Whew, I’m alive! Now what?!
I admit, the word “preparedness” is pretty dull. Besides, it has too many syllables.
On the other hand, “alive” is exciting! Easy to say, easy to grasp!
How do we convert “dull and boring” into “interesting” if not actually into “fun and exciting?”
The answer: “Questions for Survival!”
If you’ve been reading our Advisories, you know that for the past dozen years Joe and I have worked closely with our community emergency response team.
And for 12 years, we’ve done our best to convert staid old “preparedness,” and its cousins “advance planning” and “disaster prevention” into bits and pieces of information that will help keep people interested – and alive.
I just counted: we’ve published 109 Advisories on these topics!
- We’ve tried guilt. “How will you feel when your children turn to you and ask why you don’t have any food for them?”
- We’ve used cynicism. “Oh sure, the authorities will come to rescue us . . .some day!”
- We’ve appealed to the universal love of gadgetry. “The best single tool you have ever balanced in your hand!”
- Competition works sometimes. “Don’t let someone else take credit for the work you’ve put in.”
- Then there’s plain old fear. “Buried under a pile of rubble, will you be able to signal where you are? Will people even be looking for you there?”
All these approaches work to a certain extent. When we see that people have been looking at our equipment reviews, or commenting on our blog posts, or actually buying emergency supplies, we know it’s all worth it!
But, of course, we can’t stop.
Awareness is a perpetual mindset.
If preparedness is important to you, YOU can’t stop reminding other people about its importance, either.
So here’s another tool for you to use to turn a preparedness conversation from something boring into something that could be really interesting!
Questions for Survival – Series One
This is a series of simple “problems” that you are likely to face if, for example, the electrical power goes out. Some ways to use the list:
- At home.
Bring up one or a group of related problems at the dinner table. Spend 5 minutes, or twice that, coming up with solutions. You’ll be amazed at what family members will come up with (or maybe WON’T come up with) – and having once talked about it, they’ll be ready to respond when the problem really occurs.
- In a group.
Use a few of the questions to stimulate discussion at work, or in a group setting at your church, your child care center, your AA meeting, wherever. You may uncover some things that people have completely overlooked BECAUSE IT WASN’T THEIR JOB! Interesting how disasters don’t discriminate . . .!
- Forward to others.
Our goal is simple: to make people aware of potential risks, give them a sense of confidence that they will know what to do and thus have the best possible chance of surviving whatever emergency arises!
Click here to get your free copy of “Whew. I’m alive! Now what?! — Questions for Survival”
And share it! Simply forward this email to friends, or via Facebook. We’re busy putting the finishing touches on Series Two, and will have it out soon.
Don’t miss any of them!
Joe and Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide Team