get out!

72 hour kit..

bug out bag...

What ever you want to call them, they are a form of personal and family preparation we should all consider.

I haven't much.

1. I am married to a firefighter
2. I am married to a mechanic
3. I am married to an EMT
4. I am married to an Epidemiologist
5. I am married to a construction worker
6. I am married to a farm worker
7. I am married to a hunter
8. I am married to a (get this) Nuclear Reactor operator
9. I am married to an avid camper and outdoors man
10. I am married to a soldier and former professor of military science

Stop there.

I am married to one person, and am on my first and only marriage.

I just happen to be married to a guy that has done a lot of super handy things in his life, and I have always felt pretty secure in our ability to "take care of business" when it comes to facing disasters or crisis in general.  But can I back up a little bit to #10? 

thank you...

10.  I am married to a soldier

Aside from the first years of our marriage when the dh was in the Navy, he has spent a lot of time serving either in the National Guard or the Army Reserves, depending on our geographic location.

Who do they call in times of disaster?  Uh yeah ... him.

Forest fires?  He's got your back.

Hurricane Katrina?  He'll be there as soon as his speed governed fire truck can get from Idaho to New Orleans.  Sorry it wasn't faster folks.

Iraq?  sure, why not?

Here is my point.  He is the handiest guy in the universe with an awesome education on disasters and all kinds of real life stuff that makes him all around a FEMA dream.

But when it hits the fan he is gone.

G.O.N.E

as in not here, and I am alone to do it all.

Up until about well...

NOW,

it hasn't been that big of a deal.  I have had family close by for years, even if they are a few hours away, I could still get to them in an emergency.  Even now that we are 6 hours away from my family we aren't all that on our own, and we are in our element.  But change is in the wind for us.

Wind.  Gale.  Hurricane.

I would prefer mild summer zephyr?

My husband is about to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Armor Corps.

Full time.

The real deal.

Have to pay for all that schooling and it all kind of is tied together somehow.

So he is leaving.

And will continue to leave.

And he is going to take all of his knowledge and skills, and STUFF

with him. 

That leaves me. 

And four kids (5-16)

and it won't be a matter of jumping into the car and driving to my Dad's place for a safe harbor anymore.

It will be me and the kids.

Living in wherever.

Alone.

Now granted we will have people from church wherever we go, it will just depend on our station on how concentrated those people are.  That IS a comfort.

But I guess what I am saying is it has come to my attention that my preparedness for this family is NOT any ones  responsibility (see Katrina and the aftermath and how there were lots of fingers pointing and not a large amount of news regarding  personal accountability).

It is up to myself, and my husband as he can to ready our family in case of an emergency.

I am NOT a doomsdayer.  I am NOT a survivalist.

However I do have it in my ability to prepare for some of this crud that seems to be running rampant lately around the world.  I don't know if it is just escalation, or communication that it seems to be so prevalent lately.  I don't have all the answers there.  But wherever a person may live they can prepare a little to enable a more positive outcome in a disaster.

Enter the 72 hour kit.

Ours is currently in a room that was the third bay in the garage of the home we rent.  It's great.  It keeps all the military stuff out of my way for the most part, and my food storage in a safe clean spot and away from pests (aside from my 16 year old).  I could live in this house for quite some time and be just fine.

But if I was on my own, and I will be,and something emergent occurs I have FINALLY

come to see the necessity of having something light weight, and full of essentials in case of the need to

.. BUG OUT.

Sorry that term makes me laugh.

I am now on the prowl as to what makes a good 72 hour kit.

So far lots of commercial and pre - made products,

and some fun blogs, some make my head hurt as to the level of

camo wearing, and gun toting that they are bringing into play.

I want to feed, shelter, clothe, and medically treat my family until help arrives or can be secured.

Ideas?  I would love good websites to look at....