Daily Kos

View Story | 389 comments

  •  Yes, I know... (4.00 / 92)

    You want to go shopping for bottled water and MREs NOW.

    Patience, Grasshopper.  You'll get your chance.

    -AG

    PS: Recommends appreciated, I'd like to reach as many folks as possible with this.

    "Watching George Bush trying to govern is like
    watching a monkey trying to f**k a football."
    I'm a libertarian, pro-2A capitalist Democrat.

    by AlphaGeek on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 01:14:54 PM PDT

    •  Water and MREs? (4.00 / 10)

      When do i go shopping for the AK-47?

      by BlankLiberal on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 01:19:54 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Not in California, I'll tell you that much (4.00 / 11)

        I'll give you a little preview of the personal-protection segment in Diary 3 of this series:

        For household protection, a pump-action 12-gauge shotgun with reduced-recoil shells and an inexpensive aftermarket recoil pad is the recommended choice.  The sound of a round being chambered in a pump-action shotgun is unmistakable, and the sight of it will give pause to most would-be assailants.

        For personal protection, each adult should have a contact-type electric stun device with spare batteries.

        The best strategy, however, is to avoid situations where the use or threat of force (lethal or nonlethal) is necessary.

        -AG

        "Watching George Bush trying to govern is like
        watching a monkey trying to f**k a football."
        I'm a libertarian, pro-2A capitalist Democrat.

        by AlphaGeek on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 01:29:11 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  12 gauge pump (4.00 / 5)

          Also good for upland bird hunting.

          For personal protection, pepper spray is great.  It works better on people than on grizzly bears, whom seem to like it at times.

          Who will stop this war of lies? Keith Olbermann May 23rd, 2007

          by Ed in Montana on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 01:52:01 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Good advice. And be sure to ... (4.00 / 7)

          ...put a sling on that shotgun. You may have to go on a long hike.

          I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

          by Meteor Blades on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:01:41 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Dogs (4.00 / 3)

          We use 3 big dogs as deterents. They are trained to run up barking and smack the front door when someone approaches it.
          That tends to run off anyone we don't know.
          Of course the people that do know us think nothing of it. As soon as we approach the front door and yell sit all the dogs move back and sit quietly as they are supposed to.
          Mostly though we let them bark and fuss till we look out the window to see who is there.

          If I want feel good, happy, happy I will smoke a joint. For President I want a real plan.

          by J Rae on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:08:14 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  my dog does the same thing (4.00 / 5)

            he's ridiculously ferocious behind the door.

            Of course, when a ballsy burglurar opens the door, my dog runs off to show him where the silver is kept, and helps carry the TV.

            I love that dog.

            "Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." - Voltaire

            by DrFrankLives on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:10:35 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  Trained to run up and smack the door? (4.00 / 3)

            Wow, I never knew our dogs were trained in personal protection, but they run up barking and generally crash into the front door as they do so. And here I thought they were just clumsy balls of fur.  Of course, the terrier/chihuahua mix isn't likely to scare anybody off (although they might die laughing when they watch him try).  However, the 100-lb german shepherd more than makes up for him in the "visible deterrant" department.

            by dianem on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:19:19 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  LOL (4.00 / 2)

              This has to be one of the easiest things to train your dog to do. Have someone stand outside and ring the door bell, most dogs react with excitement to that anyway. Encourage the running to the door and banging on it with a treat. Then after you have them doing that train them to back off on command and sit. That part is a bit harder but not much.

              If I want feel good, happy, happy I will smoke a joint. For President I want a real plan.

              by J Rae on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:29:39 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Pet Checklist & Call to STOP SHOOTING DOGS (4.00 / 6)

                Disaster Preparation Checklist

                If at all possible, do not leave animals behind. There is no way of knowing what may happen to your home while you are away, and you may not be able to return for days or even weeks. Animal companions left behind may become malnourished, dehydrated, or crushed by collapsing walls. They may drown or escape in fear and become lost.

                All animals should have collars with identification. Make sure that you have a current photo of your animal companion for identification purposes, the same as you would for a child.
                Place an emergency window sticker near your front door in case a weather emergency or fire strikes when you are not home. This sticker will alert rescuers to animals in your home who need help. Be sure to note how many animals are in the home and where they can be found.

                Have an animal emergency kit readily available. The kit should include a harness and leash or carrier, bottled water, food and water bowls, and dry food. If you have a cat, keep litter and a small litter tray ready to go. Click here to order a PETA Rescue Kit to keep in your car that contains a collapsible carrier, leash, and towel. The kit is helpful if you must grab your animals quickly or if you encounter an animal on the road in need of help. You might also need blankets or sheets to cover carriers and help keep animals calm during transport.

                Hotels often lift their "no pets" policies during emergencies, but keep a list of hotels that always accept companion animals, just in case. (Most Motel 6s accept animals.) Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency numbers--it might be able to provide information during a disaster.

                (Other Hotels/Motels accept Pets, which ones?)

                If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may need to board your animal companion. Most boarding kennels, veterinarians, and animal shelters require medical records to make sure that rabies vaccinations are current, so keep copies of these records with your emergency kit.

                If You Must Leave Your Animal Behind

                Never turn animals loose. Do not tie animals outside or keep them in a vehicle unattended. Leave them in a secure area inside your home.

                Leave out at least 10 days' supply of water. Fill every sink, bowl, pan, and Tupperware container with water, then set them on the floor; do not leave just one container--it may spill. If your toilet bowl is free of chemical disinfectants, leave the toilet seat up to provide animals with one more source of water, but do not let that be the only source.

                Leave out at least 10 days' supply of dry food. Canned food will go rancid quickly.

                If you can't get to your home, contact a reliable neighbor or friend to check on the animals and get them out, if possible. Provide specific instructions on care.

                Helping Wild Animals

                Wild animals may also need our help during severe storms. Strong winds and gusts generated by tropical storms and hurricanes often throw young tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and baby birds from their nests. Flooding from significant rainfall may also force small mammals from their subterranean homes.

                Following severe weather, be sure to search carefully through debris and nearby creeks and streams for animals who have been displaced from their homes. These animals may need help right away. Before inclement weather arrives, check out the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Web site and locate the nearest rehabilitator so you'll know whom to contact in the event of an emergency.

                from Peta:
                http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-disasterchecklist.asp

                ......................

                from Peta:
                http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-latestnews.asp

                The Latest News From the Gulf Coast and What You Can Do to Help

                September 9, 2005, 12 p.m.:

                Officials Shooting Dogs in Louisiana--Feds Must Hear from You Today!

                In the latest and most graphic display of our government's abandonment of animal-handling guidelines in disasters that were created with PETA's help years ago, some law enforcement agencies are now shooting dogs left stranded in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

                Revolting video footage posted on the Web site of the Dallas Morning News shows officers shooting dogs. At least one of their victims survived the gunshots and was apparently left to die a slow, agonizing death amid debris from the storm.
                Of course, shooting is not an approved, reasonable, or reliable method of animal control.

                In fact, The 2000 Report of the AVMA [American Veterinary Medical Association] Panel on Euthanasia--the veterinary medical authority on euthanasia--states, "[G]unshot should not be used for routine euthanasia of animals in animal control situations." This dangerous method often fails to achieve instantaneous unconsciousness; animals can be injured by initial gunshots and suffer tremendously before dying, as seems to be happening in St. Bernard Parish. Gunshot is also categorized as an inhumane method of killing in The Humane Society of the United States' "General Statement Regarding Euthanasia Methods for Dogs and Cats."

                This horror for animals, which is but the latest of many to be seen in Katrina's wake, underscores the urgent need for you to call on those in charge, today, to end immediately their callous policies toward animals suffering and to make the plight of animals affected by these disasters a part of planned investigations and hearings.

                September 9, 2005, 10 a.m.: Ask President Bush, Senate Committee to Make Plans for Animals Affected by Future Disasters Part of Their Investigations

                September 8, 2005, 6 p.m.: Distraught Couple Reunited With Forcibly Abandoned Animals; Officials Continue Heavy-Handed Evacuations of Vulnerable Animal Guardians

                September 8, 2005, 11 a.m.: Proceeds From Auction to Support Animal Emergency Fund

                September 7, 2005, 9 p.m.: Americans Urged to Tell New Orleans Officials to Allow Animals to Be Evacuated

                September 7, 2005, 9 a.m.: PETA Dispatches Rescue Team; Rue McClanahan Asks for Compassion for Katrina's Animal Victims

                September 6, 2005, 5:30 p.m.: PETA Asks Lt. Gen. Honore to Allow Companion-Animal Rescues

                many green, yellow, blue and now purple dogs are a majority.

                by Prove Our Democracy with Paper Ballots on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:09:11 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  Ready preparedness for pet evacs (4.00 / 2)

                  Although we live on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, we haven't evacuated yet(never say never, but with elderly non-ambulatory parents, oxygen, many pets . . . .)  I keep a pet carrier for each pet inside the house, clean and ready to go. The dog carrier is a collapsable one that she knows and likes as a den (standard poodle). My dog will not drink water while traveling in a car or at rest stops.  However, she will lick ice cubes from her dish AFTER we attain freeway speeds and my vibe is in a relaxed state.  (I know it seems like a goofy post, but it will make you CRAZY if your dog, especially a puppy, won't drink.  If you move puppies, unflavored pedialyte is good to keep on hand, since they can crash rather quickly.)

                  Note that if cats are stressed and are very hot, and begin to PANT, you should lower their body temperature by placing a cold wet (really wet, not damp) towel in the carrier for them to lay on, and one over them.  (This I learned during fire season in Los Angeles!  I moved from earthquakes to hurricanes; go figure.) Cats can live for long periods with no food but will succumb quickly without fresh water.

                  Living on the Gulf Coast, my indoor cats' rabies tags, which they don't wear, are always on my key chain.  The certificates are folded in my credit card wallet 365 days of the year, so I don't have to search for them in an emergency with the possibility of moving interstate.

                  Many flashlights and flourescent lanterns are now available using AA batteries and are very lightweight and long lasting.  Rayovac and store brands, at Target and Walgreens,the stand up lanterns were hands down our #1 tool during Ivan, Tropical Storm Cindy ('05), and Katrina. That and a small walkman-size radio with the local television channels' audio feed are always in a basket in the den with a camera (insurance pics) and extra batteries.

                  Sorry if these are duplicative.  I'll mind the thread and add more when appropriate.

                  Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman

                  by gazingoffsouthward on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 07:37:13 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                •  La Quinta Inns (none / 1)

                  Accept pets.  They have a limited number of "pet" rooms set aside for regular guests; don't know about emergencies.  Holiday Inn and Hampton often take animals.  None of the Marriott brands accept pets.

                  Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman

                  by gazingoffsouthward on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 09:44:52 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                  •  Pet accepting hotels (none / 0)

                    Actually, that's not quite true.  The Residence Inn by Marriott hotels will take pets.  In addition to the moderately-priced hotels mentioned above, most high-end hotels will take pets if notified in advance:  Four Seasons and Fairmont for starters.  Also Kimpton Hotels (like the Hotel Monaco mini-chain) all accept pets too, but don't need any notice.

                    - The Great Skeeve

                    by Skeeve on Mon Sep 12, 2005 at 04:43:58 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                •  If I have to walk out and sleep in the cold... (none / 1)

                  my dogs go with me.  I'll sleep in my car before I'll go into a shelter that won't let me take my babies.  I just couldn't live with myself if I left them behind to face danger alone.  They trust me to take care of them.  And my husband feels the same way. The very first thing we take in a crisis is the dogs. Then the cat (she's a pain in the butt, but she's our pain in the butt, besides we can feed her to the dogs if we run out of food ;-)).  Then any valuables we have time to grab. But they go first.  

                  One thing that truly breaks my heart in New Orleans is the animals, and thinking about all of the animals that people had to leave behind, because they had no car and the buses and shelters don't take pets.  I had to stop reading what you wrote halfway through at the part about shooting dogs.  I won't be able to sleep tonight if I think about that.

                  The big risk in our area is fire.  My husband and I have already talked about where we would meet if the worst happened, and agreed that if there is even a remote risk of a wildfire in our area we are taking the animals to work with us.  Three dogs will cramp our style a bit, but we won't leave them if there is any known risk.

                  by dianem on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 10:43:36 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

        •  Shotguns (4.00 / 11)

          are the best firearms for those untrained in their use.
          They are the best close-range weapons, and they do not require precision aiming.  Additionally, given a light enough load, say #4 or #6 shot, they can incapacitate or kill a target with lessened risk of overpenetration (projectiles passing through the target or the drywall behind him.)  20ga is suitable for a home defense shotgun for these reasons, as are the low velocity/recoil rounds that Alpha Geek mentions.

          I don't generally advocate firearms for home defense, because the primary stopper in their use is will.  That is to say that you must be willing to kill someone.  Thinking you will intimidate them or wound them generally won't work.
          I generally advocate dialling 911 from a bedside phone (or the nearest phone) and screaming like crazy.  The cops will come code 3.
          That said, if a person has experience with weapons, the easiest weapons to use are those with which one has experience.  In other words, if you shot an M-16 in the army, you should probably try to find a civilian counterpart to an M-16, and not something like an AK-47, and if your granddad taught you to shoot with a single action revolver, you probably shouldn't buy a .44 Desert Eagle.  In any event, if you are going to use a gun for home defense, you need to practice with it at a range every couple of months or so at a minimum in order that you know what to do when the time comes and you're scared out of your mind.

          "I don't belong to an organized political party. I'm a democrat."--Will Rogers

          by soonergrunt on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:17:21 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  the great things about shotguns... (none / 1)

            ...is you can modify them to be non-lethal without anyone really KNOWING they're not lethal. Or so I've heard (rocksalt instead of buckshot).

            No one looking at a shotgun and hearing it being loaded is going to KNOW it won't kill them until it's fired so it still has that extra deterant to it. and if you did get hit with the rocksalt, if it's a direct on hit you're going to be in a little too much pain to really affectively counterattack.

            So I've heard.  ANyway it's the only time I'd even consider buying a shotgun.

            You are entitled to express your opinion. But you are NOT entitled to agreement.

            by DawnG on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:06:35 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  If I Had A Reloader... (none / 1)

              I always wanted to create a few 12 gauge "AP" shells consisting of rock salt and peppercorns.

              They'll get to scratch frantically for a few days...

              Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. --Malcolm X Speaks, 1965

              by Deacon G on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:16:39 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  rock salt? (4.00 / 4)

              If I am in my home and the screaming doesn't make the intruder leave I want them DEAD when I pull the trigger.  Rational people don't break into occupied homes and provolk confrontation-while people strung out on Crystal Meth do fairly bizare things.  I don't think I want to rely on the rock salt method of deterring someone who is unlikely to be affected.  If you need the gun, and you point it at someone who is threatening you bodily harm, be prepared to use it to kill them-or they may just use it to bash your brains out once the rock salt is gone.

              by The umpire on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:28:01 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  The First Round's AP, The Rest Lethal (none / 0)

                If the AP round doesn't get his attention, the other four will...

                Then again, I live in Florida; so even coming up to my doorstep screaming is not a good idea anymore.

                Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. --Malcolm X Speaks, 1965

                by Deacon G on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:38:01 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

              •  Sound advice (4.00 / 2)

                If you are going to protect yourself with a gun, understand that it is there to kill, that is what guns do.  Respect its use and know what you are doing by getting educated (gun shops have info classes), pratice and be smart about how you keep the gun at home - your own or visiting children cannot ever, ever be trusted around loose firearms. If you cannot respect the responsibilty that comes with owning a gun and accept the fact that they are there do kill, do not own one.  

                IMPEACH

                by omw on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:53:59 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  And use common sense. (4.00 / 2)

                  I'm bipolar.  I get moody.  There will never be a gun in any house I live in.  There is just too much chance that I will reach for an easy way out at an extreme moment.  If you have a family member with a temper, or mood problems (depression, bipolarity), or who is just irresponsible get a large dog.  It's damn hard to kill yourself or someone else with a dog, and they are a terrific deterrent against criminals.  

                  by dianem on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 10:47:37 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

              •  Just be sure... (none / 0)

                ...to drag the body back into the house if they run after you blast them.  If they die inside, you're covered.  If they die outside, you could be charged with 2nd degree murder.  

                In every stage of these Oppressions...: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury." DoI, TJ

                by ChuckLin on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:03:58 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

              •  no thank you. (none / 0)

                I don't have anything against your argument but I have already made a choice in my life that I do not want to do the "kill or be killed" bit.  My personal belief is that there is much more to fear from killing than from dying.

                I'm going to die no matter what I do.  Spiritually, the when or the how is incosequential.  But actually taking a life...that is something I have the power to chose or not choose.  

                I'm not saying I'm against violence either.  I wouldn't mind learning a martial art for defensive purposes and have no problems harming a person to save my own life, but I won't take a life to save my own.  

                You are entitled to express your opinion. But you are NOT entitled to agreement.

                by DawnG on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 09:30:24 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  martial arts... (none / 0)

                  ...nothing against them, but if you want to learn self-defense via your body, find someone that teaches real, nasty streetfighting techniques, say via a rape protection class.  Don't rely on books that purport to teach you - you need a real body for this purpose.

                  I had a friend who was a black belt in a couple of martial art techniques, and they weren't enough to prevent her being raped.

                  And do realize that we're talking about range versus battle.  You need a way to make a valid defense at a certain distance versus up close.  

                  If a shotgun is not preferred, at a closer distance (but not yet close-in fighting), I would recommend buying a six foot or so hemlock dowell from your hardware store and turning it into a quarterstaff.

                  What else can slip past
                  An addled old man
                  who dreams He vanquished Charlie?                   (via Driftglass)

                  by Palamedes on Sun Sep 11, 2005 at 05:12:12 AM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

            •  Wha??? (none / 0)

              Jeebus, this sounds like a LGF thread.

              by smapdi king on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 04:29:14 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Well.... (none / 1)

                ....we are talking extreme circumstances here.

                And at least no one is talking about the benefits of surplus MG42s yet... ;-)))

                What else can slip past
                An addled old man
                who dreams He vanquished Charlie?                 (via Driftglass)

                by Palamedes on Sun Sep 11, 2005 at 05:13:05 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

          •  Guns! AlphaGeek spawns lefty survivalist movement (4.00 / 5)

            Now all we need--for real--to take this country back--are teams of atheist missinaries. Seriously if more ex-boomers in birkenstocks are spotted at firing ranges honing their skill--the repubs will run for cover. The NRA will be turned inside out. Let's do it.

            I'm scared of guns but I'm willing to do this to survive. Just want to know if I can have a white gun with a pearl handle, like the one Nancy Reagan claimed to keep in her nightstand.

            by darcarama on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 04:17:08 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  They are the Polaroid of home defense... (none / 0)

            You know, point and click!

            Know your enemy - Rage Against the Machine

            by duck on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:15:47 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  Just make (none / 1)

          sure there are no gas leaks (a common problem in earthquakes) before you let loose with an electric stun device. kabooooooom

          IMPEACH

          by omw on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:14:03 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  An essential tool is (none / 1)

            the special "thingy" you have to own, and find, to turn off the gas in the yard.  Don't do it unless the authorities tell you to, or you smell the scent they put in it to make it detectable, because it may be days or weeks before the gas co. can get to you to turn it on.

            Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman

            by gazingoffsouthward on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 07:56:26 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  Shotgun, 45 or 357 and location (none / 0)

          I have some friends who are convinced they need a gun, and the advice I gave them was to purchase a shotgun first, and also to learn how to use a pistol.  I prefer a higher caliber, semi-automatic like a 45, but a 357 magnum is a sight to behold too (hand cannons usually instill fear, and they're loud as hell).  As always, if you point a gun at someone, you should be prepared to kill them, end of story.  Most people who have guns know this, but many who don't understand weapons like this probably don't have that philosophy figured out.

          My third choice for a weapon, after these is a long range rifle and a scope.  Perfect for rooftops, or situations where you can shoot and displace.  I watched Hotel Rwanda on DVD, and got depressed, because that can happen to us here in America.  In fact, after seeing the Federal response to New Orleans (all those kids locked and loaded looking to shoot people, who simply wanted some water and for their baby to live), it is clear that arming oneself isn't necessarily a bad idea.

          The other thing I think needs to be said is that having all the provisions in the world won't help you if it is buried under your house.  Situations occur where you won't have access to your stuff, fire, for instance.  Not only do you need to be prepared, but your neighbors do too...so that you don't have to fend them off when things get ugly (or they don't have to fend you off).  Worst case scenario is that the food simply doesn't come...and it takes a year to grow stuff.  Armageddon?  Ack!

          The MSM is propaganda.

          by mmuskratt on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 04:04:26 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  hunting rifles are advisable (none / 0)

            if you're a skillful marksperson who happens to have a little land between your home and the road; a 30-30 or 30-06 slug in the engine block of an approaching vehicle will give your potential attackers pause.

            In every stage of these Oppressions...: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury." DoI, TJ

            by ChuckLin on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:07:19 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  Hard to hold a 12 gauge (none / 0)

          while holding a squirmy 2 year old.

          Not an option for me.

          by suzq on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:48:58 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  LOL! (4.00 / 2)

      Funny because I was actually looking at the prices of MREs this last weekend.

      Thank you for the diary.  I honestly didn't even think of most of the possible disasters you had listed.  I was just so fixated on natural disasters I never thought about any of the others.

      BTW I can think of 6 routes out of town.  Is that good?

      You are entitled to express your opinion. But you are NOT entitled to agreement.

      by DawnG on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 01:27:00 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Don't buy too many MREs (4.00 / 6)

        They're luxuries, really, compared to the more cost-effective ways you can prepare to deal with nutrition.

        Rough order of priority for consuming food stores

        1. Canned food with low water content
        2. Canned food with high water content
        3. Shelf-stable prepared foods (MREs)
        4. Shelf-stable rations (ER food bars)
        5. Dehydrated/dry foods (backpacking meals, pancake mix, etc.)

        I'll go into this in more detail in part 3 -- especially the desirability of stocking ER food bars instead of MREs.

        -AG

        "Watching George Bush trying to govern is like
        watching a monkey trying to f**k a football."
        I'm a libertarian, pro-2A capitalist Democrat.

        by AlphaGeek on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 01:39:37 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  MRE's (none / 1)

          Are pretty awful stuff.  But sometimes necessary - no water or heating equipment needed.  Visit your local outdoor store or surf for some MRE alternatives.  Eating nothing but MRE's can be a drag. Dont forget about the tots, food, treats, even small toys are a good idea.

          Somebody mentioned protection: To each his own on guns, but in ALL large scale emergencies in urban areas there are scared and hungry dogs pepper spray (several cans) are a must to protect your family. Buy a good quality product,leaking pepper spray cans are a drag. Police uniform and equipment stores have them. Sorry I don't know current law on purchasing and ownership of pepper spray.

          Good Job!

          IMPEACH

          by omw on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:34:24 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  "Gourmet" food without electricity (none / 1)

          A couple of months ago, I designed the book The Storm Gourmet: A Guide to Extraordinary Meals without Electricity, which contained some pretty tasty-sounding recipes based on shelf-stable ingredients. Also contains lists of how long fresh items will last without power, what thawed foodstuffs can go back in the freezer, and other helpful items. Please consider adding it as a resource in Part 2.

          It was released August 11, and is now available from Pineapple Press, the (really nice to work with) Florida publisher, or through Amazon.com.

          AG, if you want a couple of sample pages or more info, contact me here.

          All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. -- Thos. Jefferson

          by HooverWhoWontSuck on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:00:55 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Years ago I bought a (none / 1)

          stockpile of food from the Mormans. I think it is part of their religion to have a year's supply so they had a lot of good information on how to keep bugs out of the grain, etc. That grain is still under my crawlspace but I haven't checked on it in years. If you can keep the bugs out unprocessed grain is stable and economical.

          by echo on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 04:22:14 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  GORP (none / 1)

          Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts - the hippy backpacker's main staple - is a damn efficient way of storing and hauling nutrients without the water weight.  MREs are  waste of money, money that you're feeding to the Military Industrial Beast.  

          In every stage of these Oppressions...: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury." DoI, TJ

          by ChuckLin on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:09:30 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Those ER bars (none / 0)

          Taste like graham cracker sawdust soaked in corn syrup and wrapped in condoms!

          Genetic evidence for complex speciation of humans and chimpanzees

          by doug r on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 10:31:43 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  you can buy MRE's? (none / 0)

        I assumed those were designed for the military.  I'm in earthquake country and have bearing in mind everything that has transpired in NOLA.  I'm even thinking about putting together an earthquake preparedness kit for a Republican friend and his wife.  The point being that the Republican controlled government ISN'T going to take care of them.

        So where do you buy MRE's?

        I'm a blue drop in a red bucket.

        by blue drop on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:05:09 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  MREs (none / 0)

          Not sure about actual MREs, but there's a Canadian outfit that sells something like it.  They're pre-cooked entrees in a sealed foil pouch that you can boil for five minutes to heat.  They aren't bad, and I keep some on the boat to use - though I've been known to use them when I don't feel like cooking too.  They have great parboiled rice too.

          There's also an outfit that sells Indian and Thai food packaged the same way.  These don't stick around too long at my place.  Some of them are actually downright tasty.

          Here are some links:

          MRE-like stuff
          http://www.freedomeals.com/

          Indian/Thai
          http://www.tastybite.com/

          If conservatives had had their way we'd still be an English colony.

          by baba durag on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:24:54 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Mix it up (none / 0)

            MRE's require no heating or water, some have a chemical self heating element but taste awful.  You may not have a way to boil water. Bring backpack food and MRE's if you can.

            IMPEACH

            by omw on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:40:14 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Neither do these (none / 0)

              Like MREs these can be eaten cold if you wish, as they are pre-cooked.  Nor do they require water to prepare - except to heat.  In NO you could use the fetid water to heat them in, since the food never encounters the water.

              Backpack food requires water if it's dehydrated.  Use the non-freeze dried stuff.

              If conservatives had had their way we'd still be an English colony.

              by baba durag on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:46:39 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  i'm familiar with these (none / 0)

            gotta love Trader Joe's.  the entrees are close to being as good as what i would get at an Indian restaurant for a quarter of the price. but COLD palak paneer?...ick.  i suppose if i got desperate enough.

            I'm a blue drop in a red bucket.

            by blue drop on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:44:12 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Yep (none / 0)

              Cold ain't my idea of tasty either.  But in survival mode I think I'd be happy to have it.  They've got all the same drawbacks as MREs, and all the advantages too.  And they're tastier!

              Latitude38, a local sailing rag, once advocated the idea that survival rations ought to consist of things you actually like.  (Not just hardtack and salt pork :).  I always liked that approach, so I try to follow it.  Like you say, even Trader Joe's stocks it.  That's where I first came across it too.

              If conservatives had had their way we'd still be an English colony.

              by baba durag on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 04:51:38 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  trouble is... (none / 0)

                i don't think they would stay in the house long enough to serve as earthquake rations.  maybe i'll slip a bunch into a box and seal it.  if left in the pantry, i'll likely eat them.

                I'm a blue drop in a red bucket.

                by blue drop on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 07:35:15 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  motivation (none / 0)

                  if ever there was a time that a treat of something you like would be welcome it would be when the chips are really down.  that's the motivation to keep it around for me.  i eat them when I feel like it, but replenish the stocks right away.

                  a legendary British sailor/explorer, Tristan Jones, had a policy that went like this (paraphrased): "If something catastrophic happens the first thing to do is sit down and make a big mug of hot tea with milk and sugar.  1) You may not get another chance, and 2) afterward you'll feel much better, and be better able to tackle the problems you face."

                  but, as always, do what feels best to you.  you're the best judge for yourself.

                  :)

                  If conservatives had had their way we'd still be an English colony.

                  by baba durag on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 08:21:22 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

        •  Check a Military Supply Store (none / 0)

          Not sure if they carry them, but this would be where I would look. What these stores sell is actually amazing. Also look at a site like this for camping related food:

          http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=237&catalogId=400000 00226&storeId=226

          by webranding on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:35:24 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  If Not MRE's, Then Try Dehydrated Instead (none / 0)

            I stumbledd onto this site about two years ago, Walton Feed, out of Idaho.  They not only sell MRE's but also multiple types of dehydrated foods as well as survival supplies and "go" bags.

            Living here in Florida I'm seriously considering both the "go" bags and some of their dehydrated products (they even sell a one year supply of dehydrated foods for a single individual), not only for hurricane season but also to bolster my food supplies.  Right now, the only thing's stopping me is money...

            Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. --Malcolm X Speaks, 1965

            by Deacon G on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:21:43 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  dehydrated needs water (none / 0)

              better not to expect access to water in an emergency.

              If conservatives had had their way we'd still be an English colony.

              by baba durag on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 04:53:43 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  My only concern about Walton Feed... (none / 1)

              ...is that they sell a lot fo stuff with hydolized protein.  I'm always leery of having too much of that kind of food around, though in an emergency, you shouldn't be picky.

              One alternative, as screwy as it sounds, is Canadian canned/tinned food, especially meat products.  They don't seem to use hydolized processes as much, in some meat products not at all, and you can usually find it cheap at dollar stores, Big Lots, or their equivalent.

              What else can slip past
              An addled old man
              who dreams He vanquished Charlie?               (via Driftglass)

              by Palamedes on Sun Sep 11, 2005 at 05:25:34 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  Careful though, (none / 0)

            MREs will go bad.  I think their rated shelf life is five years.  Which means if you get them at a surplus store they may be at the end of their shelf lives.

            See you at the debate, bitches!

            by calipygian on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:43:26 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  The problem... (none / 1)

            When it comes to MRE's most of the stores are selling MREs that already have about half of their shelf-life gone...

            Stored properly they are only good for about 5 years.

            I keep them in my car for emergency food on the road.

            One nice thing about MREs...

            About 2000 calories per meal.

            Keep in mind that for the average person 1 MRE can get them through an entire day if you eat it a bit at a time. (The average American is lazy, yaknow?)

            In the Infantry some guys would eat as many as 5 or 6 per day to be able to keep warm in the winter and still be able to do a long grueling day's work.

            You have to think about what you will be doing and how much you will need to sustain yourself properly.

            Drinking Liberally in New Milford

            by m16eib on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 06:30:31 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  MRE's are pricey (none / 0)

          The last time I checked, it seems like they ran somewhere between $4 and $6 per meal.  You would be better off creating your own meal, in my opinion, unless you're wealthy enough to plunk down some sizeable change.

          "Life is forever menaced by chaos and must restore balance with every intake of breath"-- Jean Gebser

          by rangemaster on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 10:25:16 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  It Ain't Hard to Prepare (none / 1)

        There are some great comments here. I'm 35 and as a yound Boy Scout camping equipment wasn't that great. Today it is stunning. I could pick up my pack walk into the woods in southern Illinois and live for a long time. I paid a little more cause I love to hike/camp, but for $500 you could have a complete set-up.

        by webranding on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:32:41 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  MREs (none / 0)

        MREs are expensive.  You might want to back that up with a 25lb bag of pinto beans and a 25lb bag of rice.  Cost you about $25 altogether at Costco and feed you for quite a while (over a month).

        If not us who, if not now, when.

        by sabinspeiser on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:45:27 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  beans and rice... (none / 1)

          ..require water and heat to make edible.  Depending on the disaster both might be unavailable or in short supply.  (though technically you could cook beans and rice with a solar oven but you still need water and that might not be practical in the colder northern states)

          You are entitled to express your opinion. But you are NOT entitled to agreement.

          by DawnG on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:19:25 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Alcohol stove (none / 0)

            You can cook very well with a surplus alcohol stove, campers and hikers use them all the time.

            by Orion on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:30:02 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  yeah well. (none / 0)

              Just one more thing to pack and one more thing to remember in an emegency.

              K.I.S.S. is probably a good policy for disaster planning.

              You are entitled to express your opinion. But you are NOT entitled to agreement.

              by DawnG on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:51:05 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Tuna, people! (none / 0)

                Solid protein, and easily transported in the flat new bags.  When we don't have power and the sound of chain saws is heard in the land, cool or room temp will do it.  Of course, if you're catching game and cooking it on a spit, then I'd suggest a nice dry cajun spice rub.

                Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman

                by gazingoffsouthward on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 08:04:01 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

            •  Doesn't need to be surplus, or packed (none / 0)

              We have a little one-burner stove stored with our emergency stuff. I doubt that I'd want to try to haul it around, but if we were stuck in our house with our supply of water and no electricity, we could indeed cook up some rice at least.

              I'm doing a panel on Blogs and the Media at VCon, Oct 4, Vancouver BC

              by Omir the Storyteller on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:13:59 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  I kept a bag of rice as a reserve (none / 0)

            and after a year, I started having bug problems.  I couldnt for the life of me figure out where they were coming from until I checked the rice.  The bad was bloated and there was a fetid smell coming from it.  The rice had a type of small rice weevil in it.  Nasty.

            See you at the debate, bitches!

            by calipygian on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:41:37 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Avoid anything that needs to be cooked (none / 0)

              because electricity is likely to be knocked out by a hurricane.

              Most fresh fruit will last for several days
              Apples and citrus fruit will last at least a month
              Tomatoes will last about 10 days at least

              Canned goods will last a long time and are often discounted or sold at 2 for 1 deals:

              1. canned fruits and vegetables
              2. canned tuna
              3, other canned meats are available but are not part of my regular diet
              3. canned soup because you can eat it right out of the can

              Manufactured baked goods will also last at least a month in most cases.

              by SingleVoter on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 07:38:00 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  OK, you mentioned canned meat . . . (none / 0)

                so I feel compelled to bring a little [more] levity to this thread. If you really want to look like a veteran of the hurricane wars, from Camille to Frederick up to Ophelia, the essential item which marks you is a can of Spam.  If you cannot in good conscience buy it, then beenie weenies is a distant second.  There are lots of Southerners raising their contemplated warm beers to me right now in agreement with the cultural and conversational significance of Spam.

                We forge community in the canned meat aisle before each storm, debating on whether, how much, and if the deviled ham counts.  I don't actually own any myself, but it's always the in-joke, the rallying cry, the thing that can get tense, tight shoppers to relax and laugh a little.  And take it from a survivor of the Northridge quakes, the Rodney King riots, Erin, Opal, Georges, Ivan, and Katrina, breaking the tension is often an important thing to do.

                Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman

                by gazingoffsouthward on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 12:08:47 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

            •  rice and grain... (none / 0)

              ....should always, always, always kept in the tightest containers you can buy, and put dry ice in the canister first.

              What else can slip past
              An addled old man
              who dreams He vanquished Charlie?               (via Driftglass)

              by Palamedes on Sun Sep 11, 2005 at 05:28:09 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

    •  This is terrific, AlphaGeek ... (4.00 / 14)

      ...I know you'll be talking in more detail in parts 2 and 3, but here's what we've done to be prepared for the Big One if it hits Los Angeles.

      Each car is supplied with a survival kit for three people, including for each person, a pair of sneakers, jeans, tee-shirt, a flashlight, spare batteries, a good knife, a survival blanket, a half-gallon of water, some long-lasting power bars, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene supplies.  Each car also has a first-aid kit (don't buy the ready-mades, build your own) a shovel, a gasoline siphon hose, flares, and a large crowbar and ... a can opener in case we have to loot some grocery stores. And $300 in cash.

      My wife has a smaller survival kit in a backpack in a drawer at her office.

      We have ample amounts of survival food items and 60 gallons of water stored in our backyard, a small generator, a backpack of handtools, rope, chain, tarps, and other useful items.

      We also have a procedure and a backup for meeting each other should communications go down.

      This all came about when my ex-office was retrofitted for earthquake protection and I talked with a firefighter and read predictions of what might happen if an 8.0 struck here. It's sobering. And Katrina has reinforced that for us.

      I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

      by Meteor Blades on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 01:46:08 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  hey (4.00 / 5)

        I'm heading over to your house in an emergency. Can I bring something, like maybe a bottle of nice Chardonnay?

        by elmo on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 01:50:04 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Thanks, MB (4.00 / 4)

        You might consider adding water-purification supplies to your car kits.  I'll discuss water in great detail in the final installment.

        -AG

        "Watching George Bush trying to govern is like
        watching a monkey trying to f**k a football."
        I'm a libertarian, pro-2A capitalist Democrat.

        by AlphaGeek on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:00:10 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Thank YOU! This is a ... (none / 1)

          ...crucial service you've done for Kossacks. After the '94 quake, I wrote a two-page memo to my boss about the need to spend a two thousand dollars for emergency training of all employees, encouraging office survival kits, and lashing down computer monitors and CPUs.

          I did this each year for five years before surrendering. He didn't even want to spend money to save the equipment - much less the people. I wonder if he's an advisor to "Brownie" now.

          I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

          by Meteor Blades on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:07:04 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  I Live In A New York City HighRise (4.00 / 2)

            What options other than bottled water do I have, if at 78, I live on the 19th floor of a high rise  and cannot get out?  While I feel it's useful to have survival information, this country is glaringly unprepared to protect its citizens, and in fact, cannot offer the kind of ideas and  disaster plans that you are offering.

            Just imagine that in a chaotic terrorist attack my building lobby became a triage area combined with criminals knocking down apartment doors,looting,shooting,raping,or doing anything to survive?

            Perhaps we really haven't thought this all out.  We now know the Government certainly hasn't.

            Darwin looms over the Intelligent Design of denial and wishful thinking offered by our idiotically incompetent and criminally negligent administration.

            headhunter

            by morris1030 on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:01:28 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  hot water heater (4.00 / 2)

              Does your apartment have its own hot water heater? If you know how to drain it, you can extract the potable water.

              by silence on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:16:12 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  Well, you live in New York ... (none / 1)

              ...so you'll have to buy a gun in New Jersey. Given the scenario you describe, that's something I would do. But having enough food and water and batteries (et cetera) on hand, can help in many circumstances. If a meteor or 10 kiloton nuke hits, well, it's curtains, what can I say?

              I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

              by Meteor Blades on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:18:49 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  you can get bottled water delivered (none / 1)

              ... from the local supermarket (a lot of my elderly neighbors get their groceries delivered; most of the delivery people around here are from the Sudan and they're really nice, or so my neighbors say). You'll have to stock up before the disaster, but that's the case with all of the preparations.

              by gecko on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 09:32:33 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  morris1030 (none / 0)

              While your situation is a bit different from many of the other folks on here, with some relatively straightforward preparation (mental and material) you can face just about any likely scenario with confidence.

              It would be difficult to pull in a lot of material from the future Diaries in this series to give you a complete plan in this comment, so I'll give you some starting points to consider and ask you to check back on Monday to discuss this further.

              First, you have some advantages.  The 19th floor of a high-rise is an excellent tactical position.  If you take refuge in your apartment for the duration of the (undefined) emergency, then you will not be an attractive target for would-be criminals.  Note that you should plan to keep a low profile at night -- shades drawn, bright lights in emergency only, reading lights kept well away from windows.

              Your age is another advantage, believe it or not.  Older folks require fewer calories to get by due to their lower basal metabolic rates.  This means that a 3600-calorie emergency ration bar that would sustain my 34-year-old, high-metabolism carcass for 1.5 days (at most) will probably last you 3 days.  In other words, you're a cheap date.

              Your first step in fortifying your security situation is to get acquainted with your neighbors.  Agree on two code-words to use when knocking on doors -- one when everything is OK, another if the person knocking is under duress.  If you have friends or relatives out of state who should be contacted in case of emergency, please put this information onto a reference card and give it to one or two neighbors.  Offer to do the same for them.

              Next, do an honest assessment of your environmental risks.  In a high-rise, heat or cold during an extended power outage can be serious issues.  You must consider how you would deal with both situations.

              Finally, put together a plan to survive 7 days without services or rescue by sheltering in place.  For details on ways to do this, again, please check back on Monday.

              Be safe, elder brother.

              -AG

              "Watching George Bush trying to govern is like
              watching a monkey trying to f**k a football."
              I'm a libertarian, pro-2A capitalist Democrat.

              by AlphaGeek on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 09:47:38 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  locate a building with a gutter (none / 0)

              because everytime it rains drinkable water will pour down.

              Find out how the rain water drains off the roof of your building.

              Avoid collecting rainwater for a few minutes until most of the impurities have been washed away.

              by SingleVoter on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 07:45:33 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  In most cities... (none / 0)

              ...I think the biggest concern should not be looting, but fire.

              After having a fair number of can openers (preferably in your jump bags in your home, your car and at work), gear to remove people from collapsed houses and gear to stop or mitigate to the fullest extent possible fires is crucial.

              I have an ancient Whole Earth Review from 1990 that talked about the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, and fire was the primary emphasis in their discussion (after how clueless people could be in the midst of disaster, which is why I'm not as worried about firearms in the immediate wake of one - later, perhaps necessary...)

              What else can slip past
              An addled old man
              who dreams He vanquished Charlie?               (via Driftglass)

              by Palamedes on Sun Sep 11, 2005 at 05:35:59 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

        •  Water distillation (4.00 / 2)

          A large plastic sheet, flexible tubing (optional), a container and a shovel can net you up to a quart of distilled water per day. Three or four of them per person can sustain you for awhile.

          Of course, you need moisture. Urine, vegetation, unclean water can all make for a refreshing glass of clean water.

          hink

          Hyperbole will be the death of us all!

          by MrHinkyDink on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:06:05 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Outside the scope of this series (none / 0)

            I'm trying to stick to mainstream disaster prep, but I'm sure the audience thanks you for the mental image of you drinking your distilled urine.  Heh.

            -AG

            "Watching George Bush trying to govern is like
            watching a monkey trying to f**k a football."
            I'm a libertarian, pro-2A capitalist Democrat.

            by AlphaGeek on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 10:38:26 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  I saw something on this... (none / 0)

              ...a LONG time ago on a short lived series who's name I can't recall on how to survive in various circumstance.  

              They litterally took black plastic sheeting, laid it over a hole in the ground and filled it with seawater, and then created a little tent out of another piece of black plastic sheeting.  The water evaporated and stuck to the sheeting and little drops slid down the walls of the tent into little ditches dug around the hole and that water was fresh.

              But isn't there a certain level of contamination that can't be addressed with this kind of distillation?  I'd think water contaminated with bacteria might not be deconaminated this way would it?

              You are entitled to express your opinion. But you are NOT entitled to agreement.

              by DawnG on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 09:56:29 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

        •  Water systems (4.00 / 3)

          Katadyne filtration systems rock. They've got both personal size, and a muscle powered neighborhood unit that'll serve 15-20 gallons an hour, depending how dirty your input is.
          Durable, we've run them 24/7 for a week at rainbow gatherings.

          Hm. Should be no suprise, the price of the big one has gone up since I last looked. $850 is the best I'm seeing.

          This is a test of the Emergency Free Speech System.
          This is only a test.
          If this had been an actual emergency, I'd already be locked up.

          by ben masel on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:50:11 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  filtration may not be enough (none / 1)

            if you're anywhere downstream of an urban area, you'd better learn how to improvise a still.  only distilling guarantees sanitary water.  

            In every stage of these Oppressions...: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury." DoI, TJ

            by ChuckLin on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:12:59 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Reverse osmosis (none / 1)

              RO filters, like I assume Ben is talking about, have pore sizes smaller than viruses and bacteria.  So water borne disease can be pretty much eliminated.  Chemical contaminates with molecules smaller than the pore size can still be a problem, but the number of chemicals that group gets pretty small with a tight enough filter size.

              The problem with distillation is twofold:1) it requires a lot of energy to make water vaporize into steam to distill it.  That can be done fast with a stove, or slow with a solar still.  But the total quantity of energy remains the same, and to distill any quantity of water sufficient to sustain you (and others) will require lots of energy.  2) any chemical with a vaporization energy less than water ends up being carried right along with the water into the vapor and then into the distilled water.  Things like benzene fall into this category.  So distillation is no panacea.

              My opinion is that RO is a great way to go.  It's been said that an RO filter is like pumping water through an eighth inch thick piece of solid fiberglass.  Imagine how difficult it is to get anything but the tiniest molecule through that.

              If conservatives had had their way we'd still be an English colony.

              by baba durag on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 08:52:39 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

        •  thanks, AG! (none / 1)

          And there are great sources for reasonably priced, small purification filters--I await your consumer report.  

          Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman

          by gazingoffsouthward on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 08:05:34 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  Just how big is your car? (none / 1)

        Just wondering how much room all that takes up.

        I have a rather haphazard kit in my car that I have been meaning to sort out-- some of it doubles as gardening and bike tools.

        My bike lives on the back of my car now. I figure why not have a spare mode of transportation?

        And now a word from the National Paint, Varnish and Lacquer Association

        by Olds88 on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:09:11 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Small station wagons ... (none / 0)

          ...but all of this stuff together can be crammed into a medium sized duffel bag or backpack, except the water. Even a Miata can handle that and still carry a spare tire.

          I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

          by Meteor Blades on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:21:32 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  Damn! (4.00 / 6)

        Way to be prepared!  And I thought I was doing good because I have periodic tornado drills with my two cats (not difficult - scream TORNADO, run into the bathroom and hand out treats) and have emergency supplies stashed in my bathroom.

        When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. -- Jimi Hendrix

        by gnutpnut on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:11:05 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  this reminds me (none / 1)

          of the time we had a tornado warning in our area. My husband and I kept trying to get in the bathtub with our two Boston terriers and position a mattress over our heads. The dogs thought (reasonably enough) that we were trying to give them a bath and kept jumping out to save what they considered to be their appropriately doggy smelly hides. By the time we got all of us back into the tub at the same time, the tornado warning had expired.

          by elmo on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:30:27 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Love it! (none / 1)

          Got more feline (or canine for that matter) preparedness tips and tricks to share?

          Bloom and Moo thank you - merow!

          (Brilliant diary, AG. Was just readying myself to set out the emergency preparedness journey alone)

          God bless our tinfoil hearts.

          by aitchdee on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 03:04:30 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  Absolutely terrific ... (4.00 / 2)

        Did you also include some superfangled minidevice that can automatically download dailykos ... I know that wouldn't be the first thing on my mind in an emergency at first, but huddled somewhere in the event of a disaster-struck area, I'd be thinking pretty quickly, "if only I had dkos, I could keep up to speed moment by moment!"

        Alpha, this may come up later in your other installments, but what about creating community-based disaster-resistance groups ... I mean, what if officials weren't available and people had only each other to turn to? It definitely sounds like some have their own personal or couples-based survival plans established already (enormously enlightening and inspiring), but do you know if this has grown to include grassroots disaster-based networks? I mean, I'm sure some of our very red neighbors would tell us to take a flying leap, but anyway, I was just thinking of the next level beyond  the immediate individuals concerned.

        Can't wait for the other installs.

        by Scholar on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:15:13 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  In response to your questions (4.00 / 4)

          Did you also include some superfangled minidevice that can automatically download dailykos ...

          While I, personally, might have Internet access in a disaster it would be technically challenging for many folks to establish and maintain that capability.  Just as a for-example, here are some of the access methods I have available:

          1. home access via DSL
          2. dialup modem access via any working phone line, with a complete list of access numbers for North America stored in a text file
          3. laptop wireless access via the Sprint CDMA network
          4. laptop wireless access via the Cingular GSM network
          5. phone-browser wireless access via the Cingular GSM network

          Oh, and I know the location of the nearest house with DirecWay two-way satellite-based Internet connectivity.

          Oh, and all of my critical files and applications are on a 2GB USB key, which can be plugged into any Windows box with Internet access.

          Alpha, this may come up later in your other installments, but what about creating community-based disaster-resistance groups ...

          This is very important, and I will be covering this in the second installment.

          Thanks for the questions.

          -AG

          "Watching George Bush trying to govern is like
          watching a monkey trying to f**k a football."
          I'm a libertarian, pro-2A capitalist Democrat.

          by AlphaGeek on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:28:29 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  You'd Be Suprised How Many Don't... (none / 1)

            ...do anything about their systems when a natural disaster is coming, mainly because most folks don't do enough on their computers to think about what would happen if they lost them.

            For my part, when Frances hit I made sure that all of my application install CD's were in a safe place; burned all my data files to DVD and then backed that up with an Archos 40GB USB pocket drive (about $200 at Circuit City, last I checked). Every application on my home PC is also on my laptop, and it has both 56K and Ethernet hookups.

            Somewhere along the line I'll probably invest in a Iomega (gag!) REV 36/72 GB removable and back up the entire partition using True Image, but that's a way down the road.

            At the very least, everyone who has data on PC's that they might want to hang on to should burn at least a set of CD's or two (after all, CD'