Quick & Dirty

Today a friend started to look into the "end of the world" phenomenon and, as many people do, she started to freak out a little bit.  So little time and so much to do.  Even if the world doesn't start to self destruct there are floods, power outages, storms and other accidents.  So tonight I will give you a quick and dirty survival tip. 

You know the old saying a human can live 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food?  For some reason food is the first thing people think of when it comes to survival planning.   If you're in the wilderness you need to secure shelter first and foremost so lets assume you are staying in your home.  Senario:  There is a flood and the water coming from your tap is contaminated.  What do you do?  Ideally you should boil the water.  This is a very reliable method for killing microbes and parasites.  (If the water is contaminated during a flood it's likely contaminated with sewage)  So you get your water to the stove top and bring it to a boil for ten minutes.  If you are at a high elevation you need to add a minute of boiling for every 1000 feet above sea level.  Easy enough right?  Well what do you do if the flood has taken out the power too?  Sure you Aussies head for the BBQ but if fuel is at a premium let's save it to cook all that food that's thawing in the freezer.


This is when you reach for the bottle of bleach you squirrelled away after reading this blog.  Bleach is cheap.  On your next shopping trip get a generic bottle for around $1.20.  Then print these instructions and tape them to the bottle.  Don't store it in the laundry or it will get used.  In the US during a big emergency they hand out bottles of bleach with these instructions.  

Liquid Bleach First let water stand until particles settle. Pour the clear water into an uncontaminated container and add liquid  Bleach per the chart.* Mix well. Wait 30 min. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat dose.  Wait 15 min. Sniff again. Keep an eyedropper taped to your emergency bottle of Bleach, since purifying small amounts of water requires only a few drops. See chart* suggestions for storage bottle replacement. Don't pour purified water into contaminated containers.  Without water and electricity, even everyday tasks are tough. In lieu of steaming hot water, sanitize dishes with a little Bleach. Just follow the directions below to keep dishes clean. Whether you use bleach in an emergency or for everyday chores, it's always an environmentally sound choice. After its work is done,  Bleach breaks down to little more than salt and water, which is good news anytime.  *Ratio of Bleach to Water for Purification 2 drops of liquid Bleach per quart of water 8 drops of liquid Bleach per gallon of water 1/2 teaspoon liquid Bleach per five gallons of water If water is cloudy, double the recommended dosages of liquid Bleach. Only use Regular Bleach (not Scented). To insure that Bleach is at its full strength, replace your storage bottle every three months.)  **(Bleach Sanitizing Solution)  Mix 1 tablespoon liquid Bleach with 2 litres of water. Always wash and rinse items first, then let each item soak in Bleach Sanitising Solution for 2 minutes. Drain and air dry. I hope this helps you when you need it most.  Be prepared!