Storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires – those are the five greatest disasters Mother Nature consistently throws at us, but the human race still holds the line. One of the reasons our survival numbers are so good is preparedness, and that doesn’t only mean evacuation and getting to higher ground, but also securing supplies to survive disasters. Emergency kits are the way to go, and here’s why.
Emergency Kits Have Never Been Easier To Build
It’s safe to say that Americans have never been more prepared for storms and other disasters than now, and there are several reasons that have led to this level of collective preparedness.
Survival Gear Has Come a Long Way
For one, survival tech has never been as developed as it is now. Everything from clothes that can withstand extremely low temperatures to gear such as tents, first aid kits, fire starters, and other survival kit bits and bobs has been developed to an extreme level. Your great-great-grandfather did not have the luxury of waterproof jackets and wind-resistant tent lining.
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Awareness Has Changed How People Prepare
Secondly, we’ve never been more aware of the need to be prepared than we are now. This is partly thanks to global warming and the sheer number and intensity of natural disasters over the past two decades, but the Western World is very much aware of the constant danger it faces. This, in turn, led people to prepare in advance, and preparedness is, in truth, more than half the battle.
The Rise of the Self-Reliance Mindset
This has led to the development of something called ‘self-reliance mindset’, and it’s the general belief that while we should all appreciate living in a highly-functional society where we can get help whenever we need it, we also need to be aware that the functionality in question can crumble. The crumbling can be permanent or temporary, depending on the impact of the disaster, but no matter how long it is, you need to be able to survive without access to medical institutions, the police, the fire brigade, or rescue services!
Emergency Kits Are More Affordable Now
Another reason Americans are, on average, building more emergency kits before storm season than ever is that it’s affordable. Half a century ago, if you wanted to build your own survival kit, you had to invest quite a lot of money into it. Nowadays, however, you can get high-quality survival gear for comparatively less money (taking inflation into account).
A Practical Investment That Lasts
Pretty much any adult can construct a generalist emergency survival kit for just a few hundred dollars. Additionally, since these kits require little maintenance and no further investment, you’ll set them up and keep them in your home for the rest of your life (hopefully without ever having to use them)!
Value for Money Is at an All-Time High
When talking about emergency kits for storms and other disasters, the value for money is at an all-time high at this moment.
What Should a Storm Emergency Kit Have
There are two categories of supplies for a storm emergency kit, and we’re going to separate them by importance.
Crucial Supplies In a Storm Emergency Kit
The three most important things you need in your kit are water, first aid, and food – in that order of importance.
Water Comes First
Water is always the top priority in any emergency scenario, simply because death from dehydration is swift, taking only 2 to 4 days (depending on the person and their level of activity). Therefore, you should have at least a few gallons of water in your kit, along with a water purifier, in case those few gallons run out and you can’t refill the containers anywhere.
A First Aid Kit Is Essential
The second most important thing is a first aid kit. In a disaster scenario, it’s likelier that you’ll die from injury than from malnourishment, which is why it’s more important than food. While you can build your own first aid kit, the recommendation is to buy one from a manufacturer, as there are kits certified by health organizations such as the Red Cross. It’s even more important to know how to actually apply first aid, so make sure to take a course!
Physical Fitness Supports Preparedness
On this note, physical fitness is also a huge part of preparedness as it will greatly impact your on-field performance. As Clint Emerson said in his book 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition, “If you don’t have the physical conditioning necessary to get yourself out of trouble, the skills in this book won’t do you much good.
Food Should Be Long-Lasting and Easy To Store
The third and final most important thing is food. In a disaster, you want long-lasting foods that don’t perish easily. Canned foods and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat – military grade foods) are your best bet as they are easy to prepare and can be shelved for years while remaining edible. They won’t be tasty, but they’ll get you the calories you need!
Secondary Supplies In a Storm Emergency Kit
The second part of your survival kit refers to…everything else. Literally everything else.
Tools, flashlights, knives, clothes (if you’re preparing for a storm, that means waterproof and cold-weather clothes), rope, mosquito spray, communication tools, backup batteries, copies of all your important documents, personal hygiene items, feminine supplies, military survival kits, and survival handbooks. These will make the difference between life and death.
