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We often presume that when disaster strikes, we will be at home in the comfort of what surrounds us. But we regularly ask you to consider what happens if emergencies strike when you are on the road because, for many of us, we spend a great deal of our time not in our homes.

Today, we want to know what kind of shelter you can build from what you carry in your vehicle or have in your office at work.  Could you shelter yourself satisfactorily in the elements of cold, rainy or stormy weather?

THIS TASK IS WORTH 2 POINTS

You will earn today’s points by sharing what you would use to create your shelter should you find yourself stranded and unable to stay in your vehicle or office.

Remember, if you are reading this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to enter your answers.

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Shortly after 9/11/01, the United States issued color-coded terror alert levels. In fact, a certain mother, who might be running this game, even ordered her child’s dresser drawers in order from red, orange, yellow, blue and green, just to be sure that her family would know the order of the colors.

But, these terror alert levels are now gone…..and today’s task wants you to find out what they have been replaced by. How will you know when we are to be on “more alert” than just our everyday vigilance?

THIS TASK IS WORTH 3 POINTS

• You will receive one point for identifying the correct terror alert levels that will now be issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
• You will earn Point #2 for figuring out how these alerts will be disseminated to the general public
• And, Point #3 is available if you are connected, in some way, to receiving these alerts.

NOTE:  If you are playing from another country, feel free to substitute whatever YOUR country uses to identify and notify its citizens to be on a higher level of vigilance during times where there is a credible threat of terrorism.

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This task is going to be short and sweet because it is Sunday.  In today’s times of increasing use of technology, even cars are subject to machines that now tighten lugnuts on vehicles.

This could mean that if you found yourself with a random flat tire, you may struggle more to get your spare tire on.  So, today, we want you to use whatever tool is in your emergency vehicle kit to see if it is sufficient to loosen one of your lugnuts.

To report success on today’s task, you can leave a comment about how easy you found your lugnut to loosen on the blog here.  You may also reply to the blog if you receive it via email, leave a comment on the Facebook Fan Page or tell us on Twitter using the #30Days30Ways hashtag.

Remember to include your nickname or name that you are using so we can align it with your previous answers.  If you do not have a vehicle to try this experiment on, tell us that, too, and you’ll still receive today’s points.  Thanks!

THIS TASK IS WORTH 2 POINTS

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This weekend, your tasks are going to be pretty simple. You’ve made it more than halfway through the game through some pretty tough tasks and we hope that today and tomorrow are simple reminders.

If you were stranded somewhere, how would you signal for help? Does your preparedness kit have any items that could help you signal to potential rescuers in the air or those at a distance from you?

THIS TASK IS WORTH UP TO 3 POINTS

You will receive one point for each method of signaling that you have in your home and vehicle up to 3 total points.  Phone communications does not count because we will presume that you’ve been stranded for several days and your phone has died.

If you are reading this task via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer for points.  Thanks!

 

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You will hear paramedics talk about the “golden hour” after someone suffers a heart attack.  If a patient is treated quickly, their lives can be saved.

Unfortunately, many patients deny the symptoms or don’t take into consideration their possible transport time to a local hospital.

Today, we want to remove the denial that surrounds this serious killer and ensure that you are aware and seriously evaluate whether you need CPR training or should have an Automated External Defibrillator on hand.

TODAY’S TASK IS WORTH 5 POINTS

• You will receive one point for identifying the symptoms of a heart attack
• A second point can be earned by estimating the time it would take to get your loved one to a local hospital.  (Despite the fact that emergency vehicles can drive slightly faster than average traffic, we want to know how far away your EMS/Fire Station is from your home and then how many miles it is from your home to your local hospital)…at 60 mph as an average speed, every mile is one full minute.  For a range, consider doubling this.  For example, if you live 10 miles from your fire station and 20 miles from your local hospital, you could likely make it to treatment in 30-60 minutes (as a range).
• A 3rd point can be earned if you have taken CPR & a 4th point is available if you have recertified your CPR card in the past year
• A 5th point is available if you own an Automated External Defibrillator.  They are not cheap, but can be valuable in saving lives.

Remember, if you are receiving this blog via email, click to www.30days30ways.com to provide your answers.

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Right now, wherever you are when you read this….STOP! Look around where you are and presume that a disaster has just happened. Identify how much food is around you and estimate how long you could survive on the food you have access to.

TODAY’S TASK IS WORTH 2 POINTS

You will receive one point for briefly describing how much food you have access to legitimately (looting or stealing from others doesn’t count).  And a second point will be earned for estimating how long you could live off the food that you have access to.

And, remember, if you are reading this in a location where you have little food like your car…..maybe it’s time to add a jar of peanut butter and some crackers.  You never know where disaster will strike.

If you are receiving this blog via email, click on www.30days30ways.com to submit your answer for this task.

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Today, we’re asking you to consider which earthquake fault line is closest to you. With a number of large earthquakes in the past year which have rocked Christchurch, New Zealand, Japan, Haiti, and Chile, it is not outside the realm of possibility that each of us will experience an earthquake in our lifetimes.

But, do you know which earthquake fault line is closest to you?

TODAY’S TASK IS WORTH 3 POINTS

You will earn one point for finding the fault line closest to you.  And for 2 bonus points, identify the type of earthquake that is likely to do the most damage to you.

Here are some helpful webpage to get you started on today’s quest:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake
• http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/

Remember, if you receive this game via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to enter your answers.

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We couldn’t let all of the tasks be easy. If you’ve been playing along so far, you’ve had a pretty simple challenge so far on each of the daily questions.

But now, we want to challenge your thinking just a little bit further. We want you to wander into your food storage and be a little creative.

Using at least 3 shelf-stable ingredients, we want to see a creative recipe for something edible and tasty.

THIS TASK IS WORTH UP TO 6 TOTAL POINTS. 

You will receive one point per ingredient in your submitted recipe (up to 5 total points….your recipe can have as many shelf-stable ingredients as you want).  A 6th point will be awarded to the recipe that is determined to be the tastiest by a panel of independent reviewers.

Submitted recipes will be posted on a separate page on this website after September 30th.  Remember, if you are receiving this game via email, please go to www.30days30ways.com to enter your answers.

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Today, we’re talking about fire alarms. Did you know that there are 2 different types of fire alarms?

One type of alarm is an ionization detection alarm (which means that it is faster at seeing open flame) and photoelectric-sensing (which means that it sees smoke).

Both types of alarms are effective, but are different in how they detect a fire hazard.  And regardless of what type of alarm you have, they should be replaced every 10 years to be sure that it will function effectively when you need it.

TODAY’S TASK IS WORTH UP TO 5 POINTS

• You will earn 1 point for knowing what type of fire alarm you have in your home.
• You will earn 2 points if you have replaced your fire alarms within the past 10 years.
• You will earn 1 point if you have changed the batteries within the past year.
• You will earn 1 point for testing your smoke detectors to be sure that they are working.

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In special tribute, today’s post was launched at 9:59 EST which recalls the fall of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. We will never forget and we honor the fallen.  May those who gave their lives inspire us to be ready to face crisis both prepared and without fear.

This week’s challenges are going to focus on food & sustenance.  Here in Vancouver, Washington, one of our local traditions is called the Vancouver Sausage Festival which is also underway this weekend.  It is the inspiration for today’s task about protein sources.

Consider for a moment if you were without power and had to rely on your emergency food supplies.  Many of the shelf-stable products are high in preservatives, but often low in protein.  Today, we want to know what protein sources you ensure are always on hand in your emergency food supplies.

TODAY’S TASK IS WORTH UP TO 3 POINTS

You will earn one point for each protein source that you currently store in your emergency supply kits.

Remember, if you are receiving the daily emails, go to www.30days30ways.com to enter your answers.