Are you really well prepared?
🏥 "I am Health Hero, your guardian angel of health and prevention. Let's make sure you are well-prepared together. Vulnerable groups are particularly close to my heart, as they require especially many preventive measures and protection!" 🏥⛑️🩹🌡️🧪💉🌿🚑🏥🩺🧤💊🧴🩸🗺️
We, vulnerable groups with conditions such as Long Covid, ME/CFS, and MCS, need to learn to be very meticulous about our own preventive protection and to be well-prepared for possible crisis and emergency situations. Unfortunately, this requires our unique starting position ...
We need a more extensive portfolio of preventive and protective tools. The currently available (emergency) checklists are far from sufficient for our needs. Therefore, we urgently need to take action ourselves and make provisions. If it is no longer possible to do this independently due to health reasons, family, friends, and acquaintances should step in and support you.
Sometimes it's the important 'little things' that might be missing from your prevention and emergency preparedness kit (because they are not mentioned on the current (emergency) checklists, but are more than relevant for us). Especially for those affected by Long Covid, ME/CFS, and MCS.
- Emergency breathing exercises (coachman, goalkeeper, lip brake, etc.) should always be readily available
- Glucose tablets for quick energy supply
- Eye mask + ear protection (ear plugs) – especially for those affected by Long Covid and CFS, who often have high sensitivity to light and noise
- Everything that warms (heated blankets, heating pads, hand warmers, hot water bottles, or self-adhesive warming patches to attach to the innermost layer of clothing - average heat of 52°C for a duration of 6 to 8 hours...), always keep in mind your Raynaud's syndrome (many of us suffer from it severely).
- Emergency blanket (160 x 210 for protection against hypothermia)
- FFP3/FFP2 protective masks (we are high-risk individuals!)
- Necessary supplements (Vitamin D3, folic acid/B12, Q-10, Vitamin C, magnesium, etc.) Many of us have very low levels of Vitamin D and folic acid, as well as low ATP values and low antioxidant activity, which means we also need to think about Q-10.
- Also think about possible hydration: electrolyte drinks, still water, rehydration solutions – BUT be careful not to add too much salt (it can lead to a dangerous salt shock and be harmful to health)! Sodium from natural sources such as coconut water is less harmful than added salt in water.
- Also, please consider gloves (hypoallergenic, latex-free) or medical cotton gloves.
- Everything related to antihistamines, such as Fenistil Gel, Desloratadine, Histakut, and especially Cetirizine emergency drops + spoon, EpiPen.
- Emergency contacts: a list of contact information, including emergency numbers, care services, and emergency responders, as well as trusted individuals who can be contacted in emergencies.
- Emergency sheet/emergency passport: with the most important information (e.g., medications, intolerances, PGx, i.e., important known pharmacogenetic polymorphisms such as CYP2D6, 1A2, NAT2, 2C19, 3A4/3A5, etc., allergies, required heat management, orthostatic hypertension, vascular issues/bleeding time e.g., PFA100, anaphylaxis, vaccination status (tetanus, etc.)...) + Special diets to consider (depending on the existing pathology) e.g., gluten-free, lactose-free, fructose-free, and glutamate-free, salicylate and histamine intolerance...
- If you are smokers, consider nicotine replacement products such as nicotine patches.
- Many of us also need important medical devices and tools in some form, so please consider: inhalers, CPAP machines, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, first aid kits, thermometers, blood glucose meters (device, test strips, lancing devices, control solution, diabetes kit), peak flow meters, nasal rinses + nasal rinse salt, syringes, needles, swabs, waste bags (sterile, tear-resistant), hygiene products (100% organic cotton), breathing masks, pocket masks (FFP3) e.g., 3M™ Aura™ 9322+, emergency bracelets e.g., Medical ID bracelets with important medical information, keychains, cool packs (reusable cold packs), emergency blankets, air purifiers with HEPA and/or activated carbon filters, mobility aids (e.g., walking sticks/canes/crutches, wheelchairs), reading glasses (+ spare), hypoallergenic plasters (including waterproof ones), bandaging materials (+ scissors).
- Camping toilet made of sturdy plastic with a seat and lid + garbage bag roll + several rolls of standard toilet paper
- Reusable menstrual cup made of silicone for women
- Don't forget to pack (small) tactile aids to reduce stress and anxiety, they fit in any pocket or backpack. (Click here for the list)
For those of us who love details: protective clothing (chemical-resistant and lightweight), nasal filters against pollen, such as WoodyKnows Allerscreen nasal filters, synthetic washing lotion based on particularly skin-friendly surfactants and care components (pH-neutral).
And of course, relaxation and mental health are very important, because mental and emotional health should have just as important a place in your preventive care program as everything else. So don't forget to prepare, that means an MP3 player with your favorite music, guides for breathing and relaxation exercises, meditation, books, e-books, music, audiobooks that don't trigger, ways to communicate with friends and family (e.g., video calls), in my very personal emergency kit, there's always a brush (non-toxic) to pamper my sensory neurons and the massage-like stroking also helps to calm my mast cells a bit (it really works).
Since anyone can get sick at any time, it is important to take proactive measures. Our checklist is designed to help you make informed decisions and take necessary preventive measures in a timely manner, so that you are even better prepared in case of an emergency.
FEMA has released a wonderful awareness video that I personally find quite appealing. The important message in it encourages viewers to create emergency plans with the same detail and care as they do in all other areas of life (costume parties, barbecues, anniversary celebrations, etc.). It very clearly emphasizes the importance of planning to protect the family from natural disasters, with the central message being "Protect your family by making an emergency plan."
UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
The information campaign on emergency preparedness is, in my opinion, well-executed and touching. What do I, as a communications strategist, like about this video? The animation is really well chosen. The selected questions are transparently displayed as "warning signs" and the music has the right tempo to symbolize the "race against time." It very effectively shows the tragedy and evokes emotions (the tear of the young man in the hut at the beginning) along with the rain. I really liked the question "What is your starting point?" and the message "Prepare yourself." It is also very well done that the sense of community is portrayed throughout the entire video in all situations. The visual language is simple and direct, making it very understandable for a wide audience.
Style and protection are by no means mutually exclusive 👗👔👠👜👒⛑️🥾🧤🕶️🥽🦺🧣
Perhaps you're wondering why we've placed the initials of our first names on our protective helmets?
It's simple: It enables quick identification if you're working in a group or get caught in a hectic situation. Rescue workers and helpers can recognize you better. It also facilitates communication, especially when names can no longer be clearly understood due to noise or stress. A single letter is easier to recognize and remember. It is a simple but very effective measure to increase safety and efficiency in critical situations.
When choosing rubber boots, you should make sure that they are resistant to chemicals and acids. Petrol, oils and other chemicals can always leak out (even in the event of flooding).
Be well-prepared for any occasion; you never know which 'table set' you might urgently need someday and where... 🍽️🍲🪔🔥🛢️
I love my little pocket stove, it's a classic folding fuel stove, and it has served me many a 'warm' favor in the form of a wonderful hot cup of water or tea during a long mountain hike in winter.
It's better to be prepared before the lights go out ...⚠️🚨🆘⛑️📢🔌⚡🌌📴🕯️🔋💡🗺️ 🪢🧭
In some emergency situations, we simply need to have our hands free, so please also think about a headlamp. My headlamp has a vertically adjustable light head, is waterproof, has an adjustable headband, and features 3 different light levels + SOS signal, as well as AAA batteries. Emergency radio flashlight with siren alarm and power bank function, water purification tablets, collapsible water containers, fuel cubes, multitool, batteries, spark wheel lighter, and much more.
Stock up on essential food supplies – that way, you can easily get through the next few days, even without electricity. 🛒🍎📦🥔💧🥖🥫🛢️🍚🍝
There are also emergency supply packages that can be ordered online, but many of the included 'meals' contain gluten, mustard, celery, sesame, soy, rye flour, wheat flour, whole wheat flour, lactose, almonds, eggs, wheat semolina and are therefore not suitable for everyone. Sweet and sour Thai soup, Mexican vegetable stew, tomato cream soup, noodles in tomato-basil sauce or chickpea curry with rice ... all of these might sound interesting and would certainly be a good way to get by without the beloved kitchen for some time, but for me, unfortunately, the majority of these meals are not suitable (due to allergies and intolerances). So please think early on about what works for you and what doesn't and what you can stock up on. PS: The nuts and rice in the photo are unfortunately not for me either, but gluten-free oats, gluten-free crispbread, lentils, potatoes, pointed cabbage and gluten-free noodles are also options for me :-)
We need to brace ourselves for more severe weather disasters
Each of us knows that the forecasts for natural disasters are worrying. Due to climate change, extreme weather events such as strong hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, and floods are becoming more frequent and intense. In 2024 alone, natural disasters caused $320 billion in damages worldwide, with about $140 billion insured. (1) In many regions, heavy rains and severe thunderstorms are becoming more extreme and frequent. Think of the enormous flash floods and deaths in the Valencia area (2024), the severe fires in L.A. and surrounding areas (2025), the two hurricanes Helene and Milton in the USA (2024), earthquakes in Japan (where thousands of people were left without power and water for weeks and more than 200 people lost their lives). Or think of the deadly, massive Typhoon Yagi, which claimed 850 lives. The wildfire in Jasper National Park, the extreme rainfall and flooding in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)... this list can go on and on...
Before you know it, sandbags, shovels, rubber boots, and more could become your trusted and necessary companions to protect your home, your life, and the lives of your loved ones. 🪣🔨🥾🏡❤️👨👩👧👦🌧️ 🛡️🪓🪨 🌊🌪️🌀
Through smart precaution, forward planning, and supportive solidarity, we can face these enormous challenges more courageously and emerge as a stronger, more resilient society. I, your Health Hero 🏥, am firmly convinced of this. 💪
And please don't forget, just acquiring extensive equipment alone doesn't create safety and resilience; knowledge and proper application are just as important.
