Comments on: 10 Preparedness Tips From Living In NYC

By: Anthony

Anthony — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 19:10:23 +0000

Can you speak at all to how you would evacuate from NYC? I’m in Long Island and as you know there are 3 bridges leaving the island/NYC five boro area to the mainland. In ANY crisis there is no way to get over these within 24 hours. Hell, on any given Friday afternoon it could take 3-4 hours. So should I plan on buggin-in?
Thoughts?
thanks so much guys.
-Anthony

By: Jennie

Jennie — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 20:41:25 +0000

Excellent article, I am from Britain and I have faced challenges in my Life, I am always positive minded, being a Buddhist and practice Taiji Quan.

I learnt survival skills in Scouts in my teenager years and I continually practice them, continually upgrading my survival kit for Urban and wilderness too.

My peers in LGBT are unprepared for a life challenges, I am always prepared and transgender women are survivors in the world and USA.

Your articles, I enjoy reading and informative, while Britain is not USA. I have written philosophy of survival based on my own life experiences and applications of survival skills in different environments, from kayaking to hills, to festivals, to wilderness of my local county, Lake District, to urban too. I may not faced same life challenges as you, my life as challenges too in a different way, I always positive minded.

Thank you, I continually referred to your website and happy new year too

By: Flo

Flo — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 22:25:52 +0000

Some years ago the area where I live suffered through the infamous “Thanksgiving Day Blizzard” as it was known locally and the very next year we suffered through the “Christmas Day blizzard”, which was actually a two-week complete shut down of the city. My Great Grandmother and Grandmother had both raised me and my siblings with the “Plan for the worst and hope for the best” frame of mind. Because of that we had a complete Thanksgiving Day meal where other people were left eating soup and crackers for their dinner. The next year we had a phenomenal Christmas dinner and all the presents under the tree because I had taken the ever worsening weather reports seriously and planned ahead. Getting to a store with two small children in tow was not an option during those two weeks but because of supplies I had at home it wasn’t needed either. I’ve made sure to raise my kids the same way and check with them periodically to see that they adhere to a “plan ahead attitude”. We’ve suffered some really rough financial times where that “plan ahead” attitude got us through in style.

By: Chris Ruiz

Chris Ruiz — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 22:31:07 +0000

In reply to Michele. Wow Michele, what a horrible story. I am glad that you made it out unharmed. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, hopefully others can benefit from hearing it as I have.

By: Michele

Michele — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 19:00:36 +0000

A few months after the Oklahoma bombing, there was a copy cat incident in my office building. We were held captive for 10 hours. It ended ok, but not without bullets and terror. The first thing I noticed was everyone going to the phones (no cell phones then) and calling family. People reported that their spouses, signifcants, did NOT believe them, until they were told to turn on the t.v. The nest thing, every single vending machine was emptied. My office was 3 floors, 2 vending machines on each floor. They were all emptied immediately. This was stress munching, not hording. The area around the building was completely evacuated and the nearby freeway was shut down. As we looked out the windows, it looked like the city just disappeared. It was very eerie. Fortunately, my company brought in pyschologists and councelors the next day to meet with those of us who returned the next day. This was wonderful! Most of the women reported that their husbands were angry and even displayed that anger toward them. Or, indifference about how dangerous it really was. What the counselors explained to us has been invaluable insight into human nature. The “outsiders” (those not in the building) felt helpless, fearful and powerless. This was what the anger / denial was all about. My point to telling this experience is that I learned one of the most important preparations to undertake is the Emotional aspect of such traumatic experience. Each person may act differently. Everyone will be nervous and fearful. The best prep is to KNOW that this could happen to you and your loved ones. Reassure them well in advance that it is OK to be angry, frightened even “frozen” in place. Everyone should have a sense of safety, knowing there is plenty of food, water and comfort around to take care of them and others. Everyone will Know that each person will be doing what they can to remain safe and in contact as soon as possible. Having a loving, honest and open communication is the most important aspect to preparation. That, and having a desk drawer full of granola bars!