Have you ever wondered how you are going to survive in case of an emergency? Surely some people just do not care much about possibilities of disasters, but if you do care I hope this article help you to build your own Emergency Disaster Kit.

Before you start just think what do you really need: ‘one time use kit’ with disposable items, or a kit that can be reused. This becomes quite important for two reasons, the first being that a onetime use kit will only get used when death is on the line, the second is one time use kits generally fall into the “just survive- with or without my limbs attached” definition of survive. A reusable kit can become part of a lifestyle, turning many “disasters” into inconveniences or even adventures.

Steps to build Emergency Disaster Kit:

1.     Find shelter. The one of the main priorities is to find shelter to protect you from the sun, rain, cold, hit and other influences. One of the best decisions will be a rip stop nylon poncho that folds flat and can be used as a tent. They are light, tough, they do double or triple duty (a must if your kit is to be light enough to carry), and some of these can be used together to make a larger tent if you are with others. Make sure you have a small rope and stakes along.

2.     Water. You cannot survive without having a minimum amount of water. Minimum per day is 30-60 oz (depending on your weight). This is the lowest amount you should take. Any less than this and you will start to seriously gamble with your life. The government says one gallon per person per day- but this includes water for washing, cooking, etc. Options for water include sterilized boxes, sterilized Mylar bags, water bottles, and reusable containers. The sterilized water (bag or box) have a 5 year shelf life; water bottles stay good not that long but also match your requirements. Water purification tablets can be quite useful (but have a bad taste and can make you sick).

3.     Food. You need about 2,000 calories per person per day. The best is food that is not requiring preparation and using dishes to eat (food bars for example). The Coast Guard uses a food bar with a five year shelf life. Get ones with lots of variety, such as nuts, whole grains, etc… The next best type of food is the Mylar type. Mylar bags of tuna, MREs (ready eat meals), etc.. They do require utensils, but the tuna can be eaten out of the bag, as can the MREs albeit with a bit more difficulty. Use healthy food such as whole grains, nuts, etc. It will give energy and provide the necessary fats, proteins, and nutrients – needs which increase during times of stress.

4.     Get warm bedding. The best blanket choices are wool and fleece blankets. Both retain heat even when wet, wool is flame retardant, fleece is very lightweight. If you are in an area where fire is likely an issue, stick with the wool unless it is just too heavy. Stay away from cotton, as it wicks heat from your body when it is moist. It is a good idea to include a foil type of emergency blanket. They fold up very small and can act as a ground cloth, it can retain body heat, act as a vapor barrier and wind breaker, etc.. Don’t buy all the hype about its amazing heat reflection properties, though – it only reflects radiant heat- and it is, after all, just foil. Persons in very cold climates might investigate buying a down sleeping bag for all of your camping and storing it in your 72 hour kit. It packs incredibly small and light and is unbelievable warm.

5.     Pack the hygiene items you need to stay comfortable, but don’t overdo it. Toilet paper, cotton bandanna (for face mask, wash cloth, etc), baby wipes, soap, potty bags, and an N95 dust/virus mask are essentials. Additional important items include a toothbrush/paste, latex gloves, and feminine napkins.

6.     First aid kit. Do not get a standard first aid kit with 3,200 band aids and a few aspirin. Get a roll of gauze, some gauze pads, medical tape, some painkillers, alcohol wipes, some burn/wound cream, some blood coagulant (such as cayenne, which is also antibiotic), and some petroleum jelly or some other lubricant/moisturizer. You’ll have to make your own band aids from gauze and tape, but you’ll be able to cover most other minor injuries.

7.     Tools and rescue aids. Again, do not over pack. You need light (light sticks or a crank flashlight), warmth (heat packs), and a whistle. Additional ‘might need’ items are: Fire starting kit, multi-use pliers, small rope, hand crank radio, duct tape, and a folding saw. You might want to take a small pocketknife (with a saw, scissor, tweezers, sharp knife, hook) Maybe you will need a bit of fishing string and a hook, but don’t overdo it.

8. Decide what you will pack it in. If you want to carry your stuff together, and be waterproof a dry bag that can be carried as a back pack is the best option. Many are tough and waterproof, and a few can be carried in several different ways. Zip top freezer bags (these are heavier than “storage” bags), can keep like items grouped together within your pack and keep them dry, too. If it’s a vital item, like matches, pack the item in two bags, with the zippered ends pointing in different directions. Small recycled containers, like pill bottles and Altoids boxes can be used to house kits for sewing, fishing, personal hygiene, and an ID pack.

9.     Self Powered Radio and Self Powered Flashlights. These provide light, information, especially about what caused the emergency, and batteries will not be available in a emergency situation. Also get Glow sticks. Safer than candles, especially if that emergency is a tornado, quake that ripped up gas lines, you detect gas. Some of these devices are designed to charge cell phones, thus only a downed cell phone tower will be why your cell phone doesn’t work, unless you broke the cell phone yourself. 

Filed under: Safety Tips 2012 • Survival Guide

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