Plan | Disaster Rally

What to Do if Caught in Severe Storms: Essential Survival Tips

Severe storms come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s no surprise that people get confused about the safest course of action. What’s good for one severe storm situation isn’t always good for the next.

This article will explain the safest courses of action for the most common types of severe storms: floods, hail, lightening, high winds and tornadoes, and blizzards. You are often faced with several of these emergencies at once, but if you know what to do in each situation, you can keep your cool and find a safe place to ride it out.

5 Types of Severe Storms and How to Stay Safe

Flooding

man pushing his car through flood waters — Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Flooding killed 126 people in 2016 alone. It is by far one of the most dangerous consequence of severe storms that a human can face, and also one of the most preventable causes of death. This is because most flooding deaths occur when a driver tries to move through shallow water and is swept away. The truth is that it only takes 18 inches of water to carry away a small car. Once you are in deeper water, you’re at great risk of drowning because flood water flows so fast it’s like trying to swim through a riptide.

If you are in this situation:

Remain calm.
Immediately unlock your doors.
Remove your seat belt and roll down your windows.
If you are wearing a heavy jacket, remove it because it will make it harder to swim.
Climb out through the windows if you can and get to high ground.

If you can’t open your windows, you must wait for the car to fill with water to open the doors. Don’t waste your energy trying to open the doors before the water pressure equalizes. You will need that energy to swim. Instead, stay very calm, look for the nearest safe location to swim to. Take a very deep breath at the last minute and push hard on the doors, they will open when the water pressure has equalized.

Hail

Hail can reach near 100 mph by the time it hits the ground. That means that even small hail can kill if it hits your unprotected head. So, during severe storms, make sure you find shelter before the hail starts. If you are in a building, stay away from windows as sideways falling hail can shatter them and injure you severely.

If you are out in the open with no better shelter, get in your car. DO NOT try to shelter under a lone tree as it will draw lightening. A stand of several trees can be safer if there is no other option. If you are in an open field without even this possibility, get down on the ground in a crouching or fetal position and cover your head and the back of your neck to protect them. Shield your spine as well, even if you can only do so by lying on your side with your hands over your face and neck.

Lightning

Believe it or not, you can survive a lightning strike, but the best bet is not to get hit in the first place. The obvious is to seek shelter immediately when the storm approaches and wait inside until 30 minutes after you year the last sound of thunder. Lightning can travel for miles.

If you are caught in the open, DON’T hide under a lone tree. If you can hide in an area that is lower than and near to but not too close to a dense growth of trees, this can help, but never hide near a tall isolated object. Also, don’t lie flat on the ground. It just increases surface area for damage.

Instead:

Move away from anything metal so you aren’t touching it.
Crouch low as you can.
Lift up your heels so only the balls of your feet are touching the ground to minimize contact.
TOUCH YOUR HEELS TOGETHER (this helps the electricity to only arc from one foot to the other instead of entering your entire body).
Cover your ears with your hands to protect them from hearing loss.

Should the hair on the back of your neck stand up, you need to assume the above position immediately.

High Winds or Tornadoes

car facing a tornado — Image Source: Reliable-Remodeler

First, if caught outside during these types of severe storms, do not try to seek shelter under a highway overpass. As the wind is pushed through an overpass, it actually increases in velocity, which increases your chances of being swept away.

If you are driving and you can still safely drive, don’t try to outrun a tornado because they can travel at 70mph, which is not a safe speed to drive in a severe storm. Instead, if you are still safely driving, angle away from it at 90 degrees.

If the storm is catching you, you need to exit the car and find shelter. If none is available, you should lie in a ditch as far away from trees, cars and large objects as possible. Protect your head and spine in the same way as you would during a hail storm.

The same advice goes for high winds, AKA straight line winds, which can be almost as dangerous as a tornado. Straight line winds knock over cars and people, so if you are facing these, you need to lie flat in a ditch till they pass.

Blizzards

car stuck in snow after a blizzard — Image Source: SafeBee.com

Prevention and preparedness are key to surviving these types of severe storms. If you are caught in your car, turn off the engine to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and break out your emergency kit which should include prepackaged snacks, water and lots of blankets, boots, gloves and coats. It should also have a well sealed container for melting snow in case you run out of water. You must stay hydrated to stay warm.

You can turn the engine on every few minutes to warm the car and keep it from locking up; just don’t run it continuously. If you are on the side of the road, keep your seat belt on and turn on your hazards. You can still be hit by someone else who is trying to drive through.

If you are not in a car, seek shelter out of the wind and keep moving to keep your body warm. Remember, hydration is the most important thing you will need in this situation. Your body can stay warm more easily if you are well hydrated.

A Word of Ending

These are only basic beginners tips for surviving severe weather. However, they cover the leading causes of death in each situation. All are a very good starting point that you should learn and memorize. The National Weather Service also has a great deal of information on this topic. Weather.gov is another great source. Ultimately, the way to survive severe storms is to stay calm, think clearly and take decisive action to protect yourself at the first sign.

Do you have any severe weather tips that you would like to share? Please comment below!

What Is the OSHA Emergency Action Plan? Tips on Creating One

The safety of workers should be a high priority for any employer. OSHA regulates workplace safety for businesses in the U.S. by providing guidelines for employers and employees. Workplace hazards vary depending on the operations that take place in a particular setting. The threats that chemical factory workers have to deal what are not the same as those in an office building. However, the need for an OSHA emergency action plan in the event of an emergency applies to all settings.

Emergencies such as fire or chemical spills can cause physical injuries and financial losses in large magnitudes. Instituting an action plan that employees can adhere to during such incidents minimizes the risks of damages. Not every employer, however, can come up with a workable OSHA emergency action plan, so a little help goes a long way.

What Is an OSHA Emergency Action Plan?

An EAP is an OSHA mandated written document that outlines the actions of workers during an emergency. However, an entity with less than ten workers does not have to write down its EAP. When unexpected incidents occur at the workplace, employees may not know the proper way to respond, and that can increase the risks of injuries and property damage. Companies should invest time in creating an OSHA emergency action plan and teaching it to employees. In certain emergencies like fires, individuals must know the specific procedures to follow.

Knowing how to use equipment such as fire extinguishers is also fundamental. An emergency action plan addresses all these elements. Preparedness for emergencies makes work less challenging for first responders and law enforcement officers. When individuals know how to evacuate from a burning building or clean up after a chemical spill, emergency services have an easier time coordination response activities.

The lack of an OSHA emergency action plan or a poorly organized one is reason enough for a workplace accident to get out of hand. There can be great confusion when workers don’t even know how to operate emergency exits. A comprehensive EAP should be based on the safety evaluations you have already conducted for your organization.

6 Tips for Creating an EAP

OSHA Minimum Requirements

Deciding what to include in your OSHA emergency action plan can be a bit daunting, especially when it’s the first time you are drawing up the document. You can begin with some basics, though. An emergency action plan should contain at least the minimum requirements put in place by OSHA. These are:

Reporting emergencies – the action plan should detail the different processes to follow in case of certain emergencies like calling the fire department or pulling the fire alarm.
How occupants will evacuate including the escape routes- in the event of an incident, your EAP should outline which paths people are supposed to follow when leaving. Exit diagrams are useful in this instance.
Processes for employees who have to remain for critical plant operations- if there are devices that can aggravate the situation, some employees may be required to stay behind to shut them down. Highlight how they should proceed.
Taking count after an evacuation – you have to ensure that every worker is accounted for in an orderly fashion. The procedure may include taking a roll call.
Proper procedures for workers who have to give medical attention- OSHA stipulates at least one worker should have first aid training.
The contact information of employees with more information- in instances where people need clarification, they should know which employees to turn to.

Evacuation of the Disabled

When drawing up your OSHA emergency action plan, factor in the evacuation of disabled persons. You can have one area where people with disabilities can gather in emergency cases. Of course, this section should be physically accessible to different types of disabilities. Your EAP also includes how you train workers with disabilities to respond to emergency situations.

Shut Down Protocols

The machinery in your workplace can pose certain risks during emergency situations. During floods, for instance, all electrical equipment should be off. Workers should know how to switch off devices correctly. The plan should name the employees with this responsibility. If training is necessary, then the OSHA emergency action plan should state that as well. List the locations of every utility shut off so that the persons responsible for the processes will not have trouble finding them.

Employee Communication System

In emergencies, workers should be able to communicate effectively even when in different parts of the building. Every worker has to be aware of this warning system. Ensure that you have a special communication signal for the visually or hearing impaired. If some of your workers don’t understand English very well, then make certain the communication system accounts for their needs.

Presence and Maintenance of Alarm Systems

OSHA requires workplaces to have proper alarm systems. It is advisable to install different systems for specific circumstances. For instance, in the event of a chemical or biological contamination, an alarm can trigger a sprinkler system where employees can wash off in an instant. In situations where an emergency needs containing, an alarm can initiate a lockdown. Your OSHA emergency action plan should outline how each of these alarms responds so that people know what means what. For instance, a fire alarm can have a siren and a blare for flood detection.

Employee Training

Laying out the necessary procedures during an emergency is not enough; workers should know how to execute them. Select several of your employees who will undergo training according to the action plan. Have some people who know how to carry out emergency medical aid. Pick some workers to learn how to deal with violence during emergencies. Trained workers are valuable assets in such situations because they know which steps to follow to get everyone to safety. Drills are useful in educating employees on how to respond to emergencies.

Summing Up

An emergency action plan is an essential document for any company. A myriad of variables will determine how detailed it has to be. The type of operations, number of employees, and proximity to emergency services are just a few. Once you have drawn up the EAP, store it in different formats. In case your electronic copies are not available, workers should have hard copies. The various departments in your organization should also go through the EAP to gauge its feasibility. Do you have an OSHA emergency action plan? What makes it effective?

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Top 5 Risk Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Threats

There are multiple possible threats to civilization including natural disasters and human-made calamities. One of the most likely threats is a complete economic meltdown. A total US economic collapse can be brought on by a wide range of factors including:

Hyperinflation brought on by a rapid and unprecedented decrease of the dollar value.
A major terrorist attack that completely destroys infrastructure and impedes the free movement of people and goods.
A large scale civil war that renders the government useless in exercising its mandate and carrying out its responsibilities.

It is worth noting that there isn’t a widely accepted definition of what constitutes a complete economic collapse. There have been rare notable instances where the US economy has come close to complete annihilation, including:

The Great Crash of 1929 which was a result of a natural disaster (devastating storms) in the Great Lakes Region.
The OPEC Embargo of 1973 which increased the price of crude oil by more than four-fold.
The Great Recession of 2008 commonly attributed to the collapse of the housing market.

This article will explore the possibility of a complete US economy collapse and offer some practical tips on how to cushion yourself and survive in such an event.

5 Risk Mitigation Strategies for a Total Economic Collapse

First, it is very unlikely that the US economy could completely collapse to the point where it is irreparable. Part of the reasons for this point of view includes:

The Federal Reserve has measures in place to prevent or mitigate the collapse of the dollar value. The Contractionary Monetary Policy contains these implements for prevention.
The US military can quell a large scale civil war. An all out enemy land invasion is out of the question for the same reason.
Homeland Security is well equipped to deal with a large-scale terrorist attack. Such an attack is also very unlikely especially considering post 9/11 security measures. Furthermore, the first role Missile Defense Agency is to prevent a nuclear missile attack.

It is for these reasons that the worst plausible scenario would be another recession or economic crisis. The following risk mitigation strategies should help you to survive such an eventuality. These strategies also work in a complete economic collapse scenario.

1. Prepare for a Stock Market Crash

A stock market crash is tough to predict. A crash is, however, a likely scenario, and you can prepare yourself for by diversifying your investment portfolio. Keep commodities, bonds, and stocks.

The instinct for most people in the event of an uncertain economy or impending crash is to sell stock as quickly as possible. In this case; sell some of your bonds and commodities and use the proceeds to buy stock which is now at rock bottom prices. The economy will eventually recover, and your stocks will see returns many times over. An economic downturn can prove to be lucrative if you remain calm and clearheaded.

2. Keep a Significant Number of Liquid Assets

Liquid assets simply mean assets that can be converted into hard, cold cash in a short time, usually in less than a week. Holding these assets is among the best risk mitigation strategies that you could employ because it means having cash to buy essentials or bribe if necessary.

Among the best liquid assets include cash stored in a safe and discreet location (preferably in small bills), money market accounts, and savings accounts. Gold bars are cumbersome to transport and may not be of much value in case of a market crash or economic failure. Gold coins are far more useful as they are easy to carry around and easy to trade.

3. Learn Basic Survival Skills

Learning basic survival skills is a two-fold process. Firstly, it is important to acquire skills considered as valuable in a traditional or cashless economy. These include repair, cooking, and farming. The idea is that you can trade your skills for basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. These practical skills will be in high demand in an economic collapse. Cash may be useless, but useful skills are great risk mitigation strategies as they can always be exchanged for something.

Secondly, learn basic survival skills. These should help you to survive in the unlikely event that the economy has collapsed beyond repair. In this case, survival will be the preserve of the fittest. Your continuing existence will depend on your level of physical fitness and to have basic survival skills including hunting, farming, foraging, and self-defense.

4. Keep a Stockpile of Food and Water

A worst case scenario means you only need two things; enough food and water until you can come up with a long-term solution. Reserve enough food and water to last you and your family for at least two weeks. The supplies should give you time to assess the situation and come up with a long-term survival strategy. Opt for canned and non-perishable foods that are high in nutrition value. Store clean water in plastic containers and ration accordingly.

Beware of looters because survival mode brings out the worst in human nature. Keep your stockpile in a secret location, preferably in a location other than your home. A complete economic collapse will likely follow a breakdown of law and order. Secrecy, self-defense skills, and weapons will be your best allies in this case.

5. Keep a Current Passport

Assuming that the United States is the only country facing a complete economic meltdown, your best chance of survival may be to leave the country. A US economic collapse will likely trigger the collapse of the global economy. Other countries may, however, have their risk mitigation strategies to protect themselves and may be willing to take in refugees. A current passport that is easily accessible may be your ticket to survival.

Summing Up

A complete US economic collapse is unlikely but not impossible. These risk mitigation strategies can be applied now to give you peace of mind should the worst happen. Above all else, avoid making rash or emotional decisions as these could seriously impact your chances of survival. Remain calm and maintain hope that the economy will eventually repair itself even in a worst case scenario. Your primary job is to survive long enough to see this happen.

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6 Disaster Preparedness Tips to Keep You Safe

The top disaster scenarios that kill people in the United Sates are floods, storms and earthquakes, wildfires and even epidemics. In disasters, most people killed – 63 percent – are due to storms. Most people affected by disaster at one time are those who are experiencing flooding. From natural disasters to terrorist attacks, there are things you can do to help keep you and your family safe. Here are six disaster preparedness tips to help you safely survive.

Disaster Preparedness Tips

1. Always Have Three Ways Out

No matter where you find yourself, you should keep three ways of escape in the back of your mind. Disasters of all types often come with little to no warning, and getting trapped is a major risk. Whether you are at home in your living room, at a meeting at work on the 30th floor of an office building, or at a concert to see your favorite band, you should always have three ways out. This is known as tertiary redundancy and is one of the most valuable disaster preparedness tips you can learn.

You have a primary, secondary and tertiary means of escape. Apply this idea indoors and out to prevent being trapped. If you find yourself in a situation with only one way out, your threat risk has elevated to unacceptable.

2. Fortifications

The reasons forts were popular during military engagements are because they provided protections and safety from the enemy. Fortifications provide protection during disasters. It is why fallout shelters were popular during the height of the cold war. It is why families have tornado shelters in Kansas.

Fortifications need to be designed according to your disaster risk profile. If you are in an area prone to earthquakes, you want to be in a building fortified to withstand a quake. If you are in a crime risk area, you want a safe room in your dwelling to be able to retreat to. In flood-prone areas, you need quick access to a shelter on higher ground, and a fortification that floats (a boat) would be beneficial. Overall, disaster preparedness tips often fail to mention how fortifications make you a hard target, which increases your chances of surviving disaster.

3. Skills Training

If you only remember one of these disaster preparedness tips, it should be this one. Skills training imparts to you knowledge that can be called upon in any disaster scenario or situation. A lot of skills training teaches you how to respond quickly and without having to waste valuable time considering what-if questions.

Probably the most valuable skills that can be used in every disaster situation are medical skills. Knowing how to maintain the ABCs (Airway, Breathing and Circulation) of life when doctors, hospitals and emergency services are overwhelmed or incapacitated can save your life as well as family members’ lives. Begin with Red Cross first aid and CPR training, and build your skill sets from there.

4. Redundant GO Bags

Whether you call them bug-out bags or GO bags, they are just a collection of necessary items in an easy-to-transport container kept in convenient locations. They contain basic survival items needed for your situation and location.

Your GO bag at work may contain, in addition to other items, sweats and pair of boots to be able to evacuate on foot without trying to do it in heels and a skirt. A GO bag in your car should contain clothing and footwear for the climate and terrain as well as a temperature-stable calorie source and potable water. Home GO bags should contain enough items to survive three days with minimal shelter and public grid sources. If you rely on medications, find a way to keep backups close by and safe. Do not forget to cycle them out for a fresh supply before expiration.

5. Carry a Light

On September 11, 2001 when the planes hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, how much value do you think could have been placed on a tiny flashlight to help survivors navigate through the blackness, debris and smoke? Tiny, yet powerful, LED flashlights are reliable, bright and run a long time on a set of batteries. This makes them them one of the easiest disaster preparedness tips to carry out. There are even military grade tactical models that are battle tested. However, instead of plunking down all your money on one fancy light you might forget at home, a bunch of cheaper ones located in all the places you may find yourself in makes more sense.

Keep them in your car, at your desk at work, in your backpack, briefcase or purse, and maybe stow one in your pocket. Penlights that are actual pens and lights are still available and extremely valuable in a disaster situation. Alternate safe lighting for sheltering in place at home is beneficial too.

6. Maintain Emergency Backups

Professional operators, whether they be international spies or just savvy moms who want to have all their ducks in a row, have backups of important things available in case primary sources fail. You should have backup copies of everything from your banking information to insurance policies and birth certificates available off site from where your primary originals are stored. Some cash and other supplies kept off site from your dwelling can help you too.

If you keep important papers in a safe at home, then you should have copies at a trusted location outside of your geographic disaster zone. For example, if you live in a wildfire area, you do not want your backups kept at your neighbor’s house that is equally as vulnerable to fire as your house is. If you rely on medications, health equipment or other such things, maintain backups off site as well. Do not rely on medical services being available during a time of disaster.

Summing Up

These are fundamental disaster preparedness tips that deal with planning and skills more than gadgets. Disaster gear can be compromised in a moment. Your stored up supply of food and water can be instantly wiped out in a disaster. In conclusion, being able to move quickly away from a disaster area with just the basics is most helpful in most disaster situations.

Share your own thoughts and experiences with disaster situations. What do you think will get you through a disaster? Do you think you should rely more on gear or skills? Share your best disaster preparedness tips to help others survive.

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Zombie Survival Gear: 15 Life-Saving Items for Your Kit

Picture this. You’re happily relaxing at home one day when all of a sudden you see a pack of hungry zombies approaching from the street. You may laugh now, but when you’re the only one without a go-bag, about to be eaten alive with nothing to defend yourself from the not-so-playful horde, it won’t be so funny. While it’s true that none of this may actually happen, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Plus, this list of zombie survival gear can easily double as a kit for nearly any emergency — check it out!

15 Zombie Survival Gear Essentials

Backpack

A backpack is essential for storing all of your zombie survival gear, especially while on the move. It must be sturdy enough to take a beating but comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. A military or hiking backpack will easily do the trick.

Steel Toe Boots

Don’t go anywhere without a quality pair of steel toe boots. Any hiking or combat boots could suffice but it’s ideal to get ones that are waterproof, puncture-resistant, and Electric Hazard rated. Be prepared to face the most treacherous of conditions.

First Aid Kit

Once the zombies have set up shop, you’ll likely find yourself fighting to stay alive in the strangest of ways. A first aid kit will be essential for any non-zombie wounds. Get a compact, lightweight kit packed with things like various bandages, gauze, splints, and antiseptic.

Ultra-Filtration Water Bottle

You can’t survive without water. But what to do when there’s no accessible fresh water, and you must survive on natural resources alone? This ultra-filtration water bottle is a literal lifesaver, capable of filtering out bacteria, parasites, cysts, and viruses from 750 ml in just under 60 seconds.

Emergency Rations and Survival Tabs

You might be on your own with no other means of sustenance for days, weeks, maybe months at a time — here’s where emergency rations, or any other food with an extended shelf life, comes in. Survival tabs are also an option and have a 25-year shelf life. The tabs provide essential vitamins and minerals that will help you do your best zombie fighting.

Crossbow

Although guns are valuable in their own right, being that zombies are drawn to sound, a crossbow is the better option during an attack. Look for one that has a draw weight of around 175 pounds and a lighted scope with dual illumination (red/green) for varying conditions, guaranteeing that perfect shot.

Zombie Apocalypse Kit

Grab an apocalypse kit that provides various knives, machetes, ax, and more. Usually packaged in a type of compact carrying case, these tools transport nicely with all of your other zombie survival gear. This kit is perfect for killing zombies but will be useful in a variety of situations.

Multi-Tool

In any emergency, a multi-tool is essential. If you find yourself in need of wire cutters, pliers (needle nose and regular), a saw, a hammer, or some other tool, no worries. Plus, the cleaning rod and brush adapters are particularly useful for the inevitable assault rifle you will acquire during your apocalyptic trek.

Respirator

Pretty or not, your nose will thank you. A respirator is a great item to have on hand, especially for those wonderful times when you find yourself slicing your way through a hungry horde of zombies. It will also help combat against airborne viruses which could otherwise be deadly.

Emergency Fire Starter

Make sure to have a quality fire starter in your zombie survival gear arsenal, particularly one that is weatherproof, cold resistant, and windproof. The configuration linked above includes a compass, which will prove to be very useful during your travails through the wilderness.

Shovel

A good shovel is essential when you’re in the midst of the apocalypse. You’ll likely spend a decent amount of time burying corpses, so it’s best to invest in a quality steel shovel that won’t bend or break. Not to mention that it has multiple uses, doubling as an effective weapon and a hammer.

Flashlight

No matter what, you’re going to need a flashlight. Your best bet is a tactical LED flashlight that has separate lighting modes (for example, high, low, and strobe) and a heavy duty, water-resistant design. Although not much in the way of fighting off zombies, its brightness will indeed stun them momentarily, giving you a head start in your race to safety.

Binoculars and Night Vision Goggles

Get a pair of quality binoculars so you can easily spot the zombies before they spot you. Make sure that the pair you choose is waterproof because you never know where you’ll find yourself on a stormy night — attempting to keep all of your body parts intact, perhaps? Night vision goggles ensure that you’ll have an eye on your target even in pitch darkness.

Crowbar

The need to bust through a door in order to escape an incoming horde is a good possibility, if not inevitable. So, rather than wasting ammunition or shattering any necessary bones, a quality crowbar is a must-have for your zombie survival gear, and can also serve as a weapon in a pinch.

Gorilla Tape

You could go the duct tape route but for extreme cases like a zombie outbreak, gorilla tape is the way to go. Gorilla tape is completely weatherproof, super strong and sticky, and easy to rip by hand – in other words, an absolute necessity for your zombie survival gear.

So, as you can see, this list consists of items that are readily available to the general public. If you’d like to go the less expensive route but still be prepared, it can be done; being crafty is key. Not only is your zombie go-bag easy to put together but it’s also a vital part of helping you to stay alive during the apocalypse. Let us know what kind of zombie survival gear you already have stashed away for when it’s time to hit the road and fill us in on any other precautions you have in place!

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