Regardless of how badly we wish our survival situations were picture perfect, they aren’t. Not all of us are healthy, 20-something year old males, with military experience and no children to care for.
The fact of the matter is that most of us deal with some special circumstance that should be included in our survival preparations. So here’s some food for thought while keeping those things in mind.
Pregnancy
Women who are within child bearing years and in a committed relationship (or women who are currently pregnant) need to prepare for an emergency scenario in which pregnancy is a possibility. Added measures to be taken:
- Extra Water: The standard minimum is 1 gallon per person per day. For pregnant women, you should plan for a minimum of 1.5 gallons per day. The more the merrier!
- Prenatal Vitamins: Prenatal vitamins have been proven to prevent many prenatal complications. In a scenario in which healthcare will be hard to come by, any added precaution is a good idea.
- Protein: Pregnant women require around 75 grams of protein per day. This needs to be calculated into your food storage! Proteins will build a healthy baby and maintain a healthy mommy during pregnancy. Powdered eggs and beans are great, inexpensive and long lasting protein options.
- Ginger: Pregnancy related nausea has been known to sentence women to a bedridden state for weeks on end. In an emergency, it is important to be mobile. Ginger (or any other preferred anti-nausea remedy) can be the difference between life and death. Helping a pregnant woman stay mobile will not only aid in fetal health, but it may also be necessary to survive.
- Contact with Medical Personnel: This isn’t a debate on whether you believe in hospital, induced, epidural birth versus at-home, with only a stick to bite down on birth. If you are expecting, be in contact with someone who is qualified to assist in your delivery and have emergency communication plans with that person ironed out. It can be anyone from an Obstetrician to your mother. So long as you have someone with you who you are confident in helping you bring your child safely into the world.
Babies
Although babies are little people, they have special needs unique unto themselves:
- Formula: Even if you are a die-hard breastfeeder. Among the most common conditions that occur in an emergency are stress and dehydration. Both of which can affect your ability to breastfeed. Whether you formula feed, breastfeed, or supplement with formula; keep formula in your family’s emergency storage.
- Diapers: Cloth diapers are great for storage because they require far less room then bulky boxes of disposables. Learn how to use and care for them prior to an emergency scenario if you choose to use them for storage.
- Clothing In Various Sizes: I recommend having clothing stored in your child’s size and the sizes they will be wearing within the next 3 years.
- Baby-Grade Medication: As all parents are aware of, babies cannot take adult medications. Have the equivalent of all of your basic medications in the baby alternative.
- Carrier: In a bug out scenario, you will be carrying your baby. Even if they can walk, you will want an easy way to attach them to your body and move out. I personally prefer carriers separate from your bug out backpack. It is certainly up to you to decide what is best for your family, but if you have to drop your things and run for your life having the baby separate from the belongings makes it so much easier. Also, in the way of convenience, it is much easier accessing your belongings with the child separate from the pack.
Children
Their are three major added preparations that I can’t stress enough when children are in the equation.
Store Foods They Like – Children are notorious picky eaters. In a crisis this can prove to be a serious problem. If you have stored food that is unpleasant to eat, your children will likely deal with it for a short period of time and then refuse to eat. Before you know it, your child is starving with calories right in front of their face. Even if it is just a small portion of your storage, do what you can to store items your children currently enjoy. It will help them get through the mental barrier they will undoubtedly reach at some point or another.
Have a Communication Plan and Practice – Disasters don’t always happen at 5pm when everyone is huddled around the kitchen table for dinner. Many disasters happen when parents are at work or children at school. Have a plan for how you will reach one another and practice this plan often. Become familiar with your child’s school’s emergency policy and adjust your plan accordingly.
Entertainment – Even if your family isn’t big on puzzles or board games, they will be very much loved when they are used as a mental escape from the stresses and tragedy of a disaster. Store a good variety of different forms of entertainment to help keep the kidos cool.
Chronic Illnesses
Most families in the world have a member that has some chronic condition that requires medication. In our family alone we have a diabetic and a member with hypothyroidism. Both of these conditions require medication on a daily basis.
Anyone with a chronic condition should have a year’s worth of medication and an appropriate place to store it. Most insurances will not cover a year’s supply of medication so this will most likely end up being a large out of pocket expense. But when the pharmacies are looted and doctor’s difficult to come by, you will be glad you have it.
Another expense to consider while preparing with a chronic condition is a generator and it’s accompanying fuel. In our electric powered world, we take for granted how much we have become dependent upon it. Many medications require refrigeration and during the warm months this means the need of a generator.
Disabilities
Every survival prep can be tailored to those of you with limited ability. Do not be discouraged! Even bugging out can become possible with the right tools. It is impossible for me to speculate as to all the disabilities that many of you preppers may be living with. If you are struggling to find a way to adjust a survival prep to your special needs, please contact me and I’ll do my best to assist you.
Obesity
Due to our country’s percentage of obesity, many people underestimate how this illness can become catastrophic in an emergency. Now I don’t write this in disrespect. I write this because I want all of you, every last one of you, to live.
Obesity is a special circumstance that can be eliminated by making a very committing preparation – weight loss. Obesity can add many challenges to your survival including but not limited to disease, limited mobility, physical weakness and chronic fatigue.
The whole point of preparing is to eliminate as many dangers and obstacles as possible prior to when a crisis comes your way. If you are serious about being prepared and struggling with weight, please go see your doctor and have them help you heal your body so you are better equipped to handle any disaster.
The editor of Resounding Earth, and pursuer of relatively interesting information, Simon has a Masters Degree in Creative Writing and Journalism from the University of Wales, and is a photo-journalist and writer whose written and photographic work has been represented by the AFP news agency and appeared in newspapers across Europe and Asia.