And it's rainy season again!
When I was in Uni, I remembered our college professor who shared the idea of preparing a "Go" Bag in case of emergencies. Initially, I did not bother to prepare such thing because the packing list overwhelmed the phlegmatic side in me. We live in a flood-free area and in my three decades of existence, I don't remember any major or life threatening disaster in our family. But life itself is full of uncertainties, and I realized that the best time for preparedness is NOW!
(I prepared some ''Go" Bags for everyone in our household)
Yes, it is important to be prepared for emergencies because disasters like floods, earthquakes, and fire are absolutely no joke. Just like the Emergency fund, an Emergency "Go" Bag serves as a cushioning tool for one's survival.
But first, what do we mean by Pre-Mortem? And what is the significance of having Emergency bag in times of crisis?
Pre Mortem, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an adjective which means existing or taking place immediately before death.
Our country, Philippines, has always been a favorite destination of disasters like typhoons. Typhoons always happen here like every year, so it is important for Filipinos to establish risk management methods. For this blog post I decided to make a list of essential items that could be useful in our emergency "Go" bag. Note also that we don't need to bring the whole house in this bag, a 72-hours worth of essentials would be enough while waiting to be rescued.
First, I prepared some backpacks that are lightweight and waterproof. In my opinion, a backpack is the most convenient to carry on especially during uncomfortable situations. You can use any type of bag, but for me I chose some waterproof ones to ensure the safety of our belongings. I also recommend adding a flashlight and whistle. Make sure that these things are easily accessible to do urgent actions.
Next, is the medicine kit. This is so important for emergencies, and do not forget to include "maintenance" drugs for the elders and for those suffering with illnesses. First aid kit for cuts and wounds should also come in handy.
Then add some bottled water and foods that have long shelf-life unlike fresh produce. Examples of these include easy-to-open canned goods and high-density energy bars. If there is an extra budget, have some MREs or Ready-to-eat meal bags which are commonly used by U.S. military in fields and combat conditions.
Last but not the least, bring the important personal documents and a little cash on hand. It is very challenging to keep personal documents, but placing them in a safety envelope would be fine. Some little cash and coins will be useful because sometimes, people just need smaller bills to buy necessities. I mean it is a hassle to give change to a customer with large bills during crisis.
Oh! Don't forget to prepare some extra clothes in the emergency bag. We want to be clean as possible no matter how hard it is to stay organized and resilient in uncomfortable situations. I hope that these simple tips are informative to help you prepare the Emergency "Go" Bag. You can add anything that you want because everyone of us has our own needs.
During Pre-mortem, preparedness is key to surpass challenges that life might throw at us. Because then again, life itself is uncertain! Plan to take care of yourself, so that you can take care of your loved ones as well.
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