John Titor
http://www.johntitor.com/
He lists 10 things you can do to help yourself survive a disaster of huge proportions, and Hurricane Katrina made me think of it again. Whether or not he was actually a time traveller, his ideas are a common sense approach to surviving when things get tougher than $4 a gallon gasoline. His advice is in black, my comments in blue. Here are the 10 things:
1. Do not eat or use products from any animal that is fed and eats parts of its own dead. We now know that CJD and Mad Cow are problems.
2. Do not kiss or have intimate relations with anyone you do not know.
This only makes sense in the age of AIDS.
3. Learn basic sanitation and water purification.
Humanure Handbook, OA Guide to Water Purification
4. Be comfortable around firearms. Learn to shoot and clean a gun.
5. Get a good first aid kit and learn to use it.
First Aid Kit
6. Find 5 people within 100 miles that you trust with your life and stay in contact with them.
I find Freemasonry to be a good way to meet trustworthy men. Other groups might be the Red Cross, or your local church group.
7. Get a copy of the US Constitution and read it.
U.S. Consitution
8. Eat less.
Getting in shape will help.
9. Get a bicycle and two sets of spare tires. Ride it 10 miles a week.
Trek Bikes should be available at your local bike shop, as should Gary Fisher. They're well made, and the higher end ones are made in America. I also know they're good bikes that last quite a while. This will also help with the getting in shape thing. I know from experience that 10 miles a week quickly grows to more, if you keep at it. It just gets easier.
10. Consider what you would bring with you if you had to leave your home in 10 min. and never return.
I think that speaks for itself. My Inlaws had to do exactly this with Katrina. I'd make sure the handgun and first aid kit were on the list.
Comments
In a major disaster, I'm afraid having a weapon makes sense. People panic.
But I advocate, advise, and encourage those who would have a weapon, to be educated in it's use, and not to panic themselves.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/01/katrina.impact/index.html