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| Author: Posted: Nov. 17, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 3,840,748 |
Question of the Week: 101 - 3/3/2003 Have You Made Any Extra Security Preparations? Faced with the potential threats of terrorism and/or war, many governments have asked their citizenry to ‘be prepared’. Have you stocked up on any items? Do you have a first aid kit? How’s your plastic to duct tape ratio? Should you ever have to vacate your home and you could only take ten (10) items with you, what would these items be? If you are trained in outdoor survival skills, medical emergencies or in other related areas, what advice can you share with us on how to be prepared in case the unthinkable does come to pass? What ten things do you think everyone should have on hand? |
| Reponses: There are 85 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| No Prep | Mar 4th. at 12:12:09 pm EST |
| KatRivers (Kentucky) | Age: 38 - Email |
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Well, I think that war is, of course, a distinct possibility. Still, I believe that the Bush administration is using scare tactics on Americans just to get us to eventually support his damn war, drilling in the ANWAR, etc. Before you know it, we'll be completely ignoring color-signal warnings because we'll have grown oblivious to them or supposed dangerous situations (I think they're a stupid idea, BTW) . So, no; I've done no security preparations. Remember years ago when the shooter stood in the middle of traffic in Virginia and shot at communters as they sat in their cars -- I forget the particulars. Anyway, I find that sort of thing a far scarier potentiality than attack by missiles, invasion, etc. katrivers |
| Thought Provoking | Mar 4th. at 11:50:28 am EST |
| Amanda (Silver Spring, MD) | Age: 23 - Email |
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I didn't really think much about preparing for terror. I mean, I live right outside DC. Wouldn't I be one of the first to go anyway? And then I got to thinking, there aren't ICBM's coming our way (most likely) . If they're attacks similar to the Sept. 11th ones, then they'll be devestating but they might not destroy everything in one shot. I could have a chance of survival and I'd like to do just that. With those thoughts in mind, here's my list of what I'm going to keep in my car from now on, just in case. First aid kit water dried foods (rice, beans, spices, etc.) guide to local plants blankets a knife wash line rope, fishing line, and butcher's twine candles matches in a plastic bag and if I were really worried and wanted to plan for the super long term, seed packets and little garden tools As for the 10 things I'd take from my home, I think it's carry-on only. In that case, I'd take: Dog Dog stuff As many clothes as I can put on my body (esp. socks, I understand they're important) A book my boyfriend gave me knife soap matches in a plastic bag important papers (also in plastic) plant guide (can you tell I'd be raiding my car?) rope of some sort Except maybe one or two of those important papers, or the clothes, I don't really have anything to barter with, and that kinda sucks. |
| The End Of The World Panic | Mar 4th. at 9:16:30 am EST |
| Fathom (pittsburgh) | Age: 24 - Email |
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Well I can say I actually prepared more for y2k than this panic button issue. I have not done anything to prepare, and I probably won't. I am afraid that our country likes to distract with panic and hypothosis when more important issues are at hand. scare tactics to prevent us from fighting against this war is not new. as for my 10 things: a few photos of the family My survivalist and medicinal herbs books The knives and camp cooking set A heavy duty rucksack my solar flashlight My carhart jumpsuit (winter bites here) Some tradeable items water cleaner tablets A big plastic tarp my childhood blanket As for my husband I have no clue but I would have to make a backpack for my little dog and he's easy to list for. snasages, rawhide bone, fleece sweater, stuffed doggie and dog boots. after that he's just happy to be with us. |
| My Thoughts. | Mar 4th. at 8:52:20 am EST |
| Andromeda (Miami, Florida) | Age: 15 - Email |
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I haven't thought to gte a first aid kit or any other supplies, but this is hurricane country, so once summer hits my family will be stocked up anyhow. No reason to start now. Honestly, with Turkey Point so close, I probably wouldn't survive an attack. I wouldn't even know I was dying, so why panic now? I'd rather use my time to finish everything that's left to be done. There's too much to do, but we might as well try. The plastic is just hilarious. They don't even recommend duct tape on windows for hurricanes down here, let alone for some terrorist attack. I don't have any survival skills, just the basics you learn for a hurricane: don't go into water in case there's an electrical wire, don't drink anything without decontaminating it, try not to leave your house, keep your gas tank full, etc. Plain common sense. It's always best to keep enough supplies to last at least a week alone. Narrowing it down to ten items, it would be: 1. Half a dozen matchboxes 2. Book listing edible/medicinal plants 3. Hunting/fishing supplies 4. Water purification tablets 5. Prescription medicines 6. First aid kit 7. Changes of clothes 8. Rope At least I would think that's neccesary. No battery operated things for me, because pretty soon batteries die and they're hard to keep around. I especially don't want a radio. It would be too disheartening to find the rest of the world dying, too. But, aside from that, there's way more than ten items I would want to take with me. But if I had to narrow it: 1. My dog, Silky 2. Small altar statues 3. Cuddles. He's the first stuffed animal my boyfriend gave me, so he has a lot of sentimental value. 4. Blanket my late grandmother gave me 5. Oxford Encyclopedia on Ancient Egypt 6. Mists of Avalon 7. A set of basic math, science, and english texts in case all other books are eradicated 8. My old journals 9. Evenstar pendant 10. Photo album |
| Didn't Even Think Of It! | Mar 4th. at 7:02:54 am EST |
| jade (canada) | Age: 16 - Email |
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well, i am not prepared for war, but since this whole thing is getting a little serious maybe i should think of it. nahhh, what's the point. if you live close to a city that was nuked, duct tape and plastic over your doors and windows is not going to save you! neither is anything else! i can't say what i would bring with me if i was forced to leave my house, because i don't intend on doing so. once again, what's the point. you'll get to out live somebody for a few days, but you might just end up dead anyway. wnat to be save, freeze and go up north, wayyy up north! thinak snow all the time. all i know is if there is a war, i want to be some place peaceful. |
| What I Would Take... | Mar 4th. at 6:46:03 am EST |
| SilverShadow (Australia) | Age: 14 - Email |
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Yes I do know it's America not Australia that is being threatened but anyhow Australia is a possible target so ya gotta be prepared... 1.My pillow of course (it's purple!) 2.A teddy bear I've had since I was 7 which is completely wrecked but it has alot of meaning to it. 3.My BOS which is only about a quarter full with nothing in particular. 4&5.My pentacle and ankh necklaces (if I'm not already wearing them) 6.A piece of amethyst 7.My Mechanical Animals cd 8.Purple eyeshadow 9.My purple nailpolish 10.My dreamcatcher (yep-purple!) Yay! I have crap worth saving... |
| Just My Opinion | Mar 4th. at 1:52:50 am EST |
| Brandon (Georgia) | Age: 17 - Email |
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Just remember, this is only my opinion, but here is the list that I would have in case of a true emergancy type situation, especially in the case of war. I am prepared for this, in my own ways, but I have always been prepared, just in case the worst happens. I am not sure where it came from, but I love the saying Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I think that every home should have some sort of first aid kit, and mine is no exception. 10.Quality machete, military issue preferably. A good quality machete can be used not only as a means of chopping, but also the lower parts of the blade can be kept sharp for use as a regular knife, also the blade can be used for digging and in the case of war, it would be a possible defensive fall back. 9. flint and steel kit a good means of starting a fire, with the proper use it can last for years and doesnt have to worry about many things like you do with matches/lighters 8. my BOS I keep all my records on this, I couldnt part with it, as far as that goes I would probably leave the rest of the list and a finger or two behind if need be to be able ot grab it. 7.a good knife plain and simple, a blade is one of humankinds tools, its also one of if not the most useful in almost any situation 6.solar powered radio self explanitory, got to keep up with whats happening 5.book on local edible/medicinal plants and/or book on survival skills explains itsself, got to eat and got to keep healthy no matter what happens. 4.water purification tablets everyone needs to have these around just in case, they can come in handy in many circumstances 3.good strong cord I think that for most things that you would need a good roll of 60 pound test fishing line would work just fine, and it can come in handy for many things in emergancy circumstances. 2.my stuffed dog I have had this thing since I was 1, I keep it put away but it has real meaning to me, it was about the only thing I ever got from my mom really, and I love that old thing to death, I know a 17 year old guy with a stuffed animal may seem weird, but ahh well, its one of the things I would make sure to grab 1. my photo album got to keep up with the memorys, all of them |
| The Ten Days Of Bushfare | Mar 4th. at 1:09:41 am EST |
| kamama (Planet Earth) | Age: 1000 - Email |
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Where would we go and what would we carry? Destination Classified 10 sawed off shotguns 9 k rations 8 saws for sawing 7 antibiotics 6 cases of water 5 hand grenades! 4 duck calls 3 cases of batteries 2 lap tops 1 and a radio or a portable tv |
| Here's My Banter | Mar 4th. at 1:02:18 am EST |
| Moon (New York) | Age: 41 - Email |
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First of all, I refuse to live in a state of perpetual fear and/or panic. I have not stocked up on the recommended items. I most likely should have some water, a first aid kit and batteries, flashlights, radio....but, I am not going out and buy a gasmask or duct tape or plastic. If I ever was faced with leaving my home, I think I would refuse to do so. I am not sure. There would have to be a damned good reason for me to leave. But, these are the items I would take with me....family photos (because they are not replaceable) , my 2 cats, my bottle of paxil, my bottle of patchouli oil, my Grandmother's wedding band, a case of diet coke, my cigs, and my son's father (because we have loved each other for 25 years) . |
| Remember Y2K??? | Mar 3rd. at 10:30:56 pm EST |
| Dragon Lady (AZ) | Age: 0 - Email |
|
Nothing happened then - I myself never subscribed to the panic that ensued over this supposed "disaster." Nor will I fall prey to this one. No way in the Universe could I whittle a list down to only 10 items! |
| No, No Excessive Rolls Of Duct Tape Here.. | Mar 3rd. at 9:29:29 pm EST |
| MoonOwl (Planet Earth) | Age: 39 - Email |
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Thou I wish I had stock in 3M!! Living in the South we are prepared for hurricanes therefore we do have a first-aid kit. We also have a few essentials. I refuse to panic. Thou a deep mountain cave does sound like a great option!! Gosh Wren, 10 items....Assuming we are taking the car and not carrying these items, I would say water, food, bedding, radio, batteries, flashlight, matches, box of important papers w/extra paper & pencils, first-aid kit w/some bathing supplies tossed in and my jewlery box - gotta have items to barter! We love camping and I'd like to think we could survive outside for some time if need be. I think we would be capable of taking care of some emergencies if we had to... At least I hope so. I imagine the hardest part is not panicking. To have a cool head under pressure. Thou a survial course might be a good idea. One can always use a refresher. The only advice I would give is to not panic. I refuse to panic and I refuse to give up hope. What's meant to happen will. I can't stop it. Hopefully, I'll be able to get myself & family out of the way. I'd advise myself to pick up certain stocks now that they are beyond cheap, but darn!! no extra money..Oh to have a few extra thousand dollars right about now...When the market rebounds there are going to be some very happy people. Wish I was one of em... oh well.. We may be strapped, but we are happy strapped people.. I keep trying to tell myself money's overrated anyway.. In hopes for a peaceful, prosperous, future eventually for all of our world!! Goddess Bless! MoonOwl |
| Survival Preparation | Mar 3rd. at 8:29:58 pm EST |
| Mica (FL) | Age: 33 - Email |
|
Aside from the basics other people mentioned, it is also pretty important to learn in advance some basic survival skills... how to build a shelter, how to build a fire, what kinds of local plants you could eat (and reiterating what someone else suggested about adding local herbology and medicinal/edible plant guides to the kit) . Knowledge of basic survival skills is lost on most westerners, unfortunately, and if, Goddess forbid, we ever find ourselves seriously attacked, most survivors would have it tough just figuring out what food is safe to eat. The duct tape and plastic thing cracks me up. Living in hurricane land, I'd sooner board up the windows with screws and caulk than use duct tape! |
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