Putting Together An Emergency Preparedness Kit Could Save Your Life

By Marsha Klein


When disasters strike, the interruption of all water, power and communication feed the chaos and fear those who make it through the initial event. Having a backpack stocked with well selected items can give one a great advantage. With an emergency preparedness kit in your possession, not only will one have the necessary items, one will have much more confidence.

In a crisis, the most important thing a person will require is water, and normal supplies may be disrupted or contaminated. Having approximately three liters per person per day is solid planning. In advance, it is important to note that fit individuals do better in such situations and can get by on less water, though a hot dry climate makes it more difficult for anyone.

Having something nonperishable to eat included in the container is not as critical, but it is important. Individuals who are famished have less energy and are less alert, complicating a difficult situation. While one can survive without food for weeks, the ability to help oneself get rescued is significantly diminished.

A backpack is a good choice to keep the items, and a first aid kit is a great addition, but paying attention to what is in the kit is prudent. N addition to scrapes, cuts and burns, there are some critical injuries that can be life threatening, but simple items can save lives. Tourniquets and plastic cards can turn out to be very useful and take little room.

Communication is one f the first things to be disrupted in an emergency, either through physical damage or overuse. The internet, if available, is much more difficult to break down and one has a good chance of getting a message out. Barring that, a cellular phone may become available within hours and a radio is an important way to get emergency information.

Signal devices can help those looking for survivors, and one must consider both daytime and nighttime tools. For night, an LED light will last for a very long time and have a lot of power, and doubles for regular illumination. Any reflective surface can be used to signal in the day, but a real signal mirror is easier to use and not very expensive.

Beyond that the selection of items is up to personal preference, anything that would make the situation more comfortable is worth adding. If one is near water, then perhaps fishing sets would be useful. Tools can help one escape as well as eliminate unsafe condition in the immediate area. Shutting off power and gas may require pliers or screwdrivers, though the areas can also simply be avoided.

Most contingencies that would require one to be able to live without infrastructure are of such a large scale that a government response would be initiated. Even with this help on the way, a good rule of thumb is to be prepared for at least three days without contact. A great emergency preparedness kit can make the difference between living through a catastrophe and becoming a bad statistic.




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