Today we are featuring Jim Cobb’s latest book, Countdown to Preparedness: The Prepper’s 52-Week Course to Total Disaster Readiness.
I had the opportunity to read Countdown to Preparedness and found lots of helpful advice. It breaks down the idea of preparing for both short term disasters into manageable steps that can be done in 52 weeks. Of course you can take shortcuts if you are able to or stretch out the time period according to your finances and time constraints. I appreciate the budget minded approach, as many families are daunted by large expenses.
Jim Cobb’s books have been featured on Apartment Prepper previously and we are pleased to have this encore interview.
1. Given the fears about the ebola virus, what is your current state of alertness (on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest level) regarding this issue and why?
As it stands right now, I’d say I’m at a 2.5 or so. Ebola is on my radar,
but I’m not really losing any sleep over the threat just yet.
2. If the threat of ebola were to escalate, what is the best approach for a city dweller?
Isolation would be key. If someone in an urban area were able to quickly
and safely get into a less populated area, that would be ideal. If that’s
not a viable option, be prepared to hunker down and wait it out, which
could take weeks or even months.
3. Residents and tourists in Hawaii breathed a sigh of relief as the two hurricanes threatening the islands passed without incident. Many readers are confused about being prepared while flying to a destination, either for business or personal. What is the best way to be prepared while on vacation or traveling for business?
When possible, I much prefer to drive to my destination, given that I can
obviously carry more gear with me. Flying is problematic when it comes to
survival equipment.
It might be seen as being “overly prepared” but what I’ve been doing is
shipping a small box to my hotel ahead of my arrival. Said box contains a
small amount of survival gear — food, water filter, first aid kit, knife,
etc. Not a ton of stuff, but enough to give me a leg up if I were to need
to evacuate without having access to my regular kits.
Now for the Giveaway:
Please answer the following questions for a chance to win a copy of Countdown to Preparedness: The Prepper’s 52-Week Course to Total Disaster Readiness.
Are you prepared for emergencies when traveling? What steps do you take to be prepared?
The winner* will be chosen at a random “Pick a Giveaway Winner” drawing on Friday, August 22 at 8 pm Central. *Winner will be notified via email. Winner must reply to email notification within 48 hours or another winner will be drawn.
This giveaway is now closed.
FYI – your links seem to be directing to the wrong site.
Wendy, thanks for pointing that out – fixed out. I appreciate it!!
If I’m flying I try to be as prepared as I can. I keep a change of clothes (extra socks and undies), food, hat, and medicine in my carry on. In my checked baggage I keep my multi tool and any bulkier items I may need depending on the location. I try to think of what could happen while I’m there: tsunami, hurricane, fire, military coup, etc and what few things would help me the most. And I always were sensible shoes.
I also make sure people know where I am and when I should be home, that way if something happens in the region, someone will know to look for me. My family will have my flight information in case of hijacking or crash. I keep people informed so I can’t just quietly vanish, someone will know I’m missing.
I am usually decently prepared when I travel. I don’t fly for various reasons so I’m always driving, which makes things easier. In the car I’ll have the usual car stuff: jumpstarter, coolant, oil ect.; I also pack a cooler full of bottled water and MREs, this stuff is always in the car. For the trip I pack: my rucksack, which contains the usual BOB stuff plus my clothes and toiletries for the trip, my rifle in a case with some spare ammo, and walkie talkies for the wife and I to talk to each other (comes in handy when I’m filling up the gas and she’s inside getting food). Ironically enough, since most of my trips are to visit my dad in southern rural Illinois, I might be better if something did happen while on the trip! 🙂
Yes, I try to be prepared whenever I am traveling. I pay attention to the seasons and the distance. There are basic preps for any season and then there are more specific preps. Some items are always in the trunk of the car and some are in my daily carry bag. Depending on the type of traveling and time frame items get added.
These preparations include having a plan and communicating it with my family. If something happens we will know what the plan is and how it will be followed. These preparations and plans always include prayer and trusting God.
Thanks for what you are doing to help educate people about living prepared and thanks for the contest too.
We live in Denver and are planning a vacation trip to the Grand Canyon in mid-September. Even before the Ebola “scare” grew to its current proportions, we debated driving versus flying. Even then, we were concerned about not being able to carry as much of our emergency supplies as we’d like. However, we decided that driving meant spending just too much uncomfortable time in the car. Fortunately, Southwest Airlines allows two checked bags per person at no extra charge and we plan to take full advantage of that. We will have a large first-aid/infection control kit in our checked bags, as well a small one for each person in our carry-ons. We researched what is recommended for survival in the desert just-in-case and will also have water filters, ponchos, and other survival supplies in the checked luggage. Once we arrive in Arizona, we will load up the rental car with bottled water, a cheap cooler, ice, snacks, etc.
I’m pretty well prepared when I travel. I don’t fly and my BOB is always in my car. Although I do add some extras when I’m on a long trip.
I usually make sure I’m stock at home with water dry goods and started cooking at least two meals of prepped food so I can improvise and see what works n what doesn’t. also NY family had an agreement we will all meet at moms Acreage
I don’t fly and only travel in New England so my preparedness boils down to having my “get home safe kit” in the car at all times. (Actually one for each family member and the dog that shares our travels). Even my daily commute to work requires having sensible shoes and clothing in the car as well as my backpack with food, water, heat source, etc. available on the off chance I have to walk home.
I’m flying to Salt Lake City later this fall; trying to pack what I can legally carry in my carry-on, including some odd things like LifeStraw, all my meds, extra glasses and hearing aid prescriptions, and packing my multi tool, etc in my checked bag. The challenge for me will be feeling comfortable leaving my kids (20 and 17) at home for the week I’m gone…
I am somewhat prepared for emergencies when traveling I always have fix a flat with me and I have blankets and I have water and I keep some dry and canned food on hand and of course jumper cables but I probably could be more prepared with medical supplies etc …..I would love to win this book!
When I travel, I drive and am pretty well prepared from most things. Walking home wouldn’t be fun though.
Hubby flies to his jobs and refuses to do much in that regard. He does carry his meds in his carry on and that is an improvement. Sometimes, if he is going to be gone a couple of weeks, he will put his pocket knife in his checked bag.
We don’t do much traveling these days; however, our vehicles have a couple of types of bags. One is specific to the vehicle with jumper cables, fix a flat, etc. The other is one with food and water, extra clothes & footwear, emergency blankets, hand crank radios/flashlights, and so on.
We have an emergency plan, bug out bags in several locations in the house, as well as food and water for several months, as well as ample first aid and other supplies. We evaluate where we are in “preparing” periodically and plan for additional items we think would be beneficial.
I travel only by car so I always have my bug out gear with me.
Constant watching of surroundings, melee weapon close if not on my person. Always try to find uses for things that most people throw away.
I don’t travel by plane. When I travel by car I have water, multi tool, Swiss army knife
and plenty of food. By plane I would have a Swiss army knife in my checked in bag. I would bring snacks on my carry on luggage.
When flying i definitely take a first aid kit, small travel bag with personal hygiene items, pen flashlight, umbrella, extra cash stored in hotel safe, and a back up credit card.