Before Disaster Strikes

Disasters often strike without warning and leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Yet armed with the right tools and information, survivors can fend for themselves and get through even the toughest circumstances. Matthew Stein's When Disaster Strikes provides a thorough, practical guide for how to prepare for and react in many of life's most unpredictable scenarios. In this disaster-preparedness manual, he outlines the materials you'll need-from food and water, to shelter and energy, to first-aid and survival skills-to help you safely live through the worst. When Disaster Strikes covers how to find and store food, water, and clothing, as well as the basics of installing back-up power and lights. You'll learn how to gather and sterilize water, build a fire, treat injuries in an emergency, and use alternative medical sources when conventional ones are unavailable. Stein instructs you on the smartest responses to natural disasters-such as fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and floods-how to keep warm during winter storms, even how to protect yourself from attack or other dangerous situations. With this comprehensive guide in hand, you can be sure to respond quickly, correctly, and confidently when a crisis threatens.

If there was an unexpected emergency, do you have a 72-hour emergency kit stored in your car that will get you home safely? And when you arrive will there be enough food, water and medical supplies to see you and your loved ones past a short-term or long-term crisis? If the answer is no, Survival: Prepare Before Disaster Strikes offers common sense, drama-free advice on food storage, preparedness goods and getting your home survival-ready-whether it is in the city or the country-that won't break the bank! About the Author Barbara Fix was born and raised on an Alaskan homestead, dodging moose on the way to the outhouse and playing Scrabble by lamplight. She currently lives off-grid in North Idaho with fewer moose and alternative power. Barbara is a published author of numerous articles and advice columns related to preparedness and gardening. For current news, tips and fun with preparedness, visit Barbara's blog site: www.survivaldiva.com

Discover how human beings react to danger–and what makes the difference between life and death Today, nine out of ten Americans live in places at significant risk of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorism, or other disasters. Tomorrow, some of us will have to make split-second choices to save ourselves and our families. How will we react? What will it feel like? Will we be heroes or victims? In her quest to answer these questions, award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley traces human responses to some of recent history’s epic disasters, from the explosion of the Mont Blanc munitions ship in 1917–one of the biggest explosions before the invention of the atomic bomb–to the journeys of the 15,000 people who found their way out of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. To understand the science behind the stories, Ripley turns to leading brain scientists, trauma psychologists, and other disaster experts. She even has her own brain examined by military researchers and experiences, through realistic simulations, what it might be like to survive a plane crash into the ocean or to escape a raging fire. Ripley comes back with precious wisdom about the surprising humanity of crowds, the elegance of the brain’s fear circuits, and the stunning inadequacy of many of our evolutionary responses. Most unexpectedly, she discovers the brain’s ability to do much, much better–with just a little help.

Plan ahead so you’re prepared when disaster strikes Disaster preparedness is a topic that everyone should consider. No matter where people live, the potential for a natural or man-made disaster exists. In Disaster Preparedness, expert authors Rod Brouhard and Crystal Kline guide you through almost every possible scenario, so you and your family can be prepared. This practical, essential reference gives you the essentials including tips for producing and conserving drinkable water, generating emergency power, creating and maintaining emergency food supplies, and much more. Written without political or religious bias, Disaster Preparedness is a reference that every home can use before, during, and after disaster strikes. Here’s what you’ll find inside: • Practical worksheets, checklists, and instructions for surviving almost any possible disaster scenario • Guidance for making a survival plan, evacuating for specific disasters, and making a preparedness kit, plus tips for storing and packing survival gear including food, health and hygiene necessities, first aid kits, and medicines • Advice on storing and managing essential documents, with tips on what to take and what not to take • Expert advice on securing your home in the event of a disaster, including protecting your property and belongings • First aid tips for dealing with many common first aid emergencies and injuries that can occur during disasters • Practical tips for picking up the pieces after disaster strikes