| Average Joe Survivor |
Step One: Air
Why is Air Step One? Air should be step one, although there isn't a lot you can do
about the air you breath that requires more than planning ahead. Do you
remember the pictures of the people covered in dust during the 9-11 terrorist
attack of the World Trade Center? Their lungs were also filled with that same
dust. One moment the air was somewhat clean, and the next, it was filled with
dust as the towers fell. You may think the odds of this happening to you are
remote, and that is true, but air can be contaminated with other contaminants.
Things that might need to be filtered out before it gets to your lungs, blood stream,
and other end organs are ash from volcanic eruption, bacteria and viruses, and
fallout from a nuclear explosion. So you can be ready and save your life or the
lives of loved ones by knowing a few things and having a few things.
If you are caught off guard, the first thing to do is take an article of clothing and
cover your mouth and nose. Remember the old westerns when the cowboys wore
a bandana to filter the dust coming up from the cattle. This will stop the large
particles. Breath through your nose because the nose is your natural filter. As
soon as you can, wet the cloth filter. This will trap even more and smaller particles.
Get away from the dust ASAP. When the cloth gets clogged up, shift it around to a
clean area. Get inside a building or car if you can. The air might be cleaner inside.
If you can get some masks, have some with you or close by at all times. These will
filter better than cloth. You can get them at hardware stores, or if you know
someone in healthcare, they can get some for you. A step up from these simple
masks are painters masks with the filters, and for filtering viruses such as
tuberculosis or influenza, you should get a N95 mask and make sure it fits tight.
You may have to order these off the internet, but it would be good to have at least
one for every family member. I keep some in my truck, and in my first aid kit at
home.
about the air you breath that requires more than planning ahead. Do you
remember the pictures of the people covered in dust during the 9-11 terrorist
attack of the World Trade Center? Their lungs were also filled with that same
dust. One moment the air was somewhat clean, and the next, it was filled with
dust as the towers fell. You may think the odds of this happening to you are
remote, and that is true, but air can be contaminated with other contaminants.
Things that might need to be filtered out before it gets to your lungs, blood stream,
and other end organs are ash from volcanic eruption, bacteria and viruses, and
fallout from a nuclear explosion. So you can be ready and save your life or the
lives of loved ones by knowing a few things and having a few things.
If you are caught off guard, the first thing to do is take an article of clothing and
cover your mouth and nose. Remember the old westerns when the cowboys wore
a bandana to filter the dust coming up from the cattle. This will stop the large
particles. Breath through your nose because the nose is your natural filter. As
soon as you can, wet the cloth filter. This will trap even more and smaller particles.
Get away from the dust ASAP. When the cloth gets clogged up, shift it around to a
clean area. Get inside a building or car if you can. The air might be cleaner inside.
If you can get some masks, have some with you or close by at all times. These will
filter better than cloth. You can get them at hardware stores, or if you know
someone in healthcare, they can get some for you. A step up from these simple
masks are painters masks with the filters, and for filtering viruses such as
tuberculosis or influenza, you should get a N95 mask and make sure it fits tight.
You may have to order these off the internet, but it would be good to have at least
one for every family member. I keep some in my truck, and in my first aid kit at
home.