Emergency Basics

First Aid

Why This is Important

In a pandemic, health care services may be overwhelmed, or you may not wish to leave home and risk exposure to the flu virus.  You may be required to administer more advanced medical care to yourself or others than you have in the past.  If communications with a healthcare provider is available, you will need supplies and knowledge to be able to follow their directions.  If no medical care is available, you might find yourself the sole provider of care for those around you. You will need supplies and skills.

Supplies

Essential supplies include a first aid kit and emergency dental kit.  These come in all sizes and can be tailored to fit your situation.  Remember to include medical supplies for children and pets, who may require different sizes of supplies or strengths of medications. An example first aid kit is described at Ready America and includes the following items:

• sterile gloves (latex, or nitrile if you are allergic to latex)
• sterile dressings to stop bleeding and to protect wounds
• cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect
• antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
• burn ointment to prevent infection
• adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
• eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
• thermometer
• prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine, and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates
• prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies

Other important things to have:

• Cell Phone
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Non-prescription drugs:

• Pain relievers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Laxative

Emergency Dental Kits:

You can find emergency dental kits online, in drugstores and in camping stores, or you can put together your own.  Kits vary, but usually include ways to temporarily repair or treat lost fillings, toothaches, broken dentures, and loose crowns and bridges.  They do not provide permanent solutions, but could help you get through a rough time until you can get dental care.

Skills

Taking a basic first aid class will give you the skills and confidence to use your supplies in an emergency situation.  Check with local public safety organizations such as American Red Cross for basic first aid and CPR classes. Take the time NOW to schedule a class.

References

Get a good first aid book and also "Where There is no Doctor", and "Where There is no Dentist". These are available free on-line at The Hesperian Foundation.

Finances

Why This is Important

This means you might be out of a job, perhaps for months.  This also means there might not be food in stores, any money in banks, no available health care. There might not be a way for you to get more resources (food, money, etc.) and you will have to live on what you have in your possession at the beginning of the pandemic

Lessons learned

Massive disasters such as Hurricane Katrina highlight the importance of financial preparedness.  Like all financial matters, there is no single answer for everyone.  Financial experts suggest the following:

1. Cash on hand.  An extra supply of cash is necessary.  During a pandemic, electricity may be out.  This means ATM machines and credit card machines may not work, and checks may not be accepted.  Cash may be the only payment that businesses are able to accept.  Even if electricity is available, the number of sick or dead workers may mean no restocking of ATM machines.
   
   What is a good amount of cash to keep on hand?  Some example guidelines:
   
   
   • about $50 per family or household member
   • at least $200
   • enough for 1 tank of gas plus one week’s worth of food and essential supplies
   
   Small bills are best, in case you cannot get change. A roll or two of quarters is also a good idea.  You can build this up by putting your loose change in a jar.
   
   Be careful of theft and security concerns.  Consider a fireproof lockbox.
   
   
2. Build up a savings cushion.  Planning for a pandemic entails thinking about long term employment interruption.
   
   
   "Being able to work may be difficult or impossible.  Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed."  
   Official U.S. Government Pandemic Web site
   
   
   
   
   
   Financial experts advise people even in regular times to try to maintain at least three months of living expenses, to be used if they have an emergency.  Have one month of money at home in a fireproof lockbox, and keep the other two months in a savings account.  This is a difficult but worthwhile goal.  Start small and build as you can.  Even having just a month’s rent or mortgage payment in a savings account would give you greater security and flexibility.
   
   
3. Preparation is savings.  Food costs have risen dramatically and will likely continue to rise. Food is ‘insurance you can eat’ and has a place in financial planning.  Building your food pantry NOW means that you will not have to pay more to stock up later.  Over time, the savings enables you to purchase other necessities.

Communications

Why This Is Important

In any crisis, people need to have a reliable way of getting news and communicating with others. Pandemic flu has the potential of causing disruption to many essential services, including electricity, phone, cable, and internet services.


a. Getting timely emergency news can be crucial to both health and safety.
b. For medical emergencies and certain chronic illnesses, backup communications are a necessity.

Emergency News

1. A good windup, solar, or battery-operated radio  should be in every household.  AM/FM is fine, although some people may appreciate having additional shortwave bands.  If needed, store extra batteries.
   
   
2. A battery-operated weather radio should also be included, preferably one that supports the S.A.M.E. alert or a tone alarm. 
   

Back-up Communication

1. Land-line telephone.  This is the phone that you just plug in to your house phone jack.  It is powered by amplifiers in the   phone system, so it may work even if your power is out.  Cordless phones or ones that are plugged into an electrical outlet do not work if the power is out.
   
   
2. Cell phones use repeaters (at cell towers) to receive and then re-broadcast messages.  If the cell tower has no backup electrical supply, your cell phone may be useless, regardless of how fresh your batteries are.
   
   
3. Radios. Several types are available.
   
   
   • Handheld FRS (family radio service) radios.  The new generation of walkie-talkies.  They are inexpensiv e, easy to use, and can provide neighborhood communication.  
     
     
     1. no license required
     2. range:  ½ to 1 mile
     
     
   • Handheld GMRS (general mobile radio service) radios.  Similar to FRS radios, except:
     
     
     1. license required
     2. range:  3-5 miles
     
     
   An internet search of "FRS- GMRS" will provide detailed information on the capabilities, advantages, and disadvantages of these radios.
   
   
   
   • Ham Radio. For those needing radio backup over longer distances, consider becoming an amateur radio operator.  A license is required for this, but the Morse code requirement has been eliminated.  For more information, see The National Associaton for Amateur Radio.
     
     
   • These radios would be useful if phone lines were down but do require electricity or batteries.  For battery-powered equipment, a good backup is a combination of rechargeable batteries and a small solar charger. Chargers for rechargeable batteries are smaller than a shoebox.