Karen Konarski-Hart DC MSDPEM EMT        CARIN’ HEARTS Emergency GO KIT

 

We all have known someone who has been put in a situation of unplanned departure from their home or have been in that situation ourselves. It may be an escape from danger in a home, such as a gas leak or a fire. Or it could be a sudden medical emergency for you or your spouse where you need to leave immediately. If that happened to you tonight, what would you do?

Think of these 2 scenarios:

Someone knocks on the door hollering “get out...fire!”. The next morning there is nothing left. Where do you start putting your life back together?

You wake up in the night and your spouse is having a heart attack. The EMT says you can ride with them if you come NOW. You are sitting alone in ICU for hours and hours and don't want to leave. Can you give the medical info re your spouse? Do you have your own medicine, something to eat, some way to freshen up?

Heaven (and emergency workers) can better help those who help themselves. Always consider items critical for the person's health & independence.

Many people over 60 wear glasses, have dentures, wear hearing aids and use a cane. If they left without those things, think how many senses would be altered. Think how helpless they would suddenly be.

If you can only remember that you take a “little orange pill at bedtime” it may take hours to determine what that medication is. If there are a number of people needing assistance, delay could be longer. People who have at least their basic documents and medications can be assisted more quickly. It limits potential health issues. It also gives you a sense of empowerment over your own destiny. If you have special needs, contact the local ambulance service to find out how to be put on a list of people needing assistance during a crisis.

Even if you live in assisted living or a community, having your own kit of preferred items gives you some sense of control.

 

Make this an opportunity for bonding between young people and their elders. Even if you do it for yourself, let your children know, especially about the documents. Make it a game with your grandkids...do a scavenger hunt in your house or at the Dollar Tree. Don't try to do it all at once. Start with the most critical items, then add as you go.

Or give this list to your kids and say “this is what I want for Christmas” and talk about your preferences or things that are important to you.

 

The documents and medications are most important, then start with what you can find. Obviously not all the items are needed by everyone. Remember...You can always add. Places to find items: in drawers at home, free samples/give aways, dollar stores, sporting goods departments, truck stops (many larger ones have areas of supplies that are battery operated, compact & durable), “travel-size” areas at other stores. Be cautious of “survival” food suppliers. Some of these need water and/or heating which may be unavailable. You can often do better with regular food, keeping the preparation limitations in mind.

Make sure you can pull or carry the go-kit (rolling duffle, back or fanny pack) and that it is stored close to your sleeping area (under bed) or near exit for rapid access.

Remember this also may assist someone who accompanies another person with a sudden emergency. The information and supplies could help while waiting in the ICU or ED. It may be helpful to keep health and medication info of significant others with your own important documents.

 

There are 3 basic purposes for a go kit. We'll speak most about the first since it's the simplest I'll also emphasize concepts that are most critical.

1) quick evacuation (fire, gas, haz-mat, tornado)

      personal emergency (immediate hospitalization)

2)  longer expected evacuation  (flood, wild fire)

3)  shelter in place  (ice storm, terror incident)

•For #1…fanny pack, backpack, duffle, carry on

•For #2 & 3…like #1 + rolling cooler/paint bucket/large duffle

 

The IDEAL kit is •3 days of supplies to “grab and go”

•Consider no electricity, transport, heat/AC, water, sanitation

•Consider no one can get to you, you’re on your own

•Talk w family, plan & practice how to escape and where to meet immediately outside of your home and outside of your neighborhood.  Consider alternate routes out.

•Have an out of town contact person that family calls to report status.

•Learn how to turn off utilities, extinguish fire

•Learn how emergency alerts are broadcast, where shelters are

THINK...

• What if I was unconscious?

• What would I need to begin to reconstruct my life if I lost everything?

• What if my cell phone was damaged or lost? (learn at least 1 phone number.)

 

DOCUMENTS

•Have these in hard copy in laminate or zip bag and possibly on flash drive

•If you have any true allergies or serious medical conditions have obvious medallion, bracelet or tag

•List of all medications: dose, prescribing doctor, condition, pharmacy

•Phone #s:  doctors, attorney, insurance co (insurance= medical, residence, car, business)

•Contact Info:  people living w you, caregivers, local friend/relative, out of state relative (cell, home, work, email)

•Copies:  Medical Power of Attorney, non-medical POA, Living Will, DNR

•Copies of Cards: insur/medicare, SS#, driver’s license, (pacemaker, lens/implant, allergies)

•Notable Medical Hx: implants, allergies, surgeries,

•Med contraindications, major diseases (diabetes, stroke, ht dis, COPD)

-Valuables, sentimental items & safe deposit key

•End of life plans
 

•COMPUTER/PHONE PASSWORDS

**Have trusted relative/friend keep a set of the CRITICAL DOCUMENTS + copies of birth/marriage cert, safe deposit key, titles/deeds, credit cards, other important documents + copies of photos/memorabilia,

***Register online with   Smart911.com and update info regularly

MONEY     

•Cash, small bills, some change    Keep with critical documents & ID in neck bag

•ATMs may be inoperable

•Credit cards may not work

•May need vending machine money

 

KEEP IT FRESH

•Rotate food, healthcare items, batteries, clothes and seasonal items in the kit when you normally change fire alarm batteries i.e. spring and fall equinox. Also update Smart911

•Review your documents, update, make changes

PACKING

•ID tags for self & bag, water resistant bag, backpack, fanny pack
 

HEALTHCARE

•-try any new remedy before an emergency

•-be very cautious about offering any supplement, medication or remedy to others

•-keep your scents to yourself!  Other people may have sensitivities to seemingly pleasing smells.  Esp avoid any heavy sweet scents such as patchouli, frangipani, vanilla, other florals or artificial scents.   Use scent in the most discreet way possible, undetectable to others in close quarters.

•Assume there will be minimal first aid and medication available especially in the early phase of an emergency

•Medications:  (preferably 2 weeks, include prescription information), Supplements, homeopathic Rx, OTC meds

•(esp important are lifesaving medications such as those for epilepsy, blood pressure, heart, diabetes, asthma, COPD, clotting or allergy even if only used intermittently or in emergent situations)

•Documents (see list), money, credit card, general purpose “gift” card

•Folding cane/walker, hearing aid/ batteries, denture case

•Contacts/case/solution/glasses/prescription info

•Catheters, Glucometer, needles, wound care items

•Durable medical goods information

•Personal Hygiene (sanitary pads, tampons, diapers, incontinence supplies)

 

OTHER ITEMS

•Faith:  prayer book, Bible, Siddur, Salat, prayer book, rosary, pocket cross, meditation focus

•Entertainment:  magazine,  paperback, puzzle book, pen, paper, sharpie, playing cards, portable game, hobby, needlework, coloring book

•Personal focus:  comfort or humorous item, laminated photo, sentimental item

Map of neighborhood, city, state (even well known areas can change dramatically and known access routes may be blocked)

 

NUTRITION

•Remember that you may be one of many people with many needs.  Resources may be very limited.  If you have food preferences or needs, assume that you must supply your own. (if you go to a shelter and think you will get something other than bologna & cheese on white bread...you may be very mistaken)

•Water bottles, filled and fillable    (1 gal/person or pet/day)

•Non-perishable high energy, nutritious, low sodium, filling, diet-appropriate food to prepare & eat preferably w/o heat or w minimal water. There are amazing amounts of non-perishable snack food available. examples....

•trail mix, nuts, (avoid peanuts)

•sauced/canned/dried/pouched fruit (esp. prunes)

•fiber source, cereal

•protein bars,

•nutrition drinks,

•juice,

•powdered/pouched individual drinks, •powdered/pouched milk or substitute,

•coconut water

•canned/pouched shelf-stable meat/fish, jerky,

•non-refrig cheese,

•nut butter, (avoid peanut)

•jelly, other spreadable/pouched food

•shredded coconut

•canned baked beans,

•spices, sauces, sweetener

•pouched/dehydrated vegetables

•crackers, rice cakes, crisps

•gum, candy,

•baby formula/food

•MREs (meals ready to eat)

•-equipment to access food, prepare, store and consume (can opener, multitool, utensils, knife, cup, bowl, plate…reusable & disposable)

•Caffeine source (canned espresso, energy drinks, caffeine tablets/strips) ...not the time to quit cold turkey

•Nicotine source (lozenges, gum, patch) ...again, not the time to quit & go into withdrawal

•Pet food, bowl, carrier, leash, ID, vet info (contact, vaccinations, medical history)

•Water purification tablets/filter

 

EQUIPMENT

•Sunglasses, eye mask, ear plugs, dust mask, goggles (Shelters & ICUs can be bright and noisy)

•Caribiners

•Batteries for everything

•Tracphone cell phone/cell phone charger (battery/solar/hand crank)

•Other chargers, extension cords, adapters

•Whistle, flashing light, light stick

•Flashlight with clip, “pop-up” light

•Lighter (beware of gas leaks)(avoid candles or any open flame)

•Sewing kit, twist ties, rubber bands, safety pins

•Watch/clock, radio (NOAAD, windup, solar), earphones

•Multi tool, duct tape, plastic sheeting, rope, string

•Zip-lock bags, trash bags

 

CLOTHING/ENVIRONMENT

•Rain poncho, folding umbrella, reflective vest

•Cap or crushable hat/hair band or clip, bandana

•Jogging or yoga suit (can also wear to sleep)

•Fisherman/photographer multi-pocket vest, cargo pants, jacket

•Shower shoes, underwear/socks

•Footwear appropriate to environment (solid shoes to protect from debris)

•Quick dry weather appropriate clothes (eg. silk long underwear, “wicking” clothes)

•Bedding •-pillow (small or inflatable) pillow case,  bedroll/sleeping bag, blanket, sleeping bag liners/sleep sacks, emergency reflective blanket, easy dry towels

•Winter:  Foot/hand warmers    Summer:  Portable fan, soakable neck wrap

•Insect repellant (stick, spray, wipes, small bottle), •sunscreen, lip balm

 

PERSONAL CARE

-tissues, toilet paper, hand/body wipes, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves

•-toothbrush/toothpaste/disposable tooth brushes/floss/mouthwash (Brushing your teeth and changing your socks can change your whole world)

•-razor/mini shave cream or soap, shave brush

•-soap (liquid, paper, bar)

•-deodorant/antiperspirant

•-shampoo (dry or liquid)

•-laundry or dish soap

•-mirror

•-shower cap

•-personal “thing”  (hair, makeup, etc)

•-Vicks Vapo Rub (wherever you go, it will probably smell BAD)

 

FIRST AID

•Bandaids, gauze pads/wrap, hand wipes/alcohol wipes, elastic bandage wrap

•Scissors, tweezers, nail clipper/file, eye cup/wound kit

•Cortisone/antiflammatory cream, antibiotic cream, allergy/antihistamines, analgesics/NSAIDs, salves

•raw honey  (medical grade if possible)  (wound care, gastric upset, sore throat)

•Instant ice pack, razor, disposable gloves, tuning fork

•saline solution/spray (rinsing eyes, ears, wounds),  other eye drops,

•regular & natural first aid book

•128 tuning fork   (fracture assessment)

•Cleaning/Disinfecting/Sanitizing Items

•Cleaning solutions,  brushes, cloths

•Beano   (gastric upset, flatulence)

•digestive enzymes   (digestion, anti-inflammatory)

•Sambucol, elderberry   (influenza)

•cough drops,

•herbal/homeopathic Rx

 

NATURAL REMEDIES

•eucalyptus oil,  (breathing, odor control)

•arnica  (muscle ache, anti-inflammatory, wound care)

•cayenne pepper  (bleeding)

•aloe vera gel   (wound care)

•lavender essential oil   (wound care, calming)

•goldenseal oil/ointment  (wound care, internal/external infections)

•tea tree oil  (wound care)

•coconut oil  (wound care)

•witch hazel   (anti-inflammatory, wound care)

•turmeric   (bleeding, wound care)

•peppermint oil  (odor control, possible wound care, gastric upset, energy)

•cinnamon  (anti-inflammatory, gastric upset, diabetes)

•ginger   (gastric upset, anti-inflammatory, diabetes)

•chamomile  (wound care)

•neem  (wound care, anti-inflammatory)

•vinegar   (astringent, diabetes, gastric upset, cleaning, burns)

•green apple oil  (migraine, mood elevation)

•Scented oil, patches or cream  (beware of flowery or heavy scents)… best are eucalyptus, clean citrus, green apple or mint

•REMEMBER: KEEP YOUR SCENTS TO YOURSELF! (what smells wonderful to you, may cause negative response in others especially in close environments)