Disasters can happen at any moment. You might not be able to avoid them, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t prepare for them. Having a proper survival plan in place can definitely help you get through even the most difficult situations. Improve your chances of survival by following these essential disaster preparedness tips when SHTF. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)

Learn what potential disasters your area could face

Different geographical locations face different kinds of natural disasters. Read up on your local area’s history to find out what kind of disasters your area is prone to. Does your area frequently experience hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural calamities? Once you know the past, you can be better prepared for the future. Finding out what you are likely to face can go a long way in helping you formulate your survival plan. (Related: You need to know these 8 essential survival tips to prepare you for the next catastrophe.)

Sign up for emergency alerts

It is important to stay informed and up-to-date on your local news and weather reports. Nowadays, you can easily sign up to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone. That way, you can always know ahead of time when severe weather is on its way.  There are also plenty of emergency apps you can download on your phone that can serve as useful tools when SHTF.

Prepare your family’s emergency kits and bug-out bags

You and your family members should each have a 72-hour emergency kit containing all the essential items that you need to survive for at least that amount of time. If you need to make a sudden evacuation, you should also have bug-out bags ready in easily accessible areas in your home. Some preppers may combine both their emergency kit and bug-out bag in one convenient pack. Depending on your needs and priorities, you can choose to do the same. Some of the important items you should pack include water, food, first aid supplies, flashlights, blankets, a cell phone charger, a multipurpose tool, spare cash, and personal hygiene items. Make sure that you and your family members know how to properly use the items in your emergency kits and bug-out bags.

Learn your local area’s evacuation routes and shelter locations

In dire emergency situations, you might need to bug out somewhere else until it is safe for you and your loved ones to return home. In this case, knowing your local area’s evacuation routes and shelter locations can certainly come in handy, especially if you and your family are separated when the disaster hits. Planning a designated meeting point can let you and your family know where to go, even if the cell phone towers are down and no one has any access to other forms of communication.

Do an indoor and outdoor home assessment

On the other hand, there might also be times when it is simply safer to stay put and bug in. In this case, you will need to do a thorough assessment of the interior and exterior of you home to make sure that it can provide ample protection when SHTF. Get rid of any dead trees or overhanging branches that may pose as hazards during a hurricane. You may also need to upgrade your home’s security and defense systems. Additionally, you should make an inventory of the supplies you will need to wait out a potential disaster and stock up on these items.

Learn more disaster preparedness tips by going to Preparedness.news.

Sources include:

Survivopedia.com

WorkingMother.com

Whether you’re a newbie or a dedicated fishing enthusiast, it’s important to know how to make an improvised fishing rod. If you lose your survival gear, you can still make a fishing rod so you can feed yourself when SHTF. (h/t to MyFamilySurvivalPlan.com.)

If your rod gets damaged because of an accident, you can make an improvised fishing rod if you have a knife. Your work becomes even easier if you manage to hold on to a tackle box with the necessary hooks and a spool of monofilament.

Should you ever find yourself stuck in the woods with just a knife, the guide below can help you produce an improvised fishing rod with materials from your surroundings.

Making the pole

Start by searching for a six- to seven-foot-long branch that’s no thicker than your thumb. Once you’ve found a branch, carefully break it off from the tree.

Break the branch to the desired length and if it’s dry enough, snap it in half against your knee or any hard surface. If the branch isn’t dry, but it’s still a bit flexible, cut it with the knife. Don’t use dead branches because they will break easily.

Test the tip by bending it to the point of snapping. The more the branch snaps, the stronger the remaining pole gets. Once the pole is trimmed to the desired length, use your knife to remove any remaining branches, leaves, or shoots. Make the pole as smooth as possible to improve its weight. A smooth pole is also easier to handle.

Finding fishing line

Your job is easier if you have some monofilament fishing line. If you don’t have any, you can make do with some sewing thread. If you don’t have any thread, look for thin green vines in ground cover or in the undergrowth near different bushes. The greener the vine is, the stronger it’ll be. If you find a vine that’s 10 feet long, remove any tendrils by pulling carefully, so the line doesn’t get damaged.

Secure the line by tying it midway down the pole, then wrap it several times near the tip. A simple overhand knot will keep the line in place if the pole breaks, but make sure to catch the line with your hands so you can make another rod. (Related: Survival fishing: 5 tips for catching, eating, and preserving fish.)

The hooks and bait

Ideally, you should have some professional fishing hooks with you. If you lose most of your gear, turn other items like paper clips or safety pins into fishing hooks.

You can also use soda can tabs, but don’t throw the rest of the can away just yet. Use a soda can to make a fishing lure. Turn the shiny metal into flasher or spinner fishing lure shapes. Cut the can with the small scissors on a Swiss Army knife/multi-tool or with a regular knife blade.

With some practice, you can also carve V-shaped hooks out of wood. Green wood works best when making V-shaped hooks. Carve a groove on one end, which will be the hook-eye area. You’ll tie your fishing line onto this groove.

If you need bait, look for insects. Your options include earthworms, which you can find underground, under rocks, around moss, or in other moist areas. Once you’ve baited the hook, you can start fishing.

When fishing in a post-SHTF world, consider your fishing areas carefully. Maximize the energy and time you spend on fishing and don’t waste your resources. If you fish in stagnant waters, look for still pools. The still water in these pools will make the bait as visible as possible, and this will significantly increase your chances of catching fish. In running waters, aim for areas behind exposed boulders since fish may gather in these areas. When bank fishing, stand on the water’s edge and wait for the fish to bite.

It can be challenging to make your own fishing rod, but it’s not impossible. Your work will be even easier if you have some fishing line and hooks. In a survival situation, you can make an improvised fishing rod with some skill and practice.

You can read more articles with tips on how to gather food when SHTF at FoodSupply.news.

Sources include:

MyFamilySurvivalPlan.com

Guide.SportsmansGuide.com