Emergency Survival Kits
The first 72 hours after a natural disaster can be the hardest for survivors. During this time period emergency crews are scrambling and can not be expected to get to each and every victim immediately. It is up to you and your preparedness planning to sustain yourself and your family until rescue and support crews can reach you. The emergency survival supplies you had the foresight to gather and store could hold the only basic comforts you will have access to during this time.
Prepare at least one kit for your home and smaller personal survival kits for yourself and each member of your family. Store the home emergency kit where it can be gotten to easily. This is both for when a disaster or emergency occurs and prior to that time when you may need to refresh items in your kit. You don't want to have to dig for it in either case. Keep each personal survival kit where it can easily be reached by its user.
Your Home Emergency Survival Kit
Assemble your home emergency survival kit in a container such as a plastic bucket that can be sealed to protect the items inside. Start with items from the 'Essential Survival Gear' list below, then add items to your survival kit that you deem appropriate from the 'Suggested Survival Gear' list. There are many useful and ingenious items on the market that you may choose to add. Your ultimate choice of items will depend on the emergency situation for which you are preparing.
Again, locate your home emergency survival kit so that it is easily accessible. In the same location store at least a 72 hour supply of drinking water for all. Store more if you can and be certain to include a well stocked medical kit.
Personal Emergency Survival Kits
Assemble each personal survival kit in a container that can be grabbed easily and is handy to carry. A tote bag of some sort is good. Something like an old school back pack is even better. Include water and again, start with items from the 'Essential Survival Gear' list, then add items from the 'Suggested Survival Gear' list or other items you feel would be needed for the survival situation you have in mind.
Essential Survival Gear:
- Water
- Waterproof matches
- Firestarter
- Map
- Compass
- Flashlight
- Extra food
- Extra clothing
- Sun Glasses
- First aid kit
- Pocket knife/Multi tool
- Whistle
Suggested Survival Gear:
- Braided nylon rope
- Signaling Mirror
- Poncho (brightly colored)
- Nylon tarp
- Toilet paper
- Candles (long burning)
- Paper and pencil
- Survival knife
- Whistle
- Heavy duty aluminum foil
- Large plastic storage bags
- Large heavy duty garbage bags
- Nylon fishing line
- Fishing hooks, split shot leads
- A small stash of cash
- A change of work clothes
- Extra socks and underwear
- A good pair of work boots
- Heavy work gloves
- A can opener
- Safety pins
- Steel or copper wire
- Hatchet or axe
- A small shovel
- Wet wipes
- Dental Floss
- A large needle
Survival Food and More
Don't forget FOOD! Freeze dried meals and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are readily available these days and require no refrigeration or cooking. Take advantage of them and plan to have plenty for all. Also a good blanket is a reasonable addition to each kit and can add substantial comfort in a dire situation. It is easy to include toiletries as well. The sample size containers of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. are handy and store easily and compactly.
Fine Points: If you have a generator, make certain to have fuel available to operate it. A fire safe is a good investment to preserve valuable documents and heirlooms.
Certainly more items can be added to each list. The survival gear listed here is to help get you started. With a little research on the Internet you will find even more great suggestions and ideas for putting emergency survival kits together.
Emergency survival preparedness is not difficult. It does, however, require thought, planning, and ACTION!
More free useful wilderness survival and emergency techniques are being added at The Survivor's Outpost. Pay a visit to pick up emergency survival advice, or leave a post of your own tips and techniques to share with others.
