How Many Daily Calories Should We Plan For Food Storage?

When planning and shopping for food storage one might wonder exactly how many calories per day would a person need to get by? If hard times were to hit a family or a disastrous event were to come its way would their food storage really cover them nutritionally?

According to the FDA, the average adult male in the USA burns about 2,200 to 2,400 calories per day and females about 2,000 to 2,200 calories per day. Your food reserve should reflect this daily average if you want to maintain your current health. The number of calories that you should eat depends of your weight, age, height, and your activity levels.

The data below estimates the number of calories a typical person (based on age and gender) should consume each day. While there are clearly exceptions this is a pretty solid general estimate.

Children           2-3 years old 1000 calories
Children           4-8 years old 1200-1400 calories
Girls                 9-13 years old 1600 calories
Boys                9-13 years old 1800 calories
Girls                14-18 years old 1800 calories
Boys               14-18 years old 2200 calories
Females          19-30 years old 2000 calories
Males             19-30 years old 2400 calories
Females          31-50 years old 1800 calories
Males              31-50 years old 2200 calories
Females           51+ years old 1600 calories
Males               51+ years old 2000 calories

In terms of calories, if you’re not eating enough, your body will most likely go into a “storage” mode. Basically the moment your body thinks it’s not getting enough food, it will hold onto calories and  fat since it thinks it’s going into starvation mode. Your body will also slow down its metabolism because it thinks a “fasting state” may be close and it will want to preserve as much energy as possible but your body can only live like that for so long. Adequate food stores will be needed to ride out the current predicament.

Assess Your Pantry
You will likely have some food when a natural or man-made disaster hits. Your pantry may have enough food in it right now to last a few weeks or more but you really should do an inventory of your food and see how many days it will last your family. Fresh food and the food in your fridge and freezer will go bad quickly so plan to use this first. Once these options are spent you need to turn to your long term food storage to get you by.

After your inventory is complete, try calculating how many calories your family will need per day and see how it matches up to your current food stores. Decide how long you want to prepare for and think about back up plans for when it is all consumed. One key to living a peaceful life is to be ready for what life throws at you, as the popular adage says “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst” and by taking these steps and building a sufficient storage plan you and your family will be able to rest easy at night

Article from TheReadyStore.com, 12/2011

Goal Zero Sale at COSTCO

The Costo store located at 1818 South 300 West is currently offering a few Goal Zero products through Christmas Eve, and I want to make a quick mention per the prices are much, much less expensive that any place else right now.

For those who are looking for a manufactured small battery backup system that can charge by means of solar power; the Escape 150 from Goal Zero is a great setup. 

The Escape 150 is ideal for powering up lights, cell phones laptops, and HT HAM radios and has output connections for USB, 12V and AC.

The solar panel can recharge the power pack in about 10-20 hours.  If you want to recharge the battery faster, just add an additional solar panel and cut the recharge time in half.

Goal Zero website sells the kit for $359.95

Emergency Essential sells the kit with an additional 12v 3w light for $287.95

Costco’s in store promotion for the kit and light sells for $249.99

Follow this link for technical details:

http://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/60/Escape%20150%20Adventure%20Kit/

  

Goal Zero sells the light separately – calling it ‘Light-A-Life.”

Light-A-Life is a bright, low power draw LED light where a soft lantern type light is desired. You can string them up around a camp, on the beach, in the backyard, or in an emergency, around a command center easily with the adjustable carabineer, and enjoy the night!  The LED Lantern light is rated for 20,000 hrs of use, is weather resistant, has a 9' extender cord and patented carabiner that lets you hook it anywhere.

The Light-A-Life  comes with a 12v male cigarette lighter adapter and you can daisy chain up to 8 Light-A-Life lights in a series.

Goal Zero website sells the light for $49.99

Emergency Essentials sells the light for $35.95

Costco’s in store promotion for the light sells for $26.99

CERT - Courses Available for January 2012

John Flynt from Salt Lake City has posted the January 2012 schedule of CERT classes.

Please click on the CERT tab in the menu bar above and scroll down for the details.

Under each class offering is a link to click on to sign up for the class.

If you have any questions, please contact John Flynt at john.flynt@slcgov.com or 801-799-3604.

Seychelle Water Filtration Systems @ Shelf Reliance

On December 15, 2011, Shelf Reliance will be hosting an emergency preparedness event with special guest speaker Carl Palmer, CEO of Seychelle Water Filtration Systems. Palmer is an internationally recognized expert in the water filtration field and has over forty years of experience. He has invented over thirteen patented filtration products that have revolutionized the industry.

Water is the most essential supply in any emergency, and Seychelle filtration products can help you create crystal clear, pure water no matter where you may roam. Their innovative filtration bottles, straws, bags, and pitchers are your clean water solution!

The event will take place on Thursday, December 15th at 6:30pm MST at the Shelf Reliance corporate headquarters located at 691 South Auto Mall Drive, American Fork, Utah 84003. If you are unable to attend, you can join via their live stream at  http://www.shelfreliance.com/livestream.

Nuclear Power Plant Emergency

Note:  Did you know the University of Utah maintains a small Nuclear Reactor for educational purposes?  Find out more at 
http://www.nuclear.utah.edu/index.html


Nuclear power plants use the heat generated from nuclear fission in a contained environment to convert water to steam, which powers generators to produce electricity. Nuclear power plants operate in most states in the country and produce about 20 percent of the nation’s power. Nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant.


Although the construction and operation of these facilities are closely monitored and regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), accidents are possible. An accident could result in dangerous levels of radiation that could affect the health and safety of the public living near the nuclear power plant.


Local and state governments, federal agencies, and the electric utilities have emergency response plans in the event of a nuclear power plant incident. The plans define two “emergency planning zones.” One zone covers an area within a 10-mile radius of the plant, where it is possible that people could be harmed by direct radiation exposure. The second zone covers a broader area, usually up to a 50-mile radius from the plant, where radioactive materials could contaminate water supplies, food crops, and livestock.


The potential danger from an accident at a nuclear power plant is exposure to radiation. This exposure could come from the release of radioactive material from the plant into the environment, usually characterized by a plume (cloud-like formation) of radioactive gases and particles. The major hazards to people in the vicinity of the plume are radiation exposure to the body from the cloud and particles deposited on the ground, inhalation of radioactive materials, and ingestion of radioactive materials.


Radioactive materials are composed of atoms that are unstable. An unstable atom gives off its excess energy until it becomes stable. The energy emitted is radiation. Each of us is exposed to radiation daily from natural sources, including the Sun and the Earth. Small traces of radiation are present in food and water. Radiation also is released from man-made sources such as X-ray machines, television sets, and microwave ovens. Radiation has a cumulative effect. The longer a person is exposed to radiation, the greater the effect. A high exposure to radiation can cause serious illness or death.


Although the risk of a chemical accident is slight, knowing how to handle these products and how to react during an emergency can reduce the risk of injury.


Before a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency


Obtain public emergency information materials from the power company that operates your local nuclear power plant or your local emergency services office.  If you live within 10 miles of the power plant, you should receive these materials yearly from the power company or your state or local government.


Minimizing Exposure to Radiation


Distance - The more distance between you and the source of the radiation, the better. This could be evacuation or remaining indoors to minimize exposure.
Shielding - The more heavy, dense material between you and the source of the radiation, the better
Time - Most radioactivity loses its strength fairly quickly.


During a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency


The following are guidelines for what you should do if a nuclear power plant emergency occurs. Keep a battery-powered radio with you at all times and listen to the radio for specific instructions. Close and lock doors and windows.


If you are told to evacuate:
• Keep car windows and vents closed; use re-circulating air.


If you are advised to remain indoors:
• Turn off the air conditioner, ventilation fans, furnace, and other air intakes.
• Go to a basement or other underground area, if possible.
• Do not use the telephone unless absolutely necessary.


If you expect you have been exposed to nuclear radiation:
• Change clothes and shoes.
• Put exposed clothing in a plastic bag.
• Seal the bag and place it out of the way.
• Take a thorough shower.


Keep food in covered containers or in the refrigerator. Food not previously covered should be washed before being put in to containers.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia happens when a person’s core body temperature is lower than 35°C (95°F). Hypothermia has three levels: acute, subacute, or chronic.

Acute hypothermia is caused by a rapid loss of body heat, usually from immersion in cold water.

Subacute hypothermia often happens in cool outdoor weather (below 10°C or 50°F) when wind chill, wet or too little clothing, fatigue, and/or poor nutrition lower the body’s ability to cope with cold.

Chronic hypothermia happens from ongoing exposure to cold indoor temperatures (below 16°C or 60°F). The poor, the elderly, people who have hypothyroidism, people who take sedative-hypnotics, and drug and alcohol abusers are prone to chronic hypothermia, and they typically:

·        misjudge cold

·        move slowly

·        have poor nutrition

·        wear too little clothing

·        have poor heating system

Causes of Hypothermia

• Cold temperatures
• Improper clothing, shelter, or heating
• Wetness
• Fatigue, exhaustion
• Poor fluid intake (dehydration)
• Poor food intake
• Alcohol intake

Preventing Hypothermia

• Everyone, especially the elderly and ill, should have adequate food, clothing, shelter, and sources of heat.
• Blankets can help, even in poorly heated rooms.
• Wear layers of clothing and a hat, which help to keep in body heat.
• Move around. Physical activity raises body temperature.

Water cooler than 75°F (24°C) removes body heat more rapidly than can be replaced. The result is hypothermia. To avoid hypothermia:

• Avoid swimming or wading in water if possible.

If entering water is necessary:

• Wear high rubber boots in water.
• Ensure clothing and boots have adequate insulation.
• Avoid working/playing alone.
• Take frequent breaks out of the water.
• Change into dry clothing when possible.

Helping Someone Who Is Hypothermic

As the body temperature decreases, the person will be less awake and aware and may be confused and disoriented. Because of this, even a mildly hypothermic person might not think to help himself/herself.

• Even someone who shows no signs of life should be brought quickly and carefully to a hospital or other medical facility.
• Do not rub or massage the skin.
• People who have severe hypothermia must be carefully rewarmed and their temperatures must be monitored.
• Do not use direct heat or hot water to warm the person.
• Give the person warm beverages to drink.
• Do not give the person alcohol or cigarettes. Blood flow needs to be improved, and these slow blood flow.

 Information from the CDC