Survival Products for the Wilderness
Common implements in a wilderness survival kit include:
- Blankets
- Poncho
- Matches
- Compass
- Canisters for holding water
- Tool for sterilizing water, usually purification tablets
- Canned food or an aid to procuring food, such as fishhooks and line
- Bandages
- Gauze
- Iodine
- Whistle
- Mirrors
- Survival knife
It is also essential that some method exist to render such a kit waterproof. Fire-starting equipment, in particular, must be kept dry constantly.
Survival Products for the Home
In the case of a household emergency, there are commonly accepted guidelines regarding what products to have at hand. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that three days' worth of water be stored at all times, an amount which will vary depending on family size (an average person will consume one gallon a day). A three-day supply of canned food is similarly recommended.
Emergency Medical Kits
In a household setting where logistics and mobility are not an issue, a more elaborate medical kit can be maintained than would be practical in the wilderness. In addition to the usual bandages and disinfectants, the government recommends including burn ointment, antibiotic ointment, and eye wash solution. It is also highly recommended that supplies of essential prescription medicines be set aside for emergency use.
Survival Products for Biological Warfare
Various simple items are recommended for use in the unlikely event of a biological attack. A secure face mask can help prevent contamination; barring this, any dense material, particularly one made of cotton, may suffice. The government further recommends keeping material that can be used to plug the gaps in windows and doors through which infectants may leak; this can include duct tape or garbage bags (garbage bags should be kept nearby in any case for general sanitation). A portable air purifier may help in further decontaminating a room that has already been well sealed-off.
Other Recommended Survival Products
Other recommended supplies are a radio; flashlights; batteries to maintain these items; miscellaneous tools such as a wrench, pliers, scissors, tweezers; and of course, a can opener. As in the wilderness, a method of signaling trouble may be essential. In this case, a whistle is probably the best choice. A cell phone may also be an invaluable resource to have at hand, but naturally cannot be relied upon in the event of a catastrophe.
