How to Survive Anything Mother Nature Throws at Yo

Just saw a Popular Mechanics Article: How to Survive Anything Mother Nature Throws at You.

I have not seen anyone else post anything about it, so I will. Have not yet read all of it, so I don't have any comments, but would enjoy others when they read it.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/worst_case_scenarios/4220418.html?page=1

24 gallons per person per day??
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/worst_case_scenarios/4220573.html?page=2

That's either a typo or they're assuming that you'll need drinking water, washing water, cooking water, and water your tomatoe garden so you'll have fresh food to eat

I keep reading about CERT training and this article mentions it too. Anybody been through it? Is it worth it? Forgive my ignorance.

I just finished CERT training for work and I loved it. They also do short refresher classes each month for us on a single topic so we can remember what we learned in class. I work at a university so we also had a class devoted to work place violence and shooters on campus. I found it all very interesting and it has helped me make adjustments in my work kit and car kit. In my opinion CERT training is a good jump start, but you'll need to be proactive in getting more training (especially first aid and CPR) afterwards.

I've been through CERT training (and citizen police and fire academy as well) and am now on the response team for two communities (where I work and where I live). These are good basic classes, especially for those that have had no basic first aid etc... As part of the CERT training each person received a bag with some basic supplies and tools. It also helps to have a 'common' language to talk with other team members. As a result of the training we have been through, one of my close friends whom went through it with me happened to watch a rather horrific car accident occur right in front of him. He pulled out his CERT gear and started first aid on the people in the car that had some pretty extensive damage and one trapped passenger. While stemming the bleeding from the trapped passenger, the fire department arrived and seeing that he seemed pretty together actually had him assist in helping to extricate the girl who was trapped in the back seat. While he had wondered if he would be able to cope should the moment arrive, he said it all flowed naturally in the heat of the moment. After all had returned to normal however he said he got pretty shaky. For those of us that don't do this on a regular basis - it get's you thinking about what you need to do and what prep to start making. Since that intro time we've both gone through more extensive first aid training and CPR certification. All in all I'd recommend the CERT program - our experience was pretty positive and the local police and fire departments were pretty supportive.

Is there a minimum age for CERT training?

I personally can't speak to that - check with your local community. The youngest person in our class (about 20 people) was mid 20's. The oldest in their late 60's. Everyone was enthusiastic and there was a lot of great interaction. The conclusion of the class was a mock disaster situation (Arriving at a building devastated by a tornado). Needless to say our team thinking we were a bunch of hot shots planned out our roles, arriving at the scene with FRS radios for communication, etc.. AND EVERYTHING WENT OUT THE WINDOW in less than 60 seconds. Those planning the disaster did a great job of creating the confusion, noise, and all kinds of things that we were not ready for. There wasn't a single one of us that was not ready for rescue ourselves at the end of the 20 minute simulation. This was a real eye opener for what 1st responders have to do - and all this for those of us knowing it was only a simulation! Like I had mentioned before - I don't think CERT prepares you for anything that could possibly happen - but the everyday citizen needs to start somewhere. Having been through that I know that my own personal preparation at home is much better today than it was a year ago. Check out some of the info at the department of homeland security as a start: http://www.dhs.gov/xcitizens/