Sometimes it seems that disasters occur more often and are more devastating each year. Typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes--they seem to be everywhere, and that's not even counting catastrophes caused by people. In the aftermath of a disaster, you may be on your own for a while before rescue organizations can get to you. A well-stocked survival kit can help keep you alive until rescue.
Essentials
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a website devoted to disaster preparation. It recommends having at least three days' worth of food and water, calculating that each person will need one gallon of water per day. The food should be nonperishable, and don't forget to keep a can opener in your survival kit. A radio powered by batteries or hand-cranking can keep you in touch with the world, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has nationwide weather broadcasts so you will know when it is safe to venture out. Power often goes out during disasters, so you need a flashlight and plenty of spare batteries. A cell phone can be invaluable, but you'll need a solar charger to keep it powered up.
FEMA adds a first-aid kit to the list, as well as dust masks so you can breathe easily. Use plastic sheeting and duct tape to make a sectioned-off living area and keep the dust and other materials out. For personal needs, have moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties to keep the bags closed. A wrench or pliers will help you shut off your utilities so there is no danger once they come back on. Keep local maps around, even if you think you know your neighborhood. Everything can look different in a disaster. Have a whistle in the kit to attract the attention of rescuers.
Chris Ryan, a former member of the British Special Forces, recommends a flint, a magnifying glass, needles and coarse thread, a luminous compass and a pocketknife. He also touts the benefits of a beta light, which is a small crystal that gives off light and never goes out.
Additional Items
Further down on FEMA's list are a waterproof container for carrying important paperwork, such as insurance and bank information; money, including change or traveler's checks; and manuals for emergency preparedness. A fire extinguisher could save your life, and you need matches in a waterproof container, as well. Individual circumstances require different supplies. If applicable, keep extras of prescription medications and eyeglasses, baby food and diapers, pet food and water, feminine hygiene products, and games or books for children. Blankets and a change of clothing should be included, with the specifics dependent on your climate. Clothes should be long-sleeved shirts and pants, no matter where you live, to protect your limbs from possible debris or the sun.
For Hard-Core Survivalists
A list of supplies for a survival kit that ran in the March 1990 issue of American Survival Guide is available on the Captain Dave's Survival Center website. It lists many of the items covered above, but adds more. Most families probably won't have these products on hand, and hopefully won't need them. They include a 25-foot length of parachute cord, iodine-based water tablets, a double-surface signaling mirror made of stainless steel, 50 feet of surveyor's tape, a piece of a hacksaw blade and a mosquito head net.
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