CA. EARTHQUAKE SAFETY MONTH

OFF THE WIRE
“SHAKE,  RATTLE,  AND 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 three days.  As motorcyclists we are already more resilient,  rugged, and  practical, and therefore further ahead in the Survival game than the general public…..but here are some suggestions and a checklist.
 
Set up a specific emergency meeting place with your friends and family,  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 to have with us to make the next three 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 collapses, we have just lost our kit and now become dependant on other people.
 
Our most important need is one gallon of drinking water per person per day.  Once packed in a dark place, bottled water will last at least two years before needing replacement.  We prefer 16 ounce plastic water bottles which pack nicely in the knapsack.  There is a good selection of freeze-dried foods (with a six-year shelf-life)  at the camping stores.  Pick up a cheap, folding Sterno stove and canned fuel,  a Boy Scout Mess-Kit, one big serving spoon, and some plastic dinner-ware. Anti-biotic hand cleaner is good…infection is bad.  Pack a couple of disposable butane lighters…..or you will get to just 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. You should pack a good knife, if you don’t already have one on you.   If you are at home when the crisis occurs,  and you have any domestic animals,  leaving a big bag of dry food and a big pot of water before you hit the road, will surely be appreciated by the animals.  
 
Is there someone in your crew that has a need for a daily medication ? They should have a three-day stash with them.  It’s also nice knowing that someone in your crew knows CPR and First Aid.  If you don’t have a sleeping  Bag that you normally tie to your bike, a few of those aluminum “space blankets”  in your kit is good.  Many motorcyclists already carry a First Aid Kit,  but if you don’t, you really should put together a minimum for your emergency kit.   Infection travels fast.    Other Goodies ? A couple of small flashlights., 50 feet of parachute cord, a roll of quarters, a small packet of toilet tissue, a  siphon hose and a small cheapo AM radio to keep up with 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 common practice after a long days ride to leave enough gasoline 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 each day would be to  top off your fuel tank.
 
Reading this list, it sounds like you would need a pick-up and a small trailer to haul everything around,    but NOT SO !……..everything listed here will fit in a knapsack !


John Del Santo
(619) 223 - 0421