These forms of new media have succeeded at integrating electronic media: internet, wireless phones, television and radio and building complex communications systems in networks designed by the users themselves.

Recently, social networks have been very effective as alternate communications systems against totalitarian regimes.

Social networking websites can also serve as emergency communications platforms in response to natural disasters.

“Online social networking sites could solve many problems plaguing information dissemination and communications when disaster strikes, according to a report from US researchers in a recent issue of the International Journal of Emergency Management.

In the wake of natural, disasters such as the Haiti earthquake, major events, such as the Hudson plane crash, and terrorist activity, online services, have become increasingly prominent as useful tools to get the news out faster than traditional media, to provide timely information sources, and even to re-connect people affected directly or indirectly as events unfold.”

Social networks have evolved modern communications to the point that individuals can record videos, images and text and broadcast them worldwide in real time. Social networks enable anyone with a wireless device to act both as a citizen journalist and a broadcaster transmitting content and analysis almost instantaneously. Whether the barrier is an oppressive government or a collapse of traditional communications systems after a disaster, social networking websites offer viable emergency communications platforms to individuals affected.

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Cody Lundin of Newsweek offers 10 Ways to Prepare for Disaster

1. Assume that a disaster can happen.
2. Try not to panic.
3. Know your limits.
4. Know how to do more with less.
5. Keep it simple.
6. Prepare for whatever disaster is likely to affect your area.
7. Along with your home-based supplies, create a “bug-out” kit
8. Physically prepare and act upon your preparedness plan.
9. Help your family first then your neighborhood.
10. Rotate your supplies

It is no surprise that outdoorsmen are at a distinct advantage. We are not strangers to building shelter, foraging nourishment or survival. These are the basic skills you will need to survive in a disaster.

A survival mindset is key. Outdoorsmen generally are prepared mentally for dealing with hardships associated with a setting outside of civilization.

I invite you to revisit Spirit of the Sporstmen category on emergency readiness.

Be ready.

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“Cameron Aulner doesn’t think of himself as a hero. The wheelchair-bound Colorado resident says he just did what anyone else would do when he stopped a child molester from fleeing the scene at the Walmart where he works.

Witnesses say a man sexually assaulted a young girl inside a Walmart in Westminster on Sept. 19, and then tried to flee the store, KDVR FOX 31 TV reported.

Aulner, 22, was working at the Comcast table in the front when he heard a bystander yelling to stop the man from leaving the store. He tackled the suspect, 34-year-old Kevin Salyers, before he could escape and held him until cops arrived, he said Tuesday in an interview with KDVR.”

Cameron Aulner, you sir are a giant.

“…I just did what I was supposed to do.”

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We at SOTS do not place animal life on the same level as human life. We are also practical. There are several reasons maintain an emergency preparedness plan that includes your pets:

1. The well-being of your pets have tremendous influence over the morale of your family. Maintaining high morale is a key to survival. How would family morale be affected if you had to abandon your pet in an emergency?
2. Pets are a resource for emergency readiness. Working dogs may come in very handy if you are find yourself outdoors. In extreme circumstances, pets may serve as a source of nourishment (just kidding…kind of).
3. In some cases, it is the law.

When feasible, include items needed by your pet in your emergency preparedness kit.

The good folks at the Examiner.com offer these tips:

* Extra leash and collar or harness with current ID tag
* Bedding (this can be as simple as an old towel or sheet)
* Food for minimum of three days in ziplock bags, snacks (if canned food keep an opener in your pack) and be sure to mark the expirations dates with permanent ink
* Medicines if applicable (mark expirations dates with permanent ink)
* First aid kit (or make your own)
* Disposable waste baggies
* Clean fresh water (keep track of expiration dates)
* Travel bowls (2)
* Current ID tag/chip (must keep updated when you move or change phone numbers)
* Copy of your pet’s medical & vaccination records (keep in zip lock bag)
* Toy or chew products to help them stay calmer and preoccupied
* Pet Safety Kit with your pets photo from Bark Buckle UP
* Pet’s insurance policy keep policy (keep copy with your medical records)
* Make sure to check for and replace expired products on a regular basis
* Mark your carrier with you and your pet’s information with permanent ink
* In flood areas, have a PFD (pet flotation devise – doggie life vest)
* In fire area, have an extra towel that you can get wet and put over your crate to help with bad air or smoke
* Towels or paper towels for quick clean ups
* List of family or friends where you can go to stay, including phone numbers, addresses and a list of pet friendly hotels or pet boarding facilities out of your area
* List of friends or family who are allowed to remove your pet or pick your pet up if you are unable to and supply to the facility with phone numbers and your signature.

Woof

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The late Colonel Jeff Cooper wrote extensively about the ‘Combat Mindset’.

* White – Unaware and unprepared. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy or ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be “Oh my God! This can’t be happening to me.”

* Yellow – Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that “today could be the day I may have to defend myself.” You are simply aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that you are prepared to defend yourself, if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and realize that “I may have to SHOOT today.” You don’t have to be armed in this state, but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow. You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don’t know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to “Watch your six.” (In aviation 12 o’clock refers to the direction in front of the aircraft’s nose. Six o’clock is the blind spot behind the pilot.) In Yellow, you are “taking in” surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep. As Cooper put it, “I might have to shoot.”

* Orange – Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has gotten your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). Your mindset shifts to “I may have to shoot HIM today.” In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: “If that goblin does ‘x’, I will need to stop him.” Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow. Cooper described this as “I might have to shoot HIM,” referring to the specific target which has caused the escalation in alert status.

* Red – Condition Red is fight. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. If “X” happens I will shoot that person.

Here is an example of someone in condition white.

The woman walks into the middle of an armed robbery and casually begins to shop. Situational awareness…you are doing it wrong.

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Here is an example of bystanders with excellent situational awareness.

Notice how the bystander takes notice of the two men that walked into the store and took up position triangulating the cash register. As soon as the robbers made their intentions clear, the bystander (and a few others) immediately reacted by running out of the store. Situational awareness…you are doing it right.

Heads-up

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Popular Mechanics offers these safety tips:

Do not struggle against the current.
Most riptide deaths are not caused by the tides themselves. People often become exhausted struggling against the current, and cannot make it back to shore.

Do not swim toward shore.
You will be fighting the current, and you will lose. Swim parallel to shore, across the current.
Generally speaking, a riptide is less than 100 ft. wide, so swimming beyond it should not be too difficult. If you cannot swim out of the riptide, float on your back and allow the riptide to take you away from shore until you are beyond the pull of the current. Rip currents generally subside 50 to 100 yards from shore. Once the riptide subsides, swim parallel to shore and then back to shore.

Be Aware.

Float

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FEMA has declared September National Preparedness Month.

September is a good time for those new to Emergency Preparedness to get ready and for those of us who believe we are ready to update, refresh and re-visit our emergency readiness.

Now if only somebody had created a blog with an entire category dedicated to Emergency Readiness…hey!…you are in luck!

Are you ready?

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US Navy SEAL Cade Courtley stars in a new series on emergency preparedness title ‘Surviving Disaster’.

*Armed hijackers on an airplane
*Terrorism against an urban center
*Natural disasters

Watch the trailer here.

Survive

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The first rule of being taken hostage is: try not to be taken hostage. Most of the time a kidnapper is moving his victim to do her harm in private. If kidnapping cannot be avoided, consider these survival tips.

Do’s

* Attract attention to your situation. Do not think that you can resolve all situations because of your skills of de-escalation. Immediately call for assistance or activate your man down device. Your radio and other corrections tools will be taken by the inmates for control so if at all possible break off keys in door locks or break radios so they can’t here institutional communications.
* Pay attention to your surroundings and remember who the ring leader of the situation is.
* Create a rapport with your hostage takers, but you must do so with dignity and self respect. Inmates will view frailty and feebleness as weakness and will show you no respect or favor. This rapport may save your life but weakness may lead to victimization.
* Make eye contact with the hostage takers sparingly, use the hostage takers first names if you know it, and talk to the hostage takers especially about your family and show them family photos if you have them. Create feelings of a bond so that the inmates will spare you.
* Determine if you have similar interests as the inmates e.g. sports, food, hygiene etc.
* Listen to the hostage takers. If they want to talk about their cause, act interested. You may explain that you understand and might not agree, but you’re interested in their view points.
* Avoid appearing overly attentive or interested in what is taking place with the evolving situations, the hostage takers may view this as patronizing or insincere.
* Do not refuse favors offered by the hostage takers, this may aggravate them and further harm your health and safety.

Dont’s

* Avoid struggling if threatened with weapons. Only you will have to decide if by resisting the hostage takers will aid in your escape, each person’s assessment of the circumstances will prevail. Remember, the hostage takers in front of you may not be the only ones involved, and other inmates out of sight may jump in once they realize the overthrow is successful.

Survive

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Survive

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