A few things to remember on being prepared

I think this one is worth placing here so that our readers, who I'd like to believe are Guidance Counselors or Counseling Psychologists, may remember and also share to others. Thanks to Dr. Susan Estanislao, my colleague at the Sarnelli Center for Streetchildren, in Baclaran, Paranaque City. It's all about being prepared for the flood, or when dire emergencies come. These may form part of the drills we have: fire drill, earthquake drill, and why not a FLOOD DRILL?

1. "calamity" kits/bag containing medicines (like paracetamol for fever, children's meds, maintenance meds, bandages, sterile gauze, cotton balls, band aid, betadine antiseptic, multivitamins, vitamin C, alcohol, calmoseptine ointment, insect repellant lotion, etc.),
2. a whistle (think Rose in Titanic)
3. small transistor radio
4, flash lights
5. fresh batteries
6. rechargeable lamps
7. life vest/floating devices
8. rope (not for hanging oneself ha?)
9. matches
10. always have your cell phone charged
11. "no cook" food - meaning food that doesn't need cooking (chichiria pwede na no?)
12. water
13. some clothes & other basic provisions you might deem necessary.
14. Have distilled water for children ready.
15. Put important documents like birth certificate, personal id cards, car insurance, insurance policies etc. in big resealable plastics (like the ones used for sandwiches). Put these all in a bag you can immediately take with you if you need to evacuate.
16. Have emergency cash put aside. ATM's and credit cards are useless without electricity.
17. Know emergency hotlines. Inform your relatives and friends of your whereabouts if you can.

Remember that you can live without food for more than 24 hours but not water.

* If you can't bring any food, bring water in plastic bottles. Once empty, it can be used as flotation devices by tying several plastic water bottles together (plastic softdrink bottles) with straw ropes (like the one used in supermarkets). [Wow, dami mong dadalhing plastic bottles niyan. Nevertheless, the moral of this point is: don't throw your plastic bottles irresponsibly. It may either block the hole where floodwater can flow out in the drainage, thereby raising higher the level of the flood, or you can still tie them later to form your saving boat! Guess what, why not start tying them when you have time so that when the flood comes, it can be used. Better be prepared than not, di ba?]

* If you are advised to evacuate, do not think that nature will spare you, heed the warning! Never mind the things that can be replaced.

* Lastly, don't try to be a super hero. If you think you can really help someone in need without danger to your life then do so but ask for help or back up just in case you turn out to be another casualty, and add to the load of rescuers. [My take on this: if you can save, go and do it. Have courage. Better to have saved than to regret that you allowed yourself to be too much of a coward. But if cowardice got the worst of you, don't be afraid. You can still make up for it when the floods are gone by helping others.]

In emergency situations, survival instinct will kick in and most people will save themselves first. Be self reliant but know when to ask for help...

Forewarned is forearmed! Let's thank God for our blessings. God Bless everyone!

This one is my addition: Yes, please always remember to have presence of mind. Cry if you must because you're afraid. But remember that the Lord is with you. And your guardian angels are there too.

And just a question to remember: why did the Blessed Virgin Mary walk to the house of Elizabeth, her cousin?

Answer: Because Mary gave her FIAT to the Archangel Gabriel. God bless