Posted September 08, 2019 08:03:03The water that washes over us every day is a constant reminder of how quickly our lives change.
But it also reminds us of the challenges we face.
When we were young, the world was different, so how did we react?
A couple of years ago, I was at home, my wife and I had a baby girl.
We’d been together for nine years, so it was the perfect time to take a break and unwind.
I sat on the couch, my eyes locked onto the television.
There was no TV in the room.
As soon as I opened my eyes, the TV was gone.
The baby girl was gone, too.
I was too upset to watch television for three hours.
I spent hours at the kitchen table, frantically searching for her.
After a few minutes, I realised that she was gone too.
It was the worst day of my life.
What happened next is a case study in what happens when you’re in a position to be swept off the rails.
My heart sank.
At that moment, I couldn’t even remember where I’d been the night before.
I didn’t want to go home.
Instead, I walked into the shower, sobbing and desperately trying to calm myself down.
Then I thought, I’m just going to be in this bathtub, and I’ll be okay.
If I was in that situation, I’d probably be okay, too, right?
Not necessarily.
When it comes to life-or-death emergencies, the answer is a resounding no.
In fact, the most common response I’ve heard from people is to think about whether or not they can walk to a hospital or car.
This is not something I’m particularly fond of.
I’ve done a bit of walking in the past, but not often.
People say, ‘I can’t even walk in a car.
It’s too dangerous.’
But it’s not.
I have an emergency preparedness kit, packed full of supplies that I can use to help me.
Some people are more willing to think things through than others.
Sometimes, it’s easier to simply make sure that I have a plan.
But the more you think about it, the more things that might go wrong.
If you or someone you know is in an immediate danger, call 111 or your local emergency service.
If something happens, it may take a while to assess the situation.
You may not be able to find the information you need, or it may seem to be happening to other people.
You should call 999 or 999 Service for emergency services.
If someone you love is being swept away by a river or flooding, call 999 for help.
If someone is swept away, the closest hospital or rescue service is usually nearby.
But don’t be alarmed if you’re at a friend’s house or house of another.
They can usually be found.
And don’t panic.
You can use your phone to contact your friends, or you can send a text message to your number.
