"Prepared For Disaster" is written with the average person in mind -- someone who wants to be better prepared for a disaster but isn't sure where to begin. The book is a primer to get you introduced to the fundamentals of disasters and disaster preparedness no matter where you live.
The author has real-world experience of working in disaster zones around the world and has trained with many disaster response organizations in USA, Europe and Asia.
Disasters usually happen without warning. In many parts of the world they are a regular fact of life. They can strike a community at any moment, day or night. A normal day can quickly turn ugly and be like no other you've experienced. Within seconds, your whole world is literally shaken by an earthquake leaving incredible devastation in its wake. Buildings collapse leaving scores of people buried beneath the rubble of their homes and places of work. All of a sudden panic breaks out, leaving people bewildered and confused. "How is this happening to us... to me?"
How far could you drive to safety to escape an all-consuming wildfire with only a few gallons of fuel? If the water supply to your house was cut off, how long could you survive with what you have already stored? If you have a medical emergency, would you know what to do if the emergency services are too busy dealing with other calls?
"Prepared For Disaster" covers these questions and more and will help point you in the right direction to get you prepared for the worst.
No one is immune to disaster. In today's troubled world the threat is very real and can come at you from any direction, be it an earthquake, severe storm, or wildfire. Being prepared to deal with a disaster is not just the responsibility for "the experts" or "the fanatical". Disasters don't affect just those types of people -- they can affect anyone... including you!
Although many disasters are unpredictable, their outcomes have been well studied and are known to follow predictable patterns. By learning from the past we are better able to face the future. By being able to provide your own shelter, first aid, food, water and sanitation, you can make the difference between life and death, not only for yourself, but for the lives of your family, neighbors and others within your community.
The book discusses what a disaster is, what is means to be prepared and why many people are not, and the typical impacts of a disaster and how they could affect you. The book then covers the basics including water, food, first aid, communications, transportation, important documents, tools, etc.
The book also includes very helpful guides for what to do during an actual disaster such as power outages, storms, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and tsunamis. Finally, the author includes handy pages that can be copied and included in your own disaster preparedness plan.
Throughout the book, the author includes some of his personal experiences and observations in disaster response, all of which underscore the importance for everyday folk to prepare for the worst. Because disasters are real world events and not the stuff of movies, it is important that ordinary people get ready, even if it's at a basic level, because when you are prepared for the worst you are in a position of strength, not only to help yourself and your family, but to be of greater service to your community.
If you're looking for a book to get you started in disaster preparedness, this is a great place to start. A must read!
