Emergency Survival Kits | Survival Kits

Survival Kits

By admin on December 25th, 2010

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Having a survival kit on hand can mean the difference between feeling confident about meeting any emergency situation calmly, and feeling completely helpless and out of it. In these uncertain times, when we have seen enough sudden and ferocious disasters to know that life can change in a split second, a survival kit is an absolute necessity.

You can either choose to put together your own emergency kit, or better still, you can buy a pre assembled kit from one of the many suppliers online. A pre-assembled survival kit can offer you a variety of emergency supplies that are designed to meet special needs. Here's what to look for when you're shopping for a survival kit.

A Comprehensive Kit

Your survival kit should contain enough items to meet the requirements of the emergency situation. For instance, no matter what the size of your survival kit, it should make adequate provisions for your most important necessity in a crisis - water. Thirst increases doing an emergency situation, leaving you at risk for dehydration. You would be surprised at the number of emergency kits out there that contain very little provision for water.

A High Quality Kit

Sure, you could buy a cheaper, lower quality kit, but do you really want to be caught in an emergency with flashlights that don't work or a lighter that's gone damp? Some people believe that having a low quality kit is better than having no kit at all. However, there's really no point in having an emergency kilt that doesn't do what it's meant to do - keep you safe, warm, and comfortable till help arrives.

A Complete Kit

Imagine opening your kit, and finding four Band-aids for first aid. You need a kit that's stocked with enough items to last you through an emergency. For instance, a wilderness kit will need enough items to last for at least 36 hours, which is how long it could take before rescue teams do arrive. Your survival kit order form will have a picture of the kit and its contents. Count the number of items to make sure you're not paying for stuff that isn't in the bag

An Expensive Kit

This doesn't mean that you go out and buy the most top dollar product you can find without looking into whether it meets your needs. However, be wary of buying something that's priced way too low. Remember, broken GPS systems, flimsy knives, and cardboard film sunglasses do not a good survival kit make.

An Easy to Open Kit

You don't want to be caught scrambling to unzip your kit during an emergency. The kit must come in a durable, waterproof, easy-to-open bag that has easy-to-find compartments to hold items separately. Avoid kits with complicated locks and clasps.

An Easy to Use Kit

Your survival kit needs to be designed with your skills and handling skills in mind. For instance, a well traveled trekker will find it easy to handle a sophisticated, cutting edge survival kit that includes all modern gizmos. If you're not too comfortable with tools, on the other hand, you might want to look for an easy to use basic kit that doesn't requite too many high tech skills to use.

A Fresh kit

Remember, even though items like food bars and water will come with a shelf life of many years, warehouse storage and bad transport conditions can decrease the life span of the items in your kit. While this doesn't mean that these items will be spoilt and fit to discard, it does mean that checking the expiration dates of the items in the kit is something you need to do seriously.

A Versatile Kit

Look for a kit that has at least a few tools that can be used for a number of purposes. For instance, duct tape is one those things that can be used in a dozen different ways, and so are large plastic garbage bags. More high tech versions would be a compass that doubles as a torchlight that doubles as a whistle that doubles as a ...you get the point.

A Kit for Every occasion

While everybody needs at least one basic survival kit, certain people might need more than one kit to meet all their emergency needs. For instance, if you're an avid hiker, you'll need a wilderness survival kit that contains air horns, body warmers and shelter gear, and supplements your basic survival kit. It's also a good idea to have more than one kit, and stash them at home, in the car, at office etc.

9 Responses to “Survival Kits”

1. Mandie says:

   December 29, 2010 at 8:09 pm

   How to make an Emergency Road-side & survival kits at home?
   My family and I have to travel for the upcoming holidays. We need to know what we need to take with us and the kits are too pricey. So what do you put in a winter weather survival and road side kits???
2. Amaretta says:

   January 8, 2011 at 3:58 pm

   You could use big plastic bowls (from Walmart/Target/the dollar store) as your “baskets” and then they could use them for popcorn at college. You should definitely include some microwave popcorn and maybe some microwaveable ramen noodle cups or soup. You could add a coffee mug ($1 at a dollar store) and some tea or coffee bags if you think they’d use them. Sugarless gum or breath mints are also useful to keep you awake during boring classes. You could also include a small photo album ($1 at Michael’s craft stores) or a picture frame with a photo of the four of you (if you’re all friends).
3. Curious1 says:

   January 12, 2011 at 3:41 pm

   What should I put in my college survival kits?
   Ok, so I’m making college survival kits for 3 of my closest senior friends. I have a budget of about $75 (excluding buying the baskets to put the gifts in), so that’s $25 each. This is what I have so far:
   -Playing cards ($3 each)
   -Stress balls ($2 each)
   -(2) 5-hour energy shots ($4 per person)
   -(2) easy mac ($2 per person)

   Please list the prices of the items
4. ~~Birdy~~ says:

   January 17, 2011 at 10:08 pm

   What is the point of making survival kits for 2012?
   there really are people doing this
5. mortoo (not a tea bagger) says:

   January 17, 2011 at 10:16 pm

   that would depend on whether you were a buyer or a seller, in tha latter case of course profit is sufficient point , so how was the movie?
6. bikenbeer2000 says:

   January 18, 2011 at 12:38 pm

   If idiots want to waste money on fake doomsdays, that’s their fault.
   I assume you know that 2012 is a hoax.
7. Dalek says:

   January 18, 2011 at 8:10 pm

   How many starving children could we have fed with the money spent on 2012 bunkers, survival kits, books, etc.?
   Seriously, Millions have been spent of stuff for this 2012 nonsense.
8. Red 7 says:

   January 19, 2011 at 8:07 pm

   Best earthquake survival kits?
   I want to prepare my family in case there is a huge earthquake . I know the basics,battery radio,batteries,firstaid kit,matches,canned foods,can opener,extra clothes,blankets,I even thought of having extra bags of dog and cat food for my pets.Any more suggestions? My main concern is what are the best containers to store water in? You know ones that won’t collapse too easily if something should fall on it? I want to keep these containers outside in our shed since we do not have a garage. We live in the desert where the temp can get upto 120 degrees in the summer.Would this water be drinkable and safe to drink? whatever is left that won’t evaporate that is,and how often should I change it out?To whoever answers,thank you very much.
9. Dave J says:

   January 20, 2011 at 5:39 pm

   This is a subject I know very well as I write on,
   lecture on, and teach survival for the average
   person.

   The real problem in what to put in a kit you build
   is the knowledge you have as to how to properly
   use such a kit.

   Also, since there can be limited space for a kit,
   and/ or that you might have to carry it by hand,
   the quantity of the bulk and the weight is an issue.

   What you must always remember is that there
   are four things you must provide for in any type
   of survival situation: Food, Water, Shelter,
   and Protection. The first three are self-explanatory.
   However, Protection means much more than
   the typical, first impression. It is a very complex
   provision because it means; Protection from the
   elements of nature, AND the nature of man.

   Protection means clothing sufficient to handle
   whatever weather that might be encountered.
   It means the proper mental preparedness of
   how to cope with a sudden misfortune of any
   type. It also means supplies that would be
   necessary to provide for what you might need
   if the misfortune could last for a long while.
   It doesn’t mean you must carry a firearm, or
   any other type of weapon (other than a good
   knife). But, it does mean you must be as
   prepared mentally for any type of hazard that
   can possibly befall you. I always teach,
   “Expect the Best! Prepare for the Worst!
   Take what comes!”

   The largest problem with people today is
   that we have become so used to living in
   a protected society that the imagination
   does not let us even consider just how
   bad our situation can become in the turn
   of a moment. We all have a will to survive;
   to continue to live on. However, we just do
   not imagine enough of the worst type of
   situation. We never consider the possibility
   to be very great. We confuse ‘possibility’
   with ‘probability’. Just remember that the
   possibility of anything is always 50/50.
   It is the probability that may be very low,
   but the possibility is still 50/50. Our own
   preparedness must remember, and heed
   this.

   I will give you a list of things that you can
   choose from to take. You, however, must
   decide what you would most likely need
   to take. I make kits for people all the time,
   but I always have to take into consideration
   of their level of skill, knowledge, and training.
   I make small kits, but further suggest larger
   types of ‘pack kits’. Even the small ones
   that can be placed, or carried anywhere must
   be developed for the individual. Each item is
   carefully selected so as to provide the way
   for a person to survive most anything, but
   the skill, knowledge, and training is very
   critical. I use many examples of where some
   have had everything they needed to survive
   a situation, but have died. They may have
   had everything tangible, but lacked the
   mental preparedness to survive.

   I very highly commend you for thinking of
   this issue in advance. Most people do not.
   I do suggest that you get a copy of a Boy
   Scout Field Book as a good guide if you
   lack the training for this type of situation.
   There are many books out there, even one
   that I have written, but the Scout Field Book
   covers much to be a great help. I still use
   mine a lot.

   Disaster Supply Kit
   (As suggested by the National Hurricane Center)

   Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for
   3 to 7 days
   Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
   — non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
   — foods for infants or the elderly
   — snack foods
   — non-electric can opener
   — cooking tools / fuel
   — paper plates / plastic utensils
   Blankets / Pillows, etc.
   Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
   First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
   Special Items – for babies and the elderly
   Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
   Flashlight / Batteries
   Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
   Telephones – Fully charged cell phone with extra
   battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
   Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards
   – Banks and ATMs may not be available for
   extended periods
   Keys
   Toys, Books and Games
   Important documents – in a waterproof container
   or watertight resealable plastic bag
   — insurance, medical records, bank account
   numbers, Social Security card, etc.
   Tools – keep a set with you during the storm
   Vehicle fuel tanks filled
   Pet care items
   — proper identification / immunization records /
   medications
   — ample supply of food and water
   — a carrier or cage
   — muzzle and leash

   The above kit supplies can be trimmed to fit the particular
   circumstances.

   For a small ‘Kit in a Can’ to keep with you
   at all times, the following can be put into a
   one, or three pound coffee can. (Keep in a
   pack, at work, at home, under the rear se