All For Nothing~unless...

I cannot guess how many times I have written that as a prepper we must learn the skills we need to survive more so than accumulating items that will carry us through. After the massive earthquake in Haiti I am going to reaffirm this line of thinking.

The very best stockpile of prep items in Haiti would be under rubble this day~therefore what is a prepper to do? I am not suggesting that we stop having food storage or increasing in our preps. I think that a prepper needs to know how to make water potable. I think that a prepper needs to know how to make a fire and cook over it. I think that a prepper needs to know how to make bread from scratch...even if only tortillas. I think that a prepper understands salvage-and what one should look for first in a crisis of the magnitude in Haiti...so here goes-

Food-Shelter-Safety

The order may go back and forth in Haiti as one can imagine the aftershocks that have been occurring. Under safety there are many criteria: safety from the two legged varmint, safety from the diseases as a result of the death and destruction, safety from injuries that one may have, and safety from following aftershocks. In fact, you may have to think and process all of these thoughts while a loved one is missing or dead(even a child). A prepper is not without emotions but can function with little effort because mentally and physically a prepper has been preparing for any and all scenarios.

What do you do if you discover a dead body? In a crises of any magnitude you can make a white flag on a pole and sink it in the ground near the body and then leave...do not touch the body. I promise you that the urge will be twofold-one to see if the person is alive(as we see that on TV so much) and two to run like heck. I suggest the middle ground. If you have no white materials and poles leave quickly as the dead body is a pool of disease.

What do you do if you discover people injured? Can you perform basic First Aid? See this is a skill that I constantly speak about. We must learn skills in addition to having a super stocked kit. There are tons of people that are injured in Haiti...and one more person who can field treat wounds would be a bonus. Do you have some country doctor tips that will allow you to treat something without the norm medical treatment, but will be effective? This is a skill that we preppers need to have some basic knowledge of.

What do you do if you see children wandering? Can you honestly allow them to wander away and not protect them? Of course not. So as a prepper you need to understand that as much as we think we are planning to go solo or without those who don't think as we do...the children are a different case. I am most certain that Haiti has far too many wee ones that are not with a parent today. Simple things to do with the children are comfort things. Holding them on your lap...touching their heads or even playing games from childhood with them. They will need some bit of normalcy during these times. As soon as you can you must get to a point that is set up and document that this(or these) children you found...so they can reconnect the child with a loved one. But you may be the only one to care for the child until some services are set up...and so you must(remember you would want someone to do so for your child). By the way...make a mental note of where you located the child and all the initial information about him so that you can assist those who will be looking for him.

What do you do if you need to cook food? Can you prepare foods quickly, over a fire? Can you scrounge out what you need to survive? Most importantly can you find water...this is the key...WATER.

Shelter is key in a crises as most people are functioning in a bit of shock. To maintain a place that blocks the sun or keeps the elements off is very important, but think outside the box on this one. You may need to construct just a cardboard shelter...but shade in Haiti is very important.

I have many more thoughts but I think you get the idea. As a prepper we should be lifetime students of learning skills that generations before us took for granted. These skills will not only keep us alive but most likely what keeps others alive too. I understand that in the prepper circuit many joined thinking about the government and the economy and I will not minimize the reality of that as an impending crisis...but we all must take in account that each and every day a crises of some magnitude hits somewhere in the world. My question is this: Are you really prepared?

(c) Double Nickel Farm

Jennifer