Getting Around After a Disaster
Once disaster strikes, transportation will undoubtedly be affected. Public transport like buses and trains will be put to a halt. Some roads may be affected which means getting around will be tough.
Things are a little easier if you have a car. You can stay mobile for as long as you have gas in your tank. The problem starts once gasoline stations run out of gasoline and their supplies run out. It may also take a while for supplies to get into your city.
Stockpiling Gasoline
If you have a car, then it’s very important to always have a supply of gasoline to keep your car running. This will keep your mobile so that you can go for grocery runs to restock your supplies.
As a survivalist, you might feel the urge to stockpile gasoline. Stockpiling isn’t advisable because gasoline is incredibly flammable and will pose as a fire hazard. Gasoline also doesn’t keep well. They easily become useless in a year and they can form clumps and essentially become useless.
Just keep one to two pieces of five-gallon cans filled with gasoline. If you intend to keep small containers, make sure to constantly rotate it. Use the stored gasoline every six months so that you can keep the gasoline fresh.
Make sure the type of gasoline you keep will suit your needs. If you have a car, get gas for cars. There are specific types of gasoline for motorcycles, garden tillers, or other household equipment.
During the disaster, make sure to orient yourself with tips on how to conserve gas. You need to make your supply last for as long as possible. Skip the car AC if you really don’t need it. Compile all your errands in one go so that you can save your gas.
Bicycling
Owning a bicycle gives you a reliable way to get around during a disaster. Riding a bicycle is convenient, easy, and better for the environment. It doesn’t require resources like gasoline to run. All you need is the mechanical energy from your legs.
Store a bicycle in your shed for emergency purposes. Use it regularly to get accustomed to riding one. Make sure to maintain it regularly through routine checks and maintenance routines. This prevents rust, corrosion, and other damaging elements on the parts of the motorcycle. Make sure to get a bicycle that works well across different terrains. Getting a mountain bike wouldn’t make sense if you live in an urban area.
You can customize your bicycle according to your needs. Add a basket or saddlebags so that you can use your bicycle to carry your things. It’s also better to get one bicycle for each member of the family so that you can all stay mobile and be able to move at a moment’s notice. The little ones can sit in the additional chairs of bicycles.
Your survival stash should also include spare parts so that you can repair your bicycle when necessary. Keep a complete toolkit, spare bicycle tires, and some inner tubes. Get tire patches or pumps to repair your bicycle wheels. Pair these things with the basic knowledge on how to do common bike repairs and you’ll be ready for any disaster.
Walking
Walking is another way of transportation. It is a great way to transport yourself because you don’t need any sort of equipment. All you need is yourself, your legs, and a good pair of walking shoes. You don’t need resources like gasoline to walk. This is a slow and tiresome way to transport yourself but it is still a reliable method.
As a survivalist, you need to prepare the walking essentials that ensure that you can walk comfortably for miles. It helps to be physically active so that you’ll develop the necessary endurance to last for miles. You should also prepare the correct footwear for long-distance walking. Get a pair of well-fitting walking shoes. You may also get a pair of hiking boots if you live in a rural area with rough terrains. The correct footwear gives you ample support and also prevents the onset of strain and the development of blisters.
To ensure your comfort for many miles, pack an extra pair or two of socks. Walking will expose you to rough conditions like muddy trails or shallow rivers. You’ll need to replace your socks every now and then to remain hygienic. Socks also ensure that your feet remain comfortable. Socks provide a cushioning and warming layer that helps you stay comfortable for many miles.
Invest in good walking shoes and socks that are versatile enough to withstand different terrains and rough outdoor conditions. Blisters are inevitable so it’s vital to know how to treat them. Pack a first aid kit with disinfectants and other wound treatment medications to help treat blisters. Pay attention to sores and treat them right away before they worsen. Keep any feet wound clean and gauzed at all times. Take good care of your skin by not exposing it to flooding and mud which might trigger an infection.
What To Do In Case Of An Evacuation
Some disasters call for immediate evacuation from the area. This means leaving the area before the situation gets worse. Immediately leave the area as soon as there’s an announcement to do so. As tempting as it is, don’t wait until the last minute before you leave. This will heighten your risk of getting stranded in the area.
The first advice is to leave in an orderly manner. Bring your emergency bags with you. It should contain important documents, cash, canned goods, clothes, and other essentials. It’s better to pack lightly so that you’ll stay mobile.
Evacuation announcements usually mean panicked citizens trying to leave their homes. Don’t get swept up in the panicked energy. This will also mean traffic jams on every major highway. Be prepared for such a scenario by packing your car with snacks and filling up the gas tank to last you the entire way. Remember to apply driving habits that will help you conserve the amount of gasoline you’re storing in your tank. If you wish to avoid the traffic altogether, you can opt for riding a motorcycle or a bicycle so that you can weave through the vehicles. You can also just walk.
Staying At Home
Not all disasters will require you to evacuate. Sometimes, it’s better to stay at home rather than be cramped with everybody else at a specific evacuation center. The best you can do is to prepare your house to the best of your ability and transform it into the ultimate safe house. Fill it up with survival supplies so that you can survive for days on end. Account for the needs of every member of the family.
Have A Plan
Evacuation announcements mean that you need to leave your area immediately so that you can avoid localized disasters, like a hurricane or a strong typhoon. Sometimes, the local government unit will provide an evacuation area in which citizens can stay to weather out the storm or hurricane. The problem with staying in a communal evacuation area with everyone else is that you’ll have to battle with the rest so that you’ll have access to resources. You and your family also won’t have much privacy.
It’s ultimately better to have a plan as to where you could go in case of an evacuation. Don’t rely on the availability of hotel rooms in the next city. It’s better to head to a relative or friend’s house. If you don’t have nearby houses you can crash in, the next thing you can do is to prepare your own housing. Bring a tent or any other portable shelter. As much as possible, don’t leave your car.
Another evacuation tip is to follow railroad tracks to quickly exit the city. They will have less traffic due to the absence of vehicles. They’re also so much more straightforward when compared to roads or highways. Make sure to thoroughly research the tracks first before you follow them. You might be headed in the wrong direction if you’re not careful!
Transportation Check Lists
To help you become fully prepared to transport you and your family to any place during a disaster, refer to the following checklist:
- Print out maps of your local area
- Wear a good pair of walking shoes
- Pack moleskins
- Maintain your motorcycle or scooter if you have one
- Prepare a siphon hose for emergency transfer of gasoline
- Prepare bicycles for each member of the family
- Pack bungee cords or tie-down straps for attaching bags to your car or bike
- Prepare basic bike maintenance equipment
- Keep spare bicycle wheels and inner tubes
- Keep air pump or tire patches for flat tires
- Pack essentials like gloves, flashers, lights, water bottles, etc.
- Prepare bicycle lock
- Pack extra pairs of comfortable socks
