Even without browsing a survival guide, you may have been hearing a great deal about survival bags and bug out bags recently. The truth is, the more news of accidents and disasters happening all over the world, the more people are finding out about these emergency bags. Emergency bags are meant for survival situations, or in situations wherein there is no time to think and even less time to collect all the things you need to evacuate to a safer place. Some people like to keep these kits near the entrance or inside the vehicle so that they’re ready to go at any time.
Tips for Developing Your Emergency Kit
1. Light and Heat Resources
You must always assume that you will not have a steady supply of electrical power if you evacuate your home due to a natural calamity. With this in mind, you can come up with various plans to get lighting and heating equipment. Get battery-operated lamps, waterproof matches and flint. Keep the batteries and matches in watertight plastic containers.
2. Ponchos, Jackets and a Change of Clothing
Clothing that shelter you from the elements are great to pack in your survival bags. These pieces of clothing should be able to protect you from the cold and from precipitation, and can double as pillows when the climate is warm. You should never forget to include a change of clothing, especially socks and underwear. Wrap your clothing in rainproof plastic to keep them dry.
Wear neon colored clothing like those that bikers have on to be more detectable to motorists. If you’re evacuating on foot, these are important for your safety.
3. Rations and Water
It is recommended to include an unopened container of distilled water inside the bag for personal use. But if you’re evacuating with your family, the one who can carry more must lug a gallon or two of distilled water for the whole family to drink. Energy drinks are not recommended as they are diuretics.
Trail mix and power bars are great as survival food. Something that will keep well without refrigeration and small enough to fit inside the kit can be used.
4. Temporary shelter
Whether it is a small umbrella or a tarpaulin for two individuals, ensure that you have something that will protect you from rain and cold just in case you need to sleep out in the open. Rainproof tents are recommended for this function. You can spray your tarp with silicon to provide more lasting power and resilience. Small raincoats can be added into the bags meant for children, while bigger tarps can be carried by teenagers.
5. Knife for Cutting
A jungle knife is needed for cutting rope, opening canned provisions and for self-protection. It is also necessary for creating fire when you are utilizing flint as an alternative to matches. Grown-ups should be the ones to transport knives in their bags.
6. Medicine Kit
The basic first aid kit contains medication for headaches, stomach aches and for treating wounds. You should also stock up on bandages and cotton balls. Have a splint ready just in case someone slips and breaks a bone. Your first aid kit should also include anti-hypersensitivity medication if one person in your family is allergic to dust or other pollutants. Medicines for high blood pressure should be added into your first aid kit if someone is suffering from hypertension in your family. The same goes for other diseases that need maintenance tablets.