Heavy thunder storms that result in local flooding, power outages and disruption of emergency services
Severe winter weather that could result in power outages and restrict travel
Drought that causes water restrictions or even rationing
SARS, flu epidemic or other naturally occurring epidemic or pandemic

2. What local man-made disasters or emergency situations might I face?

Add to your list the man-made or other disasters that you might face in the next five years (again, you can refer to our list, if necessary).

Let's say you have added these categories:

Toxic material emission/spill from train derailment or truck accident, resulting in the need to shelter-in-place for six to 24 hours or to evacuate
Riot or other civil disorder resulting in a breakdown of police protection and other emergency services, which leads to arson, looting and anarchy.
Emission (minor) or melt down (severe) at the local nuclear power plant, require evacuation within a 20 mile radius.
Terrorism attack with conventional explosives or chemical weapons causing personal harm to self or loved ones

3. What national or global disasters are likely to affect me? Here are some potential answers:

Nuclear conflict that results in fallout.
Terrorist attack with nuclear or biological weapons
War

4. What economic or financial disasters might strike that could affect me?

Loss of job resulting in diminished income, inability to pay bills with a long-term possibility of being unable to pay the rent/mortgage.
Illness, accident or other medical emergency that could result in a loss of income and ability to sustain current lifestyle. Disability that affects ability to work and could require long-term care.
Financial depression resulting in stock market crash, rampant inflation or even currency devaluation that wipes out retirement savings.

5. What are the ramifications of each item on my list?

Now, take your list and create a second column (bet those of you using a word processor are wishing we'd told you this before, huh?). Put the ramifications of each disaster in the second column. What do we mean by ramification? How the disaster or emergency situation could affect you. Think this one through very carefully, as everyone's situation is different. For example, families with children have different concerns than those without or singles.

Finally, note if the ramifications could require evacuation (our next topic).

To keep using our example results in a table like this:

Potential Disaster	Ramifications
Severe thunder storm with possibility of a tornado. Electrical outage for 12 hours (average) to two weeks (severe)	No electrical lighting except flashlights Possible food spoilage due to lack of refrigeration Lack of air conditioning/heating Potential damage to residence and/or car from nearby trees, flying objects, high winds. Range from minor to loss of roof to complete destruction (in a tornado) Possible local flooding (see below) may prevent travel Local transportation impaired by fallen trees, downed wires Lightning damage/fire potential Communication interruptions phone and Internet outages. Limited access to news only via battery powered radio Any electrical medical equipment will cease to work without battery back up or generator power Houses with wells may lack water supply, which will lead to personal hygiene issues as toilets won't flush May not be able to cook or heat water Lengthy outages may result in illness due to poor hygiene, undercooked food, etc.
Severe winter weather, such as a blizzard or ice storm. Affects may linger due to duration of event or lasting cold temperatures. Worse in areas that are no used to such events and have limited snow handling equipment	Trees and power lines may break resulting in electrical outage for 12 hours (an inconvenience) to 14 days (severe). Electrical outage would affect furnace operation (see above for other power outage effects) Exposure problems/potential hypothermia as house cools Frozen pipes/ damage to home and infrastructure due to freezing temperatures Roof may be in danger of collapsing due to weight of snow. Schools closed, non-essential workers are not required to go to work Disruption of travel, transportation due to road conditions, airport closures, disruption of mass transit, etc. Your or family members may possibly stranded away from home Possible vehicle accidents due to travel during storm emergency response by police, fire, and ambulance may be limited, curtailed or impossible Possible food shortages due to limited pantry and empty shelves at local markets Kerosene heaters and wood burning devices may result in carbon monoxide poisoning when used improperly or represent a fire hazard Crop animals in fields may starve Possible shortages of necessities such as medicines, diapers, formula, etc. Possible heart attack or injury clearing snow
Nearby flash flooding	Local transportation disrupted Danger while traveling in car or by foot Possible loss of utilities Loss of personal belongings due to flooding Damage to home Potential loss of life
Sever regional flooding Nearby train derailment	May result in loss of home and/or contents May result in loss of life Cars and other vehicles may be swept away or damaged by exposure to flood waters Not covered by normal insurance; requires separate flood insurance Even if not directly flooded, flooding may result in loss of utilities, loss or limits to emergency response, unsafe drinking water, unsanitary conditions leading to disease, etc. Possible leak or spill of chemicals Short-term exposure problem Long-term cancer concerns Evacuation may be necessary Road closures/travel disruption
Riot or other civil disorder	Stranded in car or office while family is at home and/or school Inability to get to work/home Danger of riot spreading to my neighborhood, with arson, looting, wanton destruction, etc. Attack or threat to personal property and personal safety Looting and rampaging by otherwise lawful citizens Fire with potentially no response by authorities Police are overwhelmed, cannot protect law-abiding citizens Fire crews, ambulance will not respond in areas of rioting due to danger to personnel
Nuclear plant problems	Reactor vessel damage could result in release of radioactive chemicals to atmosphere Evacuation may be necessary Potentially life threatening exposure to unsafe levels of radiation Items left behind may be impossible to retrieve due to radioactivity Food sources and milk from cows downwind may be contaminated
Terrorism	Threat to safety at work and during business travel Disruption of commerce, travel Less personal freedom, privacy as a result of government reaction to terrorism Could trigger stock market sell off, economic problems.
Avian Influenza or similar pandemic	Extreme illness leading to possible death for a significant percentages of the population Loss of utilities and public services due to illness of workforce and quarantines Government restrictions on personal liberties, by way of mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions and curfews Potentially huge economic losses on a national level and loss of jobs on an individual level Overwhelming of hospital and medical facilities, as well as morgues Lack of medications and treatment options

Once you've created a chart like the one above, you know what situations you are most likely to face and can prepare your survival plan. For next steps, go on to Chapter 2.