Tomorrow’s a big day for Californians.  It’s the day of what’s called the Shake Out Drill, the largest earthquake drill in U. S. history.  ShakeOut is concurrent with Golden Guardian 2008, the nation’s largest state sponsored emergency response exercise, involving 5,000 participants from dozens of state, local, and federal agencies.

At 10 a.m. Pacific Time, November 13th, millions of people in homes, schools, businesses, government offices, and public places all over southern California will Drop, Cover, and Hold On. An enormous earthquake is in California’s future, and the ShakeOut Drill is a chance to practice what to do when it happens.  In a big earthquake, there may be very little time to protect yourself before strong shaking knocks you down or drops something on you. Most earthquakes have a sharp jolt a few seconds before the strong shaking, and people are urged to Drop, Cover, Hold On immediately when feeling the jolt. By practicing participants will act quickly, rather than waiting to see if the earthquake will be large. If it is, it may be too late for self protection.

Let me add a bit of controversy here.  The official government position says this: If you have received information that says that "Drop, Cover, Hold On" is dangerous  and recommends an alternative called "Triangle of Life," please be assured that all reputable emergency organizations and emergency responders support "Drop, Cover Hold On."  However, you can read about the Triangle of Life by clicking here, and you can decide for yourself what you should do.  I hasten to add, I’ve never been through an earthquake and would welcome comments about this from those who have.

By the way, if you want a copy of a USGS report on the Shakeout Scenario, click here.

Let’s go a step further.  QuakeKare says the City of Los Angeles has recognized that the city is ill-prepared to take care of their more than 10 million residents. An earthquake drill is necessary because seismologists at the California Institute of Technology stress that it is not a matter of if, but when the Big One strikes. Recent reports estimate that the L.A. area has a greater than 99% chance of a major earthquake striking in the next 30 years. The fact is "Drop! Cover! And, Hold On!” won’t be enough.  People in an earthquake zone need adequate supplies too.

QuakeKare reports that the City of Los Angeles does not have a plan for how to get supplies such as food, water, lights, or shelter to all of its residents spread out over the 4,4084 square mile area.  Officials should be stressing that people get a quality earthquake kit that will sustain them and their family. Residents who are lucky enough to survive the actual quake may suffer more as the rescuers will be unable to provide emergency relief.  Water, if running at all, will not be safe to drink as treatment facilities will be down. Electricity will be down, roads will be down, buildings will be unsafe to occupy, and chaos may very well ensue. QuakeKare emphasizes that residents need to be prepared to take care of themselves not only during an earthquake but also (and more importantly) after one.

This is where a good survival kit proves to be necessary.  QuakeKare recommends that residents have earthquake survival kits containing all the supplies they need to survive for a minimum of 3 days. QuakeKare Survival Kits contain 72 hours worth of survival food and water which are US Coast Guard Approved to store safely for over 5 years and provide the perfect balance of calories and nutrition for survival victims. Their kits also include all the shelter, sanitation, first-aid, lights, radios, and other earthquake supplies  for survival. If you already have a kit and it has been a while, you need to go through it and check the expiration dates on the food and water along with some of the other supplies like first-aid, lightsticks, batteries, and water purification tablets.

            QuakeKare has a 4 Person Delux Survival Kit, meant to last three days. .  It’s packaged in a 5 gallon container and designed for the home. This comprehensive survival kit contains the most effective emergency supplies for emergency preparedness including the emergency food, water, lighting, radio, first-aid, sanitation, and shelter supplies to prepare for all disasters. This deluxe kit also contains a Solar / Hand-Crank Powered Flashlight, Radio, Flashing LED Siren and Mobile Phone Charger with a universal adapter.  Just plug in your cell phone car charger to charge your phone using the hand-crank / Dynamo Power Generator.

To get your survival kit for earthquakes and other disasters, click on the QuakeKare logo below.  On their home page, click on the Survival Kits category.  Then choose Survival Kits for the Home when the next page comes up.  At that point, you'll see QuakeKare's selection of home kits.  The 4 Person Delux kit is one of their best sellers.  Get yours today!