How to Prepare An Emergency Survival Kit

The Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and the 911 Terrorist Attacks should have taught each of us that we are only a day away from a disaster. We never know from one day to the next what is going to happen but I do believe that preparations make all the difference. There are several web sites that give instructions on preparing for disasters. One of my favorite sites with instructions on gathering survival supplies and preparing for emergency evacuation is Captain Dave's Survival website. The author developed a list of disaster scenarios to be considered and for each scenario there is a recommendation on how to prepare. I strongly recommend you visit the website, read the various chapters and implement your own survival plan. Many chastised the government for reacting so slowly during the Katrina disaster. I suggest that we consider such a disaster in advance and have an emergency survival kit ready.

Difficulty:
Moderately Easy

Instructions
things you'll need:

* Bug Out Bag
* Safe House
* Cash

1.
* 1

What Kind of a Disaster Could Possibly Happen To Me?

Disasters always seem to happen to everybody else. People constantly disavow the possibility that the next disaster could involve them. Captain Dave's Survival website imparts invaluable information about floods, biological threats, wildfires, terrorist attacks, hurricanes, blackouts and other disasters that we have already experienced and includes a survival list for consideration. Remember the blackout of 2003? How many New Yorkers suffered from that because they were not prepared? No alternative means of getting home once the subway stopped running. How many do you think are better prepared today? Captain Dave's Survival guide explains the importance of always having a backup plan, including various routes to and from home, work, etc.
* 2

Prepare a Bug out Bag.

A "Bug out Bag" is a kit with survival supplies. Most people prepare for 1-3 days we consider worst case scenarios and plan for longer disastrous events. We all think of food, water and first aid kits. But there are so many other things such as flashlights, batteries, and clothes. The website provides a list of 10 basic survival supplies that everybody should have in their "Bug out Bag". Check the list out and start preparing yours today. Remember, the purpose of a survival kit is to be able to grab it up and hit the road and avoid running around in the house packing it. Also, each member of the family should have their own bug out bag.
* 3

Identify a Safe House.

No, I'm not watching too much CSI or reading too many Vince Flynn and Brad Thor novels. The CIA is not the only group that need safe houses, we need them, too. A safe house under these circumstances is a place you have identified in advance that will get you away from danger. Think about it. If you have ever been in a disaster, aren't the hotels the first thing to fill up? Yes, certain buildings around the city are set up as shelters, but if you have identified your own safe house, you won't be trying to beat thousands of others into a shelter, but headed in the direction of a family member or friend with whom you have already worked out specifics related to such an event. If you live on the beach, you will want to identify a place inland where you know you can be safe and not touched by flooding if a Tsunami hits. If your home is in the path of wildfires, what precautions have you taken to ensure you have a place to stay until the threat is over? it is better to have a plan and not need it than to need a plan on the fly.
* 4

Keep Some Cash Available.

Another excellent point the author made on Captain Dave's website is that during blackouts or power outages, cash registers, ATM's and other things that we as a civilization have gotten use to and take for granted will not be available. You will be unable to swipe credit cards or access ATM's. Having cash readily available will allow you to make critical purchases that you need.
* 5


* "Don't expect the government or anyone else to save you. You are responsible for your own personal safety.

* If your plan calls for an evacuation, get out early. Don't wait until gasoline is in short supply and the highways are clogged.

* If you do evacuate, have somewhere to go and try to avoid shelters. Try to visit friends or family in a distant city that is unlikely to be affected by the same disaster.

* If you stay home, have some way to protect yourself from the looting, unruliness and unrest that often occurs in the vacuum that seems to follow every major disaster".


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