Hurricane Safety

Probably if you are in hurricane range, you already know a thing or two about what to do if a hurricane is imminent.  If you don't live in hurricane range, you might not have any clue what to do and you might be thinking, "So what?"  But the thing is, you never know where you (or loved ones) might live in the future, or what set of emergency circumstances you may be in, and having a handy set of hurricane survival skills for reference just might save your life.  So, why not?

Hurricanes are among the most costly of catastrophes.  If a hurricane approaches, you will need to prepare you and your family both physically and mentally.  Fortunately with hurricanes (unlike, say, earthquakes?), we're given a small window of prep time when we can see what's coming but it isn't here yet.  However, you definitely don't want to put off your preparations until the last minute or you are very likely to be caught without adequate preparation.

1. Prepare Yourself
You'll need to have an emergency disaster kit already prepared, if you don't already.  If you've waited until the last minute, some of these items may be very difficult to find or you may not be able to find them at all.  The best plan is to have your disaster kit already prepared long in advance so you only need to put forth minimal effort to keep it current.  Your emergency disaster kit should include important documents, first aid, food and water, clothes, prescriptions, etc.  See this page for a thorough and descriptive checklist to guide you.  You'll want to keep everything packed for portability - like in backpacks, or a large trash can - in case of evacuation.  Make sure your food and water are rotated frequently as well as clothing for changing sizes and seasons.

2. Prepare Your Home
You can't hold back hurricane winds, but you can take steps to minimize the damage.  Your home stands a greater chance of resisting damage if it has a sturdy build that follows up-to-date codes for strength in natural disasters.  Doors, garages, and windows can be boarded to prevent wind damage, but again, don't wait until the last minute unless you want to stand in long lines at the store for wood.  Trees and bushes can be trimmed.  Sandbags can be placed around your home to prevent water damage.  Of course, even with the best preparations sometimes the damage is extensive.  Insurance can be purchased long in advance to help cover costs of damages.  Take a look inside and around your home for irreplaceable items and make plans to move them or keep them safe.  Anchor what you can.  In any case, it would be wise to prepare yourself mentally for the worst outcome but continue to hope for the best.  Devastating circumstances can often be made more bearable if we can look around us with a sense of gratitude and count what blessings are still ours.  This is always easier said than done in the face of an emergency, but one can start with being grateful to be alive and breathing.

3. Make Your Plan
Do you stay or go?  Emergency reports will let you know if you are in a flood zone or storm surge zone.  If so, GO!  Same if you are in a mobile or very old home.  And don't wait until the end (traffic will be BAD).  Unplug all appliances, shut off the main water, and electricity to your home.  If indicated by emergency officials, shut off your main gas valve.  Find a friend or family member you can stay with out of the hurricane's reach, or book a hotel.  Plan for your pets as well.  If you make the choice to stay in your home, the safest areas will be in the interior, away from large windows.  Keep a radio and your disaster kit on hand.  Move valuables and documents to your home's highest level.  Keep doors and windows shut throughout the hurricane.  Turn your fridge and freezer to their coldest settings so food will stay good longer.  Prepare a plan for evacuation, just in case.  Whether you are staying or going, make sure you have an emergency contact outside the storm's reach who you can notify what your plans are.

Long-term Food Storage Guidelines

Hopefully you already have a 72-hour supply of emergency food you can grab and take with you at a moment's notice.  But it's also a wise idea to keep an ample supply of long-term food and water on hand for your family in case of extended emergencies.  First, you need to be aware of and follow several guidelines.  Don't get yourself in such a food-storing frenzy that you do it incorrectly and waste your efforts.  If stored improperly, food can quickly spoil or make you very sick.

• Store foods you like that you use often.  Being familiar with the foods you store will help you use them better and are more likely to be eaten by your family.  Plus if you use them regularly, they will be easy to rotate so your stored food won't spoil.  Label all foods with a purchase date so you can see how old they are in the future.  Place newer items behind older ones on home shelves and make it a habit of practicing the "first in = first out" rule so that you continually use older items first.  (As a personal note, my husband just recently built us some new storage shelves at a slight angle so that canned goods automatically roll into place.  New cans are placed at the back and cans for current use are taken from the front so the whole group continually rotates the older forward.  It is a simple yet incredibly handy adjustment you can make to some of your own storage shelves for easy rotation.)  Foods have the best taste and nutrition if you follow the "best if used by" date; however, food can still be useful and sustaining even after that.
• Foods recommended to be rotated every 6 months:
• Powdered Milk in boxes
• Potatoes
• Dried fruits (in metal containers)
• Dry crackers (in metal containers)
• Water from home storage containers
• Foods recommended to be rotated every year (though personally, I've eaten several of these things beyond a year and they were just fine):
• Peanut Butter
• Jams and Jellies
• Canned Fruits, Vegetables, and Juices
• Canned Condensed Soups
• Cereals or Instant Oatmeal
• Canned Nuts
• Candy
• Vitamin C
• Home-canned food
• Commercially Prepared Water
• Foods that last "indefinitely" with proper storage and good storage conditions:
• Salt
• Baking Powder
• Bouillon 
• Vegetable Oils
• Wheat
• White Rice
• Soybeans
• Dried Corn
• Dried Pasta
• Powdered Milk in nitrogen-packed cans
• Honey

• Many milled grains (flour, cereal, cornmeal, etc.) or foods high in natural oils (nuts, seeds, brown rice, etc.) deteriorate faster than other foods, though I have yet to find a source that says exactly how much.  If you choose to store them (like I have), make sure you rotate them often to make use of the full nutritional benefit.  Other foods that should be rotated frequently include canned foods with a high acid content

• Some emergency supply places offer great options for long shelf-life foods.  Many companies offer dehydrated or freeze dried foods that can last for up to 25 years.  Some offer quick and nutritious meals that only need water to be ready to eat (you'll want to store extra water in that case).  However, if you are unfamiliar with the food or unlikely to actually put it to use, look into other options.  Grocery stores that offer bulk foods is a great option.  When stored correctly, items like oats, pinto beans, and sugar can have a shelf-life over 30 years. 

• The best foods are ones that don't require refrigeration, cooking, or special preparation.  Look for nutrient-rich foods with high calories to keep your body systems energized.  Stay away from foods that are very salty (they'll make you thirsty), and look for foods high in water content.  And don't forget to store vitamins!

• Good containers for storing foods include foil laminate/mylar pouches made of polyethylene terephthalate (non-toxic, food-grade plastic that helps keep out oxygen and moisture), glass jars with tight, screw-on lids (of course cleaned and sterilized before using), or plastic food containers with the letters "PET" or "PETE" next to the recycle symbol at the bottom (made of the same plastic in laminate pouches).  All containers should be cleaned and sterilized and have an air-tight seal.  Avoid paper or foam lid seals and instead opt for plastic.  Foods in boxes or bags that can go stale can also be doubled wrapped and sealed tightly in plastic containers to keep them fresher longer.

• Keep foods in a cool (40-70 degrees), dark area away from pipes or appliances that create heat or moisture.  Moisture, oxygen, and heat will spoil foods quickly.  A storage room in your basement would be great, or under the stairs, in a closet, or even under your bed!  Be creative if you need to.

• Once you've got your 72-hour food supply ready, build up to a 3-week, then 3-month, then even longer supply for your family.  This could mean half of the day's typical calories per family member for rationing (though better would be to plan for the full day's normal calories, just so you are prepared), plus 1 gallon of water per person per day (more according to individual circumstances, and don't forget bleach for purifying).  If your means are limited, start by buying one or two extra items every time you shop, like an extra bag of beans or can of fruit.  For reference, the minimum recommended amounts of food for one adult for one year are:
• 300 lbs. grains (wheat, pasta, rice, oats, etc.)
• 74 lbs. dairy (powdered milk, evaporated milk, freeze-dried cheese, etc.)
• 60 lbs. legumes (beans, peas, lentils, etc.)
• 60 lbs. sugars (honey, brown sugar, white sugar, jam, drink mixes, etc.)
• 13 lbs. oils (vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil, peanut butter, etc.)
• Baking essentials (baking powder, baking soda, yeast, salt, vinegar, etc.)

• Oxygen absorbers can be purchased at many emergency supply stores.  When added to food storage, they will extend the shelf-life of your food by eliminating oxygen (a food spoiler) in the closed container.  Super handy to have.

Another great way to build up an emergency food supply is to grow a garden!  Not only that, but it is a very satisfying skill to obtain.  By growing a home garden you can take advantage of the abundance of a fall harvest to boost your stores.  An old saying goes, "Eat what you can, and can what you can't!"  Canning is a great way to store food for a later use, or even just during the winter when harvests have passed.  Canning has many of its own guidelines, however, so make sure you talk with someone with experience or seek a dependable resource (many cities have them for free).

In general, humans can survive for quite a while on limited food rations.  Water...not so much.  Of course, children, the elderly, ill, or pregnant women have different nutritious needs that need to be considered.  The best advice is to reduce your activity as much as possible, try to maintain an even body temperature, and stay hydrated.

How to Control Bleeding

Photo by quinn.anya

A bleeding wound is no joke.  Depending on the severity, it can leave its victim in shock or even dead.   Before a wound can mend and heal, the blood must stop flowing so it can clot.  Knowing how to stop severe bleeding while waiting for help to arrive could greatly increase a bleeding victim's chances of survival.

Here are some general rules to stop major bleeding:

1. If time and circumstances allow, wash and sanitize before helping a bleeding victim to prevent spreading infection.  Wear gloves if they are available and take precautions to prevent the spread of HIV including covering any open wounds you may have and putting on protective clothing for your face and body.
2. Apply direct pressure to the wound.  For mild wounds, this may take as little as 2-5 minutes, or 20+ minutes for serious wounds.  Sterile gauze is perfect to use if you have it on hand, or terry cloth.  If not, look for a clean towel, rag, clothes, or any material you can fold and cover the wound with.  Small foreign objects within the wound may quickly be removed, but a large object within the wound should be left in case it is stopping some of the blood flow.  Your immediate need is to stop the blood, so just bandage around it.  Don't start out too thick (because it could interfere with good pressure), and once the cloth is on, don't take it off.  This could reopen the wound and undo any clotting that began.  If your material becomes soaked with blood, add another layer on top.  Keep your pressure constant.    
3. Along with applying pressure directly to the wound, you can also apply pressure to specific pressure points where arteries are close to the surface to help slow the flow of blood.  These pressure points should be found between the wound and the heart.  Common pressure points are found in the middle of the upper arm (brachial artery), the back of the knee (popliteal artery), and the groin area where the thigh meets the pelvis (femoral artery).  Be sure to apply pressure nearer the heart rather than the wound.
4. Raise the wound above the level of the heart.  It is easier for blood to flow down rather than up against gravity, so raising the wound will help slow the flow.  Continue to apply direct pressure.

Applying a tourniquet should only be used as a last resort when someone is willing to lose a limb to save their life.  Limbs are often lost with tourniquets because the blood flow is so completely restricted. Use with caution.

For minor bleeding, direct pressure is still important.  Other ideas that have been "reported" to stop minor cuts from bleeding (like when you nick yourself shaving) are ice, hot water, salt water (sting!), lip balm, flour, cornstarch, deodorant, witch hazel, sugar, white vinegar, a tea bag, duct tape, and spider webs (really?), though I've tested very few of them myself (ice and cornstarch work) and can't verify the truth of the others.  Yarrow is supposed to be great for healing and a natural remedy with antiseptic properties.  Crush cleaned yarrow leaves and hold to the wound to stop bleeding.

How to Prevent Frostbite

It's a post that makes me cold just writing it.

I fully intended to post a picture of real frostbite so you could get an idea of what it is like, but it is truly gruesome.  The blackened fingers and yellow-gray blistery skin made me feel ill just looking at it.  If you really want to see it, there are countless photo references to be found on the web, or you can just take my word that it is horrible and follow the tips below to avoid it.

Frostbite is tissue damage as a result of your skin freezing.  It starts first in the extremities (fingers, toes, nose, ears) where heat has a harder time reaching but can move deeper with increased exposure.  Frostbite begins as frostnip, then progresses as superficial frostbite, then deep frostbite.  Here are some tips to avoid getting frostbite:

1. Dress for the weather.  This may seem an obvious tip, but it is for that reason that it is easily neglected.  Don't underestimate the weather.  Make sure your head is covered since a large portion of your body's heat is lost through the head.  Make sure you have well-insulated clothes against wind and rain and pick fabrics that will insulate you even when wet (wool = yes, cotton = no!), but try to stay dry anyway.  Dress in several thin layers but make sure your layers aren't too tight because this could restrict circulation.  Mittens rather than gloves allow your fingers to benefit from the warmth of nearby fingers.  You can also use body warmers to counteract the cold.  Keep all your body warm to aid the extremities.
2. When participating in outdoor activities in freezing weather, monitor your energy levels.  Don't exhaust yourself because that could affect your ability to detect and fight the frostbite.  Stay well-fed and well-watered.  Eat small servings of simple carbohydrates frequently to keep up your energy and heat supply.  And as in almost anything else, dehydration will only interfere with your body's efficiency and speed the frostbite.
3. Numbness is one of the early signs of frostbite.  Rubbing before frostbite has set in helps to warm your body by creating friction and increasing circulation.  Keep moving to keep blood flowing.  Be wary of patches of white, very cold skin (frostnip) because it could very quickly become frostbite.  Tuck cold toes and fingers inside your clothes next to warm skin to help their temperature return to normal.  Don't rub body parts that have frostbite already or subject them to high heat because that could make the damage worse.
4. Avoid drinking alcohol.  This not only impairs your judgement, but also dehydrates you.  Caffeine and nicotine are also no-no's because they constrict blood vessels and impair circulation.

Learning Morse Code

You might be thinking to yourself, "Why would I ever need to learn morse code?  No one ever uses it anymore."  Not so.  Morse code is very popular to and well-used by amateur radio operators all over the world.  It is used frequently in radio aircraft navigation.  Many special forces in the military are trained in morse code.  U.S. Navy ships use signal lamps to send the code.  Many pilots and air traffic controllers are fluent, or at least have a basic understanding.  Morse code is a means of emergency communication that uses less power and cuts through more interference than almost any other means.  It is simple, highly versatile, and internationally recognized.  It can be communicated visually or audibly by using simple objects like flashlights, mirrors, smoke, or whistles.   By practicing for only a few minutes every day, you can soon develop an invaluable emergency skill that could save your life.

International Morse Code:
   
          A: . _                                                    T: _
          B: _ . . .                                              U: . . _
          C: _ . _ .                                          V: . . . _ 
          D: _ . .                                               W: . _ _
          E: .                                                         X: _ . . _
          F: . . _ .                                             Y: _ . _ _
          G: _ _ .                                               Z: _ _ . .
          H: . . . .                                          
          I: . .                                                     
          J: . _ _ _                                           1: . _ _ _ _
          K: _ . _                                                2: . . _ _ _
          L: . _ . .                                             3: . . . _ _
          M: _ _                                                   4: . . . . _
          N: _ .                                                    5: . . . . .
          O: _ _ _                                              6: _ . . . .
          P: . _ _ .                                            7: _ _ . . .
          Q: _ _ . _                        8: _ _ _ . .
          R: . _ .                                                 9: _ _ _ _ .
          S: . . .                                                   0: _ _ _ _ _
       
The most common letters in English are represented by the shortest codes, making coding more efficient.  Technically speaking, each dot is 1/3 the length of one dash, and every space between letters is a dash.  Every space between words should be the length of about 7 dots.  It all seems confusing at first.  Just start out by familiarizing yourself, learning the letters, practicing a little at a time.  As you slowly become more competent learn to be more accurate with your spacing.  Accuracy will make your code easier to translate.

Other ideas for learning:

• German psychologist Ludwig Koch developed a method of learning morse code by listening at regular speed but beginning with only two letters.  After listening and decoding for 5 minutes, compare your results with the true ones.  If you were 90% correct, add another letter!  Continue building on your knowledge letter by letter.  This will not only help you hear the codes and decipher them in your head, but it will be faster and more accurate than most other methods.  Go to this page to begin practicing.
• Practice coding simple words by writing them down and sounding them out loud with "dih" for the dots and "dah" for the dashes.  Once you can code words by just sounding them out (without writing them down) move to books or paragraphs.
• Memorize letters with easy patterns first.  One dash is "T"; one dot is "E."  Two dashes is "M"; two dots is "I."
• Many morse code mnemonics have been designed visually and verbally to make remembering morse code easier.  However, some experts strongly discourage using them and suggest instead a stronger focus on listening.
• Here is a page with a special chart you can print so you can practice listening to the "dits" and "dahs" of morse code and hone your coding/decoding skills. 
• Find words that rise and fall with the patterns in morse.  Make the dots represent a rise in inflection and the dashes represent a fall in inflection.  For example, "P" could be "Pho-to-graph-y" with a rise on the first and last syllable, just like the morse code: . _ _ .
• Find a famous line of music that correlates with a letter's morse pattern to help you remember tricky letters.  The famous measure in Beethoven's 5th Symphony could be changed to "di-di-di-dah" which translates to the letter "V," which is also the roman numeral that equals 5.  Finding associations like this are extremely useful at boosting your memory.
• Practice with a friend.  Find someone who can learn with you so you can practice sending and receiving messages.  It makes it more fun and gives you practical experience.

How to Avoid Being Struck by Lightning

Lightning is a natural release of atmospheric energy.  It may discharge between clouds with different charges or it may look for the path of least resistance between the clouds and the earth.  Air is a poor conductor of lightning, but trees and buildings and other objects (like people) conduct the electricity well and help make the lightning's pathway easier.  It may strike one object or flow through several nearby objects to help its conductivity, so be aware of what is around you.  Lightning is a rather unpredictable phenomenon, and no precaution you take can guarantee you will be safe, but at least you increase your chances.

• If caught in a thunderstorm outside, avoid mountain peaks and ridges, tall cliffs, water-filled ravines, beaches and waterlines, boating, swimming, flat fields, parking lots, wide open areas with lone trees, or standing under trees.  And don't just find an overhang to shelter under thinking it will protect you; lightning can get there too.  Find a ditch to crouch in instead.
• Take off anything metal you may be wearing.  If you have any metal tools or equipment (including umbrellas!), leave them 50 feet away from your camp or location.
• Wet rope should also be kept at least 50 feet away.  Don't fly kites.
• Stay in a squatting position (not laying down) with your arms wrapped around your body to protect your brain and vital organs from being shocked.  Squat on rubber or plastic material (rubber-soled shoes, a poncho, or a sleeping mat work well).  At the very least, you should try to touch as little of the ground as possible.
• If in your car, stay in your car.  The rubber tires are a good buffer between you and the ground, and the metal shell of the car will conduct electricity better than you.  Avoid touching anything metal inside the car.
• If in your home, avoid electrical appliances, home phones, and water faucets, or anything with copper pipes or wiring.  Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity; that is the most likely path lightning will take if it strikes your home.  Don't shower or bathe during a lightning storm.

When is it safe to resume regular outdoor activities again?  The National Lightning Safety Institute suggests waiting 30 minutes after you see the last lightning strike or hear thunder.  If you hear thunder but don't see lightning, you may still be in strike range.

How to Treat a Bee Sting

The sting from one of these tiny insects is painful and even possibly fatal.  If you are stung, follow these steps quickly to reduce your body's reaction:

1. Get to a safe area quickly.  When bees feel threatened, they release a scent that attracts other bees to come help.  You should also be aware that hornets, yellow jackets, and wasps produce similar reactions to their stings but their stingers don't come out like bees, and they can sting many times.  Avoid multiple stings if possible.
2. Get the stinger out as quickly as possible.  Scrape it off, pull it out, or brush it away.  The longer it sits in your skin, the stronger your reaction will be to the bee's venom.  Some sources say you should avoid squeezing the stinger since it can release more venom, but others say to use whatever method you need to get it out as fast as you can.
3. Elevate an arm or leg that has been stung.  Remove any nearby jewelry (rings, bracelets, etc.).  Pad the affected area with a towel and cool with an ice pack to slow the venom's spread and numb the area.  
4. Itching at the sting site can be treated with an antihistamine, calamine lotion with an analgesic, hydrocortisone cream, or even toothpaste.  You can also create a soothing paste for your sting using baking soda and water.  If you have meat tenderizer, you can add some to your paste to help break down toxins in the sting.  Reapply any of the previous treatments if symptoms return.
5. Pain relievers can be used for lingering pain.
6. The area may take several days to heal so you should keep it clean to prevent infection.  Wash the area with soap and water.

Some people may have a severe allergic reaction to bee stings called anaphylaxis.  Anaphylaxis can occur when an affected person has contact with various allergens: latex, pollen, animal fur, nuts, bee stings, etc.  The outcome may be fatal, so if you suspect anaphylaxis you should call for emergency help immediately.  Look for:

• Redness, itching, or hives that spread beyond the sting
• Dry mouth or itchy throat
• Hoarseness or difficulty speaking

And especially look for:

• Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or tightness in the throat
• Swollen face, mouth, or tongue
• Dizziness or rapid drop in blood pressure
• Feeling weak
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Quickened pulse
• Unconsciousness

If the allergy is previously known and you have an EpiPen, use it!  This could save your life.  An antihistamine could also slow the reaction but ultimately will not stop anaphylaxis.

You should also seek medical help if you are stung more than 10 times, or have stings inside your mouth, throat, or nose.  Swellings from these stings may block your breathing and be deadly even in people who are not allergic.

How to Identify Poison Ivy

Photo by Mark Sardella

Poison ivy (and poison oak) contains the highly allergenic urushiol oil in all parts of the plant: its leaves, vines, roots, flowers, and berries, and can be spread either by contact or by breathing it in when burned.
It is a vine that loves sun or shade, growing along the edges of fields and forests, roadsides, fences, or
stone walls.  It also loves to hide itself among innocent leaves, so don't just look for it in large patches.
It may grow as a single plant or as a bush and loves to twine itself around nearby objects.  Here are a
few key identifying characteristics to tell if what you are seeing is poison ivy:

1. "Leaves of three: let them be!" is an old and accurate adage to follow.  Not all three-leafed plants     are poisonous, but poison ivy and poison oak are examples of plants that are, so it is safer to stay away.  Poison ivy has three, broad leaves on the end of a long, smooth stem with one leaf growing     off to each side and one straight up the middle.  The middle leaf is usually larger than the other    two and is typically attached by its own small stem piece; the two smaller side leaves are      attached directly to the vine.  
2. The upper side of the leaf often has a waxy look (somewhat shiny) while the under side is lighter    and fuzzier.  Leaves are bright red in the spring or small the fall and bright green in the summer.  The urushiol oil in the plant remains potent in all seasons.  Even dead plants are dangerous.
3. Leaves may be either smooth or have a softer, somewhat irregular jagged edge.  If leaf tips are     very sharp and regular, it is probably not poison ivy.  The points of the leaf on poison ivy are more rounded.
4. Berries are white or cream-colored.  These remain throughout winter and spring, and yes, the       plant should still not be touched in any season.  Once the leaves have fallen, this may be one of       the last physical features you can use to identify it.

Photo by Protoflux

A poison ivy rash may start out as a small itchy spot but soon grows to a larger, very, very itchy spot.     Sores, blisters, hive, or swelling may appear.  There may also be red streaks where the plant touched       you.  Generally, the first time you touch urushiol will take the longest for a rash to appear.  With   subsequent contacts, the rash appears more quickly.  The rash is not contagious but may grow over      several days as your exposed skin slowly reacts to the oil.  Your rash may last 10 days, or 6 weeks    depending on your sensitivity.

Photo by Vilseskogen

Some people may be lucky enough to escape with no allergic reaction but it should never be assumed you       are one of them.  Even if you've been immune in the past, this is no guarantee for the future because immunity frequently changes with time and exposure.

What do you do if you touch it?

• Wash with lots of cold water or alcohol as soon as you can (within 30 minutes if possible).  Hot water opens the pores and may let more oil in, making your situation even worse.  Scrub yourself with a heavy detergent or liquid soap created especially to eliminate oil.  By acting as quickly as possible, you could help prevent more oil from soaking in.
• Jewelweed can be mashed and applied to help your rash.
• Heat helps calm itching.  Once the oil has been washed off, you can then take a hot shower to help ease the itch.  Wet compresses and baths may also aid in the discomfort.
• Calamine lotion or over-the-counter antihistamines may help ease symptoms.
• The urushiol oil spreads VERY EASILY.  Be wary of spreading it from contaminated clothes or touching sensitive body parts (like your face) if it is on your hands.  Any pets that have come in contact with the plant should be washed thoroughly to keep from passing the oil to their owners.  Clothes and equipment must all be washed very well since the oil retains its potency for centuries.
• Most people break out in a rash within 24-48 hours.  However, if you are extremely sensitive, swelling may start within 4-12 hours and symptoms may be severe.  Watch for severe swelling and very large blisters.  Quickly notify a doctor in such serious cases.  There are prescription pills, ointments, and injections to help treat poison ivy rashes.

How to Use a Signal Mirror

Using a signal mirror is a handy way to call for help from a distance.  You might have tried something similar if you've used the shiny surface of a watch to reflect light in another person's eyes.  The same principle applies here: you direct the sun's light - reflecting off your mirror - to a specific location.  Maybe you're trying to signal an aircraft, or people on the ground, or maybe you're just aiming for the horizon, hoping someone will catch the signal.  In any case, Search and Rescue teams, those trained in the military, pilots, scouts, etc. are taught that a signal mirror is used to indicate distress and will recognize what your seemingly haphazard flashing means.

An official signal mirror is especially handy because it has a hole in the middle that allows you to see your target and see where your reflection (a bright spot in the viewer) will land, helping you to line the two up.  If you don't have an official signal mirror, don't fret.  Almost any shiny surface will work (like the little mirror on this whistle, or the shiny blade on this knife), but the shinier the better.

Here are some mirror signaling facts and tips:

• A mirror's reflection can be seen more than 20 miles away.  In ideal conditions, pilots have even reported seeing mirror signals just under 100 miles away!  But your best chance of catching someone's attention is within 15.  
• Try and keep your fingers away from the mirror's face to avoid cutting out any of your reflective power.  Also make sure no part of your mirror is shaded.
• A mirror made out of plastic is slightly dimmer and will scratch much easier than those made out of glass.  Keep it protected so you don't diminish its reflective surface.
• You should never shine the sun's light in someone's face at close range or it could damage their eyesight.  That being said, you should still practice using a signal mirror before you actually need it.  Direct the light towards inanimate objects to give yourself a feel for how it works.
• If you don't have a mirror with a viewer, hold out your hand as a guide.  Put your fingers out in a "v" shape and set the sight of your target right in the center of your fingers.  Aim your reflection to the center of the "v" (you'll see the light on your hand) but try and keep as little of the reflection on your fingers as possible.  The more light reflecting out, the more likely it will be seen.
• Most signals are seen from the air or from someplace high.  Aim for 
• To send a specific message, practice morse code!  A fast pass over your target makes a "dot" and a slow pass over your target makes a "dash."  Morse code can be transferred to a number of different mediums, but that is for another post.
• Here are two videos to give you an idea of what a signal from a mirror looks like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu4iJykziak&feature=youtu.be - at 11 miles away, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JtfpaMiUqQ&feature=youtu.be - at 22 miles away.  Can you spot the signals?

5 Ways to Build a Fire Without Matches

Although I've always thought it would be the coolest feat to start a fire without matches, I don't know that I've ever been successful.  But with this post I am recommitting to try again on our next camping trip until it works!  You never know when you will be caught without matches (or perhaps your matches have been soaked in the rain?) and need to start a fire.  It is an incredibly handy skill to have.

You should begin by collecting some good tinder.  Look for dried leaves or grass or moss that will catch fire quickly.  Make sure it is very dry.  Bundle together your tinder into a tinder nest and encircle it with dry leaves.  Char cloth (cloth turned into charcoal) is also exceptionally handy for catching sparks and smoldering slowly so you can start your fire. This is what will catch your spark to get the fire going.  Gather wood of various sizes that you can use to build your fire once you have a flame.  Start with long, toothpick-thin pieces to begin with followed by longer, pencil-thick pieces, and up to branches as thick as your arm.  If possible, try and build your fire up off of direct contact with the ground since it may be damp.  From here you can choose one of the following methods to start your fire:

1. Flint and Steel - One of the nice things about using the flint and steel method is that you can create a spark under a wide range of situations, including in the rain, the wind, the dark, etc.  If you don't have the traditional flint available, you can also substitute for quartzite (a light white, gray, or pink rock with a texture similar to sandstone yet harder than steel) or use a ferrocerium rod.  Strike the flint hard and fast with your steel (the back of a steel knife blade works great too) to create sparks.  Aim the sparks into your tinder nest and blow on it gently to ignite a flame.  If using char cloth, aim your sparks into the cloth place in the center of your tinder before blowing.
2. Batteries - If you have batteries available, they can be an easy source for sparks.  An extremely easy method involves taking a 9-volt battery and rubbing the two terminals over steel wool (the finer the better).  On a similar vein, by attaching a wire to each of the terminals in a car or boat battery, you can touch them together to create sparks and light tinder.  Just proceed cautiously.
3. Fire Piston - Fire pistons have been used for a very long time to start fires.  There are a number of models and styles to choose from.  The main idea is that a fire piston rapidly compresses and heats air to create a small "coal" that will then light your tinder.  Some people have great success with their fire pistons, and others have a hard time getting consistent results.  These are also a great solution in rainy/windy weather, but make sure you've got some really good, dry tinder.  
4. Lens - A lens is a pretty easy way to start fire.  It works by focusing the light of the sun into a small, concentrated spot in your tinder.  The only problem is that it only works when bright sun is available (not cloudy days or nighttime).  There are numerous lens possibilities.  You can use a magnifying glass, far-sighted eye glasses, a balloon, a broken light bulb, the bottom of a glass bottle.  Adding a drop of water to the glass will intensify the focus.  You can even shape ice into a lens shape and use that.  Just hold your lens at an angle and distance that will focus the sun's light into the smallest dot possible while still being circular.  It doesn't take much.  
5. Friction - And finally, there is friction.  This may be the most demanding method of starting a fire without matches.  It takes a lot of patience, elbow grease, and persistence but will make you feel like a real wilderness survival expert when you do.  You'll need to create a fireboard and drill, as well as a socket and bow if using the bow-drill method.  You could also make a fire plow.  The basic idea for both is to keep your stick moving very quickly with your hands or the bow until friction builds up, black powder is collected and heated to create an ember, and then that ember is added to your tinder to start a flame.  It sounds like a lot of work, but a task worthy of true admiration in the end.  I want to give it a try.

Identifying a Heart Attack or Stroke

I used to think a heart attack and a stroke were the same thing.  Well, they're not.  A heart attack generally occurs when a blood clot has formed in one of the arteries sending blood to the heart.  With the blood flow blocked, the heart begins to die.  A stroke is similar in that typically a blood clot has once again formed in an artery, but this time to the brain.  As blood to the brain is blocked, that section of the brain begins to die.  The signs of both are different, but the faster you act the less damage will be done and the higher the chance of survival.

Every minute, 52 people in the USA die from a heart attack.  Half of those who experience a heart attack wait 2 hours or more to go get help.  Time is critical!  If someone is experiencing multiple of the following symptoms, it may be a heart attack.  Call 911 immediately.  Many people suffer extreme exhaustion and sleeplessness the month before their attack.  You don't need to have all of the symptoms for it to really be a heart attack, and no two attacks are exactly alike. 

Heart Attack Symptoms:

1. Pain in the chest (though some sources say women feel less chest pain)
2. Heaviness or pressure in the chest in the chest (like an elephant sitting on your heart)
3. Pressure or pain in the jaw or neck
4. Pressure or pain in one or both arms, (usually a dull ache in the left arm that grows and then radiates to the chest)
5. Nausea
6. Sweating
7. Shortness of breath
8. Feeling faint or dizzy
9. Throbbing pain between the shoulder blades
10. Nervousness or anxiety

Even before a heart attack is confirmed, medical professionals often give treatments of oxygen, aspirin (to thin the blood and prevent more clotting), or nitroglycerin.  The person should rest to not strain the heart more.

A stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the United States.  Strokes don't often have accompanying pain as in a heart attack, but some symptoms are similar.  Symptoms often come suddenly, but not always 

Stroke Symptoms:

1. Sudden tingling, numbness, or loss of movement in the leg, arm, or face, especially on one side
2. A severe headache that comes on suddenly and is different from ones in the past
3. Sudden difficulty of balance, walking, and coordination 
4. Difficulty in speaking and understanding simple statements 
5. Sudden changes in vision from one or both eyes

If you suspect someone may be suffering a stroke, use this "F-A-S-T" test:

1. F = Face - Ask the person to smile and look to see if one side of the face is drooping.
2. A = Arms - Ask the person to raise both arms and watch to see if one starts to drift downward.
3. S = Speech - Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and listen to see if their speech is slurred and difficult to understand.
4. T = Time - Get help immediately if you see any of these signs.  

While waiting for help to arrive, lay the person down to help get blood to the brain.  If the person feels nauseous, is drowsy, or unresponsive, lay them on their side to prevent vomiting and choking.  Don't give aspirin unless a doctor approves; some strokes are caused by internal hemorrhages and a blood thinner could make the situation worse.

Earthquake Preparation

Earthquakes are so unpredictable, and sometimes so devastating.  Even so, there are things we can do today to help protect us against the effects of one.  To evaluate your risk of an earthquake, first locate your state or territory on this color-coded FEMA Earthquake Hazard Map.  The darker the color, the greater the seismic hazard levels in your area.  As always, mountainous regions, fault lines, and areas of volcanic activity generally have a higher risk.  Other factors that affect your risks are your city's population size, the construction quality of the buildings, and whether or not they have been built under current seismic building codes.  Now let's prepare:

1.      Secure Your Breakables - Take a tour through your home, office, or school to identify objects that may be at risk for falling.  This may include televisions, computers, fine collectibles, lamps, pictures, bookcases, etc.  Move heavy objects to lower shelves.  Many objects can be tied down, closed in locked cabinets, or secured with QuakeHold Museum Putty on various surfaces.  Keep flammable material away from possible ignition.  It's especially important to secure your water heater, furnace, or other gas appliances.  A water heater falling over could cause a gas line or water line to break leading to a fire, flooding, or the loss of a valuable water supply.  Your water heater should be strapped on both the top and bottom with heavy-gauge metal strapping and bolted into the wall studs.  It should be less than 2 inches from the wall or attached to a block bolted into the wall.  You could also replace any copper or metal piping with flexible connectors to help prevent the lines from breaking.  If you're truly serious about securing your home, you might consider hiring a contractor or engineer to identify structural changes that could be made to fortify your home.
2.      Prepare an Emergency Disaster Kit and Make a Plan - A disaster kit is important to have on hand for various emergencies, including earthquakes.  Check here for a comprehensive list of items to include as you make a kit of your own.  Store your kit in a container that can be accessed and transported easily in case you need to evacuate.  Choose a location outside your home/school/office where family members/classes/employees can meet after a disaster.  Designate an out-of-state contact in your family that all family members can call for relaying and receiving information.
3.      Practice Important Earthquake Survival Skills - Hold practice drills to look for cover in an earthquake.  Taking as few steps as possible, crouch near the inside corner of a wall or locate sturdy furniture you can duck under, and hold on tight!  If you do not have any protection over your head, keep your neck and head covered with your arms.  Avoid crouching near windows, large mirrors or glass, fireplaces, or hanging objects.  Falling objects - not the shaking ground - is the main cause of most deaths during an earthquake.  If outside, you should move to an open area to avoid falling trees, buildings, and power lines.  If caught under debris, tap on a wall or use a whistle so rescuers can find you.  Refrain from shouting since it may cause you to quickly use up oxygen and inhale dangerous levels of dust.  Keep your mouth covered if possible.  Other important survival skills include CPR or other first aid training.  Know how to look for, assess, and treat various injuries.  Familiarize yourself with signs of damaged water, gas, or electrical lines and know how to shut off your utilities.  Use the radio from your disaster kit to receive local emergency information.

Emergency Food: Dandelions

The title of this post suggests that dandelions should only be consumed for emergencies, but actually they are eaten in many part of the world quite regularly as a delicious vegetable.  What is commonly hailed as merely a pesky weed in the United States is actually a bud of nutrition and health just sitting in your backyard.  Harvest it in emergencies and any other time as well.

Quick dandelion facts:

• Dandelions are extremely nutrient dense with plenty of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and antioxidants in all parts (leaves, roots, flower) 
• Dandelions have more iron than spinach, more vitamin A than carrots, and 1/2 c. of dandelion greens will give you more calcium than a glass of milk along with loads of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamine, and riboflavin
• Medicinally they can be used to treat digestive disorders, eczema, arthritis, and are great for detoxing the blood, preventing or curing liver diseases and anemia, dissolving kidney stones, cleansing your skin, aiding weight loss, controlling diabetes, lowering cholesterol, regulating bowl functions, and for use as a gentle diuretic among other things
• Before flowering, young leaves are tender and tasty and can be washed and eaten like salad; more mature leaves have a strong, bitter taste that you can staunch by boiling (make sure to drink the water you used for boiling to aid your digestive track), or wait until after a fall frost for the bitterness to calm down
• Boiled greens can also be served with other greens, eaten hot with butter, salt, and lemon juice, and even served over pasta
• Flowers can be fried or served with yogurt
• Roots can be roasted and ground to make a nourishing drink
• The French make a "Cream of Dandelion Soup"
• You should never eat dandelions that have been sprayed with chemicals or pesticides

Make a Family Fire Escape Plan

You probably remember those fire drills in school with the flashing, blaring alarms and everyone walking outside to stand single file while taking roll.  It was boring but we loved it nonetheless because we got out of class.  And without our realizing it, we were receiving early lessons in emergency preparedness.

Recent fires raging in the western United States and other places have brought up the question, "When was the last time I made a home fire escape plan?"  And honestly, for me it has been a while.  So here are some guidelines to help us create a plan.  Set aside an evening, call all the family together, and practice where you'd go and what you'd do in the event of a fire in your home.  Save yourself the heartache of "I was going to get to it but just didn't have time!" because that won't help your family in an emergency.

1. Draw a basic map of your home showing all doors and windows.
2. Go to each room. Find two exits (usually a door and a window) and indicate them on your map.  Test all doors and windows to make sure they open easily and let your kids practice opening them.
3. Mark each smoke alarm in your home on your map with a circled SA.  Test each one to make sure it is working properly.  (You should have at least one per level in your home, typically between the sleeping areas and the rest of the house.  If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, have major appliances that could cause a fire, or smoke in your room, you will want to add an additional alarm to that room.)  
4. Pick a meeting place at the front of your house where all family members will gather.  Mark this meeting place with a star on your map.  Make sure your house/building number can be seen from the street.
5. Learn the number for your local fire department or have it easily accessible.
6. Practice your family fire escape plan with the whole family.  You should practice at least twice a year at different times of the day and with different scenarios.  Practice crawling in case of lots of smoke.  When you come to a closed door, practice feeling the doorknob and door to see if they are hot.  Practice taking alternate routes if a fire is on the other side of a closed door.  You should also teach children to stay out of the house once they have left.  If a family member or pet is trapped inside, inform firefighters immediately since they are equipped to handle such situations safely.  

You might also consider calling your local fire department to ask about taking a tour.  This can be especially beneficial for small children to be familiar with firefighters and feel more trusting of them in an emergency.

Go to http://www.sparky.org/downloads/escape_plan.PDF or http://www.scholastic.com/firesafety/escapeplan/ for free printables and helps to make a family fire escape plan.

Finding North with a Watch and the Sun

This is a cool trick I learned from watching the very first episode of Man vs. Wild.  I was curious to see if it really worked so I tried it out, and it does!  Of course, if you're in an emergency situation without an analog watch, you'll just have to find a different system (like maybe...a compass?).

Here's what you do if you are in the northern hemisphere:

1. Hold your watch flat like you would a compass.
2. Point the smaller, hour hand in the direction of the sun.
3. Find the midway angle between 12 and the hour hand.  This gives you your north/south line to follow.  If it happens to be during Daylight Savings, find the midway angle between 1 and the hour hand instead.
4. North will be in the direction away from the sun.  South is towards the sun.

If you are in the southern hemisphere, the method changes only slightly:

1. Hold the watch flat.
2. Point 12 in the direction of the sun.
3. Find the midway angle between 12 and the hour hand to get your north/south line.  This time, south is away from the sun and north is towards the sun.

Finding Drinkable Water in an Emergency

Photo by thiagofest

One of the most critical needs in an emergency is a good water supply.  Your best bet is to purchase bottled water or prepare and store water beforehand in food-grade containers.  Cleaned and sterilized juice bottles work great too.  However, if you run out or your supply somehow becomes contaminated, look for these additional emergency water sources to sustain life:

Indoor Water Sources:

• Ice cubes from the freezer can be melted down to drinkable water.
• The water reserve in most hot water heaters holds 30-60 gallons of water that can be drained.  Make sure the electricity to the water heater is off first and that the drain is clean.  Open the drain at the bottom of the tank and turn on a hot water faucet at a higher level from the water heater to let air into the tank as water is running out.  Drain water into clean storage containers.
• Water pressure tanks are good though be careful if flooding has occurred and treat all equipment as being contaminated.  If the water is still under pressure in the take, it is probably clean.  Just clean the drain first. 
• Your toilet tank can be used for drinking.  It sounds gross, but inside the tank (not the bowl) the water should be pretty clean.  Water from the bowl could be cleaned and used as well, but only if you haven't used chemicals to clean it (so mine is out).
• If water to your home is turned off due to contamination, some water may be pulled from your house and shower pipes.  Turn on a faucet at the highest level of your home (an upper floor perhaps) to release a small amount of water and let air into the pipes.  Then turn on a faucet at the lowest level of your home (like a basement, or just your kitchen sink) and collect the water that comes out.
• Canned milk, bottled water, bottled juices, etc. are great.
• Distilled water is also good.
• Water from a water bed should be used only as a last resource since toxins or chemicals from the bed may have leached into the water.

Outdoor Water Sources:

• Swimming pool water is usually chlorinated and fairly clean if kept covered, but you should still boil or purify it before drinking.
• Rooftop water tanks are good.
• Private well water can be used for drinking, though be cautious if it has been flooded and treat it as contaminated.
• Fresh rainwater, dew, and water from condensation on cool surfaces can be collected.
• Water from streams, lakes, rivers, etc. can be collected to drink, but should be filtered first.  Be aware that using chlorine or iodine tablets will not get rid of certain microorganisms, such as Giardia.

Other Water Tips:

• If you hear of any contamination issue, shut off the main water valve to your home to keep the contamination from entering.
• Flood waters should always be considered contaminated.  If they touch any water you will drink or containers you will use to drink from, they need to be cleaned first.
• Boiling and purifying will NOT get rid of chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals in the water, only bacteria.  If a water source has a funny odor or looks dark in color, don't drink it. 
• Sources go back and forth about drinking urine.  Some survival experts say yes, and some (including the U.S. Army) say no.  The idea to me seems ridiculous, but I suppose if you are desperate a whole new set of possibilities opens up.  The main basis for not drinking urine is that your urine is removing toxins, sodium, and other minerals from your body which will only make dehydration worse.

Adult CPR

Along the same lines as my Child CPR post, this is meant to review CPR for adults.  The steps are nearly the same and as mentioned before, the acronym A-B-C has now been changed to C-A-B by the American Heart Association, meaning we first start with "Compressions," followed by "Airway" and then "Breathing."  Here are the guidelines:

1. Check the Scene  Make sure it is safe so you don't become the second victim.
2. Check the Victim for injuries and consciousness.  You don't want to perform CPR on someone who's just sleeping.
3. Call for Help by directing someone specific on the scene to call 911.  If you are alone, do 2 minutes of C-A-B before calling for help.  Not delaying may mean the difference between life and death for the victim.
4. Compressions  Place the heel of one hand slightly lower than the nipple line in the center of the victim's chest.  Your other hand goes on top with the fingers interlaced.  Lock your elbows and compress down 2 inches, hard and fast.  You should give 30 compressions in about 18 seconds (almost 2 each second).  This alone may save someone's life.  Sing a song if needed to keep up a steady beat; I've seen "Staying Alive" recommended since the beat is nearly the right tempo, though the lyrics may be a bit sardonic.
5. Airway  If trained in CPR, you may now open the airway.  Lift the chin and tilt the victim's head back.  Watch for the chest to rise and listen for any breathing.  Look for any object that might be blocking the airway, but be careful not to push it further in by trying to get it out.
6. Breathing  If the victim is still not breathing, pinch the victim's nose and give two short breaths (1 second each).  Make sure your mouth makes a tight seal over the victim's mouth, and watch for the chest to rise and fall.  
7. Continue C-A-B until help arrives.

Remember: even if you are untrained, doing compressions alone may help save someone's life.  Compressions help circulate an emergency reserve of oxygen in the victim's lungs and bloodstream from the last breath.  The American Heart Association changed to the C-A-B method so as not to delay this step.  Don't worry about making things worse (if the person is dying, that would be difficult to do);  Just keep calm and do your best.  

These guidelines are no replacement for official CPR training.  My recommendation to anyone reading is to take a CPR certification class so you are well-prepared.  It would also be handy to keep a reference guide available just in case you want to double check some things.

Child CPR

     As you may or may not know, the CPR guidelines for both adults and children were changed by the American Heart Association in October of 2010.  Prior to that, the handy acronym A-B-C indicated the order of operations as "Airway - Breathing - Compressions."  That has now changed to C-A-B, meaning compressions come first.
     Why the change?  With the earlier method, medical professionals were concerned that chest compressions were being delayed too long.  Chest compressions are more important than breathing.  What?!?  Yes, it's true: chest compressions are more important than giving mouth-to-mouth breaths.  In fact, if you are untrained in CPR, you can still give someone only chest compressions until help arrives and may still save their life.  The reason for that is that a reserve supply of oxygen remains in the blood and lungs after a person takes their last breath.  Chest compressions help circulate that vital oxygen through the body, so don't delay!
     Because this post deals with child CPR, here are the new guidelines for children and infants.  This is NOT a replacement for official CPR training.  I recommend taking a class to become certified.  It's also nice to keep a first aid guide on hand in case you have questions in the moment.

1. Check the Scene and make sure everything is safe.
2. Check the Victim, tapping him or her and shouting to make sure he/she is not just sleeping.  Look for injuries.
3. Call for Help, or better yet, send someone else to call while you start CPR.  If you are alone, do five rounds of C-A-B and then call for help.
4. C = Compressions  Roll the victim to his or her back.  For infants (under 1 year), place two fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line.  Press down only 1 1/2 inches (you don't need to push hard).  For children, you can place the heel of one hand in the center of their sternum (central rib cage bone) and the other hand on the child's forehead to stabilize, or use two hands.  Lock your elbows and use your body to compress 2 inches, or 1/3 of the depth of the chest.  Do 30 quick compressions in 18 seconds, or almost 2 per second.
5. A = Airway  If trained in CPR, you can now tilt back the head while lifting the chin.  If you have a towel available you can roll it up to help align and support the victim's head.  Look in the mouth for any object that may be blocking the airway, but don't reach in to get it unless you can turn the head and swipe it out.  Otherwise, you may push the object in further.
6. B = Breathing  For an infant, cover the nose and mouth with your mouth and give a light puff.  For children, pinch the nose, make a tight seal over their mouth with yours, and give one breath.  Watch for the chest to rise and fall.  Give a second breath.  If you don't see the chest rise, realign the head and try again.
7. Repeat C-A-B until help arrives or the victim shows signs of life.