Tuesday, 5 August 2014

How An Emergency Radio Is Used During A Disaster

By Eric Holm


It is not unusual for people to panic during a crisis. A traumatic experience will affect different people in different ways and it helps if someone can remain calm under pressure. Safety should be a top priority for all. Having access to the proper supplies, including an emergency radio, can mean the difference between life and death. Things are often chaotic in the aftermath of a natural disaster or some type of accident. Keeping a cool head and knowing where to turn for accurate information is absolutely crucial if you hope to come through a disaster in relatively good shape.

Earthquakes, floods and tsunamis wreak havoc with the normal communication systems. Sometimes the systems become overwhelmed with the sheer volume of calls as people frantically try to call for help or contact loved ones. Antennas will fail to work when the power is interrupted and system wires and cellular towers are vulnerable to physical damage from severe weather conditions. Blizzards, hurricanes and other bad storms can knock out the main communications systems and even those run by the government can be affected. When it becomes impossible for citizens to stay in touch with each other, various organizations will step in and offer assistance. Disaster plans are in place to establish temporary communication between the government and its citizens whenever there is some kind of catastrophic event. Various types of equipment and specialized tools will allow people to get in touch with one another and receive vital instructions from governmental agencies.

An amateur radio setup has limited power but can be an important form of communication when the professional systems fail. When cell phones and wired phones are knocked out of commission, the amateur radio will still be able to send and receive signals. It does not depend on vast land based facilities that are vulnerable to damage. Amateur operators are often able to power their radios with an ordinary car battery.

A solar radio or solar radio flashlight is a powerful tool when power is unavailable. This device will convert sunlight to energy that will run the batteries and allow the light to work. A traditional AM/FM transistor radio will be able to pick up any warnings that are being released over the airwaves. It is important to keep track of the news stations so you will know immediately if there are evacuation orders for your area. These handy devices may be the only form of communication available when the power fails and your survival depends on you being able to stay informed about what is going on around you. These items are often equipped with a strap and headphones.

A simple brass whistle attached to a lanyard may be used to attract attention if you become trapped. The person in need of assistance should use three sharp blasts to get the attention of rescue workers. The rescue workers will answer back with two blasts. There are other devices that can be used to communicate, including a crank radio, a combined crank radio and flashlight, a bull horn or a megaphone.




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