Immediate Action Shelter

In our last post and video, we explored how preparedness improves our odds for survival.

  

Protecting the body's core temperature provides a key component for any realistic emergency preparedness plan.  Our clothing offers the first line of defense in maintaining core body temperature.  Unfortunately, because of societal norms, most of us usually "dress for success" rather than "dress to survive".  This creates problems when an emergency or natural disaster removes us - or our children - from the controlled environments in which we live, work, play, and go to school.  

 

We need to thrive in a room temperature world, but also meet our responsibilities by preparing our family for an emergency or natural disaster.  Carrying an immediate action shelter (IAS) solves this dilemma. 

An effective IAS must meet the following criteria:

1. Compact:  Small enough to carry all the time.  It easily fits into a school backpack, purse, cargo-pants pocket, or briefcase.
2. Quick to deploy:  Deploys in minutes (or seconds with a little practice).
3. Waterproof:  Impermeable to rain, sleet, and snow. 
4. Windproof:  Blocks the wind.
5. Traps heat:  Creates a dead air space.   
6. Durable:  Resists abrasions, tears, and punctures.
7. Brightly colored:  Passively signals rescuers. 

Whatever you choose for your IAS make sure it satisfies these seven characteristics. 

We recommend a blue, 2-mil, 78 gallon plastic bag as your IAS.  This is the same emergency shelter used by our Department of Homeland Security, Search & Rescue, and EMS clients.

(See right column of blog for ordering information)