https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/11/...ce?utm_campaign

This article gives an in depth look at the recently activated early warning system, which is now partially functioning - a ew seconds warning is better than none at all...

I hope that early warning system gives you some small piece of mind, ‘cause it may be needed sooner than you think.
California Hit By 39 Quakes In 24 Hours ...eas Fault"

39 shakes in <24 hours is in itself a warning of sorts.

Zero Hedge certainly doesn't minimize the problem, but I prefer the information provided by the USGS; https://earthquake.usgs.gov/. You can read a piece concerning the Hayward Fault which is concerning, without hyping the very definite hazards.

The problem is that earthquakes are, as far as we know now, inherently unpredictable. Sometimes smaller quakes are foreshocks for larger ones, but quite often they are not. One can only be certain after the events have played out. Sometimes smaller quakes relieve strain on a fault system, but they also can increase strain and trigger a big one.

One can be certain that earthquakes will happen, at unpredictable intervals, at unpredictable intensities and that the current best strategy is to be alert and organized.

My gas tank is approaching half full; remind me to fill up tomorrow.

As it currently stands, the early warning system is of limited or no value to the general populace, but enhancements are coming. Developers are warning that there will be inevitable bugs in the system, leading to false alarms, etc. The hope is that these glitches will not cause us to lose faith in the system.

“A pro tells us the 4 items you need in your emergency kit” - LA Times

The regulars here will view this as more of the same and what a minimal kit it is. But the premise is that you can build it yourself. All the basics: food & water, flashlight, whistle, radio ... and she adds a power bank to keep your cellphone charged.

It’s a good read, a reminder for most of us and a good place to start for folks who are new to disaster preparedness.

If you are in SOCAL or anywhere with lots of free sun, I would add a backpack-able solar panel to keep the power bank charged.

I read the same article this morning. I do not agree with Jeanette's FAK recommendation. A person can get a better FAK for $25.

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/first-aid-kit-351-pieces/prod20200504.ip?xid=plp_product_1_1

Jeanette Isabelle

We can discuss FAKs until the cows come home and I believe we have a thread that is doing that right now. In general, the article gives rather sound advice.

Ideally, a FAK should be fine tuned to the capabilities and training o the person(s) using it. The very best and most cost effective FAK is the one you assemble yourself.

I disagree with your comment on what is a cost-effective kit. I don't believe it is possible for an individual to assemble the FAK I listed for less than $25.

Jeanette Isabelle

Feel perfectly free to disagree to your heart's content. I am not impressed with a "351 item" kit which is nearly 50% bandaids,at least for something like treating potential EQ injuries, which are very likely to involve major trauma (as well as extrication issues)The Sams Club kit looks like it is aimed at the typical office situation - (paper cuts and the like). Probably OK for that purpose and it meets OSHA standards!!!

I don't like its advertisement either. Nevertheless, I have tested many off-the-shelf first aid kits made by a variety of companies. I feel confident in saying that this FAK offers the best bang for the buck.

I don't think it is possible for an individual to build a comparably equipped FAK for less than $25 unless said individual already has some of the components or can get them at a discounted price.

Jeanette Isabelle

My FAK’s are more like mini-trauma kits. A few band-aids, but those are mostly in the medicine cabinet at home. The FAK’s I carry are for serious injuries — major bleeding. A lot of the on-the-shelf kits are simply band-aids — and each one is counted in their number of components.

$25 spent on something that does accomplish the necessary task is $25 wasted.

Debating which box of bandaids is the better value is a bit like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. When the Big One rolls around (or any other significant disaster, for that matter) one will soon exhaust the available supplies. What will be of most value is training/experience of first responders and their knowledge to appropriately improvise treatment.

Knowledge and skills are the most useful elements in any FAK.

Amen!

Jeanette Marantos wrote her article for those who have good intentions but have yet to make it happen. She recommended a $35 FAK. I'm saying that the targeted audience (those who neither have the training nor a FAK) can get a better FAK for $25.

Hikermor said, "Ideally, a FAK should be fine tuned to the capabilities and training o the person(s) using it. The very best and most cost effective FAK is the one you assemble yourself."

Again, Jeanette Marantos wrote her article for those who have good intentions. The target audience is not going to assemble a FAK fine-tuned to their capabilities and training. That audience, if they do get a FAK, will get an off-the-shelf kit.

Yes, my recommendation is 49% bandaids (if you include the wound closer strips); if we were to compare the two kits side by side, we would see that they, more or less, have the same contents. My recommendation has more medications, ointments and cleaning items. Hers has two additional 4" x 4" gauze pads, one extra gauze roll, an extra triangular bandage, two hydrocortisone cream packs and an emergency blanket.

Jeanette Isabelle

Neither kit is particularly close to what i would prefer to have in the event o a significant event like an EQ, but the $35 is marginally better. The one currently on hand has more splint material, a BP cuff, stethoscope, gauze, etc and has served usefully in several trauma cases over the past forty years (Not so many in recent years, as my active SAR events are probably behind me).

One thing I learned is that when you need an item, you really need it, and what you might have paid or it is rather insignificant. This is true of first aid items, good equipment, and a whole lot of useful things. Price has to be a factor, but it should not be overwhelming.

Could you please move that deck chair 3.48 inches to the right? It is blocking my view of that iceberg....

I apologize to all for bringing emergency kits into this thread.