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Civil Defence is Self-Defence

It is:

Being prepared to help yourself
Knowing what to do next

Disasters will be different but you can be ready

You can:

What is a Survival Kit?

Civil Defence pamphlet No.5 (Disasters) gives a complete description of a standard survival kit. You should add any special equipment, medicine or prostheses that you use. There should be enough of everything to last 3 days. Pets come too - remember to include pet food, medicines, leashes etc. Civil Defence pamphlet No.8  (Disaster and your Animals) gives more information.

What is a Survival Plan?

In planning to survival you should know:

	What the local Civil Defence warning system is
	How to escape from your home if you have to;  if your doors are blocked; if your driveway is blocked
	There is someone who will either come to your help or make sure Rescue Teams come (a Neighbourhood Support Network is a good idea)
	How to turn off utilities (gas, electricity, water) at the main
	How to survive in your home for up to 3 days if you have to
	What arrangements your agency has to help you in an emergency

If disaster strikes?

What do you do next?
Listen to any radio station. Most information will come from there. That’s why having a transistor with fresh batteries is so important.

Depending on the event you may:

	Be evacuated before it happens
	Be warned to stay indoors
	Be evacuated after it happens
	Wait up to 3 days for rescue
	Go to a Welfare Centre Until reaching the Welfare Centre, radio will be your main source of information.
	Be sure to listen carefully to the instructions and if you can, do everything that you are told.

Special hints

People with hearing impairment may not be well served by radio.   You should make arrangements to be sure you are informed by somebody.   People with sight impairment may have extra difficulties if your home is disrupted – perhaps in an earthquake - and will have extra difficulties in an unfamiliar Welfare Centre etc.   You too should arrange some form of "buddy" system.   People with asthma and other nervous and respiratory disorders may be especially affected by stress, dust, volcanic ash etc.   Have plenty of medicines, face masks etc in your survival kits. People with special food needs, be sure to include as much as you can in your survival kit.   People with mobility aids, insist on bringing your aid if you are evacuated. Moving to safety is fine, but you won’t want to be helpless when you get there.