The Macho Factor

Mr. Prepared Says When Disaster Strikes, Guys Need to Take A Chill Pill!

 You know, guys, when disaster strikes, we have to remember that we’re not Arnold Schwarzenegger or James Bond.  A lot of the time, we’re not even Maxwell Smart!  In other words, the next time you want to be a big screen hero, remember, you don’t have a script writer and a special effects department to keep you alive!

 I’m Mr. Prepared, and I bring this up because I just recently wrote an article, “Why Disasters Mean More Danger to Men, “ about how men get the worst of it when storms like tornadoes or hurricanes hit.  The reason?  Well, part of it is because guys are just outdoors more, either working or playing sports – so if lightning hits somebody, there’s a lot more chance it’s going to be a man. 

 But the main reason for the gender difference is that men take more riskier chances than women – they’re the ones who floor it through floodwaters, thinking their pick-up will magically transform into a speedboat (back to James Bond territory!), and end up in over their heads!. 

 Pursuant to the information provided by Time Magazine, on June 15, 2008 the news reported a 43-year-old Wisconsin man drove around Road Closed signs and hit a washout. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In Indiana, 2 men died in separate incidents this month after their cars were swept away — and they tried to walk home.  

 According to research by Thomas Songer at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health regarding U.S. thunderstorm-related deaths from 1994 to 2000 they found that men were more than twice as likely to die than women. Of the 1,442 fatalities, 70% were men.

 But, women, it’s not all our fault.  As soon as we men are born, we’re constantly exposed to TV and movie hero guys doing all sorts of ridiculous impossible feats, and getting away with it.  So we think we’re wimps if we don’t!   Well, you’re not a wimp if you avoid getting killed – you’re just a very intelligent person who doesn’t want to die!

 And a very intelligent person takes all the steps he (or she!) needs to prepare for any kind of emergency or disaster.   That includes knowing enough about hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, as well as earthquakes and wildfires, so you know how they behave – and what to do when they hit. 

 I’ve got lots of information about all that on my website at www.MrPrepared.com – as well as what kind of supplies you should have on hand in case the worst happens – 72 hour Kit, food reserves, survival gear, a generator – and what kind of emergency plans you should have in place for you and your loved ones!

 So, guys, don’t try to be Mr. Macho if it’s going to get you or maybe someone else killed.  Be Smart!  Be Safe! Be Prepared! This is Mr. Prepared, bringing Awareness to Preparedness!