Syracuse City Disaster Preparedness Committee

BY PATRICK CARROLL

Consider the Following Scenario:

It’s been months since the total collapse of society. The financial upheaval that had been predicted for years has finally come true. Banks have closed and paper money has become worthless. All stores have been wiped clean after the unrest, and people are surviving on what they stored in their homes. Gold and silver held their value for a while until people started running out of life-sustaining/enhancing items. Bartering has become the new unit of exchange, as people desire things that have become scarcer. Luckily, you planned ahead and stored items that are now in high demand.

The previous scenario may not come to pass in our lifetimes, but if so, what should we store? Think about what you would need to survive: food, water, heat, and medicine, among other things. The law of scarcity and desire will determine an item’s value. Also, take the item’s shelf life and size into consideration when bartering.

Let’s start with food. Because everyone typically eats every day of their lives, food will go extremely fast, especially processed foods that must be rotated regularly. Store grains, legumes, honey, and salt, among other things, that have a long shelf-life and can be traded for fresh things such as vegetables or eggs.

It’s almost impossible to store enough water to last a family more than a few weeks. The ability to purify large amounts of water by using chlorine granules or charcoal filters will become essential. Drinking unclean water invites disease and sanitation issues that can kill you.

Heat will be most important in wintertime. Burning wood gives off smoke that can cause issues. The ability to cook and have light will also be necessary. Kerosene, butane, propane, and candles are alternatives, but special care must be given to avoid fires and asphyxiation. Solar ovens are a great way to cook without depleting fuel supplies.

Lastly, consider medical issues. High-strength pain killers require a prescription. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen will be in great demand as people will have to get off their couches and use their muscles. Antibiotics could save your life if you get an infection but are hard to get in stock because a prescription is necessary. It may be wise to store as much life-sustaining medication as possible, even if you must pay out-of-pocket instead of going through your insurance company.

So, now that we have survived the initial collapse of society and life has kind of settled down to a dull roar, let’s prepare to get things back to normal. Dang, I forgot chocolate!