Inorganic Fertilizers

SELECTING A FERTILIZER

The numbers on a fertilizer label refer to the concentration (percent) of three major
nutrients in the material:

nitrogen (or N)
phosphate (or P2O5)
and potash (or K2O).

For example, a 25-3-5 fertilizer contains 25% nitrogen, 3% phosphate (P2O5), and 5%
potash (K2O). This means that 4 pounds of 25-3-5 would supply 1 pound of nitrogen (4 x 0.25),
0.12 pound of phosphate (4 x 0.03), and 0.2 pound of potash (4 x 0.05).

Other common fertilizer formulations are listed below. Fertilizer labels have been standardized so that the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash always appear in the same order on the front of the package. Other components such as iron, zinc, or sulfur may be specified elsewhere on the label.

The variety of fertilizers on the market means the gardener can find a product to meet any need. Minimize the application of nutrients listed as adequate, high, or excessive on a soil test
report. Further application of fertilizers containing these nutrients may create an imbalance and reduce plant growth. If you have a soil test made and the test report recommends only nitrogen, use ammonium nitrate (34-0-0), ammonium sulfate (21-0-0), or another fertilizer high in nitrogen. If nitrogen and phosphorus are recommended, use a fertilizer such as 30-10-0. Assume for example that a soil test report recommends 2 pounds (lbs) of nitrogen and 1 pound of phosphate per 1000 square feet. Using the 20-27-5 formulation would result in the over-application of phosphate, while the 30-10-0 formulation would slightly under-apply phosphate. The gardener may decide to apply 20-27-5 for one year and build up soil phosphorus levels, then retest the soil and switch to a nitrogen-only fertilizer in subsequent years.

Alternatively 34-0-0 or 21-0-0 could be applied to meet the nitrogen requirement and 0-45-0 to meet the phosphorus requirement. Annual nitrogen recommendations for landscape and garden plants.

Plants...................... General requirements ............recommendation
Ornamentals Low: xeriscapes, natural areas........ 0 to 1 pound of nitrogen/1000 sq ft
Intermediate: standard landscapes........................1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen/1000 sq ft
High: flower beds, new landscapes........................ 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen/1000 sq ft

Turf* Low maintenance.......................................... 0 to 1 pound of nitrogen/1000 sq ft
Intermediate maintenance..................................... 2 to 3 pounds of nitrogen/1000 sq ft
High maintenance.....................................................4 to 6 pounds of nitrogen/1000 sq ft

Vegetables** Low: peas, beans ..............................1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen/1000 sq ft
Intermediate: asparagus, beet, carrot,
melon, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels
sprouts, celery, pepper, tomato,
lettuce, radish, spinach, turnip, squash,
pumpkins
.......................................................................................2 to 3 pounds of nitrogen/1000 sq ft
High: onion, sweet corn, potato................................ 4 to 6 pounds of nitrogen/1000 sq ft

*Split the total amount of nitrogen into two or more separate applications made over the growing season. To prevent burning do not apply more than 1 ½ pounds of nitrogen/1000 sq feet in a single application.

**For high nitrogen requirement vegetables, apply the intermediate recommendation before planting, then broadcast or band additional nitrogen after plants are well established (see text under fertilizer application methods).

Name.............................Fertilizer label (Nitrogen-Phosphate-Potash)
Single nutrient fertilizers
Ammonium nitrate............ 34-0-0
Ammonium sulfate .............21-0-0
Urea..................................... 46-0-0
Triple superphosphate....... 0-45-0
Potassium chloride.............. 0-0-60

Multi-nutrient fertilizers
Ammonium phosphate....... 11-52-0 or 18-46-0
Turf fertilizer ......................30-10-0
Lawn fertilizer..................... 29-3-4
Lawn food............................ 25-3-5
Turf builder......................... 32-3-2
Starter fertilizer.................. 20-27-5
Winterizer............................ 22-4-14
Balanced fertilizer............... 16-16-16

Special purpose fertilizers
Vegetable food.................... 12-12-12
Rose food .............................20-10-5
Acidic fertilizer................... 30-10-10

Fertilizers vary considerably in price. The cost of different fertilizers should be compared
on a per pound of nutrient basis. Cost per pound depends on the package price, weight, and
nutrient concentration in the fertilizer. For example, if a 36 lb bag of 29-3-4 cost $15.88 and a 20 lb bag of 21-0-0 cost $2.99, which is the least expensive source of nitrogen? The cost per pound of nitrogen is $1.52 for the 29-3-4 and $0.71 for the 21-0-0.

More expensive fertilizers often contain pesticides for weed or insect control, and may have added micronutrients or slow release characteristics. Compare prices among products and purchase fertilizers with special additives only if they are needed.

Most fertilizers containing herbicides are meant to be used on turf and will stress ornamental trees and shrubs, and kill most vegetables and flowers. Read and follow label instructions carefully when using fertilizers containing pesticides.

FERTILIZER RATE CALCULATIONS
Nutrient recommendations for gardens and landscapes are expressed in pounds per 1000
square feet. Calculate the amount of fertilizer needed by using the soil test
nutrient recommendation If you have had your soil tested, the concentration of nutrients in the fertilizer selected, and the size of the area fertilized.

Garden and landscape areas are usually different than 1000 square feet. Estimate the size of the area to be fertilized by pacing or using a measuring tape to determine the length and width. Multiply the length by the width to calculate area. A simple formula used to calculate the amount of fertilizer required to meet a nutrient recommendation is:

Fertilizer needed ’ X lbs of nutrient 1000 sq. feet × 1 lb fertilizer Y lb nutrient × Z sq. feet area

where X is the nutrient recommendation from a soil test report in lbs/1000 sq ft, Y is the percent of the nutrient in the fertilizer divided by 100, and Z is the square footage of the area to be fertilized.

Example: A gardener is using ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) fertilizer to supply 2 pounds of
nitrogen per 1000 square feet. The garden area is 1400 square feet. How much 34-0-0 fertilizer is required in this situation? Answer: In the above equation, X is 2 pounds, Y is 0.34 (34% divided by 100), and Z is 1400 square feet.

Entering these numbers into the equation above gives an answer of 8.2 pounds of 34-0-0 fertilizer for the garden. A helpful conversion for fertilizers is 1 pint volume equals approximately 1 pound of dry fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer calculated in the above example may not seem like much when spread over a large area.

For ease of use and keep transportation costs low, inorganic fertilizers are manufactured as highly concentrated sources of nutrients. This means that applicators need to accurately calculate and apply fertilizers at the appropriate rates to supply the correct amount of plant nutrients without damaging plants or causing adverse environmental effects.

FERTILIZER APPLICATION METHODS
Fertilizers may be broadcast on the surface then tilled or watered into soil, or banded on or
beneath the soil surface. Broadcasting is efficient and often the method of choice in
areas with perennial plants. Two main types of broadcast applicators are available: the rotary
spreader and the drop spreader. Drop spreaders can uniformly apply a wide range of
fertilizer rates; however, the path of spread is limited to the width of the unit (normally 18 inches to 3 feet for low cost units).

Rotary spreaders broadcast fertilizer in a 10 to 20 foot wide path with less uniformity and rate control than drop spreaders. Either spreader type will work well for homeowners if properly calibrated and operated.

Ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) applied at the rate of 2 lbs nitrogen per 1000 square feet broadcast on the soil surface or banded in rows with 24 inch spacing.

Rotary and drop fertilizer spreaders.
Fertilizers and rates of application. Spreader manufacturers often list calibration settings for
specific fertilizers. Likewise, many fertilizer manufacturers list settings for specific spreader
models. Since manufacturers cannot list calibration settings for all situations, it is good
practice to calibrate the unit for your use. Set the spreader to the closest manufacturer’s setting for the rate and type of fertilizer you will apply. Place 2 pints of kitty litter in the unit and spread in a continuous straight path. Note the width of the spread path and the distance traveled to broadcast the litter. Calculate the rate of application (assuming 1 pint of litter equals 1 pound of fertilizer) and compare this to the rate needed. For example, if a rotary spreader broadcasts a 10 foot wide path and you traveled 40 feet to empty 2 pints of litter from the hopper, the rate of application would be equivalent to 2 pounds per 400 square feet (10 ft x 40 ft), or 5 lbs/1000 square feet. If a different rate is needed the spreader setting should be changed and the unit calibrated again. Once a spreader is calibrated for a specific rate keep a record of the setting for future use. Avoid streaking caused by fertilizer skips and overlap by applying one-half of the
calculated rate while traveling in one direction and the remaining one-half while traveling in a
perpendicular direction. This method of application is especially useful for turf fertilization
where streaking is common.

Banding is a convenient way to make in-season fertilizer applications to high nitrogen requiring vegetables like corn. To band fertilizer first calculate the amount needed for an area as if you were going to broadcast the material. Divide this amount by the number of plant rows in the area to determine the amount of fertilizer to apply in each row. Make narrow furrows 8 to 10 inches away from the base of the plants, 2 to 3 inches deep. Distribute the fertilizer evenly in the furrow and cover with soil. Foliar applications can be made with any water-soluble product and are commonly used for applying small amounts of micronutrients such as iron and zinc. There is potential for foliar burning with sprays so follow product label instructions carefully. A 2% fertilizer solution by weight is generally safe for use as a foliar spray. Mix a 2% solution by adding 0.15 lb (approximately 1.25 fluid ounces or 2 ½ tablespoons) fertilizer per gallon of water. Apply foliar sprays early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize leaf burning. Thoroughly cover foliage with the spray solution.

Foam suits part of preparedness

I tried very hard to find the link to this article, but to no avail. So I will retype the following article which was in the "MormonTimes" section of the Deseret News on Thursday, March 17, 2011. It is titled "Foam suits part of preparedness," by Sharon Haddock. I have listened to Jim Phillips and learned so much from his preparedness talks - and seen his foam clothing... I even have the high quality foam in a closet waiting for me to sew it together. This article has spurred me on to get it in gear and make some foam clothing for myself and my husband. BTW - I've added Jim's website to our favorites! OK, on with the article...

"Buffy Snell figures when disaster strikes, it's likely to be in the winter. In Utah, that means it will likely also be bitterly cold.

"That's why Snell has a foam outfit, pants, a jacket, gloves and boots in her storage closet for every member of her large Mormon family. She wants to be sure her loved ones are warm when it matters.

"'It took over a year, and I didn't even make them' Snell said, 'I hired a friend of mine to sew them.'

"Some parts she purhcased from sports clothing stores.

"The clothes are of half-inch foam (1 inch is too builky) covered with a nylon shell and worn over a liner (not cotton because cotton holds in the moisture). The foam draws the moisture away from the body so the wearer doesn't get cold from his or her sweat. The mylon makes the clothing waterproof.

"The jackets are hooded, and the gloves are made in two parts with fur cuffs. The boots are soft, comfortable and fit into commercial boots for double weather protection and durability.

"'My husband and I slept outside in the snow in the foam clothes, and we stayed warm,' Snell said. 'And I'm usually really cold. I hate being cold.'

"That's partly why when Snell was called to be her LDS ward emergency preparedness specialist, she focused on outfitting her family for Western winter weather.

"'I started looking around, and I was just shocked at how much there was about food and how little there was about clothing and shelter,' Snell said.

"She heard a presentation from outdoor survival expert Jim Phillips that impressed her profoundly. Snell decided her family needed to be prepared, so she researched foam clothing and enlised a local seamstress.

"She started a yearlong process of gathering her family's emergency wardrobe together, something that has surprised her neighbors and friends.

"These days, Snell shares what she has learned with church and civic groups, toting along her impressive collection of foam clothes and boots. She's more than willing to explain her thinking.

"Snell has heavily invested now with clothing built not only for her children in the sizes they have grown into now but also in adult sizes. She keeps these articles of clothing handy in large plastic bags.

"'My family just hated this,' she said, 'They all laughed at me but I tell them, 'Someday you'll thank me''"

Way to go Buffy Snell!!!!

How to get Started with your Food Supply.

Building up your emergency food storage can be an overwhelming task. Start with baby steps. Let's start with a 3-month supply. 

“Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.” All is Safely Gathered In – Family Home Storage”

How do I start? We have a tendency to eat the same thing over a couple of weeks. Fill in the chart below. Now you know what your family eats in two weeks. Multiply that by 6 and you have your 3-month food supply. Work on it! You can do it!

WEEK 1	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks
WEEK 2	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THUR	FRI	SAT
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks

Then replace what you use. But ALWAYS 3-months of food on hand.

Why get just a 3-month food supply? Here are just a few things I thought about.

Out of work? Lose a job? At least you can eat.

Flu or other kind of epidemic? Best way to avoid contact with others is stay indoors. Health authorities suggest three months for an epidemic is pass through its stages (don’t ask me what those stages are!). Be safe – stay indoors with your 3-month supply.

Hmmm, better add games to that list!

This may seem simple - but it is soooo important - But DO IT NOW!!!

Infection Management in TEOTWAWKI

Preventing infection is better than treating an infection.

The biggest advance in health was the improvement of sanitation in the early 1900s. When disposing of waste it should be done as far as possible from the living area. Especially from the kitchen and eating areas, and if done correctly it will prevent the common diarrhea illnesses that kill many when modern medical care is not available.

Any wound, even the most minor scratches must be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water. If dirt and debris is in the wound, do your best to scrub and use copious amounts of water to clean it out thoroughly. This seemingly simple thing, which even now we seldom do will actually prevent most wound infections. Antibiotic ointments help, but simple washing and copious irrigation of open wounds is most important.

Good personal hygiene helps as well. Bathing regularly as much as possible. Brushing your teeth to prevent cavities and gum and dental infections.

Keep your skin in good condition. Use hats and light colored long sleeved shirts to prevent sunburn. Use some type of moisturizing cream or balm to keep your skin in good condition as well. If your skin is damaged, dry, scaly which can easily happen if you are doing a lot of manual labor, or out in the hot sun, you are less resistant to skin infections. This includes the feet. If you sweat a lot, take your shoes and socks off twice daily and fan dry them to prevent fungal infections. If your feet are dry and scaly, then use a good moisturizing cream.
I have worked in areas where my fingers bled from cracks during the winter because of the wet dry cycle. If these things are not attended to infections will and do occur. Again, a long sleeved shirt will stop most critter bites.

Make sure you have had a recent tetanus booster. In TEOTWAWKI, vaccinations will be difficult to obtain, so make sure you are up to date. You should update your tetanus vaccine every 10 years. The current tetanus vaccine includes diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Make sure you get this triple vaccine, called Tdap ("T-DAP"). In some parts of the world where vaccines are not available, these are major killers.If we expect things to slip, we will all be part of the "third world" and subject to these same bugs.

TREATING THE MOST COMMON INFECTIONS (Adults)


If prevention fails, these are the infections you are most likely to encounter.

1. Common cold. Symptoms are: runny nose, sore throat, cough. You might get a little achy, fatigued, even have a low grade fever up too 100.5 or so. Just take some cough and cold meds. It will go away by itself. Please do not take antibiotics for this. It is a total waste of your resources. Antibiotics will not help, and may make you worse if you have an adverse reaction.

2. Cellulitis . This is a potentially serious infection. It usually arises from an injury, like a cut, or puncture wound. It is easily recognizes as an expanding area of redness. It is warm, and tender to touch. As it enlarges, you will eventually develop a fever, and have chills. Swollen lymph glands may appear nearby. This may also develop into the classic "red streak" going up an arm or leg. This is called "lymphangitis," but is a type of cellulitis. We used to call this "blood poisoning" in the olden days ! The idea is that it is expanding/enlarging, usually quickly, over hours you can see a difference. This is life threatening, and requires antibiotics. It might have been prevented by washing a wound, and applying antibiotic ointment, but now it is too late for that. Systemic antibiotics are necessary. This is usually a type of streptococcus ("strep") infection, similar to what causes strep throat. It is sometimes Staph. You will need to contact trained medical help if you have allowed this to continue this far. The best antibiotic for this is Cephalexin (Keflex), or Erythromycin if you are allergic to Penicillin. These of course need to be prescribed by a physician or other health care professional.

3. Sinusitis You will know you have a sinus infection if you have sinus pressure or pain, discolored drainage, and swollen glands in the neck. Sometimes a fever will be present. Usually Amoxicillin will work for this, or Augmentin. If you are allergic to penicillin, then Bactrim is a good choice.These need to be prescribed by a physician or other health care professional.

4. Bronchitis This is almost always viral, and does not require antibiotics, unless you have chronic lung disease, or if you are a smoker. In that case, Amoxicillin will work for this, or Augmentin. If you are allergic to penicillin, then Bactrim is a good choice. These need to be prescribed by a physician or other health care porfessional

5. Pneumonia Pneumonia is not easy to diagnose, even for a Medical Doctor without x-rays, but if you have a cough, and fever above 101 degrees F, I would assume it is pneumonia, especially if you are having chest pain or shortness of breath. The best choices here are physician prescribed Avelox, Levaquin, and Azithromycin. If these are not available due to cost, Amoxicillin, and Augmentin will usually work, as will Erythromycin.

6. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) The symptoms are painful urination, and the feeling of needing to urinate frequently, and an urgent feeling to urinate. In women, this is usually a bladder infection, and three days of Cipro, Bactrim, or Macrodantin will usually work. If there is also flank pain, and fever, the health care professional would probably assume it is a kidney infection, and treat with Cipro or Bactrim for two weeks. For men, unless you have some abnormality in your bladder or kidneys, it is almost always a prostate infection (prostatitis). A fever may or may not be present. This requires 30 days of either Bactrim or Cipro.

7. Boils These are easily recognized. They are enlarging, painful cysts. Like giant pimples, they usually come to a head eventually, and open and drain pus. The best treatment is to open them, and drain using a scalpel. Once again, this should be done by a health care professional because the area of the opening is important. Do not squeeze them, because if they rupture internally, you have converted a minor thing into a serious thing. It is best to apply heat, and take antibiotics until the boil is "mature." It will come to a head (have a white point in the center) and can be easily drained, or will become fluctuant (mushy feeling) where you can lance it open to drain. The best antibiotic today is Bactrim, as this is almost always a Staph infection, and many are resistant to other antibiotics. These are MRSA Staph infections.

8. Impetigo These are superficial skin infections. They are weepy, crusted patches on the skin. Children are most prone, but adults can get it also. It is usually strep or staph infections, and the best antibiotic is Cephalexin, or Augmentin. Erythromycin will work also.

9. Middle ear infection The symptom is a painful ear. Sometimes also a fever. It is not always easy to differentiate it from "swimmers ear," which is an infection in the ear canal. If the ear hurts, and there is not obvious swelling and tenderness in the ear canal, I would assume it is a middle ear infection. Amoxicillin, Bactrim, Augmentin, Cephalexin would all work.

10. Swimmers ear This is the other "earache." The ear hurts, and if you look in the ear canal, and compare with the normal ear, the canal will be obviously swollen, sometimes swollen shut. If you gently wiggle the ear, to put some traction on the ear canal, it will be very tender. Middle ear infections will not be tender. Antibiotic ear drops are needed here. If you want to conserve money for supplies, have some antibiotic eye drops on hand. These can be used for eye infections, and will also work in the ear. DO NOT TRY THE REVERSE.

11. Diarrhea illnesses These are usually viral infections, and will resolve on their own in a few days if left alone. Just take Imodium, and drink plenty of fluids. If you are having a lot of abdominal pain with the diarrhea, or are having blood tinged diarrhea, and running a fever, it could be a bacterial infection, so in TEOTWAWKI, try Cipro. This will treat most of the bacterial causes of diarrhea. Remember also, these are usually sanitation failures. So good sanitation, and hand washing are good preventatives.

13. Influenza Influenza is usually only seen in the "flu season." It is also easily recognized. It is like a cold on steroids. It is a respiratory illness, causing a cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, and fever. Fever is usually 101 F or higher. One hallmark of influenza is extreme fatigue. If you are not exhausted, you are not likely a "flu" victim. Treat the symptoms, and wait it out.

14. Animal bites Animal bites are considered infected from day one. Most Doctors initiate antibiotics immediately. The best thing to try to prevent infection is to thoroughly cleanse the wound. If the wound is open, that is actually better, because you can more easily irrigate copiously with water. Use lots of irrigation. Bandage the wound, apply antibiotic ointment, and immediately start antibiotics. Augmentin is usually used because of the bacteria which usually cause the infection.

OTC antibiotics too stock up on


1. Bacitracin or Double antibiotic ointment (do not use Triple antibiotic, or Neosporin ointment, these are highly allergic).
2. Povidine (Betadine) is a great solution to cleanse wounds. It contains iodine. Those who are allergic to iodine should avoid.
3. Hibiclens This is a good alternative as a cleansing solution for those allergic to iodine. Several gallons would not be too much.

What is written here are suggestions, and since I am not a physician or nurse should be taken as suggestions. In any situation if professional medical care is available it should be used. There are so may ramification and alergies people have, that to diagnose on your own would certainly be folly on your part. You may cure the thing you are afflicted with only to find that the cure permanently caused damage or dysfunction in one of your vital organs. Rule of thumb is if you don't know for sure, contact a medical professional. I am indebted to a prepper by the name of georigadoc for much of this information, and I have edited some of the information to apply to our blog.

Family Preparededness Self Assessment Test

In my years of experience as a survival consultant I have found the follow article is a good start to assessing just where one's family is on the preparedness scale. If you do not know where you are in your level of preparedness you don't know where to start (or continue) with your work. I will add some of my comments to Mr Stevens work by annotating them in RED.

Begin your family’s preparedness plan by considering these questions and your responses:

1. To what potential natural, people-caused, or personal disasters are you vulnerable? How can you eliminate them or mitigate their negative impact on your family’s life and lifestyle?

DWB: Perhaps one may say "reasonably mitigate", and to what extent one believes he/she CAN mitigate. Is it better to "Bug In" or "Bug Out". One must assess and plan for both contingencies at the same time, and have in place the means and the modes and plans to institute either action.

2. What if there were no water available from your faucets, what would you do? How much drinking water is “hidden” inside and outside your house––what are those sources? Could you treat unsafe water to make it safe for drinking and cooking?

3. Inventory your refrigerator, freezer, kitchen cabinets, cupboards, pantry, closets, or under your bed––wherever you keep your supply of long-term foodstuffs. What do you have on hand in these categories:

• canned & bottled foods ?
• packaged foods ?
• dehydrated, dried, & freeze-dried foods ?

What’s in your possession that’s truly nutritious––that could sustain you in a near-normal

manner? How long could your family eat if the foods in your pantry and refrigerator/freezer were the only food available?

• 1 day
• 1 week
• 1 month
• longer

DWB: There is an old adage that states, society is only 3 meals from chaos. Within 72 hours the world (your world) will be turned upside down. One can live for 5 minutes without oxygen, 5 days without CLEAN water, and 30 days without food. Always keep these rules of thumb in your mind as you prepare. Which is most important......?

4. If you need life-preserving medication, how long will your current supply last if it’s not immediately available? What over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, and digestive aids do you have on hand? In what way do––or would––they support your health? How long would your supply last if not replenished now?

• 1 day
• 1 week
• 1 month

DWB: Not all medication is life sustaining, and essential. A visit with you medical provider can give you information that will guide you in which medications are absolutely necessary, which you should endeavor to obtain. Other "comfort" medication can be prioritized according to your financial condition and your "threshold of pain". You should also ask for the "survival" doses and the "optimal" doses of your essential meds.

5. Do you know which foods to buy, in what priority, quantity of each, and where to buy them most economically?

6. Could you prepare your stored foods, maximizing their shelf life, flavor, and nutritional qualities?

7. Do you know how to sprout seeds to provide “live” foods for essential vitamins and minerals when there’s a shortage of fresh vegetables?

DWB: Do you have the equipment and extra stored water to do so? There are techniques to sprouting, and changing water is important. Get the equipment now, and learn how to use it now before you need it to survive.

8. Do you have the knowledge, skills, tools, seeds, and available space to plant a garden and raise your own food?

9. Do you know how to preserve foods for the future––especially if the electric and gas supplies were unreliable?

DWB: Do you have the equipment to preserve foods? Pressure cooker/ cold pack caners/ food dryers, both solar and electric? and more importantly do you have the recipes and knowledge on how to use this equipment? Do you know how to jerk meats, or prepare them to be dried and do you have the recipes and spices to accomplish this?

10. Given your current situation, if you could no longer obtain water, food, vitamins, medication, and money in a routine manner, how long could you sustain yourself and your family without access to these necessities?

11. What type of job(s) could you qualify for if your current employment were terminated? What education or training do you need to acquire so you can be a viable candidate for future jobs?

DWB: Jobs like shoe maker/repair, plumbing, carpentering, farming, leather work (harness making), seamstress, hatter, blacksmith, mason....these trades will be just as valuable for a time as high-tech jobs. Look as the late 1800's and pick one of those trades, and be prepared to provide a needed service for that era for a time to survive. The tech jobs will most surely come back in time, but for a time a needed trade will be indispensable for your families survival.

12. Where would you live for the next year if a catastrophe occurred to your family’s residence today?

13. Could you live––or even survive––for a year on your current savings?

14. Do you have the faith, foresight, skills, and diligence to prepare for the uncertain future?

DWB: Mental toughness will be the greatest strength of a survivor. Get in the mindset now, and get your family's in that mindset. You will be working, eating and living in conditions that you have never imagined. Only the mentally prepared will survive.

15. Are you willing to make the required investment in your family’s future well-being and security by:

(a) taking the time to learn how to prepare;

(b) defining a preparedness plan;

(c) expending the energy to accomplish it?

If these questions––or rather, the answers to them––make you uncomfortable, then this is an opportunity for you to start to work on the answers that will make you more comfortable! Resolve these questions, and many others you may have about being prepared by reading, studying, and utilizing available information. Now is the most appropriate time to begin an in-home storage or family preparedness program! If you’ve prepared for your family’s security with emergency supplies and have long-term storage provisions in your possession, you could turn what might be a life-threatening situation into a manageable problem!

Set Your Personal and Family Goal(s)!

For Example –– Your family’s basic goal could be: to be able to live in a near-normal manner with family re-sources for an extended period of time––regardless of external conditions. For this to be a reality, the family will:

Acquire a reasonable in-home supply of

water

food

clothing

shelter

heating and fuels

medications

Commit to the 4-M program

–– (1) Money

(2) Materials (food/equipment)

(3) Manpower (your energy and effort)

Minutes (your time!) to acquire the items identified for your needs during an extended period

and

Get out of debt and have a readily available cash fund of $__*____ for emergencies!

*DWB: Three months of available cash and $500 in silver junk coins in dimes and quarters (not investing advice).

Remember: There are no emergencies for those who are truly prepared!

DWB: Emergencies happen whether you are prepared or not. But if you are prepared, it is so much easier to cope and survive the emergency.

James Talmage Stevens "Making the Best of Basics"

At work during an earthquake?

Last week's earthquake in Japan made me review my emergency preparedness plans - again (like I don't think about it enough!). I grew up in Southern California and have experienced my share of earthquakes. It can be scary. And here on the Wasatch Front we are going to have an earthquake, its just a matter of when.

What would you do if there was an earthquake and you were 2, 10, or 20 miles from home? There are many things to think about, but I can think of three things that you can prepare for now.

1. Plan a route home.

Where do you work? How many overpasses to you cross? How many to you go under? to make your way home. You will have to assume that these structures have collapsed. Will you even have a vehicle to drive? Do you park in a parking structure? Do you park in an open lot? If you park on the street will debris fall on your vehicle? Do you cross any rivers?

I recommend you plan a route home avoiding all collapsible infrastructures.

2. 72-hour kit.

Do you have a 72-hour kit in your vehicle? Hello! You'd better! Many people keep a 72-hour kit at their job. Some employers even provide them for their employees at the work place.
 
3. Plan to walk home.

Would you be able to walk home? Chances are good that you will have to walk home. Could you walk the 17 miles home from the City? 6 miles? or even 2 miles?

These are just a 3 things to think about if you were caught in an earthquake while at work.

IF

If ?

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

(or a Woman, my daughter)

Rudyard Kipling