Everyone, and we do mean everyone needs to have their own personal survival kit. Your kit needs to be economical, so don’t waste your money, but get what you can use and what you like. Whatever you carry be sure that your kit carries only the necessities. You know how things just seem to happen at the most inconvenient time? For average persons’ purposes, a personal back pack should be created for every person in your family or business.
Sounds extravagant? Not when you need it!
Remember you might not be home when something happens or you as a key member of your family might not be able to get to your other family members to help them. Never-the-less, your personal pre-stocked survival kit should be quickly accessible to you at all times. If you drive to work, have it available to you stowed in your vehicle at all times. If you are at home, have it located near your most likely exit from your home. This is so that if you must leave your home it is immediately available although your vehicle might not be. Once you stock the most important necessities in your personal survival kit, you can expand into other less important items and place them in your home or vehicle, items more bulky and heavy. This concept is called layering your survival kits, keeping the most important items on your body.
Okey the basics you need are very straight forward. Lets put together a no-nonsense list:
1. You need a container to carry the items of your personal kit. We recommend a medium size sturdy back pack, two 5 gallon and two 1 gallon plastic pails and a large metal pot. These can be stacked inside of one another with the garbage bags and hand carried while the rest is on your back. The back pack case should be; Water repellent or waterproof, easy to carry or attach to your body, suitable to accept varisized components, and durable.
2. A basic survival manual. We recommend the US Army Survival Manual FM21-76 and a First Aid Kit Booklet or Manual
3. A basic First Aid kit. We recommend You can get a good head start by purchasing a preassembled first aid kit. You will find that most preassembled kits have been put together through much feedback given by those who have experienced injury during a crisis. Some basic first aid essentials include gauze, tape, adhesive strips, scissors, antibiotic ointment, bandages, burn treatment bandages or lotions, rash or itching creams, thermometer, arm splint, tweezers, safety pins, pain reliever, prescription medications, antiseptic towelettes, ammonia inhalant, instant ice packs, sponges, eye washes, rubbing alcohol, etc.
Although pre-assembled kits contain the most common items needed during emergencies, it is important to gather items that fit your particular needs. Prescriptions such as medications for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression etc. are crucial for first aid kits. Also be sure to include special items needed by small children or the elderly. It is useless to have a professional kit that contains items you do not know how to use, or to have a kit that is to basic to treat emergency needs. Basically, remember that first aid items can help save lives during a crisis. It is easier to invest the time and money in first aid supplies once you understand what a difference this kind of preparation can make during an emergency. Once you have purchased supplies, begin learning more about first aid relief and learn how to properly use your supplies.
Include
* Oxytetracycline tablets (for diarrhea or infection).
* Surgical blades.
* Butterfly sutures.
oBurn gel and dressing
oSnake bite kit
oInsect repellent
oSun block
oSpecial medications
4. Compact lightweight food for at least 72 hours. We recommend you use food you are familiar and like stored in your kit, you will be better prepared to use it during times of emergency. So when it comes to economical acquisition of Food: Get two manual can openers. Then buy plenty of oatmeal, and canned food that’s ready to eat from the can with heating. You can get Dinty Moore products and others. Soups, Chili, Chicken and Dumplings, Stews, etc., are all in cans. Cookies and saltine crackers are also great only if you can store them in cans, jars or plastic containers with airtight lids. Perhaps if you can afford and have tried for taste, acquire MRE’s (ready to eat meals) these generally are less bulky and can be carried in a kit easier.
* Minimum amount of food – ie emergency MREs or energy bars
* A small metal container to cook in.
5. Water and some water purification means. We recommend that you get water purification tablets and that you learn to treat water, first filtering it through material like a sheet, then with bleach before you prepare to drink any source of water you are unsure of during an emergency. The amount of regular unscented bleach that is recommended to use, is 4 drops of bleach per quart of water. Then it also is recommended that you boil the water, and then let it cool prior to drinking it. You’ll need at least two gallons per person, per-day at a minimum for drinking, cooking and sanitation. Using one of your 5 gallon pails for treatment and storage. Remember to boil your water in the metal pot and then transfer it to the covered plastic pail or a Collapsible Container for water storage.
6. Matches or some means of starting a fire. We recommend a standard lighter with a small can of lighter fluid, a metal match, or waterproof matches and for Cooking: A single burner Coleman propane camp stove is the best with a couple propane cylinders. This can also be stowed in one of the plastic containers.
7. Some compact versatile tools.
We recommend
* Snare wire.
* Signaling mirror.
* Wrist compass.
* Fish and snare line.
* Fishhooks.
* Candles.
* Small hand lens (magnifying glass)
* Solar blankets.
* Chap Stick.
* Knife.
o50 Feet of Nylon Rope
oRolls of Duct Tape
oFoldable Shovel
oHatchet or axe
oSewing Kit
an all purpose combination utility tool, as well as a Candle with windproof/waterproof matches (remember, in some cases it is not wise to light a match in case of a gas leak)
8. A flashlight, preferably one that doesn’t need batteries.
You can also use alternate light sources
oCandles
oLightsticks
oLantern and fuel
oRoad Flare(s)
9. Extra incliment weather headgear, shoes & clothing. We recommend EXTRA CLOTHING
oA complete outfit of appropriate durable clothing; including extra socks, underwear, hat, sturdy shoes, and gloves.
10. Personal hygiene items, soap for washing, toilet supplies. We recommend using the sturdy 5 gallon plastic pail for a toilet, portable outhouse. Use your heavy trash bags that will fit down inside the bucket and the top will fold over the outside of the bowl toward the floor. Have a supply of bleach water in the bathroom made from one part laundry bleach to five parts water. This can be kept in a plastic 1 gallon pail. Add some of this when needed to handle scent as the bag fills up. Some folks double-bag to be sure for easy removal. When the bags are 1/2 full you can tie them off and put them in the back yard where you can dig holes to dispose of them. A bathing solution can be made of one part rubbing alcohol to ten parts of water and sloshed on the body with washcloths and rinse with clean water. Here’s where another 1 gallon pail comes in handy. Have plenty of generic mouth wash and also body rinse like “Sea Breeze”, Witch Hazel or a generic brand in your cabinet. Plan on one bottle per week per person of each.
11. Don’t forget your medications.
Ask you doctor for an extra prescription for emergencies. He or she will gladly do it and they understand and may hand you some free samples. Also don’t be afraid to ask for freebies including some antibiotics or other stuff they might hand out to you.
12. Your Personal identification, credit cards, financial papers, titles, etc.
MONEY
oAt least $20 in your kit — be sure to include quarters for phone calls IMPORTANT PAPERS
oEmergency Instructions
oCopies of documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, wills, insurance forms, phone numbers, credit card info, etc., Copies of the following: Marriage certificate Social Security cards Wills Inventory of household goods Immunization records Stocks and bonds Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go
13. Maps, compass and AM/FM radio. We recommend having a radio with more than one source of power. Chemical lightsticks are recommended because of their safety, Road flares can be used but are not as safe as the lightsticks. Jumper cables. Car repair kit, Flat Tire Fixer Try to always maintain at least one-half tank of gas Cell phone to report any emergencies (many disconnected cell phones may still be able to call “911” when charged) Emergency Cell phone charger, Fire extinguisher, Paper and pencil for leaving notes or recording any thoughts, Toys and other special consideration items for children, Books and games for entertainment, Short rubber hose for siphoning.
In preparing your survival kit, select items you can use for more than one purpose. If you have two items that will serve the same function, pick the one you can use for another function. Do not duplicate items, as this increases your kit’s size and weight. Your survival kit need not be elaborate. You need only functional items that will meet your needs and a case to hold the items. Now that you thought about it, what do you think you should carry in your kit? Now that you have the idea, it’s up to you to follow through. The better prepared you are, the better your chances you will survive.
Thank you for your attention. We hope it helps.