Self Reliance of the Private Citizen

I have become aware of the fact that we all need to be more self reliant. What did our families do in the past without everything being taken care of? Looking at Katrina, and the flooding that has been going on, global pandemics, and now Haiti, it is apparent that we all need to have some sort of supplies, first aid supplies, and medicine on hand, in case we experience our own area chaotic event. Specialists and major authorities have been warning us of that necessity, but it really hit home this past week with Haiti.  Ask yourself a few questions:

Do I have enough of my own prescription medication to survive, and a very good disaster, first aid kit to survive in the event of a major societal happening?
Do I have extra over the counter medication for pain, and every day items such as deodorant, tooth paste, tooth brushes, shampoo samples, hand soap?
Do I have food for 3 months planned and purchased?
(These would be dried, prepared meals, packed away for emergency. Good sources of easy protein and energy, can goods.)
Do I have water to sustain myself and loved ones for 3 months?
(Cases of bottled water, or gallon jugs of water.)
Do I have a fire arms to protect myself, and other family members?
Do I have ammunition for each fire arm?  Have I been through gun training and know how to handle a weapon safely?  Have all members of my family been through gun training and know how to use a weapon?
Do I have an alternative plan, a place to go, and know that plan has been talked over,
and set into motion with other family members, or friends who will be with me?
Do I have enough gasoline to leave the city or town I am living in and get to another place?
Do I have documentation ready in case I must leave my place of residence?
Do I have a tent, and sleeping bags in the event I would be out doors in the elements?
Do I own substantial outdoor garments, and boots to sustain being out in the elements?
Do I have a Swiss Army knife, a hunting knife, and scissors packed away in emergency gear?
Do I have maps of my region?
Do I know how to run a generator if I would be called upon to do so?
Do I have a generator at the place my family will gather at, and fuel to use it?
Do I have flash lights, batteries, a radio, candles, and things to generate light?
Do I know what can be eaten in the woods, and  out in the wild? Have I studied such things so
I have some sort of knowledge that would be necessary to survive?
Do I know how to prepare a fire, and gather what is necessary to make one?
Do I know how to use a fire place, or wood stove?
Do I know how to run a water purification kit/system so that I can drink water from other sources
around me? Do I have such a kit available in my emergency gear?


 These are just some of the questions to ask yourself in planning for a major weather related event,
or global pandemic, earth quake, and being able to take care of yourself. This is not written to generate fear,
and anxiety. This is to say that we can not rely on a government to rescue, sustain, and be there
for us in the event of a major problem, when there is no one to be there for us. It will be each
private citizen's responsibility to fend for themselves. This government is not our parent. It is a
government for the people, and by the people of this United States. Let us see the reality of that
point and be more self reliant.

C.F.