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Pandemic Flu Checklist,
Pandemic Influenza Checklist,
Pandemic Flu Survival Checklist,
Pandemic Flu Home Supplies Checklist, v05

Its a matter of When, not If !

CDC - 2007

Pandemic Flu Survival Checklist - Table of Contents

Ways to Limit Infection Spread   Table of Contents

  • Prior Vaccination.
  • People who are fit and who eat healthy and are not sleep deprived will statistically fare much better.
  • Coughing and Sneezing is the number one flu transmittal method, so:
    • Cough or Sneeze into a disposable tissue (NOT on the hands), then properly dispose of the tissue, and then wash hand thoroughly with soap or sanitizer.
    • In the absence of tissue to cough or sneeze into, then cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow (NOT on the hands), and then wash hand thoroughly with soap or sanitizer.
    • Get hold of and carry packets of disposable tissues.
    • Obtain and carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer on your person.
  • Model the following behaviors:
    • Soap and Water are still the #1 method for killing germs.
    • Alcohol based hand wash sanitizer solutions also work.
    • Wash hands for a minimum of 15 seconds (for either method), for the normal length of the Happy Birthday song (sing Happy Birthday to Me, silently, to yourself).
        • For Soap and Water:
      • Completely wet your hands first (makes process more effective).
      • Apply liquid or clean bar soap.
      • Lather well.
      • Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 seconds.
      • Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
      • Rinse well.
      • Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
      • Use a disposable towel to turn off the faucet and open the door
      • Throw away the disposable towel into a trash can which should be located just inside or outside of the exit door or door way.

        • For Alcohol based Hand Sanitizer:
      • Apply about 1/2 tsp of the product to the palm of your hand (25 Cent Coin size).
      • Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry.
      • If hand sanitizing has reached the point where the hand's surface is continuously tacky, perform a normal soap and water hand wash.
  • Use disposable tissues.
  • Do NOT reuse a handkerchief.
  • If sick, do NOT go to work or school - stay at home!
  • Teach kids and adults to stay away from others who are sick.
  • Teach all of this to kids and adults who don't know better.

Plans, Lists, and Checklists to Maintain:   Table of Contents

  • Make an effort to always keep your medicines up to date.
  • Keep List of Loved Ones up to date.
  • Keep List of Emergency Numbers/Addresses (to include School, Church/Religion/Faith, Veterinarian, Pediatrician, Pharmacy, Family Physician, Hospitals, Water, Energy/Electricity/Gas).
  • Keep a Medication Schedule/List, by Person, for the dosage/amount, frequency, quantity.

Sources:   Table of Contents

PanFlu Colorado Physician Preparedness [Paper Document]
El Paso County Medical Society
Pandemic Flu Preparedness Guide
2007, Deliberately NOT Copyrighted

Health Care Professionals PanFlu [Meeting]
Lectures & Information Disimination,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
29 Aug 2007

US Government - Pandemic Flu
www.pandemicflu.gov

State Governments List - Pandemic Flu
www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/statecontacts.html
(Agriculture, Wildlife, & Health Departments)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov
1-800-CDC-INFO - 24/7 English and Spanish
1-800-232-4636
TTY: 1-888-232-6348

Stay at Home & Home Care Checklists   Table of Contents

Home Medical Supply Checklist:

Discuss/Evolve Care Plans for how to take care of loved ones in whose home. Do not be surprised by grand parents who tell their children who are themselves parents to take care of their family first. Also, see the recommended Home/Family First Aid Kit Checklist, which contains items other than the home flu checklist items. 
[ ] First Aid Manual
[ ] Soap, Bar or Liquid; and/or Sanitizer Handwash
[ ] Moistened Towelettes
[ ] Antiseptic
[ ] Assorted Sized Safety Pins
    Cleansing Agents:
[ ]   Isopropyl Alcohol
[ ]   Hydrogen Peroxide
[ ]   Soap
[ ]   Germicide
[ ] Antibiotic Ointment
[ ] Prescription Medicines - Keep a Medication Schedule/List
    by Person (frequency, quantity, dosage/amount). 
    This is listed elsewhere.
[ ] Medicines for fevers, aches, and pains, like:
    Aspirin (Acetaminophen) &/or Ibuprofen
[ ] Medicine for anti cough & cold
[ ] Medicine/Remedies for stomach
[ ] Medicine for anti-diarrhea      
[ ] Vitamins
[ ] Fluids with Electrolytes 
    (see Home Made Electrolyte Formula)
[ ] Thermometer
[ ] Latex/Equivalent Gloves (2 Pairs Heavy Duty Kitchen, for Washing)
[ ] Latex/Equivalent Gloves (Box, Surgical/Hospital;
    proper size or sizes - one size does NOT fit all)
[ ] Sterile Adhesive Bandages in assorted sizes (like band-aides)
[ ] 2 inch Sterile Gauze Pads (4-6 count)
[ ] 4 inch Sterile Gauze Pads (4-6 count)
[ ] Triangular Bandages (3 count)
[ ] 2 inch Sterile Roller Bandages (3 count)
[ ] 3 inch Sterile Roller Bandages (3 count)
[ ] Cotton Balls
[ ] Scissors
[ ] Tweezers
[ ] Needle
[ ] Tongue Depressor Blades (2 minimum, small box better)
[ ] Tube of Petroleum Jelly (or similar lubricant)
[ ] Sunscreen
[ ] Eyeware, extra glasses/contacts, cleaners
[ ] Antacid
[ ] Syrup of Ipecac (induce vomiting)
[ ] Laxative
[ ] Flashlight & extra bateries
[ ] Batteries, Lots of unexpired
[ ] Portable Radio, Battery Operated 
    (Power outages will be frequent over time)
[ ] Portable Television, Battery Operated 
    (Power outages will be frequent over time)
[ ] Garbage Bags, Plastic with ties, Large/Very Large
[ ] Tissues, Boxes, Lots of
[ ] Toilet Paper, Lots of
[ ] Disposable Diapers if appropriate
[ ] N-95 Masks (surgical masks are best, available online or at pharmacies), 
    Construction Grade Masks (secondary, are better than no mask).
    For patients, be aware that moisture (especially from coughing) 
    can clog the mask.
[ ] 
[ ]

Home Supplies Checklist   Table of Contents 

[ ] Paper, Pen, Pencils
[ ] Thread and Needles
[ ] Alarm Clock, Battery or Wind-Up
[ ] Cooking devices with fuel, charcoal or wood stoves,
    propane or white gas systems
[ ] Ice, Ice Chests
[ ] 
[ ]

Homemade Electrolyte Formula:   Table of Contents

  • Table Salt, 3/4 teaspoon
  • Baking Powder, 1 teaspoon
  • Sugar, 4 tablespoons
  • Juice, 1 cup*
  • Water, 3/4 quart/liter


    • Also, Gatorade or Pedialyte type drinks or mix in stores.

    Home Adjustments:
    - Keep the ratio of the first three items as is, vary the Juice/Concentrate a little for taste, the sugar must be real (NOT substitute/artificial)
    - Keep the maximum/final fluid amount as one liter/quart or one (tall) bicycle/exercise type bottle.
    - Juice types, real or dehydrated, usually have their own helpful nutrients (especially Vitamins C &/or D).
    - Any Juice (concentrate, real/regular, or instant/dehydrated powder, like Cool Aid) will suffice.
    - Orange and Berry are popular flavors for Electrolyte created juices.
    * Juice concentrates taste better but the Juice portion may be diluted or even not present at all.
    * If one cannot find juice, then just adding water is a viable alternative, insure that the total fluid amount is 1 quart/liter/bottle for the mixture.
    - Baking Powder (NOT the same thing as Baking Soda) is commonly kept in the home or found in markets (to include 7/11 type convenience stores).
    - In a pinch, Baking Soda can be used in lieu of Baking Powder, but it will likely be bitter, so perhaps add another teaspoon of sugar.
    - Baking Powder is typically composed of Baking Soda (pure Sodium Bicarbonate, bitter), Cream of Tater (acid), and Starch (base).

Homemade Nasal Wash Formula:   Table of Contents

Studies keep demonstrating that Irrigating the nose is as effective a germ-infection reducer as brushing teeth and equally effective in lieu of the expense of using prescription medications. Daily nasal washings are as effective as daily tooth brushing (with toothpaste) for teeth or daily body washing with soap and water for the body (to avoid getting or spreading infections).

People can get very picky and preachy about the purity of the water and salt, but the truth is that, for the vast majority of the population, drinkable tap water and table salt are extremely effective, period. Iodized salt is OK in lieu of non iodized salt. People who have special issues or live in special circumstances already know what variances they will need to address.

Basic Medical Recipe (time proven and hypertonic1):

  • 1 Pint of Water (= 16 fl oz = .5 US quart ~ a tall glass of water, room or luke warm temperature)
  • 1 Teaspoon of Salt (sodium chloride)
  • 1/4 Teaspoon of Baking Soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium bicarbonate)


    • Salt Objective: By having a fluid wash with a higher salt to water ratio than a human, at the cellular level, salt literally helps to dry out (and kill) many infectious microscopic organisms.

    1 Hypertonic, in this case, means that the salt to water ratio is higher than the human body's and this is desired in this case. (BTW, Hypotonic means a lower salt to water ratio and Isotonic means an equal ratio to the human body. Tonicity actually addresses which way fluid travels through a cellular membrane).

    Infection Control Recipe Addition:

  • 2-3 drops of liquid soap (from Ivory or Palmolive to Hibiclens)
    1. Kills germs in the nose
    2. Stops/Reduces the spread of germs in a common nasal wash solution batch

    Comfort Recipe Addition:

  • 1 Teaspoon Glycerine (helpful for kids and adults who are suffering nasal lining maladies, it seems to sooth and moisturize an otherwise irritated nasal lining). Caution: Stay away from sugar water recommendations (too many germ incubation issues).
What to Use: Use an "Over the Counter" nasal wash kit or wash bulb. Alternately, an ear syringe or rubber bulb syringe may be used to irrigate the nose. Caution: Water picks can be used, but you must be keenly aware to either lower the water pressure or increase the application distance to 3 or 4 inches. Using more salt (double) in the recipe is OK if the nose can handle it.

How to Use: In normal circumstances, stand with head in normal position over a sink. Squirt just enough up into one nostril that some fluid will enter the other nostril or enter the back of the throat. The typical volume is between one or two fluid ounces per nostril. Let it flow out into the sink. In normal health, one squirt is enough (for each nostril). More than one squirt may be required if the mucus flow to the sink is not clear (or if nasal blockage persists).

Health Safety: Work with small batches of solution so as to not cross contaminate from an individual's syringe/bottle to a community solution batch. Keep the tools clean/sanitary and when practical, individual tools are better than community use tools.

Kitchen Supplies Checklist:   Table of Contents 

[ ] Manual Can Opener
[ ] Eating Ware:
[ ]     Mess Kits and/or 
[ ]     Paper Plates
[ ]     Paper Cups
[ ]     Plastic Ware / Silverware
[ ] All Purpose Knife
[ ] Swiss Army Knife
[ ] Soap
[ ] Bucket(s)
[ ] Liquid Chlorine/Bleach (Clear Unscented)
    for treating water
[ ] Sugar
[ ] Salt
[ ] Pepper
[ ] Aluminum Foil
[ ] Plastic Wrap
[ ] Re-Sealing Plastic Bags (like zip-lock)
[ ] Camp style stove with 
[ ]   appropriate Fuel (Liquid or Gas)
[ ]

Food Storage Tips:   Table of Contents

  • Store canned foods in dry place.
  • Store boxed foods in a sealed/tightly closed plastic or metal container.
  • Cycle Food:
    • Replace food items every six months (yes some have a longer shelf life).
    • Use foods before they go bad - make cycling these foods part of your shopping and cooking routine.
    • Place new items at the back and older items in the front.
  • Throw out cans that have swollen or corroded, and dispose of dented cans.
  • Date each food item with a marker.

Food Supply Checklist   Table of Contents 

[ ] Ready to Eat Meals (sealed package, plastic or canned):
    Meats, Jerky, Fish, Fruits, Vegetables, Beans, Soups
[ ] Protein Bars
[ ] Fruit Bars
[ ] Dry Cereals &/or Granola
[ ] Peanut Butter
[ ] Jelly
[ ] Granola Bars
[ ] Trail Mix
[ ] Nuts
[ ] Canned Fruit or Sealed Dried Fruit
[ ] Crackers
[ ] Canned, Sealed Bottle, or Boxed: Juices
[ ] Water, Bottled or Safe Source
[ ] Powdered Milk
[ ] Canned/Jarred Baby Food, Formula (if needed)
[ ] Pet Food (if needed)
[ ] Other Non-Perishable Foods & Considerations
    (See the Disaster Survival Planning Checklist
    for other food and supply considerations)
[ ] Foods and Stuffs for Infants
[ ] Special Health Foods (diabetic, gluten free, ...)
[ ] Cookies
[ ] Hard Candy
[ ] Instant Coffee, Tea
[ ] Sugar/Sweetners
[ ] 
[ ]

Sanitation Supply Checklist:   Table of Contents 

[ ] Wash Cloths
[ ] Towels
[ ] Towelettes
[ ] Hand Sanitizer
[ ] Soap (bar and liquid)
[ ] Baking Soda
[ ] Glycerine, bottle 
[ ] Salt (Table Salt without Iodine is Better, but with Iodine is OK)
[ ] Access to clean water and access to alternate clean water supply
[ ] Liquid Detergent
[ ] Tooth Paste
[ ] Tooth Brush
[ ] Shampoo
[ ] Deodorants
[ ] Comb
[ ] Brush
[ ] Safety Razor(s) and Holder
[ ] Shaving Cream/Soap
[ ] Lip Balm
[ ] Sunscreen
[ ] Insect Repellent 
[ ] Contact Lens Holder and Solution
[ ] Mirror
[ ] Feminine Supplies
[ ] Large Heavy Duty Plastic Bags and Ties 
    (or Draw String Bags)
[ ] Small Heavy Duty Plastic Bags and Ties 
    (or Draw String Bags) for sanitation/waste
[ ] Medium Size Bucket with Tight Lid
[ ] Liquid Chlorine/Bleach (Clear Unscented)
    for treating water (this is also listed
    under Kitchen Supplies)
[ ] Shovel (also listed under Tools)

About Water:   Table of Contents

  • The city/urban water supply can become contaminated, unusable, or unavailable for a variety of reasons. Country/Rural water wells can become inaccessible if there is no electricity to drive the water pumps.
  • Water cannot be rationed below the needs of minimum human requirements as humans must have a certain amount of water per day.
  • Out of the sun the minumum is two quarts a day per person just for drinking.
  • Humans need a gallon of water per day for sanitary purposes and cooking.
  • There should be enough water for the entire family to survive a minimum of fourteen days. Seven days will get you through 50% of disaster time frames without water. Fourteen days will statistically see your family through 96% of known disaster emergency situations.

Water Treatment:   Table of Contents

DRINKING WATER:
All water treatments require boiling.

Preferred Option (Stove Available): Boil the water for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Secondary Options (Chemical Treatment):
1) Follow instructions of a chemical treatment kit (found in your better camping/outdoor stores or online). Often, chemical treatment tablets become the backup system.
2) If using Chlorine/Clorox, get and use a non scented and non soapy version. Use five drops per gallon (or two drops per liter/quart*). Mix and let set for at least five minutes.
3) The MSR MIOX Purifier uses a chemical salt-electrolysis to create a disinfectant that will destroy biological contaminants. The unit costs 140 USD. The process takes up to 4 hours. The unit is about the size of a cigar. Reviews indicate that this is a warm weather light duty, time consuming, extra testing strips required, product that makes clean water but tastes awful.
4) A newer product called 'SteriPEN', about the size of a cigar, uses battery or solar powered electricity to activate UV light rays to purify water, by stirring (no chemicals). It appears to destroy 99.99% of protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. Details may be found online and costs range from 100-140 USD. Treatment Time: 1-5 Minutes. Reviews indicate that the product is light duty, sometimes unreliable, and it often quits in mid process.

* Note: The five drops per gallon ratio is the best and proper mixing ratio. However, two drops in a liter or quart sized bottle is overkill but much safer than adding just one drop. When able, work with gallon or larger volumes of water (try to avoid working with just quart or liter volume sizes of water such as canteens or refilled soda bottles) - Best to refill from a treated gallon, or larger container.

CLEANING/SANITIZING WATER (NOT for Drinking):
One Part Chlorine/Clorox per Ten Parts Water (10% solution for cleaning, NOT for drinking).


Tools:   Table of Contents

For a more exhaustive list of tools and equipment for Disaster Preparation,
see the Disaster Survival Planning Checklist. 
[ ] Matches, Waterproof Container
[ ] Shut Off Wrench(es)
[ ] Pliers
[ ] Shovel for emergency latrine or burying waste
[ ] Basic Tool Kit (screw drivers, wrenches, hammer,
    lock pliers, channel pliers, adjustable wrench)
[ ] Duct Tape
[ ] Plastic Sheeting
[ ] Whistle
[ ] ABC Fire Extinguisher
[ ] Work Gloves
[ ]
[ ]

Immediate Pandemic Flu Issues
(Based on History):   Table of Contents

  • Certain Areas may be quarantined, closed, or inaccessible.
  • All public services will be affected, especially health, but also police, fire, water, waste, and energy-power agencies
  • All Public services and their available personnel will be negatively effected.
  • The likelihood of loosing power is high in terms of demand, frequency, duration, or quality (much reduced staff, delayed supplies/stock, virtually no maintenance).
    Also see the related Disaster Survival Planning Checklist.
  • There will only be enough able Health Care Professionals to take care of the desperately sick or injured.
  • The otherwise sick or injured will have to be cared for at home or other make shift care facilities.
  • Some residents of some areas may be directed to leave or be physically relocated at rather short notice, thus implying a need for readiness and pre packed supplies (personal and health related).Think about this. What would you pack if you were told that you only had one hour before being forcibly relocated?
  • Places of Work may be temporarily closed and the demand for work may be suspended.
  • Food and Health Supplies will rapidly be in short supply. Just think about local stores in hurricane country - there are always food and materials supply shortages just before a storm and there were months of prior time to get prepared. The point, herein, is that a person can get 90%, 95%, or 100% ready with food and health supplies, right now.
  • School and Daycare will likely be suspended for a long period of time, thus a mitigating issue for keeping healthy kids at home as well as continued education effort. Possibly with a sick person at home.
  • Fuel for vehicles, stoves, and generators will probably be in short supply or temporarily unavailable.

Pack Up and Relocate Issues   Table of Contents

Note that in the course of human history, relocation is often a two way sword. You may be mandated to relocate and only be given a brief period of time and may be limited to what you can bring (traditionally the equivalent of two suitcases). Once, relocated, you may not permitted to return. Or, you may be ready and prepared to relocate and discover your area is quarantined, thus not allowing you to relocate.

See one or more of the following checklists:

Leaving the House (Extended Time) Checklist
    Last Minute Items for Travel Checklist
    Backpacking Checklist
    Bike Touring and Camping
    Suitcase Travel Packing Checklist (some good ideas)
Camping Checklist
Clothing Checklist
    Toiletry Checklist
    Personal & On Person Checklist
Cooking Checklist
    Cooking Equipment Checklist
    Basic Foods and Spices Checklist
Vehicle Travel Checklist
    General Tow Trailer Checklist
Home/Family First Aide Kit Checklist

Disaster Survival Preparation   Table of Contents

See the Disaster Survival Planning Checklist which addresses a broader range of home disaster and survival preparation issues and solutions.