Whether you’re faced with an earthquake, tornado, or hurricane, there are essential skills you’ll need to survive a disaster. These include signaling, communication, and building a fire. They’re all crucial for your survival in an emergency situation, and are also vital for community preparedness planning.
Building a fire
One of the best ways to survive a natural disaster is to be able to build a fire. There are a number of methods you can use to do this, but the most basic and effective is by following some basic guidelines. The first step is to get yourself exposed to sunlight. Once you’ve reached this point, you’ll need to lay down some kindling. Then, fold some newspaper over the burned paper and gently wave it back and forth to gather air. Eventually, you’ll have a fire. You can then add fuel to it as the fire grows.
Learning how to build a fire is one of the most important skills you can learn. It can mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation, as it will allow you to cook food, purify water, and stay warm. Additionally, it will also give you a light source to send SOS messages to help others. Although it seems simple, building a fire isn’t as easy as rubbing two sticks together. There are specific types of fire that are more suitable for different needs, and you’ll want to learn which ones work best for each one.
There are a variety of different types of fuel for a fire, including dead grass and paper. Depending on the weather, some types of fuel are more flammable than others. You can also use older animal waste and dead leaves and grass, but it’s best to use old, dry wood that’s not green or wet.
Keeping a fire under control is essential if you’re a long-term survivor. Fires spread quickly and can become life-threatening in less than two minutes. A residence can be completely destroyed in just five minutes if a fire has spread throughout it.
Signaling
Signaling is a vital survival skill that will help you attract help in a disaster. Signals can be made by using flashing lights, whistles, or fire. Signal fires attract attention for miles around and indicate wind conditions for airborne rescuers. A signal fire is much different from a cooking fire or camp fire.
Signaling can be done by using natural materials like sticks or twigs to send a message that rescuers will notice. A simple signal can include: “Wait there,” “danger,” or “wait here.” You can also use a giant arrow made of branches to direct rescuers to your location.
Communication
In the event of a disaster, communication is critical to the success of recovery efforts. Emergency officials need to reach a range of audiences, including the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and the media. They need to understand and address existing barriers to communication so that the appropriate disaster message can be distributed to all affected areas. For example, while some populations are comfortable with new media, others are not.
Fortunately, many of the basics of disaster communication can be learned before a disaster even strikes. Developing disaster communications capacity before a disaster can help save time and ensure proper coordination among stakeholders. For instance, pre-writing public service announcements in different languages and ensuring that all sources of information are up-to-date and credible are critical steps in disaster communications.
The most crucial skill for disaster recovery is the ability to communicate effectively. You should develop a communication plan and practice it in a quiet time to make sure you are able to reach others in the event of a disaster. While practicing your communication plan, begin by deciding where to meet and consider alternate routes.
During a disaster, you should keep two or three methods of communication ready at all times. These methods can be cell phone calls, text messages, and ham radio broadcasts. Make sure to activate closed captioning and video description on your cell phone. You should also carry a battery-powered radio or television to keep yourself informed. It is also a good idea to subscribe to a text alert service so that you can stay updated about emergency situations.
During a disaster, emergency officials must decide the best means of communication. They must also consider the needs of special populations. This includes people with disabilities and the elderly. These individuals must be made aware of basic needs and receive the proper care. A well-stocked medical supply kit is crucial regardless of the type of disaster.
Bug out shelters
While many people consider bugging out in a vehicle to be a better option, this isn’t always the best option. In some instances, there may not be much shelter available and the weather can be extremely dangerous. For example, you might be caught in a winter storm or an intense summer heat. Either way, you’ll want to have the right equipment and supplies available to keep you safe.
One of the most essential items to prepare is a bug out shelter. You can build a basic shelter with shipping containers, cabin kits, or masonry blocks. However, be sure to pack ear plugs. The noise levels in these shelters can be incredibly high, especially if the shelter is in a school building.
If you decide to bug out, you’ll want to choose a location at least 100 miles away from your home and one that has the appropriate supplies. It’s best to get to your bug out location well before any radioactive fallout has a chance to affect you.
Another important item to prepare is clothes. It’s important to have multiple pairs of clothes. Depending on the climate, you’ll need different types of clothes in each season. So, you’ll need to periodically reassess your bug out bag to make sure it’s suitable for the weather. You should always have at least two changes of clothes in your bug out bag. You don’t want to get soaked in the rain and cold and end up in an uncomfortable situation.
Communication during a natural disaster
During a natural disaster, communication between people is essential for survival and recovery. Without proper communication, people are unsure of the situation and may get stuck in a dangerous situation. This is where real-time, reliable information is crucial. Information about the status of an emergency can be found through local media and online resources. Local authorities will also broadcast important information through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and IPAWS.
Regardless of the scale of the natural disaster, organizations must develop coordinated strategies for communicating information, updates, and appeals to the public. In order to make the most of this critical communication, organizations need to follow the principles of effective communication. These principles include adherence to message discipline, clarity, and calls to action.
Another important tip for communication during a natural disaster is to keep your cell phone and wireless device fully charged. It is important to keep extra batteries on hand, too. In addition, you should have a list of emergency contacts in case your cell phone runs out of power. Also, develop a family communication plan and designate a central contact. You can also use social media to check in with family and friends. This will help you determine how badly the disaster has affected your area, and get further instructions.
Two-way radios are another great option for disaster communications. This type of communication allows people to hear every transmission and access vital information from anywhere, even in remote areas. You can even use these radios to receive emergency alerts from other emergency responders.
