In the metropolitan areas, we are used to an infrastructure, available 24 hours a day!

Therefore, many are completely unprepared for what a prolonged power outage or any emergency in society would mean. A situation where perhaps millions of people need immediate help will be very sensitive. Therefore, the authorities call on everyone to assume their responsibilities and prepare for a time without functioning social functions. You will have to be responsible for the supply of water, food and heat. You also need to be able to communicate with others and get information from the authorities.

A good exercise to do is to think about how a longer break would affect you. That exercise is your first step to a better emergency preparedness and something that affects your and your family's ability to survive in a emergency situation.

Society today is based on energy.

Internet, heat, shops, petrol pumps, water and light, everything depends on an uninterrupted and steady supply of energy. In the event of a sudden interruption, social functions will soon cease to function and the social crisis will be a fact. It will never happen some are thinking for sure but our infrastructure is actually very sensitive. The whole world is today connected to the internet as well as our social functions. That someone with malicious intentions can turn off the supply of electricity from the other side of the world is no longer fiction, it is reality. The weather can also have a major impact, as we see around the world where storms, hurricanes and rising water levels have devastating consequences. Of course, we also know how a pandemic can affect our everyday lives.

In rural areas, most people today have some sort of thought around emergency preparedness, for natural reasons. It does not take part in the infrastructure of big cities to the same extent and therefore has a greater habit of being prepared. People living in big cities will be affected quite differently. Partly due to a lack of emergency preparedness and partly due to the population density and limited resources in the more populated areas.

In the event of a mayor crisis, resources will not be enough for all those in need. How could you manage a time without the resources you're used to? What needs and conditions do you need to take into account? A good exercise to do is to think about what you need during a week's time to do without society’s functions. A possible crisis may, of course, last longer than a week, but the first time will be the most sensitive. Authorities will prioritize those most in need at the time but increase their ability to broaden their efforts over time. Being prepared can mean that you don't have to queue for hours outside the only open grocery store nearby, but it can also mean that you can help others who haven't prepared. In a emergency situation, the concern for others is a crucial component.

Focus

What you need to focus primarily on to cope with a crisis situation is water,  heat,  food,  communication,  first aid  and  protection. If you become isolated for a long time due to weather, a power outage, infection or any other kind of crisis situation, you need to have the ability to take care of yourself and your family. You also need external monitoring. You need to know what's happening at large and how it affects your neighborhood. A good idea, then, is to spend some time thinking about how a crisis would affect you so you are mentally prepared. Developing that idea to complete a emergency kit containing the products you need will, in the event of a emergency, increase your well-being and perhaps your ability to survive.