Lightning Strike!

Sometimes lessons come along and gently nudge you or tap you on the shoulder to remind you of things that you need to change or improve. Today I didn't get one of those - I got one of those other types - the ones that hit you over the head or like a great big lightning strike ripping through the clouds and striking you  in the "you should have known better" region ;-)

This lightning strike came to me today when I was one of 250 people who were asked to go home and get our 72 hour survival kit. We had half an hour to get ready. It was to test our preparedness for a disaster. Although uncomfortable and unwanted - it was a timely reminder that at any time we could find ourselves like the people of Christchurch who have survived a 6.1 earthquake and hundreds of after shocks, or the people who are cut off due to the flooding just up the road on State Highway 1. We just never know?

When the instructions were given I conducted a quick internal inventory on what my children and I had in terms of being ready.... and then the lightning hit - I need to get my butt into gear!

1) Something to cook with
A few years ago my sons had a camp which required them to take everything they needed in their backpack, including three days of meals, blankets, clothes and shelter. It was a great chance for us to get them real camping backpacks and cooking utensils with little gas stoves that they could cook with and on. We practiced at home how to cook and how to use the little gadgets and they didn't go hungry while they were away. Great right? Wrong - today I say to their father - where are the boys cooking stoves? Answer: Under the house somewhere! Lesson one - get the cooking things out from under the house and into the 72 hour survival kit.

2) Water
When the boys turned up today with their 72 hour kits, of the 200 people gathered, they were the only ones with enough water for 3 days. Yay!! for us. I know I could never imagine it - but we can survive without food but we will not live long without water. In Christchurch many people are still being required to boil their water - two weeks after the eathquake hit - so that's a lot of water ;-). Lesson two - stop teasing husband for filling every empty bottle with water and storing it all over the house!

3) Light
Just as the boys were leaving I remembered light. We ave lots of torches - but they are scattered throughout the house and some of them don't have batteries that would last past a couple of hours let alone 72. I could of at least have got some candles and matches!! The BIG lesson for me: purchase torches for every member of the family and include batteries.

4) First Aid Kit
We need a first aid kit. We have the basics that will cover a grazed knee, or treat a headache but nothing that would take care of a burn or a large wound. So far, in a tupperware (I love tupperware!!) container we all have plasters, panadol, voltaren (I know - you never know? ;-)), cotton buds, bandaging, ventolin and other basics - but in reality these things won't be enough. Note to self: Get a first aid kit.

5) Plan
For about ten minutes after our instructions were given - the boys had run off somewhere. Although I was fairly confident I knew where they were on this occasion, my greatest fear is that something will happen and I am not with them. I need to organise my family so that we have a plan and we are prepared and if we are either at work or school - we will all make our way to our designated spot.

I know that if we are prepared there is no need to be worried or frightened..... but the key is to be prepared otherwise that lightning strike that reminds us of what we need to be doing might not be enough and worse hit use too late - and turns into something we will be stuck with forever - regret!.

If this is news to you, at the back of the yellow pages and http://www.getthru.govt.nz/ the NZ government has suggested as Emergency Survival Items:
* Water (3 litres per person, per day for up to 3 days or more)
* Cnned, non-perishable food
* Torch and Radio (with batteries)
* Toilet paper, plastic bag, and bucket
* First Aid Kit and essntial medicings, including paracetamol for fever,
* BBQ or other means of cooking
* Face and dus masks

Happy gathering.

Yours in friendship,

Mxox