Aviate, navigate, communicate. Those three words are the basis of handling emergencies in Naval Aviation (actually aviation in general probably). So what do they mean, and how does that apply to preparedness?
Naval aviators are taught from day one that when something goes wrong in the airplane, you simply need to remember those three steps. (Sidebar: OK, there might be some memorized emergency procedures to execute immediately for critical emergencies such as an engine fire. But even when those are being executed, you are still in the 'aviate' phase.) These steps were written in blood as they say, from cases where a simple 'emergency' turned deadly because the pilot(s) got focused in on the emergency and forgot to fly the plane.
Aviate: Fly the plane. Get the flight path under control and stable if at all possible. Planes aren't cars in which you can simply pull over and stop. They are always in motion, and there is a great big hazard waiting to reach out and grab you: the earth. In conflicts between the earth and airplanes, the earth usually wins. In multi-piloted aircraft like the one I flew (or multiplace, like an F14 where the RIO is an integral part of the flightcrew) 'aviate' also means to assign duties and divide the load. One pilot is designated to concentrate on flying, while the other handles the emergency.
Navigate: Think about and control where the plane is going (ie, the future). Avoid mother earth, like mountains. Hit NEAREST on the GPS for the nearest airport, if you have that function. A good pilot is always looking for a 'landing' site (subconsciously once you get some time in the log book): open, flat, clear of obstructions. Point the nose toward that spot, or that nearest airport, highway, or if over water, the nearest ship. Just like on an airliner when they remind you that the nearest exit may be behind you, the nearest airport/ship/landing spot may be behind you, and you should have been paying attention so you know that when bad things happen.
Communicate: Ask for help. Talk with the crew. Use procedures to handle the emergency. Then discuss the emergency and go over 'what ifs' (secondary malfunctions). Discuss the impact of the emergency: what systems have been lost, what capabilities are degraded, how will those things affect your landing?
So what in the Wide World of Sports does Aviate, Navigate, Communicate have to do with preparedness and survival you ask? Crisis response and immediate actions. When things happen, you don't necessarily have a lot of time available to figure out a plan. Hopefully you have already thought through the event ('hangar flying' we called it, when you practiced and discussed emergency situations). But Aviate, Navigate, Communicate apply equally well to land based 'situations'. Perhaps Stabilize, Act, Communicate?
Aviate: Stabilize the situation, try not to make it worse. Focus on the most important things. Immediate security, immediate action drill/response, take control of the situation. Neutralize the threat, stop the bleeding, gather the family.
Navigate: Act. Point your nose toward the best path through the future. Ideally, execute an immediate action plan that has been planned out and rehearsed in advance. City blows up like LA Riots? Execute your Plan A (Home defense maybe, or bug out, or consolidate with family in a more secure location). Gear up.
Communicate: Issue orders, direct the team/family. Contact others (warnings, alerts, preparatory orders). Gather the extended team/community. Reiterate Plan B (as in the next step of the plan, not that Plan A didn't work :)
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. Stabilize, Act, Communicate. Be prepared, execute your plans. THINK.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
SHTF Networking
I always thought it would be great if I had a friend in each of the following professions:
Now as I contemplate TEOTWAWKI, or at least the decline and fall of the USA as we know it, I'm rethinking my list a bit. Lawyer's are out. They're barely useful in the best of times. Of the others, some will be more useful than others, but it all depends on which cliff we go over. But they will be useful.
What I'm getting at is NOW is the time to foster those relationships, which will pay off in many different ways down the road. You still have the current advice group. More importantly, you can start learning those skills too. Plumber, car stuff, electrician: all the varied aspects of those professions are very useful and will add to your overall skill base. That skill base increases your MacGyver Quotient (I just made that up, but it works). I think one of the most useful 'skills' you can have in any 'survival' situation is the ability to adapt and over come, to use what is available to solve the problem at hand. The more you have tinkered, and the range of skills/environments you have tinkered in, the more likely you will be able to see a solution.
My wife rolls her eyes at me, but I think one of the best learning experiences I had that contributed to my MacGyver Quotient was playing D&D and other RPGs growing up. Those games rewarded creativity and resourcefulness. All you had to work with was what the DM described, and what you knew of your character. But you were always challenged to overcome the obstacle the DM put in front of you. I'm constantly 'MacGyvering' something out of a coat hanger, or packing tape, or just a pencil.
So foster those relationships with folks that have skills you are lacking. Learn from them, bring them into your circle of friends. You'll be better off now, and when IT happens, you'll be better off whether you put those skills to use or just knowing you have that friend to seek out to help get you down the road. I know if things got crappy and I was really trying to stretch out the life of my vehicles, and got to the point I needed to make some major repair but couldn't afford a shop, I could call up my 'car guy' and borrow his knowledge and tools to get the job done. I'm sure all he'd charge me was my own sweat equity which I would be putting on the table up front.
Don't forget to be on the other side of this equation too. Share your skills, and be a friend to your circle as well. I may not be in a technical trade that folks will seek out, but my wife is (RN), and I am quick to offer my physical labor, which is always valuable. Plus I have a high MacGyver Quotient!
- Lawyer
- Plumber
- Car mechanic
- Electrician
- Carpenter
- Doctor
Now as I contemplate TEOTWAWKI, or at least the decline and fall of the USA as we know it, I'm rethinking my list a bit. Lawyer's are out. They're barely useful in the best of times. Of the others, some will be more useful than others, but it all depends on which cliff we go over. But they will be useful.
What I'm getting at is NOW is the time to foster those relationships, which will pay off in many different ways down the road. You still have the current advice group. More importantly, you can start learning those skills too. Plumber, car stuff, electrician: all the varied aspects of those professions are very useful and will add to your overall skill base. That skill base increases your MacGyver Quotient (I just made that up, but it works). I think one of the most useful 'skills' you can have in any 'survival' situation is the ability to adapt and over come, to use what is available to solve the problem at hand. The more you have tinkered, and the range of skills/environments you have tinkered in, the more likely you will be able to see a solution.
My wife rolls her eyes at me, but I think one of the best learning experiences I had that contributed to my MacGyver Quotient was playing D&D and other RPGs growing up. Those games rewarded creativity and resourcefulness. All you had to work with was what the DM described, and what you knew of your character. But you were always challenged to overcome the obstacle the DM put in front of you. I'm constantly 'MacGyvering' something out of a coat hanger, or packing tape, or just a pencil.
So foster those relationships with folks that have skills you are lacking. Learn from them, bring them into your circle of friends. You'll be better off now, and when IT happens, you'll be better off whether you put those skills to use or just knowing you have that friend to seek out to help get you down the road. I know if things got crappy and I was really trying to stretch out the life of my vehicles, and got to the point I needed to make some major repair but couldn't afford a shop, I could call up my 'car guy' and borrow his knowledge and tools to get the job done. I'm sure all he'd charge me was my own sweat equity which I would be putting on the table up front.
Don't forget to be on the other side of this equation too. Share your skills, and be a friend to your circle as well. I may not be in a technical trade that folks will seek out, but my wife is (RN), and I am quick to offer my physical labor, which is always valuable. Plus I have a high MacGyver Quotient!
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Hoofin' It
Got up this morning and walked down to the grocery store (lottery tickets: I know, don't tell me) and then to Panera to get bagels for everyone for breakfast. I usually get up before everyone else in the house except for my youngest. Plus I really enjoy being out and about before most folks, and the weather is usually perfect that time in the morning (about 0730 this time).
It's not far, about a half mile. So the 1 mile hike wasn't a taxing ordeal by any stretch of the imagination. But it got me to thinking about the 'what if' we had to walk everywhere. Us first worlders just aren't used to having to walk. Even for those of us who might be 'in shape' and can run for 3 to 10 miles, walking becomes a totally different challenge. Mainly because you can't run everywhere, particularly if you have a load to carry.
Get a map of your area. Draw a circle at three miles from your house. The average walking pace is 3 miles per hour. Now think about your day if you had to factor in that two hour round trip for anything at that circle. Water? Food? Medical care? Friends and family? What will that travel time mean to your plans?
In my case, I live by a river so water is only a couple of hundred yards away. But I'm sure if I try and carry a five gallon can home from the river it will suddenly seem much farther away.
Close relatives are about 2 miles away, so on foot that is 30-40 minutes. In other words, I'm not going to 'be right there' if I had to go help out with something (like defense).
The Navy base, which might be a site of refuge (I'm retired Navy) is 8 miles away. Hospitals are 2 to 4 miles away. To get outside the city, we're talking 10-12 miles, 3 to 4 hours on foot. Now factor in load, kids, injuries, security concerns. I bet your rate of travel will be less than 3 miles per hour.
Just something to think about.
It's not far, about a half mile. So the 1 mile hike wasn't a taxing ordeal by any stretch of the imagination. But it got me to thinking about the 'what if' we had to walk everywhere. Us first worlders just aren't used to having to walk. Even for those of us who might be 'in shape' and can run for 3 to 10 miles, walking becomes a totally different challenge. Mainly because you can't run everywhere, particularly if you have a load to carry.
Get a map of your area. Draw a circle at three miles from your house. The average walking pace is 3 miles per hour. Now think about your day if you had to factor in that two hour round trip for anything at that circle. Water? Food? Medical care? Friends and family? What will that travel time mean to your plans?
In my case, I live by a river so water is only a couple of hundred yards away. But I'm sure if I try and carry a five gallon can home from the river it will suddenly seem much farther away.
Close relatives are about 2 miles away, so on foot that is 30-40 minutes. In other words, I'm not going to 'be right there' if I had to go help out with something (like defense).
The Navy base, which might be a site of refuge (I'm retired Navy) is 8 miles away. Hospitals are 2 to 4 miles away. To get outside the city, we're talking 10-12 miles, 3 to 4 hours on foot. Now factor in load, kids, injuries, security concerns. I bet your rate of travel will be less than 3 miles per hour.
Just something to think about.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Risk Mitigation versus Risk Avoidance
Just saw this article on a local newsite:
Girl Killed When Van Crashes into house
Reading the article, the father of the deceased girl says they have lived in the house for 26 years, and cars are always speeding and running the stop sign in front of their house and ending up in their front yard. He had "even put in barricade walls with reinforcing bar and cinder blocks to prevent this kind of crash from happening."
First, my heart goes out to this family whose daughter was taken from them literally in the middle of the night. Who goes to bed thinking they may not see their kids in the morning? Just tragic. In no way am I blaming the father for this. All the blame goes on the driver, and I truly hope severe charges are brought and this idiot is taken off the streets for quite some time.
It just struck me that the father, while trying to 'prevent this kind of crash' did not go far enough to protect his family. Barricades and walls obviously didn't 'prevent' this from happening: they couldn't! All those measures could do is mitigate the risk of it happening. This man decided, probably subconsciously, that the risk of this happening, with the measures he had taken, was quite low. And he was probably right.
But risk mitigation is not the same as risk avoidance.
He had options to completely avoid this risk, such as moving to a different house. Or if the problems with the traffic only occurred at night, not using the room as a bedroom. Or building better barricades to prevent a vehicle from reaching the house.
When preparing for the worst, and dealing with situations as they arise, risk assessment is a critical component of that planning. Ideally you should avoid risks, and mitigate those that you can't avoid, after assessing their likelihood and potential impact.
Known area of gang activity? Avoid: use a different route, move to a better neighborhood.
Threat of an EMP attack? You can't avoid it, but you can mitigate it by owning a pre-computerized vehicle, shielding critical electronics, etc.
All forms of preparedness are risk mitigation: if X happens, I have A, B, and C (plans, supplies, and knowledge) stockpiled to lessen the impact of that event.
But don't apply that risk assessment to TEOTWAWKI. Use it everyday to be safer, and stay safe.
Girl Killed When Van Crashes into house
Reading the article, the father of the deceased girl says they have lived in the house for 26 years, and cars are always speeding and running the stop sign in front of their house and ending up in their front yard. He had "even put in barricade walls with reinforcing bar and cinder blocks to prevent this kind of crash from happening."
First, my heart goes out to this family whose daughter was taken from them literally in the middle of the night. Who goes to bed thinking they may not see their kids in the morning? Just tragic. In no way am I blaming the father for this. All the blame goes on the driver, and I truly hope severe charges are brought and this idiot is taken off the streets for quite some time.
It just struck me that the father, while trying to 'prevent this kind of crash' did not go far enough to protect his family. Barricades and walls obviously didn't 'prevent' this from happening: they couldn't! All those measures could do is mitigate the risk of it happening. This man decided, probably subconsciously, that the risk of this happening, with the measures he had taken, was quite low. And he was probably right.
But risk mitigation is not the same as risk avoidance.
He had options to completely avoid this risk, such as moving to a different house. Or if the problems with the traffic only occurred at night, not using the room as a bedroom. Or building better barricades to prevent a vehicle from reaching the house.
When preparing for the worst, and dealing with situations as they arise, risk assessment is a critical component of that planning. Ideally you should avoid risks, and mitigate those that you can't avoid, after assessing their likelihood and potential impact.
Known area of gang activity? Avoid: use a different route, move to a better neighborhood.
Threat of an EMP attack? You can't avoid it, but you can mitigate it by owning a pre-computerized vehicle, shielding critical electronics, etc.
All forms of preparedness are risk mitigation: if X happens, I have A, B, and C (plans, supplies, and knowledge) stockpiled to lessen the impact of that event.
But don't apply that risk assessment to TEOTWAWKI. Use it everyday to be safer, and stay safe.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
2nd Best Survival Firearm
My budget first choice was the Ruger 10/22. I know that might have most folks shaking their heads and calling me an idiot. But remember, that was the first choice on a very limited budget. Of course, you could always argue about what a 'budget' is. If you can save $30 a month for 'preps', then it's only a couple of months further down the road to get to my next choice. So each person has to evaluate their situation to determine what is best.
Another $100, (we're up to $400 for gun and ammo) will get you into a 12 gauge shotgun. You can actually get a Remington 870 pump for under $300, so you're really not much out of my super budget realm and the 10/22. But the 12 gauge shotgun will buy you alot more versatility. The biggest boost is in defensive firepower. The 12 gauge, with buck or slugs, is a great home defense weapon. You can definitely take down a man with one, as opposed to 'having a chance' with the 10/22. Plus with the shotgun, you can hunt everything from dove and rabbits to deer.
Ease of use is also a big plus for the shotgun. Hitting your target, at normal home defense ranges (max probably 10 yards), is much easier with a shotgun and buck shot than with a pistol or rifle, for the average untrained home defender. And as everyone knows, the sound of a pump action chambering a shell is definitive, and the aggressor will have no questions about what he is facing.
I would recommend a normal hunting style shotgun, over the 'home defense' versions with a pistol grip, IF you plan on using your shotgun primarily for hunting with a secondary role for defense. It is easier to swing on a flying target with a normal stock than a pistol grip because of the position of your hand. If you shotgun is primarily for defense then the pistol grip might be advantageous.
A handy accessory for the home defense shotgun is the Side Saddle. This holds 5 extra rounds on the gun itself. A normal shotgun will hold 5 rounds (one in the chamber, with the plug removed: most states limit the number of rounds in the gun for different kinds of hunting, usually 3 [2+1]). The side saddle gives you 5 more rounds at the ready. In a home defense scenario, if you go through 10 rounds of 00 buckshot, and need more, you're having a very bad day.
So if you select the shotgun as your primary survival weapon, don't forget to stock up on the appropriate shot sizes for the type of game you might be hunting. Buckshot won;t do you much good against dove. Heck, I've hit a dove a little too close with #9 (caught him in the full pattern) and there was nothing left but a pile of feathers.
Another $100, (we're up to $400 for gun and ammo) will get you into a 12 gauge shotgun. You can actually get a Remington 870 pump for under $300, so you're really not much out of my super budget realm and the 10/22. But the 12 gauge shotgun will buy you alot more versatility. The biggest boost is in defensive firepower. The 12 gauge, with buck or slugs, is a great home defense weapon. You can definitely take down a man with one, as opposed to 'having a chance' with the 10/22. Plus with the shotgun, you can hunt everything from dove and rabbits to deer.
Ease of use is also a big plus for the shotgun. Hitting your target, at normal home defense ranges (max probably 10 yards), is much easier with a shotgun and buck shot than with a pistol or rifle, for the average untrained home defender. And as everyone knows, the sound of a pump action chambering a shell is definitive, and the aggressor will have no questions about what he is facing.
I would recommend a normal hunting style shotgun, over the 'home defense' versions with a pistol grip, IF you plan on using your shotgun primarily for hunting with a secondary role for defense. It is easier to swing on a flying target with a normal stock than a pistol grip because of the position of your hand. If you shotgun is primarily for defense then the pistol grip might be advantageous.
A handy accessory for the home defense shotgun is the Side Saddle. This holds 5 extra rounds on the gun itself. A normal shotgun will hold 5 rounds (one in the chamber, with the plug removed: most states limit the number of rounds in the gun for different kinds of hunting, usually 3 [2+1]). The side saddle gives you 5 more rounds at the ready. In a home defense scenario, if you go through 10 rounds of 00 buckshot, and need more, you're having a very bad day.
So if you select the shotgun as your primary survival weapon, don't forget to stock up on the appropriate shot sizes for the type of game you might be hunting. Buckshot won;t do you much good against dove. Heck, I've hit a dove a little too close with #9 (caught him in the full pattern) and there was nothing left but a pile of feathers.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Priorities
As you read and research survival, preparedness, the coming Zombie Apocalypse, it's easy to be overwhelmed and wonder where to start. Most blogs seem to point towards thousand dollar arsenals and literally tons of food and water. I will always grant that if you prepare for the worst you are ready for about anything along the spectrum.
But where to start? If I have $1000 and spend it on a gun and some ammo, sure I'm better prepared than I was, but when that hurricane hits and the power is out for a week, that gun may not do much for you. And then you lose your job and end up selling that gun for $500 because everyone else is losing their jobs. Not good.
Here's my priorities for being prepared, where to spend your money:
Now, some balance is required here, because if you put off all your preps until you have 1 thru 3 well in hand, that could be a couple of years down the road, which is a couple of years that disaster could strike. I'm just saying financial preparedness should be you're number #1 priority, but you can and should advance your preps as you can, with what you think is a reasonable deduction from your debt fighting funds (that part deviates from Ramsey). Even $20 a month can get you down the road of preparedness. Plus, austerity can drive innovation. Thrift markets, flea markets, dollar stores, garage sales, your own basement/garage can be great sources for probably 90% of your basic preps. It doesn't take a fortune to be prepared, only a plan and the initiative to accomplish that plan.
Once you get to step 3, you can start budgeting more for your preparedness needs. I'm only listing things that you need to budget for/specifically buy. Go Bag items like duct tape, trash bags, etc you either have laying around or can be easily purchased.
1. Everyday Carry
2. Basic Gear (72 hour/go bag)
3. Long term items
Now you can focus on larger items such as firearms/ammo and larger amounts of shelf stable foods like MREs or freeze dried. The web is the most amazing resource we are privileged to have available to us. Use it to figure out what you need to be prepared for the events you think are most likely to come your way. Just take it one step at a time and get your financial house in order first and foremost.
But where to start? If I have $1000 and spend it on a gun and some ammo, sure I'm better prepared than I was, but when that hurricane hits and the power is out for a week, that gun may not do much for you. And then you lose your job and end up selling that gun for $500 because everyone else is losing their jobs. Not good.
Here's my priorities for being prepared, where to spend your money:
- Get out of debt. See Dave Ramsey.
- Save an emergency fund. See Dave Ramsey again.
- Start investing/saving for the future (retirement/college funds)
Now, some balance is required here, because if you put off all your preps until you have 1 thru 3 well in hand, that could be a couple of years down the road, which is a couple of years that disaster could strike. I'm just saying financial preparedness should be you're number #1 priority, but you can and should advance your preps as you can, with what you think is a reasonable deduction from your debt fighting funds (that part deviates from Ramsey). Even $20 a month can get you down the road of preparedness. Plus, austerity can drive innovation. Thrift markets, flea markets, dollar stores, garage sales, your own basement/garage can be great sources for probably 90% of your basic preps. It doesn't take a fortune to be prepared, only a plan and the initiative to accomplish that plan.
Once you get to step 3, you can start budgeting more for your preparedness needs. I'm only listing things that you need to budget for/specifically buy. Go Bag items like duct tape, trash bags, etc you either have laying around or can be easily purchased.
1. Everyday Carry
- Multi-tool/pocket folding knife
- Flashlight
2. Basic Gear (72 hour/go bag)
- Day pack/small back pack
- Multi-tool (a full sized one if you EDC a smaller one)
- First aid kit
- Para cord
- Backpacking water filter
- Backpack stove and fuel
- Fixed blade knife
3. Long term items
- 2 cases of bottled water
- 2 cases of your favorite canned foods (ie, 1 soup, 1 vegetables)
Now you can focus on larger items such as firearms/ammo and larger amounts of shelf stable foods like MREs or freeze dried. The web is the most amazing resource we are privileged to have available to us. Use it to figure out what you need to be prepared for the events you think are most likely to come your way. Just take it one step at a time and get your financial house in order first and foremost.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Choose Your Armageddon
In the last week the US of A has experienced a wide range of natural catastrophes. From wildfires in Colorado, to a 'land hurricane' and subsequent power outage in the mid-Atlantic, to rain and flooding in the SE from Tropical Storm Debbie. I guarantee that most of the folks affected by these events were not prepared. But what does 'prepared' mean in these scenarios?
First, I don't think any of them were case studies of the need for a Go Bag, at least in the 'grab and go' sense. Call it a 72 hour bag and you're right on target. Take the wildfires for instance. Those can change direction in a heartbeat, or flare up, or jump fire lines. You could easily get the word to 'Get out now!'. 'Now' would not then be the time to pack, to look for critical documents, or to figure out a plan. If you had a 72 hour bag and Critical Document Binder*, you'd be set. I say a 72 hour bag, because I think this is the more likely scenario for most people. In this case you are Getting Out of Dodge, but plan to return. So the 72 hour kit isn't for 72 hours in the woods, but 72 hours in the hotel. The basics are the same for each (change of clothing, basic toiletries, food and water). While some outdoor survival items may not be needed in this case (fire starters, knives and axes, shelter material, etc), you never know, right? What I'm saying is a well planned Go Bag should cover you in the 72 hour bag Bug Out and Return scenario as well.
The Critical Document Binder is a grab and go addendum to the 72 hour bag. This one binder will have all your critical documents, contact info, and proof of identity/residence items for your return, or for disaster management, as the case dictates. Just think if you bugged out and your house burned down. Insurance phone numbers, policy numbers? Banking and investment info? All that data of 21st century living we take for granted: if you didn't have them at your fingertips, it could be a challenge to get back on your feet. If not a challenge, at least a frustrating few days as you piece it all back together.
The power outage is probably a Bug In situation for most folks. Test your plans in the scenario of a power outage for 7-plus days in 100 degree heat. Food spoilage rate is probably pretty high. Water requirements are higher than 'normal' or average. How susceptible to the heat are you? I know I have gotten pretty used to the AC over the years.
Rain and flooding can be either a slow onset event (like it was here in NE Florida) or fast if you are in an area prone to flash flooding. Like a wildfire, you might have to bug out rather quickly, so planning and preparation will be tested.
So while the Zombie Apocalypse is a low probability event in my calculus, the recent natural 'disasters' are my Most Likely events: that is what I am preparing for first (given my budget and other factors). It makes more sense for me to spend my money and time on Bug In and Bug Out/Return events than arming to the teeth to defend the homestead. Doesn't mean I'm not, it's just a way to prioritize on a limited budget. Be realistic, and be prepared.
*I've edited this post by removing the link to emergencybinder.org. This site had a free download of 4 Word documents that provided an extensive template for the information to put in a critical documents binder. It went so far as passwords for online accounts, security info, etc. Wow. I don't think of myself as the paranoid type, but I'm not about to type that kind of info into a word document I've downloaded off the net. Plus I wouldn't want that floating around in a hardcopy binder either. My idea for a critical document binder is the stuff you already have in hardcopy (marriage license, SS cards, etc). You still have to guard it closely. Critical digital information can be stored on a password protected/encrypted USB drive. For that matter, most hardcopy documents you can scan to PDF and put on the thumb drive. Much more secure.
First, I don't think any of them were case studies of the need for a Go Bag, at least in the 'grab and go' sense. Call it a 72 hour bag and you're right on target. Take the wildfires for instance. Those can change direction in a heartbeat, or flare up, or jump fire lines. You could easily get the word to 'Get out now!'. 'Now' would not then be the time to pack, to look for critical documents, or to figure out a plan. If you had a 72 hour bag and Critical Document Binder*, you'd be set. I say a 72 hour bag, because I think this is the more likely scenario for most people. In this case you are Getting Out of Dodge, but plan to return. So the 72 hour kit isn't for 72 hours in the woods, but 72 hours in the hotel. The basics are the same for each (change of clothing, basic toiletries, food and water). While some outdoor survival items may not be needed in this case (fire starters, knives and axes, shelter material, etc), you never know, right? What I'm saying is a well planned Go Bag should cover you in the 72 hour bag Bug Out and Return scenario as well.
The Critical Document Binder is a grab and go addendum to the 72 hour bag. This one binder will have all your critical documents, contact info, and proof of identity/residence items for your return, or for disaster management, as the case dictates. Just think if you bugged out and your house burned down. Insurance phone numbers, policy numbers? Banking and investment info? All that data of 21st century living we take for granted: if you didn't have them at your fingertips, it could be a challenge to get back on your feet. If not a challenge, at least a frustrating few days as you piece it all back together.
The power outage is probably a Bug In situation for most folks. Test your plans in the scenario of a power outage for 7-plus days in 100 degree heat. Food spoilage rate is probably pretty high. Water requirements are higher than 'normal' or average. How susceptible to the heat are you? I know I have gotten pretty used to the AC over the years.
Rain and flooding can be either a slow onset event (like it was here in NE Florida) or fast if you are in an area prone to flash flooding. Like a wildfire, you might have to bug out rather quickly, so planning and preparation will be tested.
So while the Zombie Apocalypse is a low probability event in my calculus, the recent natural 'disasters' are my Most Likely events: that is what I am preparing for first (given my budget and other factors). It makes more sense for me to spend my money and time on Bug In and Bug Out/Return events than arming to the teeth to defend the homestead. Doesn't mean I'm not, it's just a way to prioritize on a limited budget. Be realistic, and be prepared.
*I've edited this post by removing the link to emergencybinder.org. This site had a free download of 4 Word documents that provided an extensive template for the information to put in a critical documents binder. It went so far as passwords for online accounts, security info, etc. Wow. I don't think of myself as the paranoid type, but I'm not about to type that kind of info into a word document I've downloaded off the net. Plus I wouldn't want that floating around in a hardcopy binder either. My idea for a critical document binder is the stuff you already have in hardcopy (marriage license, SS cards, etc). You still have to guard it closely. Critical digital information can be stored on a password protected/encrypted USB drive. For that matter, most hardcopy documents you can scan to PDF and put on the thumb drive. Much more secure.
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