1. Ralph Flores & Helen Klaben (1963)

Time Survived: 29 Days

Flying a light aircraft during a snowstorm is rarely a good idea, a fact to which these two can attest. In February of 1963 Flores became lost in storm whilst flying from Alaska to California. With their bearings lost he attempted to find the Alaskan Highway, during this search he crashed his plane into trees located in Canada’s Yukon Territory.

Stranded with only a five inch hunting knife they survived on snow for 29 days after their meagre food rations ran out. Flores eventually left their makeshift camp and stamped out SOS on a nearby frozen beaver pond.

Flores, a recent convert to Mormonism, assured Klaben that they would be rescued if she would read the New Testament, upon completing the final page of Revelations Flores’s stamping’s were noticed by a Yukon Flying Services plane. Their determination had paid off, taken to a local hospital they both, eventually, made a full recovery.

Helen Klaben’s autobiographical account Hey, I’m Alive was eventually turned into a moderately successfully movie.

2. Prahlad Jani (2003)

Time Survived: 30 Days (Confirmed) 70 Years (Claimed)

Prahlad Jani is a septuagenarian who dwells in a rainforest cave near the temple of Ambajiin, Gujarat. Since the age of 11 he has been a devotee of the Hindu Mother Goddess

Durga, the object of his devotion accounts for his red sari, jewellery and flower bedecked shoulder length hair; they are the traditional trappings of a high caste Hindu wife. He claims that he has not eaten or drunk for seventy years as the Goddess provides him with daily drop of divine ambrosia delivered through a hole in the roof of his mouth. His claims have been investigated on two separate occasions once in 2003 and again in 2010. In the 2003 tests he lasted 10 days, during the 2010 tests he not only survived without food and water for 30 days but went without passing any form of waste.

Dr Micheal Van Rooyen of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative has criticised the research alleging that Prahald Jani was insufficiently monitored during the tests and that any human deprived of water would die after 20days. We are willing to wager a significant sum that Dr Rooyen doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.

3. James G. Scott (1991)

Time Survived: 43 Days

James Scott was a 22 year old Medical Student who came from Australia to Nepal to enjoy hiking in the Himalayas. In December of 1991, whilst attempting to cross a 4km mountain pass he was engulfed by a blizzard and became lost.

During the next 43 days he survived on melted snowballs and one caterpillar. Just before he was rescued Vultures had begun to circle him during the day. Even in the face of these hardships he always remained cheerful; “My attitude throughout the ordeal was generally one of hope and optimism” (from his book Lost in the Himalayas)

He is also a black belt in Karate.

4. David Blaine (2003)

Time Survived: 44 Days

David Blain, that Houdini of the noughties, had a penchant for stunts that required almost superhuman levels of mental and physical endurance. Beginning with his Buried Alive stunt in 1999 Blain subsequently endured being frozen in ice, and standing on a giant pole before attempting to survive without food for 44 days whilst suspended in a Plexiglas box above the Thames.

In compassion to the American public’s reaction of amazement and wonder, the British were a lot more disparaging. Blaine was pelted with eggs, lemons, sausages, golf balls and even beer cans. One man was arrested after attempting to spike Blaine’s water supply with monkey Urine. Our favourite taunt, however, was when some scamp attached a cheese burger to the bottom of a remote control helicopter and proceeded to buzz the box bound magician.

Blaine has a new show planned for 2012.

5. Oglach Brendan Hughes

Time Survived: 29 Days

Participation in the complex and violent politics of northern island is hardly the route to an easy life. Brendan Hughes was born to a Republican family in Belfast. During the early seventies was involved in attacks on British Soldiers. After escaping, in the manner or Cleopatra -rolled up in a carpet-, to Dublin for a few years he returned to Belfast with a changed name and a new job as a toy salesman, he subsequently arrested for the possession of arms.

Whilst imprisoned he participated in many of the Republican prisoner protest actions of the late 70’s. It was in 1980, along with six other prisoners, that he began his hunger strike. It lasted 53 days and was only ended with a direct response from the British government, he was released in 1986.

He died, at age 59, in 2008, there is no doubt that is death at a relatively young age was abetted by his long period of self imposed starvation.

6. Anastasia of Sirmium (304)

Time Survived: 60 Days

Anastasia was born a citizen of Rome during the late Empire under the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. Christians during this time were suffering extreme persecution, if a person was discovered to be an adherent of Christ they were a stripped of social standing, imprisoned and tortured until they had renounced all belief in trinity and reaffirmed their allegiance to the Roman gods of old.

Emperor Diocletian, upon receiving advice from the oracle of Apollo, a biased source some would argue, embarked on the systematic persecution of all Christians in 303. Anastasia, who had been known for providing food and medical care to Christian prisoners, was sentenced to death by starvation. Surviving 60 days without food (without any ill effects) the magistrate sentenced her to be drowned in an open boat which was cast out to sea. When the boat drifted back to land, Anastasia was recaptured by the authorities and burnt at the stake.

Few can, even in this day, match the Roman states dedication to persecution.

7. Barry Horne (1998)

Time Survived: 68 Days

Barry Horne was a British Animal rights activist during the movements late 90’s / early 2000’s heyday, a period when more time was spent in Westminster debating fox hunting than the invasion of Iraq.

He was arrested in 1996 for planting fire bombs in drug and leather stores and the charity shops of cancer research organisations. Sentenced in late 1996 he began his first hunger strike in 1997 lasting 35 days, this garnered serious media attention and resulted in the Labour party pledge to reduce and eventually ban vivisection. Encouraged by the positive response he went on hunger strike again in August of 1997. He began his third and last hunger strike in October 1998.

On day 43 of his hunger strike he received the last rights and was placed in a “hunger strike cell”, fitted with just a cardboard chair and table. By day 66 he was hallucinating, deaf in one ear and blind in one eye; he could no longer remember why he was on hunger strike. After 68 days without food he ended his ordeal.

In 2001 after a series of erratic, unsupported hunger strikes, he died of liver failure.

8. Brother Yun (1995)

Time Survived: 75 Days

A Chinese born preacher an evangelist Brother Yun has both suffered incredibly hardships and experienced the most amazing of miracles.

Refusing to join the official Christian church of china he was imprisoned and tortured in the notorious Zhengzhou Maximum Security prison. During this time Brother Yun claims to have engaged in a total fast for 75 days, beating his own saviours record for endurance (Jesus lasted a mere 40 days and nights). Being the only person ever to escape Zhengzhou prison, Brother Yun also claims to have been granted the power of invisibility to escape his oppressors.

9. Ram Bahadur Bomjon (Buddha Boy)

Time Survived: 11 Months

This miraculous young man from Nepal was ‘discovered’ when he was 15 years old, found meditating under a tree he apparently required neither food no water and has sat in the same position for 11 months, pondering the very nature of reality. With reports of blue halos manifesting around his head and spontaneous combustion, complete flames flying from his eyes. In 2007 the discovery channel in made an entire documentary about him and even they, in their infinite wisdom, were unable to confirm or deny the marvellous stories circulating about him.

Since coming into the limelight and entire industry has sprang up around the ‘Buddha Boy’ becoming the main source of income for the remote Nepalese faming village he calls home.

On July 22, 2010 villagers climbed upon his meditation platform manhandled and mimicked the would be Buddha, according to Bomjon himself he was “therefore forced to beat them”.

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Tune in to your local radio or television station in order to stay up to date on the most current weather reports and advisories. Keep a battery or crank-powered radio handy as power failures occur often during severe storms.

Blizzard

Generally, a blizzard is a winter storm where winds can reach a speed of over 24 mph and visibility can be reduced to less than one mile because of the snowfall or blowing snow. These conditions must last at least three hours.

A blizzard occurs when Arctic winds bring snow, arctic cold, violent winds, and severe blowing snow that impairs visibility. For the storm to be considered a blizzard, these conditions must last at least three hours but may last up to several days.

Poor visibility, low temperatures, and violent winds are the most life-threatening dangers of a blizzard.

In the US, blizzards accompanied by violent winds occur more frequently in meadows.

The East coast, the areas near the Great Lakes, the Southern and Western parts of New York and the states bordered by the Atlantic are particularly vulnerable to heavy snowfall. Black ice (ice that is transparent and difficult to see) can occur anywhere in the country but occurs most frequently in New York, the Midwest, and the states bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.

Hail

Hailstorms can happen anywhere in the US but most frequently happen in Montana as well as in the Southern Plains and Illinois.

Hailstorms most frequently occur between May and October. In certain plains areas, there can be up to ten hailstorms per year.

A hailstorm can be a financial disaster for farmers whose crops have been destroyed, or for those who sustain severe damage to their homes or cars.

Some hailstones are as small as peas while others may be as large as watermelons.

Torrential Rains (Heavy Rains)

Torrential rains can cause flooding. This is especially the case when the ground is still frozen or saturated from previous storms. Torrential rains are also likely to cause flooding when they coincide with spring thaw.

Ice Storm

Freezing rain is hard, sticks to most surfaces, and is more slippery than snow. In small quantities, freezing rain can be dangerous but on a larger scale it can be catastrophic.

Lightning

Lightning occurs when air becomes electrically charged during a storm. Lightning can travel as fast as 25,000 miles per second.

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms are often accompanied by violent winds, hail, lightning, torrential rains, and possibly tornadoes. A thunderstorm usually doesnâ€t last for more than an hour but a series of storms can continue for several hours. Prepare Yourself

Stock up on long term food as well as a flashlight, a crank or battery-powered radio, and extra batteries. For a complete list of emergency supplies.

You’ll also learn what to keep in an emergency kit for your car. When a violent storm is brewing, the U.S. Weather Advisory Service warnings and advisories through the radio, television, online, and automated phone services. (www.noaa.gov)

Storm Preparation Tips

When extreme weather has been announced, anchor anything that can be thrown around by the wind, whether it is inside or outside your home. When they are picked up by violent winds, objects like garbage cans and garden furniture can cause injuries to both people and property.

If you live on a farm and raise animals, bring them into the stable and make sure they have sufficient food and water. Cut down dead tree branches and dead trees in order to minimize the risk of them falling on your house during a storm.

If you’re indoors, stay away from windows, doors, and fireplaces. You and your family should seek refuge in the predetermined location from your emergency plan. If local authorities ask that you evacuate, do so. Bring your emergency kit with you.

Using an ordinary phone line during a storm carries some risk. Use your cellular phone instead. Never seek refuge on a boat during a storm. If you were already on the water when the storm emerged, immediately head to the nearest shore.

Always double-check maritime weather before going out on a boat for the day and listen to weather reports and advisories while out on the water. If you are in your car, look for a safe location away from trees and electrical poles.

Stay there until the storm begins to clear. Generally, on a farm, the effects of a violent storm on livestock can be alleviated by displacing the animals to a place where they’ll not have to endure the storm. If moving the animals is not possible, be sure to shelter the animals. The approach you choose will depends on the type of storm you’re expecting.

The post A List of Types of Storms appeared first on Survival Goods.

Top 10 Items To Put In An Emergency Backpack

During a disaster, it may be necessary for you and your family to leave your residence and seek shelter elsewhere, sometimes over a long distance. Prior to leaving the majority of your possessions behind, it is important to list and take the most-needed articles for your survival. Of those items, the ten most needed are listed.

1. Water: You will need to provide one gallon of water to each member of your party each day, for a minimum of three days, for drinking and sanitation. Mayday Industries produces water packets that can be exposed to high temperatures without spoiling. Also, order and keep a product called “Water 2GO” in your kit for use with tap water. It is a sixteen ounce water bottle with a built in purifying filter.
2. Food: You should pack at least three days of packaged non-perishable foods. Write out a meal plan of how this food is expected to meet your needs for you family in order to store enough for this time period.
3. Radio: A battery-powered or emergency hand generated radio is important to receive broadcast information from various emergency agencies in your area. Take note of these stations and agencies.
4. Flashlight: pack a flashlight with fresh batteries. If there are no lights on roads you maybe travelling in darkness or bad weather, you will want to see, and be seen to avoid being run over by traffic.
5. First aid kit with instructions: Pack a first aid kit that is sized correctly for your party, complete with moist towelettes for personal use. Read the instructions prior to travelling, and keep them with this kit.
6. Dust Masks: Disasters such as volcano explosions, or a tornado, can whip up dust that is either toxic, such as asbestos from destroyed building insulation, or suffocating ash. Having dust masks on hand will help with breathing and limit the inhalation of health threatening material.
7. Medications: Pack critical prescription medications, and over the counter medications for allergies and pain. If a predicted disaster is imminent, have your prescriptions refilled well in advance.
8. Cash and pertinent documentation: Do not depend on electrically operated devices, such as ATM’s, to be operational after a disaster strikes. If communications are down, electronic funding through debit and credit card will not be possible. Keep an emergency cash supply, in small denominations. Also pack important documents that you wouldn’t want to leave behind, such as deeds, titles, insurance policies, and medical records.
9. Fire starter or waterproof matches: These are sold as kits through survival-goods.com and are easy to use. You will need one or the other to start a fire to keep warm, cook food, or serve as a location marker.
10. Clothing and sturdy footwear: Survival during disaster will depend on your ability to stay clothed despite the circumstances. Clothing and footwear that will endure long walks and manual labor are a critical part of your planning.

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