We've been talking about the things we'd need to put in an emergency kit with our kids. Of course there are the obvious things like water, food, matches, first aid kit, candles. What else do you put in your kit?
What's in your kit?
We've been talking about the things we'd need to put in an emergency kit with our kids. Of course there are the obvious things like water, food, matches, first aid kit, candles. What else do you put in your kit?
I don't have this yet but I want one of those blankets that are suppoused to be really warm and made for a survival kit.
Portable TV's, Radio's and plenty of batteries! You need to be able to catch the news.
Instead of using batteries which are made out of nasty little, hard-to-dispose of chemicals, you might check out the new hand crank radios. They've been out for a little while now.
We bought a couple of those flashlights that don't have batteries. You just shake them for 30 seconds and they hold a charge for a while, are water proof, and almost indestructible. We'll have at least 2 of those in our kit. We also plan to buy a few for around the house.
Those flashlights are awesome. I bought some of them last year. I really didn't think that they would really work but the work surprisingly well. I never thought of those in an emergency. Those would work great.
Iodine tablets. Water is heavy and you wouldn't be able to store enough for long term use in a simple kit. Iodine tablets are great for purifying water though so you can make your own. You can also get small hand pump powered water filters.
Great point. Lack of water will generally kill you before you should even start to worry about the other stuff. However, you need to know your water supply. Iodine does a great job of killing bacteria and most protazoa (little nasties). Along with Chlorine and boiling its also the only solid way to destroy viruses. However, here in Michigan we have really bad problems with helminthes in some areas. Iodine just stains them and does not kill them at all. You have to use filters to get rid of those things. Generally speaking the only way water is safe in non-polluted areas is to run it through a filter and then purify it (CL or I) or to boil it for the correct period of time (5min I think).Originally Posted by Chris
Oops... for those who care but don't know, Helminthes are tapeworm eggs.
I have candles, waterproof matches, tuna pouches, sanitary needs, OTC meds, limited supplies of Rx meds, a fleece blanket, crank radio/flashlight, first aid supplies, batteries and some other supplies. I do need to check my supplies and update all the food though. I haven't done that in a while.
Few medicines which will be a part of my first-aid box, matches, high power flashlights and some kind of transmiter will be very handy to have.
That reminds me, I also need to update the kids' clothing. They grow so fast that I generally put clothes in at least a size larger than they currently need.
Don't forget to update those meds. Most have an expiration date just like food does and some are less forgiving than food. I know I for one am bad about keeping things up to date. I just don't use my Asthma inhaler that often I forget about it.
It is really very important to update these meds. The problem is that I seldom check them. It happens sometime that they expire and I have to rush to the stores at the last moment.
The meds I'm actually very good about updating. We've got a few chronic conditions in the house (serious allergies, asthma & diabetes) and I try to ensure we have at least a week's worth of current meds in there at all times.
Fortunately, my doc is good about giving samples, too.
All of the items I've seen listed so far are surely nice to have and some are essential, however, most would be found in a bugout bag. A survival kit is geared more tward immediate needs to survive. These would include shelter, fire, water and food. Such things as signaling, first aid and navigation would also be included. To be prepared, I like to have available, at least two ways to satisfy those needs, such as matches and a lighter for fire. I also want to know at least one field expedient way of making fire, such as bow and drill. There are many ways to cover each need and finding what works for you and field testing is where the fun comes in.
wishbone
One thing I like also carry is a good set of rain gear. You can't hike threw brush in a trash bag or some thin plastic. The breathable kind still pretty expensive but there's alot of good stuff out there. Oh and maybe hat I like full brim but a baseball cap is better than nothing keeping the sun off your head and face.
Vitamins are good to keep also. Just keep them rotated. A poncho, rope, tinder for a fire, personal papers and something to keep the kids happy like small games or books. Bored kids are not fun to be around!
Bleach works good for purifying water, I think it's two drops from an eye dropper for a liter of water.
Duct tape.
Super glue. I carry it in my pack when I'm heading into the woods. Works great on cuts in areas that won't take a bandaid. Little super glue, little piece of t shirt, wrap with duct tape and on your way.
Works great if you have to sew up a meat cut on your dog also. It will hold the cut together while you stich, now the dog bite is up to you.
I work down off Tara blvd in Atlanta where there are alot of urban outdoorsman and woman. If it's raining really hard I will give them a heavy duty trashbag, and as alway a little duct tape.
I have a small 1st aid kit a 5 candles , a good pocket knife , a 10ft rope and 2 emergency blanket , 2 emergency ponchos and a 3 day starter kit, it has 6 water pouches, 2400 cal food bar, whistle . And a small suply of meds. A hatchet, fire starter, matches, snares ,compass , map. These are just a few items in my bug-out bag
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