Making an evacuation bag, srs bzns

[japankasasagi]

an update:  They're implementing power and water-rationing where I am in order to move power and water to the northern regions.  :(   Also, the poor survivors up north have no food, no electricity, and NO WATER.  Rescuers can't even GET to them, as the roads are gone, the boats are gone, and 4 entire trains are missing, no sign of them.

Okay, if

Comments

[cookiepron]

If you have a outdoors/camping store in the area they may have those silver survival blankets and water purification pills. The blankets are super-lightweight and I believe waterproof and will absolutely keep you warm.

Garbage bags: These can be used as rain-jackets or for water collection if it rains, or just for extra warmth like a survival blanket. If you can find some in bright colors they will also make you more visable to searchers.

Menstrual pads. a) They are sterile. b) They make good large-size bandages if someone has a cut that's bleeding a lot or is just to big for a standard bandage.

Duct tape: This can be used to repair survival blankets, garbage bag, or to make larger things (like lean-to shelters) out of them.

Just one bottle of water won't weight to much and may be a real lifesaver later on. Also if your bag is not too heavy already maybe pack a few boxes of caloriemate or some of those breakfast bars. You won't absolutely need food but it's good to have something filling just in case.

[japankasasagi]

AWesome ideas, Cookie, awesome! I think I can find the yellow trash bags they use to keep crows away. I have one blanket, but I think I need to get another. I was going to put 'girl things' in the bag, but I hadn't thought of using pads as emergency bandages (they used them in Vietnam for just that purpose). And duct tape - like the Force, it has a dark side and a light side. Lol, caloriemate! XD Good call, thank you!

[shiome]

No other suggestion to add, but take care! ;A;

[japankasasagi]

Thank you! I'm trying to find time to keep up with everyone, but still busy at work. By the way, I never thought I'd say this but -- I'm beginning to agree with your mother that now might not be the best time to come - another one of that reactor's engines is starting to suffer a meltdown, that makes 3 out of 5. The trains aren't running during the daytime, and they have 'rolling blackouts' (alternating blackouts) to try to save on energy. If you CAN'T get your money back, see if they will apply it towards a different semester, for example, in the fall. Is that a possibility? I really want you to come, of course, BUT your safety comes first, and the situation with that reactor is just getting worse. another suggestion - is there a way to go to Osaka instead? Or Kyoto?

[shiome]

I agree with you, we're waiting for answers from the school itself on the money issue. I can't change location, but I'm pretty sure they'll either return the money or keep it for another semester. They've always been fair and helpful, I'm hoping they will be this time as well.
As much as I hate staying home, idle, for three months, I don't want to be reckless or be a burden for school and dorm people, as I'd probably be in case of emergency. :( I don't want to be selfish, I can easily wait until next year.

Keep us updated and please stay safe!

[mmouse15]

I have a couple of suggestions to add to what you already have and what everyone else has already suggested. A signal mirror - they're usually small and thick and can be used in sunlight to signal rescuers and they don't weigh much - and money. That sounds odd, I'm sure, but in an emergency, credit cards don't work and a supply of cash can really help you out.

I third (fourth) the water purification tablets over the still in combination with a water filtration pump. Water is your most important need.

I'm glad you and your husband are safe. *hugs*

[japankasasagi]

Oooh, a signal mirror! I hadn't thought of that! I did see a parabolic lighter, which I thought was kind of cool! Yeah, cash is good. Even if a big wave comes here, there are some convenience stores within walking distance that would probably still be safe from the wave. But what to do about purifying SEA water? Drinking that would kill you even faster, just due to sodium. It's a bit of a conundrum. (lol, I've always loved that word, I just never use it!)

[mmouse15]

Purify the sea water. We learned to do this with a metal coffee can and a tin camp cup and a pair of pliers.

Put a bit of sea water in a coffee can with the empty cup in the center, then rig the plastic and rock. HEAT the coffee can over a fire. As the water boils, it condenses on the plastic and drips into the cup, giving you fresh water. The salt remains behind. Use the pliers to remove the hot coffee can.

It takes practise to do this, but it really does work. When the current state of emergency is over, I recommend you try this at home and see what you need to make it work. I found, when I was practising this at home, many years ago, that duct tape heated up and didn't hold the plastic, so I rigged a rubber band from an old bike inner tube. That worked really well and held even when the can was warm. Now you can buy large rubber bands that would do the trick.

[japankasasagi]

That's excellent advice, I might have to. I'll see if I can get that large plastic, I think it'S available readily, Panic is starting to happen in Tokyo, a lot of embassies are urging their nationals to evacuate Tokyo because that reactor isn't going to hold, 4 of the 5 reactors are heating rapidly, 2 have exploded. The wind will start blowing more westerly soon, and thus out to sea, but...

I'm really starting to get worried, we're supposed to take a trip to China in May, and I HAVE to go to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, they won't accept the application at any other than the designated embassy for that area.

Even more than that, my husband suggested we should consider evacuating to his hometown way out west, in Nagoya, if we have to. I haven't had an experience to compare this to, I don't know what to do. *is worried...*

[japankasasagi]

Thank you, sweetheart! It IS getting more and more worrisome here, that reactor may blow, so I'm getting really anxious now. Say a prayer for Japan, and us..! ♥