How to Survive the First 24 Hours after the SHTF
Karen Hendry
No matter how well-prepared you are what you do in the first 24 hours after disaster should be your no. 1 priority. After all, it really doesn’t matter how much you have stored away if you aren’t able to get to it or if someone else takes it. If you want to live to eat all that food, drink all that water, and stay alive you need to take immediate action when disaster strikes.
Level of Chaos
Naturally, what the first 24 hours will look like depends on what specific event sends society in a downward spiral into disaster. If it is a pandemic, then you might find things move more slowly at first, and as the spread of the disease grows, the speed at which it progresses increases. Alternatively, if the event is a nuclear attack, things will go downhill very quickly.Regardless of the type of event, if it is truly going to cause the collapse of society, there will most likely be a point at which things turn suddenly. It is at that point that chaos will erupt and it will become difficult to determine what to do in the moment. That is why you need to think about this in advance. Have a plan of what basics you need to take care of in the first few minutes and hours after disaster strikes, regardless of what form that disaster takes.
Don’t Wait for Government Help
When things break down, even in the midst of the chaos and panic, most people will still be expecting the government and authorities to swoop in and rescue them. This isn’t going to happen. There is a point at which even those in charge will give in and run to their families to be with them and protect them. And even if the government does provide aid, if the disaster happens quickly and over a large geographical area, it will take them time to get to everyone, determine what people need, and set up and method of distribution. Don’t wait like everyone else. If you do, you’ll be sorry.Steps to Take
What should you do during the first 24 hours of SHTF or TEOTWAWKI? Chances are, as a prepper you know the collapse has come long before anyone else realizes it. If you have been preparing for a long time, chances are you know the signs and will see them while everyone else is watching TV (if they can) and wondering what is happening and what to do. This is your small window of opportunity to spring into action. Here are some steps you can take immediately after the collapse:- Get Out of Harm’s Way
The very first thing you must do when disaster strikes is ensure you and your loved ones are out of immediate danger. Getting somewhere safe immediately requires you to quickly assess your situation to determine if there is any immediate threat to you or your loved ones. This is probably going to happen within the first minute after disaster strikes.
- Check for Injury
People are born with the innate desire to survive, but sadly, many in our increasingly dependent society look to others for relief and assistance following a disaster. The fact is that help from government, family, or neighbors is often unavailable when needed most, and in the end you may have only yourself to count on. Do you know what to do and how to do it if disaster strikes?
- Get Home or to Your Rendezvous Location
Once
everyone is out of immediate danger, you need to get yourself home (or
to a rendezvous location). Your initial assessment of the situation and
your immediate surroundings will tell you whether that is feasible and
how easy that will be. Get home by the quickest and safest route
possible.- Assess the Situation and Gather Intel
You will need to determine:
- The specific event that occurred
- The short-term and long-term impact of the event
- Whether you can hunker down at home (bug in) or you should get out of Dodge (bug out)
If you have to go outside to gather intel, be sure you are prepared to stay safe. The fewest people possible should leave the safety of your home and you should be armed and dressed appropriately, such as wearing a minimum N95 mask (more protection if needed) for a potential contagion or a gas mask if there is a chemical threat. Get the information you need as quickly as you can and get back to home base.
As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our ‘Family First’ Food Planning Guide. Click Here To Get Your Copy.
- Augment Your Preps
- Blend In
By this I mean act like everyone else. You have preps and you know your family is safe, but no one else knows that (hopefully!). If the people around you, those in your neighborhood, are out talking and wondering what’s happening, when the food and help is coming, where the shelters are being set up, and you aren’t doing the same thing, someone is going to wonder why. Provided it’s safe enough, spend some time going out and asking questions and generally acting like everyone else to make it look like you are as desperate and confused as they are. This will put them off your prepper scent and give you the space you need to breathe and determine what to do next.
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Within the first 24 hours, you should be able to tell how bad the situation is and how quickly it will deteriorate. This will allow you to make more concrete, long-term plans to get yourself and your loved ones to safety so you can survive the event that has brought society to its knees. Just remember to keep your cool, keep your head clear and focused, and be as thorough as possible with your assessment of the situation. Then you and your family will have the best possible chance of survival.
Storing Meds:
In good times or bad times, having a strategy for the proper storage
of medicines will help preserve their potency for when they’re needed.
Here’s a video by Joe Alton, MD about the factors to consider when
putting away those needed medications for later use. Companion video to a
recent article.
To watch, click below:
10 Tips for Beginning Preppers
Those of you that know Survivalist Prepper know that we try to focus on the basics of preparedness. We have the Survivalist Prepper Academy and the Survivalist Prepper podcast which are designed to show how easy preparedness can be, and how being concerned about your future doesn’t make you a whacked-out loon…it makes you smart.
It’s been a while since we went back to the basics, so in today’s show we talked about 10 tips for beginning preppers, and went into detail about getting started with prepping. If this is you, then do yourself a favor and listen to the show. There is also this video I did recently that goes through my 10 tips for beginning preppers.Prepping is Becoming More Mainstream
While I don’t know the exact numbers, it seems to me that because people are more idealistically divided these days. I think that around 50% of the people continue to bury their heads in the sand, 25% take an active interest in their future and 25% know they should, but don’t.Just 20 years ago prepping was seen as an overreaction and a waste of time, but 20 years ago we didn’t have a 20 trillion-dollar debt, and we didn’t have terrorists in our own backyard. It’s becoming more obvious these days that all is not good, and something needs to change.
Doomsday Prepper to the Rescue
This may sound odd, but I think shows like Doomsday Preppers and some
of the National Geographic disaster shows actually helped the prepper
movement. While some of these shows went out of their way to portray
preppers as overboard conspiracy theorists, it also made people
interested.When people go beyond these TV shows, and look into what prepping really is, they find out that preppers are not hiding in the bushes with an AR15 and night vision goggles, peaking through your bedroom window waiting to take you out. Preppers are average everyday people just like you and I who just want to be ready if anything bad happens.
While nuclear war, terrorism and EMP’s make for good TV, preppers know that there is much more to it than that. Something as simple as a job loss could be a disaster to some people.
SPP177 10 Tips for Beginning Preppers
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
2. Don’t Buy Anything Big Yet: during the Y2K scare many people went out a bought expensive supplies like generators, only to sell them days later at a fraction of the cost. Even if you think you know what you need, the odds are you don’t know what you need right now.Give yourself a little time to understand prepping a little more.
3. Start Stocking Food and Water: While you want to hold off on the larger purchases right now, you do want to start stocking up on prepping supplies.
4. Do a Threat Assessment: Sometimes what we fear might happen isn’t the same as what is more likely to happen. If you subscribe to the email list (above right Prepping Crash Course) I have a threat assessment that goes into more detail about this. If you are already subscribed and want access just send me an email. You also might want to do a SWOT Analysis.
5. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses: This might seem a little self explanatory, but it really does help to know your strengths and weaknesses as they apply to prepping. This helps you figure out what areas of preparedness you need to work on, and some areas where you are ahead of the curve.
6. Learn New Skills: When you first become interested in preparedness it doesn’t take long to figure out just how much you need to buy. One way to fight this, and not break the bank, is to learn new skills. This is arguably more important than having prepping supplies, and with YouTube and all the other information on the internet, it’s easier than ever these days.
7. Figure Out a Prepping Budget: The best way to do anything right is to start with the foundation. The last thing you want to do is max out your credit cards in the name of preparedness. Figure out what you can spend on preparedness, set a budget and stick to it, over time everything will begin to add up.
8. Build a Bug Out Bag: A question I get all the time is “why does everyone talk about bug out bags? I don’t want to bug out.” One reason I think this is a good idea is because it gives you an idea about how preparedness works on a small scale. It helps you understand the 5 areas of preparedness.
9. Don’t Focus on One Area of Preparedness: Think of prepping as a time frame, not a checklist. Start preparing for 1 week, then 1 month, then 6 months, not certain areas like food or water. It does you no good to have a years worth of food stored if you have no water.
10. Have Patience & Enjoy the Ride: Over time you will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In a year from now you will look back and see that you are more prepared than you ever though you would be. You will also find that you are more confident about your future because you actually took the steps to improve it.
8 Essential Oils For Your First Aid Kit
As much as I like to try new things when it comes essential oils, I tend to go back to the same oils, day in and day out. This is surprising since my EO drawer is overflowing with over fifty different oils. I consider this good news since, as a prepper, there is only so much I can afford to put away for long term emergency purposes. It is much easier to stockpile and learn the effective use of a handful of oils than the dozens that are out there, just waiting to be put through our personal trial and error cycle.Although I have written about various oils in the past, every once in a while I like to revisit the topic of essential oils for survival first aid purposes. And beyond that, I like to get second opinions. Today’s article is just that, a second opinion on essential oils for the first aid kit.
I am thrilled to introduce you to Sally Wong, who has a blog of her own that is dedicated to the use of essential oils. Although she is originally from a small village in South China, she now lives in Vancouver, Canada where she is a practicing manual therapist. When it comes to essential oils for first aid, I totally agree with her choices, which include two oils I plan to write about in the coming months, Myrrh and Eucalyptus. Her choices are timeless, and, for the most part, include oils that are readily available and modest in cost.
8 Essential Oils That Are A Good Fit For Your First Aid Kit
by Sally WongIn recent years, the popularity of using essential oils for first aid has increased significantly. While essential oils have been used medicinally for thousands of years, the modern re-discovery of their health benefits have made them an exceptional choice for the treatment of numerous health conditions. Essential oils are safe, effective, and provide a natural option for first aid treatment.
Why should I use essential oils for first aid needs?
Essential oils are extracted from natural sources (typically plants). All essential oils are free from harsh chemicals, certified organic versions can be purchased if desired, and they provide one of the most natural ways to treat a variety of ailments.Additionally, most essential oils offer a versatile range of use. One type of oil may have five to ten different uses. Rather than having to buy multiple traditional medicines and creams to treat every individual condition, one or two essential oils may be all that is needed for the same number of ailments. While essential oils are an initial investment, they can ultimately be cost effective in the long run.
How do I build an essential oil first aid kit?
If you are considering using essential oils in your first aid kit, it is crucial to pick the right oils to cover the majority of possible ailments. Just like a conventional first aid kit, preparedness is the name of the game. Be ready for common issues (such as stomach aches, headaches, muscle pain, etc.), and also have a plan for less common ailments as well. This list serves as a guide to help you select the best types of essential oils for your first aid health concerns.What else should I know about using essential oils?
Research is key when creating the perfect essential oil first aid kit. Take the time to find the best brands and prices before making any purchases. Also, be sure to carefully study the labels of each essential oil you plan to purchase. This is imperative to your safety if you plan to take some of the oils internally. Some brands are not made for internal use, which is why you should be certain that you are buying the appropriate oil for your planned uses. While you will find general suggestions for use for each of the essential oils on this list, be sure to find specific, reputable instructions before using each oil.Gaye’s Note: I do not recommend using essential oils internally unless you are doing so upon the recommendation of a health care professional.Ready to begin building your kit? Here are my top eight must-have first aid essential oils.
Must-Have Essential Oils for First Aid
1) Tea Tree Essential Oil: One of the most frequent uses of tea tree oil is the treatment of wounds. As a replacement for a traditional antiseptic, tea tree oil is great for healing minor wounds and abrasions. The use of tea tree oil for this purpose is so common that it is almost always found in the first aid section of wellness departments at health food stores. Tea tree can also be used to treat insect bites, bacterial infections, earaches, and fungal infections.Gaye’s Note: Tea Tree is also known as Melaleuca Oil.2) Peppermint Essential Oil: While you may be familiar with the benefits of peppermint tea for digestive issues, peppermint oil can also be used for this same purpose. Use peppermint oil as a wonderfully effective treatment for stomach aches and other digestive ailments. In addition to its benefits for the stomach, peppermint essential oil is a popular way to treat sore muscles.
3) Lavender Essential Oil: Do you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines? Lavender essential oil offers a quick, natural way to calm the agony of even the most painful headaches. In addition to treating headaches, lavender oil is excellent for healing burns and cuts.
4) Oregano Essential Oil: As a member of the mint family, oregano oil provides a wide variety of health benefits. The oil has anti-microbial properties that can help prevent and clear infections. Use oregano oil to help ease sinus infections, foot fungus, and to prevent infections.
5) Myrrh Essential Oil: Aside from serving as a gorgeous natural fragrance, myrrh essential oil is an exceptional fit for your first aid kit. The primary use of myrrh in first aid is for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It can also be used to heal dry skin, or in a diffuser to soothe cold symptoms.
6) Lemon Essential Oil: Lemon essential oil is a great choice when in need of a natural disinfectant. Additionally, lemon oil aromatherapy has been shown to help decrease nausea and vomiting experienced during pregnancy.
7) Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Stock eucalyptus essential oil in your first aid kit for its topical pain relieving capabilities. The oil is also said to help stimulate immune system response and provide anti-bacterial properties.
8) Rosemary Essential Oil: Rosemary essential oil is a fantastic choice for calming digestive problems, as well as for treating muscle aches and pains. When selecting essential oils for your first aid kit, rosemary oil is a superb economical selection.
I am a strong believer of integrating natural products into your life to increase health and beauty. I have many years of experience using essential oils for many ailments, from sleepwalking to bee stings. I write about my passion on my personal blog, ThinkOily.
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The Final Word
These days, finding credible information on the internet is becoming extremely difficult, especially when it comes to alternative remedies for first aid. If you have ever done a Google search, for example, using Lavender essential oil, you will find everything from providing wound healing to fostering world peace. Okay, perhaps I am being a bit facetious but you know what I mean.As you begin to dabble in essential oils (and you should), consider starting with three or four from the list above. The four I would start out with are Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint, and Tea Tree (also referred top as Melaleuca. For an investment of less than $25, you will be well on your way to having an effective first aid kit that relies on natural remedies.