Tuesday, November 17, 2009

What is a BOB?

SURVIVAL NEWSLETTER

AUGUST ,2009


IN THIS ISSUE:

IT'S HOT: How to survive extreme heat

WHAT IS A B.O.B.?

Contact information


At Rescue Me Right, it is our mission to help people prepare for the little and big emergencies in life. Visit us at http://www.rescuemeright.com to see how we can help you.


IT'S HOT: How to survive extreme heat


At the FEMA website, one of the ways it says to prepare for extreme heat is to have an air conditioner installed in your home. That is good advice, but what if there is an emergency and the power is knocked out and you don't have an air conditioner? Here are some ways to keep your cool in extreme heat, and how to treat yourself or someone else who is overcome by the heat.


First, don't panic, if you are in a situation, any situation, the first thing that you should do is to make sure that you are calm. Even if you are accustomed to a very cool, air conditioned atmosphere, know that your body will eventually grow accustomed to the heat. It may take a few days, and you may get very fatigued, but do not worry, your body will adjust. In the 2 to 6 days that you need for your body to get accustomed to extreme heat , your circulation, your heart action, your breathing and your sweat glands will adjust.


If at all possible, stay out of direct sunlight, especially during the hottest hours of the day. If you must be in direct sunlight, cover your head. Also, if possible, keep yourself hydrated. Thirst and dehydration can dull your mind. Drink plenty of water when you have it . Also, cut down on your food intake, it takes extra water to carry off wastes from your system.


Knowing that you need water, and the air temperature is high, the next thing to consider is the amount of activity that you can do. If the weather is hot, say, 110 degrees F. and a man is doing hard work in the sun, his body will require about 5 gallons of water per day. If your body does not get the required amount of water your ability to concentrate, make decisions, and work will quickly decline.


The average body temperature is 98.6 degrees F. Your body cools its self off by sweating. The warmer the temperature, the more activity you do, the more sweat your body produces. Sweating is the main cause of water loss. If your body quits producing sweat during hot temperatures and heavy work, you will have a heat stroke. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention.


So what can you do to maximize the amount of water that you have available?

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Get out of the sun! Find shade or make it. Put a cover above your head and put something between you and the hot ground. Don't move around a lot.
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Keep your clothes on. The more that your skin is protected from the wind and sun the more your body will conserve water. Your clothes will absorb your sweat, and keep it against your skin giving you a cooling effect. By staying in the shade, not moving around a lot, not speaking, breathing through your nose and keeping your body covered by clothing, your water needs will drop dramatically.
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Once again, if water is scarce, do not eat. Digestion requires water. Eating food will use water that you need for survival.


Thirst is not a reliable guide for your need for water. If you just drank when you were thirsty, most people would only take in about two-thirds of the water that they need. To avoid dehydration, follow these guides as set out by the U.S Army.

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At temperatures below 100 degrees F, drink 1 pint of water every hour.
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At temperatures above 100 degrees F, drink 1 quart of water every hour.

Drinking water at regular intervals helps to keep your body cooled down. Even when your water supply is low, just sipping will keep your body cooled and reduce sweating. DO NOT ration your water. If you do you will most likely become a victim of the heat.


Heat Casualties (This section is taken directly from the US ARMY SURVIVAL MANUAL 1992, BARNES AND NOBLE INC.)


No matter how much instruction people receive on how to avoid becoming overheated, some heat casualties will occur. Following are the major types of heat casualties and their treatment when little water and no medical assistance are available.


Heat cramps. These are caused mainly by loss of salt due to excessive sweating. Symptoms are moderate to severe muscle cramps in legs, arms, or abdomen. These symptoms may start as mild muscular discomfort. This is the time when the person should stop all activity, get int eh shade, and drink water. If the person fails to recognize the early symptoms and continues with physical activity he will have severe muscle cramps and pain. Treat the person the same as for heat exhaustion, below.


Heat exhaustion. This is caused by a large loss of body water and salt. Symptoms are headache; mental confusion; irritability; excessive sweating; weakness; dizziness; cramps; and pale, moist, cold (clammy) skin. Take the following steps immediately: Tet the patient under shade, make him lie on a stretcher or similar item approximately 18” off the ground, loosen his clothing, sprinkle him with water, fan him, and have him drink small amounts of water every 3 minutes. Ensure that he remains quiet and rests.


Heat stroke. This is a severe heat injury caused by extreme loss of water and salt and the body's inability to cool itself. The patient may die if not cooled immediately. Symptoms are no sweating; hot, dry skin; headache; dizziness; fast pulse; nausea and vomiting; and mental confusion leading to unconsciousness. Take the following steps immediately: Get the person to shade, lay him on a stretcher or similar item approximately 18” off the ground; loosen his clothing; pour water on him (it does not matter of the water is polluted or brackish); fan him; massage his arms, legs, and body. If he regains consciousness, let him drink small amounts of water every 3 minutes.

If there ever is a heat emergency in your neighborhood, please do not forget to check on the young and the elderly that are there. They are the most susceptible to heat related injury. Take care of yourselves and your neighbors. That is what it is all about.

WHAT IS A B.O.B.?


BOB is an acronym for Bug Out Bag. What is a bug out bag? It is a grab and go bag, box, backpack, or sack that can be grabbed up if you have to go. Whether it is from a storm, an evacuation, or whatever. A bug out bag contains things necessary for short term survival. Everyone is different so bug out bags differ too. Some folks like to put personal niceties, some put in guns and ammunition. The BOB, or 72 hour bag as it is also known, that is discussed in this article is just basic, other items can be added if wanted or needed.


There are several types of BOB and some people have different bags in different places. There is a man that I know of who has what he calls his everyday carry( things that he keeps on his person); his day bag ( a bag that he carries all of the time); his car bag with things that he might need if he is in the car on the road somewhere when emergency happens. It is good to be prepared where ever we are. This article will cover both a basic emergency pack and a car pack.


THE BASIC PACK


The contents of a basic survival pack for 1 person should contain the following items:


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A container to hold it all in ( a backpack is great, but a tote bag, a bucket with a lid, or other container will work.
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A flashlight and extra batteries , or a crank flashlight that does not need batteries.
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An emergency radio and extra batteries.
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A folding stove with fuel tabs, or fire starter sticks.
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Waterproof matches
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Some finger food (granola, dried fruit, candies, chocolate, trail mix, jerky) enough to keep you going for a few days.
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Water 1 gallon per day is a good amount, but in an emergency situation a few 1 liter bottles will do.
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Water purification tablets, or a water filtering bottle in case you run out of water.
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A pocket knife
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A compass
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A whistle
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A mirror
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A rope or paracord
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A pair of work gloves
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A small first aid kit
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A toothbrush
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A comb
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A washcloth
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some tissue
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Soap
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Sewing kit
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Paper and pencil
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Zip lock bags (for water, food, to keep extra clothes dry, etc)
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A good survival manual is a plus.
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Having a card, or sheet with emergency information, contact numbers, medical information, etc is a very good idea. Have one for each member of the family.

This is a very basic kit. Some other things to consider packing are:

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A spare set of clothes (sweat shirts and sweat pants are good, along with underclothes, socks and a good pair of shoes put in ziplock bags to keep them dry)
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Powder and lotion for chafing and dry skin
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A good lip balm
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A bed roll or sleeping bag
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Pajamas, or long johns
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A small tarp or piece of plastic (a solar blanket is small and compact)
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A rain poncho ( it can serve for more than just a raincoat)
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Bug spray


These things should keep you going until either help comes or you can make your way to a safe place.

All of these things should be packed together, and put in a place where they can be grabbed at a moments notice, in case of an emergency. For more than one person, either the pack can be made to accommodate more people or separate packs for each individual can be made.

If you have a car, there are some basics that you need to keep in the car at all times. They are:

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Flashlight
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Spare blanket
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Rain poncho
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Jumper cables
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Jack and tools to change a tire
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Waterproof matches
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Candles
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Water
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Some food (jerky, granola bars etc)
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Flares or emergency Triangle
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Folding shovel
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folding saw


These things should be packed in a box or backpack where they are easily accessed should an emergency arise.

If you don't want to make BOB's they can be purchased ready to go, with all but the personal items already packed. Rescue Me Right carries a full line of quality pre-made kits and other emergency supplies to make putting together a BOB quick and easy. Visit us today at http://www.rescuemeright.com


Contact Information

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support@rescuemeright.com

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About Me

I am a SAHM of 5, most of whom are grown now. I have a LOT of interests including, knitting, cooking, crochet,gardening,bible study, sewing, jewelery making, and sooo much more. I am married to Ted, a wonderful husband for almost 28 years. I have homeschooled, and am still homeschooling my youngest child. I love Yahweh, and am saved by his son Yahshua. And I hope that this blog will bring blessings to all who visit here.