natural disaster

Midland Weather Radio: Just in Time for Storm Season

Midland Weather Radio: Staying ahead of storm season

The month of September is National Preparedness month and right on cue Hurricane Dorian has decided to pummel the Atlantic Coast. This wakeup call from mother nature has grabbed people attention on the local and national news media. This series of events shows us in real time the value of preparedness and having the correct gear at the right time. What better time than now to cast a light on our latest piece of disaster preparedness gear, the Midland ER310 Weather Radio. This little bright red radio is easy to use and packed full of features that are relevant to any weather-related event that you might encounter anywhere in the United States.

Simple and Effective

In any emergency situation communications are usually the first thing to degrade to the point of being unreliable. In a storm-related event, communications about changing conditions could make the difference between placing yourself and your loved ones in harm’s way or on the path to safety. The Midland ER310 Weather Radio offers simplicity and reliability in a small highly portable package that you can leave on the counter at home or toss in your Go Bag if you have to leave your location in a hurry. It’s design minimizes moving parts and extra features and focuses on whats import and what works.

Never Run out of Power

The problem with power grids is that for the most part they susceptible to things like floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, ice storms or hurricanes. Because they are subject to these forces of nature they often time go offline for hours or days at a time during disasters. That makes operating and charging things like cell phones, radios and other electronic equipment almost impossible. The folks at Midland took notice of that and made the model ER-310 Weather Radio able to be powered by three different sources of power. Adding a built-in resiliency factor to anyone who has one in their possession. This unit can be powered off of six AA-sized batteries, one 2600 mAh lithium-ion battery, a hand crank dynamo or the top mounted solar panel.

Let’s take a look at exactly what exactly the team at Midland packed into this surprisingly small and lightweight weather radio and we will explain why I am so excited about this unit and why I can’t stop recommending it to my friends and family as soon as they ask about preparedness.

Specifications

Brand: Midland

Model: ER-310

Power Source:

AA Battery (six total)
Lithium Ion Rechargeable (one total)
Solar Panel
Hand crank

Dimensions:

Length: 9.61″
Height: 6.85″
Thickness: 2.95″
Weight: 1.46 lbs

Channels:

AM/FM
7 NOAA/National Weather Service automated weather alert channels

Other Features:

1400 lux LED light
SOS flashing beacon
Ultrasonic dog whistle
USB capable smart phone/tablet charger charging port
One year warranty
32 Hour run time when fully charged

MSRP: $69.99 at Midland.Com

Why You Should Own One

Why should you own a Midland ER-310 Weather Radio? because I’m betting that if you are reading this in the United States that if you stop and think about it you certainly face one or more natural hazards that could greatly impact your life. You might live near a seismic fault line or a floodplain and not even know it. Mother nature doesn’t usually give a ton of warning about when she is going to unleash her fury. If its weather-related usually the forecasters at the National Weather Service have been up all night tracking the rain, wind, ice or whatever storm or weather event you are facing and have the NWS automated forecast broadcasts up and running.

What that means is that all you have to do regardless of if you have electricity or not is reach over and push two buttons and you will have a real-time accurate report of the conditions. When I say accurate I mean down to the conditions of the prevailing winds, barometric pressure changes, temperatures and when the last update was done. It also gives you the most current forecasts for your local area out to 72 hours. All information that may seem mundane on a normal day, but become vital during storms if you don’t think so just ask someone who has lived through tornado season in North Texas or the Great Plains

The Midlands ER-310 can be found online for between $60-80 and in the grand scheme of things is a great value and makes a perfect accessory for your Go Bag, recreational vehicle or your car. The utilitarian nature of the radio allows the user the flexibility of not just listening to the radio or weather updates but lets them recharge other devices via the external USB plug located on the side of the unit. So when everyone is out of cell phone battery and the power if off for days you can plug your phone into the Midland ER-310 and place it in a sunny spot and very slowly recharge your battery.

Prepping Thoughts

We want to hear from our readers who are avid preppers, what do you think of the Midland ER-310? Are you currently running a weather radio or base station as part of your bug out set up or is it even something you have considered? Many times communications are overlooked in the world of preparedness, but with the Midland ER-310, it doesn’t have to be any longer. Small, portable, and several ways to supply power all at an affordable price point. What’s not to like?

Prepping 101 | Potable Water Storage and Filtration

Disaster Preparedness | Potable Water Storage and Filtration

In the first part of our lesson, we discussed and outlined potential sources for potable water. We also touched on possible environmental concerns we need to be aware of while collecting our water. This installment will cover the selection and use of both water storage solutions and treatment options. Conditions and situations during this time can often change, and we have to remember to think outside of the box when the need arises. In short, remain flexible, don’t get married to any one idea.

Gathering water from your source can be made easier using a bucket or vessel that can hold the weight of the water and be semi-sanitary. We don’t want to use the five-gallon bucket we just used as a toilet to transport water, obviously, so mark your buckets with duct tape and a marker. A simple white food-grade bucket works well in this situation, as do other containers with large openings.

The idea here is to get the water from the source to the “bug-in” location or the “Alamo,” as a lot of preppers refer to their site. A few important things to remember when gathering water:

We want to limit the amount of debris coming into the container. This makes treating and storage easier.
Water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon. I recommend keeping the containers you are using to under five gallons (41.7lbs).
No matter the size of the container, leave room at the top for expansion and movement of the water inside.

Water storage and treatment

At our site, we have lots of choices for what to do next, but I will keep things simple and direct. My plans are built around two types of containers: the five-gallon bucket and the 3.5-gallon Waterbrick by Waterbrick International. In my planning, I wanted something that was easy to use and would store nicely out of the way. That is one of the reasons the Waterbrick is perfect.

There are two sizes of Waterbrick: the 3.5-gallon and the 1.6-gallon sizes. Each model features a 3 1/4″-diameter opening with a screw-on style cap that seals using a heavy-duty gasket. An optional cap is available that has a full-flow water spigot on it, perfect for filling cups, pans, or bottles. The manufacturer states that the Waterbrick is made of HDPE plastic and can withstand 123°F temperatures in short durations and 110°F constant temperatures. I would store them in as cool and as shaded a place as you can when they’re filled.

Treatment

Once back to our “bug-in” location, beginning the treatment process should be a high priority. The end result can best be achieved using household bleach, or a calcium hypochlorite solution. There are other ways, but these two are the most likely options, in my opinion. Bleach is the simplest. For average raw water, use 1/8 of a teaspoon per gallon being treated. Once the bleach is put in the container, shake it and let sit for a minimum of one hour. In approximately 30 minutes, remove the container top and check for the pronounced smell of bleach. If you don’t smell bleach, repeat the process.

Calcium hypochlorite is a granular chemical that is commonly used in treating swimming pools. It has an incredible 10-year shelf life if kept in a dark, cool place, and is extremely effective at treating water. One single pound of calcium hypochlorite can treat up to 10,000 gallons of water. Proper dosing using calcium hypochlorite requires a two-part process.

Step #1: Add one large teaspoon of powdered calcium hypochlorite to two gallons of water and allow to dissolve. This makes a super-concentrated liquid bleach solution that will be used to dose our smaller containers.
Step #2: Now, add this solution to your water containers at a rate of one part solution to 100 parts water. One pint will treat 12.5 gallons of water, so it only takes roughly four ounces to treat the 3.5 gallon cubes we are using.

I would recommend getting a handheld battery-powered chlorine test kit, or a dip-style test strip kit to ensure you are dosing in the proper level. The Department of Environmental Conservation has said that water containing up to four parts per million is safe to drink. I personally feel that is a bit high since high chlorine levels can lead to stomach and bowel irritability. I try to keep it around two PPM.

The last stage of treatment before using my stored water is a final stage of filtration. Some people may just bypass the storage aspect of water preparedness and put raw source water directly into a high-efficiency filtration system. I chose not to do that because simply put, safer is better when it comes to protecting my body. The human body needs water more than anything else, so I want the best water available.

I draw water from my now-treated water stores and run it through a filter such as the Katadyn Base Camp 10 liter gravity feed system or the Platypus Gravityworks four liter gravity feed filtration system. Either system works extremely well and can store easily when not in use, and both treat 1500 liters of water before the filters need to be replaced.

Water for cooking I would draw straight from the water stores and not from the secondary filtered water. The reason for this is that cooking water or coffee water will most likely be boiled and will by extension greatly reduce any biological dangers. Also, any chlorine residue in the water will also be neutralized, leaving no detectable taste or odor.

You can also find many bottle-style filtration systems that have a long service life, like the Sawyer Personal Water Bottle Filter (1,000,000 gallons), the Katadyn “My Bottle” (26 gallons), and the Lifestraw “Go Bottle” (264 gallons). The million-gallon claim by Sawyer Products seems a bit farfetched, but we will be testing one very soon.

Protecting and safeguarding your water supplies can’t be overlooked. Water is essential to basic survival. During any type of physical exertion, the human body sheds water and we need to replenish that water in order for the basic functions of the human body to operate efficiently.

Water treatment and storage is not a cut-and-dried one-size-fits-all scenario. That is precisely why federal and local governments have devoted large amounts of resources to ensure the water is safe and available. It takes skilled men and women constantly evaluating and “tweaking” plans.

Hopefully, this two-part series has made you ask some questions about your water needs and preparedness. We here at The Loadout Room are committed to helping you with your plans however best we can. Don’t hesitate to drop us a line and ask any questions you have. Talk to your friends and family, start the “what-if” conversations that will help ensure you thrive, not just survive, in a disaster or contingency event.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”—Benjamin Franklin

*Featured image courtesy of goldfeverprospecting.com

How to Survive Anything: Make it through a tornado

There are a lot of things you can do to make sure you never find yourself directly in the path of a tornado, but despite our best efforts, sometimes we still find ourselves in some pretty crappy spots. So, while we may devote plenty of videos to getting out of dodge before something bad lands in your lap, it’s just as important to know how to survive if escaping ahead of time wasn’t an option.

So what do you do if you find yourself directly in the path of a tornado?

Hide out in a storm cellar if at all possible. If not possible, head for a basement.
If not possible, jump in a bathtub or something else that’s firmly secured to the ground. Place a mattress over you to protect yourself from falling debris.
If you are sheltering in a group, interlock your arms to ensure no one is pulled away.
Stay as low as you can
DON’T STICK YOUR HEAD OUT TO FILM ANYTHING FOR FACEBOOK
Don’t emerge just because the storm seems to have stopped. It may be the eye. Wait for the all clear on the radio or until the sounds of the storm have passed for several minutes.

Feature image courtesy of the NOAA Photo Library via the U.S. Air Force

How to Survive Anything: Making it through a flash flood

Like most natural disasters, a bit of preparation ahead of time can go a long way. If you know there’s a high flood risk in your area, start by heading for high ground or out of the path of the storm. If, however, evacuating isn’t an option, you run the chance of finding yourself squaring off with one of nature’s most prolific killers: water.

If it can make the Grand Canyon, it sure as hell can mess up your Sunday. Here’s what to do if you find yourself squaring off with a wall of water:

Dump whatever you’re carrying and book it for high ground.
If the water starts to rise around you, look for something to climb (like a tree) and get as high as possible.
If you find yourself swept up in the flood, you are in trouble. Try to orient yourself so your legs are out in front of you so you can use them to stop you from being bashed into any hard objects in your path.
Protect your upper body and head at all costs. You’re going to get hurt, but you can survive if you keep your head above water and your torso free of holes.
Try to steer clear of obstructions in your path. Getting out of the flood is a top priority, but you don’t want to end up pinned up against an obstruction in the effort. Your chances of being killed increase dramatically the more the flood hits you with debris.
Go with the current and work your way toward an edge until you’re in shallow enough water to escape.

Feature image courtesy of the National Parks Service

Here’s everything you need to prepare for the next hurricane

The U.S. Army has been playing an active role in the preparation, rescue, and recovery efforts following natural disasters like hurricanes for years. Now, with large storms seemingly battering our nation’s coasts more frequently than ever, they, as well as a number of other federal agencies, have begun releasing information aimed at helping ensure you’re as prepared as you can be for the next major storm.

This guidance, prepared by James Dean, the contingency planner with the Fort Stewart Directorate of Plans, Mobilization and Security at Fort Stewart, Georgia, has three simple tips that he believes will help ensure your safety, as well as the safety of your loved ones.

“Have a plan to evacuate; have a kit to support your family and pets for three days and stay informed,” Dean offered as advice before reminding all service members and civilians alike that September is National Preparedness Month and that it pays to be proactive, particularly for those living on the East coast.

“Most of the year, we’re in hurricane season — from May through November,” Dean said. “This is the height of the hurricane season. Most hurricanes happen in the Atlantic August and September.”

In the Army release, Daryl Lusk, safety specialist with the Fort Stewart Safety Office, also chimed in with his own advice, which he says he’s gained through a combination of real life experience and the training he’s received working for the Army. His recommendations were sourced from FEMA’s hurricane training:

create an emergency supply kit
ensure vehicles are fueled up and serviceable
store loose items around the house such as hoses and grills
follow local directions from the local authorities.

Military personnel are also reminded to maintain open lines of communication with their chain of command, in order to ensure overall force accountability. For civilians, that serves as good advice as well, but include family, rather than formal command structure, in your notifications.

Other advice offered by the Army’s specialists included unplugging appliances before evacuating your homes, bring a minimum of three days’ worth of any prescribed medications with you, and, of course, “Take your pets with you,” Lusk said.

If you find yourself evacuating with pets, be sure to bring a pet carrier or crate, as some shelters will not permit entrance to pets without one.

Ready.gov is a government-funded national public service campaign that offers advice on how best to prepare for different situations. Much of their advice parallels that of the Army’s release, but they offer a bit more detail into what you should maintain in your hurricane kit. Per their website, a basic disaster kit should always include the following:

Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

You can get many of these items and much more delivered right to your door with a subscription to the Crate Club.

While you can consider that list to be the bare necessities, Ready.gov does go on to include another list of things you should be sure to have in your home as you prepare for the possibility of extended power outages, flooding, or having to remain in place as you wait for rescue:

Prescription medications
Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
Glasses and contact lens solution
Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Cash or traveler’s checks
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Be sure to keep your storm preparation kits in a readily accessible place in your home, and if you are preparing for the possibility that you may need to evacuate, assemble a three-day “go bag” using these lists as your guide – or one of these articles written by experts in doing exactly that.

Do you have everything you need to prepare for the worst? If not, check out CrateClub.us to shop for gear in the AirDrop store, or sign up for their crate service to get hand picked gear delivered to your door each month!

Image courtesy of the NOAA

Everything you need to be prepared for an earthquake

On July 4th, holiday celebrations throughout the American Southwest were put on hold when a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the region, fracturing roads and prompting serious concern from many residents of Southern California. The following night, an even more powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake tore through the same communities, having already weathered numerous aftershocks. This subsequent quake was the strongest to hit the region in two decades, but fortunately, has thus far resulted in no reported casualties.

For many Americans, these earthquakes have served as a wake up call — forcing us to acknowledge that natural disasters do occur and as a result, many have a renewed interest in finding ways to better prepare for an earthquake that isn’t quite so easy to shake off. When it comes to earthquakes in southern California, the question truly isn’t if another one will strike, it’s when, especially considering the United States Geological Survey (USGS) predicts that between 240 and 410 magnitude 3 or higher earthquakes will strike in the same region before the rumbling is through. Worse still, they estimate a 24% chance that there are more magnitude 6 or larger quakes to come this month.

Of course, like any natural disaster, there are things you can do to minimize the risk to yourself and those you care about, and the U.S. government actually provides a great deal of guidance as to what you can start doing right now to ensure you’re better prepared when disaster strikes. Here’s a collection of some of Uncle Sam’s best earthquake survival advice:

Preparing Before an Earthquake

These are the emergency supplies the Center for Disease Control recommends that you gather to prepare for an earthquake:

First Aid Kit (Note: You can get a lot of this stuff from our partners at the Crate Club in their EDC Medical Kit and US Army Surgical Kit)

Drugs/Medications

Hydrogen peroxide to wash and disinfect wounds
Antibiotic ointment
Individually wrapped alcohol swabs
Aspirin and non-aspirin tablets
Prescriptions and any long-term medications (keep these current)
Diarrhea medicine
Eye drops

Dressings

Bandage strips
Ace bandages
Rolled gauze
Cotton-tipped swabs
Adhesive tape roll

Other First Aid Supplies

First aid book
Scissors
Tweezers
Thermometer
Bar soap
Tissues
Sunscreen
Paper cups
Pocket knife
Small plastic bags
Safety pins
Needle and thread
Instant cold packs for sprains
Sanitary napkins
Splinting materials

Survival Kit for your home (Note: You can cover most of your bases with the Crate Club EDC Bundle)

Tools and supplies

ax, shovel, broom
screwdriver, pliers, hammer, adjustable wrench
rope for towing or rescue
plastic sheeting and tape

Items for safety and comfort

sturdy shoes that can provide protection from broken glass, nails, and other debris
gloves (heavy and durable for cleaning up debris)
candles
waterproof matches
change of clothing
knife
garden hose (for siphoning and firefighting)
tent
recreational supplies for children and adults
blankets or sleeping bags
portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
essential medications and eyeglasses
fire extinguisher — multipurpose, dry chemical type
food and water for pets
toilet tissue
cash

Use this FEMA “Home Hazard Hunt” poster to check your house for anything that might put you or your family at risk during an earthquake.

Here’s what you need to do to get ready for the next earthquake right now, according to Ready.gov:

Secure items, such as televisions, and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
Practice Drop, Cover, then Hold On with family and coworkers. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl only as far as needed to reach cover from falling materials. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.
Create a family emergency communications plan that has an out-of-state contact. Plan where to meet if you get separated.
Make a supply kit that includes enough food and water for at least three days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle. Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.
Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. Standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover earthquake damage.
Consider a retrofit of your building to correct structural issues that make it vulnerable to collapse during an earthquake.

Surviving an Earthquake

Here’s what you need to do in order to survive the next earthquake, according to Ready.gov:

Drop, Cover, then Hold On like you practiced. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris.
If in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
If inside, stay there until the shaking stops. DO NOT run outside.
If in a vehicle, stop in a clear area that is away from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses, or utility wires.
If you are in a high-rise building, expect fire alarms and sprinklers to go off. Do not use elevators.
If near slopes, cliffs, or mountains, be alert for falling rocks and landslides.

Here are more trips from FEMA:

If you are trapped under debris:

Do not light a match.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Do not move about or kick up dust.
Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can find you. Use a whistle if one is available.
Shout only as a last resort — shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

What to Do Next

Here’s what to do after an earthquake, according to Ready.gov:

Expect aftershocks to follow the largest shock of an earthquake.
Check yourself for injury and provide assistance to others if you have training.
If in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.
Do not enter damaged buildings.
If you are trapped, cover your mouth. Send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting so that rescuers can locate you.
If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
Save phone calls for emergencies.
Once safe, monitor local news reports via battery operated radio, TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts for emergency information and instructions.
Use extreme caution during post-disaster clean-up of buildings and around debris. Do not attempt to remove heavy debris by yourself. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy, thick-soled shoes during clean-up.

Where to Learn More

Use these websites to stay up to date on everything you need to know to ensure you’re prepared for the next earthquake:

FEMA Earthquake Safety

USGS Earthquake Prepare

Ready.Gov Earthquakes

CDC Earthquake Supplies

Do you want to be better prepared for whatever life might throw at you? Then subscribe to the Crate Club!

Feature image courtesy of the USGS