New Year's Resolution #3 - Put Your Emergency Info into Your Cell Phone

Apr 01, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Being prepared,  Did you know

Put your emergency information in your cell phone. <Read More>

What is the Finite Pool of Worry?

Mar 03, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know,  Psychology of preparedness

Just as it sounds, humans have only a given capacity to worry. The upshot? As paradoxical as it may be to human nature, the best time to get prepared is when preparedness is lowest on your worry list. <Read More>

Storm Coming? Just Add Water

Mar 03, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Being prepared,  Did you know

When there's a storm on the way, and you don't need to leave, it's a good idea to fill your tub with water. <Read More>

The Hayward Fault and Cascadia Subduction Zone

Jan 31, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know

Both San Francisco and Seattle are statistically well overdue for a major quake. <Read More>

Duct Tape Can Help Save Your Life

Jan 30, 2018 Posted by: Karina Warshaw Did you know,  Emergency supplies

Many people wonder why the VLES GO-bag has a full role of duct tape in it. Well, for one thing, duct tape can hold together almost anything, including hems, fencing (we've experienced this), torn bags, etc. But, it also can save your life.  <Read More>

What is Optimism Bias?

Jan 17, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know,  Psychology of preparedness

Optimism bias "the tendency of individuals to underestimate the likelihood they will experience adverse events." <Read More>

Beware the River

Jan 17, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know

Forty million Americans are at risk of having their homes flooded - more than three times as many people as federal flood maps show. A group of US and UK scientists have presented their findings at the American Geophysical Union meeting. An important read for our river dwelling communities. Read more from the BBC.

What is Planning Fallacy?

Dec 28, 2017 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know,  Psychology of preparedness

Did you ever think you could get something done in half an hour and three hours later you're still working on it? It's what humans do, and it's called planning fallacy. <Read More>

Why a Sterile Burn Sheet?

Dec 28, 2017 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know,  Emergency supplies

Infection can be a dangerous side affect of a burn. A sterile burn sheet can help to prevent infection setting in before medical attention is available. A burn sheet is a laminated, spun bounded blanket that can be used to provide a sterile environment to help protect a burn victim from infection. Burn victims are highly susceptible; a sterile burn sheet will help lower this risk.

What Does "Triage" Mean?

Nov 11, 2017 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know

Triage is the sorting of victims based on the urgency of their needs. You need to be prepared to take care of yourself and loved ones, because if there are people in worse condition than you are in, they will get taken care of first. What's important to you may not be important to emergency responders. Definition.

Why Nitrile Gloves and Not Latex Gloves?

May 24, 2017 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know,  Emergency supplies

Some people are allergic to latex. Nitrile gloves remove the risk of a reaction. Upwards of 6% of the population is allergic to latex. Learn more.

What is Cryptosporidium?

May 24, 2017 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know

Cryptosporidium are parasites that can be found in unsanitary water. It is imperative that the water purification tablets you rely on will kill it, which means they must be chlorine dioxide; iodine tablets do not kill it. You can also kill cryptosporidium by boiling water. More on water purification.