Surviving a Disaster

An emergency kit is something that seems useless and foolish up until the day the flood comes. There are roughly 6,800 natural disasters that occur yearly worldwide. Often these kits can get you and your loved ones safely out of tough circumstances. There are a wide variety of emergencies that can require different supplies. Your location and time of year can also play a role in the contents of your survival kit. Regardless, every kit needs a few essential items to ensure your safety.

Making sure your basic needs, like water, food, and shelter are met is the single most important thing. Things like first aid supplies, fire starters, help signals (whistles, flares, radios, etc.), medications, and personal sanitation will also come in handy, especially when your emergency takes place for an extended period.

Here is a list of some essential items we believe every emergency kit should contain.

Food:

• Ready to eat canned goods
• Protein and fruit bars
• Cereal and granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• Food for infants/baby formula
• Utensils
• A can opener

Water:

• Large containers for storing and carrying water
• A portable water filtration device

Shelter:

• A portable water filtration device
• Emergency blankets
• Sleeping bags
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape

Sanitation:

• Moist towelettes
• Garbage bags
• Plastic ties
• Feminine products
• Hand sanitizer
• Soap
• Disinfecting wipes

First aid:

• Gauze and bandages
• Alcohol wipes or hydrogen peroxide
• Prescribed medications
• Pain relief, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, and laxatives
• Medical tape
• Gauze shears
• A tourniquet

Miscellaneous:

• Firestarter
• Masks
• Maps of the local area
• Batteries
• Emergency cell phone
• Whistle
• Flare gun
• Flashlight
• Radio
• Cash
• Important documents
• Extra clothing
• Paper and pencil

On top of being prepared with the right equipment for an emergency, having survival skills and the knowledge of how to react appropriately during an emergency is crucial. Knowing how to kindle a fire, properly rationing food and water, first aid training, and keeping yourself and your loved ones calm can all make a dramatic impact on your survival.

Although it is not always the case, knowing basic outdoor survival skills is a great way to ensure your safety in most circumstances.

Here are some basic skills everyone should know in order to survive in almost any environment.

• Building and maintaining a fire
• Creating portable water
• Foraging for food
• Tying knots
• Making a weapon (for self-defense and/or hunting)
• Building a shelter
• Basic first aid
• Fishing and trapping

Having all these skills on top of an emergency kit at the ready is a great way to stay prepared for any situation. You can never be over-prepared for a disaster. Make your plan for whatever emergency comes your way and practice it regularly to ensure you and your loved ones know what to do when the time comes.

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