On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 15:05:30 GMT, helmsman
wrote:

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 14:38:55 GMT, Ron Hardin
wrote:

What's wrong with not communicating during a blackout? It's a perfect
time to do something else.

Depending on the emergency it may cost you your life :'(

Some good points on this list!

The best way to communicate is with a ham radio. Here is a list "THAT
SHOULD BE PRINTED NOW!!"
and put away so you have it of information that will help during the
next time something goe's wrong.
A short list of things and facts to have on hand if things start
looking grim - If you print this you will ALWAYS have it.
o A normally active adult needs to drink at least two quarts of water
daily. Intense physical activity can double that amount. Children,
nursing mothers and people in poor health will need more.
o A medium size dog requires about one gallon of water per day; a cat,
about one pint.
o City water is generally already treated. No additional treatment is
necessary unless the system is compromised.

Which it is likely to be, especially following a power failure, flood
or earthquake. All city water systems have lots of major and minor
leaks. Household meter readings will never total the reading on the
master meter with the possible exception of a brand new system.

Minor leaks cannot be located and repaired until water shows up on the
surface, and in sandy or gravelly subsoils often has to be a large
leak before it will show up.

Pipes often run through soil with chemical or bacteriological
contamination, and the only thing that keeps the system safe is that
it is normally constantly pressurized. However, if the pressure
fails, then people drawing water from lines on a slope or hill will
cause a vacuum to be drawn on the mains and service lines drawing
contamination into the pipes.

In any disaster, is safer to assume contamination whether warnings
have been issued or not. Boiling will kill most if not all pathogenic
[disease causing] viruses, bacteria, etc. but will not remove most
chemicals.

It is far safer to keep at least a three day supply of water, and many
keep at least 2 weeks worth.

Store water in clean,
deodorized, food-grade plastic containers with screw-on caps (soft
drink, milk bottles or drums, for example). Avoid using containers
that will decompose or break, such as paper milk cartons or glass
bottles. Replace stored tap water every six months.
o Do not use containers that retain strong odors from previously
stored foods, those that held toxic products or those without an
airtight seal.
o Store your water in a dark place away from paint and petroleum-based
products, acids or anything having objectionable odors (i.e.,
fertilizer or household cleaners). Laboratory tests confirm that
chlorine used to treat water and guard against bacterial growth lasts
longer in refrigerated water than water kept at room temperature.
o To use the water in your pipes, let air into the plumbing by turning
on the faucet at the highest point in your house and draining the
water from the faucet at the lowest point.
o To use the water in your water heater, be sure the electricity or
gas is off. Open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water
flowing by turning off the cold water intake valve above the hot water
tank and turning on any hot water faucet. Do not turn on the gas or
electricity when the tank is empty.
o Disinfect rainwater or water from snow before drinking.
o Boiling is the best way to disinfect water. Bring the water to a
rolling boil for five minutes. Let cool before drinking. To improve
taste, pour water back and forth repeatedly between two containers to
aerate the water. Bleach directions below from Clorox.com.
o You can disinfect water using household bleach. Choose a brand that
does not contain soaps or other additives. The label should read 5.25%
percent of sodium hypochlorite. To treat one gallon of clear water,
use 16 drops of bleach or 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons. If the water is
cloudy, or if the bleach is over one year old, use twice as much
bleach. Stir the water vigorously and let it sit for 30 minutes. Pour
the water back and forth between two containers several times to
improve taste. Repeat if no bleach smell after 30 minutes.
o If you use an eyedropper or measuring spoon to add bleach, do not
use them for any other purpose.
o Adding powdered drinks like Kool-Aid and Tang will help disguise odd
tasting water from disinfecting by boiling or bleach. In an Emergency
use water in: Pipes, Water heater = turn off first!, toilet tank-not
bowl, ice cubes, rain water and snow.
1. Flashlights for everyone and enough batteries to last one week.
2. A battery-operated radio and enough batteries to ensure one week of
continuous play.
3. A regular telephone that is connected to telephone land lines by a
standard telephone wall jack. (Cordless telephones and telephones that
plug into an electrical outlet may not work if there is no
electricity.)
4. A three-day supply (minimum) of stored tap water and nonperishable
food.
5. A manual (nonelectric) can opener.
6. Paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic eating utensils, and paper
towels.
7. An alternative heating source, such as a generator and electrical
heaters or fireplace. Stock up on extra firewood.
8. An alternative means to cook food, such as a charcoal or propane
grill and enough charcoal and lighter fluid or propane to last a week.
9. A fire extinguisher.
10. Liquid chlorine bleach with 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and
no additives
11. An eyedropper or measuring spoons.
12. Extra garbage bags.
13. Sanitary wipes or no rinse antibacterial hand wash for cleaning
hands without water.
14. No rinse shampoo for washing hair without water.
15. A fully stocked first aid kit, including any specific prescription
requirements.

Depending on nature and duration of disaster people who are dependent
on prescription medication often immediately rush out and refill
scrips whether have used existing scrips or not. Most prescription
medications are fairly expensive and some go out of date. Therefore,
most pharmacists don't carry much extra stock, often relying on almost
daily deliveries from wholesalers.

Most stock systems are electronic these days, and if power is out
pharmacies can easily run out of items without even realizing it,
wholesalers have difficulty filling orders if their systems are down,
or ordering more from manufacturers.

If really need a medication, would advise keeping at least two week
supply at all times.

16. A shut off wrench (to turn off household gas and water).
17. Extra cash. 18. Extra Ammo - BE PREPARED, BECAUSE IF YOUR NOT ?