Thursday, December 26, 2013

The Main Components Of Emergency Survival Kits

By Harriett Crosby


Emergency survival kits are important tools that are often overlooked by many tools until the unexpected happens. They could mean the difference between living and dying or suffering from serious injury. During assembly of the kit, there are a number of things that you need to consider so that it does not become cumbersome. The number and types of items that will be packed depends on whether the items are to be used just once or are re-usable.

Start by creating a list of the items that you consider very important in your life. List all the possible things that you can imagine. Narrow this list down to include only the most essential. This is to prevent the kit from become burdensome. One of the most important things that you can start with on your list is some form of shelter. This will help protect you from unfavourable weather in an emergency situation.

There are different forms of shelter that can be considered. If you cannot find ready-made forms of shelter, there are many ways of improvising. Commonly used forms of shelter include, among others, tents, trash bags and tarps. Nylon ponchos, when nicely folded, can make very good tents. The main consideration in choosing a material is the ease of packaging. Ropes and stakes should also be packed to be used for erecting your desired type of structure.

The choice of blanket is mainly based on preference. Just make sure what you choose is not too heavy. Fleece and wool tend to work very well for most people. The two retain their warmth even when rained on. This makes their use possible in almost any type of weather. Wool is also good flame retardant. Foil type blankets are also commonly used for bedding. The main reason for this is because of the ease with which they can be packaged.

Water is of course an essential need and must be included. Experts recommend that there should be at least 130 oz of water for each person per day. This is what is to be used for drinking only. The packaging can be done in many different ways including the use of reusable containers, water bags and sterilized bottles. On average, sterilised water lasts for about 5 years. Replacement should ideally be done at least once annually.

Food needs to be chosen carefully. While what you package depends on what you like to some extent, this should not be the main determinant. It is important to maintain a balance among all major groups of food and minerals. A minimum of 2000 calories is required per person on a daily basis. The most convenient foods are those that require little or no preparation at all.

The need for personal effects is largely dependent on the availability of space. Items such as towels, soap and other toiletries are not an absolute necessity but tend to make life comfortable. A first aid kit may come in handy as well. The main components of such a kit include antibiotics, anticoagulants, gauze rolls and painkillers.

The importance of emergency survival kits cannot be overemphasized. One needs to plan in advance to avoid the confusion that arises whenever difficulties arise. You need to keep inspecting your kit regularly to ensure that it is always intact. In addition, make sure that all the persons in your household have a kit of their own.




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