In Kenpo we prepare to be ready for the unexpected. Below is the link to FEMA's page  where they have posted a Disaster Supplies Check List. Below I copied the different catagories.

Interesting is that the list does not mention items for defending yourselves. My advice is if you choose to legally obtain a weapon for self defense purposes, then you have an obligation to learn how to use the weapon properly and learn how to properly maintain it.

This check list also does not mention money or fuel. Depending on the type of emergency, there may not be electricity which means gas pumps and ATM's will not work. So have enough full gas cans on hand that you can fill your tank and leave if needed. [add Stabil, a gas perservative to the gas can with the fuel, it can be purchased at Walmart and it keeps gas good for 1 yr.]

Also, have some cash locked away so you won't be caught short if ATM's are down.

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/appendix_b.shtm

The following list is to help you determine what to include in your disaster supplies kit that will meet your family’s needs.

First Aid Supplies

Supplies	Home	Vehicle	Work
Adhesive bandages, various sizes
5 " x 9 " sterile dressing
Conforming roller gauze bandage
Triangular bandages
3 " x 3 " sterile gauze pads
4 " x 4 " sterile gauze pads
Roll 3 " cohesive bandage
Germicidal hand wipes or waterless, alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Antiseptic wipes
Pairs large, medical grade, non-latex gloves
Tongue depressor blades
Adhesive tape, 2 " width
Antibacterial ointment
Cold pack
Scissors (small, personal)
Tweezers
Assorted sizes of safety pins
Cotton balls
Thermometer
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Sunscreen
CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield
First aid manual

Non-Prescription and Prescription Medicine Kit Supplies

Supplies	Home	Vehicle	Work
Aspirin and non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Laxative
Vitamins
Prescriptions
Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses

Sanitation and Hygiene Supplies

Item		Item
Washcloth and towel		Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and ties for personal sanitation uses and toilet paper
Towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer		Medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid
Tooth paste, toothbrushes		Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach
Shampoo, comb, and brush		A small shovel for digging a latrine
Deodorants, sunscreen		Toilet paper
Razor, shaving cream		Contact lens solutions
Lip balm, insect repellent		Mirror
Feminine supplies

Equipment and Tools

Tools		Kitchen items
Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries		Manual can opener
NOAA Weather Radio, if appropriate for your area		Mess kits or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
Flashlight and extra batteries		All-purpose knife
Signal flare		Household liquid bleach to treat drinking water
Matches in a waterproof container (or waterproof matches)		Sugar, salt, pepper
Shut-off wrench, pliers, shovel, and other tools		Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
Duct tape and scissors		Resealable plastic bags
Plastic sheeting		Small cooking stove and a can of cooking fuel (if food must be cooked)
Whistle
Small canister, ABC-type fire extinguisher		Comfort Items
Tube tent		Games
Compass		Cards
Work gloves		Books
Paper, pens, and pencils		Toys for kids
Needles and thread		Foods
Battery-operated travel alarm clock

Food and Water

Supplies	Home	Vehicle	Work
Water
Ready-to-eat meats, fruits, and vegetables
Canned or boxed juices, milk, and soup
High-energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, low-sodium crackers, granola bars, and trail mix
Vitamins
Special foods for infants or persons on special diets
Cookies, hard candy
Instant coffee
Cereals
Powdered milk

Clothes and Bedding Supplies

Item
Complete change of clothes
Sturdy shoes or boots
Rain gear
Hat and gloves
Extra socks
Extra underwear
Thermal underwear
Sunglasses
Blankets/sleeping bags and pillows

Documents and Keys

Item	Stored
Personal identification
Cash and coins
Credit cards
Extra set of house keys and car keys
Copies of the following:
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate
Driver's license
Social Security cards
Passports
Wills
Deeds
Inventory of household goods
Insurance papers
Immunization records
Bank and credit card account numbers
Stocks and bonds
Emergency contact list and phone numbers
Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go

I Haven't Shot It

"...When you make the decision to carry a gun for personal defense, you must also come to terms with this fact: Your firearm may someday end the life of another person...."

by Ray Hawk

Recently, a friend of mine stated, "I bought a 357 revolver but I haven't shot it in fifteen years." He bought it for self-defense. How many people buy a handgun and stick it in a drawer? The gun is never cleaned. It is never shot. Some are never loaded. Yet, it is there to provide protection for its owner if needed. Do you see something wrong with that picture?

Some people have the idea that if someone is breaking into their home, automobile, or place of business, they will retrieve the pistol and it will not only fire, but they will hit only what is threatening them. I am afraid most of us get our gun knowledge from Hollywood. That source is an inadequate teacher. In fact, such ignorance can get you killed.

How many folks buy an automobile and let it sit unused in their garage? How many purchase a car but refuse to learn how to drive? "Oh, I'll learn to drive when I need to take someone to the hospital." Sure you will.

If you are going to buy a firearm for personal protection, either to carry on your person or to keep at home, in your car, or business, take a handgun course. A good starting place is a class to obtain your carry permit. Once you have gained that permit, you need to take at least one advanced class. Is it expensive? Perhaps, but what price tag do you put on your life or that of your loved ones?

It has been proven that if you can stand and hit the bull's-eye at seven or ten yards, you will lose about 65% or more proficiency when your life is threatened. If you have no prior training or target practice, you will hit something, but probably not the criminal. Remember, the bad guy isn't concerned about where his bullets go, you should and must be. If your rounds go past the felon and hit an innocent person, you are legally responsible. You may be shot by the criminal and then sued by the innocent party.

You may think that you can buy a handgun and holster, strap it on and carry without some training. First, it isn't always comfortable to carry a gun. Second, in the beginning you will think everyone knows you are carrying. It will take time to build confidence. Third, if you don't have the practice of keeping your "cotton pickin' finger off the trigger," you may accidentally blow a hole through your holster and ruin a pair of trousers when reholstering! In a worse case scenario, you could shoot yourself in the leg. Fourth, it takes practice to throw back a shirt or coat, draw, get your sight picture and shoot in a life or death situation. That is why practice, practice, practice is needed. In a life threatening situation, you will revert to your least amount of training. If you have none, what would that be?

If you own a semi-automatic pistol, the dresser drawer or car glove box is not a good learning place. A semi-auto firearm may fire more rounds than a revolver and be easier to reload, but if the firearm's weaknesses are not learned, it can become little more than a paper weight. When you load the magazine, make sure you load the cartridges in the correct direction. Yes, ignorance happens! When you insert the magazine into the handle of the pistol, make sure it "clicks" to show it is fully seated. If not, the first round fired will dislodge it and it will fall to the ground. If you are a novice under fire, you will be perplexed as to why your gun will not fire when the trigger is pulled the second time. You need to know what to do if your pistol jams and why it did. Many jams are caused by "limp-wristing." You did not have a firm grip on the gun when firing. You need to practice reloading when the slide locks back after the last round is fired. All of these items are elementary if practiced. Without practice, it can mean the difference between a gun that functions and one that doesn't. Which would you rather have?

I used to have a neighbor that was an agent in the FBI. The department decided to issue a new firearm. It was the Springfield 1911. After being issued the pistol, the local office went to the range and put 1,000 rounds through the gun each day for two days, just to learn how to use it. That is a good lesson to us. If you are going to purchase a pistol, I have one word for you--Practice! Your life may depend upon it!

Ray Hawk is a minister, a member of the NRA, IDPA, and the Tennessee Sports Foundation in Jackson, Tennessee. He is also the webmaster for the Tennessee Sports Foundation web site.

[ The names in this letter have been changed due to an ongoing criminal investigation.]

January 15, 2009'

To parents, students, prospective students and parents of American Kenpo Karate University:

My name is Jane Doe and my daughter, Janet, has been taking karate from Mr. Walker for 2 years. When Janet is taking class, I sit in the back of the University and study for my college classes. I often stop to watch my daughter in class or to listen to Mr. Walker give the class instruction. One of the things I have always enjoyed the most about Mr. Walker's teaching style is that he will often instruct students on "street-wise" information. I have always enjoyed listening to this information. I never thought that it would one day save me from a violent crime.

On the 5^th of this month, I was grocery shopping for a few items in Live Oak. It was latter than I usually go, about 9:45pm. As I was leaving the store I noticed a gentleman standing by his truck on his cell phone. I also noticed in the corner of the porch of the store a young gentleman watching me leave the store. At first I thought he was a worker from the grocery store but then I noticed he did not have on a uniform. I quickly assessed the situation and felt that I should approach the car with caution. If the other man had not been in the parking lot, I would have gone back in the store to ask someone to walk me to my car. I was thinking before I approached the car of what to do. I decided not to open the main part of the car but opened the trunk and quickly threw in the items and my purse as well. As I saw the man approaching, I quickly shut the trunk. I had my keys tightly in my hand with one keys sticking up so that I could use it as a weapon if need be. He asked me if I would give him a lift up town. I firmly said, "No!" and started to walk away. He walked back to the porch and I quickly got in my car and drove off.

Today, a week and a half after the incident, my friend at work showed me a newspaper article where a man at the same store on the same day [15 minutes after the man approached me] had given a man a ride and was robbed at gunpoint. That could have been me!

I am very thankful that Mr. Walker teaches his students to be "street-wise" and I am very glad I listen in class. Thanks Mr. Walker for saving me from an act of violence!

Jane Doe

---

This parent contacted the police and is helping identify this criminal. The man she mentions in the parking lot by his truck talking on his cell phone ended up being the one to give the younger guy a ride and ended up getting robbed. Someone else was robbed in a similar fashion at night in the WalMart parking lot 2 days earlier and they believe it was the same robber.

What we teach is not just about kicking and punching is it?? Yours in Kenpo, Tim

Timothy Walker, PSTD
4th Degree Black Belt
American Kenpo Karate University, Inc.
Branford, FL
386-935-3777   AKKUinc@juno.com
www.AKKUinc.com

There are a LOT of things you can start doing immediately that will make your time away from home safer. Here are just a few quick tips on the matter.


*Be alert and attentive while unlocking your vehicle and getting in- this is a great time for an ambush, from a criminal perspective.

*Check the rear seat or area of your vehicle before getting in, and do a quick check to make sure your vehicle hasn't been tampered with.

*Lock your vehicle doors as soon as you get in- before you even start your engine.

*While driving, remain in "Condition Yellow". 

*Remember to always leave plenty of room between your car and the car ahead of you when stop at a traffic light, to allow you to 'get out of Dodge' as fast as possible in case something happens. Remember- it's always better to get out of the situation altogether than to have to get out of a fight.

*Try to never allow yourself to become "boxed in" between cars. There's a big difference between having to jump a curb and having to push a car out of the way. Stay out of the middle lane if you're going through 3 lanes of traffic that could stop.

*If someone cuts you off or honks at you, just let it go. It's not a big deal! Yes- they are probably ignorant jerks, but don't even react. Just go about your business.

*Be VERY attentive at traffic lights and stop signs- even in rural areas. These are perfect ambush points- so be ready, and don't linger any longer than you have to.

*Always be polite and extra courteous to other drivers. Pause for a moment to let people enter the roadway in front of you in thick traffic, and slow down to let people merge in front of you. Smile and use hand signals to communicate, and wave a "thanks" to those who let you in.

I'm not sure where the idea of "karma" came from, but I've done a LOT of traveling on the USA roadways, and I can sure tell you that on the road- what goes around comes around!

Being polite and forgiving can save from road-rage altercations, but it can't help against carjackers. Remember what I said about Condition Yellow!!