for emergencies. A lot of stuff on this list might seem common sense but there are
a few items you might not normally think you would need to carry everyday.
Looks like a lot of stuff at first glance...
1. A pocket knife.
A Swiss Army Knife
Ok, this, to me anyway, is about as basic a tool as you can have. From opening
mail to cutting an apple and everything in between. Whether it is a simple Barlow,
a three blade Stockman, a Swiss Army Knife, or one of the high end custom jobs
a pocket knife will do quite a bit.
2. A flashlight (or torch depending on your preference in terminology).
An LED flashlight, very small and easy to carry
At one time this might not have been something that could be convenient to
have on your person but in the age of LED flashlights and high quality Mini Mag
lights, one can easily be carried in a pocket and forgotten about until needed.
At first the idea of carrying a flashlight during the day time might sound absurd
until you stop to think about all of those little dark niches we encounter daily.
Note: Remember to check the batteries regularly.
3. A way to create fire.
A common disposable butane cigarette lighter
You might be thinking, I work in an office in the city or I don't smoke! Fire was one
of humanity's first tools and hasn't gone out of fashion yet. Whether it's a Bic, a
small box of matches, a magnifying glass, or flint and steel it never hurts to have
some way to make fire on hand. Personally, I prefer to have at least two ways
to make fire, something like disposable lighter as my primary and good old fashioned
strike anywhere matches as a back up. Ever try lighting a candle by force will?
Note: If you carry a butane lighter, remember to keep it close to your body during
the winter otherwise the gas will get too cold to expand. Or if you are at higher
altitudes, strongly consider focusing on matches or non gas lighters as higher
altitudes will cause gas lighters to lose their fuel.
4. A few basic first aid supplies.
A small first aid kit plus a very basic sewing kit tucked in it
Note: I am not a doctor and unless you are trained don't try things you are
uncertain about.
You can pick up a simple personal first aid kit at most dollar stores for a buck.
Personally I prefer more than the few band aids and antiseptic wipes that are
the common fare in these little kits. So I would recommend adding a few other
items. My own list is relatively short, A few band aids for minor cuts and scrapes,
a few alcohol prep pads for cleaning wounds, a couple of smaller size (2" x 2")
gauze pads for bigger cuts, enough Tylenol and antihistamines for a full 24 hours,
and finally a small packet of antibiotic ointment.
If you have any medical conditions that require regular medicine, you'll probably
want to have a 24 hour supply of them around in case you can't get home for
a day or so.
Another Note: This list is my personal choice. You should always tailor your own
kit to meet your own needs and level of knowledge and training.
5. A small bottle or flask of water.
A stainless steel hip flask filled with water
Most of us never give a drink of water a second thought in the age of being able to
get water from a faucet at will. Until we find ourselves away from home and realize
where we are has no water readily available. Personally, I prefer an eight (8) ounce
stainless hip flask since it can be heated directly to boil suspect water.
6. A small amount of non-perishable food.
A roll of hard candy
A few pieces of hard candy or a small package of nuts or sunflower seeds might not seem like an ideal source of food and they aren't. However, the boost they can give
you and your morale is surprising when there is no real food handy. Like everything
else in this article though, you should tailor you food to reflect your own preferences
and personal needs.
7. Pen and paper.
A small notebook and ink pen
A simple pen and note pad can come in handy more often than you might believe.
Jotting down a sudden idea, writing a message to leave for people that may
searching for you, or drawing a map to help you orient yourself. And it does
provide a handy source of tinder for fire starting.
8. A length of sturdy string or cord.
This is about seven yards of nylon twine
I've always found a bit of cordage to a handy thing at the weirdest times. Tying up
unexpectedly large bundles of loose items like more mail than you were counting on
at the Post Office (I had this happen once.). Or temporarily replacing a broken shoe
string. How much? i would suggest at least fifteen (15) feet (about five (5) meters).
9. A handkerchief or bandanna.
Just a plain good old fashioned bandanna
Aside from their normal uses they can come in handy as a way to make a simple
water filter or as an impromptu dust mask. And they can come in handy for as
a way to control bleeding when you don't have the luxury of having an ER within
immediate reach.
Odds and ends to consider
A "disposable" plastic poncho (left) and an emergency blanket (right)
There are quite a few other small items you can add here and there depending on
the circumstances. You might consider an abridged sewing kit. a couple of pre-threaded
needles with black and white thread and a few safety pins to patch a small tear or
reattach a button. This can easily be stashed in your first aid kit.
During the warmer months you might want to consider adding a few salt tablets
or a couple of packs of salt from a restaurant to help replace what you lose through
sweating. Heat cramps and heatstroke ain't no fun at all.
During the colder months an mylar emergency blanket or a "disposable" plastic poncho
can keep you relatively warm and dry and are both fairly cheap and take up little room.
In the end these are only my suggestions for things you might want to have with you
whenever you leave home. It's up to the individual to decide what they think will help
them in a tight spot. I know at first glance this article might not seem like a great
revelation to some but I wrote this for people who have just started thinking about
what really are the basics to being prepared for minor and even major emergencies.
No comments:
Post a Comment