DPT--Learning from Home

Want to brush up on your preparedness skills, get an education that can transfer to viable employment or just earn a certificate from a well-known organization? FEMA's Emergency Management Institute offers free emergency management courses online. Go to http://training.fema.gov/IS/ for more information or to register.

DPT--10 Things to Have in Your Escape Kit

Sometimes a person just needs to escape. Whether from a psychotic ex, a psychotic boss or a middling life of boredom, you should always have your "Escape Kit" at hand. Here's a short list of what you should have:

1. Your BOB. You can always buy specific items that you need when you get to where you are going.
2. Cash. Lots of cash.
3. Your documents (ie: passport, vaccination card, etc).
4. Food and water--it may be a while before you get to your destination.
5. A plausible excuse for leaving if needed (depending on how many bridges you want to burn).
6. A portable source of income if you will be gone for an extended length of time.
7. A plan (pre-planned not an after thought). How will you get to the airport? What will you do with your home? Do you need a house sitter? Will you cancel unneeded home services? Do you have a destination in mind? Who do you tell where you are going and who don't you tell?
8. A way to evaluate why it is you had to escape and a way to deal with the issues that drove you to this decision.
9. A spouse, children or friend if applicable and, of course, their BOBs and documents.
10. A re-entry plan.

Updating My BOB

It's a good idea to revamp your BOB (Bug Out Bag) at least twice a year--once in the spring and once in the fall. Being as it is fall in these latitudes, I dumped out my BOB and checked the contents, added a few winter supplies and replaced outdated/expired items (medications/food). Here's what's in my BOB:

• The basics: backpack, ultra-light sleeping bag


• Clothing: trail running shoes, socks, underwear, trousers, t shirt, fleece jacket, and water-proof jacket.


• Hygiene kit: soap, shampoo, comb, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, razor, nail clippers


• Food pack: energy bars, foil pouches of fish, dried fruit, nuts, jerky, instant soup, tea bags, et al


• Supplies: candle, matches, water purification tabs, knife sharpener, spare batteries, knife sharpener, all purpose stainless cup, whistle, fishing kit, lighter, aluminum foil, fire starter, rope, spoon, work gloves, space blanket, chemical hand warmer, large black trash bag, ziploc bags, duct tape, flashlight, whistle, bandanna, towel, binoculars, toilet paper, can of sterno, can opener, repair kit (items for sewing/mending/sealing), tarp, map, compass, solar/battery-powered tri-band radio, set of two-way radios, water bottle, and a first aid kit.

I keep this bag in my car and while I haven't had to "bug out", the items in this bag have been useful in a variety of situations. This bag, in addition to my daily carry items, would help me to survive in any situation.

DPT--Is Your Go Bag Ready to Go?

Is your 'Go Bag' ready to go? Now is a good time to dump everything out of your Go Bag and revamp/reorganize it for maximum usefulness. If you don't know what should be put in your Go Bag, check out other people's bags here, here and here. Your Go Bag should carry the items you need most to get you through an ordinary day. A Go Bag is different than a BOB in that you shouldn't expect to survive on its contents for weeks on end (that's what a BOB is for), however if worse comes to worse, you should have contained in this bag the items you need to carry you through an overnighter at your office or a hotel.

On a personal side note, carry the minimum that you need. I've seen some bags that weigh nearly 50 pounds (!) and people carry these everywhere with them. I hope they have a chiropractor on speed dial....

DPT--Two Webs for Health

Here's a couple of websites to help you with your health and fitness goals: Oldways and Map My Run