Be Careful About
Relying on Technology
I’m a techno geek and love gadgets. The latest fad item will
usually find its way into my collection of toys. In an emergency this can be a
blessing and a curse. If you rely on Global Positioning Systems to tell you where
you are and where you are going, what do you do if the battery fails? When was
the last time you looked at a map?
My flying students used to rely on navigation equipment to
the exclusion of basic map reading. I would occasionally fail systems in the simulator
and see if they could react. There was usually a period of bewilderment and
anger.
We all get comfortable with technology. Do we still have the
skills that these new systems were designed to replace? If we only know the
“new” way, we may be in for a shock. This applies to emergency planning. Do you
have a back up plan?
What communication system will you rely on during an
emergency? What happens to your lighting plan when your fancy tactical
flashlight runs out of battery power? Do you have a candle and some matches?
This all sounds so simple. Recently the eastern part of the
U.S. was blanketed with snow and many homes were without power. What would you
do? There were no lights, no recharging power for cell phones and radios. Many
of us do not have a backup generator. Do we have a backup plan?
This all goes back to a Family Action Plan. Play the “What
If” game to figure out the possible outcomes and possible solutions. Not every
solution is feasible or cost effective so you must decide what level of risk
you can accept.
Remember: Technology is a good tool, but don’t forget the
basic skills.