A survival kit can mean the difference between life and death in a natural disaster or another emergency scenario. A well-stocked survival kit should contain the essentials you need to survive, but you don’t want to get too bogged down. Here are ten things you should add to your emergency survival kit to ensure you’re prepared for any situation.
1. Cooking supplies and food rations
Cooking supplies, such as campfire cooking equipment and food rations, are essential for survival during emergencies. It might surprise you to learn how many options are available for nonperishable foods that are perfect for emergency bags. Nonperishable food rations and the means to cook them will help prevent energy loss and maintain morale.
When choosing your foods and supplies, be sure to factor in how many people you need to feed, and bring several days’ food supply for everyone, if possible. Dehydrated meals, jerky, and vacuum-sealed nuts all offer nutrients and protein to keep you thriving. Essential campfire cooking gear will make it easy to have a hot, nutritious meal to keep your energy up.
2. First aid kit
Your emergency survival kit should include basic first aid items, such as bandages and antiseptic wipes. Make sure to have more versatile items, such as pain relievers and antibiotic ointments. Air-activated cold packs are also crucial to provide relief from injuries.
You won’t need to have medical experience to do basic first aid. However, consider adding a field guide for wound dressings, gauze, and larger bandages. You don’t want to be caught off-guard if an accident happens. An essential field guide will help you ensure wounds are dressed properly and will resist infection.
3. Multi-tool
An all-in-one multi-tool is a crucial piece of equipment in any emergency pack. Multi-tools offer seemingly endless use options, including a screwdriver, knife, file, bottle opener, and tweezers. A multi-tool knife is perfect for tasks such as cutting rope, opening cans, or making repairs on clothes and equipment.
When choosing your multi-tool, look for one with several blades and tools. Multiple functions will make using it in emergency situations a breeze. Also, try to find one with a fire starter to ensure you’re never without fire in an emergency.
4. Flashlight
A flashlight is essential for low-light emergency conditions or during power outages. You’ll want to have at least one in your emergency bag to ensure you can navigate in the dark. Be sure to include extra batteries in your kit too. Better yet, find a solar-chargeable flashlight to skip using batteries altogether.
Consider adding in a headlamp, too. Headlamps make it easy to move around or do tasks with both hands free. For example, if you have to change a flat tire, a headlamp will prevent the need for a second pair of hands. A headlamp and flashlight are also ideal additions to your emergency car kit, too.
5. Firestarter
Having the means to make fire is critical for keeping warm in cold weather and cooking food if needed. You could even go so far as to say it’s the key to survival in many emergencies. The best way to ensure access to fire is with a fire starter.
Fire starters come in various forms, including matches, lighters, flint rods, or magnesium blocks with strikers. Your best bet is to have multiple options on hand, but wind-proof matches and flint with striker are ideal choices. Include a small bag of kindling to ensure you have something to set on fire. Shredded wood or dryer lint are effective and inexpensive kindling choices.
6. Water filtration system
Having access to safe drinking water is paramount during an emergency. Unfortunately, in many cases, potable water can be hard, if not impossible, to find. The best way to solve your water quality woes is to include water filtration tools in your bag.
Water filtration systems you can include in your kit are filtering straws, bottles with filters, or water purification tablets. These tools allow you to turn contaminated water into safe drinking water without boiling it first. Just be sure to read the instructions before you use them.
7. Tent or shelter
In the event of natural disasters or other calamities destroying your home, you’ll need immediate shelter. Having a tent or material to build a makeshift cover can mean the difference between sleeping outdoors exposed to the elements versus snuggling safely inside a personal protective cocoon at night.
Ensure your shelter material is waterproof and lightweight, so it’s easy enough for one person to carry around if necessary. You can find emergency tents, sleeping bags, and tarps that fold up into palm-sized packages, making them easy to pack in anyone’s emergency bag or backpack.
8. Whistle or signal device
If you find yourself lost in unfamiliar terrain, a signaling device will help search parties locate you quickly. A signal device will emit loud sounds when you blow through its mouthpiece or push its button. Combined with bright clothing or shelter, you’ll be impossible to miss.
A whistle is an ideal choice because it doesn’t require batteries. However, electronic signaling devices rarely need you to do more than press a button. If you’re injured or think you might lose consciousness, pressing a button and letting the signal play can be a lifesaver. For the best results, consider packing both tools.
9. Survival manual or guidebook
If you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness, you will want to be familiar with essential wilderness skills like navigation techniques, shelter-building methods, and identifying edible plants. Similar to a first aid field guide, a survival guidebook can help save your life in a dire situation.
Many real-world survival skills require practice before applying them in the wild. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the resources for practice ahead of time. A guidebook with detailed instructions will come in handy during those times of need and give you the means to practice ahead of time.
10. Emergency radio
An item you should always include is an emergency radio. These small, packable radios allow you to stay up-to-date on current emergency-related events happening nearby while also informing you about potential weather patterns which could signal coming natural disasters.
Many radios are multifunctional and include flashlights, USB ports, and solar chargers. These features allow you to recharge the battery under direct sunlight while also providing other essential elements that’ll help keep you connected to the rest of the world.
Wrapping Up
Being prepared is half the battle when it comes to surviving an emergency. Whether you are stuck in the wild or battening down in a basement, having an adequately stocked emergency survival kit should give anyone peace of mind. Like camping, it’s important not to get caught unprepared and start building yours today using these ten items.
