By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun
 

Above, To keep warm, this demonstrator has wrapped himself in a heavy blanket with a small candle in between his legs. Below, Beasley shows participants how to light a fire using a fire-block flint to create a spark, while Conniry looks on.

     ALPINE — The Greater Alpine Fire Safe council welcomed Tom Beasley and Susan Conniry authors of Ready or Not, A Survival Handbook, to Joan Mac Queen Middle School to impart their extensive knowledge on the subject of urban disaster preparedness.
     In light of the disasters, such as the recent Witch Fire and Harris Fire as well as earlier disasters such as the Horse Fire, and the Cedar Fire, the Greater Alpine Fire Safe Council has been consistently bringing to our services to our such as chipping and clearing assistance. Coupled with this, they have scheduled many important informational lectures for our community on what to during an emergency.
     This latest event was information packed program that included survival skills that are simple, using everyday items found anywhere. The authors of Ready or Not, A Survival Handbook, have recognized the four basic needs that people must meet for daily survival: shelter, water, fire and food, and have presented solutions to meet these needs.
     “Citizens can, by acquiring basic skills and making preparations, become and asset rather than a liability,” Beasley said.
     Beasley lists the basic steps one must take for survival in and emergency situation. He promotes using items one can find around their home. Sheet plastic can be used to construct a makeshift shelter, telephone book pages can be used for insulation to keep our bodies warm and plastic drink bottles, such as Gatorade bottles, may be used for storage, as they are readily found, inexpensive, and virtually indestructible.
     He also promotes using plastic drink bottles to make simple tools for filtering water, and explained how to use these items in the process of sanitizing water. He emphasized sanitation in his lecture, as sanitation is a huge factor in survival. Keeping clean drinking water is imperative, as is keeping yourself clean, and free of viruses and bacteria to avoid sickness.
    Beasley, during this activity, demonstrated how one could make fire. If you do not have a lighter or matches readily available, find a 9-volt battery, and fine-gauge steel wool, and with a touch of the battery to the wool, you will have a fire. Other sources include a camping “fire-block” that has magnesium and steel to create a spark, or cattail down that will light with the help of a magnifying glass.
     Beasley also emphasized the safety issues that were imperative to consider when any fire is introduced into any situation. Beasley said that once a fire was lit, the importance of having a one-person guard the flame cannot be overlooked. Every year, homes burn down due to candles, and unguarded open flames.
     Beasley and Conniry have been lecturing on survival and survival practice, and are willing to give these lectures to any group who have an interest in this information. Beasley said that we have a responsibility to take care of ourselves if we have the ability to do so.
     Another topic that was touched upon was storage of emergency supplies. There are many facilities available that offer emergency supplies, packaged for long-term storage. Beasley and Conniry explained how the common person can make their own emergency stores, and how to set this up in a location other than one’s home.
     For more information, the book: Ready or Not, A survival Handbook, is available from Amazon.com, or you may contact the authors through their web site www.readyornotsurvival.com.