there have been so many hurricanes, tornadoes, etc lately with all these people being left homeless, no food, unable to rebuild and deaths like in burma/china. this makes me wonder is the world coming to the end. i’m watching Cnn showing two tornados that hit in logan city, ok. will be ready not just spiritually but do you have a safe place, food, money saved in the house, tools (radio/flashlight, generator, tv that is battery operated) and medical supplies? i don’t believe that 50 percent much less 30 can say they are prepared. now, when i watch movies like the "day after" or those volcano/hurricane movies i see that this is very possible.

For example, if some SEVERE devastating "end of the world" weather tragedy (earthquake, tsunami, hurricane) were to occur and there were numerous people in need of serious medical attention. Assuming medical supplies were available in their disposal, would a registered nurse with 5 years of experience in the ER or ICU be able to treat the the people on their own?

The reason for my question is that I have been watching a lot of medical television series (bad reference for information, please excuse me) and there was an episode where a nurse is checking out a gunshot wound in a surplus store filled with supplies during a robbery, the nurse always responds "he needs a doctor." The nurse is unable to extract the wound by themselves?

Sorry if I sound misinformed. Could any other fields hold their own without being a doctor? (PA, NP, EMT, etc.)

This might seem childish, but please bear with me. I live in Southern California and I have a huge concern with a mega devastation hitting here in the future. With that being said, my friends and I had debated and questioned what items we would need to survive for a week. You know, have some type of duffel bag or "emergency kit" to grab and go in case our house is literally torn into pieces or if we’re required to abandoned our living quarters. The following items we came up with were…

Guns (preferably revolvers), ammunition, emergency water pouches, survival knife, mag lite (flashlight), emergency blanket, MRE’s, granola bars, boots, emergency fire starter, first aid kit, and medical supplies.

Anything else that we’re missing? We did not include canned food because their shelf life is very short and carries too much weight. Also, where do you recommend to purchase most of the supplies aside from the guns? Wal Mart? Surplus Stores? Costco? Amazon?

This might seem childish, but please bear with me. I live in Southern California and I have a huge concern with a mega devastation hitting here in the future. With that being said, my friends and I had debated and questioned what items we would need to survive for a week. You know, have some type of duffel bag or "emergency kit" to grab and go in case our house is literally torn into pieces or if we’re required to abandoned our living quarters. The following items we came up with were…

Guns (preferably revolvers), ammunition, emergency water pouches, survival knife, mag lite (flashlight), emergency blanket, MRE’s, granola bars, boots, emergency fire starter, first aid kit, and medical supplies.

Anything else that we’re missing? We did not include canned food because their shelf life is very short and carries too much weight. Also, where do you recommend to purchase most of the supplies aside from the guns? Wal Mart? Surplus Stores? Costco? Amazon?

Why is it that America sent numerous military ships + at least 3500 troops to help deliver food-medical supplies + personnel so quickly to Haiti- yet after the Katrina hurricane {which was IN America } it was 3 days b-4 anything was even talked about? Does anyone here have a rational realistic response to this question? Plz no babble from yung-uns w/no idea what is reality.
I now hear that the Hatians are complaining about the delay from the US to give aid-money ws requested but no more aid workers -they eat up food + water supplies + that just makes thins worse. What are your thoughts?

and for Aid to help with the Hurricanes. how come we have to donate? but when other stuff happen in other country’s, we rush aid over thier with food and
Medical supplies and Billions of Dollars. how come, he asked us for Donations? i don’t mind but still

How come Mexico is not making any offers of help or sending any aid to Haiti but they did to Texas when it was their people any reason why no help to the country of Haiti? In Texas Mexico sent food, water,medical dr’s, nurses, medical supplies, clothes, after the hurricane hit Texas and the areas had a high population of illegals but so far Mexico has not made any public offers to help out that country, Mexico has enough money to help out ? One drug cartel suitcase full of money would help out Haiti, would Mexico make a sincere effort to help out if their people were over there ?

well why did Cindy McCain say its time to take off are republican Hats and put on are American Hats and donate to all these charities to help with the Relief of the Hurricanes.

but in other countries he US sends Medical Supplies, food, water, troops. how come they need are money? 10 billion in Irarq a month.
they help other countries, but we have to help our own country.

The last hurricane that passed through were the gas stations equipped with backup generators, were the shelters properly surveyed for proper usage, were inventory made on food and medical supplies that could be made available for use after the disaster passed away. Were the hospital and other emergency establishments equipment with backup generators. We should always be prepared,the season will soon be here again. Just look around you and what do you see?

I was just listening to Pat Robertson on You Tube. Terrorists do take advantage of political changes, 1993 (Clinton), 2001 (Bush), 2007 (New Congress?). Not a big leap to think of a terrorist attack in 2007. Kind of an anti-climax announcement.

But it did get me thinking, how many people actually prepare for a possible disaster by having a few days of food around, flash lights, medical supplies, that kind of thing. The normal Red Cross Be Prepared kind of thing.

All the "Oh my God the world is going to be destroyed by…" Nuclear war, global warming, terrorists, hurricanes, tornadoes, infestations of caterpillars, etc can leave this one alone.

I just want to know how many reasonably normal people have checked out ready.gov and have some emergency supplies around in case of a disaster.
Thanks. The ratio of real answers to silly answers tells me a lot too. Looks like if there was a major disaster any major urban center in the country things would end up a lot like they were in Louisiana. On the other hand, it kind of looks like people in rural or suburban areas might be better prepared. Kind of a common sense thing I would guess. some kind of ratio of storage space versus costs versus convince and availability, I would assume.

Thanks.