Posted on: July 27th, 2011 By: DeanS |
Hiking is a year around activity and outdoor conditions can change rapidly so it pays to be prepared. If you are going on a mountain trek keep in mind changes in elevation. The higher you ascend, the lower the temperature may become and the more erratic the weather can be. If you plan to climb Mount Marcy or Mount Washington for example then be absolutely sure to pack a warm hat, sweater or fleece. The closer you get to the peak, the more unpredictable the weather may become.
It is also always essential to carry enough water. No matter the distance it is best to carry 2 liters of water per person. Be sure to pack a snack as well. A protein bar is a good idea because it is small and it packs a lot of energy and nutrients. A few pieces of hard candy will help you from the immediate energy rush of sugar intake if you need to get back before dark. Pack what you would like to eat but remember what you eat will effect your performance.
Included in your pack should be basic first aid such as bandages and disinfectant. One of the most important and often over looked item in a hikers pack is the compass. This is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL when setting out in unfamiliar territory. One step off the trail and you may be walking for miles until you realize you are lost. The sun is also a great navigational tool. Remember it rises in the east and sets in the west.
Happy Trails.
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Posted on: July 22nd, 2011 By: Paul Faust |
I just watched a show on CNBC all about preparing for the end of the earth in 2012. The show featured many people who were building shelters, stocking up on long term food storage and taking other preparedness steps. While I might not agree with the concept of the end of the earth, what I find most amazing is that people often need these “events” or the possibility of these types of “major crisis” to take action.
So, is that right action to start trying to scare people into preparedness? What is the catalyst or tipping point that is missing for people just to say “Hey..things happen…let me think about how I should deal with them.” I don’t ever want to be the guy screaming “the sky is falling,” but for some reason, the people who do get all the attention.
Would love to hear feedback on all sides of the issue. Is it taking it too far? Are we doing enough to get people to prepare? Is preparation a waste of time and money? Please leave your thoughts.
Posted on: July 21st, 2011 By: Paul Faust |
As the owner of a preparedness kit/supply company I am always preaching to people the need to be prepared for everyday…what if’s. Preparedness isn’t just about being ready for major events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, terror attacks, blackouts, etc. There are things that can and do happen everyday that we can be better equipped to deal with. These things can range from the simple need for a band aid or other first aid supply, the supplies needed to deal with a flat tire or an escape ladder to get out of a burning home.
Tonight I responded to an automatic fire alarm as I am a volunteer with the Somers Fire Department. The call turned out to be a false alarm so we all packed up to head home. I just happen to be the last car to leave. For some strange reason…my car battery was dead. Here I was in the middle of the night…stuck with a dead car. Now…I could have knocked on a door and called a garage or asked someone to give me a jump start as I was in a populated area. But…what if I wasn’t. What if it was my wife and the car was in a parking garage late at night or some other secluded area?
Two weeks ago…I decided to get a portable jump starter that I could keep in my car. I thought it would be good to have both for myself and so I could help a stranded motorist if I came across one. I had the product shipped from my warehouse and left the box in my office for a few days. On Monday I thought it was silly to have ordered it and not taken it out of the box…so I unpacked it, read the instructions and plugged it in to charge. On Wednesday I put it in my car (it takes 40 hours to charge the first time).
Well…tonight it came in handy. I pulled it out of the trunk, connected it to my battery and had my car started in less than 60 seconds. Now….I thought this device would come in handy one day. I just didn’t know it would be the day after I put it in my car.
This event simply reinforced to me the concept…that unfortunately…things happen. AND…that by taking some simple steps…we can be better prepared to deal with them. I am not saying that everyone needs to go out and buy every product, gadget, rescue device on the market. Just take a few moments to think about the things that can occur in your everyday life and then see what steps you can take to better deal with all those…what if’s.
Stay Safe,
Paul
Posted on: June 28th, 2011 By: Paul Faust |
When I walked into my office this morning the TV was on and tuned to CNN. The first two stories I saw were about potential threats to two different nuclear power plants in the U.S.
One of the threats was due to the wildfires in New Mexico that were getting close to the Los Alamos Nuclear Lab forcing the lab to close.
The other threat was to the Nuclear Power plant in Nebraska that is being threatened by flooding.
Officials are keeping a close eye on both situations. If you live near either of these locations you should stay informed by visiting your local emergency management site, watching the news or listening to the radio.
*If it is recommended that you evacuate the area…do so as soon as possible
*Coordinate some meeting places with your family now in case you aren’t together
*Don’t panic and/or react to misinformation
*While there is NO imminent risk now…you may want to consider getting potassium iodide.
Always remember the key components to better preparedness: Get a Kit (supplies), Make a Plan, Be Informed.
Posted on: June 27th, 2011 By: Paul Faust |
Like a steaming kettle with the top on, pressure is building beneath the surface of California that could unleash a monster earthquake at any time. That’s according to a new study from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
Geologists say Southern California is long overdue for a huge earthquake that could unleash widespread damage.
It all comes down to the Salton Sea, which lies to the east of San Diego. The Salton Sea lies directly on the San Andreas Fault and covers more than 350 square miles.
A big earthquake has hit the lake bed about every 180 years. But when officials started damming the Colorado River to reduce floods downstream (including in the Salton Sea), the moderate earthquakes stopped for the Salton.
Sounds like a good thing, right? Not necessarily. Seismologists think the damming stopped moderate stress-relieving earthquakes on the Salton. Now, they fear the pressure is building and the area could be as many as 100 years overdue for a mega-quake quake, measuring 7.5 or larger.
This sobering news comes just as a new poll is released that details Californians fears about earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Natural Disaster Californians Fear Most
Earthquake 57%
Wildfire 23%
Tsunami/Tidal Wave 9%
Flood/Mudslide 5%
Other/No Opinion 6%
The findings were published in the scientific journal “Nature Geoscience.”
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This article was originally posted on Weather.com and written by Becky Kellogg. The original article can be found here: http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/california-quake-study_2011-06-27
