Shake,Rattle & Roll

Shake,Rattle & Roll
By John Del Santo
The Emergency Organizations tell us that in a severe emergency... fire, flood,earthquake,we should be prepared to be without water,electricity and other essential services for at least 3 days.As motorcyclists we are already more resilient,
rugged,and practical,and therefore further ahead in the Survival game then the general public...but here are some suggestions and a checklist.
Set-up specific emergency meeting place with your family and friends,a park or a motorcycle shop.So that everyone in your crowd will know where to find each other,a place to reunite,if they get separated in an emergency..and have a pen and paper with you so that you can leave them a note.
next we have to consider the items we would like have with us to make the next 3 days go well.Rather than wasting hours wondering what to bring with us,We should have an emergency kit packed in a knapsack,closed in a plastic trash-can and sealed with duct-tape to keep it clean and dry for years...but ready in a time of crisis to open the can,pick out the Kit...and GO! We keep our trash-can-kit stored under a big bush in the back yard. If we keep it in the house and the building collapse`s, we have just lost our kit and now become dependant on other people.
Our most important need is 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day. Once packed in a dark place, bottled water will last 2 years before needing replacement. you might prefer 16 oz. bottles which pack nicely in a knapsack. There is a good selection of freezed dried foods(with a 6 year shelf life)at the camping stores.pick up a cheap, folding Sterno stove and canned fuel, a Boy Scout Mess-kit,1 big serving spoon, and some plastic dinner ware. Anti-Biotic hand cleaner is good...infection is bad. Pack a couple of disposable lighters...or you will just get to sit around and stare at the dry, cold food. A bag of protein bars from the health food store takes up very little space, but comes in real handy, If you are at home when the crisis occurs, and you have animals,leaving a big bag of dry food and a big pot of water before you hit the road,Is surely appreciated.
Is there someone in your crew that has a need for a daily medication? They should have a 3 day stash with them. It`s also nice knowing that someone in your crew CPR and 1st Aid.If you dont have a sleeping bag,that you normally tie to your bike, afew of those aluminum"space blankets" in your kit is good. Many motorcyclists already carry a Frist-Aid kit,but if you don`t,you really should put a minimum for your emergency kit. Infection travels fast!! Other Goodies?A couple of small Flashlights., 50 ft. of parachute cord ,a roll of dimes,a small packet of T.P.
a siphon hose and a small cheapo AM radio to keep up with the news and weather....
You will have food and drink... and a lot of other people won`t.....So stay aware of your surroundings for your safety and security.
It is a common practice after a long days rideto leave enough gas in your tank to get to the gas station in the morning, park your bike,kick off your boots,crank up some tunes,and relax.If an emergency happens during the night and the whole area loses electric service... then the whole area loses the ability to pump gas...
In a perfect world, the last stop of a day would be to top off your fuel tanks.
Reading this List, it sounds like you would need a pick-up truck and a small trailer to haul everything around,but NOT SO!!!... everything listed here will fit in a KNAPSACK !!!!!
THANK YOU, JOHN,
Screwdriver