To feel anxious about this volcanic activity in the Canaries, or am I just a nervous wreck

[Kara198]

I watched a documentary a few years ago regarding what could happen if a volcano in the canaries erupted and it was pretty horrific (tsunami hitting America and some of Europe including UK.
I've never been a nervous person and always lived by 'whatever will be, will be'.
However since Covid I feel like it's taught me that actually nothing is forever and I get anxious over things like this, especially as my dad lives on the south coast.
AIBU to feel slightly uneasy about this situation? Happy to be told I'm being ridiculous

@FreddyMercurysCat

It's been debunked by several different sources.

Now get back to worrying about your gas and electric bill like the rest of us

But having "emergency go bags" by the front door in case of a tsunami, zombie apocalypse or volcanic erupting - ridiculous.

I despute this.

Every one needs a zombie contingency plan.

Me and DH discuss it regularly.

We have a full plan of what we need, who we need, where we go, how we defend it, how we survive and plan going forward.

We've even scouted out our location.

(I am actually serious about this)

Lol at a RL Zombie apocalypse, I never heard of something so ridiculous. However, being prepared in case of an emergency is sensible & may alleviate the OP's anxiety. Regardless of what the emergency may be. Tsunami - exceedingly unlikely, whereas a house fire or a flood - statistically still very unlikely on an individual level, but they do happen every year.

Sorry RTB I wasn't replying to you, my reply was to Kingsley.

No it won''t alleviate her anxiety. Because you are confirming that yes she should worry, and should prepare accordingly.

Having a bag packed by the front door just on the off chance you might have to flee in the middle of the night in your pyjamas is not normal behaviour.

@Kara198 Don't worry, they have declared it a Strombolian eruption, which means there won't be a huge landslide. They have said no to that, and no tsunami either.

If there is any kind of apocalyptic event do you actually want to be one of the few to survive (anyone read The Road? Or in fact quite a few things similar in films). Honestly you really are better off being one of the first to go. I have also never been any good at running or living off scraps and I have asthma so my chances of successfully surviving long are low.

These contingency plans never work out. How many people you know actually managed to follow their Birth plan?!?
(Having some UHT milk and baked beans, a torch and matches, candles etc...yes)

@RedToothBrush

But having "emergency go bags" by the front door in case of a tsunami, zombie apocalypse or volcanic erupting - ridiculous.

I despute this.

Every one needs a zombie contingency plan.

Me and DH discuss it regularly.

We have a full plan of what we need, who we need, where we go, how we defend it, how we survive and plan going forward.

We've even scouted out our location.

(I am actually serious about this)

We need more people like you. I'm in emergency response and the more people that can cover the basics themselves mean that we'll be able to direct more resources towards actually dealing with the thing that's causing the problem if we're not having to find help for Mrs X who's just remembered she needs her medication that's in the house she now can't access or Mr Y who thinks he's left the oven on.

On a less alarmist level, have a think about what you'd do if you woke up and the house is full of smoke. People die because they can't find the keys to get out.

Or if there's a gas leak. Because you'll have the police on your doorstep telling you to leave immediately, so a grab bag of essentials will save you from flapping while a police officer is ordering you to leave the property.

I haven't thought too much about the La Palma volcano, but there have been quite a few locals who have been told to leave their homes and many that won't be able to return.

Re Go bags - just always carry a towel. And don't panic! But knowing where your towel is universally recognised as a sign you are well prepared.

@apalledandshocked

Re Go bags - just always carry a towel. And don't panic! But knowing where your towel is universally recognised as a sign you are well prepared.

And a pint of beer is great muscle relaxant, I hear.

Part of DH's out side interests involve knowing how to rescue and look after others.

If there was a disaster of some sort, his skill set is likely to be needed.

We need more people like you. I'm in emergency response and the more people that can cover the basics themselves mean that we'll be able to direct more resources towards actually dealing with the thing that's causing the problem if we're not having to find help for Mrs X who's just remembered she needs her medication that's in the house she now can't access or Mr Y who thinks he's left the oven on.

Right. So I, like millions, have medication i take every morning. I leave it on top of the toilet cistern in the bathroom so I see it when I wake up and go to the loo. But in the unhinged go bag emergency apocalypse scenario, I'd have to remember each evening to pack away all the medication in my emergency bag, and then remember again to unpack it in the morning and take it. Or alternatively, ask the doctor for an extra prescription to stock my "emergency bag". Just on the off chance I get given 2 minutes' notice to leave the house. Which has not happened, ever, to anyone I know.

There's being prepared, and there's slipping into paranoia.

In theory the ‘go bag’ is a good idea, but I’d be more worried that when the apocalypse happens DC1 would be in nursery, DC2 would be at school 5 miles away, I’d be at work 20 miles away and DH 30 miles in the other direction - and the bag would be at home

There are some things you just can’t control. As a pp said, better to worry about fuel hikes instead.

In theory the 'go bag' is a good idea I agree.

If you happen to live astride the San Andreas Fault, or on the slopes of a dormant volcano, or in a very low-lying coastal area with only a few dykes keeping the North Sea at bay, I'd say it was jolly sensible. Most of the rest of us would probably get more notice.

Having a bag packed by the front door just on the off chance you might have to flee in the middle of the night in your pyjamas is not normal behaviour.

That very much depends where you live. And tiny personal apocalypses happen every day. Burst water main, gas leak, house fire. Better to be prepared and not need it than vice versa.