Eat Like an Astronaut with Freeze Dried Food
Freeze dried food is a tasty and wholesome option for food storage as part of planning for emergency situations. It’s also great for on the go meals when camping or traveling. All that is needed to prepare freeze dried food options is clean water. An on hand food supply in times of crisis enables you to maintain energy levels and increase your health and survival.
Many museums and novelty shops sell delicious freeze dried ice cream as a souvenir, because freeze dried food was created as a way to preserve food for long term space exploration. People may think of it as astronaut food. The long shelf life and quality of freeze dried food options make them an essential part of emergency preparedness and handy for camping and travel.
The unpredictable nature of emergencies makes preparation with emergency food a key to surviving difficult times. Families should keep a supply of freeze dried foods on hand for extended power outages and other emergencies. Freeze dried food items are available in quantities to last a couple of days to quantities to last years. A few servings of freeze dried food are a good addition to a safety kit stored in the trunk of your automobile as well. If you spend a lot of time hiking or camping, freeze dried food is a smart addition to your travel gear.
Nutritious freeze dried foods retain color, texture, and nutrition. Ready prepared meal options as well as fruits and vegetables gain a shelf life of 25 years with freeze drying. Freeze dried meats last up to 15 years. Many people enjoy freeze dried fruits without re-hydrating as a snack item. Delicious freeze dried entrees are available for each meal of the day and are a staple of survival kits. Preparation is simple; just add water and in a short time, you can enjoy soups, pasta, cereal, and more.
Read MorePreppers and the Zombie Apocalypse
People have been forecasting the end of the world throughout history. Doomsday prophecies are nothing new. What is novel and gaining popularity is extreme disaster preparedness. With broad media coverage bringing stories of weather, war, epidemics, and more from around the world into the framework of our everyday lives, people logically become a little anxious. End of the world paranoia can make finding a balance between living for the moment and planning for the future a challenge.
The truth is that an extreme weather event or other emergency could strike at any time, and preparing for emergency situations with survival supplies is quite sensible. Unfortunately, many people may feel the hoopla over the end of the world is unwarranted and blown out of proportion and fail to prepare for much more likely emergency events. Fires, sickness, power outages, and severe weather are not uncommon. Having first aid supplies and emergency food on hand to contend with these emergencies is responsible behavior and shouldn’t be scoffed.
Taking doomsday preparation to the extreme, people known as preppers are preparing for global catastrophic events. Preppers will certainly be ready for isolated emergency scenarios, but their goal is to survive cataclysmic disaster. Preppers stockpile survival supplies and develop detailed survival strategies.
Modern mythology meets real life when preppers plan for the potential of a zombie apocalypse. In the event of world-wide disaster, preppers refer to desperate humans that resort to violent measures to survive as zombies. Preppers get ready for the zombie apocalypse with self-defense and self-preservation measures such as emergency bunkers, weapons, and supplies of food, water, first aid and medicine. Only time will tell if this extreme emergency preparation is warranted, but anyone looking to improve survival odds in the event of more typical emergencies can learn from these dedicated people.
Read MoreEmergency Preparedness Saves Kite Surfer in Shark Attack
The human survival instinct is a powerful force that enables people to accomplish extraordinary things in the face of danger. The counter force to this instinct is the drive of the human spirit to try new things and challenge our limits. When people push themselves too far or encounter the unexpected, it’s the survival instinct that carries us through emergency situations. Taking steps to prepare for these unforeseen disasters can often make all the difference between life and death.
A great example of human survival and emergency preparedness was recently in the news. Polish kite surfing champion Jan Lisewski was constantly pushing himself to take on new challenges. He was the first man to successfully kite surf across the Baltic Sea about a year ago. Ready for the next challenge, Lisewski attempted to kite surf across the Red Sea. Unfortunately, while Lisewski was crossing shark infested waters, the wind died leaving him stranded with a deflated kite.
Lisewski was prepared with a few basic survival supplies. He sent out an SOS and awaited rescue. It took the Saudi Arabian Coast Guard forty hours to find him. Before they arrived, Lisewski fought off hunger, dehydration, and exhaustion with energy drinks, water, and two energy bars. This emergency food was minimal, but certainly better than nothing. Having a supply of drinking water is important when surrounded by the sea and, fortunately, Lisewski was prepared with water in this emergency.
What makes this survival story remarkable is that Lisewski survived repeated shark attacks. Armed with a knife, Lisewski’s survival instinct helped him fight off sharks as big as eighteen feet long during the forty hour trial at sea. Having the right emergency supplies to deal with this turn of events truly meant the difference in Lisewski’s survival. Without the fresh water and energy bars, he may have perished from fatigue or dehydration. Without the forethought to bring a knife, he may easily have fallen prey to the first round of attacking sharks.
We can all take a lesson from this tale of survival. Emergency preparedness was the key factor in Lisewski’s survival. Whether you encourage a challenge or try to live life on the safe side, plan ahead with emergency supplies to keep yourself strong and enabled to fight through any hardships you may encounter. Although Lisewski’s routine life was a little unusual, his story demonstrates how quickly a normal day can transform into a life or death scenario.
Read MoreHollywood Star Touts Importance of Survival Kit
Emergency preparedness has found a spokesperson in Liam Neeson as of late. The fifty-nine year old actor claims he carries a survival kit at all times. Survival is a primary theme in Neeson’s latest movie, and he is building awareness on the subject in real life as well. Whether or not this emergency preparedness has contributed to Neeson’s longevity in Hollywood may be up for debate, but in all seriousness, the action star is bringing public awareness to the very important topic of emergency preparedness.
In his promotional tour for the film The Grey, the critically acclaimed actor-turned-action-star discusses preparing for his role. Neeson plays a man fighting for his life in the wilds of Alaska after surviving a plane crash. The movie touches upon the issue of emergency preparedness and Neeson further brings attention to this worthy cause by sharing with the public his reliance on a survival kit. He offers:
“I love to be outside. I never leave the house without a Swiss Army knife and a compass. When you’re getting to your 60s every day is like a fight for survival. I often wonder why I’m in this world, what’s my purpose and how long am I gonna be here?”
Neeson not only brings attention to emergency preparedness, he sets a good example. It’s important that individuals learn to take responsibility for their personal well-being. In an emergency, help may not be readily available, and keeping survival supplies on hand is a smart way to mitigate desperate situations. Maintaining a personal survival kit is a great strategy to boost emergency preparedness and improve chances of survival in a crisis until emergency services can assist.
Read MoreEarly Tornado Season Advisory: Prepare Survival Kits
As some predicted, the storm season has made an early arrival in the tornado belt. Violent storms ripped through America’s heartland, with tornadoes touching down in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. Similar storms appear likely to hit the South and Midwest regions in the short-term forecast.
The devastation following a tornado can be monumental. For people living in tornado regions, disaster preparedness is obviously a necessity. It is vitally important to plan ahead and keep survival kits ready to deal with the aftermath of devastating weather events. The impact of this most recent spate of tornadoes will be felt in tourist destinations such as Branson, Missouri. A country music resort town, Branson now faces the task of repairing tornado damage as the tourist season kicks into full swing.
At a minimum, residents of tornado regions should keep 72 hour survival kits ready and stored in several locations, including tornado shelters. These kits should include a radio, first aid supplies, and emergency food. Survival kits are practical for all households throughout the country to plan for emergencies, but are critically important in tornado zones. Survival kits can be designed to last much longer than 72 hours, and it’s wise to consider a long-term stockpile of food and supplies if you are in a high risk area.
Emergency food and water are among the top concerns in disaster preparedness. Freeze-dried food is an excellent resource to include in a survival kit to increase your survival rate and improve your comfort through a time of disaster. Freeze-dried food is available in quantities to last days, months, or years into the future. Food choices are varied. Freeze-dried food comes prepared for each meal of the day and includes items from each food group.
Having a food supply on hand in times of emergency helps maintain people’s energy and health. This is valuable following severe weather and other times where surviving and rebuilding efforts are tremendous. Power outages and contaminated food and water supplies are great risks that can be overcome with a good supply of emergency food and water. These items should be included with first aid supplies and other practical items maintained in a survival kit. As large-scale violent weather events continue to challenge communities nationwide, disaster preparedness is something everyone should attend to.
Read MoreAlabama Proposes Sales Tax Holiday for Emergency Preparedness
Many Alabama residents know all too well the aftermath of a disaster, having endured a record breaking tornado season in 2011. Weather forecasters are concerned about the potential for a similar spate of extreme weather this year. In an effort to raise public awareness, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley proclaimed February 19-24 Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Governor Bentley also proposed a sales tax holiday on emergency supplies. This once per year tax reprieve would help Alabama residents stock up on items such as NOAA weather radios, first aid supplies, and emergency kits. The governor warns:
“The key is readiness. When storms strike, it’s too late to prepare. Let’s prepare now.”
The governor’s proposal has not officially been introduced into the Alabama State Legislature, but it is finding support from community leaders. Additionally, regions nationwide are vulnerable to the whims and fury of weather events and should heed Governor Bentley’s warning. The proactive strategies in Alabama should encourage other communities to evaluate the threats they face and prepare for emergencies.
Stores become depleted of emergency supplies soon after disaster strikes. Water supplies can become contaminated and food shortages are a threat. Households and disaster relief agencies can improve emergency preparedness by maintaining disaster supply kits including emergency food, water purification, and first aid supplies.
It is the unfortunate nature of weather related disasters that they are unpredictable. Emergency preparedness is a fundamental necessity of survival. Plan ahead and stock an emergency kit to help you contend with weather related disasters. Consider the shortages you may experience and stock up on supplies to help you survive.
Alabama residents have learned the lesson to prepare a survival kit from experience. Fortunately, many people won’t have to learn this lesson the hard way. The state of Alabama has done a service to the nation in bringing awareness to emergency preparedness. Avoid being caught without food and other emergency supplies by taking proper precautions today.
Read MoreLearning from Tragedy: Maintain a Fire Safety Kit
The devastating scenes and stories emerging in the aftermath of a fire that ripped through an overcrowded prison in Honduras will bring attention to many social and political concerns regarding prison conditions for some time. Other implications highlighted by this tragedy – with an arguably broader relevance – are the need for proper preparations in times of emergency. Specifically, this disaster highlights fire risk and demonstrates the need for fire safety.
A fire safety plan should be utilized by homes, offices and public places. We all remember fire drills from our school days. Practicing and preparing for emergency situations is not something we should graduate from. Evacuation plans, and fire safety kits including first aid supplies should be part of every fire safety plan. Smoke inhalation is a primary concern in a fire, so store a fire escape mask in your office and in each bedroom of your home to minimize this risk.
It’s practical to stash an emergency kit in a shed or vehicle, outside of your home, with first aid supplies, and other practical survival items such as a warm blanket. Plan ahead and have the necessary tools on hand like a multi-purpose fire extinguisher in places such as your laundry room, kitchen, garage, and vehicle to extinguish small fires before they get out of control. Always evacuate a location and promptly contact your local fire department if fire is beyond immediate containment. If anyone has suffered injuries, think quickly to locate your emergency first aid kit, but never re-enter a burning structure.
Many events including car accidents and natural disasters increase the chances for fires to erupt. For example, spilled gas from broken gas lines in an auto accident can exacerbate the risk in an already dangerous situation. Inexperienced homeowners running a generator following a power outage may increase fire risk. Elevated fire risk follows earthquakes, dry weather, electrical storms, and other natural disasters. Regarding all emergency situations, it is best to prepare ahead and maintain a well-stocked emergency supply kit.
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