Re: What to bring into a disaster zone Post Ike - Galveston

Quote from a post allegedly made by 'Too_Many_Tools'...

"...As a survivalist, what would you bring INTO a post disaster zone?..."

Your post mentions, "...Ike-battered Galveston...", so I'll base my reply on
what little I've heard of what's going on there now...

There are already Official restrictions on people entering the disaster
area, where they can go, how long they can stay, and what (if anything) they
can actually do (salvage, start fires, etc). This is basic safety
procedure, and not just concern over any 'legal liability' that might arise
from injuries or illness. It's also part of the logistics of maintaining
efficient use of local resources, including Law and Order (keeping
'sightseers' from clogging up roads, keeping Looters in check, promoting
Public Morale via 'feel good' news reports, etc).

I'm assuming that the 'Powers that Be' will limit use of Official resources
(fuel, transport, accommodation, canteen food, water, etc, etc) to those
actually working with/for them (that is, under their bureaucratic control),
and to whatever extent, genuine 'visitors' abiding by Official rules and
guidelines.

As I see it, you have few options for *legally* being in the disaster
area - Homeowner (or friend/family) who wants to check up on things, News
Media doing a 'Report from Ground Zero' (with or without Official Approval),
or part of the Official Relief Effort (Insurance Assessors, etc).

Being there*illegally* is another matter, but basically 'Forgotten Person'
(never evacuated in the first place), Looter, Sightseer, Lunatic, etc...

As a Homeowner or 'Private Citizen' who's *not* part of Official Relief
Efforts, you may only be able to visit the area during certain times
(daytime only, must be 'out' by nightfall for your *own* safety). Casual
'day-trippers' won't need on-site accommodation (ongoing or overnight), nor
any hot food, hot showers, etc, even if they do use what amenities are
available (toilets, etc).

You may or may not be able to take your vehicle into the disaster zone (too
much debris for even a 4WD vehicle?). If you have to leave your vehicle at
the 'Field Office', you may or may not be able to get a lift with Official
Relief vehicles to where you want to go.

Note - You may have to 'log in' at a Field Office when entering a disaster
area. Presumably this is for your own safety, as the Field Office will know
where to send the search parties if you don't 'log out' by a set time
(nightfall?)


Common sense fashion for 'day-trippers'...

....Steel capped 'rubber' boots (that ain't just 'mud' you're stepping in -
better if they cover up to mid-shins, best if they do that *and* have a
steel
insert in the sole to prevent sharps from penetrating your foot)

....Wide-brim hat with over-hat mosquito netting

....Long-sleeved work shirts with collar (protect from sun and Mozzies)

....Long-leg work trousers (protect from sun and Mozzies)

....Nitrile rubber gloves (chemical and puncture resistant, but have spares)

....Leather work gloves (for the dry stuff)

....Box goggles (chemical resistant type)

....Polycarbonate lens sunglasses

....Zinc Cream (prevent sunburn)

....DEET based insect-repellent

....Bright Yellow 'safety vest' with reflective tape (be seen, be safe)

....Several N-95 (P2) *asbestos* rated disposable facepiece respirators (or
silicon half-face respirator with dual filter cartridges and spare filters)

....Noise-reducing earplugs (you may need them)

....Wallet with Photo ID

....Whistle (on neck lanyard, insurance in case of mishap)

....Wooden hiking staff (use as 'poke stick', support, etc)


Include a backpack loaded with...

....A days worth of water (4 litres/quarts in plastic bottles. It's
better/safer to bring your own drinking water *in with you*, than to trust
water available in the disaster zone - even if local water has been
'treated' to drinkable standards, it may have been re-contaminated *after*
treatment)

....Gatorade powder (pre-dosed sachets will be easier to use. Helps you to
rehydrate and stay alert. If you must drink the local 'treated' water,
Gatorade may help hide the taste of any 'water treatment' chemicals)

....'Trail rations' (muesli bars, salami sticks, etc)

....Poncho (made from heavy duty plastic bag for disposability?)

....Alcohol hand-sanitiser

....Roll of toilet tissue (doubles as facial tissue, paper towel, etc)

....Ziploc plastic bags (store recovered valuables, trash, etc)

....Spray can of Glen-20 (helps with personal decontamination)

....Spray can of Insecticide (Spray stuff you bring back with you, *before*
gettting in your car, in order to kill any hidden insect 'hitchhikers')


Include a small Personal First Aid Kit...

....Bandaids (various sizes - expect minor wounds/scrapes)

....Saline solution ampoule (wash eyes, wounds)

....Eye wash cup

....Antiseptic solution (Iodine?)

....Triangular bandages (several, use in case of more serious injuries)

....Large safety pins

....Thermal blanket (just in case)


Standard AM-FM radios may or may not be of any real use, depending on
whether or not there is a local station broadcasting useful information
(storm warning, news of gasleak, fire, etc).

Mobile phone and landline phone services probably won't exist if you need
them (call for help, etc). Take a walkie-talkie transceiver radio that can
receive and transmit on channels used by local Authorities (CB for local
work crews? Ham for communications over a city-wide area?). Take spare
batteries or charged battery packs.

Decent *water-resistant* ('dunkable' to 1 foot) torch with spare batteries
(minimum is a 3-cell torch using C or D cells). You may need a light to
check inside buildings, underneath rubble, etc if the mains power is off -
or to *safely* find your way in the morning/evening twilight.

A camera to record what you see for posterity, or just Insurance purposes.

People need recent vaccination (booster?) for Tetanus? What about
Hepatitis and insect-borne diseases?

A few thoughts...

--
Yours, DBM - dbmacpherson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From Somewhere in Australia, the Land of Tree-hugging Funnelwebs...
....Remove inhibitions to reply...


.

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