These repetitive discussions after disasters are worthwhile, even for the most prepared. These are repetitive mental drills, and mental conditioning is imperative to develop the instincts and knowledge that could save lives, starting with your own.

All the gear in the world is useless if you don't make the right decisions at critical times. And in something the scale of Japan's disaster(s), surviving the initial event has a lot to do with luck.

If I were at Cannon Beach last Thursday, I would not have reacted as quickly or decisively to a tremor as I would today. This morning and for at least the next several months, I'd be immediately running like I was in the shadow of a tsunami.

Gear-wise, a lesson that is obvious from the Japan videos is that your home stash of supplies and gear may be washed away or otherwise destroyed before you can grab any of it. And you may not be home when the event occurs. The Japan 9.0 happened at 2:30 in the afternoon.

That argues for keeping essential items (including some water and food) in other locations at all times, starting with vehicles and office. Because I camp so much I've got three mini-REIs -- home, car, teardrop trailer (in storage 100 miles away so that's a mixed bag).

And the first thing I'm going to do today is put some Micropur tablets in my wallet.