For many, the relation to being prepared is based on having a 72 hour kit or bug out bag. Many have and still believe that having a 72 hour kit or a bug out bag is enough. While you may be prepared with some of the basic survival items in your bag, it still may not be enough for you to endure the challenges of a 72 hour crisis.
Managing your way through the first 72 hours of a disaster or survival mode situation is critical. In any disaster, the first 72 hours is likely the most critical time with what will take place and will reveal how well you can respond. The things you do or the actions you take in that time could determine whether you or your loved ones could survive in the midst of the crisis and ultimately the outcome and a result of your readiness for the aftermath.
You must remember that after a disaster strikes it is not the time to try to prepare. Disasters are not planned, but what you do to be being prepared reflects on what you have done ahead of time and the things that can be planned. Don't wait for a time of crisis to determine you ability to respond. You should already have a plan in place way before any life changing situations or threat to life occurs.
Things that will happen in the first 72 hours of a crisis:
No Utilities and Communications - When a fallen tree damages an electric pole in any neighborhood, it can take the power company up to 12 hours to come out and fix it. That is just one tree in one neighborhood! Now imagine how long it would take the utility companies to restore your services during a major disaster.
Take a look back at what happened after hurricane Sandy as an example. During that disaster, more than 8.1 million homes were without power. Outages lasted for weeks.
In other situations similar to that you can also include the loss of your phone or the internet and the ability to communicate for help or to check in with loved ones.
There Will Be No Access to Supplies - In most cases when localities are warned about oncoming storms, a lot of people rush to the stores and begin to deplete the basic food supplies. By the time things get real bad, you will find out it wasn’t just food items that you may have needed but other other supplies that could been long gone.
With roads blocked or inaccessible, getting critical supplies to those in need can be difficult.
What are you going to eat and drink in the aftermath of a disaster? Do you really want to battle the masses to get the last loaf of bread on the shelves and wait hours in line for gas or water? Wouldn’t it be better to prepare ahead of time?
Help is Not on the Way - In the aftermath of a disaster, you cannot depend on any rescue team to come and help. You MUST be self-sufficient!
Governments have a three-tiered system for dealing with disasters.
* First Tier: Residents and local governments
* Second Tier: State government
* Third Tier: Federal government
Local governments are often overwhelmed during large-scale disasters. They rely on state and federal governments to help in these situations.
However, it takes an average of 72 hours for state and federal governments to respond.
When they do respond, their efforts are usually focused on essential facilities like hospitals, and emergency services...
Injuries Take a Toll in 72 Hours - In the first 72 hours after a disaster like an earthquake, flood, hurricane or tornadoes the chances of finding survivors decreases. A major threat also comes in the form of minor injuries and the mobilization and treatment of those in need. There are also cases of people getting sick from infections from minor cuts. Sometimes infections when untreated in a timely matter or from a lack of supplies can result in a loss of limbs or even death.
No time for Evacuation - Many people simply don’t want to leave their homes and worldly belongings. They might take stock in wishful thinking and hope for the best, or they might think that they can handle the disaster because they have a bug out bag or some basic supplies in the home.
Many more people don’t evacuate because they are too paralyzed with fear. By the time they realize how bad the disaster is, it may be too late. This is why it is so important for citizens to come up with a disaster/emergency plan and practice it!
If you wait too long to evacuate, it might not even be an option anymore. There may be roadblocks set up. There may be traffic jams that can prevent you from getting anywhere. Or the government might round you up and herd you into a shelter.
Desperation sets in After 72 Hours - This is perhaps one of the scariest things which can occur in the 72 hours after a disaster: desperation. That desperation can lead people to lose all sense of humanity and do crazy, violent things.
Taking a look back at the effects from hurricane Katrina. The storm landed at 6am on August 29th, 2005. By the end of the day, the local police and emergency services could not meet the need and respond appropriately. By the next day, looting had spread throughout the city where possible and violence occurred even at places of refuge. By the third day, citizens were desperate from lack of supplies and mobilization of the needy, the local government was in a collapsed state and militias were brought in to enforce order with free will control. All of these things were only a part of the major effects that occur from the aftermath of the storm, as if the storm wasn't devastating enough.
Do you want to be caught unprepared for the chaos? How will you protect your family? How will you keep your stockpile safe?
You must consider and embrace elements needed to be applied for effective Emergency Preparedness; the things you need to do ahead of time. Don't let your actions just become a response to an emergency especially before there is outside assistance or before things get out of control. Your health and your families health matters as well as those that you consider to be a part of your team.
Resetting the Clock
Resetting the Clock is being in the position to not only endure a crisis, but to be also be able to move forward from a critical situation and press the reset button. Even though all things may not yet be in order as a result from a disaster or crisis. Resetting the Clock will reflect on your ability to minimize just reacting to a situation and manifest your assurance from being proactive. Your resourcefulness with having a plan for active engagements and to be able to perform particular organizational functions can increase your surthrivabilty and set the stage for productive change. This is critically essential for family, groups, and community.
Resetting the Clock is determined by your before, during and-post strategic measures in your emergency preparedness. Not identifying or engaging all of these modes of accountability can be extremely crucial. Missing any one of them can put an additional burden or place of stress on the aftermath, or the reliance on others.
We all know to some extent or the other, that gathering the basic things that we need or the resources necessary for any duration of time, or even having a place to store and protect them can be challenging. Well these very same things can be even more detrimental during and after a crisis as well as diminish you ability to constructively reset the clock for you and your loved ones. Having a proactive and structured approach to your survival preparedness and management can guarantee your response-ability to Resetting the Clock.
After the first 72 hours of a crisis you should be able to Reset the Clock and have a functional mode for rebuilding from infrastructural loss, injuries or even loss of life. You must be in a better position and state of mind to go through a crisis and engage the healing process, both mentally and physically.
If you are looking for a ways to manage your emergency preparedness and ready to increase your ability to create a Plan and know how to strategically Prepare for your loved ones. Then you are encouraged to you to participate in some of the many sessions being offered by Black to NTR.
The time to train and sharpen your skill sets is now, so you will be more aware and ready to Perform effectively when it counts for your surthrivability.
Join us with our "Resetting the Clock" series of Camps which provide you with 72 hour training and seasonal opportunities to experience various conditions, preparations and more. Look for the postings under Events and Activities and reserve your space and time.
Thank you for this very important information!