Being aware of your surroundings - knowing what is going on around you, who is around you and what they are doing - is a key element to your personal safety and one of the most basic ways to keep from becoming a "victim" of a crime. Many of you may already know about the Cooper Color Codes - assigning a "color" so you can match your state of readiness with your state of awareness - it is really easy to learn and practice.
The color code system of awareness has 5 states of readiness:
* White: unaware, not paying attention
* Yellow: attentive, but relaxed
* Orange: focus is directed, there is an immediate potential threat
* Red: there is a definitive threat
* Black: you are actively fighting
Instead of re-writing it all here, click to this website to the Women's Self Defense Institute where you can learn all about what these are and then get busy putting them in to practice every day!
States of Awareness - The Cooper Color Codes
Showing posts with label mindset. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mindset. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Spring Means Appleseed!
Now that Spring is here, it's time to get to work and find an RWVA Appleseed event in your area! My daughter and I are attending one this year; my husband attended one a few years ago and has recommended it to everyone he knows. If you aren't familiar with Appleseed - here's what it is all about, taken from the RWVA Appleseed website:
WHAT IS APPLESEED?
The Appleseed Program is designed to take you from being a simple rifle owner to being a true rifleman. An American tradition, the rifleman has been defined as a marksman capable of hitting a man-sized target from 500 yards away - no ifs, ands or buts about it. This 500-yard range is traditionally known as "the rifleman's quarter-mile." A rifleman can hit just about any target he can see within that radius. Marksmanship skill (albeit with smoothbore muskets) was particularly evident in the birth of our country, and was the difference in winning the Revolutionary War, right from the first day.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The fee for 2010 Appleseed Events is unchanged from last year: $45 a day or $70 for the weekend. Free for Women, Youth Under 21yrs, Active Military, Guard or Reserve with ID. "Pay at the door" fees: $50 a day or $80 for the weekend. Participants may be required to pay a range fee to be collected by the range.
NOTE : Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the event, in order to process paper work. If you miss it, you can still register at the door!
WHERE ARE THE SHOOTS HELD?
Appleseed shoots are held in most states - just visit the website, click on Schedule and you can filter by state to find one near you.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
Visit the RWVA Appleseed website by clicking on the link. If you decide to attend an Appleseed event, the website has great information that will tell you how to prepare and what you need to bring.
See you at Appleseed!
WHAT IS APPLESEED?
The Appleseed Program is designed to take you from being a simple rifle owner to being a true rifleman. An American tradition, the rifleman has been defined as a marksman capable of hitting a man-sized target from 500 yards away - no ifs, ands or buts about it. This 500-yard range is traditionally known as "the rifleman's quarter-mile." A rifleman can hit just about any target he can see within that radius. Marksmanship skill (albeit with smoothbore muskets) was particularly evident in the birth of our country, and was the difference in winning the Revolutionary War, right from the first day.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The fee for 2010 Appleseed Events is unchanged from last year: $45 a day or $70 for the weekend. Free for Women, Youth Under 21yrs, Active Military, Guard or Reserve with ID. "Pay at the door" fees: $50 a day or $80 for the weekend. Participants may be required to pay a range fee to be collected by the range.
NOTE : Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the event, in order to process paper work. If you miss it, you can still register at the door!
WHERE ARE THE SHOOTS HELD?
| Upcoming TN shoots: | |
| April 2010 | |
| Kingsport, TN - Apr 17-18 | Information or Register |
| Lobelville, TN - Apr 17-18 | Information or Register |
| Manchester, TN - Apr 17-18 | Information or Register |
| Maynardville, TN - Apr 17-18 | Information or Register |
| Puryear, TN - Apr 17-18 | Information or Register |
| May 2010 | |
| Manchester, TN - May 22-23 | Information or Register |
| June 2010 | |
| Puryear, TN - Jun 19-20 | Information or Register |
| September 2010 | |
| Manchester, TN - Sep 4-5 | Information or Register |
| Puryear, TN - Sep 4-6 | Information or Register |
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
Visit the RWVA Appleseed website by clicking on the link. If you decide to attend an Appleseed event, the website has great information that will tell you how to prepare and what you need to bring.
See you at Appleseed!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Hardship Drill - Could You?
Guest post from Ohio Preppers Network.
Hardship drill
Hardship drill
Fire drills. Hurricane/tornado evacuation drills. Home intruder drills. Bug-out drills. All essential activities to engage in as part of your and your families preps. However, these address preparing for more or less single isolated events-- although you should also prepare for the aftermath. But what about preparing for hardships like job loss? Sure, you have a cache of food stores, hopefully of cash on hand, etc. What more can you do?
I'd like to suggest the "Hardship Drill." A Hardship Drill is a longer-term prepping activity designed to help you and your family learn how to deal with deprivation. Here's what I have in mind, but each family could tailor this to their own situation and habits.
I'm suggesting that each family member give up something for a week. That something should now be a regular item in the family's budget, and preferably one that ain't cheap. It could be a service like home internet, cable TV (hey Dad, can you live for a week without NFL ticket?), or cell phone service (or maybe just the texting feature). Whatever it is, it should be something you are now spending money on that might find itself on the chopping block if you are forced to cut expenses. Alternatively, the entire family could give up the same thing and go through withdrawl together!
I know some of you are living a real Hardship Drill that's lasting longer than a week. What do you think? Is it worth preparing for the psychological effects of "downsizing" a household?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Civil or Uncivilized?
There's been an interesting little discussion going on at Survival Boards for the past few days - revolving around the question: "At what point will people stop being civilized?" In other words, in the event of a major societal disaster or breakdown, when will people lose it?
Hubby has the following opinion - as always, we welcome a hearty discussion and love to hear your individual opinions - so feel free to leave us some comments!
~~~~~~~~~~
Like many other questions about individuals, the answer will vary widely with the individual in question.
For some, possibly the earliest they will become uncivilized is when they realize that no one is watching - they are no longer constrained by law enforcement or held accountable. This crew turns savage sometime between the initial event and two days; they are your initial threat and may be present in riots or gangs. NOTE: Well disciplined gangs may conserve assets and gather information biding their time until much later.
Be prepared to deal with this group of people out of your Get Home Bag (GHB) and CCW.
Others will become uncivilized when their food, medicine or other goods they typically purchase run out; sometime between day two and one week after the initial event.
Be prepared to deal with this group of people out of a Bail Out Bag (BOB).
Yet others will become uncivilized when they realize no help is coming, there is no FEMA rescue, I'd say about one to two weeks after an initial event for this crowd.
Be prepared to deal with these people from your Bail Out Location (BOL). In some cases you could use these people to your advantage to recruit critical skills you need in your group. Perhaps something like Labor for Room and Board-type arrangements.
Finally, the organized predators, or road-gangs will come out; they will be equipped to take what they want from small groups of preppers, and will seek out sources of supply to raid or loot. They may be capable of overcoming small communities or fortified family groups. They will appear between three weeks to two months after the initial event. These people are actively looking for your Bail Out Location (BOL). Be aware, this group could also include well-trained former Law Enforcement Officers and Security Contractors.
So, in my opinion I think we should plan to expect multiple different waves of people to get uncivilized as each group reaches its trigger point.
Some people might see the first group as the biggest problem, I don't - they are easiest to dissuade by a threat of forceful response by an individual.
I see the last group as the greatest problem. They will not be dissuaded by the resistance of an individual - they have to be actually be stopped, and individual effort will not be sufficient. This is why many form "mutual assistance groups".
It is my opinion that any "mutual assistance group" with less than six operators will be ineffective or compromised as you move down the list of "uncivilized" people you will have to deal with.
Hubby has the following opinion - as always, we welcome a hearty discussion and love to hear your individual opinions - so feel free to leave us some comments!
~~~~~~~~~~
Like many other questions about individuals, the answer will vary widely with the individual in question.
For some, possibly the earliest they will become uncivilized is when they realize that no one is watching - they are no longer constrained by law enforcement or held accountable. This crew turns savage sometime between the initial event and two days; they are your initial threat and may be present in riots or gangs. NOTE: Well disciplined gangs may conserve assets and gather information biding their time until much later.
Be prepared to deal with this group of people out of your Get Home Bag (GHB) and CCW.
Others will become uncivilized when their food, medicine or other goods they typically purchase run out; sometime between day two and one week after the initial event.
Be prepared to deal with this group of people out of a Bail Out Bag (BOB).
Yet others will become uncivilized when they realize no help is coming, there is no FEMA rescue, I'd say about one to two weeks after an initial event for this crowd.
Be prepared to deal with these people from your Bail Out Location (BOL). In some cases you could use these people to your advantage to recruit critical skills you need in your group. Perhaps something like Labor for Room and Board-type arrangements.
Finally, the organized predators, or road-gangs will come out; they will be equipped to take what they want from small groups of preppers, and will seek out sources of supply to raid or loot. They may be capable of overcoming small communities or fortified family groups. They will appear between three weeks to two months after the initial event. These people are actively looking for your Bail Out Location (BOL). Be aware, this group could also include well-trained former Law Enforcement Officers and Security Contractors.
So, in my opinion I think we should plan to expect multiple different waves of people to get uncivilized as each group reaches its trigger point.
Some people might see the first group as the biggest problem, I don't - they are easiest to dissuade by a threat of forceful response by an individual.
I see the last group as the greatest problem. They will not be dissuaded by the resistance of an individual - they have to be actually be stopped, and individual effort will not be sufficient. This is why many form "mutual assistance groups".
It is my opinion that any "mutual assistance group" with less than six operators will be ineffective or compromised as you move down the list of "uncivilized" people you will have to deal with.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Preparedness Cross-Training
Here's something to think about this fine fall weekend if you haven't already: Among your immediate prepper "family" or "mutual support group" - how much cross-training do you have?
Is this something you have thought much about? Not only how much cross-training do you have, but how much do you think you need? In what particular areas? If you had to be self-sufficient for a period of time, do you have enough people to do all the things that would need to be done in a day?
My mind has been thinking on this topic again recently, since my husband received mobilization orders and left this past week for a one-year assignment with the Army. He's stateside and will probably be able to come home for weekend visit every 2-3 months - so we're fortunate in that regard.
Given a lot of the things going on these days though - businesses still closing, unemployment still going up, homes still going into foreclosure, restlessness about the looming healthcare bill, concern about our economic stability, concerns about Iran, Iraq, terrorism in general, the swine flu, upcoming winter weather - there are lots of things to think about and pay attention to that could have an impact on your day-to-day life and survival.
Knowing that my husband won't be here on a day-to-day basis has made me spend some time thinking again about our preparedness plans and how they would (or would not!) work without him here to be a major participant in our plans.
We all tend to gravitate toward preparedness activities that we enjoy doing or know how to do well. And I'd venture to guess that in most families, Dad has his set of skills and areas he takes care of, Mom has hers and together they probably assign activities to any of the children that are around.
So if you take Dad or Mom out of the picture - how do your plans work? Where are the holes? Seems to me that cross-training would be a good idea to keep things going as smoothly as possible. Which means you have to think about what areas to cross-train, who to train, how frequently will you have them practice to learn and keep their skills, etc.
For example, I know how to build a great fire to heat our home and we've put in 3 new cords of wood this year (we're in West TN remember, it doesn't get super cold here for extended periods of time). We're narrowing down wood stove inserts and plan to purchase one in the next couple of weeks - it will have the ability to heat our entire home if necessary and also have a cooktop. So our ability to heat our home and have an alternative cooking method is in good shape. This year I'll be teaching our oldest child (age 10) how to start a fire and keep it going as good as I can.
Something I don't know a lot about though, is running the new generator we've purchased. I haven't seen it in operation yet. Also, we recently purchased a set of solar panels, 125 amp and 265 amp batteries, inverter - but this is another area that I don't know a lot about and need additional training if I want to make these useful to me. Hubby knows all about these items, but since we got them in place just before he left, he hasn't had the chance to cross-train me.
My oldest child at age 10 knows how to do quite a bit of cooking, laundry, basic cleaning, learned to mow the lawn this year, etc.
We take quite a bit of time to try to train our children how to do things that are part of our day-to-day lives and as they grow and mature, we add to these things like archery skills, shooting sports and safe gun handling, livestock care, etc.
Some preppers have taken the time to prepare elaborate notebooks with instructions so any member of their family can pick up the notebook and have detailed instructions about a variety of necessary tasks.
We haven't done this yet, but I know it is a great idea and one I'll be working on throughout this fall. Most of us have lots of information in our heads that we know intimately, but if we needed a spouse, child, friend or neighbor to pick up in our stead, there might be a few or many bumps along the way without a written plan.
I realize some personality types would see this level of detailed instruction as a nightmare. But there is probably someone in your immediate prepper group who would see the value of this level of preparedness and would take on the task of getting at least your most critical instructions in writing.
So now you know what's on my mind for the weekend and beyond - feel free to share any ideas or thoughts you have about cross-training - have you done it already? is it on your "to do" list? how will you accomplish it? have you set up a notebook of instructions? We'd love to hear your ideas.
Is this something you have thought much about? Not only how much cross-training do you have, but how much do you think you need? In what particular areas? If you had to be self-sufficient for a period of time, do you have enough people to do all the things that would need to be done in a day?
My mind has been thinking on this topic again recently, since my husband received mobilization orders and left this past week for a one-year assignment with the Army. He's stateside and will probably be able to come home for weekend visit every 2-3 months - so we're fortunate in that regard.
Given a lot of the things going on these days though - businesses still closing, unemployment still going up, homes still going into foreclosure, restlessness about the looming healthcare bill, concern about our economic stability, concerns about Iran, Iraq, terrorism in general, the swine flu, upcoming winter weather - there are lots of things to think about and pay attention to that could have an impact on your day-to-day life and survival.
Knowing that my husband won't be here on a day-to-day basis has made me spend some time thinking again about our preparedness plans and how they would (or would not!) work without him here to be a major participant in our plans.
We all tend to gravitate toward preparedness activities that we enjoy doing or know how to do well. And I'd venture to guess that in most families, Dad has his set of skills and areas he takes care of, Mom has hers and together they probably assign activities to any of the children that are around.
So if you take Dad or Mom out of the picture - how do your plans work? Where are the holes? Seems to me that cross-training would be a good idea to keep things going as smoothly as possible. Which means you have to think about what areas to cross-train, who to train, how frequently will you have them practice to learn and keep their skills, etc.
For example, I know how to build a great fire to heat our home and we've put in 3 new cords of wood this year (we're in West TN remember, it doesn't get super cold here for extended periods of time). We're narrowing down wood stove inserts and plan to purchase one in the next couple of weeks - it will have the ability to heat our entire home if necessary and also have a cooktop. So our ability to heat our home and have an alternative cooking method is in good shape. This year I'll be teaching our oldest child (age 10) how to start a fire and keep it going as good as I can.
Something I don't know a lot about though, is running the new generator we've purchased. I haven't seen it in operation yet. Also, we recently purchased a set of solar panels, 125 amp and 265 amp batteries, inverter - but this is another area that I don't know a lot about and need additional training if I want to make these useful to me. Hubby knows all about these items, but since we got them in place just before he left, he hasn't had the chance to cross-train me.
My oldest child at age 10 knows how to do quite a bit of cooking, laundry, basic cleaning, learned to mow the lawn this year, etc.
We take quite a bit of time to try to train our children how to do things that are part of our day-to-day lives and as they grow and mature, we add to these things like archery skills, shooting sports and safe gun handling, livestock care, etc.
Some preppers have taken the time to prepare elaborate notebooks with instructions so any member of their family can pick up the notebook and have detailed instructions about a variety of necessary tasks.
We haven't done this yet, but I know it is a great idea and one I'll be working on throughout this fall. Most of us have lots of information in our heads that we know intimately, but if we needed a spouse, child, friend or neighbor to pick up in our stead, there might be a few or many bumps along the way without a written plan.
I realize some personality types would see this level of detailed instruction as a nightmare. But there is probably someone in your immediate prepper group who would see the value of this level of preparedness and would take on the task of getting at least your most critical instructions in writing.
So now you know what's on my mind for the weekend and beyond - feel free to share any ideas or thoughts you have about cross-training - have you done it already? is it on your "to do" list? how will you accomplish it? have you set up a notebook of instructions? We'd love to hear your ideas.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
How Do You Prep?
There have been some interesting discussions on a few different forum boards this week about how people go about their business of prepping.
Do you make a list and head into it, trying to get everything accomplished as quickly as possible?
Do you pick an area where you feel you are weakest and try to get it up to speed?
Do you pick an area that is your favorite and charge ahead?
Do you have areas that you don't really know much about, so you put them on the back burner?
There is a tendency for most people to pick areas they know and love to work on, because it is comfortable. If you love to collect guns and ammo, for example, it definitely isn't hard for you to concentrate on this area. If you love to cook and can, as I do, then food preps are always on my list of "we can never have enough".
But it pays to take a little time to do an overall assessment of what you have, where you are, where you are headed and where you'd like to end up. For many preppers, prepping is something that is never quite "done", it is an ongoing process.
I think that is how it is for us. We know our major areas of concentration: food, light, heat, shelter, first aid, sanitation, backup power, communications, etc... We have our lists of what we have now, what we need immediately, what we need in the next 3-6 months, what we need long-term (when the budget allows) and what is on our "dream" list. Then we try to keep adding to our lists - usually we try to do something to add to our preparedness activities at least weekly.
We are always on the lookout for something that is on sale or a good deal, even if it isn't on our immediate list, because it might represent a buying opportunity.
And my husband is constantly reading and trying to learn new ways of doing things or adding to our preparedness "skills" in addition to our prep items. Knowing that with a young family it is not possible to budget for "unlimited" preps, it is important for us to know how to "regenerate" some of the items that might get used up in a time of extended emergency.
So while it is good to have a basic level of preparedness "items", it also pays to constantly try to learn preparedness "skills". For example, you can store water but at some point it might be really prudent to know how to make a rain catchment and filtration system. You can store propane for cooking, but at some point it might be nice to know how to make a wood-fired stove or oven, or how to solar cook.
There is a wealth of information across the internet about many different preparedness skills - so don't forget in your efforts to put up preparedness "items" to take some time to learn preparedness "skills" along the way as well.
NOTE: Stay tuned this weekend for a guest post - Everything you want to know about how to build a great Get Home Bag (GHB). Many of us carry these in our vehicles wherever we go, just in case there is an emergency while we are out; these bags have the essentials we need to get us back home.
Do you make a list and head into it, trying to get everything accomplished as quickly as possible?
Do you pick an area where you feel you are weakest and try to get it up to speed?
Do you pick an area that is your favorite and charge ahead?
Do you have areas that you don't really know much about, so you put them on the back burner?
There is a tendency for most people to pick areas they know and love to work on, because it is comfortable. If you love to collect guns and ammo, for example, it definitely isn't hard for you to concentrate on this area. If you love to cook and can, as I do, then food preps are always on my list of "we can never have enough".
But it pays to take a little time to do an overall assessment of what you have, where you are, where you are headed and where you'd like to end up. For many preppers, prepping is something that is never quite "done", it is an ongoing process.
I think that is how it is for us. We know our major areas of concentration: food, light, heat, shelter, first aid, sanitation, backup power, communications, etc... We have our lists of what we have now, what we need immediately, what we need in the next 3-6 months, what we need long-term (when the budget allows) and what is on our "dream" list. Then we try to keep adding to our lists - usually we try to do something to add to our preparedness activities at least weekly.
We are always on the lookout for something that is on sale or a good deal, even if it isn't on our immediate list, because it might represent a buying opportunity.
And my husband is constantly reading and trying to learn new ways of doing things or adding to our preparedness "skills" in addition to our prep items. Knowing that with a young family it is not possible to budget for "unlimited" preps, it is important for us to know how to "regenerate" some of the items that might get used up in a time of extended emergency.
So while it is good to have a basic level of preparedness "items", it also pays to constantly try to learn preparedness "skills". For example, you can store water but at some point it might be really prudent to know how to make a rain catchment and filtration system. You can store propane for cooking, but at some point it might be nice to know how to make a wood-fired stove or oven, or how to solar cook.
There is a wealth of information across the internet about many different preparedness skills - so don't forget in your efforts to put up preparedness "items" to take some time to learn preparedness "skills" along the way as well.
NOTE: Stay tuned this weekend for a guest post - Everything you want to know about how to build a great Get Home Bag (GHB). Many of us carry these in our vehicles wherever we go, just in case there is an emergency while we are out; these bags have the essentials we need to get us back home.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Backpack Survival
Interesting reading for the holiday weekend is here:
Backpack Survival - by Duncan Long, 1989
Many of us who are preppers know a person or two who plans to just "bug out" at the first sign of anything bad - let's look at this in more detail and see what it would actually take for someone to survive with just what they could carry on their back.
Excerpt:
Comments welcome, as always!
Backpack Survival - by Duncan Long, 1989
Many of us who are preppers know a person or two who plans to just "bug out" at the first sign of anything bad - let's look at this in more detail and see what it would actually take for someone to survive with just what they could carry on their back.
Excerpt:
There's a lot of confusion about what survival means. To some, it's getting through the aftermath of an airplane wreck in a desolate area. It can mean knowing when to avoid walking in radioactive wastes. Or, it can mean knowing how to barter with troops in the aftermath of riots, war, and looting. To others, survival has to do with avoiding danger and knowing how to deal with it when it breaks into your home in the dead of night.
Survival ideas abound and there are as many definitions and strategies as there are survivalists. Some have good ideas for survival and some have unsound tactics. Bad ideas can mean extra work or trouble in everyday life; bad ideas during a survival situation get you killed. On-the-job training doesn't work when you're dealing with poison and gunfights. Or survival.
One of the most dangerous ideas--as far as I'm concerned--is that of "backpack survival."
A "back-pack survivalist" is a survivalist that plans on leaving his home ahead of a disaster and taking to the woods with only what he can carry out with him. He plans to survive through a strategy that is a sort of cross between the Boy-Scout-in-the-woods and Robinson Crusoe. The backpack survivalist plans on outrunning danger with a four-wheel drive or a motorcycle and hopes to travel light with a survival kit of everything he might need to cope with the unexpected. He hasn't cached anything in the area he's headed for because, chances are, he doesn't know where he's headed. Somehow, he hopes to overcome all odds with a minimum of supplies and a maximum of smarts. Certainly it is a noble cause; but it seems like one destined to failure. And that's not survival. . . . .more here
Comments welcome, as always!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
TN Appleseed Instructional Shoot in Sept
Here's the info from an email I received this weekend. My husband attended this session last year and had a great time. As a reminder: Military, Women and those under 21 can attend for FREE.
Puryear, TN Appleseed - Sept 5-7, 2009
Date:
Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 8:30 AM
- to -
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 4:00 PM (CT)
Location:
Henry County Gun Club
1995 Goldston Spring Rd
Puryear, TN
More Information about Appleseed and what they do: CLICK HERE:
Registration for this event - CLICK HERE
Quote:
You are invited to the following event:Puryear, TN Appleseed - Sept 5-7, 2009
Date:
Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 8:30 AM
- to -
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 4:00 PM (CT)
Location:
Henry County Gun Club
1995 Goldston Spring Rd
Puryear, TN
More Information about Appleseed and what they do: CLICK HERE:
Registration for this event - CLICK HERE
Lady Preppers Show Download
Thanks for everyone who listened in on our very first Lady Preppers forum on the James Stevens' Family Preparedness Guide on Blog Talk Radio!
If you missed the chance to listen in on yesterday's live show, you can still download the show by going to this link: James Stevens' Family Preparedness Guide - Lady Preppers.
While we had one hour on the air live, we continued to talk and discuss for another hour, so it is actually a 2 hour show!
We had a great time and are looking forward to becoming a regular part of his talk show in the near future - with specific topics that we'll be addressing each time.
So, if you are new to prepping and have lots of burning questions - start writing them down and if you want you can even feel free to email them to me.
The one thing I really love about being part of the American Preppers Group is how well we all share information. If you are just getting started with your prepping activities, the information shared throughout our state networks can easily take you from 0 to 100 in much less time than you could possibly research and learn everything all by yourself.
So, come along for the ride, check the Family Preparedness Guide radio schedule often and get your questions ready!
If you missed the chance to listen in on yesterday's live show, you can still download the show by going to this link: James Stevens' Family Preparedness Guide - Lady Preppers.
While we had one hour on the air live, we continued to talk and discuss for another hour, so it is actually a 2 hour show!
We had a great time and are looking forward to becoming a regular part of his talk show in the near future - with specific topics that we'll be addressing each time.
So, if you are new to prepping and have lots of burning questions - start writing them down and if you want you can even feel free to email them to me.
The one thing I really love about being part of the American Preppers Group is how well we all share information. If you are just getting started with your prepping activities, the information shared throughout our state networks can easily take you from 0 to 100 in much less time than you could possibly research and learn everything all by yourself.
So, come along for the ride, check the Family Preparedness Guide radio schedule often and get your questions ready!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Lady Preppers on Family Preparedness Guide Radio Show!
Last Saturday American Prepper, WVSanta, Matt and Bob were interviewed on James Stevens' Family Preparedness Guide radio show on Blog Talk Radio. They did a great job explaining the ins and outs of prepping and why we do it. It was a great show guys!!! If you missed the show, you can still download it here.
This Saturday (08 August 2009) James is having the ladies on his show to discuss the Prepper Networks and prepping from a female point of view! It is going to make for a very interesting discussion!
Please tune in at 2:00pm/EST and listen to Phelan (Kansas Preppers Network), Ernie (Indiana Preppers Network), Kymber (Canadian Preppers Network) and me! You can listen to the show live and call in with your questions (347-326-9604), or you can download the show later using this link.
Please be there to support us! And remember - we love questions so bring them along!!!
Hope to hear you on the radio!
This Saturday (08 August 2009) James is having the ladies on his show to discuss the Prepper Networks and prepping from a female point of view! It is going to make for a very interesting discussion!
Please tune in at 2:00pm/EST and listen to Phelan (Kansas Preppers Network), Ernie (Indiana Preppers Network), Kymber (Canadian Preppers Network) and me! You can listen to the show live and call in with your questions (347-326-9604), or you can download the show later using this link.
Please be there to support us! And remember - we love questions so bring them along!!!
Hope to hear you on the radio!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Prepping, Adapting, or Both?
Don't have a lot of time this morning for a long post - but wanted to throw out a thought for you all to "ponder" this weekend - please discuss in the comments if you feel comfortable doing so.
I know that most of us are feeling that no matter how hard we try to make our voices heard, our government is just not listening. They continue down a road that many of us believe is going to bring America to its knees. Cap and Trade, Socialized Health Care, umpteen-hundred Bailouts for crooked big business, ruining the value of the dollar, apologizing to all of the nations of the world for our past and the list goes on and on and on.
In the past several days, my husband and I have been talking more and more about our need to not only "prep", but make plans and create ideas for how to ADAPT. In my mind, prepping and planning to adapt go hand in hand.
Prepping is very important. There are real-life events that can take place that we need to be prepared for. Tornadoes. Ice Storms. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Job Loss. Swine Flu. We know these things happen and could happen to us, if they haven't already.
But we also know that we cannot possibly put away enough "preps" to last us a lifetime. We can be prepared for a few days, weeks, months or perhaps years should there be an event that disrupts our usual day-to-day activities. But a lifetime?
What would you do if you had to completely change, for a very long-time (as in many years) or perhaps permanently, the way you live your life?
To get your brain started thinking this way - consider for example, the award-winning athlete who becomes a quadriplegic in an automobile accident. Life forever drastically changed, without warning. How does this person adapt? How does this person re-learn how to perform day to day activities that are now more difficult than ever before?
This is the kind of "learning to adapt" change that I'm talking about. Have you thought about it? Have you thought through what you would do to live, to survive, if the times changed to such a degree that the way we've always done things is no longer relevant?
Just a little food for thought to start the weekend. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Now, I'm off to make some cucumber relish.
I know that most of us are feeling that no matter how hard we try to make our voices heard, our government is just not listening. They continue down a road that many of us believe is going to bring America to its knees. Cap and Trade, Socialized Health Care, umpteen-hundred Bailouts for crooked big business, ruining the value of the dollar, apologizing to all of the nations of the world for our past and the list goes on and on and on.
In the past several days, my husband and I have been talking more and more about our need to not only "prep", but make plans and create ideas for how to ADAPT. In my mind, prepping and planning to adapt go hand in hand.
Prepping is very important. There are real-life events that can take place that we need to be prepared for. Tornadoes. Ice Storms. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Job Loss. Swine Flu. We know these things happen and could happen to us, if they haven't already.
But we also know that we cannot possibly put away enough "preps" to last us a lifetime. We can be prepared for a few days, weeks, months or perhaps years should there be an event that disrupts our usual day-to-day activities. But a lifetime?
What would you do if you had to completely change, for a very long-time (as in many years) or perhaps permanently, the way you live your life?
To get your brain started thinking this way - consider for example, the award-winning athlete who becomes a quadriplegic in an automobile accident. Life forever drastically changed, without warning. How does this person adapt? How does this person re-learn how to perform day to day activities that are now more difficult than ever before?
This is the kind of "learning to adapt" change that I'm talking about. Have you thought about it? Have you thought through what you would do to live, to survive, if the times changed to such a degree that the way we've always done things is no longer relevant?
Just a little food for thought to start the weekend. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Now, I'm off to make some cucumber relish.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Works of a Master Prepper
I don't know about you, but sometimes I learn more from reading about something in a story format than I do studying the facts and figures.
There is a Master Prepper out there by the name of Jerry D. Young who writes stories that encompass the fine Art of Prepping like few others can. Almost all of Jerry's stories are free, but the wealth of how-to information that you'll take away from them will make you quickly realize their value.
Jerry posts most of his work in the "Books, Movies and Stories" section on Survivalist Forum, although he does have a website of his own as well ~ Jerry D. Young Library.
I'd like to introduce you to Jerry and some of his work. You'll be glad you had a chance to meet. Enjoy!
Bad Times Coming, Chapter 1
Shake, Shake, Shake (Youth)
Influences
Rudy's Preparedness Shop
Low Profile
Who's That Cowboy?
Dominic Santelli, Prepper
Disaster In The Burbs
A Recovery Thread
Is The Mail Here Yet?
Jerry's ad-free Preparedness site
Jerry's E-book ~ Mr. Man
Jerry's published book ~ Shipwrecked
There is a Master Prepper out there by the name of Jerry D. Young who writes stories that encompass the fine Art of Prepping like few others can. Almost all of Jerry's stories are free, but the wealth of how-to information that you'll take away from them will make you quickly realize their value.
Jerry posts most of his work in the "Books, Movies and Stories" section on Survivalist Forum, although he does have a website of his own as well ~ Jerry D. Young Library.
I'd like to introduce you to Jerry and some of his work. You'll be glad you had a chance to meet. Enjoy!
Bad Times Coming, Chapter 1
Shake, Shake, Shake (Youth)
Influences
Rudy's Preparedness Shop
Low Profile
Who's That Cowboy?
Dominic Santelli, Prepper
Disaster In The Burbs
A Recovery Thread
Is The Mail Here Yet?
Jerry's ad-free Preparedness site
Jerry's E-book ~ Mr. Man
Jerry's published book ~ Shipwrecked
Saturday, March 21, 2009
545 of 300 Million
Here is an excellent article that I encourage everyone to read. The author does a great job of putting into words what a lot of people I talk to every day are feeling and thinking about the state of our society and economy at this time:
545 People - by Charley Reese
545 People - by Charley Reese
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
News You Need
Is it just me, or does it seem like several times a day now there are decisions being made by our "powers that be"that I just plain don't agree with???? Um, excuse me, but what has happened to the voice of the people??? I'm writing my representatives. I'm calling my representatives. Most of the time on the phone I get a brushed-off response by whomever answers leaving me with the feeling that they would really just rather not be bothered by my RIGHT to express my concern or viewpoint with my ELECTED official.
I don't know about you, but I do know that more and more people I talk to are getting increasingly irritated that their voice is not being heard. Whole groups of people are getting more frustrated by the day. I for one believe that this does not bode well for those elected officials and they should be concerned, for it is their job to LISTEN to the VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
Here are some noteworthy news topics that deserve your attention, your action, and your voice. Let's get busy, shall we??
Obama Secretly Ends Program That Let Pilots Carry Guns
12,000 Federal Flight Deck Officers that have had no instances of improperly brandishing a weapon, but we're going to take away their rights - oh yes, this makes lots of sense.
American Legion Strongly Opposes President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for Treatment
Now let's start messing around with our Veterans. Let's send them off to serve for our country in ways that most Americans aren't even willing to do and then when they get hurt serving for our ever decreasing "freedoms", we're not going to bother to pick up the tab? This is morally wrong in so many ways.
Gun Advocates Ready for Battle on Federal Assault Weapons Ban - Seems our Attorney General, Eric Holder, has decided that it is the evil, black guns that our US Citizens own that are causing all the problems with in Mexico with the drug cartels. So he want's to take them all away from the US Citizens. I guess that is so we'll be so very prepared to defend ourselves when all the problems on our southern border start to spill over into the US. Let's see, so all of the citizens who legally own an "assault" weapon are the cause for the problems in Mexico. Not, of course, the gangs or criminals on the streets who deal in drug and weapons trades on a daily basis. Oh no, not them, it must be Mr. or Mrs. Average Citizen.
And if you aren't used to reading the text of bills that are before the House or Senate, you better get your reading glasses on and your dictionary at the ready, because let me tell you there are some freedom-threatening bills out there. Try these for instance - and don't just take my word for it, please by all means do some thinking for yourself and give these a read on your own:
H.R.1388: Obama's Civilian National Security Force (GIVE Act). Here's the HR 1388 Summary and here's the HR1388 Full Text. Let's see - in the SUMMARY, about half-way down - how does this sound: "Directs the Corporation to plan pilot programs to: (1) better target and serve displaced workers; and (2) establish a centralized electronic citizenship verification system (emphasis added) which would allow the Corporation to share employment eligibility information with the Department of Education.
H.R. 875: The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. Yeah, right. Catch this definition: "(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation." Wow, that is a pretty broad definition. Glad to know that my ranch, that doesn't even produce food for people other than our family, would be considered a "Food Production Facility" subject to these regulations, just because we are a ranch.
H.R. 645: National Emergency Centers Establishment Act. To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations. Now, this one is a can of worms indeed. Let's look at one particular part:
Well, #1-3 sound innocent enough. I don't know about you, but I don't ever like to see such broad, open-ended definitions as is stated here for #4. This basically could have these installations used for anything the government so desires as long as they consider it appropriate. Once again, I'm not so sure that our government is such a good judge of the definition of appropriate, are you?
H.R. 45: Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. Summarized as "Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless that person has been issued a firearm license under this Act or a state system certified under this Act and such license has not been invalidated or revoked. Prescribes license application, issuance, and renewal requirements." Ugh. Do we really have to go here again ever time we get a Democratic party in office??? 2nd Amendment - don't forget it.
Okay, you get the idea. Not a day goes by that we can be lax in our vigilance in making our voices heard to ensure our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS are not infringed by this administration or any other, Republican or Democrat.
I don't know about you, but I do know that more and more people I talk to are getting increasingly irritated that their voice is not being heard. Whole groups of people are getting more frustrated by the day. I for one believe that this does not bode well for those elected officials and they should be concerned, for it is their job to LISTEN to the VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
Here are some noteworthy news topics that deserve your attention, your action, and your voice. Let's get busy, shall we??
Obama Secretly Ends Program That Let Pilots Carry Guns
12,000 Federal Flight Deck Officers that have had no instances of improperly brandishing a weapon, but we're going to take away their rights - oh yes, this makes lots of sense.
American Legion Strongly Opposes President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for Treatment
Now let's start messing around with our Veterans. Let's send them off to serve for our country in ways that most Americans aren't even willing to do and then when they get hurt serving for our ever decreasing "freedoms", we're not going to bother to pick up the tab? This is morally wrong in so many ways.
Gun Advocates Ready for Battle on Federal Assault Weapons Ban - Seems our Attorney General, Eric Holder, has decided that it is the evil, black guns that our US Citizens own that are causing all the problems with in Mexico with the drug cartels. So he want's to take them all away from the US Citizens. I guess that is so we'll be so very prepared to defend ourselves when all the problems on our southern border start to spill over into the US. Let's see, so all of the citizens who legally own an "assault" weapon are the cause for the problems in Mexico. Not, of course, the gangs or criminals on the streets who deal in drug and weapons trades on a daily basis. Oh no, not them, it must be Mr. or Mrs. Average Citizen.
And if you aren't used to reading the text of bills that are before the House or Senate, you better get your reading glasses on and your dictionary at the ready, because let me tell you there are some freedom-threatening bills out there. Try these for instance - and don't just take my word for it, please by all means do some thinking for yourself and give these a read on your own:
H.R.1388: Obama's Civilian National Security Force (GIVE Act). Here's the HR 1388 Summary and here's the HR1388 Full Text. Let's see - in the SUMMARY, about half-way down - how does this sound: "Directs the Corporation to plan pilot programs to: (1) better target and serve displaced workers; and (2) establish a centralized electronic citizenship verification system (emphasis added) which would allow the Corporation to share employment eligibility information with the Department of Education.
H.R. 875: The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. Yeah, right. Catch this definition: "(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation." Wow, that is a pretty broad definition. Glad to know that my ranch, that doesn't even produce food for people other than our family, would be considered a "Food Production Facility" subject to these regulations, just because we are a ranch.
H.R. 645: National Emergency Centers Establishment Act. To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations. Now, this one is a can of worms indeed. Let's look at one particular part:
"(b) Purpose of National Emergency Centers- The purpose of a national emergency center shall be to use existing infrastructure--
(1) to provide temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster;
(2) to provide centralized locations for the purposes of training and ensuring the coordination of Federal, State, and local first responders;
(3) to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of government, private, and not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations; and
(4) to meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security."
H.R. 45: Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. Summarized as "Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless that person has been issued a firearm license under this Act or a state system certified under this Act and such license has not been invalidated or revoked. Prescribes license application, issuance, and renewal requirements." Ugh. Do we really have to go here again ever time we get a Democratic party in office??? 2nd Amendment - don't forget it.
Okay, you get the idea. Not a day goes by that we can be lax in our vigilance in making our voices heard to ensure our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS are not infringed by this administration or any other, Republican or Democrat.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Mindset and Practice
So far, we've talked a little about what preparedness planning is, how to identify things to prepare for in your area, how to put together your 72-Hour Kit for each family member and one for each vehicle.
Today I want to spend some time talking about Mindset, Attitude and Practice ~ because these are the things that will actually save your life if you ever need to put any of your preparedness plan into action. I hope that after reading the information here that you'll understand the importance of practicing your preparedness skills.
We've all grown up hearing the phrase "practice make perfect". Well, in reality it should read like this "PERFECT practice makes perfect". Why?
Because the more we practice something, the more ingrained it becomes in our brains until it forms a habit or an automatic response - something we can do automatically without thinking about it much at all.
If we are practicing something incorrectly, it stands to reason that all we are doing is teaching ourselves an incorrect habit, right? This is true.
This is why you will find people who are "at the top" of any game or sport have practiced ruthlessly over and over and over until they have it right. Then they keep on practicing it the "right" way over and over again. It isn't enough to just know how to shoot a basketball toward the basket, they practice until they can instinctively find the basket and hit it from anywhere on the court.
This is the same way we should approach our family emergency preparedness planning. We should practice it with the same level of desire for success ~ because if we ever need to use our skills in this area, it could be a life or death situation for our family and chances are it will be stressful. I want to know that I have excellent chances at winning when the stakes are so high - don't you?
For example, I don't want to be learning how to operate our kerosene heater AFTER the ice storm arrives, I want to know that I know how to make it work for me well before the first ice pellet ever hits the ground. I don't want to find out that my backup weather radio has dead batteries during a major tornado warning - I want to make sure it is always at the ready.
Our mindset and attitude are what will determine how successful we are at not only "perfectly practicing" our preparedness skills, but also how we put them into action when an emergency arises.
It takes commitment to practice skills that we don't need on a daily basis and hopefully might not need at all. But our mindset and attitude should tell us that we need to practice these skills anyway.
Numerous studies have shown that the brain can "ACT" quicker than it can "REACT". Think about this for a minute. To "act" implies an immediate response or course of action. To "react" requires that we first identify if there is a problem, what the problem is, then we decide how to respond to it.
Which of these do you think is a quicker way to respond in the event of a life or death emergency? ACTing is always quicker than REACTing. The only way to be prepared to ACT in the event of an emergency is through "perfect practice" - making your actions an ingrained habit.
Here are a couple of great examples of the importance of training yourself to ACT instead of REACT.
In my local paper last year, there was an article about the boy scouts who were caught up in a tornado while out camping. What struck me most about the article was this quote:
"On Tuesday, the Scouts learned what to do before, during and after a tornado. So on Wednesday night, after the twister passed, the Scouts took a head count, just as they had practiced. Then, just as they practiced, they administered first aid to the wounded."
Boy scouts practice their skills all the time until the become very proficient at them. They go on camp outs for the sole purpose of practicing their skills. And their practice here saved lives.
More recently, we've been reading about all the people in Kentucky who had not prepared at all, apparently, for the coming ice storm. They didn't have generators. They didn't have extra food that didn't require refrigeration. They didn't have little propane stoves to cook on so they could have a warm meal. They didn't have a backup method for heating their home. They didn't have a plan for what they would do if the power outage happened to last for weeks. We've ready article after article about how unprepared the majority of people in the state were for the ice storm. And it didn't have to be that way. They had advance warning. Many could have been much more prepared than they were.
In the May 29, 2008 issue of Time Magazine, there is an article about How To Survive a Disaster. The best parts of the article are reading about what people didn't do in response to impending disaster and how their inaction ultimately lead to their deaths.
People who study disasters and survival teach that when faced with disaster or impending disaster, most people go into "freeze mode". They either don't realize disaster is about to strike, they don't know what to do to try to survive, they deny disaster is about to strike, or they never saw it coming. In all these situations, people will "freeze" instead of "act".
Quite simply their brains had never, ever thought about the possibility of such an event happening and they had no automatic response for it, so they simply didn't respond at all. They froze instead.
The only way to make sure you don't "freeze" is to have perfectly practiced your "what if" scenarios for your preparedness plan so you have a survivor mindset. You can do things like:
~ Practice with your family what you all would do in the event of a fire. Know where all the exits are from any location in your home. Know where you all would meet outside the home to take a head count and make sure everyone was out. Then have an unannounced fire drill and time it. Does everyone do what was practiced? How long did it take? Did anyone get forgotten? Did everyone meet at the appropriate location outside your home? Then keep practicing it until you believe everyone has it down pat. Is this convenient? Of course not, but essential it is.
Then go a step further. Think about the places you frequent during the day or week. What would you do if a fire started at one of those places? What is your plan of action?
~ Practice with your family what you would do in the event of a tornado warning if you are in this part of the country. Where would you take shelter inside your home? What items does each person take with them to the safe room? Or better yet, how do you prepare in advance and pre-position items in your safe area? What would you do if you were out in your vehicle or at the grocery store or the mall or other place during a tornado warning?
~ Practice with your family what you would do in the event of an earthquake if this is applicable to you. Where are the safe areas of your home should an earthquake happen? What do you do after an earthquake? And again, what if you were away from home during an earthquake? Where are the safe areas?
~ We are all reading about how crime is rising. You can practice these scenarios as well. You don't have to get involved in a crime to put your mind through the practice of thinking about how you would react - What would you do if the restaurant where you were eating got robbed while you are there? What would you do if you heard someone breaking into your home? What would you do if someone attempted to carjack you while you are at a stop light? Put your mind through the paces and know what you'd do without hesitation.
Every time you put your brain through the exercise of thinking about and practicing what you would do for your preparedness plan you take a step closer toward ACTING instead of REACTING - your actions are becoming a habit.
HOMEWORK: This week try to practice at least one of your preparedness plans with your family. Perhaps a fire drill or tornado drill - whatever is appropriate for your area based on the preparedness plan you've put together. Feel free to come back here and let me know how you all did!
Today I want to spend some time talking about Mindset, Attitude and Practice ~ because these are the things that will actually save your life if you ever need to put any of your preparedness plan into action. I hope that after reading the information here that you'll understand the importance of practicing your preparedness skills.
We've all grown up hearing the phrase "practice make perfect". Well, in reality it should read like this "PERFECT practice makes perfect". Why?
Because the more we practice something, the more ingrained it becomes in our brains until it forms a habit or an automatic response - something we can do automatically without thinking about it much at all.
If we are practicing something incorrectly, it stands to reason that all we are doing is teaching ourselves an incorrect habit, right? This is true.
This is why you will find people who are "at the top" of any game or sport have practiced ruthlessly over and over and over until they have it right. Then they keep on practicing it the "right" way over and over again. It isn't enough to just know how to shoot a basketball toward the basket, they practice until they can instinctively find the basket and hit it from anywhere on the court.
This is the same way we should approach our family emergency preparedness planning. We should practice it with the same level of desire for success ~ because if we ever need to use our skills in this area, it could be a life or death situation for our family and chances are it will be stressful. I want to know that I have excellent chances at winning when the stakes are so high - don't you?
For example, I don't want to be learning how to operate our kerosene heater AFTER the ice storm arrives, I want to know that I know how to make it work for me well before the first ice pellet ever hits the ground. I don't want to find out that my backup weather radio has dead batteries during a major tornado warning - I want to make sure it is always at the ready.
Our mindset and attitude are what will determine how successful we are at not only "perfectly practicing" our preparedness skills, but also how we put them into action when an emergency arises.
It takes commitment to practice skills that we don't need on a daily basis and hopefully might not need at all. But our mindset and attitude should tell us that we need to practice these skills anyway.
Numerous studies have shown that the brain can "ACT" quicker than it can "REACT". Think about this for a minute. To "act" implies an immediate response or course of action. To "react" requires that we first identify if there is a problem, what the problem is, then we decide how to respond to it.
Which of these do you think is a quicker way to respond in the event of a life or death emergency? ACTing is always quicker than REACTing. The only way to be prepared to ACT in the event of an emergency is through "perfect practice" - making your actions an ingrained habit.
Here are a couple of great examples of the importance of training yourself to ACT instead of REACT.
In my local paper last year, there was an article about the boy scouts who were caught up in a tornado while out camping. What struck me most about the article was this quote:
"On Tuesday, the Scouts learned what to do before, during and after a tornado. So on Wednesday night, after the twister passed, the Scouts took a head count, just as they had practiced. Then, just as they practiced, they administered first aid to the wounded."
Boy scouts practice their skills all the time until the become very proficient at them. They go on camp outs for the sole purpose of practicing their skills. And their practice here saved lives.
More recently, we've been reading about all the people in Kentucky who had not prepared at all, apparently, for the coming ice storm. They didn't have generators. They didn't have extra food that didn't require refrigeration. They didn't have little propane stoves to cook on so they could have a warm meal. They didn't have a backup method for heating their home. They didn't have a plan for what they would do if the power outage happened to last for weeks. We've ready article after article about how unprepared the majority of people in the state were for the ice storm. And it didn't have to be that way. They had advance warning. Many could have been much more prepared than they were.
In the May 29, 2008 issue of Time Magazine, there is an article about How To Survive a Disaster. The best parts of the article are reading about what people didn't do in response to impending disaster and how their inaction ultimately lead to their deaths.
People who study disasters and survival teach that when faced with disaster or impending disaster, most people go into "freeze mode". They either don't realize disaster is about to strike, they don't know what to do to try to survive, they deny disaster is about to strike, or they never saw it coming. In all these situations, people will "freeze" instead of "act".
Quite simply their brains had never, ever thought about the possibility of such an event happening and they had no automatic response for it, so they simply didn't respond at all. They froze instead.
The only way to make sure you don't "freeze" is to have perfectly practiced your "what if" scenarios for your preparedness plan so you have a survivor mindset. You can do things like:
~ Practice with your family what you all would do in the event of a fire. Know where all the exits are from any location in your home. Know where you all would meet outside the home to take a head count and make sure everyone was out. Then have an unannounced fire drill and time it. Does everyone do what was practiced? How long did it take? Did anyone get forgotten? Did everyone meet at the appropriate location outside your home? Then keep practicing it until you believe everyone has it down pat. Is this convenient? Of course not, but essential it is.
Then go a step further. Think about the places you frequent during the day or week. What would you do if a fire started at one of those places? What is your plan of action?
~ Practice with your family what you would do in the event of a tornado warning if you are in this part of the country. Where would you take shelter inside your home? What items does each person take with them to the safe room? Or better yet, how do you prepare in advance and pre-position items in your safe area? What would you do if you were out in your vehicle or at the grocery store or the mall or other place during a tornado warning?
~ Practice with your family what you would do in the event of an earthquake if this is applicable to you. Where are the safe areas of your home should an earthquake happen? What do you do after an earthquake? And again, what if you were away from home during an earthquake? Where are the safe areas?
~ We are all reading about how crime is rising. You can practice these scenarios as well. You don't have to get involved in a crime to put your mind through the practice of thinking about how you would react - What would you do if the restaurant where you were eating got robbed while you are there? What would you do if you heard someone breaking into your home? What would you do if someone attempted to carjack you while you are at a stop light? Put your mind through the paces and know what you'd do without hesitation.
Every time you put your brain through the exercise of thinking about and practicing what you would do for your preparedness plan you take a step closer toward ACTING instead of REACTING - your actions are becoming a habit.
HOMEWORK: This week try to practice at least one of your preparedness plans with your family. Perhaps a fire drill or tornado drill - whatever is appropriate for your area based on the preparedness plan you've put together. Feel free to come back here and let me know how you all did!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
