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Sunday, December 1, 2013

Essentials Of Emergency Survival Kits

By Susan Dawson


Emergency survival kits are a necessity for each one of us. They should always be within our reach at all times because they might be the difference between life and death. In creating this important tool, there are a number of things that you need to take into consideration. One of the most important of them is to know whether the kit in question will only be used only once and disposed of or is intended for several occasions. This will ensure that it is packaged as appropriate.

While it is important to have as many things as possible with you, you also need to be cautious to avoid taking what is not an absolute necessity. Too many items will make the kit rather burdensome. Doing some research beforehand will help in coming up with a list that will have the most essential items. One of the items regarded as being very essential is shelter. Shelter, albeit temporary, will help protect you from harmful weather conditions.

There are many forms of shelter that can be used including, but not limited to tents, tarps and trash bags. Nylon ponchos can be ripped and folded flat to make tents. The material chosen should be light enough to carry around with ease. Do not forget to have some ropes and stakes with you to be used in erecting your desired structure.

Bedding that is chosen, should be light but still effective. Wool and fleece are the top two most popular choices. Both of these materials have the advantage of retaining heat even when wet. In addition, wool retards flames. Foil type blankets can be used as alternatives. They are easy to carry and are just as good as the other two. You should avoid materials made of cotton as much as possible.

Regardless of the size of your kit, you will definitely need water. A minimum of 130 to 160 oz of water is required per person per day. This only includes water for drinking and should thus be used very sparingly. Water can be packed in many ways including sterilized bottles, bags and reusable containers. Although sterilised water has a shelf life of about 5 years, it should be replaced on an annual basis whenever possible.

The choice of food is mainly dependent on individual preferences. Just ensure that there is a balance between the main groups of foods and minerals. About 2000 calories of energy are required per person per day. Since space is limited, preference is given to foods that require little or no preparation at all and do not require the use of utensils. Food bars and granola are fairly convenient.

Smaller items that are not an absolute necessity yet very important include, among others, toothbrushes, toilet paper and soap. A first aid kit should also be within reach and should have items such as gauze rolls, painkillers, wound cream and antibiotics. Rescue aids that may prove invaluable include a source of light, pocket knife, whistle and a pair of pliers.

There are no specific guidelines when it comes to preparation of personalised emergency survival kits. The nature of the contents will be determined by what one thinks is really important to them. If one is sick for example, then medication for their problem becomes a very important item. Once you have your list work out, you now need to get a proper waterproof bag whose contents can be accessed with ease.




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