No one likes to think about the worst case scenario, but preparing for an emergency situation is the best way to ensure your survival. Survival kits were once only common in the hands of hikers and survivalists, but natural disasters have shown that they can come in handy even if you never leave the city. Assembling the right survival gear for a variety of circumstances can help you and your family ride out any situation.
Home Survival
Survival equipment for your home will allow your family to survive a natural disaster or other event that may disrupt services for a long period of time. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends a three-day supply of non-perishable food, three gallons of water per person, a first aid kit, as well as a battery powered or hand-cranked radio for receiving emergency instructions. Be sure to pack medication if anyone in the family has a health condition, and a car or solar charger for your cell phones may help you communicate in an emergency if the system is in service.
On Road
Keeping some survival equipment in your car is a must if you take long road trips. In the city, you're never far from help, but especially in the western U.S. a breakdown at the wrong time can leave you miles from aid. Extra water is a must for the desert southwest, while you'd want to pack blankets and warm clothing for trips in the northern part of the country. MREs or other hardy foods can survive storage in the trunk for extended periods, and can provide valuable energy if you are stuck for a long time.
In Wilderness
Spending time in the wilderness requires preparing for an entirely new set of dangers. GPS receivers have become lightweight enough to make them an invaluable tool for navigating in the wilderness, but keeping a compass as backup is always a good idea. Water purification tablets that are iodine-based can double as a disinfectant for small wounds, and you should always carry anti-diarrhea medicine to avoid dehydration on the trail. A lens or firestarter is also important, should you find yourself in the wilds overnight.
Pocket Survival Tools
A survival kit that's too heavy to carry won't help you at all, so you might consider a few tools you can keep on you at all times. Pocket multi-tools can provide the solution to a wide variety of problems, and some are small enough to attach to keyrings for easy storage. A light source, even a small keyring flashlight, is another piece of survival equipment too valuable to pass up.
Medical Kits
Medical gear for survival situations is of optimum importance. Cuts, abrasions or stomach upset that would be a minor annoyance at home can be deadly in the wild or in an emergency. At a minimum, stock a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, and medicines to treat common maladies, including insect bites or hay fever. You should also regularly ensure that perishable items in the kit are current and ready to use.
