Survival Pack

One of my blogger buddies, Tanya, sent me an email a couple months requesting my advice on a disaster preparedness kit. She gave me a link to a particular kit and asked my opinion on it. Unfortunately, her email came in the midst of my college/scholarship application chaos and the busiest week of work I have had to date. I sent a quick reply promising more thorough treatment of the issue at a later date. I know this is long over due but here goes.

First I want to say that I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination an expert on disaster preparedness. I am merely a kid who has read some books and likes to go camping. I've never been present for a major catastrophe (unless you count the armed robber barricading himself in my neighbor's house and seeing the SWAT team in action). I'm only eighteen years old and my total life experience is pretty limited. That said and disclaimer noted, I hope the little I do know will help you.

Here's the proposed kit:

It is designed to supply two adults for three days (list of contents). Obviously, additional consumables will be necessary for any kids, pets or others in need of support. The price is $99.99. One and four person variants are also available for $69.99 and $169.99 respectively. Personally, while I think the kit could form a good start, I would significantly modify it before depending on it. More importantly, the contents are overpriced and a better kit could probably be assembled for less.

The first thing to consider when preparing a kit is what circumstances are likely to require its use. The things you pack will largely depend on the type of disaster, how many people you are trying to provision, your area's climate, city vs. rural etc. There are also things like widescale economic collapse, the earth getting hit by a meteor, rise of a tyrannical government, extra-terrestrial invasion or war with China, a revived U.S.S.R or some other power, that may or may not worry you. It's really up to you to assess your risks and prepare accordingly.

Secondly, you have to decide whether you plan to evacuate and devise a plan to do so. I recommend that you are prepared to leave even if you plan to stay and are ready to stay in the event your escape is cut off, plugged up or otherwise impractical. According to the “experts” it is generally better to flee if you live in the city and stay put in the country depending on the disaster (Obviously, if your small town is in the shadow of an erupting volcano it would be best to leave.). If you plan to leave do you mean to do so by foot or car?

Other things that should be considered are the likely duration of the disturbance, the size of the area affected, and how much warning you are likely to have.

In my own case, I live in an urban area endangered primarily by earthquakes and have a large family with small children. An earthquake probably wouldn't give us any warning. It would be practically impossible for us to escape on foot and the roads would be likely be torn up and flooded with refugees.

At this point it should be clear that you will probably need more than one plan. Different contingencies require diverse reactions and preparations. There are plenty of factors put in play by geography and family status without even bring up the questions raised by lifestyle. What will happen if the Big One hits while Dad's at work, and Mom's at the grocery store? Maybe part of the family will be visiting relatives in another state or on a business trip.

You probably get the picture by now and there's no more need for me this part of disaster preparedness any further. Just keep in mind that your kit will likely be a bit different than mine.

The product that Tanya wanted me to look at was intended for someone leaving their immediate area and needing about 3 days worth of provisions so I'll focus on this. I'll try and address all of the stuff in the kit and give some suggestions for additions.

You'll want a carrying mechanism for portability and to keep everything together. A standard book backpack is the obvious choice, they can be found for cheap(if you're like me you probably have a few unused ones lying around) but there are a whole host of other possibilities including briefcases, survival vests, hiking pack, a simple box or the trunk of your car.

Most people can last for a few days without food and water but if you're fleeing a disaster, fasting is unlikely to help you maintain your strength and wits. The kit includes foil water packs. I recommend going to Costco and buying a flat of water bottles. They'll be cheaper and the reusable containers could prove handy in a pinch. They also have water purification pills. These are great for weight, size and price and I recommend getting some at your local camping store. For food they have 2 3,600 calorie bars. If the kit is stretched over three days that means only 1200 calories per day which seems rather light for the stress and exertion you'll likely be facing. You can buy the bars off the site for $8 each which seems needlessly expensive or you can stock up on Hershey bars at 230 calories each or packs of Top Ramen at 380(and 10 packs per $1 on sale). Again Costco or an equivalent might be a good place to stock up.

The kit contains a tube tent, 2 “emergency sleeping bags”, 2 “emergency ponchos”. A tube tent is basically a giant plastic bag with a string to keep it open(picture http://beprepared.com/images/250/CT-2010.jpg). A big black contractor bag will be cheaper. My kit has enormous, tough plastic bags for carrying doors (thanks to my contractor dad). The “emergency sleeping bags” are basically mylar space blankets made in to bags. They'll tear with the slightest provocation but they are small and light. You might want to get a few (a local supplier will probably be cheaper) or you could carry conventional blankets or sleeping bags. The ponchos are yet more plastic bags, this time with hoods. You can use standard bags and cut a hole for your head, or bring good coats. The hand/body warmers the kit includes are kind of nice but probably not essential. You may or may not want to carry them depending on your region's climate. They cost about a buck each and can be purchased at sporting good stores.

Hygiene is important in the field to prevent disease. This is especially essential when medical personnel might be hard to find and/or overworked. The kit includes TP and a “hygiene kit”. I don't know what is in their “hygiene kit” but I would get an Army trifold shovel for digging latrines and a whole bunch of sani-wipes. The alcohol ones are especially good for sterilization and they burn good if you need fire starter. The kit has packets of sunscreen and bug repellent. Either could be good depending on where you live and are commonly available. If you have a relatively large group, small bottles might be more efficient than packets.

For fire starting they include a box of water proof matches, a 100 hr. candle, tri-wing stove and a trioxane fuel pack. Trioxane tablets are available at sporting good and military surplus stores. The tri-wing stove is just a stand for a pot to use with the trioxane tabs. You can bend one out of a wire hanger. Unless my own experience was an aberration, you will need the entire box of matches to get a trioxane tab started (it is entirely possible that the ones we had were defective or old). Matches are easy to come by and I'd include them in your kit. I would also get a magnesium metal match. The 100 hr. candle is nifty but a couple ordinary candles will probably be sufficient for three days. For starting a fire I'd add a couple lighters. You can use your toilet paper as tinder in a pinch.

The remaining miscellaneous items, whistles, pliers, batteries, AM/FM radio, batteries, flashlight and cups can all be found around the house. I'd prefer my battery powered LED flashlight to the shaker one in the kit any day. It's bright, lasts forever and has a sturdy aluminum body. The shakers aren't very bright and are usually cheap plastic. The first aid guide and preparedness guide can be printed free from a variety of online sources.

There were several items conspicuously absent from the kit. They include a knife, twine or cord, a compass, metal cup or pot to cook in, mini sewing kit, and first aid supplies. Be sure your first aid kit includes basic pain killers (aspirin, Tylenol, Advil etc.) and any special medication required by any of your family members. If you wear glasses include an extra pair. Maps of your area, spare clothes, duck tape(wind it around something smaller so that it doesn't take so much room) and pictures of your family members(in case you get separated) are also helpful. Finally, take pictures or video of all your possessions and home before a disaster and take it with you if you evacuate. It will be invaluable if you try and get reimbursement from your insurance company. Take as much as you can reasonably carry.

That pretty much covers it. I probably missed some things so feel free to propose any additions or amendments that seem appropriate. If any of you puts together a kit, I'd love to see how it comes together.