Main power stations were completely destroyed and even as this is written, the vast majority of the heavily hit residential ar- eas are still in clean up mode and no power has been restored.


Here, a handler walks a search dog. But if you look carefully you’ll notice the field is shot- gunned with sharp sticks, metal and debris bur- ied into the dirt. An unprotected person would have been quickly killed outside during the storm.


pump kinds; Joplin was on “boil your water” for two weeks), notebook and Sharpie pen, duct tape and a good first aid kit. Not just Band-Aids, but Quik-Clot trauma bleeding stop, thick bandages, even suture kits (get a nurse or doctor to show you how to suture, it’s easy). We used to carry Kotex when I


was cop, and they were great for stop- ping severe bleeding. Put it all in a big backpack you can actually carry and put a note on it saying when you last checked things in it. You don’t want a trunk or box since it takes two to carry it and you can’t pack it easily in a car. I know you’ll say, “Yeah, that’s a


good idea, I’ll have to do that,” and then won’t do it. Even do it on a small- er scale. I’m here to tell you it happens fast. Wake up, there’s a fire, flood or earthquake; you dress if you have time, grab your Bug-Out-Bag and you can manage for days if you have to. You might think about stashing a cheap handgun and a box of ammo


42


in the BOB too. A Hi-Point 9mm is only $150 or so and runs fine. Better than no gun at all, eh? I also have a multi-tool and a biggish “chopper” of a knife. The list could go on, but it needs to be manageable so tailor it for your needs. Remember, you might have to walk miles carrying it. The more you flesh it out, the more


comfortable you’ll be. You could have a fire, riots, earthquake, big flood, government collapse, who knows? Or even you just get pissed off and walk out one day. Nice to have all your stuff in one place to tide you over until the dust settles. Make sure you double some of it (food, water) if there are two people. Better yet, let them have their own Bug-Out-Bag, even the kids. No need to duplicate most of the equip- ment, but each should carry their own food, water, clothing, a light, batter- ies and whatever else you want. Oh, some cash is a good idea too. Also, lay up a dozen gallon jugs


of water and canned chunky soup or something. Every six months or so,


eat the soup and buy more to replace it. Do you have a small cook stove and a half-dozen propane bottles for it? Or whatever fuel it takes? I’ve used mine about five or six times over the years and was glad to have it. Some- thing to think about. Oh, make copies of all your im-


portant documents and stash ‘em in the bug-out-bag. Quick: Whats your insurance company’s claims num- ber? Birth certificate? Auto and bank info? Wouldn’t it be nice to have it all with you? Remember, here in Joplin, all that stuff was gone, poof; either destroyed or carried 100 miles away. People in Springfield, Mo. (about 75 miles away) reported St. John’s Hos- pital paperwork in their yards, per- sonal papers and photos and more. Body parts were discovered miles east of Joplin too, just so you know.


Tires Slime leak sealant in your tires is


important, as the number of nails, sharp metal, jagged glass and worse


REALITY CHECK • 2012 SPECIAL EDITION


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