The Bug Out Bag Quarterly Review

My cat heps prepare the BOB.

    

     It is the end of March, and therefore we are a quarter of the way through the year. I have decided that as a result this is a good time to do a review of my bug out bag, to see where it is at, and how much more I need to get done by the end of the year. So this right now is the basic state that my bug out bag is in.



     So I start with my two biggest things. The bag, and my sleeping bag. The bag I am using for my bug out bag is a fairly regular size backpack. With a couple of different pockets in it, I think it works well for me. It should provide enough space to pack what I need, without allowing me to pack to much. This way I am not weighed down by unneccessary items.

     The sleeping bag is part of my bug out bag for the simple reason that it is the only sleeping bag I have. It is not the warmest, smallest or lightest, but for the moment it will have to do. In the future I would like to get a smaller bag, but for the time being I am not going to put it too high on my "to get" list.



     Next up we have hygeine. So far in the hygeine section is a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, razor, hairties (can also be used for other things much in the same way as a rubber bands), hand sanitizer, and a small hand towel (because regular towels are not going to fit).



     In the tools section so far there is two flashlights. One is battery powered and one is a hand crank, this way there are two light sources. If one breaks, hopefully the other will continue to work. For fire there is a a box of matches and three bic lighters, for when the matches fail you.

     There is also an am/fm radio with headphones to hopefully allow me to tune into any emergency broadcasts and potentially alert me to any evac plans and routes, as well as potential refugee camps. This will allow me to know where and when these things are happening, and it will allow me to find those places if neccessary, or avoid them as I see fit.

     A multi tool is always present because that is always useful. Shoe laces are good to replace a worn out pair, or to double as string. Meanwhile a deck of cards is there to prevent bordom, and spool of thread and a needle (which is stuck in the spool, but you can't see it from the picture) is there for all the many number of uses that you can use both for. Finally there is a pair of ear plugs which are definatly useful if you are going to be using a gun and have time to stick them in. They can also be useful if you just need some peace and quite from your constantly talking best friend who survived the sh*t hitting the fan with you, and is now driving you mad.



     On to the beginnings of my food storage. Yes I know it is rather sad looking. It also is meant to end up in my BOB like that if I can help it. I am getting together a stock of differernt foods that can be combined together to create my own MRE's because actually buying them are very expensive. So far I have individual tuna packets, cider packets, tea bags, and miso soup. For those that don't know miso soup is a Japanese soup, and it lends itself very well to being put in small packages to be made into soup later with just water. Also included in this section is my water bottle.



     The last section of my BOB is the medical kit. It is certainly not complete yet. More things will be put in, and somethings will likely be taken out. However for the time being, this what is in there. From the top left, trying to go down in columns: allergy relief pills, ibuprofin, a lighter, eye drops, hand sanitizer, aloe vera, 100 repel bug spray, off bug spray. Column two: soap and antibactierial wet wipes. Column three: bandaids, vaseline (can also be used for fire starting), two gauze wraps, cotton swabs, ace bandage. Column four: more bandaids, small and large gauze pads, and kleenex.

     So there it is. This is the beginnigs of my BOB. It is a long way from being finished but it is definatly a start. The things I am going to be working on next are clothing, aquiring a small tent, a tarp, a survival knife, and other tools. I will also be continue to increase my food storage and hopefull I can start making some MRE's soon.

     I know there are a lot of you out there with your own BOBs. What do you have in yours? Any suggestions for mine? Would love to see lists, pictures and any comments!

~Sara

Planting Zones

     Well its that time of year again. The flowers are sprouting, leaves are out and the chill of winter is starting to dissapear. Well realistically, there was no winter. At least not in my part of the country. Much to my dismay that regulary six inches to three feet of snow that should have been on the ground for the past five months never showed up. Which is a shame too because I wanted to do a post or two on winter shelters. It will have to wait for next year.

     So as spring has shown up early I thought I would do a quick post on beginning gardens. As you all know, one of my goals for the year is to grow my own food. Not tons of it, because there is no way that is going to happen, but at least a little. Hopefully a couple of happy plants in pots if I don't kill them first from neglect or over watering (I have learned that when you plant starts to float, you gave it too much water, and it is going to die).

     Now one of the things with starting my first foray into growing a garden, or at least a couple of pots, is figuring out when exactly I should start planting. Apparently it is all based on zones. These zones are based on geography, wind and weather patterns, and basically give an idea of the average temperatures in an area. This is because plants need specific enviroments and tempuratres to survive. For example, an orange tree is not going to grow well, if at all, in Minnesota.

     So I decided to go ahead and look up when it was that I could start my garden pots outside, and found that I got two sets of dates. Apparently there are two types of vegetable gardens: warm season vegetable gardens and cool season vegetable gardens. I did not know thats. As far as I knew, you took some seeds and stuck them in the ground, hope they grow and there is your garden. I had no idea that you could start a different garden based on what weather a plant does better in.

     Of course now that I have found out about it, it does make quite a bit of sense, and it helps make sure I don't try and grow a cool vegetable during the middle of august. A quick list of the vegetables for you all:

     Warm Vegetables: Beans, Cantaloupes, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Okra, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Winter Squash

     Cold Vegetables: Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Strawberry, Turnips

     So without further ado, here is a list of all the zones for everyone and when you can start your growing!

A Map of the Growing Zones in North America

Zones 9-10:     There won't be very many of you in these zones. These zones are very warm, and are only found on the bottom edge of the United States.

-Warm Vegetables: March - April

-Cool Vegetables: Sept - March


Zones 7 -8:       These zones strech through the deep south of the country and up into the bottoms of Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansaw, and Oklahoma. These zones also continue through Texas and into the bottom half of New Mexico and Arizona, and then all the way up through California.

-Warm Vegetables: April - May

-Cool Vegetables: August - September


Zones 5-6:      These zones strech straight through the middle of the United States, and creeps up into the Rust Belt as well.

-Warm Vegetables: March - Early May

-Cool Vegetables: August - September


Zones 3-4:       These zones go through the top sections of the United States across the border and into the bottom areas of Canada.

-Warm Vegetables: April - May

-Cool Vegetables: Late July - Early September


Zones 1-2:       These zones cover the upper half of Canada, and this is where we start getting into the very cold areas of the globe. There is a short growing season, and some plants can't be grown there at all. So for those who are looking to start a vegetable garden up there, make sure to check what plants will grow and which won't.

-Warm Vegetables: May - June

-Cool Vegetables: July - August


     So there we are. The zones for planting because we are getting into the season. I will have an update soon as I get ahold of seeds and once my pots start getting started. Is anyone else out there planning on growing a garden? What are you growing? Let us know in the comments, we love to hear from you!

~Sara

Weekly World Risk Update (3/21 - 3/27)

     Here is the weekly update of potential and actual disasters worldwide for the past week. Quakes and volcanic activity have been present throughout the week in Central America. Also there is reports of an earthquake near the Santorini Super Volcano, but information is not being release by the Greek monitoring institutes.

     There are a number of nuclear and Hazmat events that have happened this week.  Also violence continues in Syria, Libya and in the coup d etat underway in Mali.

     This is your weekly report preppers. Look for the information you need to stay safe and keep on prepping.



Earthquakes

March 21st
-22:15:06 USC, Magnitude 6.6 - New Guinea, Papua New Guinea

-11:36:16 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Guerrero, Mexico

　

March 22nd
-16:46:47 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Oaxaca, Mexico

-12:59:29 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Vanuatu

-00:21:34 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Kepulauan Sangihe, Indonesia

　

March 23rd
-9:25:17 USC, Magnitude 5.6 - South Australia

　

March 24th
-22:18:38 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - Pacific Antarctic Ridge

-19:41:52 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Izu Islands, Japan Region

-07:28:34 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Region Metropolitana, Chile

　

March 25th
-22:37:07 USC, Magnitude 7.1 - Maule, Chile

-13:59:23 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Fiji Region

-13:22:41 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

-10:26:53 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - South Sandwich Islands Region

-01:05:35 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Pacific Antarctic Ridge

　

March 26th
-21:02:24 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Banda Sea

-18:12:54 USC, Magnitude 6.0 - Northern East Pacific Rise

-17:58:28 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Northern East Pacific Rise

-17:48:28 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Northern East Pacific Rise

-16:58:09 USC, Magnitude 5.7 - Southwest Indian Ridge

-10:35:36 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Eastern Turkey

-09:30:19 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Chukotka, Russia

　

March 27th
-23:40:14 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Nepal-India Border Region

-11:00:44 USC, Magnitude 6.0 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan





Tsunami
-3/25/2012, 22:44pm - Near Coast of Central Chile - Magnitude 7.2, Depth 10km





Volcanic Activity
3-23-2012: 8:07 PM - Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat - Volcano Activity

3-26-2012: 5:58 PM - Batu Tara Volcano, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia - Volcanic Eruption

3-26-2012: 6:03 PM - Popocatepetl Volcano, States of Puebla and Morelos, Mexico - Volcano Activity

3-26-2012: 6:05 PM - Tungurahua Volcano, Cordillera Oriental, Ecuador - Volcano Eruption

3-27-2012: 3:13 AM - Santa Maria (Santiaguito) Volcano, Quetzaltenango, Western Highlands, Guatemala - Volcano Activity

3-27-2012: 3:16 AM - Volcan de Fuego, Sierra Madre, Guatemala - Volcano Activity


Tropical Storms
No Tropical Storms at This Time





Status of Worldwide Supervolcanoes
Lake Taupo - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Lake Toba - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Whakamaru - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Yellowstone Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Island park Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

La Girta Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Mount Tambora - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Baekdu Mountain - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Kikai Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Laacher See - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Aira Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Campi Flegrei - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Reporoa Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Mount Aso - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Long Valley Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Valles Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Santorini Volcano - VEI 7 - Status: Green

3-21-2012 - 3.2 earthqauke occured at submarine volcano 8km east of Santorini Island, Greece. One of the largests events in recent months. Greek monitoring institutes are not publishing more details. Access to important earthquake details are not publies, though they are available for other regions in Greece. Why not for Santorini?

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/21/volcano-activity-europe-greece-3/





Flooding
-3-27-2012 - Flash Flooding - Province of Oriental Mindoro - At least twenty evacuated.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/27/flash-flood-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-29/



3-27-2012 - Flooding - Multiprovinces, Ecuador - 30 dead after torrential rains cause flooding.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/flood-south-america-ecuador/



3-25-2012 - Flooding - First Nations of Kashechewan and Fort Albany, Ontario, Canada - Evacuations and state of emergency delcared as ice flows and break ups cause flooding.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/flood-north-america-canada-29/



3-25-2012 - Flooding - St. John's River areas, New Brunswick, Canada

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/flood-north-america-canada-30/





Fire
-3-27-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Jefferson County, Colorado, USA - Homes lost and 2 dead as fire burns out of control southeast of Aspen Park.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/27/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-191/



-3-27-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Samtse Dzongkhag, Bhutan

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/27/forest-wild-fire-asia-bhutan/



-3-26-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Chimayo, New Mexico, USA - 20 acre wildfire has forced some evacuations.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-190/



-3-24-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Rapid City, South Dakota, USA - At least four apartment buildings evacuated as work is underway to contain a grass fire.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/24/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-189/





Health
Update: Epidemic Hazard - Nigeria - Over 400 infected and 40 dead from the Lassa Fever outbreak that started at the end of January.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/epidemic-hazard-africa-nigeria-10/



Update: Biological Hazard - Egypt - Foot and mouth disease continues to be found throughout Egypt.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/23/biological-hazard-africa-egypt-6/



Update: Biological Hazard - Multistates, USA - White-Nose Syndrome has spread into Acadia National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/22/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-392/



Update: Epidemic Hazard - Pune, Maharastra, India - Swine flu cases continue. At least 32 infected and 6 dead.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/22/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-124/



Update: Epidemic Hazard - Amuru District, Northern Uganada, Uganada - Surveillance has stepped up on menigitis outbreak that has now killed at least 11 people, with at least another 30 infected.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/22/epidemic-hazard-africa-uganda-8/



Update: Epidemic Hazard - Liverpool, Englad, UK - Number of measles cases in and around Liverpool is continuing to grow.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/20/epidemic-hazard-europe-united-kingdom-53/



3-27-2012 - Biological Hazard - California, USA - 10,000 birds dead from avian cholera.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/27/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-397/



3-27-2012 - Biological Hazard - Omaheke, State of Gobabis, Namibia - 3 dead from anthrax.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/27/biological-hazard-africa-namibia/



3-27-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Island of Lombok, PRovince of West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, - 17 year old dead from bird flu. The country's sixth fatality to the virus this year.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/27/epidemic-hazard-indonesian-archipelago-indonesia-31/



3-26-2012 - Biological Hazard - Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, India - 8,500 chickens culled following detection of avian influenza.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/biological-hazard-asia-india-57/



-3-26-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Rampura, Gujarat, India - Confirmed case of swine flu.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-128/



-3-25-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - 32 confirmed cases of whooping cough.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/25/epidemic-hazard-north-america-canada-25/



3-24-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Madhubani District, Bihar, India - At least 10 children dead from measles.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/24/nuclear-event-europe-switzerland/



3-23-2012 - Biological Hazard - New Taipei City, Banqiao District, Taiwan - Market closed for disinfection after sample collected there found to be avian flu positive.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/23/biological-hazard-asia-taiwan-7/



3-23-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Andhra Pradesh, India - At least 25 infected with swine flu.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/23/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-125/



3-22-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Iganga, Eastern Uganda, Uganda - 1 dead, and 60 admitted to health centers following a measles outbreak.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/22/epidemic-hazard-africa-uganda-10/





HAZMAT Events
3-27-2012 - Hazmat Event - BP Refinery, Texas City, Texas, USA - Hydrofluoric acid leak.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/27/hazmat-north-america-usa-160/



3-26-2012 - Hazmat Event - Elgin-Franklin Fields, North Sea, UK - Gas leak.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/hazmat-europe-united-kingdom-21/



3-22-2012 - Hazmat Event - Joushua Tree National Park, California, USA - Adimistrative center closed after suspicious package was delievered and 11 employees became sick.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/22/hazmat-north-america-usa-159/





Nuclear Events
3-27-2012 - Nuclear Event - North Anna Nuclear Generating Station, Virginia, USA - Degraded condition.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/nuclear-event-north-america-usa-80/



3-24-2012 - Nuclear Event - Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, Canton of Aargau, Switzeralnd - Reactor shut down due to technical problems.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/24/nuclear-event-europe-switzerland/





Other
-3-26-2012 - Power Outage - Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territory - The Gaza Strip's sole power station comes to a halt leaving residents without power and endangering lives of hospital patients.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/26/power-outage-middle-east-palestinian-territory-2/



3-22-2012 - Mysterious Noises - Clintonville, Wisconsin - Mysterious booming noises have kept residents up at night for the past few nights. Manmade cause has been ruled out and there are no known earthquake fault lines in the area.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/23/non-categorized-event-north-america-usa-17/





War/Terrorism

3-21-201
-United Nations Security Council adpots a statement supporting Kofi Annan's plan for ending violence in Syria.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/201232114131971935.html

-Rebelling government troops in Mali storm the state broadcaster in the capital Bamako.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/2012321184549658627.html

-Iraq is terrorized by unconfirmed reports of extremists crushing the skulls of emos with blocks of cement.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17450437

-Car bomb explodes in central Mogadishu, Somalia, injuring two.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-21/nigerian-troops-kill-nine-suspected-islamist-gunmen-in-kano-1-.html

-Nigerian Army soldiers kill nine gunmen suspected of belonging to teh Boko Haram Islamist group.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-21/nigerian-troops-kill-nine-suspected-islamist-gunmen-in-kano-1-.html

　

3-22-2012
-Midi-Pyrenees shootings suspected perpetrator Mohammed Merah dies, and three French police men injured.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17473207

-Soldiers storm palace of President Amadou Toumani Toure with heavy gunfire reported in Bamako as part of a coup d etat.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/22/uk-mali-army-palace-idUKBRE82K1EZ20120322

-Syrian armed forces continue to shell the city of Hama.

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-03-22/middleeast/world_meast_syria-unrest_1_idlib-local-coordination-committees-bokamal?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST

-12 people killed in an operation against PKK rebels in southeastern Turkey.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jOnmTa0g2NFElOV_HiiRhCZibfmg?docId=CNG.52747391d01822f26d635ca87e46ff5f.781

　

3-23-2012
No news stories.

　

3-24-2012
-Ten killed, and 25 injured in an airstirke by Kenyan fighter jets on a southern Somalia town near the Kenya border.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/24/non-categorized-event-africa-somalia/

-15 Kurdish militants, all women, killed by Turkish security forces in south-eastern Bitlis Province.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17500617

-30 people killed as Syrian Army tanks storm the town of Saraqeb and are met by resistance from Syrian Army defectors.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4207143,00.html

-The African Union deploys a 5,000-strong force in the hope of catching or killing warlord Joseph Kony.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17498382

　

3-25-2012
-At least 48 people reported killed across Syria as talks held about a process for transitioning to a "legitimate government".

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/25/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?hpt=wo_c1

-Syrian armed forces continue to bombard Homs.

http://www.news24.com/World/News/Blasts-shake-Homs-Syria-rebels-hit-back-20120325

-Tuareg insurgents close in on multiple northern towns in Mali, where they say they will apply Islamic sharia law.

http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Tuareg-rebels-advance-in-Mali-20120325

-Roadside bomb in southern Kandahar Province, Afghanistan detonates and killed six Afghan police, one U.S. soldier and one translator.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/25/world/asia/afghanistan-unrest/?hpt=ias_c2

　

3-26-2012
-Afghan police officer kills two British military personnel before being gunned down.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g60230ON79PMKyaN4XeWHhJCRl-Q?docId=93964d8e9ba344a1bac08c3ea30dbcf6

-Tibetan protestor self-immolates during protest in New Delhi, India.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-26/india/31239781_1_tenzin-dorjee-tibetan-exile-chinese-embassy

-Columbian forces kill 32 FARC rebels in the lastest government offensive.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-26/india/31239781_1_tenzin-dorjee-tibetan-exile-chinese-embassy

-Somali pirates hijack Iranian-owned cargo ship with 23 crew members in waters off the Maldives.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gH8pG22Q8YyzdVqTHk95ZElBzOkA?docId=CNG.acfc1dff135a58aa206592dd6bfc3a20.221

　

3-27-2012
-Landmine explosion in Maharashta, India kills 15 policemen and injures 13 others. Allegedly done by Maoist insurgents.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1152362--maoist-rebels-kill-15-paramilitary-police-wound-13-in-ambush-in-central-india

-Several people arrested in Kabul, Afghanistan as alleged suicide bombings are foiled.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17520430

-At least 50 dead in two days of tribal clashes in southern Libya.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ix-IdDuq18348X79ZTdtG_1w91PA?docId=b20a208f34c9495b9c78747046268821

-Libya National Transitional Council admits it faces national crisis amid escalation of violence and militia rule

http://www.scotsman.com/news/libya-facing-meltdown-as-armed-gangs-defy-ntc-rule-1-2199277

3/21/2012 - Weekly World Risk Update

     Here is the Weekly World Risk Update.  Updates on news about everything from natural disasters to the possibilities of disease outbreaks.  So you can keep a watch on the world and what is going on out there, and to help better warn you if something is on the way.  Keep a sharp eye out preppers.



Earthquakes

March 14
21:38:56 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

21:13:11 USC, Magnitude 6.2 - New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea

19:07:43 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Off West Coast of the South Island, N.Z.

12:05:06 USC, Magnitude 5.7 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

11:40:19 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

10:57:42 USC, Magnitude 5.7 - Off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

10:49:25 USC, Magnitude 6.1 - Off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

09:08:38 USC, Magnitude 6.9 - Off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

　

March 15
19:20:18 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Nearth South Coast of Honshu, Japan

　

March 16
17:18:34 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Southeast of the Loyalty Islands

07:58:05 USC, Magnitude 5.7 - Leyte, Philippines

00:38:07 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Kuril Islands

　

March 17
19:50:23 USC, Magntidue 5.1 - Southern East Pacific Rise

17:00:57 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - Carlsberg Ridge

15:49:17 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Carlsberg Ridge

15:16:25 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Carlsberg Ridge

　

March 18
No earthquakes reported at 5.0 magnitude or greater.

　

March 19
23:46:34 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - Samoa Islands Region

13:42:35 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - New Guinea, Papua New Guinea

05:05:00 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia

02:56:03 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Hokkaido, Japan Region

02:30:22 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea

　

March 20
18:35:40 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Oaxaca, Mexico

18:22:35 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Oaxaca, Mexico

18:02:49 USC, Magnitude 7.4 - Oaxaca, Mexico

17:56:19 USC, Magnitude 6.2 - Papua, Indonesia

15:06:02 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Vanuatu



Mexico Earthquake: http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/20/earthquake-middle-america-mexico-3/





Tsunami
03-20-2012, 18:13 pm, Pacific Ocean Region - Guerrero, Mexico, Magnitude 7.8 - Depth 10 km

3-14-2012, 11:50 am, Pacific Ocean Region - Island of Hokkaido, Japan



Volcanic Activity
3-18-2012, 5:47 pm, Sicily, Italy - Mout Etna Volcano - Volcano Eruption

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/18/volcano-eruption-europe-italy-11/



3-13-2012, 15:15 pm, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan - Sakurajima Volcano - Volcano Eruption

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/14/volcano-eruption-asia-japan-6/





Tropical Storms
No tropical storms at this time.





Status of Worldwide Supervolcanoes
Lake Taupo - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Lake Toba - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Whakamaru - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Yellowstone Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Island park Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

La Girta Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Mount Tambora - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Baekdu Mountain - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Kikai Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Laacher See - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Aira Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Campi Flegrei - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Reporoa Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Mount Aso - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Long Valley Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Valles Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Santorini Volcano - VEI 7 - Status: Green





Flooding
3-19-2012 - Northland, New Zealand - Threat of flooding.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/19/flood-australia-new-zealand-3/





Drought
3-16-2012 - Mangla and Tarbela Reservoirs, State of Punjab, Pakistan

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/17/drought-asia-pakistan-2/



3-15-2012 - St. Helena Region, California, USA

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/15/drought-north-america-usa-9/





Fire
3-19-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Mt. Kenya National Park, Kenya

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/20/forest-wild-fire-africa-kenya/



3-19-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Yuma, Arizona, USA

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/19/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-185/



3-19-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Yimen County, Province of Yunnan, China

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/19/forest-wild-fire-asia-china-8/



3-17-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Aberdeen Region, South Dakota, USA

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/17/biological-hazard-asia-china-21/



3-14-2012 - Forest Wild Fire - Maple Creek Region, Saskatchewan, Canada

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/14/forest-wild-fire-north-america-canada-24/





Health
Update: Epidemic Hazard - Liverpool - Measles - Number of cases continues to grow.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/20/epidemic-hazard-europe-united-kingdom-53/



Update: Epidemic Hazard - Province of Cebu, Philippines - Typhoid fever confirmed, outbreak declared.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/18/epidemic-hazard-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-27/



3-19-2012 - Biological Hazard - State of Bihar, India - 1,500 chickens die due to mysterious disease. Fear of bird flu.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/20/biological-hazard-asia-india-56/



3-18-2012 - Biological Hazard - Limburg, Netherlands - Variant of H5 Avian Influenza found in at turkey farm.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/20/biological-hazard-europe-netherlands-7/



3-18-2012 - Biological Hazard - Dallu District, Kathmandu, Nepal - Thousands of chickens dead from bird flu.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/19/biological-hazard-asia-nepal-12/



3-18-2012 - Biological Hazard - Governorates of Gharbiya and Dakahliya, Egypt - Foot and mouth disease has spread throughout Egypt.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/18/biological-hazard-africa-egypt-6/



3-17-2012 - Biological Hazard - St. Marys, Ohio, USA - Chemical treatment to head off toxic algae blooms.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/17/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-390/



3-17-2012 - Biological Hazard - Provinces of Bataan and Zambales, Philippines - Red tide toxin phenomenon is at its worst.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/17/biological-hazard-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-17/



3-17-2012 - Biological Hazard - Shek Kip Mei, Hong Kong, China - Dead house crow tests positive for H5 avian influenza.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/17/biological-hazard-asia-china-21/



3-16-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Amuru District, Northern Uganda, Uganda - Sespected outbreak of meningitis. At least 2 dead.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/17/epidemic-hazard-africa-uganda-8/



3-16-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Warwick, Rhode Island, USA - Six cases of chickenpox reported in four communities.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/16/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-225/



3-15-2012 - Biological Hazard - Shalva and Holit, Southern District, Isreal - Three cats dead from eating poultry infected with avian flu.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/17/biological-hazard-middle-east-israel-5/



3-15-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Tongatapu Island, Tonga - 2 confirmed cases of Typhoid.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/15/epidemic-hazard-pacific-ocean-east-tonga/



3-15-2012 - Epidemic - Turburan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines - Typhoid fever cases have reached 830 confirmed.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/15/epidemic-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-8/



3-15-2012 - Biological Hazard - Russell Cave, Alabama, USA - Fungal disease blamed for killing more than 5 million bats in five years has made its way into Alabama and could be headed for the Shoals.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/15/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-387/



3-14-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Pune, State of Maharastra, India - 12 swine flue cases in the last two weeks.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/14/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-124/



3-14-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Malabuyoc, Central Visayas, Philippines - 3 suspected typhoid fever cases.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/14/epidemic-hazard-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-28/



3-14-2012 - Biological Hazard - Jeju Island, South Korea - New strain of epidemic hemorrahagic fever found.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/14/biological-hazard-asia-south-korea-15/



3-14-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Region de Cajamarca, Peru - Doubling of Dengue fever cases sof ar this year.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/14/epidemic-hazard-south-america-peru-11/





HAZMAT Events
No hazmat events to report.





Nuclear Events
3-19-2012 - Tokai Nuclear Power Plant, Prefecture of Ibaraki, Japan - Leakage of 1.5 tons of low-level radioactive water.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/19/nuclear-event-asia-japan-27/





War/Terrorism

3-14-2012
-Syrian Army captures the former rebel held city of Idilib.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/14/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?eref=edition

-More than 10,000 peruvian illegal gold miners clash with police in attempt to gain regional capital.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hgkRFJF6b07-sLgw8lxfAjM1A_8Q?docId=6c773d421fbd4894b0614305f70fa622

　

3-15-2012
-Ethiopian forces launch attacks on three militant camps in Eritrea.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17386161

-Turkey threatens to launch a military incursion into northern Syria to protect fleeing refugees.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9146900/Turkey-threatens-military-incursion-into-northern-Syria-as-refugees-flee-across-its-borders.html

-Two french soldiers kiled and one injured in a drive by shooting in southern France.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/03/15/france-soldiers-shot.html

-195,000 people flee their homes and violence in northern Mali.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/mali-villagers-flee-violence-in-droves-1.1257620

　

3-16-2012
-At least ten people dead after a Turkish NATO helicopter crashes in Kabul, Afghanistan

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/03/20123168242245864.html

　

3-17-2012
-At least two bombings of government facilities in Syrian capital.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17412700

-Saudi Arabia sending weapons to rebels in Syria, accorditing to a top Arab diplomat.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-17/middle-east/31204243_1_syrian-national-council-syrian-opposition-syrian-rebels

-A tibetan monk sets himself on fire in southwest China.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-17/china/31204216_1_monk-self-immolates-anti-china-protest-protest-against-chinese-rule

　

3-18-2012
-Three people are killed in a shooting incident in the city of Don Benito, Spain.

http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20120318/tres-muertos-tiroteo-don-benito-badajoz/508117.shtml

-Canadians riot with firefighters and police in London, Ontario

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17422582

-Pakistani villagers find 13 bodies with bullet wounds near Afghanistan as security forces step up on offensive.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/18/us-pakistan-bodies-idUSBRE82H03M20120318

-British journalists Gareth Montgomery-Johnson and Nicholas Davies-Jones released from Libya.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17424831

-5 people suspected of planning terrorist operations on the island of Bali killed by police.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/five-killed-in-terrorist-raids-in-bali-20120319-1ve7b.html

　

3-19-2012
-At least 30 dead in fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces in the Damascus neighborhood of al-Mazzeh

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-03-19/middleeast/world_meast_syria-unrest_1_syrian-observatory-syrian-arab-news-agency-president-bashar?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST

-Russian anti-terror troops reportedly enter Syria

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/03/19/russian-troops-reportedly-enter-syria/

-Bahraini opposition groups prepare to talk to rulling monarchy as crackdown on protests across the nation continue.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/201231915643806429.html

-Rabbi and two children, along with daughter of a school principal are killed by an attack at a Jewish school in Toulouse.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/father-two-children-shot-dead-outside-jewish-school-in-france/2012/03/19/gIQAclfUMS_story.html

　

3-20-2012
-Human Rights Watch raises claims of serious human rights abuses in clash between Myanmar Armed Forces and Kachin Independence Army.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/03/20/myanmar-conflict-idINDEE82J02320120320

-At least 46 dead and 180 injured in wave of violence across more than 10 Iraqi cities.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/20/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

-Militants attack Somalia's presidential palace in Mogadishu for the second night running.

http://af.reuters.com/article/kenyaNews/idAFL6E8EK0H520120320

Update on the Hardtack

     It has been about three weeks since I made hardtack for the first time. When I finished with it I placed it regular ziplock bags and I have left it since then to see how it will fare. Today I pulled it out to check on it.

     So how is it going? It still has that slightly spoungy texture, which I think means that the second bake or possibly even the first bake didn't go on long enough. What this means is that not enough water was baked out of the hardtack.

     Another thing that proves that there was still to much water in the hardtack is mold. Yup. In the three weeks the hardtack has been sitting in the ziplock bags, it has molded. And by mold I don't mean a spot or two, but a lot of mold.What this tells me is that next time I try and make hardtack I need to keep the hardtack in the oven longer for both the first and second bake.

     My conclusions on hardtack are that it has good possibility for a survival food in a survival cache but not if it hasn't been made correctly. As a result, if the process of actually making your own isn't important, it is going to be easier and more effective to buy hardtack or use saltine crackers in your survival cache.

~Sara

Weekly World Risk Update (3/7 to 3/13)

Here is the second weekly world risk update.


Earthquakes
March 7
-13:56:03 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Vanuatu
-12:02:53 USC, Magnitude 5.6 - South Sandwich Islands Region
-12:00:45 USC, Magnitude 5.7, - Papua, Indonesia
-07:19:45 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Tonga
-06:18:11 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Ryukyu Islands, Japan

　
March 8
-22:50:08 USC, Magnitude 5.8 - Southern Xinjiang, China
-20:03:21 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Mindoro, Philippines
-18:21:38 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Iran-Iraq Border Region
-15:30:26 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Mindoro, Philippines
-03:51:35 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Vanuatu Region

　
March 9
-18:19:02 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan
-17:25:34 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan
-07:09:53 USC, Magnitude 6.7 - Vanuatu

　
March 10
-14:10:40 USC, Magnitude 5.6 - Alaska Peninsula
-02:26:57 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Tarapaca, Chile

　
March 11
22:30:26 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
19:02:59 USC, Magntidue 5.0 - Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska
18:11:09 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Carlsberg Ridge
11:10:54 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - South of the Fiji Islands

　
March 12
17:55:11 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia
12:32:49 USC, Magnitude 5.6 - Kuril Islands
06:06:46 USC, Magnitude 5.6 - Northwest Kashmir

　
March 13
23:16:17 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Vanuatu
23:06:48 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Offshore Chiapas, Mexico
18:23:43 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Comoros Region



Tsunami
03-09-2012, 7:16 am, Pacific Ocean Region - Vanuatu Islands, Magnitude 7.1 - 33km



Volcanic Activity
3-13-2012: Volcano Eruption - Sakurajima Volcano - Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
3-10-2012: Volcanic Activity - Iliamna Volcano - State of Alaska, USA
3-10-2012: Volcanic Activity - Nevado del Ruiz Volcano - Departments of Caldas and Tolima, Colombia
3-9-2012: Volcano Eruption - Volcano Bezymianny - Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia


Tropical Storms
Lua - Formed 3-13-12, Category: Tropical Storm



Status of Worldwide Supervolcanoes
Lake Taupo - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Lake Toba - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Whakamaru - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Yellowstone Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Island park Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green
La Girta Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Mount Tambora - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Baekdu Mountain - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Kikai Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Laacher See - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Aira Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Campi Flegrei - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Reporoa Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Mount Aso - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Long Valley Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Valles Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Santorini Volcano - VEI 7 - Status: Green




Flooding
Severe Flooding Continues - New South Wales, Australia
3-13-2012 - Flash Flooding - Region de Arica y Parinacota, Chile, South America - 300 evacuated



Fire
3-13-2012 - Multiprovinces, Spain - Moderate Wildfire




Health
　
3-07-2012 Epidemic Hazard - Lusby, State of Maryland, USA - Unidentified Illness - 1 infected, 3 dead
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/10/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-221/


3-09-2012 Epidemic Hazard - Clark County, State of Washington, USA - Several cases of Whooping Cough diagnoised.
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/10/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-223/

3-09-2012 Epidemic - State of Kasese, Uganda - 280 Infected
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/10/epidemic-africa-uganda-3/


3-10-2012 Biological Hazard - Olive, State of Montana, USA - 10 Turkeys Dead from Avian Pox Virus.
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/09/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-382/

3-10-2012 Epidemic Hazard - Departmento de La Libertad, Peru - Anthrax - 13 infected
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/09/epidemic-hazard-south-america-peru-10/

3-10-2012 Biological Hazard - Dhaka, Bangladesh - Bird flu hits six poultry markets.
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/12/biological-hazard-asia-bangladesh-12/

3-10-2012 Biological Hazard - Gandhigram, State of Tripura, India - Birdflu Detected at Government Poultry Farm
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/12/biological-hazard-asia-india-51/


3-11-2012 Epidemic Hazard - Department of Colon, Honduras - Malaria
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/11/epidemic-hazard-middle-america-honduras/


3-12-2012 Biological Hazard - Ikoma Ward, Serengeti National Park, Mara Region, Tanzania, Africa - Discovery of a New Type of Rabies
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/12/biological-hazard-africa-tanzania-2/

　
3-13-2012 Biological Hazard - Hadarom, Southern District, Isreal - Bird Flu kills 10,5000 turkeys.
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/13/biological-hazard-middle-east-israel-4/

3-13-2012 Biological Hazard - Province of Chungcheong, South Korea - Suspected Case Bird Contracted Avian Flu
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/13/biological-hazard-asia-south-korea-14/




HAZMAT Events
3-12-2012 - Lexington-Fayette, State of Kentucky, USA - Detection of Low Levels of Mustard Agent Vapor
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/12/hazmat-north-america-usa-158/


War/Terrorism
3-07-2012
Insurgency in the North Caucasus: Five policemen are killed in female suicide bombing by the widow of a killed Islamic militant in Dagestan, Russia.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/9127907/Five-policemen-killed-by-Russian-Black-Widow-suicide-bomber.html
Six British army soldiers are missing, presumed killed in Afghanistan.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ministry-of-defence-six-british-soldiers-missing-presumed-killed-in-afghanistan/2012/03/07/gIQAZu6KwR_story.html


3-08-2012
Syrian Uprising: Abdo Hussameddian, the Syrian deputy oil minister, announces that he is resigning and joing the Opposition.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17295748


3-09-2012
Arab Spring: Tens of thousands of people in bahrain join an anti-government outside the capital Manama.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17309839
Arab Spring: 31 people are killed in anti-government clashes with security forces in Syria.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/uk-syria-idUKL5E8E305F20120309
Secretary-general of the Popular Resistance Committees Zohair al-Qaisi, and two additional Palestinian militants are assassinated during a targeted killing.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/us-palestinians-israel-gaza-idUSBRE8280W820120309

　
3-10-2012
Syrian Uprising: 45 women and children killed and burned in Homs.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/11/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Gaza-Isreal Clashes: At least 130 rockets fired into Isreal from Gaza. At least 12 palestinian militants dead.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4200794,00.html
Four killed and more injured in grenade attack in Nairobi, Kenya.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17326086

　
3-11-2012
16 civilians killed in Panjwayi District of Afghanistan near Kandahar.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17332398
Inter-ethnic violence in Macedonian cities of Skopje and Tetovo.
http://balkans.aljazeera.net/makale/kamenovanje-tuca-i-pozar-u-skoplju

　
3-12-2012
Over 200 dead in in ethnic clashes and cattle raids in South Sudan.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17338139
Gaza-Isreal clashes Continue.
http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=261522
70 Bodies of ethnic Somalia and Oromo people discovered near Yemeni-Saudi Arabian border.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95051/YEMEN-Tortured-for-ransom

　
3-13-2012
Syrian Uprising: Dozens repored dead in areas around Idlib and Homs
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/14/world/middleeast/syrian-forces-press-assault-on-northern-city.html?_r=1
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=261688
19 dead after attack on a bus in southwest Ethiopia
http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Ethiopia-19-shot-dead-in-bus-attack-20120313
Truce between Isreal and Palestinians militants comes into effect.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17348403
Taliban militants open fire on Afghan government.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57395961/afghan-officials-fired-upon-at-site-of-massacre/

Alternative Communication

     Something that has come to mind during my prepping has been the idea of alternative communication. In our world communication is so important these days. You can't go anywhere these days without seeing someone with a cellphone attached to their ear. When SHTF cellphone towers are going to go down and we are suddenly going to find ourselves in the dark when it comes to communication. Long distance communication will require learning to use technology that we might not normally use, such as a HAM radio. However in a SHTF scenario different forms of short term communication will be helpful as well.

     In looking at alternative communication for shorter distances I have broken it down into two different sections: verbal communication, and nonverbal communication. I think both forms of alternative communication could be very helpful in a major disaster scenario.

     Verbal communication is the first section of alternative communication, and that is obviously communicating through spoken word. Being able to talk to people and knowing the language they speak helps facilitate cooperation and trust. This is why I think knowing more than one language would have the potential to be extremely useful in a disaster scenario.

     For me, living in the United States my first choice would be to learn Spanish, because we have a connecting border with Mexico. Other common languages would be a good choice to learn as well. You could learn the major languages in Europe such as French, German and Italian. Common languages from Asia such as Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean could also be very useful as well.

     At the same time verbal communication could have the possibility of being a hinderence. Crucial information can be compromised if someone were to overhear your plans and speaks the same language. In situtations like this it could be very helpful to have a form of verbal communication that is not common to reduce the risk of your plans being overheard and understood, and therefore compromised.

     Just like for being understood, this requires learning a language but instead of learning a common language, in this case you would want to learn an uncommon language from some area that is on the otherside of the world. This way it would be very unlikely that you would come across someone who knew the language and would understand it.

     Another way you can communicate so other people can't understand you is through nonverbal communication. This can be done through sign languages, and through codes. One code specifically that is easy to learn and get a hold of is morse code. Morse code is likely to be most useful for communication in disaster scenarios to try and communicate when verbal communication is impossible. It is more helpful for communication to more people because it most people have a rudimentary understanding of morse code, or can at least understand the common signalling of S.O.S.

     Because of the widespread knowledge of morse code it is less useful as a form of communication on paper if you are trying to send messages that are meant to remain secret. For secret messages other types of codes that are less well known would be a better choice.

     Morse code however does work as a great form of silent communication between people in close proximity. By using touch, such on someone else's hand or shoulder, morse code can be transmitted silently between people. This makes it a great way to communicate when you can make any noise, or when you trying to stealthily move into or through an area.

     In much the same way as morse code, sign languages could be used very effectively to communicate without making noise. The advantage for sign language is that you don't need physical contact to communicate.

     There are other ways to communicate nonverbally as well from a distance. Morse code can be used for this quite effectively through the use of a flashing light. Again though if there is a need for secrecy this might not be the best choice, and the flashing light also has the possibility of giving away your position because light can be seen from very long distances. Using flag codes however would be another way of signalling someone from far away.

     There are many different flag codes, many of them created during times of war specifically for long distance communication on battlefields or in mountainous areas to sends messages from different camps on different ridgelines. In a SHTF scenario flag codes could be used much the same way. Codes can be as simple as different colored flags meaning specific things, to more complicated codes similar to morse code, where changing the flag colors and the way it is waved can mean different words or letters.

     These are just some of the forms of alternative communication that can be learned and would be helpful should SHTF. Do you have any forms of alternative communication that you have learned in case of diaster? Let us know in the comments!

~Sara

The Paracord Project Presents: The Weekly World Risk Update

     One of the things that I have decided might be prudent is to keep a watch on situations around the globe. Everything from natural disasters, to disease and man made disasters and situations. This will allow me to keep an eye on any potential risks for myself, as well as any possibly developing situations worldwide.
　
     I will be posting an update on events and situations weekly.
　
     So here is the update on everything happening out there since the beginning of March (which is not quite a week, but it makes a good starting point).
　
EarthquakesMarch 1st:
16:40:14 UTC, Magnitude 5.0 - Kuril Islands
01:00:02 UTC, Magnitude 5.0 - Vanuatu
00:16:00 UTC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the East Coast of Honshu
　
March 2nd:
17:52:30 UTC, Magnitude 5.1 - Halmahera, Indonesia
16:48:31 UTC, Magnitude 5.1 - Rat Islands - Aleutian Islands, Alaska - USA
16:48:25 UTC, Magnitude 5.6 - Rat Islands - Aleutian Islands, Alaska - USA
　
March 3rd:
23:43:06 UTC, Magnitude 5.0 - Offshore Maule, Chile
18:22:32 UTC, Magnitude 5.2 - Southeast of the Loyalty Islands
12:19:56 UTC, Magnitude 6.6 - Southeast of the Loyalty Islands
11:01:48 UTC, Magnitude 5.5 - Coquimbo, Chile
　
March 4th:
23:17:06 UTC, Magnitude 5.5 - Southern Sumatra, Indonesia
16:27:21 UTC, Magnitude 5.2 - Antofagasta, Chile
16:05:15 UTC, Magnitude 5.1 - Tonga Region
12:49:03 UTC, Magnitude 5.6 - Southeast of the Loyalty Islands
09:33:16 UTC, Magnitude 5.5 - Off the Coast of Central America
03:31:10 UTC, Magnitude 5.4 - Aegean Sea
00:51:38 UTC, Magntidue 5.3 - Fiji Region
　
March 5th:
23:06:31 UTC, Magnitude 5.3 - Masbate Region, Philippines
12:45:44 UTC, Magnitude 5.1 - Kepulauan Babar, Indonesia
08:12:33 UTC, Magnitude 5.5 - Halmahera, Indonesia
07:46:10 UTC, Magnitude 6.1 - Santiago Del Estero, Argentina
07:41:06 UTC, Magnitude 5.2 - Haryana - Delhi Region, India
06:55:27 UTC, Magnitude 5.1 - Northern Sumatra, Indonesia
06:24:25 UTC, Magnitude 5.1 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan
05:14:15 UTC, Magnitude 5.0 - Southeast of the Loyalty Islands
　
March 6th:
22:33:18 UTC, Magnitude 5.0 - Kuril Islands
11:36:23 UTC, Magnitude 5.2 - Southern Sumatra, Indonesia
06:05:50 UTC, Magnitude 5.0 - State of Yap, Fed. States of Micronesia
02:52:46 UTC, Magnitude 5.5 - Nicobar Islands, India Region
　
　
Tsunami3-3-2012 - Magnitude 6.9 - Depth: 33km - Southeast of Loyalty Islands
　
　
Volcanic Activity3-6-2012 Volcano Activity - Unnamed Volcano - Kamchatka Peninsula
Aviation Danger Code: Red
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/05/volcano-activity-asia-russia-asia-4/
　
3-6-2012: Volcano Eruption - Tungurahua - Cordillera Oriental of Ecuador
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/volcano-eruption-south-america-ecuador-5/
　Tropical StormsIrina
65 Killed in Madagascar - http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/tropical-storm-irina-kills-65-in-madagascar-following-death-destruction-by-giovanna-storm/2012/03/06/gIQAR1oMuR_story.html
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/05/tropical-storm-africa-mozambique-2/
　
　
Status of Worldwide SupervolcanoesLake Taupo - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Lake Toba - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Whakamaru - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Yellowstone Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Island park Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green
La Girta Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green
Mount Tambora - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Baekdu Mountain - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Kikai Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Laacher See - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Aira Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Campi Flegrei - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Reporoa Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Mount Aso - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Long Valley Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Valles Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green
Santorini Volcano - VEI 7 - Status: Green
　
　
FloodingSevere Flooding - New South Wales, Australia
-Thousands evacuate: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17267742
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/flash-flood-australia-australia-44/
　
　
HealthMarch 1st :
- Case of H5N1 confirmed in Indonesia
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_03_01/en/index.html
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/04/epidemic-hazard-indonesian-archipelago-indonesia-30/
- Epidemic Hazard - Measles - Liverpool, England
Infected: 82 people
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/epidemic-hazard-europe-united-kingdom-53/
- Epidemic Hazard - Rawalpindi, State of Punjab, Pakistan
Reports of H5N1 denied
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/02/epidemic-hazard-asia-pakistan-20/
- Biological Hazard - Hong Kong, China
Magpie robin tested positive H5N1
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/02/biological-hazard-asia-china-20/
- Case of H5N1 confirmed in Indonesia
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_03_01/en/index.html
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/04/epidemic-hazard-indonesian-archipelago-indonesia-30/
　
March 2nd:
- Case of H5N1 confirmed in Bangladesh
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_03_02/en/index.html
　
March 3rd:
- Epidemic Hazard - Typhoid Outbreak - Cebu City, Province of Cebu, Philippines
Infected: 300+
Dead: 3
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/epidemic-hazard-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-27/
- Biological Hazard - H5N1 Outbreak in Birds - Taiwan
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/biological-hazard-asia-taiwan-6/
- Epidemic Hazard - Northern Regions, Sierra Leone
Infected: 1000+
Dead: 27 people
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/04/epidemic-hazard-africa-sierra-leone-2/
　
March 4th:
Nothing to Report.
　
March 5th:
- Confirmed case of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Vietnam
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_03_05/en/index.html
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/biological-hazard-asia-vietnam-16/
　
March 6th:
- Epidemic Hazard - Nodding Syndrome - Northern Uganada, Uganda
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/epidemic-hazard-africa-uganda-6/
- Epidemic - Cholera - Prefecture de Boffa, Guinea
Infected: 83 people
Dead: 14 people
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/epidemic-africa-guinea/
　
　
Nuclear Events3-6-2012: Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant, Minnesota, USA
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/06/nuclear-event-north-america-usa-79/

3-1-2012: Byron Nuclear Generating Station, Illinois, USA
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/01/nuclear-event-north-america-usa-78/
　
　
HAZMAT Events3-2-2012 HAZMAT Event - Chemical Leak: Ayala Villages, Region IX, Philippines
Injured: 110 people
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/02/hazmat-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-7/

 War/Terrorism3-6-2012At least 39 people killed across Syria
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/06/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html
　
3-5-2012 Gunmen disguised as police kill 27 in Haditha
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/05/uk-iraq-attack-idUKTRE8240AX20120305
3-5-2012 Death toll rises to over 130 in battle between Yemeni Army and Al-Qaeda on outskirts of Zinjibar
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/2012356504141349.html
　
3-3-2012 Suicide bomber kills at least 2 in town of Deraa
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/03/us-syria-explosion-idUSTRE82209G20120303?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29
3-3-2012 At least three killed in bombing targeting Republican Guard in Badya, Yemen
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/20123371436692420.html
　
3-2-2012 At least 33 dead in clash between Pakistan Army adn militants in Tirah Valley in Bara area of Khyber
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/02/uk-pakistan-militants-idUKTRE8210BP20120302
　
3-1-2012 Syrian rebels leave the neighborhood of Bab Amr, Homs after 26 days of of bombardment
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/01/uk-syria-idUKL6E8C52E220120301
3-1-2012 3 injured as bomb explodes on a turkish police bus in Istanbul
http://www.dawn.com/2012/03/01/three-wounded-in-istanbul-blast.html
　
　
Other3-4-2012: Explosion - Brazzevile (Army Depot), Democratic Republic of Congo
Injured: 237 people
Dead: 206 people
Evacuated: 2000
http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/05/explosion-africa-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/