| Disaster can strike at any moment. This | | | | your food. In fact, your average meal requires a |
| statement, though dramatic, is an unfortunate | | | | minimum of four ounces of water to digest. For |
| truth. Though some regions of the world are | | | | this reason, companies like Datrex and Mainstay |
| more susceptible to disasters (both natural and | | | | produce water pouches with this exact amount in |
| man made) than others, but there's no city, town, | | | | order to simplify rationing. In addition to water |
| or neighborhood on the face of the planet that | | | | pouches, you'll need to add a collapsible water |
| doesn't stand at least some nominal risk of facing | | | | container, as well as some purification tablets to |
| disaster. | | | | your arsenal. |
| Disaster preparation is an accepted practice | | | | In terms of shelter, the solution is incredibly |
| among many forward thinking survivalists, often | | | | simple, but surprisingly adequate. Tube tents, |
| associated with locked-down, self contained | | | | typically found for less than $10, can provide two |
| basement vaults, stocked with truck loads of | | | | people with shelter in rather nasty conditions. |
| freeze dried food. If this level of preparedness is | | | | They're extremely easy to fold up and store in |
| a measure you want to take (along with the | | | | your backpack, and when coupled with your |
| associated time and money), more power to you. | | | | emergency sleeping bag and blanket, you'll keep |
| However, it's very important to realize that you | | | | nice and toasty (at least enough for survival). |
| may not have the "convenience" of shacking up in | | | | Waterproof matches and emergency candles are |
| your house until the smoke clears. Many disaster | | | | a must for your evacuation survival kit. They're |
| situations call for mandated evacuations, forcing | | | | very inexpensive, don't take up a lot of space, |
| people to pack and hit the road at a moment's | | | | and they'll keep you warm, fed, and seeing a |
| notice. Considering this element, it's incredibly | | | | heck of a lot better than you would without |
| important to ensure that you have an adequately | | | | them. For less natural night vision, you'll need a |
| prepared emergency backpack. | | | | flashlight. When shopping for a flashlight, I suggest |
| Regardless of the specific equipment you decide | | | | going with a model that boasts bright LED lighting, |
| to pack, it's almost imperative that you select | | | | as well as a hand crank for a redundant power |
| supplies that are compact, lightweight, resilient, | | | | source. |
| and preferably inexpensive. Remember, prepping | | | | In addition to food, water, shelter, and light, you're |
| an emergency backpack is essentially insurance | | | | going to need some tools. Tools obviously run the |
| for a worst case scenario; there's no need to | | | | gamut from electric-powered heavy devices to |
| spend a fortune on something you'll hopefully | | | | compact versatile units, handy in a pinch. In this |
| never have to use. | | | | case, we're interested in the latter. Get yourself a |
| First, you'll need to get yourself a good backpack, | | | | good Leatherman, Swiss Army knife, a folding |
| ideally one constructed from heavy polyester; a | | | | shovel, and a cheap pair of gloves. Of course, a |
| durable material able to withstand wear and tear | | | | small roll of duct tape never hurts either. |
| and moisture damage. Choose one with plenty of | | | | Finally, in the event of a physical accident, you're |
| compartments, as this will be carrying the | | | | going to need the proper supplies to get healed up |
| majority of your emergency supplies. You don't | | | | and back on the move. Don't spend too much |
| have to spend a fortune; plenty of backpacks fit | | | | time painstakingly assembling your own custom |
| the bill for under $50. | | | | first aid kit (unless you truly know what you're |
| Food and water are obvious mainstays for | | | | doing). Instead, I recommend a pre-assembled |
| disaster preparedness. You're not going to be | | | | 80-150 piece set, packaged in a hard plastic case. |
| packing chips and dip here. You need to focus on | | | | I also suggest briefly familiarizing yourself with the |
| the essentials that will keep your body working | | | | kit before you actually need to use it. |
| and your heart beating. Stock up on high calorie | | | | Those are the essential basics to assembling a |
| bars, typically found in 3600 calorie blocks. For a | | | | sound emergency backpack. I sincerely hope you'll |
| bit more variety, MREs are self heating meals | | | | never need to unpack it, however, you're in a far |
| with an incredibly long shelf life, and best of all, | | | | less desirable situation if you need it and you don't |
| they actually taste pretty good. | | | | have it. Pack light, pack smart and you'll stay alive. |
| Of course, water is a must in order to digest | | | | |