Disaster Survival Kits
One of the best ways to be prepared for a disaster is to have a disaster survival kit packed and ready to go.
Now is the time - Prepare one now because there is no way to predict when or where a natural disaster will strike. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, there won't be time to assemble everything you'll need.
With that in mind, you need to learn everything you can NOW so you can determine whether you should buy a kit or build your own. There are a wide variety of emergency survival kits on the market, and there is also a lot of advice out there about creating your own disaster kit.
For example, the Grab `N Go 4 Person Backpack is a highly rated solution. It is a 4-person, 3-day bag. If you have ever heard of a 72-hour bag, this is an example of that. Click the link to see what all is included. It is an inexpensive way to provide the basic necessities of life if you have to leave your home in a hurry.
What to Include in a Disaster Survival Bag or Kit
Why is a disaster survival kit so important? If you have to be away from your home for any length of time, the items in this bag will be all you have. Consider what happens if you are in a shelter and have no towel or washcloth? What about your medications? Being prepared is the only answer.
Size is important! Ideally, the kit should be something that can be carried easily in the event you have to walk to your destination. Whether you buy a bag filled with the essentials and add a few things to it or build the whole thing from scratch, make sure it doesn't get too heavy. You could end up walking for miles.
Now, what you could do is create several different emergency survival kits of varying sizes that can be used in different disaster scenarios. Have one for your home, car, and workplace. (See below) That is what I do.
Here are a few critical things that should be included in all emergency survival kits:
- A Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife - Make sure that it's easy to sharpen too.
- Something to use for shelter - A tent is ideal, but a poncho, plastic sheet or blanket will work too.
- A reusable plastic water container. I have a 5-Gallon Collapsible Water Carrier .
- Water purification tablets or a Lifestraw - You need to be able to clean water before drinking it.
- Equipment for hunting and fishing
- A map and a Sighting Compass w/ Pouch - At the very least, have a map for the immediate area. Your cell phone probably won't work.
- A lighter - A disposable one is fine, but a refillable one is even better.
- Cotton balls and other materials for starting fires - Just in case.
- Enough Emergency food rations for 3 days
Additional Considerations
In addition to including the items highlighted above, you should look for disaster survival kits that are made out of strong, durable materials. You'll probably have to put your survival bag through a lot of abuse. Mine goes in and out of different vehicles depending upon what I'm doing. Sometimes, when I give talks to different groups, I take it with me, too. For me, it needs to be extra durable just because it goes pretty much everywhere with me.
Durable disaster kits are
more expensive, but they're worth every penny.
Although you can only carry a limited number of things in a bug out bag, there are other ways to be prepared for a disaster, as well.
Store a second 72 hour kit (such as this one: Grab `N Go Deluxe 4 Person Backpack in your vehicle. If you're able to drive after a disaster, you'll be glad you kept this with you. I always keep extra supplies in my car, so this is a good backup measure. For example, I have a Kidde Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher , flares, a power inverter, a large blanket, jumper cables in my trunk.
Just remember that a separate survival bag is still needed in the event that you're unable to use your car.
No one wants to be involved in a natural disaster, but these things are beyond our control. Increase your odds of surviving by equipping yourself with a high-quality disaster survival kit.