What kind of emergency kit do I need?
You will need two types of emergency kit; a Go Bag containing survival essentials to be used in case of immediate evacuation and an emergency survival Preparedness Kit to provide supplies for sheltering-in-place.
The Go Bag contains your personal emergency supplies pre-packed in an easy-to-carry solution - usually a backpack. These are the items you will need if you have to leave your home or workplace immediately. In addition to essential survival supplies you should pack personal items, communication gear, and copies of documents and other records. This Go Bag should be stored in a safe and secure location ready to be grabbed at a moment's notice. Also known as a grab-bag, bug-out bag, evacuation pack etc.
Why do I need an emergency kit?
How do I build my own emergency kit?
Build your Emergency Go Bag First. Remember that disasters rarely occur during perfect weather; witness the March 2011 mega-tsunami that impacted North East Japan and the subsequent snow storms...
Emergency Go Bag Contents List
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Water: Pack at least 1.5 litres of drinking water per person per day. You can simply pack mineral water bottles, but these will have limited shelf life, so you will need to replace these at regular intervals. Emergency drinking water pouches, as used in life-raft supplies, have a five year shelf life hence provide an elegant solution for your go bag. One way of reducing the amount of water you carry in your Go Bag is to pack water purification tablets - these can be used to treat almost any water, making it suitable to drink.
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Food: Pack some ready to eat food in your Go Bag to keep you self-sufficient in the immediate aftermath of an incident. Emergency Food Rations, as used in life- rafts, provide a high calorie, long shelf- life biscuit that is both compact and easy to store. As an alternative you can pack snack bars or trail mix - don't forget to replace these at regular intervals.
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Masks: We can survive for several days without water, several weeks without food, but only a few minutes without air. Dust and debris is often overwhelming at the site of an accident or incident. Disposable respirator masks can be worn over the mouth and nose to filter dust, particles and aqueous mists. Fold flat type of masks are compact and easy to carry - they are ideal for emergency purposes.
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Light: A good torch is an essential component of your go bag. Select an emergency torch that uses LEDs, as these will last for thousands of hours, negating the need for an extra bulb. Consider selecting a wind-up torch (this type has a built-in dynamo that charges the internal batteries)- that does does not use external batteries, so you will never run out of power. Some of you may wish to opt for a battery powered led torch as these generally have a more powerful beam.
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Radio: Information is essential during a crisis; tune in to emergency radio broadcasts by packing a portable AM/FM radio receiver. Like your torch, these are available with built in generators for wind-up power so they can be used anytime - remember that mains electricity may be unavailable.
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Clothing: You will need something to keep you dry and warm in case of an evacuation. Select something light and compact as space is at a premium in your Go Bag. Layers of clothing are more versatile. Travel ponchos are a good choice to keep you dry. Foil blankets are efficient at retaining body heat but they can only be used at rest. An emergency foil poncho is an excellent choice as it is extremely light and compact yet it will keep you warm and dry. You should pack a compact survival sleeping bag for overnight shelter.
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First aid: Your first aid kit contents should reflect your training and ability. At the very least carry wound cleansing and dressing supplies, eyewash and burn treatment bandages, any prescription medications you require.
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Documents: Pack copies of your IDs and other documents, keys, some money and essential contact information that you may not have access to if you evacuate your home. Consider packing these items in a waterproof document pouch or map case. Packing self-adhesive labels or waterproof notepaper and tape along with a pencil will allow you to leave notes and instructions for others to follow.
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Miscellaneous: You may consider packing an emergency mobile phone charger (although the mobile network may not be operating) and other spare batteries. Choose long life lithium batteries, as they are very light and can be used in extreme environmental conditions. A good quality multi-tool, some waterproof tape, a loud whistle and a personal flashing beacon for rescue.
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Communication: The mobile telephone networks may fail or become overwhelmed locally, a satellite phone doesn't depend on the local networks so it could be your only means of voice and email communications.
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The bag: Choose a medium sized backpack that can hold all your survival gear. The bag doesn't need to be waterproof, however, if you wish to protect your gear, you can line your backpack with a light- weight dry sack. You can make your bag easier to find in the dark by sticking photo-luminescent (glow in the dark) tape or attaching a photoluminescent and reflective safety armband to the handle.
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