Preparing for a survival emergency situation requires considering a set of possible life challenging events and the consequential "appropriate" reactions to such events. Whatever the situation is there is one common denominator you need to have an emergency survival kit in order to give yourself, and your family, the greatest chance to survival.

Preparing an emergency kit does not have to be expensive, all you need is a little of thinking ahead and buying small quantities at a time. Start by making a list of foods that:

Have a long shelf-life and will not spoil (non-perishable).
You and your family like.
Do not require cooking.
Can be easily stored.
Have a low salt content as salty foods will make you thirstier.

Keep the list in your purse or wallet and pick up a few items each time you’re shopping and/or see a sale until you have built up a well-stocked supply that can sustain each member of your family for at least three days following an emergency.

Take a minute to check your family’s first aid kit, and note any depleted items — then, add them to your shopping list. Don’t have a first aid kit? Add that to the list or build a kit yourself. Just add the following items to your shopping list and assemble a first aid kit. Consider creating a kit for each vehicle as well:

First Aid Kits - Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

20 adhesive bandages, various sizes
1 5" x 9" sterile dressing
1 conforming roller gauze bandage
2 triangular bandages
2 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads
2 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads
1 roll 3" cohesive bandage
2 germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer
6 antiseptic wipes
2 pair large medical grade non-latex gloves
Adhesive tape, 2" width
Anti-bacterial ointment
Cold pack
Scissors (small, personal)
Tweezers
CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield
First Aid Manual

Non-Prescription and Prescription Drugs

Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Laxative
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Prescription drugs, as recommended by your physician, and copies of the prescriptions in case they need to be replaced

For more information about first aid kits, visit www.redcross.org.


Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person. Store a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation and sanitation).
Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and strenuous activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and people who are sick will also need more.

One of the easiest ways you can prepare for emergencies is to keep some supplies readily available. Every kit is unique and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your family, but below is a general list of supplies you may want to consider:

Tools and Supplies (Essential Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)

Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
Emergency preparedness manual and a copy of your disaster plan, including your emergency contacts list
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
Flashlight and extra batteries*
Cash or traveler's checks, change*
Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
Fire extinguisher: small ABC type stored near where fires are likely to occur such as a kitchen, or near a fireplace. It should not be kept in the disaster supplies kit.
Tube tent
Duct Tape*
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil*
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Shut-off wrench or pliers, to turn off household gas and water
Whistle*
Plastic sheeting*
Map of the area (for locating shelters and evacuation routes)


Also include items for sanitation in your emergency supply kit. Consider the following:

Sanitation (Essential Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)

Toilet paper, towelettes*
Soap, liquid detergent*
Feminine supplies*
Personal hygiene items*
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)*
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach

Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person in your emergency supply kit. We suggest long pants and long sleeves for additional protection after a disaster.

Clothing and Bedding (Essential Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)

Sturdy shoes or work boots*
Rain gear*
Blankets or sleeping bags*
Hat and gloves
Thermal underwear
Sunglasses

You should also keep a smaller version of your emergency supply kit in your vehicle, in case you are commuting or traveling when disaster strikes.

Emergency Kit For Your Vehicle

Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter
Flashlight and extra batteries
Blanket
Booster cables
Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
First aid kit and manual
Maps
Shovel
Tire repair kit and pump
Flares or other emergency marking devices.

Once you have these kits ready, and in place, you will be better prepared than 70% of the population therefore greatly increasing your chances of survival and drastically decreasing the stress you and your family would have to withstand during a life emergency situation.


Mark Van Neem

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