With everything that has been transpiring the last few months in the weather and around the world, I can't help but think about what might have been going through the minds of people as they were experiencing their disaster. I wonder what I would have done in their shoes.
My First experience with an emergency (that I can remember), was when I was about 10 years old. It was a typical fire season -- warm summer day, smoky sky, the smell of burning forest -- but when the ash started falling, we knew it might be a little different. That afternoon we heard the knock on the door and listened to the man who worked for the Forest Service tell us that we were to evacuate in one hour.
I remember the rush when my parents handed me the basket-woven duffel bag with "mexico" embroidered on it. They said to pack the things that I couldn't live without. At age 10 I really didn't have any irreplaceables -- in fact, I think I loaded it with clothes, a journal and a radio. But the invaluable lesson I learned as a 10 yr. old was that nothing is permanent. The things we own can be ripped away from us and all we are left with are the memories and the lessons learned. Life as I knew it could disappear in the blink of an eye. This one experience was ingrained in my mind and has been the motive for my interest in wanting to be prepared when disaster strikes.
Now If I were to have one hour to pack, I wonder what I would reach for first? Thankfully I have the basics (clothes, sanitation, food, first aid, etc.) ready to go so that I could hopefully have an extra moment to grab some sentimental belongings (now copies of those sentimentals are on an external hard drive). But if not, I know our needs would be met for a few days at least.
What would you reach for first? What could you/couldn't you live without?
Here's a fun challenge: Find an unused backpack, fill it with what you think you will need to live for 3 days -- then go test it out. If you already have a 72-hr emergency kit, then what are you waiting for?
