SAAM 2024

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the blog writter and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.

The month of April is known as Sexual Assault Awareness Month around the world. It is during this month that often military Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) Teams will host significant events to bring awareness to the subject of sexual assault and awareness. The 90th MW/SAPR Program is similar; the first part of the month for the SAPR team at F.E. Warren Air Force Base (FEW) comprised of advertising. Getting out amongst the people giving out business cards and candy at gates with the first sergeants or sitting at tables visiting with people during their lunches was all a big build-up for three major events dominating the talk on the installation.

Mayra Guillen from the #IamVanessaGuillen Foundation flew to Denver, Colorado, from Houston, Texas to speak to the men and women at FEW. I was privileged to pick her up and be her assistant and chauffeur for the day she was in Cheyenne. What a privilege to hear an amazing and strong woman talk about her sister, the tragedy that occurred, and what has since occurred in the SAPR world as a result of Vanessa’s needless death. Over 600 people packed the FEW theater to hear Mayra. FEW was the first military installation after Vanessa’s death to invite Mayra to speak and follow through, and we made sure to leave a lasting impression that we pray will leave her wanting to come back and compare all her other visits to this one. It is my hope, with the help of sponsors, that next year, for SAAM, we will be able to dedicate a bench at the front of the installation to Vanessa’s Guillen and the Start by Believing concept. Already we have seen the impact that this woman has made just at FEW.

SARC, Becki Burke and Marya Guillen

The theater was packed for Mayra Guillen

Following Mayra, we invited another impressive woman and survivor to teach at our gym on self-defense. Mrs. Sarah Falen-Tate is an impressive woman who is an attorney and advocate for our farmers and ranchers and teaches self-defense. Thanks to her daddy, who believed it essential for his children to learn self-defense Sarah was able to escape an attempt to kidnap, rape and assault her while she was out on a highway in Wyoming alone. She uses that knowledge to teach others how to be cognizant of their surroundings and, if necessary, the basic steps to escape if the need arises. This is the second year we have had Sarah at our installation, and she never fails to bring the heat. We look forward to her returning to teach more men and women at FEW.

Mrs Sarah Tate teaching self defense

Finally, the 26th of April arrived, and our team would make sure that the Annual SAPR 5K and Resource Fair finished the month with a bang. With only 52 people signed up to run and attend, we saw that the men and women at F.E. Warren Air Force Base would surprise us once again with over 100 people walking/running on a cold and blustery day, and then upon finishing heading to the Trails End for breakfast courtesy of the First Sergeants and coffee from Scooters Coffee and a wealth of information on self-care from the following organizations: SAPR, Chaplain Corp, the JA, Guard Prevention, Outdoor Recreation, Military One Source, 90/MW Prevention, Cheyenne Animal Shelter, Hands on Physical Therapy, Blue Federal Credit Union, Military One Sources, and many many men and women who assisted with set-up and tear down. We started with over ten tubs of swag to give out, and when we returned, we had less than two.

The conclusion of SAAM was amazing with more runners than anticipated and a fantastic resource fair.

April was an incredible month here at FEW. I look forward to seeing what Becki Burke, our new SARC, does with this program and how she takes it to new levels of trust and acceptance by both leadership and the men and women we serve.

SUICIDE

No one likes to talk about this subject, but maybe if we did more it would be less taboo and people would feel like they could ask for help more.

Landyn Medina, recently shared on a FB group I belong to his desire to open up this subject here in the Cheyenne community and make it less taboo, and be a light for those struggling in darkness. This is a complex subject to talk about, and often people do not want to talk about it because they either don’t understand it or know what to say. I have worked as a community resource counselor and a Christian unlicensed counselor for many years. So I want to respond to him and some others who commented and get some information out there. If you are not in Wyoming but would like to learn about resources in your state please do not hesitate to reach out to me and I will help you.

While you are correct that often we would like to chalk up our high rates to the Wyoming mentality, there is much more to it than just that (the Wyoming mentality can be found in many western states and some of the more outliers as well). An interesting statistic that goes with this is “The high suicide rate not only involves Wyoming but also includes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico in the lower 48. Sometimes, this group of states is referred to as “suicide alley or the suicide belt.” Alaska also has a high rate of suicides and is consistently ranked in the top five” (Overfield, 2020). Many people have hit on several of the reasons that it is believed that Wyoming and the states are in this “suicide alley.” We live at a generally higher altitude than other places leading to a lack of O2.

Additionally, we are isolated…Physically, we live in a state that makes us more isolated in certain parts, as you may travel 90 minutes to see another town (the I80 corridor is a perfect example of this). Again our weather has been suggested to play a part in our higher suicide rates – imagine when you are stressed and mentally down how the howling of that wind can sound. Finally, we do have lower access to mental health care. In Wyoming, we do have lower access – for example, we do not have a hotline for suicide (the only state in the Union that does not). Currently, if you want to call a hotline, it has to be the national suicide prevention line at 800-273-8255…with that, though, you may get handed off, and those there or in other states do not know what resources are available here. Those who want to text for help can text WYO to 741-741. Here specifically in Cheyenne, there is a crisis line for those feeling like they want to commit suicide at 307-632-9362; this goes out to Peak Wellness Center, now known as Volunteers of America Northern Rockies. 

“Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States for all ages. There is a suicide every 12 minutes, and it takes the lives of more than 44,965 Americans every year. The highest suicide rates are whites, American Indians, and Alaska Natives. According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression receive treatment. An estimated quarter-million people each year become suicide survivors” (Overfield, 2020).

Suicide does tend to be higher amongst men, but women have more suicidal ideation thoughts. The main risk factors we see are someone who has tried before to commit suicide, depression or a mental disorder of some kind, the abuse of alcohol or drugs, family violence that has led to physical, psychological, or sexual abuse, history of prison time, exposure to another who expresses said beliefs of committing suicide, medical disabilities, and the two age groups with the highest number of suicides are between 15-24 or our elderly.

It was mentioned that there are sure signs; yes, there are. For example, we watch for someone who talks about being a burden to others, withdraws from their regular activities, those who feel they are isolated from friends, family, or their community in general, excessive sleeping, an increase in the use of alcohol or drugs, experiencing moods that can be described as depressive, lost of interest, irritable, anger, or anxiety, and those who start giving away their prized possessions.

Some of the myths that we need to overcome with suicide are the following:

Myth:  People don’t talk about committing suicide.

Fact:  People who kill themselves have often said something to someone. As a people, we fail to listen and observe those around us genuinely, and we DO miss the signs.

Myth:  If a person is serious about killing themselves and has reached that point, we can do nothing about it.

Fact: Often, the feelings of actively wanting to commit suicide are temporary, even when depressed, anxious, or struggling for long periods. This is why getting the right kind of support at the right time is so important.

Myth: You have to be mentally ill to think about suicide

Fact: 1 in 5 people have thought about suicide at some time in their life. And not all people who die by suicide have mental health problems when they die.

However, many people who kill themselves suffer from their mental health, typically severe. Sometimes it’s known about before the person’s death and sometimes not.

Myth: People who are suicidal want to die

Fact: The people who commit suicide do not want to die; they do not want to live with the life they have.

Myth: Talking about suicide is a bad idea in it may give someone the idea to try it.

Fact: As I said before, people often consider this taboo. And people who feel that way do not want to burden others with their feelings. But when we are direct and ask a person about it, we are giving permission for them to talk about it. As a result, those who are thinking about suicide have often felt unburdened and relieved when someone spoke to them about it.

Myth: Most suicides happen in the winter months.

Fact: While we often think of the winter months as blue months, this is not the time in which most suicides occur. More suicides happen in the spring. 

Myth: People who say they are going to take their own life are attention-seeking

Fact: This is true and false. They are seeking attention and help, and by telling you this, they are asking you for help. Do not ignore this plea for help.

IF THERE IS A SUICIDE THREAT: Remember: It is a myth that people who threaten to kill themselves don’t do it.   

1. ASSUME that any suicide threat is serious and treat it as a danger to the person’s life. A previous suicide attempt increases the likelihood that the person will act on the threat.
2. ASK the person in a calm, quiet setting whether he/she is thinking about suicide. Your questions can be indirect (“Do you ever think you should never have been born?”) or direct (“Do you feel like you want to die?”)
3. FOLLOW UP if the answer to these general questions is “Yes” and ask about specific suicide plans. When does the person plan to commit suicide? How? Has the person already acquired the means, e.g., pills, gun, etc.
4. DETERMINE the imminence of the danger based on the answers to these questions. A college freshman who describes a suicide plan for graduation day in four years is probably not in danger. A college senior who is graduating the next day is. Act accordingly. 
5. CONTACT the person’s mental health or medical providers and repeat exactly what the person has told you.
6. HIDE all vehicle keys and any means that could be used for self-harm, e.g., medications (including over-the-counter drugs), knives including kitchen knives, guns, ropes. 
7. KEEP the person sober. Suicide completers have high rates of positive blood alcohol. Intoxicated people are more likely to attempt suicide using more lethal methods. Be aware that the combination of alcohol and Tylenol can be lethal. Be sure there is no Tylenol available if the person is drinking.
8. DO YOUR BEST to persuade the person to get help voluntarily. Dial the hotline number, drive to the clinic, take a taxi to the ER. Do whatever is necessary to make getting help easy. 
9. CALL 911 if the suicide attempt appears likely (Fuller, 2018).  

Your job is to stabilize and get professional help quickly in any crisis!

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

If you are struggling with suicide and need someone to talk my phone is on at all times. Please do not hesitate to call. I can be reached at 307-439-6567

References

Fuller, D. A. (2018). Respond in a crisis. Treatment Advocacy Center. https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/component/content/article/186-old-get-help/1613-get-help-crisis-response

Overfield, R. S. (2020, April 22). Wyoming perennially one of worst states for suicide. Cody Enterprise. https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/people/article_f840bf28-84d2-11ea-afab-db304f005aa9.html

What Does Love Look Like?

When people talk about love they often are referring to that honeymoon stage; this is when there are butterflies, and the desire to look oh so hot all the time, and chocolate and roses…but this is also when our hormones and endorphins are elevated so we don’t always see the reality of what this thing called love entails. A lot of those in love will see all that love, and roses, and chocolates as we come upon Valentine’s Day.  But real love isn’t the stuff fairytales are made of.

I mean let’s look at some of these famous Disney quotes that everyone seems to think love is all about:

Listen up young ones! This is what your knight in shining armor looks like when you are in your 40’s. Yes, that’s my amazing husband who is arriving on the scene with his credit card because what you can’t see is me, standing next to a cart super full of groceries that I couldn’t pay for because I couldn’t find my wallet. Not sure you can tell, but he’s smiling at me. Yup…he had to leave work and he is smiling. His only words of admonishment were, “You’re not supposed to be grocery shopping I said I’d go this week.”Seriously. Young people, this is what love looks like when you’re old and it’s ridiculous how awesome it is. Love also looks like me coming downstairs to a full pot of coffee every morning because coffee is love. Love looks like all the lunches being made already so I can enjoy that aforementioned cup of coffee. Love looks like someone washing the dishes while his wife catches up on This is Us while plopped on the couch not helping at all. Love looks like a super patient dad doing the 5-year old’s homework with him every morning so I can get to work on time. Love looks like running to the store before bed after your wife has forgotten to buy milk because you know the morning will be easier if we can serve up some cereal. And you guys there were signs it would be this way so I have tips for you. In college this love looked like boyfriend running to the store for a danish I was craving or watching me and my friends on the dance floor long after he wanted to leave the bar or him being known across campus by the flower backpack he was carrying which of course was mine. Young people, listen. Do not be fooled by big, showy promposals and giant cards with candy bars glued to them with some cute saying or by your name spelled in pepperoni by a boy who’s asking you to homecoming. That isn’t the stuff that lasts and let’s be honest…moms are totally helping them with those things. Watch how he treats you when Instagram isn’t looking. That is where the signs are. Choose the man who will carry your too heavy flowered backpack in public because he will also be the man who bails you out at ALDI‘s when your 40-? with a smile and a hug. And that my friends are true love.

  Love is not easy!  My husband and I live apart during the week, and he travels 568 miles round trip every night, but without fail he stops in Cheyenne every night just to see me for a short ten minutes and steal a kiss.  Love is making sure that he doesn’t have to worry about the bills, and ordering medical supplies he may need because I love him…it isn’t glamorous and it isn’t fun but love isn’t always those things. 

Love is not getting upset because he is playing a game on the phone all the time while home, because I know when we go do things together I have his undivided attention.  Love is true in the good, the bad, and the ugly!  Love is not caring that he just got home, and your hair is greasy, sticking up everywhere, you stink and you’re still in your pajamas.  Love is sitting patiently at Dillard’s, and JC Penney’s as she looks for that perfect dress.  Love is following her wherever her job takes her because she finally gets to live her dreams.  Does love have flowers and chocolate?  Absolutely there is that too…every Valentine’s my sweet husband has flowers sent to my office.  But more of our days and love revolves around the things that are hard, and are day to day! Love is coming home across roads most people wouldn’t drive on just because he doesn’t want to spend another minute without me, or going to the local Loaf & Jugg at 11:30p just to get gummy bears because she has a craving. 

 

I Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal

Normal:  conforming to a standard, usual, typical or expected. 

My daughter, who suffers from fibromyalgia and a number of other issues, has always hated this word. So often she would hear friends, family and even teachers say she wasn’t normal.  Well normal isn’t all that is cracked up to be.  Normal is nothing more than a setting on the washing machine…normal is expected!

Recently my Pastor made the observation that “we as a society were unhealthy before this virus in three big ways:  financially, mentally, and in faith.

I decided that I would expand upon that. 

Finances

Our world – our country are so unhealthy when it comes to our finances.  I won’t lie, my husband and I are not much better.  We have been able to pay off much of our debt thanks to a settlement, but we still have debt.  Financially – so few have any money in savings. 

“Although economists (mostly) believe the U.S. economy is in recovery, many Americans are still struggling to climb out of debt. Too many of us have grown weary of the fight.”

While many would suggest debt is not an entirely bad thing as it allows us to buy homes, cars, to go to college…but then there is credit cards and other forms of loans that people are drowning in. 

Consumer debt was approaching $14-trillion after the second quarter of 2019, according to the New York Federal Reserve. It was the 20th consecutive quarter for an increase.

 

• More than 189 million Americans have credit cards.
• The average credit card holder has at least four cards.
• On average, each household with a credit card carries $8,398 in credit card debt.
• Total U.S. consumer debt is at $13.86 trillion. That includes mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and student loans

 

58% of people have less than $1000 in savings.  A large portion of persons live paycheck to paycheck.  32% have no savings whatsoever.  18% have more than $1000

Mental Health

We are more unhealthy in the mind as a people than ever before.  One in five adults will experience mental illness.  Less than half of adults receive treatment for their mental health. 

Just think about these numbers:

• 40% of those with mental illness will develop some form of cardiovascular or metabolic disease.
• 19.3% develop substance abuse issues.
• Unemployment rates are higher for those with mental illness.
• 8.4 million people int he U.S. will provide care for someone who has mental issues.
• One out of every eight visits to an emergency room is for mental illness.
• Serious mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year.
• 37% of those in prison have mental illness.
• 70.4% of juvenile in detention have mental illness.
• 41% of VA patients have a diagnosed mental illness.
• “Depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy $1 trillion in lost productivity each year.”
• Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world each year.

These statistics provide a look at how many people face a mental health or substance use challenge, whether we see it or not:

1. In the United States, almost half of adults (46.4 percent) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.

2. 5 percent of adults (18 or older) experience a mental illness in any one year, equivalent to 43.8 million people.

3. Of adults in the United States with any mental disorder in a one-year period, 14.4 percent have one disorder, 5.8 percent have two disorders and 6 percent have three or more.

4. Half of all mental disorders begin by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24.

5. In the United States, only 41 percent of the people who had a mental disorder in the past year received professional health care or other services.

Physical Health

We are a sick people…we put unhealthy things in our body, we are addicted to things that are bad, and we are fat!

When I was younger we played outside all the time.  When the sun came up we went outside and didn’t come back in until the street lights came on.  If we weren’t playing we were working in the family business that was open the same amount of time as play time.  Did you know though that  only one in three children are physically active every day now though.  More times than not children are now found in front of a screen seven or more hours each day.  Physical education is not longer required in most schools. 

Lack of exercise is also a major culprit in the obesity epidemic. It’s been decades since most Americans worked in fields and on factory floors, a far greater majority of us are sitting throughout our workday. This means less exercise each day. According to one study, only 20% of today’s jobs require at least moderate physical activity, as opposed to 50% of jobs in 1960. Other research suggests Americans burn 120 to 140 fewer calories a day than they did 50 years ago. Add this to the higher amount of calories we are packing in, and we get a perfect recipe for weight gain.

https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/index.html

Only 12% of American adults are metabolically healthy.

Faith

When Governors began issuing shelter in place orders, and people started seeing the scary reports about COVID19 they started turning to faith.  Faith is a funny thing…it can be in money, people, religion, or God.  As I watched those around me deal with being home, and not allowed to go to church they began reaching out in new ways.  People joined together on Facebook and other social media sites to fast and pray.  They joined together to sing praises.  They joined together to support one another.  It is nice to see the church leave the building and serve others.  It is good to see the church actually be the hands and feet of Christ outside of a building.

In 2013 only 37% of Americans attended church weekly.  In 2019 only 23% of Americans attended church weekly.  53% seldom or never attend church. 

This is a time when we need to remember our creator and get back to what is important.  This is a time when we need to show the love of Christ, and not stop because things got back to normal.

You know those projects you didn’t have time for…you have over the last several weeks.  Do you remember that book you want to read but life was rushing by too fast…you do now.  Life has slowed down thanks to a pandemic called COVID19. 

Have you noticed you can breath better than before? 

From China’s Hubei province to industrial northern Italy and beyond, pollution levels have plummeted as lockdowns aimed at slowing the viral spread have shuttered businesses and trapped billions of people at home. In India, where air pollution is among the world’s worst, “people are reporting seeing the Himalayas for the first time from where they live,” Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, said in an email.

Images of clear skies over China and California, or fish swimming in in Venice’s canals, are a glimpse of what it might look like if we took better care of the Earth. But, as much as people seem to love sharing those images now, none of it’s likely to last.

Families are learning the value of having dinner with each other every night.  They are learning the value of not rushing from one sports game to the next dance recital.  Families are learning that slowing down is a good thing: 

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A man of the Muslim faith said the following:  

Thank God for this reminder that we are not in control and must always be dependent on God. Thank God for this reminder that we should be grateful for all things – for groceries, toilet paper, good health. Thank God for reminding us life is fragile, and “we had best appreciate the miracle and blessing that God has given us in creating us as souls.”

And he is not the only one realizing faith is being awakened.

In many ways, we now are doing the very things we should have been doing all along: Spending time with our families, sharing meals, talking to our neighbors, helping one another and taking long walks outside (while maintaining social distancing of course).

And there are other hopeful trends. For example, some distilleries are stepping in and producing hand sanitizer instead of booze. It reminds me of the verse that says, “They will beat their swords into plowshares” (Isaiah 2:4). But instead it appears we are turning our scotch into sanitizer and our piña coladas into Purell, said Greg Laurie.

Sherry Matthews put it best for those of us who are Christians:

As I looked across the vast expanse of the sanctuary from my perch in the sound booth, I was struck by the most disturbing thought: if Christians don’t start putting God first in their lives, this could be the way all of our sanctuaries look long after the nightmare of Covid-19 ends. If Christians don’t venture out of their sanctuaries to share the gospel in their communities, welcoming the lost through the doors of the church, giving hope where none exists, our pews are subject to become just as empty as they’ve been as we’ve sheltered in place.

And there was the wake-up call.

We need to fill our pews again — fill them with people who put God first; fill them with people as imperfect as I am who want to know God, who want to walk a different path, who need to hear the gospel come alive.

But that won’t happen until we re-order our lives. Maybe that’s one of the reason’s God has yet to stem the spread of Covid-19. He certainly can, but maybe he’s waiting until we hear the wake-up call, feel the real urge to return to our churches, not to be just pew-fillers or some-timers but truly active worshipers of the risen Lord.

IF normal looks like more spending and less savings, mental illness plaguing one out of every five people, half the population of the earth considered obese by 2070 and church’s being extinct then I don’t want to go back to that.

It is time we woke up and realized that normal isn’t so great!

In a Disaster…

We all are weathering an incredible storm.  A type of storm none of us have ever had to weather…a pandemic of world-wide proportion.  Now that you are going through this it may be time to consider what you should have in your home, work or school, and vehicle.

The governor of Wyoming has made numerous announcements that should a shelter in place order be delivered it is necessary to have certain supplies stocked up in the home. But the home is not the only place that you need to have supplies.  In Wyoming we get diverse weather regularly that shuts down roads…during times like that it is good to have supplies there.  It is good to have supplies in your office if you have to shelter in place there because of shootings, tornadoes, etc.

House Supplies

The first thing you need to make sure you have is a gallon of water for each person in the home for each day you are sheltering.  Plus you need to have two liters per person for cooking and cleaning.    The other thing that you need to have a minimum of is non-perishable food.  The Red Cross recommends two weeks worth kept in storage….now lets see what we need for all the other items that are important.

• Multi-purpose tool, manual can opener for food, eating utensils, cups and bowls
• First aid kit (see top right)
• Toilet paper
• Towels
• Garbage bags, plastic sheeting, and duct tape in case you need to shelter in place.
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio (specifically, look for the NOAA Weather Radio.
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Candles and matches or lighter
• Fire extinguisher
• Emergency whistle
• Clothes – at least one climate- and seasonally-appropriate change of clothes and a pair of comfortable shoes.
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)

In addition to standard first aid kit items, include: At least a week’s supply of prescription medications Assistive items or devices, components, and backups (additional battery packs, hearing aids, glasses, contact lenses and solution, etc.) Personal hygiene and sanitation items Scissors

Important personal documents to include: Medication list and necessary medical documents Passports Birth certificates Proof of address Deed/lease to home Insurance policies Cash, including change

• Copies of emergency plan, emergency contact information, and important personal documents (see bottom right)
• Local maps
• Cell phone, solar charger, and backup battery (old cell phones that are still compatible with current cellular networks can be used to make 911 phone calls, even without a phone plan)
• Hand sanitizer
• Basic set of tools (hammer, screwdrivers, work gloves, pocket knife)

If you have seniors or elderly family:

• Extra eyeglasses
• Extra batteries for medical supplies like hearing aids or blood sugar monitors
• Blankets
• Medications and supplies for medical devices like blood sugar monitors—at least a 7 day supply, ideally more
• Record of medical conditions, allergies, and current medications, stored in a waterproof container
• Duplicates of important documents such as passports, drivers licenses, social security cards, wills, deeds, financial statements, and insurance information, stored in a waterproof bag or container

If you have children:

• Prescription medications
• Bottles
• Formula and/or baby food
• Diapers
• Clothing
• Baby wipes
• Toys, games, books, crafts, and activity items that don’t require electricity to keep them entertained
• Small items to comfort your kids, such as a favorite toy

If you have pets:

• Collar, leash, and/or carrier
• Identification
• Food
• Water
• Medications
• Cat litter, pee pads, and any other sanitary or waste clean-up items
• Seasonal apparel they might need (winter boots, coats)

What if you need to have an emergency to go bag…I have one of those, do you?

Just like the preparations at home you need to have water in your car.  Enough for three days in the car.  If you do not have room in your car for that much water purchasing a LifeStraw or water purification tablets.  I carry at least enough water for me, as we don’t generally travel as a family in my car.

• Then you need to have food – three day supply of non-perishable food.
• Multi-purpose tool, manual can opener for food, eating utensils, non-breakable cups and bowls
• First aid kit – I carry my CERT bag in my car.
• Prescription medications – I admit I have not carried anything other than my inhaler and epi pens.  But I do carry my oils as well.
• Toiletries – in my own car you will find the necessary items for my contacts, baby wipes, and a roll of paper-towels.  I do recommend in your first aid bag to keep tampons which can be used to stop bleeding.
• Candles and matches or another way to start fire.
• Two-way radio
• Extra keys
• Season clothing/blankets – I keep a lightweight blanket in my car that is great for both summer and winter.  I also keep an extra coat.
• MONEY – there will be those times when your credit card won’t work – CASH always works
• Personal documents – if you are leaving your home and could be gone for a while make sure to have your personal documents with you whether you take them as hard copies or on an electronic source in a waterproof bag.  I do not keep anything on a computer rather it is all on external hard drives.  There are a few items I keep on hard copies, and if I ever have to leave immediately both the drive and folder go in a waterproof envelope and go where I go.

Above and beyond this if you are trapped in a car have these additional items.

• In Wyoming we get weather so it is good to have a small shovel, a scraper and snow brush.
• Someway to light up the area – flashlight, candles, etc.
• Emergency whistle – I need to get one of these
• Maps
• Sand, road salt, or cat little to help fain traction when stuck
• Fluids for your car – antifreeze, washer fluid, etc.
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• Warning lights or road flares
• Manual can opener

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html