CAPTAIN DAVE’s SURVIVAL GUIDE(Thanks Cap’n Dave)
Introduction
For too long, the term "survivalist" has called to mind paranoidseparatists or white supremacists who give up the conveniences of modern society, drop out of the government's databases and live inone-room backwoods cabins like the Unabomber.Well, Captain Dave and the good folks at the
Survival Center
knowsurvivalists are much more likely to be Floridians buying hurricaneshutters a few months before the next hurricane season, Californians preparing a three-day cache of food and water in case the next big one rocks their town or a Minnesota resident who keeps a few blankets, a pair of old boots, warm socks and afew candy bars in the car during winter. This isn't paranoia, it's just good planning. Likecarrying a spare tire, even if you never need it.But there are plenty of online resources for people who just want to prepare a three-daykit. Captain Dave's Survival Guide is designed to take you to the next level. Because in atrue emergency, three days may not be long enough. We want you to be mentally, physically and financially prepared for any emergency on
any
scale.
SomeCommonTerms
•
We define
survival
as emerging from a natural or manmade disaster in a better position than the average person. In other words, you get to keep on keeping on,while others may not.
•
Preparedness
means making preparations beforedisaster strikes to improve your chances of survival.Surely you remember the old saw about closing the barn door...
•
Survivalists
have a self-reliant bent and choose to prepare on their own or in a small group rather thanrely on the government to help them survive.So, how can you prepare to survive? What can you do to prepare, to become a"survivalist?" The Survival Center has developed this eight step program to help you getstarted. While designed as a guide for the new survivalist, it has plenty of information for the hard-core preparedness expert as well.
A warning:
Captain Dave's Survival Guide contains some lengthy chapters (althoughwe've kept graphics to a minimum to speed loading and designed each page so the textloads first). You may wish to save each chapter or print it out for reading at your leisure.And remember, in many emergencies, your computer will be inaccessable, so a hard copyof any chapters you find especially helpful isn't a bad thing to have on hand.
Chapter 1: OK, But What Do I PrepareFor?
•
Questions to Ask Yourself Before you can prepare, you must determine what you are preparing to survive and how each disaster threatens you,your safety and survival. That will give you the parametersnecessary for the following steps.This initial exercise isn't tough, it only takes a few minutesof thought. We suggest you jot notes or switch into your word processor while you work.But first, it's important to realize that you cannot prepare for everything -- only the army tries to do that, and we've yet tomeet anyone with their resources. Captain Dave suggests you prepare only for those potential disasters that are likely to occur within the next five years. Sure, you may waitseven years for the next earthquake, but remember the survivalists creed:
better safe than sorry
.What's going to happen in the next five years? If we knew, our web page would look different. You'll have to extrapolate, evaluate trends, read the newspaper, conduct your own research. At the very least, take a few minutes and consider your location. Pull out amap and look what's within a two-mile, five-mile 10-mile and 25-mile radius of your home and place of work. Put on your pessimist hat and consider what might go wrongthat could directly impact you. Decide if that's something you want to prepare for (seequestions one and two, below).For example, if you live a "safe" distance outside of a flood plain, your house might stillgets flooded in the 100-year flood, should you prepare for it? We would, but it's your call.It's your ass on the line, so you have to decide.That nuclear plant 20 miles away has an excellent safety record.Should a nuclear disaster be on your list? Again, you make thecall.
Are you worried about a meteorite crashing into your house? Well, it has happened, butit's probably not worth preparing for.Finally, if you've been afraid of something since you were a child -- whether it's a ragingfire or nuclear war -- prepare for it. At the very least, you'll sleep better at nights knowingyou have done all you can.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1.
What natural disasters or extreme conditions am I (we) l likely to face inthe next five years?
Make a list and rank them in order of most to least likely to impact you.You can review our listof possible natural disasters if you need to.Your list might look like this:
o
Heavy thunder storms
o
Severe winter weather
o
Nearby flash flooding2.
What other disasters or emergency situations might I face?
Add to your list the man-made or other disasters that you might face in thenext five years (again, you can refer toour list, if necessary).Let's say you have added these categories:
o
Toxic material emission/spill (from a train derailment)
o
Riot or other civil disorder
o
Nuclear plant problems
o
Terrorism3.
What are the ramifications of each item on my list.
Now, take your list and create a second column (bet those of you using aword processor are wishing we'd told you this before, huh?). Put theramifications of each disaster in the second column. What do we mean byramification? How the disaster or emergency situation could affect you.Think this one through very carefully, as everyone's situation is different.For example, families with children have different concerns than thosewithout or singles.Finally, note if the ramifications could require evacuation (our nexttopic).To keep using our example results in a table like this:
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