FIELD MANUAL · READY FOR BINDER STORAGE
90-Day Grid-Down Emergency Field Manual
CARD 1: CRITICAL LIFE-SAFETY DIRECTIVES (CPSC & NFPA)
- CPSC 20-Foot Rule: Operate portable combustion generators OUTDOORS ONLY, at least 20 feet away from any door, window, vent, or air intake. Exhaust pointed away from all structures. Never run inside garages, basements, or covered carports.
- Backfeed Prohibition: NEVER plug a generator into a standard wall outlet via a male-to-male cord. Utility transformers step 120V back up to 7,200V–14,400V, fatally electrocuting linemen working on downed lines. Use only a UL-listed manual transfer switch or mechanical interlock kit (NEC Article 702).
- Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Install battery-operated digital CO detectors on every level of the home and immediately outside sleeping quarters (NFPA 720).
CARD 2: WATER PURIFICATION QUICK-REFERENCE (EPA 816-F-15-003)
Use regular, unscented liquid chlorine bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite). Never use scented, color-safe, or "splash-less" bleaches.
| Water Quantity | Clear Water (6% Bleach) | Cloudy/Murky Water (6%) | Clear Water (8.25% Bleach) | Cloudy Water (8.25%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gallon (3.8 L) | 8 drops (~1/8 tsp) | 16 drops (~1/4 tsp) | 6 drops | 12 drops |
| 5 Gallons (19 L) | 40 drops (~1/2 tsp) | 80 drops (~1 tsp) | 30 drops | 60 drops (~3/4 tsp) |
| 55 Gallons (208 L) | 2.5 tablespoons (38 ml) | 5.0 tablespoons (75 ml) | 2.0 tablespoons (30 ml) | 4.0 tablespoons (60 ml) |
Protocol: Stir vigorously. Let stand for 30 minutes. Water must retain a faint chlorine scent. If no chlorine scent is present, repeat the dose and wait an additional 15 minutes.
CARD 3: USDA FOOD SAFETY BOUNDARIES (FOODSAFETY.GOV)
- Refrigerator Limit: Keeps food safe for approximately 4 hours unopened. If power is off > 4 hours, discard raw meats, poultry, seafood, milk, soft cheeses, and cooked leftovers.
- Freezer Limit: Holds safe temperature for 48 hours if full, or 24 hours if half-full, provided the door stays closed.
- Refreezing Rule: If thawed food still contains visible ice crystals or measures ≤ 40°F (4.4°C), it is safe to refreeze or cook immediately.
- Golden Rule: "When in doubt, throw it out." Never taste food to determine if it is spoiled.
CARD 4: GENERATOR 100-HOUR ENGINE OIL SERVICE LOG
Small air-cooled engines require oil changes every 100 operating hours (initial break-in at 25 hrs). Use SAE 10W-30 or 5W-30 synthetic oil.
| Service Event | Target Engine Hours | Date Serviced | Oil Brand / Viscosity | Spark Plug Cleaned / Replaced | Sign-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Break-in Service | 20 – 30 Hours | ____ / ____ / 202__ | ____________________ | [ ] Inspected [ ] Cleaned | ______________ |
| Service Interval 1 | 100 Hours | ____ / ____ / 202__ | ____________________ | [ ] Inspected [ ] Replaced | ______________ |
| Service Interval 2 | 200 Hours | ____ / ____ / 202__ | ____________________ | [ ] Inspected [ ] Replaced | ______________ |
| Service Interval 3 | 300 Hours | ____ / ____ / 202__ | ____________________ | [ ] Inspected [ ] Replaced | ______________ |
CARD 5: EMERGENCY RADIO FREQUENCIES & PROTOCOLS
| Band / Service | Calling Frequency / Channel | Tone / CTCSS | Operational Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOAA Weather Radio | 162.400 – 162.550 MHz | None | Civil defense, emergency weather, and emergency alert system (EAS) broadcasts. |
| GMRS Emergency Calling | Channel 20 (462.675 MHz) | Tone 141.3 Hz (Travelers) | National emergency calling and roadside coordination channel. |
| 2-Meter Ham Calling | 146.520 MHz Simplex | None (Carrier Squelch) | National VHF simplex calling frequency for licensed amateur operators. |
| 70-Centimeter Ham Calling | 446.000 MHz Simplex | None | UHF national simplex calling channel. |
| Meshtastic LoRa | 915.000 MHz (US Default) | Slot 20 / LongFast | Decentralized text messaging and off-grid GPS coordinates. |