February is the month of love and it’s the perfect time to share your love for preparedness to the most important people in your life. If you truly love someone, you go out of your way to keep him or her out of harm’s way. This is especially true if you are a parent or even a grandparent.
Well, unless you’re like the couple who tried to sell their child on Craigslist or the 50-year-old Ohio grandma who, in 2016, passed out after overdosing on heroin while her 4-year-old grandson was in the backseat of the vehicle, which was driven by a man,who was also unconscious when police found them.
When it comes to protecting your loved ones, the best way to do so is to teach them how to protect themselves whether from human threats or natural disasters. Of course, it would help a lot if they had the gear or supplies they can use to survive or defend themselves when the need arises.
Self Defense Weapons
You will face various challenges every day. Some may be pretty easy to overcome. Others will require you to whip out your badass knife and scare those good-for-nothing thugs away. Gift your loved ones with self defense tools so they’ll be prepared whenever someone tries to attack them.
A pocket knife is always a good EDC item to have. Just make sure the blade is no longer than three inches. A knife longer than that is illegal in most states.
Other self defense weapons that will be greatly appreciated come Valentine’s Day include the pepper spray, mace, stun gun, and even a firearm. You can also get them tactical flashlights or tactical pens.
Perhaps the more important aspect of preparedness with regards to having these items is having the knowledge and skills to use them properly. It’s not enough to give them weapons for self defense, you should teach them how to use them.
Everyday Carry
Everyday carry is not limited to weapons for self defense. The key to preparedness is having the right tools at the right time. If you’re stuck in a burning car, for example, you’re first instinct is to get out. You can’t do that if you can’t open the window. A window punch or glass breaker will surely come in handy at this moment.
In the instance that you are lost in the woods or stranded in the desert, your chances of survival will be better if rescuers can spot you from afar. A signal mirror, emergency whistle, thermal blanket and fire starter will be useful in this situation.
You can use the mirror or the emergency blanket to reflect sunlight and get someone’s attention. Rescuers can follow the sound of the whistle if you are not immediately visible. You can also build a fire not only to provide you with warmth and protection from wild animals but also to be easily spotted at night. The smoke from the fire can be seen from miles away during the day.
Medical Emergencies
Whenever immediate medical attention is needed, you can always dial 9-1-1. You should teach your children, even the young ones, how to call the emergency hotline. They should also know how to talk to the person on the other end so they’ll have a better idea on what emergency you are having.
Another key to preparedness is getting some training in first aid. Sometimes, it’s not enough to call for help. You may need to administer first aid, especially if the emergency is life threatening. Go to first aid training classes with the whole gang so everyone knows what to do during medical emergencies.
Of course, you need a first aid kit at home, in your car, and in your emergency kits or bug out bags. When SHTF, the likelihood of someone in your family getting hurt greatly increases. If chaos is all around, you can’t trust the hospital and emergency responders to help you. This means you should take care of yourself and your loved ones. First aid kits will definitely help.
Also, if you or someone close to you has an existing medical condition, make sure you have extra medicines and whatever gear or supplies are required.
Natural Disasters
Emergency preparedness often focuses on natural disasters and other similar situations. You don’t prepare for one specific scenario. A true prepper knows to be ready for any kind of emergency.
Each of your loved ones should have their own bug out bag and each grab bag should have the necessary items needed to survive emergencies. Perhaps the most vital items when we talk of preparedness are food and water. Pack supplies in your bag that will last you at least three days.
There should also be extra clothes and weather-appropriate clothes as well as provisions for warmth and comfort such as a bivy. Some survival gear to pack in your BOBs are multi-tools, pocket radio, extra batteries, flashlights, headlamps, paracord, duct tape, and a portable stove, among lots of other stuff.
Terrorist Attacks and Shootings
Sadly, the world we live in right now is one where mass shootings are fast becoming common. Teach your loved ones the value of preparedness by showing them how they could survive in case of a terrorist act, nuclear attack, or mass shooting.
First of all, when there are reports of an active shooter, your instinct should be to leave and find safety as fast as you can. But if you are pinned somewhere and hiding is no longer a viable option, they should also know how to fight back.
For Valentine’s Day or any other occasions, for that matter, give your loved ones the gift of preparedness. Flowers and chocolates are cute if you want to be cute. But if you truly value your family and want them to stay as safe as possible, help them realize that preparedness is something that should be taken seriously.
There are tons of other ways you can instill the value of preparedness to your family. It’s not just about buying them the gear though this is a good place to start. Please feel free to share other ways you think we can share our love for preparedness to the people we love most. You can also visit The Gentleman Pirate for more information on disaster and emergency preparedness. Check out The Real Life Self Defense Program, as well, to have a better idea on how to fight off the bad guys.
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