Are You Prepared For Disaster?

**staceyy** · 01-21-2006, 04:00 AM

I recently read an article on preparedness where it was cited that women during the depression era were much better equipped to handle hard times as they had gardening skills, knew how to raise livestock, knew how to sew, cook from scratch etc. Many were also used to hard times even before the depression. The author of the article pointed out that most of us wouldn't fare as well today.

This made me question whether or not I was prepared to handle what may. I concluded that although it would certainly benefit me to know all of these lost skills, we are living in different times now and it would be very unlikely that we would ever need such skills today. Different times call for different measures.

No, I don't know how to garden, can,or raise livestock but I do know how to stockpile which I have been doing for quite some time now. I don't know how to sew, but I do have sufficient clothing and know how to thrift shop. I have an emergency preparedness kit in my home as well as preparedness books to tell me what to do in case of emergency. I know how to light my fireplace and have a healthy supply of firewood. I also have a supply of basic medicines and herbs

Yes, I would feel even more secure if I had an even larger range of survival skills, but I don't forsee us ever needing the lost arts again to survive; as we survive differently today. What I do see however is homesteading skills would be extremely helpful if one were attempting to get off the grid and depend more on themselves and less on the government, enabling oneself to have more freedom and control over life.

But so much for my ramblings, I'm curious to know if you feel you would be adequately prepared if disaster struck. What I mean by this is if common types of disaster struck such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes etc. Are there any areas you need to shore up? My stockpile is low in certain areas. I have no powdered milk or powdered eggs. I could use more shortening, canned meats, brown rice and energy bars. Scott's has a $10 rebate presently for purchasing $40 worth of products. I see this as a good way to stockpile toilet paper and paper towels.

**QuilterMom** · 01-21-2006, 11:42 AM

I'm as prepared as can be, but know there's always more I can do. I'm always adding to my stockpile and trying to think of areas I can improve. We definitely have hurricanes to contend with here and have experienced 3 in the last 17 months. One thing with a natural disaster though - you can be well prepped only to have everything destroyed by the disaster, you know. Being prepared for a financial/economy type disaster and a natural disaster present different challenges, IMO.

**baxjul** · 01-21-2006, 11:53 AM

I agree with Kim above. We have hurricanes, but it would only take one really good one to wipe out everything. I try to be ready for anything, including having money set aside (in cash).

**Darlene** · 01-21-2006, 02:30 PM

I too need to shore up my stash, need water especially. Thanks for the reminder.

**Kimberlina** · 01-21-2006, 03:20 PM

Darlene, all the water (along with several communities) are just going to wash away when the dam breaks. Did I mention that I don't like NYC right now? Grrrrrrrr.....

We got our free NOAA weather radio today and in the next day or two I will get a "go" bag ready as suggested on the CEMA website. As far as things in the house being prepared, well, I would just get the heck out of Dodge if disaster came our way.

As for financial disaster, well, I think I'd do semi-okay with some things. We have a stockpile that would last 6-8 weeks, and I do garden, though that isn't much help in winter. But I do know how to can foods, and we have an extra freezer.

**sunshine** · 01-21-2006, 10:46 PM

I stock pile foods, medicines, first aid supplies, extra clothing, blankets, water, . . . . . yada yada yada. . .

However, I'm also one who believes that perhaps the day will come when the "old" survival skills will be needed as well. So-- yes, I garden, can, dehydrate- sew, crochet, knit--- raise livestock, butcher it, and tan the hides. . I can spin fibers into yarn. . . I can forage for foods, fish, etc.

I can use a gun as well as most any man, and while I currently use it for hunting- am not so naive to think that I might have to use it on a person to protect myself or my loved ones. Stress/disaster can make people do things they'd never dream of doing normally- (as in the case of Katrina) and I want to be able to provide for and protect my family.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-21-2006, 11:27 PM

I'm as ready as I can be although I know there are places we could improve.

As to skills, both dh and I have learnt a lot and with the 2 of us pulling together, we could survive. I think it would be a whole lot harder on those who don't have any skills.

**momof42003** · 01-22-2006, 03:31 AM

I think that personally for me, I would feel more comfortable knowing all the "lost skills" or at least that I have the ability to do them in a hurry... Does that make sense??? I can sew, but haven't sewn garments in a long time, I can if I had to though... I have canned before, but it has been a long time, and I would have to relearn, but I know I could, IF I had to.... Remember the old saying "Knowledge is power.", I believe in that.. Even if I don't know how tan, or crochet, etc, I have the knowledge on how to learn it...KWIM?? Any way, I wish I knew so many more "lost skills".. I really need to just jump in feet first and learn...

**AmyBoz** · 01-22-2006, 07:36 AM

I'm a bit prepared, but I don't know that I would say that I was totally prepared in case of disaster. I think I'd adapt well, though, and be able to pick up whatever skills I needed. I think that's a big part of being able to survive a disaster. Being able to adapt to the new circumstances and not just complaining about what's happened. The people who survive are the ones who adapt and change their behavior with the changes in their circumstances.

**Persimmon Lace** · 01-22-2006, 11:03 PM

I am one of those who believes that the "old skills" could come in handy at any time. I garden because I want to know where my food comes from, my friends garden and we all grow as many different things as possible. I have friends who know how to kill a chicken and get it on the table for dinner, as well as those whose husbands hunt and know how to clean and butcher what they kill. My husband can do that too, he just hasn't in a long time, I can filet a fish with the best of them and dress out small wild birds, I've never done a chicken.

So if I can garden, forage for plants, hunt, sew and do other things or barter for what I need then I am ahead of the game so to speak. I have worked with computers for 34 years, I think technology is a wonderful thing, I do not like the way the stores have moved to just in time deliveries. The power grid in the USA is old and we have seen what has happened because of it. How lost are people without their cellphones and computers. We've seen that too. I believe that knowledge is a powerful tool and the more you have the better you can care for your family and yourself.

**kymom** · 01-23-2006, 09:08 AM

I am alot like Sunshine. I have all the "old skills" Long before preparedness came into style we did it to live. I was raised a money poor spam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typed. And I am thankful for it everyday. My dh is a city boy. The first time I took him hunting he couldn't shoot the deer. I got an 8 point buck. When I field dressed it I thought he was going to pass out lol Later when I hung it to butcher it I was sure it was over for him. But he suprized me and Pitched right in.
I save seed like I am insane lol it makes my kids crazy because I never throw anything away without thinking if it can be used for anything else. So I think I am ready for just about anything.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 01-23-2006, 11:44 AM

I'm nowhere near as prepared as I should be. I'm working on it a little at a time, though.

**Valerie in WA** · 02-01-2006, 10:33 PM

I think I'd be okay. I have a stockpile that will last (on average) 2-3 months without any major change in our usual habits, longer for eating for nutrition not enjoyment. Well, if we lost refrigeration, we'd lose meat that first week, but we're used to about half our meals meatless anyway. If the ducks continued to lay, we'd still have fresh eggs, which would be a HUGE blessing.

I do have a lot of the old skills, but my reason for developing them was not preparedness. I simply value the old skills and want to preserve them. In our throw-away society, there is something healing about canning, and gardening and handicrafts.

One thing I think is vital to surviving a major disaster is having information available to you. That means NOT depending on the internet - you may not have power for weeks. I have a few older books that detail some of the lost arts, including butchering and dressing meats. I've never done it (well, I helped my uncle when I was a kid), but I with that book and those drawings-and my children hungry-I could and would in a heartbeat.

I would miss things certainly, but I think we'd be okay.

The biggest struggle for me is the topic tactfully referred to as 'personal protection' - no not feminine protection - personal -- as in guns. My dh grew up in the state of Montana where a gun is just another tool, like a hammer. I grew up here in 'liberal land' where gun is a four-letter word. I am gradually getting used to the idea that in a disaster, I may need to defend our property and supplies with force.

Another part of that plan is discretion. We do not advertise to our neighbors that we are prepared. The less they know, the better for us.

**SewCrafty** · 02-02-2006, 02:12 AM

I stockpike. know how to can and do, can garden though it isn't my favorite passtime. We always have water on hand and if I had to care for livestock, I'm sure I would be just fine, as I love animals.

**Hollyhandi** · 02-21-2006, 10:22 AM

Lets see I garden, can, cook from scratch, freeze foods, hunt,
fish, have a cow for milk, chicken's for eggs, ducks for eggs,
know how to kill ( although I don't like to ) a chicken and clean it.
(used to help my mom dress chickens for a lady who owned the
hatchery)
Taught my sister how to do it after mom passed away.
I am planting new berry bushes every year and have tons of blackberry bushes on our land.
Know how to make my own butter if needed
I can sew (don't like to ) I crochet (can knit in an emergency )
If it came to it I would protect my family from whoever I need to
Like someone here said we don't let others know that we are prepared.
Saying this I feel that there are many ways I need to improve
to even do better.
The ones in the cities who don't realize how or even younger generations are who I wish we could enlighten.
( The ones that say well we'll just go to the store for what we need..)