Here’s a little multi-media version of my 72 hour practice camp. Sound leaves something to be desired . . . I’m not a professional, and just recorded it with my laptop.
Month: October 2018
72-Hour Emergency Preparation Practice Camp-in: one solo disabled 60 year old woman’s experience
The short story:
(see Journalized story attached at the end if you are interested or need more details, especially if you are a caregiver or disabled person)
October 8-10, 2018. First day: outdoor temperatures 59 high, 53 low, rainy; indoor temp 68. Second day: 63 high, 46 low, partly cloudy–pavement was wet in the morning hours; indoor temp 66. Third day: 67 high, low 41, sunny; indoor temp got as low as 63. I did open the sliding door when it was warmer outside than in.
The long hours of cold and darkness were oppressive, especially since I was unable to sleep at night, and then was too tired to get up until late morning.
Sources of Light: daylight as long as it lasted (sunrise about 7:30 am, sunset 6 pm–by 6:30 pm it was too dark in the house to read or write, for old grandma eyes), Dynamo cranking flashlight/radio, candles as needed in bathroom (in the sink, away from any flammables), and in the end, cell phone light. I found that the cell phone light used very little battery, and provided good light to read and write. I didn’t use my light sticks.
Shelter/warmth: I was staying at home, out of the elements. Dressed warm: cozy clothes. Second day I stayed abed reading, under quilts & blankets. I found it extremely helpful to put hand warmers in my socks, as my legs and feet can’t keep themselves warm. It’s better to keep them from getting too cold, rather than to try to warm them–the first night was miserable trying to get them warm, which didn’t happen until 1 am. Hot meals were helpful. The third day was sunny and warm out (though I did wear long johns and an almost too cozy top), and I was able to work in the yard, which helps the body produce its own heat (with added need for calories and fluids).
Water/fluids: I used water bottles I had replaced in my car. I figured a 24-pack of 16.9 oz bottles is a 3 day supply for one person. I drank a pint of Vitamin Water each day, the juice that the fruit was packed in, and a meal replacement shake for breakfast on the first day. I conserved water as much as possible, using disposable dishes, baby wipes and hand sanitizer, and rinse-free shampoo; brushed my teeth with mouthwash. I used so little water that on the 3rd day I decided to try washing a small batch of clothes (more about that in the attached Journal), and indulged in using a pint of water to wash the gardening dirt off at the end of the outdoor working day.
Food: Since I am a single person–without using the refrigerator–I had to take into consideration not having leftovers, and I didn’t want to buy single servings of everything, although that could be done, it’s more expensive. I did put ice bottles in an insulated bag, and kept cheese and egg in there. By the 2nd day the ice bottles had thawed, but the inside of the bag stayed cool til the third day (of course I kept it zipped, except to check each day). And I had planned to put left-over 3 bean salad in the garage, as it is not highly susceptible to spoilage, and the garage would be cool.
Day 1: Breakfast–15 oz can of peaches in juice and a Special K protein snack bar. Lunch–11 oz diet meal replacement shake, 5 Ritz Crackers, I intended to eat a Jif to Go, but dared not, for the day previous I had had too many vegetables, and I was afraid of becoming loose as a goose–an issue of my disability that I have to deal with. I took anti-diarrhea medicine to firm things up. Dinner/supper: 7.5 oz single serve package of Beef Ravioli, 7 slices of pepperoni (at night I had to have more calories, due to the cold, and length of time awake–so snacked on more pepperoni). I didn’t eat the planned 3-bean salad for the same reason I couldn’t eat the Jif To Go.
Day 2: Breakfast: 1 packet of instant oatmeal added to a cup of hot water (heated on propane camp stove), which was more water than needed. I sprinkled half of a third cup Instant Non-fat Dry Milk powder, 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, 5 dried apricots I cut up. Although the expiration date on the walnuts was not til next June, they were already bad, no doubt why they were on sale. Threw them out. Lunch: 18.8 oz can Ready to Eat chicken corn chowder, heated in a the same pot (I rinsed with half cup water after each use) on the camp stove, and 27 Goldfish crackers. Dinner/supper: 10 oz package Ready to Eat Vegetable Korma, 2.6 oz packet flavored tuna. Hot meals were helpful. Again, I didn’t dare eat the 3-bean salad I had planned. Later in the night I had to snack on more fish crackers and a Special K bar.
Day 3: Breakfast: I cooked a small pancake, and topped it with a tablespoon of marionberry jam. Cooked an egg as well, and ate an Epic Bison bar. I used a non-stick frying pan that I keep seasoned, so did not have to use oil, and clean-up was simply wiping it out with a napkin. Lunch: although I had planned for a toasted cheese sandwich and tomato soup, I wanted to try “The Complete Cookie” I had 4 varieties of. I cut them in 4 and shared them with my grandkids. I didn’t really care for them. Dinner/supper: ate a full toasted cheese sandwich instead of a half I had planned, and 2 cups tomato soup. Since I was at home, I had access to margarine to spread on the bread for cooking. After working in the yard, I needed more calories, and later in the night had to snack on a couple Special K protein bars.
I was very happy with the propane camp stove for cooking, especially for just one person. It was low and stable, and I used it on the little bistro table on my back porch. It was easy to use, and very efficient–using only as much fuel as needed, which was very little for just me
Communication: I had my cell phone and charger, though I used the cell phone as little as possible; my family live just up the street, I had the radio, paper and writing utensils, etc. Since I was at home, I had plenty at my disposal. In my emergency Go items I have whistles, mirror, and such, but none of those were needed.
Hygiene and Health: I washed with baby wipes, shampooed with rinse-free shampoo and used a washcloth as a towel, brushed my teeth with mouthwash, used a comb and deodorant, hand sanitizer, TP, Febreeze and a Lysol knock-off. Added to these were the personal care items necessary for my disability: 6-8 disposable adult diapers a day, and I used 8 disposable underpads over the course of 3 days, beside gloves & lubricant for my bowel routine. I set up a commode, and liners with absorbent pads for easy waste disposal.
I took pain pills, stool firming meds, and aids for indigestion. I had other meds on hand, of course, but didn’t need every thing.
Passing the time: I worked on various writing/research projects the first day, stayed abed and read the second day, and was able to work outdoors the third day. Just taking care of myself took quite a bit of time–it’s not fast, living in a wheelchair. The long nearly sleepless nights were the most difficult, and I used the crank flashlight the first night, as the most renewable source of energy. The second night I used my laptop for an hour, as well. The third night, in desperation, I not only used the laptop, but tried a homemade emergency candle I had been given many years ago–I found it was not safe to use indoors (a little too vigorous burning), so put it out. In the end I found that my cell phone light was not only the best, brightest light, but it used very little battery.
Knowing this little experiment was going to be hard, I kind of dreaded it. And it was hard. I was anxious the entire time for it to be over, and when it was over, I was over-joyed. Yet, I’m glad I did this hard thing. I had prepared pretty well, but living without electricity and running water are not easy, especially for a disabled person–used to washing a batch or two of laundry every day, needing a soaking bath and airing time every day (for several reasons), and pretty much every thing is harder from a wheelchair. I do appreciate anew what wonderful blessings we have.
Although this probably doesn’t seem like a short story, there is a lot more that could be said, and I am attaching a Journalized account of my experience, for those that want or need to know more details.
72-hour hygiene kits–some thoughts
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hygiene for the disabled
People have survived for 3 days without pretty well any hygiene–except certain physiological processes that refuse to be interfered with . . . But it’s not very pleasant. If an emergency happens, it’s not generally fun. Yet it can be made less disastrous and upsetting with a little preparation.
At very least, a 72-hour personal hygiene kit ought to have: hand sanitizer for waterless wash-up, wet wipes for waterless bathing, rinse free shampoo for waterless hair care, and I suggest a nice sized washcloth that can be used as a towel, or what have you. And a comb or brush.
One can survive 3 days without shaving, brushing teeth, or using make-up. But it can be important for a person’s emotional well-being to have some of these items in your kit. It’s an individual choice about which of these items to include: mouth care items (you can brush/swish with mouthwash, to conserve water), deodorant, lotion, nail care, some minimal make-up . . .
Things to keep long hair under control can be pretty important, and nail polish can help entertain and distract even little girls from the stresses and possible boredom of the situation.
Girls over 9 years old should have some kind of feminine products–there’s nothing like stress to bring that sort of thing on.
Although you will likely be trying to conserve water, some bar soap can be used to clean spots on clothes, rather than wait until they have to be washed completely, which uses much more water.
Ideally, each person would have a 72-hour backpack or grab ‘n go kit, just in case family members get separated.
But a family hygiene kit at home or in the car (or both), can contain larger quantities of wipes, hand sanitizer, rinse-less shampoo, bar soap, as well as items needed for little ones who can’t carry their own. Zipping bags can contain waste diapers to control smell as well as other unpleasantness .
While it may not be practical for each individual to carry TP (though they might be able to carry a small roll in a zip bag–they can use wipes, if they must), certainly the family kit should have toilet paper enough for the family for three days or more.
Five gallon buckets with toilet seats and liners are available online, making waste disposal much easier. Some family members, especially the elderly and disabled may need a commode. The commode could be bedside, put over the toilet (open the lids of the toilet to accommodate the commode bucket) and/or portable/folding, in case you have to evacuate.
Some liners have an absorbent pad that is very helpful. Disposable underpads may be invaluable for keeping laundry to a minimum, for persons without bowel and bladder control, whether old or very young.
I suggest some Lysol (spray or liquid), perhaps air freshening spray, if you are at home for the duration. If you have to leave home, you have to balance the weight and bulk of what you can carry with you–either by some sort of vehicle, or on foot.
In any case, give some thought to your routine, what is most important to you and each family member, to help keep up morale as well as cleanliness.
Best wishes.
Emergency Prep--some ideas and options 