Some Facts Regarding Emergency Survival Kits

By Susan Dawson


Emergency survival kits are a necessity for each one of us. They should always be within our reach at all times because they might be the difference between life and death. In creating this important tool, there are a number of things that you need to take into consideration. One of the most important of them is to know whether the kit in question will only be used only once and disposed of or is intended for several occasions. This will ensure that it is packaged as appropriate.

When creating the kit, it is important to ensure that you do not forget anything. At the same time, you should not overdo the exercise to the extent of making it burdensome. An important component of almost any survival pack is shelter. The shelter serves to protect you from all the forms of harsh weather conditions. Exposure to extremes may lead to potentially life-threatening conditions.

There are many different types of shelter that can be used based on individual preference. The most commonly used types include trash bags, tarps and tents. Each of these has disadvantages and advantages that should be considered. Some people rip nylon ponchos open and modify them into tents and this too may also work just fine.

Related to the shelter is the need for warm bedding. The top two choices here are wool and fleece. Both are always warm even when wet. Wool is a flame retardant while fleece has the advantage of being lightweight. Foil type blankets are easy to package and equally as good as these two. Cotton bedding should be avoided as much as possible as they lead to loss of body heat.

Regardless of the size of your kit, you will definitely need water. A minimum of 130 to 160 oz of water is required per person per day. This only includes water for drinking and should thus be used very sparingly. Water can be packed in many ways including sterilized bottles, bags and reusable containers. Although sterilised water has a shelf life of about 5 years, it should be replaced on an annual basis whenever possible.

There are many options for food to choose from. The specific choice largely depends on individual preference. The most important thing is to have a balance among the essential food groups and minerals. The general recommendation is that there should be about 2,000 calories for each person per day. The most preferred food types are those that do not involve preparation and do not need the use of utensils. Food bars and granola are an excellent choice.

Hygiene items such as toilet paper, soap, wash clothes, towels and toothbrushes are not an absolute necessity but make life a bit more comfortable. A first aid kit may be needed at one time or the other. Some of the items to have in this kit include painkillers, gauze rolls, wound cream, antibiotics and some blood anticoagulant. Rescue aids and essential tools include a source of light, a whistle, a pocket knife, multi-purpose pair of pliers, a small rope and a crank radio.

There are no hard and fast rules that guide the creation of emergency survival kits. The contents depend on what the owner deems as being important. The above are just guidelines that can help one not forget crucial items. Once the items have been identified, they should be packed in an accessible, waterproof bag.




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