Survival Kit Essentials

There is no doubt that disaster can strike any place in the world. We have seen earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, hurricanes and other natural and human-made disasters across the globe. Since it is impossible to anticipate these disasters, you need to be prepared. A well-equipped survival kit is perhaps one of the most important things you will need. This is an emergency backpack that carries everything your family members would need to be safe for at least three days following an emergency. In this piece, we will look at some of the essentials of a survival kit and give you an idea of what you should keep in one. Read on

Items Every Survival Kit Should Include

When assembling or buying a survival kit, try and picture your situation in a couple of emergencies and see what you will need. This will help you know some vital things to look out for whenever you step out to buy a survival kit. We can categorise the items in a typical one into a few groups for easier organisation.

They include;

Food and Water


The food and water here should have a long shelf life since you never know when you will need the survival kit. This way, you might not have the time to assemble fresh food. Since the survival kit should always be on standby, the food and water will be there, and it should last for at least five years. Typical things that should not miss out in this category include water pouches, food bars containing 400 calories each, water purification tablets and a hydration bag with a straw.

Light and Communication

The items in this category help when you experience a power outage, problems with your vehicle or any other emergency. Individual items include a radio, hand rechargeable flashlight, emergency candles, survival whistle and a box of waterproof safety matches.

Shelter and Warmth

The supplies here will keep you safe from the elements of weather and other harsh conditions associated with staying outside your home. They include an emergency sleeping bag and a cloak with a hood.

Tools

These are handy items that will help to create shelter, navigate, move and do numerous other tasks that will help you to survive. They include a multifunction pocket knife, a dust mask, safety goggles and a sewing kit.

Hygiene and Sanitation

This is an important category as it contains items that will keep you safe from infection, disease and any health issues. They include toothpaste, toothbrush, wet wipes, soap, shampoo, comb, sanitary napkins, shave cream, body lotion, pocket tissues and washcloth, among others.

First Aid

This kit will be used to treat small injuries and other health threats in a disaster.

Miscellaneous Items

Here, you can carry any other item you think will come in handy during the emergency. Examples include a notebook, survival playing cards and an infectious waste bag among others.

Other Factors to Consider

Note that the items mentioned will come in handy in an emergency, but it does not stop at that, as you need to look at other things before deciding what you will include in any survival kit.

One thing to consider is the number of people who will be using a single kit. It is recommended that everyone carries their survival kit, but when emergency strikes, this might not be possible due to the panic and confusion that ensues. Another scenario to look at is if you have small children with you and might be required to carry supplies that will cater to their needs as well. Once you determine this, you will be in a better position to know what you might need to add in your emergency kit.

While no one can anticipate an emergency, you can prepare for a couple of disasters based on where you live and previous history. For instance, if you live in an area that has a history of earthquakes and hurricanes, you should pack for such disasters. The type of emergency you are likely to face goes a long way to determine the supplies you should prioritise. If you expect emergencies that will keep you away from your house for a few days, then you should consider getting more food and additional sleeping gear.

Tips for Maintaining Your Survival Kit

Since your survival kit will lie around for a long time, you need to check it and ensure that everything is in good condition. Some of the ways of ensuring this include;

  •   Store the kit in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. UV light, heat and moisture can reduce the shelf life of perishable items in the kit.
  •   Check the survival kit every six months and ensure that all the items are in good condition. Replace all the ones that will go bad in the next six months.
  •   If you take anything out of the kit for any reason, ensure that you replace them as soon as possible.
  •   In case your situation changes and you need additional items in the survival kit, update them as quickly as possible.

Get Your Survival Kit Today

When assembling or buying a survival kit, focus on the functionality of the items inside and not the amount as you do not want to carry around a heavy bag during an emergency. You need to have a sizable pack that will keep you safe and facilitate your survival during an emergency. Rather than assembling one, you can buy a fully functional survival kit from 1800 Prepare and keep your family saf. Here, we have different types of emergency kits, and you can quickly pick one that suits the kind of emergency you are likely to face.

Back to Blog