Glad DW is a Social Worker. I can handle the survival stuff and she can handle the hysterical antics of those around us.

This does raise an important point though. Mental preparedness is as important as the physical preparedness and having the right gear on hand. What good are all your other preps if you are one of the ones who break down in the aftermath.

Don't discount it. Put yourself in a situation where your significant other, children, parents and/or a lot of other family members have died. Add to that your home has been destroyed. Add to that you are badly injured yourself. Add to that ...

It is easy for us to assume in the aftermath of a disaster we will be the ones who rise from the rubble with our caches of gear and our wealth of knowledge. Put the other shoe on and it changes things drastically.