The NOOA is saying that 2006 could be one of the worst hurricane seasons we have ever experienced. Worse than last year with 27 named storms, 15 hurricanes with 4 of those being a Category 5? Hurricanes Cindy, Dennis, Katrina, Ophelia, Rita and Wilma as well as Tropical Storms Arlene and Tammy touched the United States in 2005.



The NOAA says (11/29/2005): With six months until the official start of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA urges hurricane-prone residents to take proactive measures during this time. "The battle against the hurricane season is won during the off season. Winter and spring is the time to conduct hurricane preparations, such as stocking supplies, assembling a safety kit that includes a NOAA Weather Radio and preparing an evacuation plan," said Max Mayfield, director of the NOAA National Hurricane Center.

It is just not the east coast that should be preparing. There are many situations where Mother Nature will continue to show us her reign; tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, thunderstorms, and mudslides just to name a few.

Think about this for a moment: What would you if you were told to evacuate your house within 15 minutes? What would you take with you? Some of us can't figure this out even if we were given a weeks notice! Do you have your insurance agent's name and your policy numbers memorized? Do you have proper identification for you and your family members? How about your medicines or glasses? What about basic necessities - food, water, shelter, hygiene - how will you locate important items once you leave your house? Clothes - will you need extra clothes or just take the clothes on your back? Cash? Maybe some quarters for pay phones? Out-of-state relative's addresses and phone numbers? What will you carry all your things in? How about your pets - what will you do with them? In a stressful situation, your mind races and things will be forgotten. Chances are you are not going to remember everything that you and your family will need. As with life, planning helps keep stress to a minimum.

A 72-hour kit will aid as a stress minimizer! A 72-hour kit can also be called an Emergency Supplies Kit, Disaster Kit, or Emergency Kit. How will it minimize stress? Well, if you had food, water, shelter, extra clothes, important papers, medications, in a durable, waterproof bag located in an easy-to-get-to area...grab and go...you won't have to take those precious 15 minutes to think about what you will need for the next 3 days. Your stress would be minimized because you will have the peace of mind knowing that you have your necessities in one convenient, easy to locate, bag. Now, all you will have to focus on is your family, their safety and overall welfare.

Think about this for another moment: Floodwaters are coming up - and coming up fast! You and your family race up the attic stairs. You manage to bust your way through to the roof of your home with your bare hands or maybe with something that you have ?stored? in your attic. Thankfully, the rescue helicopter picks you and your family from the roof and drops you off at the closest ?safe place?. Now, what do you do? What do you have with you? Yes, hopefully, you will have your family and that will be a blessing but what about the basic human needs? You will now need to seek food, water, shelter, and maybe some hygiene items - not to mention any specific medicinal needs.

Why 72 hours? It is recommended by Red Cross, FEMA, as well as many state governments to have a 3-day supply. It takes about 3 days before relief makes its way to disaster-stricken citizens. This was witnessed during last year's hurricane season.

It is our responsibility to take care of our families and ourselves. No one on this earth can assume that responsibility for us. With a little planning before the time of need arises, we can help ourselves and be better prepared to help others around us.

I've researched quite a few 72-hour kits for my family and I. These are some of the things that kept me from purchasing them:

** The bags were not waterproof - everything could get wet. Most natural disasters involve water.

** The bags were not strong enough to sustain a major beating.

** There wasn't enough water (some had none or 1/2 cup every 8 hours).

** There wasn't enough food. Some had only one 3600-calorie food bar for 72 hours - that's only 1200 calories a day during a situation when your body will require energy the most!

** Would you want a lightweight, rip-prone tube tent to protect your family from the harsh elements?

** Many tools were not of the high quality that should be demanded during a life-threatening situation.

These are just a few of the reasons that prompted a company called Gorgimi to build a 72 hour kit that was durable, waterproof, ample food and water, as well as tools that will work when our lives would depended on it. Countless hours have been spent designing, prototyping, and evaluating the Gorgimi bag and its contents. Gorgimi has been determined to keep their kits within a reasonable price and maintain a high standard of quality. Gorgimi's mission is to help everyone prepare for whatever Mother Nature has in store. Please visit www.gorgimi.com to see how we can help you prepare while the urgency is not prevailing.

Plan now. Spend your 15 minutes focusing on your family and their immediate safety. Rest easy for you will have your basic necessities taken care of during your time of need.

www.gorgimi.com or www.stormbag.com Reference Code: CP100