How has the concept of emergency preparedness evolved, especially in light of climate change and more frequent natural disasters?
Emergency preparedness runs a bit of a roller coaster ride over the years, in terms of public awareness. Certainly, the proliferation on television of survival shows and now Youtube has done much to make it all a cultural interest. This gave rise to innumerable gizmos and gadgets, some excellent, some worthless for the public to consume in the name of personal safety. The pandemic and climate disasters only serve to highlight the publics belief that it needs to be prepared. But none of that necessarily motivates anyone to truly invest in disaster preparedness.
If you had to build an emergency kit for an average Canadian household, what five items would you insist must be included?
A way to start a fire easily and repeatedly. Some kind of emergency beacon (flares, communication devices). A way to boil water. A way to stay dry and warm (tarp) A sup0ply of water or food. Much depends on variables such as; do you want to be able to carry this kit, can it be large because your stationary, where are you and what is the season, what are the circumstances under which you might need it. There is absolutely no panacea when it comes to survival kits.
What advice would you give to urban dwellers who may not think survival skills apply to them?
All that has to happen is a loss of power and/or water supply and you and everyone around you is technically in a survival situation regardless of having a home. Think Hurricane Katrina and people being stranded on their roof tops. The best advice is that being prepared takes little money, a half a day in time and it’s actually kind of fun and reassuring once you know you have a small ready to go system set up in your dwelling.
In your experience, what are the most critical survival skills the average person should have today?
The ability to seek help and the knowledge of how to work with that help. The ability to make yourself warm and dry no matter what the situation is; whether in your flood ravaged home, or on the banks of a river after your canoe has broken in the rapids. The knowledge of how to manage all the supplies you DO have such as food and water. The ability to remain calm and to do the three “Survivorman Assessment Zones”. 1) What resources do you have on your body ie; in your pockets. 2) What resources do you have close at hand; ie with you in the home, in your pack etc. 3) What resources do you have further afield; your neighbour has a generator, there is a cabin just a mile away. It takes 60 seconds to figure those answers and then you have a great deal of information, a list of your assets and liabilities, so you can make a proactive plan.
“Ok, so I have a power bar in my pocket and a lighter but I have a sprained ankle, and I have a pack close by with a tent in it and a pot I can boil water in and there is help only a mile away and I can get there by tomorrow.” That is enough information to make an informed decision on what to do next.
As we face increasing risks like wildfires, floods, and extreme weather, what is the most urgent action Canadians need to take now?
It’s important we, as Canadians, try to shift away from complacency and lean towards self sufficiency when it comes to facing a disaster or a series of disasters. It’s comforting to really look at your belongings and think “what things can I replace and what can’t I live without”. It’s astonishing how little we have that we truly can’t replace and there’s comfort in knowing that. Gaining skill sets in key areas such as first aid, CPR, self sufficiency skills such as creating and managing a fire to keep warm or managing a few people with some who may be panicking are all extremely important skill sets. Take a weekend course now. Learn two or three survival skills such as fire starting and shelter. We don’t believe it can happen downtown Toronto or Ottawa and truth be told it’s still unlikely but finding out the hard ay is never fun and the writing does appear to be on the wall.
Any specific initiatives or projects you would like us to mention or credit?
Survivorman Les Stroud is currently working on releasing his 8th and 9th studio albums produced by legendary rock producer Mike Clink, producing a new feature length documentary film and enjoying his Canadian summers in Temagami, Ontario.
