What's the Real Reason Behind the California Dam Breach, and How Does that Affect You?

The Oroville dam and the residents in that area have been on our minds and Facebook feeds for the past few days. It brought back to my mind a flood that happened to me a few years ago. It makes my heart reach out to them even more.

It was a typical Sunday morning, or so I thought... I ran downstairs to our crawlspace we use for storage to grab something from our food storage. And I realized it was a lot more wet down there than I remembered.

There was several inches of water covering our entire crawlspace. I had no inclination that was something I would ever have to worry about in that location or house, but due to recent storms the water table in our area had significantly risen.

It may have been unexpected but we still had to deal with the problem. It took most of the day to move all our boxes and storage from the basement upstairs where it was dry. And in the end we found that the flood had damaged some of our belongings, especially books and papers that we had kept down there.

Even that small bit of water flooding our home caused a lot of headache. And it was headache that could have been avoided.

My run-in with flooding was very small compared to the potential catastrophe that over 100,000 Californian residents are currently facing. For the time being the evacuation order has been lifted but anxiety is still tense. So what is the problem that officials were so worried about?

The Flooding: Deficient Spillway

Radiating Nuclear Safety

With all the hype that has been surrounding Japan's nuclear power plant radiation leak questions are being asked, such as, what is radiation, what is the big deal, how could radiation potentially affect me, and what do I do if a nuclear emergency happened? We did some research for you and this is what we found.

Understanding Radiation

So how does radiation affect our bodies, what symptoms would we experience and is there any treatments? It works by making small breaks in the DNA inside cells,damaging cells enough to kill them or causing them to mutate, which eventually leads to cancer.

Symptoms

Here are some symptoms to look out for:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Spontaneous bleeding
• Hair Loss
• Severe fatigue
• Mouth Ulcers

However, these symptoms all depend on how much radiation you have been exposed to. If you have been exposed to a large amount you will experience these symptoms and after a couple of days you will feel like you're getting better but in fact you are not. These symptoms will come back worse and eventually will result in death.

Treatment

Potassium Iodide is used to stop radiation from invading your thyroid gland, but is also used after initial exposure to stop further exposure and flush toxic particles out through your urine.There's a chemical called Prussian blue, an ion exchanger that binds to the radioactive particles of cesium and thallium, reducing the amount of radiation that cells may absorb according to the Mayo Clinic.

What to do in a Nuclear Emergency

Whether it’s an earthquake, a tsunami, or a nuclear bomb the possibilities will always be there for some of us to come in contact with radioactive material. If that happens these steps can help in not getting exposed.   

Step 1:  Get as far away as possible from the exposed sight.

If there is a radiation disaster you want to make sure you get as far away as possible from the exposed place so you don’t get contaminated with radiation. But what can you do if getting away isn’t possible?

Step 2: Shelter In Place.
If getting away isn’t possible and you need to shelter in place what measures can we take to make sure our home is safe from exposure?

• 

  Remove clothing, shoes, and accessories before entering your shelter area
• Shower and wash your body with soap and water
• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors
• Turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents, and fans
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting to cover all windows, doors and vents. The thicker you can get it the better. Every couple hours you should remove it for a short period of time to help against suffocation.

Step 3: Stay informed.

It will be important to stay tuned once you get inside for updated instructions from emergency response officials. As officials learn more about the emergency, they will be communicating the latest information to the public. These are the best ways to keep in touch.

• A battery-powered or hand crank emergency radio.   
• Try to use text messages.
• If you have a computer,use email and social media websites.

Any disaster can be a devastating event, but if we can educate ourselves and can follow these simple steps then we can stop any horrible tragedy from happening. Feel free to comment below about any other steps you would take to keep yourself and family safe.

The Chill Pill: Preparing for the Next Big Blizzard

The winter storm that hit the Southeast has now moved up to the East Coast, heavy snow and freezing temperatures have been reported early this week. Commuters are facing windblown snow and slick highways. There is warning of high winds, coastal flooding as well as possible power outages.  So with the weather changing so quickly what should we have with us in case of emergency? Here are some suggestions that we think would be helpful.

Food & Water: Having non-perishable food that doesn't need to be cooked is a great idea in case you have to be somewhere for a long period of time or if you get stuck somewhere. As well as having water that you know is safe and clean.

Gas (Don't Drive on Empty): It's a bad idea to drive on empty at anytime but especially in a winter storm,keep your tank above half so you are sure to never get stuck somewhere. 

Cash: Not many people carry cash anymore, but in a winter storm there is always a chance of power outages which means you can't always count on your credit card. Carry small bills and change so you can pay exact amounts.  

Jumper Cables: It's always a good idea to have jumper cables in your car because batteries tend to die in the cold. 

Tow Rope: Having tow ropes in the car would help if you are stuck somewhere in the snow and need to be pulled out. 

Gloves: Having a pair of gloves would be helpful if you need to get out in the cold and work on your car. 

Shovel: Having a small folding shovel will come in handy if you had to dig yourself out of the snow.

Ice Scraper: Having some sort of ice scraper is always a good idea in a snow storm in case you need to clear your windows. 

Flares, Triangles: Having something where you are able to signal for help in case of emergency.

Blanket: If you're stuck somewhere for a long period of time having a blanket with you will be a life saver so you don't end up with frostbite. 

Hand Warmers: Having hand warmers will keep you warm in any emergency.

Boots: Having some sort of snow boots will be helpful if you need to travel in the snow on foot. 

First Aid Kit: In case of any accidents or injuries having a first aid kit that has the essentials such as band-aids, gauze, cleaning wipes etc. 

Radio: Having someway to get updated information about the weather conditions would be a great idea.

Flashlight: Not only would it help with signaling if you need to work on your car in the dark or walk somewhere.

These are just a couple ideas on how we think you could be prepared in a winter storm. We would love to hear how your preparing, feel free to share a comment below about some of your ideas.

10 Gifts for your Prepper Loved Ones

One of the wedding gifts my wife and use most (besides Target gift cards that we somehow still haven't used up) was a first aid kit. It's not flashy, but it's darn useful, and sometimes that says more than flashiness. When it comes to preppers, outdoorsmen, or just men in general, useful presents are particularly appreciated. Have a man or prepper in your long list of friends, coworkers, and in-laws? You'll find something for them in your price range here. There's even some stocking stuffers, so here's the list!

1. Urban Survival Bug Out Bag- Has a discreet black backpack for blending in when chaos hits the streets. Includes food, water, radio, hygiene supplies, etc. The 2 person ($139.99) is shown, but it also comes in 4-person ($179.99).

2. Family Prep Survival Kit- Besides being bright red (to stick out to search and rescue), this one is similar to the urban bag. Instead of water purification it has some more tools and also hand warmers. The 4 person ($179.99) is shown, but it also comes in 2-person ($139.99).

3. Fire Bracelet- Paracord bracelets are both in style and useful, especially when it comes with a survival whistle and flint striker built into the buckle! Cost: $11.99.

4. Redo Hand Warmers- If you live in a cold climate these are a must have. Simply snap a disc inside the pack and the chemical inside gets toasty warm. When it's done (up to 1 hour later) simply stick it in hot or boiling water and let it cool to reuse it! Cost: $4.99.

5. 5 Gallon Bucket Toilet Seat- This toilet seat can snap onto most 5-gallon buckets to turn it into a toilet. Great for camping, hunting, and emergency preparedness! Cost: $14.99.

6. HeatStore Blanket- Better than a regular space (mylar) blanket, this emergency blanket is actually durable. Reuse it without worrying about tearing it.
Thanks to it's dual layer technology, it reflects heat on one side and absorbs it on the other. In winter use the shiny side on the inside to stay warm and in summer make it into a tent with the reflective side facing out to stay cool! Cost: $7.99.

7. ThermaSave Blanket- Similar to the HeatStore blanket with the same dual layer technology, this blanket is slightly thinner for easier packing, but is still thicker and more durable than traditional space blankets. Makes a perfect stocking stuffer! Cost: $4.99.

8. Stealth Tactical Bug-Out Bag- Designed for the truly hard core. The bag itself is amazing, not to mention all the tools and supplies that are inside. Did I mention that it comes with a 2 person tent pole tent that rolls up and comes inside? Cost: $299.00.

9. First Aid Kit- 118 pieces including bandages, nitrile gloves, CPR mask, tape, tweezers, scissors, cleansing wipes, and more. It can easily fit in a desk drawer, glove box, or backpack. You'll use it more than you think!

10. Tactical Flashlight- Camping, hiking, cave exploring, power outages, car safety, these are all usages for flashlights. Make it an Emergency Zone Tactical Flashlight and you'll have an S.O.S. and also attack mode with a CREE LED that's brighter than most others out there.

A Hurricane of Prizes: Giveaway for $780 in Gear!

June 1st marks the beginning of the 2016 hurricane season, and to help raise awareness we are teaming up with some great companies for a huge giveaway. This is our thank you to you, the customer. We've teamed up with LuminAid, LifeStraw, PrepareWise food storage, and PowerPractical for some really awesome products at a total retail value of over $750!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
The giveaway goes from June 1st to June 15th. The winner, who will be picked randomly, will be announced June 16th. We will contact them via email.

Stealth Tactical Bug Out Bag X1
With all the tactical features and without the showy looks, you can wear this bag anywhere without people realizing you have a gun in your backpack. It has MOLLE straps around the edges, a hidden gun compartment, a stow away water proof cover, and to top it off it is hydration bladder compatible.

LuminAid PackLite 16 x2
Clip this on your backpack while you hike and by the end of the day you'll have a LED lantern with 30 hours of battery life. Not only that, this solar charged lantern is waterproof and floats, providing 65 lumens of bright light at full power. Using it's 4 settings, including emergency flashing, you'll have all the lantern you need. 

LifeStraw Go x1
The famous and trusted LifeStraw, an innovation in portable filtration, is now in bottle form. Simply fill your LifeStraw Go bottle with water and as you drink the internal filter cleans 99.9 percent of bacteria and protozoans.

MegaOne Meal Replacement Shake x6
A food storage solution in powder form, MegaOne meals taste great. It has 27 grams of plant-based proteins, 20 grams of fiber, and a host of super foods. As a plus, it's non-GMO, gluten free, and all natural.

Power Pot 5 x1
Its a pot that generates electricity while boiling water. Weighing in at only 14oz, and putting out 5 volts of charging power, the Power Pot 5 comes in handy while camping, hiking, or just during power outages. And in case you're worried, it charges your phone just as fast as at home!



Enter Contest Here

Everything You Need to Know About The Recent Elizabethkingia Outbreak

There has been news going around of another disease outbreak in the midwest. It's a little-known bacteria called Elizabethkingia.

What is Elizabethkingia?
Elizabethkingia is a bacteria commonly found in nature. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines it as follows:

Elizabethkingia is a genus of bacteria commonly found in the environment worldwide and has been detected in soil, river water and reservoirs. However, it rarely makes people sick. Cases are diagnosed through culture of body fluids, most often blood testing. Elizabethkingia has mostly caused meningitis in newborn babies and meningitis or bloodstream and respiratory infections in people with weakened immune systems. About 5-10 cases per state per year are reported in the United States, with a few small, localized outbreaks reported in both the United States and other countries, usually in healthcare settings.

To date, CDC has confirmed a total of 59 cases confirmed (57 in Wisconsin, 1 each in Michigan and Illinois) while 20 deaths were confirmed (18 in Wisconsin, 1 each in Michigan and Illinois).

So Elizabethkingia is actually all around us, in dirt, water, etc. It's only when a person's immune system is weak that this bacteria can cause problems.

What is considered an "outbreak?"
The term "outbreak" may make the news sound like a disease is spreading across the state/country like wildfire, but that may not be the case.  The World Health Organization defines the term "outbreak" as follows:

A disease outbreak is the occurrence of cases of disease in excess of what would normally be expected in a defined community, geographical area or season. An outbreak may occur in a restricted geographical area, or may extend over several countries. It may last for a few days or weeks, or for several years.

A single case of a communicable disease long absent from a population, or caused by an agent (e.g. bacterium or virus) not previously recognized in that community or area, or the emergence of a previously unknown disease, may also constitute an outbreak and should be reported and investigated.

So outbreak just means an increase above the normal or expected occurrence. Often times "outbreak" is confused with "epidemic" or "pandemic." An epidemic is when a disease spreads rapidly to many people. A pandemic is a world-wide outbreak. Pandemic may also mean that their's a new strain of bacteria that no one is immune too, or that the bacteria is one that easily spreads to others.

Should We Panic?
Before deciding to panic or not, let's look at some facts. First, because it's found in dirt and rivers this bacteria has probably been around humans for thousands of years. It hasn't caused much damage in all that time and, in fact, it was so quite it wasn't even discovered until 1959! Second, when comparing the number of Elizabethkingia cases with the number of flu cases, we see that this outbreak is very small. Remember, an outbreak can mean a normally dormant disease has suddenly spiked. Check out this graph: (keep in mind that we are comparing elizabethkingia to only .001% of flu cases in America.)

.001% is a very small percentage. To illustrate, the width of a hair is .001% the height of a 3 story building! That puts into perspective that Elizabethkingia, although possibly fatal in young or old victims, is hardly an endemic. Unless history changes drastically, it shouldn't be an issue for the majority of people.

Finally, A Stealthy Bug Out Bag

What is the most important part of a bug out bag? Is it the food and water, the fire starting tools, or what type of knife you have? There are multiple good answers to that question, but there's one really obvious good answer. The most important part of a bug out bag is the bag itself! Your bag lets you carry all your life giving tools anywhere you go. Hence you should take careful consideration when purchasing a bug out bag.

The Problem with Bug Out Bags
There is, however, a big problem with bug out bags: often times they call attention to themselves. This is a problem because not everyone in a survival situation wants to be found by just anybody. Whether you're hiding from the government or your neighbor, you don't want a bright red backpack to give you a way. In an urban setting even tactical bags can stand out. If you see your neighbor with a tactical backpack then you automatically imagine guns, ammo, and survival supplies inside. Tactical backpacks with camouflage are obviously bad for blending into urban siutations, but even black ones stick out because they have MOLLE straps all over them. MOLLE points to military, which points to guns and ammo, which points to supplies and preparedness, which makes you a target to others in an emergency situation if people are desperate for supplies.

The Advantage of the Emergency Zone Stealth Tactical Bag
That's where the Emergency Zone Stealth Tactical Bag comes in: designed as a bug out bag, yet determined to blend in. It's black and grey color scheme doesn't draw attention. It does have MOLLE straps, but they're only put around the edges of the pack so others don't see it easily. Now you can leave your home while looking discreet. The great part is that you don't sacrifice quality or features, either.

Features

So what are all the features of the Stealth Tactical Backpack? Here's a list:

• Molle system around the edges where it is useful without looking tactical
• Comes with a full size 2 liter hydration bladder
• Built-in stowaway waterproof covering
• Optional duffle bag mode (backpack straps detach and tuck inside)
• Tough nylon strap extends around the entire backpack for extra support
• Metal buckles for extra strength
• Chest and hip straps
• Whistle and flint striker built into the chest strap
• Compression straps
• Hidden and easily accessible pistol compartment. While you're wearing the backpack just reach behind your back to grab your concealed weapon
• 4 main compartments with pockets for cell phones and smaller items
• Padded back and straps

With all these features this bag deserves the name Stealth Tactical. It's incredibly sturdy, you aren't going to be able to break it. The large padded straps are very comfortable, and with the compression straps pulling the load closer to your back it's comfortable enough for long excursions. So if you want to hide your valuable supplies but you still want tactical features and comfort, this backpack is for you. With Emergency Zone's Stealth Tactical Bug Out Bag, ordinary is your disguise, tactical is your truth.