The scariest thing about disasters is that nobody knows when most of them will happen. Storms, acts of violence, natural disasters and even power outages can seriously disrupt and cripple our way of life. Preparing for the unexpected is essential, but most of us do not need to develop elaborate systems in order to weather disasters. There is a place in an overall survival plan for things like bunkers, shelters and food or water storage, but simple steps can make a tremendous difference in terms of how we cope with the aftermath of a catastrophic event.
Survival kits and Bug Out Bags are an example of affordable, practical and essential tools that can provide minimal and essential resources that can make waiting for help bearable. They can be placed in homes as well as vehicles, and they can be accessed quickly and easily. Essential items such as blankets, food and water purification tablets to flashlights or radios can help victims to buy precious time until access to help is available.
Ideally, there should be kits in the home as well as in vehicles because they will contain different items that can protect the lives and health of victims during an emergency. All kits should include essentials such as flashlights, a knife, first-aid kit, mylar blankets, a whistle and a poncho. Auto and truck kits should also include tire gauges, tape, jumper cables and an air compressor. Home kits should include things like water purification tablets, food and possibly a gas shut-off tool that may be useful after an earthquake or tornado.
These are just a few examples of the many options which are available, and these basic supplies can turn out to be life-saving tools in the event of an emergency. Everyone should seriously consider having a well-stocked kit in their home, office and vehicles. It may take hours or even days before access to help is available, and it is important to stay warm, dry, hydrated and protected from the elements.
Once the basic essentials for survival are included, thinking about secondary tools that can make coping with a disaster easier is a good idea. Protecting yourself and your loved ones and having access to communication are all important considerations as well. Cell phone networks can be down, power can be out and security concerns may emerge. Things from radios to weapons should all be considered during when developing a plan for a kit that will be practical and effective.
There is no single, one-size-fits-all approach to assembling adequate and practical tools that can mean the difference between life and death. Disaster can strike at any time, and it can include anything from a vehicle breaking down in the middle of the winter to being trapped after an earthquake. Planning, preparation and practicality are the three things that go in to any survival strategy. A survival kit can provide the necessary tools that can buy victims time until access to rescue and basic services is possible, and they should be located within reach of anyone at any time.
