Doug Goodman

The Japan earthquakeand tsunami turned radiation threat events have led to many discussions of emergency preparedness.  I watched a recent segment on Good Morning America where home emergency preparedness was discussed.  The assertion was that at a minimum, five items are needed in any home emergency preparedness kit:  food, water, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and a dust mask.  Apparently, less than 10% of all Americans have all five items.  Fortunately, my ready pack contains 3 of the items.  (Since I work with Human Remains Dogs, I keep respirators in my packs.)

There is a concept in search and rescue that I have heard little about, but what I think would help people in home emergency preparedness.  It is the concept of the "hell box."  (I have got to write a story called Hell Box - it sounds so catchy!)  The basic idea, as I understand it, is that a hell box contains everything you most want to have with you when everything goes to hell in a handbasket.  So the hell box would be customizable to different individuals and families.  For instance, a fireman may want a fireman's axe or protection gear in it.  Some people I know might want rope because they are excellent with rope and can do just about anything with it.  Les Stroud would probably want a multi-tool.  Bear Grylls, his shirt.  But you get the idea.  It is your emergency - you prepare for it with the tools you think would most help you.  Today I talked to a doctor of physics who showed me how to pick locks.  I get the feeling his hell box would include his set of lock picks.

Living in Houston where most disasters seem to be floods, storms, hurricanes, or any combination thereof, my hell box definitely would have rain gear.  Although I don't want to trust a cellphone in my hell in a handbasket scenario, I would definitely want to have one with me.  Like Les, I would definitely want a good multi-tool.  Of course, duck tape seems to have a million uses.  And water purification and fire implements would also be included.  And even though it wouldn't be much of a "tool," I would want to keep my treasure chest with me - my hard drive back up.  Too many valuables on the hard drive, like family photos, videos, and of course, my writing.

This leaves me worried.  Assuming the world has gone to hell (was it a hurricane or a zombie apocalypse?), I am trusting my life to the effectiveness of my poncho, multi-tool, duct tape, fire starter, and water purification.  Of course, the greatest tool should be the mind.  Learning to expand my comfort zone now would help prepare me for an emergency later.  Maybe I should learn to pick a lock...