Disaster Preparedness for Beginners

Extended outages expose ordinary planning gaps quickly: food may require a stove, flashlights may have dead batteries, and communication plans may depend on cell service.

The exact hazard changes by region, but many household consequences repeat: no power, limited water, closed stores, disrupted transportation, and unreliable communications.

The practical lesson is straightforward: panic is expensive; preparation can be incremental.

Why This Calculator Exists

Most preparedness sites try to sell you a $200 "tactical" backpack filled with cheap junk you'll never use. They profit from your fear.

DisasterCalculator takes a more transparent approach. Its calculators turn public preparedness guidance into clearly labeled household estimates for water, calories, and essential gear.

Preparing for "The Big One"

Whether it's a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, a Category 5 hurricane, or a grid-down winter storm, the rules of survival are surprisingly similar.

You don't need to prepare for everything. You just need to prepare for the common consequences of everything: no power, no water, and no way to buy food.

The Rule of Threes

Survival experts often cite the "Rule of Threes" to prioritize needs. You can survive:

3 Minutes without air (or in icy water).

3 Hours without shelter in harsh conditions.

3 Days without water.

3 Weeks without food.

This is why we focus on Water and Shelter/Warmth first. Food is important for morale and energy, but water is non-negotiable.

Bug Out vs. Bug In

Bugging In (Sheltering in Place)

Most Likely Scenario. Staying in your home during a power outage, pandemic, or storm.

Focus: Water storage, non-perishable food, hygiene.
Goal: Comfort and safety until services are restored.

Bugging Out (Evacuation)

Worst Case Scenario. Leaving immediately due to fire, flood, or structural damage.

Focus: Mobility, "Go-Bag", important documents.
Goal: Reaching a safe location quickly.

The Top 3 Rules of a Survival Kit

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1. Water is Life

You can survive 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. Prioritize storage and filtration above all else.

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2. Two is One

"Two is one, and one is none." Always have a backup. A backup flashlight. A backup way to start a fire. A backup plan.

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3. Skills > Gear

The best gear in the world is useless if you don't know how to use it. Practice with your equipment before the disaster.

The Rational Guide to
Disaster Preparedness