Post some of the stuff you've done to prep/ learn/ communicate lately.

Me? Stored 7 gals of water.

I stuck 30 cans of tuna in my basement among other supplies.

I started buying a few gallons of water and some canned foods every paycheck. I have 14 gallons and 10 cans of Chunky soup so far and will be picking up another 6 or so gallons tomorrow, along with some more food, a gallon of bleach, and an eyedropper.

I also bought a set of risers for my bed to give me room to store my bug-in stuff underneath my bed.

I'm getting a silnylon tarp for the BOB, along with a few other things. And I just re-packed the BOB too, to make it a little more orderly. And bought 2 more Mainstay 2400 rations to go with the one 3600 I had (need to get some 1200's, I know).

I've been going to he gym regularly, getting into some intense workouts again. I guess it does more for my preparedness than just stockpiling supplies.

I've done quite a bit since I first showed up here in August.

But the single thing I am the most happy with is a telescoping ladder that I can use to get down from my bedroom balcony if I'm cut off from the front door. (The design of the balcony rail precludes a "standard" fire escape ladder.)

My home was not defensible or capable of being very self-sustaining due to homeowner association rules and local ordinances, without investments beyond my means. I am glad I have moved onto a modest sailboat which at least gives me "home base" mobility.

Beyond that, I continue taking outdoor and wilderness skills courses, have assisted teaching the basics at some, and next week have my CERT application meeting. And, of course, learn and share with my ETS friends!

A little off track but.....

Yesterday during a community project two workers were involved in an accident. One guy was using those big scissor-type hedge clippers to clear some heavy grass from around a grave marker. Another guy was clearing the cuttings away. YUP!! You guessed it. Two objects tried to break the laws of physics and occupy the same place at the same time. The guy clearing was clipped rathr severely at the base of his middle finger. He was bleeding rather heavily. It was pretty deep. As soon as I saw it I ran to my car and opened my FAK. I grabbed a 12-ply 4x4 and some tape. I met him and the other guy at the car. I doubled the dressing and taped it on. The hospital was only 3-4 minutes away. They took off. I looked on the ground and there was a good-sized puddle of blood. That was not a little cut! I thought I did good. Not exactly getting prepared as being prepared and acting on it.

In hindsight I realize I need to have gloves more readily available. I think I will use someone's example of having one quart ziplock quick-FAKs. I need to get on that.

Everyone knows about first-aid, then there is self-aid...

I worked on my self-aid skills, uh umm, unintentionally....

I found DD walking one of our German Shepherd Dogs. Seems a neighbor's dog got away from the leash and decided to come charging at DD. Our GSD took offense,( she saw the other dog as a threat to DD ) and was in the beginning process of dismantling the offending dog. I drove around the corner about 1.5 seconds before the dance began, and dove in to stop the festivities.

This is the second time in 12 years I have had to do it. I really hope there isn't a third.

Treating bite wounds from accidentally coming between the bite-er and the bite-ee is a little more difficult than I expected. DD was a trouper, until she saw the blood. The she was a hinderance.

Luckily I know both dogs, so no issues there.

Coban tape and 4x4's are your friend when working on yourself.

Switched my car FAK from a super boo boo kit with some trauma mixed in to two more organized containers. I kept the boo boo kit in the original box & expanded the trauma stuff into its own box.

Ditto on the quart ziploc bags, put a mask and gloves in each.

What have I done? Just routine stuff that everyone should do:
* Stockpiling food that we eat -- rotating to use the older stuff and replacing with new. Only two weeks of water though.
* Regular trips to the gym three/four times a week. Cardio, core and strength training.
* No mortgage on either my home or the house I'm building. As far as I can tell I'm debt free except for the credit card I pay off each month. Truck's paid for too.
* I keep various kits at home and in the truck: winter kit (warm clothes and such), GHB, et al. Big FAK is in the truck along with extra 4x4's and a buttload of 14"x17" white towels I got at Costco cheap. Not sterile, but they've never been used and they're big.