Heeeyho Readers! Let's explore what Lithuania has to teach about preparedness!
Early today I read an article on the news about Lithuania's campaign to boost emergency preparedness. Since preparedness has yielded some great engagement on Outdoor and more — and it seems people have true interest in the topic —, I though the community could benefit from the information, plus my own thoughts.
The article is rather simplistic and only brings forward the results of a survey Lithuania's government commissioned. Here's the bullet-points for the lazy bums {laughs}:
- 18% of residents possess an emergency bag, while only 15% have discussed their family's disaster plan with their relatives.
- 50% of Lithuania’s residents know how to behave in case of an emergency situation.
- 9% of residents know exactly how to behave, while 41% think that they know.
Source: Lithuania's Interior Minister Egle Vileikiene.
It's important to note what inspired the survey. Egle Vileikiene cites some events as examples of neglected civil threats: The Covid-19 pandemic, illegal migration, Russia's war against Ukraine, the unpredictability of Belarus and the Astravets nuclear power plant.
The goal in this post, however, is not to transcribe a news article (go and read it yourself). Let's go deeper an investigate the government's campaign website and add some commentary.
Photo by alexey turenkov on Unsplash
It sparkled my curiosity on what they consider as an emergency bag, so I went ahead to snoop their website in search of more info. Here's my findings with commentary.
Source: https://lt72.lt
Emergency Supply Kit
According to the Lithuanian government, an emergency supply kit should contain the following items. I added some commentary. Check if you agree and leave your own thoughts in the comments, it would be awesome.
- Documents – birth certificate and/or marriage certificate, passports/ID, diplomas and certificates, driving license, insurance, property deeds;
- Family mementos, photos of relatives (in case of search);
Commentary: I'd carry the documents, but also store them digitally somewhere else just in case (paper is fragile in many ways). I'd keep strategic photos with the documents and digitize all family albums.
- Money (cash, credit cards, securities) and jewelry (disjoint and hide among other things);
Commentary: I want to write another post only to approach money. Briefly, I'd say that credit cards and paper money become useless in several situations due to sanctions, economic collapse, loss of infrastructure, etc etc. Hard money and jewelry are susceptible to theft, though better than paper money.
- Mobile phone with phone charger;
Commentary: Mobile phones have become the extension of our life. Although infrastructure is the first thing to go away in some situations, I'd still carry my phone while having a data backup online. However, It's important to be prepared to live without a phone.
- Pocket torch with spare batteries
- Portable radio with spare batteries;
Commentary: I'd have a spare torch as well. At first I rejected a radio, but it may be useful to get information about what's going on around us.
Aid for vision (glasses, contact lenses) or hearing aids;
First aid kit, daily taken medication and all necessary medicaments for each family member and hydrogen peroxide;
Food and water supplies poured into small bottles for 3 days;
Extra food, in case of special needs;
Commentary: We've discussed these items before on a previous post. The only item I'd add is a Saywer Mini water filter.
- Tin-opener;
Commentary: Don't bother... get a Swiss knife and you get all in one.
- Hydrogen peroxide;
Commentary: What is it used for?
- Baby food, diapers, wet wipes;
- Toys and/or books for children;
Commentary: Don't have a baby firs of all {joking!!!!}. My mom raised me on cloth diapers, so... way to go.
- Clothes (considering the season);
- Toiletries (towel, soap, toothbrush, toilet-paper etc.);
- Warm blanket and/or compact sleeping bag;
- Dust mask;
- Pencil and paper;
- Notebook (with written phone numbers and addresses);
Commentary: These are all integral part of our camping gear. Note: sleeping bag, tent and thermal mattress mandatory.
- Cigarettes (in certain situations might be used in exchange).
Commentary: Is this a WWII manual?
Conclusion
Let's not make this post any longer and boring than it already is. Again... transcribing a website isn't my kind of content. I'd rather know what you think.
Do you agree with Lithuania's plan?
What would you add or leave from the list above?
I think it's awesome that their government is raising awareness about preparedness — there's enough examples showing that most people are indeed unprepared. By recognizing potential threats we may grow stronger and united as society. At least in theory, we shouldn't wait 'till the last minute to discuss plans and ideas with friends and relatives.
Stay safe and don't forget to comment.
Peace.
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Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking and more than 5.000 km cycling. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.
I'm Arthur. I blog about Adventure Stories, Brazil, Travel, Camping, & Life Experiences.
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Thank you!
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Nice! While the details of preparedness may (and should!) be debated, it's great to see that some governments support this. It reminds me of a pamphlet I once saw in the US about what to do in case of some major emergency (don't remember exactly what, the meltdown of a nuclear reactor or the eruption of a supervulcano). First point: alert your local, state, and federal authorities. Right! I didn't even need to continue reading the rest...
Hahahaha yeah, like... if we need to rely on anthorities for anything we're basically fucked. I found this Lithuanian website quite interesting, although some points aren't on my own list of priorities, especially when it comes to money (credit cards? Really? The first thing to melt down is infrastructure) -- i guess they'll never recommend crypto.
This is a good topic and it brings back memories when the Ukrainian war broke out. My country has a long border with Ukraine and although I was never in real danger, the events served as a reminder to get things in order. For me the biggest lesson was to get all my passwords and online logs in order. In case you need to run with one backpack, having access to crypto and Hive is essential.
You may be in the 1% for having crypto in terms of preparedness; that could be life-saving if you had to run away. It's great that you are backing up your passwords. Imho one of the first things to become useless during a war is paper money... think of russians.. nobody will accept rubles anywhere.
We agree on that! My first thought was my laptop, my passwords and my cold wallet. If you have access to your crypto wallet, you have a safety blanket. Russians will turn to crypto as well as they will have no choice.
Yup, ppl sooner or later will understand the value of crypto. But that's when governments will start to lose power over us.
The Hydrogen Peroxide should be for treating open wounds. We used to call it Oxygen Water around here, which is kind of funny.
An old nurse once told me casual soap would also do great job at that but...never tried and. I would add a bar of soap. Also, insert it in a sock and you have an awesome blunt weapon. Socks. Dry socks is very good for your health.
Ahhh now I get it. We also call it 'oxigen water' or 'oxigenated water' in a rought translation. A soap bar is indeed very useful -- when i'm traveling it serves to wash dishes, shower, clothes, etc etc
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