THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER 1 We can survive without food for several days, but only a short time without water. Your portable emergency kit should have at least 72 hours of water for each person, and you can store more at home. Canned juices are also important. Typically, you will need one gallon of water per person per day. Two quarts for drinking and two quarts for food preparation and sanitation. More water may be necessary in case of very hot weather, nursing mothers, and small children. Store water in plastic containers such as soda bottles, do not use glass containers of any kind - they can break too easily. How to Purify Water: Boil for 10 minutes and add unscented bleach according to the following chart Amount of Water Clear Water Cloudy Water 1 quart 2 drops 4 drops 1 gallon 8 drops 16 drops 5 gallons 1/2 teaspoon 1 teaspoon EMERGENCY FOOD STORAGE You can collect and store as much food as you desire if you keep it reasonably fresh by rotating your storage supply. At a minimum, keep three days of food for each family member as part of your portable emergency kit. Experiment with your emergency foods to see what kinds you like to eat and how to prepare the food in an emergency. Select foods for your emergency supply that are light, and easy to prepare with little or no cooking or water. Consider the following examples in an emergency food supply: • Ready-to-eat canned meat, fish, fruit. • Canned juice, milk, soup. • Staples - sugar, salt, pepper. • High-energy food - peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix. • Vitamins. • Food for infants, elderly, and people on special diets. • Comfort foods - cookies, hard candy, cereals, coffee, cocoa. Have food preparation supplies available in your kit, such as a can opener and utinsils. In a disaster requiring you to use your emergency food supply, remember: • Keep nourished by eating at least one "square meal" per day, drinking adequate water or juice. • Varieties of food will likely be limited in emergency situations. • Calorie intake needs to be adequate for your body and the environmental conditions; you will need more food for vigorous activities and in cold weather to maintain body heat. • If you are able to stay at home for a disaster, such as a power outage, use food in the following order: 1) refrigerator food, 2) freezer food, and 3) canned food last. 12 FIRST-AID INFORMATION A person with proper first-aid training can save a life. First-aid classes are routinely available through your local chapter of the Red Cross. In case of a medical emergency, call 911, if possible. There are three basics to providing first-aid. 1. Airway. If the patient is conscious, talking, or breathing, the airway is assumed to be clear. Do not move the patient unless there is immediate danger. If the patient is not breathing, make sure there are no obstructions in the victim's mouth. Reposition a patient on his or her back by turning the body over as a unit, making sure to keep the head stable and in-line with the spine. 2. Breathing. After positioning patient on back, if they do not start to breath, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 3. Circulation. Circulation includes the pumping of the heart as well as controlling bleeding. If no pulse is detected CPR is required. Most bleeding can be controlled by a bandage and direct pressure. Do not remove bandages if bleeding is not controlled, add another layer of clean bandage to the blood soaked bandage. If bleeding still cannot be controlled, apply pressure to circulatory pressure points. BASIC FIRST-AID SUPPLIES A well-supplied first-aid kit should be tailored to the individual needs of your family. First, your kit should include for medication to treat any known health problems in your family, for example, heart disorders, diabetes, serious allergies, asthma, or ulcers. Second, the kit should account for the ages of family members. For example, elderly members of the family may have special needs. Infants or small children within the family may need items such as diapers, formula, or special children's medication. Should a member of the family be pregnant, you may require first-aid supplies for emergency childbirth and aftercare for the mother and infant. In addition to special items dictated by your specific family needs and ages, the following is a basic list of emergency medical supplies. Contact your physician for specific advice on prescription drugs and other medical needs. Know your emergency medical supplies such as how to properly use and store them, how much is needed of each item, and know the expiration date for drugs. Read the labels and expiration dates before administering, and check dosage instructions. Remove and discard expired medications rotating with fresh medicines. Medicines in your first-aid supplies should be stored in a cool dry place away from sunlight and out of reach of children. G First Aid Manual □ Antiseptic solution Iodine compounds such as Chlorexidine □ Neosporin □ Antiseptic Soap □ Normal saline solution one teaspoon table salt to 1 pint water □ Water Purification such as liquid Clorox Bleach. □ Rubbing Alcohol 70% □ Aspirin □ Ibuprofen □ Acetaminophen (Tylenol) □ Diarrhea Medicine □ Antacid □ Laxative □ Petroleum Jelly □ Thermometer □ Tweezers □ Scissors □ Safety pins - assorted sizes □ Measuring Spoon U Latex gloves (2-4 pair) □ Matches in waterproof case □ Paper Drinking Cups for administering liquids □ Heavy String □ Small Splints, popsicle sticks or tongue depressors □ Band-aids - assorted P Cotton - sterile, absorbent □ Gauze Rolls - 2 inches, 3 inches, and 4 inches □ Dressings - 4X4 inches, sterile □ Tape Roll - 2 inch, wide (Micropore tape, paper tape, or adhesive tape) □ 3 Triangle Bandages Slings -40 inches □ Sanitary Napkins - can also be used as a pressure dressings □ Elastic Bandage □ Sewing Needles □ Disposable Diapers can be used for dressings or for splint padding □ Insect Repellent □ Caladryl □ Individual Medical Needs (such as your specific prescription drugs) 13