Cody Lundin is a professional instructor of outdoor survival, primitive living skills and urban preparedness. This video is an interview for his 2007 book, “When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes”.

When preparing your household for a disaster nothing is more important than assuring an adequate supply of clean water.

In our day to day existence, fresh water is so abundant and inexpensive that we tend to overlook its true importance in our lives.

The rule of three says that we can survive

• three minutes without air,
• three days without water,
• three weeks without food.

Our bodies are made up of between 60 and 75 percent water. We must have water to survive.

Some natural disasters are slow to develop. Hurricanes, floods and winter emergencies usually give us enough time to set aside a supply of fresh water. Storing bottled water is your best bet, but do not wait until the last minute to buy it. When a disaster looms, water and toilet paper are two items that disappear from store shelves first.

If you have your own well, remember that hurricanes and floods can contaminate your water supply and cut off the electricity needed to bring water to your home. A severe winter emergency can freeze water pipes. If you are on a municipal water supply, tornadoes and earthquakes can disrupt water service, or make the quality suspect.

As a rule, figure on three gallons per day, per person. People who are ill, or injured, will require more water than healthy people.

Following a disaster we must be prepared to survive on our own for at least 72 hours. A family of four will need to set aside at least 36 gallons of water.

Even commercially bottled water becomes suspect over time. It should be stored in a cool, dark place. A basement is an ideal storage space.

Here are a few tips to assure a supply of water during an emergency.

• Your hot water tank provides a supply of safe water. Shutting off the main valve to your water supply will keep the water from running back out of the lines through damaged pipes.
• The standard bathtub in America holds 42 gallons of water. Clean and rinse your tub well, then wipe it down with a strong solution of unscented household chlorine bleach. Fill the tub and, as an added precaution, add 1/8 teaspoon, (8 drops) of bleach for each gallon of water. It is easier to remember 5 ¼ teaspoons per tub. This water can be used for cooking, bathing, dish washing and, if necessary, drinking.
• If you are squeamish about using water from your bathtub, line the tub with a plastic drop cloth before you fill it.
• Do not use water stored in your toilet tank without first disinfecting it.
• If you are caught unprepared, any water is better than no water. Even cloudy or muddy water can be filtered, or allowed to settle, then poured off into another container and boiled briskly for one minute. When cool, add 1/8 teaspoon of bleach per gallon and let stand for 30 minutes.

The author is currently certified by the Emergency management Institute under the auspices of FEMA and The Department of Homeland Security. He has been actively involved in disaster preparedness and survival techniques for more than half a century. You can get free up-to-date downloads and information about all areas of Urban Survival at: http://www.davehardinonline.com

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An urban disaster can be life after a pandemic, flood, mudslide, tornado, hurricane, major snow storm, or any other weather conditions that change the urban environment into a survival type situation. For most of us we don’t find ourselves in these situations too regularly. But it can happen at any placing you in a situation where you need to survive the urban disaster.

These types of disasters can range from simply losing some city services like water, gas, and electricity to a situation where you might not be able to stay in your home or live in a damaged home. Just like out in the wild where you need some survival skills if lost, you will need some skills and supplies in the city if this situation happens.

Many have the strategy to get out of the area before a disaster strikes which is a good idea, but sometimes for a variety of reasons you might not be able to get out of the area. What do you do then?

If you have nothing prepared, then life will be difficult and you will have to rely on disaster relief to come find you and get you supplies. If you prepare beforehand, life won’t have to be so miserable in the mean time.

Keep an adequate food and water supply at home. You don’t have to go out and buy some survival kit that lasts 30 days full of food you don’t normally eat. Just keep extra food stored of things that you normally eat. Stock on things that don’t spoil and just rotate your stock. Keep some drinking water on hand and a way of purifying water.

Medicine is a big issue especially if you are on some sort of life saving medication. Make sure you have a supply that will last at least a few weeks preferably that you can take with you if need be.

One thing that is overlooked is central meeting points for the family. In a disaster it’s an extremely stressful situation. Not knowing where your family members are or when you will see them again adds to the stress. Do what you can to have planned meeting points whether it’s at home, a neighbor’s house, a family member outside of town, or another location to meet at. Just make sure that everyone in the family knows where to go and where to meet.

Most likely the worst situations won’t happen. But when something mild like your electricity gets knocked out for a week due to an ice storm, you will have comfort in knowing that you will be fine having sufficient supplies.

Do you have a plan for natural disasters or pandemics?

Click and learn Urban Survival Skills to properly prepare and be ready for these situations.

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