Don’t be put off by the title of this article and think that it’s all about Armageddon, or an end of the world type prophecy and what you have to do to survive in a situation like that. It’s not a harbinger of doom, but rather outlines some realistic and practical preparation that you can make, if you find yourself and your loved ones in an emergency or natural disaster type situation.
If you think these disaster preparedness checklists won’t ever apply to you, I hope that you’re right. But when you consider today’s uncertain climate, with an increase in global warming, precipitating more frequent and severe environmental events, such as floods, storms and in more extreme cases, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes, it is feasible that you could find yourself in a survival situation without normal services or communications.
Whether this is for a relatively short, or perhaps a longer period, there are some straightforward, inexpensive, practical steps that you can take now, that will be invaluable if you ever do find yourself in one of these unfortunate situations. What is recommended here is not that you go and build a nuclear fallout shelter in your backyard, but rather that you prepare a practical disaster preparedness checklist and then compile and store these items in case you ever need them. While many people now opt for emergency bug out shelters or safe rooms in their homes, you don’t necessarily have to have these features to take this sensible step.
If you feel that this is somewhat of an over-reaction, or worrying unnecessarily, think of everyday emergency items that you have in any standard home. Surely most houses would have some disinfectant and dressings for minor cuts and accidents, or a flashlight and some candles in case of a power outage? It’s just common sense, and its human nature to prepare and be ready in case of a rainy day. So, take a look at some of the recommended items on the preparation list, for short- or long-term practical survival in the case of an emergency, and someday you just might be grateful that you did.
(Note – these lists are broken down into 24 hour, 72 hour and 7 day lists. Needless to say, what is required in the 24 hour list will also be vital in the later ones, but are not included for the sake of repetition.)
24 hour supply list (example – power outage from a storm)
Water – This may seem the most obvious item on any survival supply list but is easily forgotten. The human body is 70% water, and while you can survive for a long time without food, a few days without water will be the end of you. Dehydration is a particular danger for the elderly and the very young, so be sure to have an ample supply unopened, bottled drinking water on hand and check the expiration dates regularly.
Food – Again, this may seem obvious, but we need to eat regularly to maintain our health, strength and energy. As most homes would have enough food to last 24 hours, this may not be as important in this section, but if a 24-hour emergency continues in duration, food shortage can become a serious issue, especially if you are confined to your home and regular supply chains are unavailable. Many of the goods we consume are perishable, so it is sensible to have an adequate supply of non-perishable foods on your survival supply list for an emergency situation.
Light Source – Most houses will have a flashlight or some candles on hand, but double check to make sure that you do, and also that you know where they are located, so that you don’t have to go and search for them in the dark. This may seem obvious as well, but a flashlight or candles are absolutely useless without batteries or matches, so ensure that you have an adequate, working supply of each on hand.
First Aid Kit – You may already have one, but make sure it is well stocked, with bandages, disinfectant, analgesics and a first aid book for reference. The presence of a good first aid kit, can be the difference in the escalation of a minor incident into a major event. Vital Medications – If this is not an issue for you or your loved ones then you don’t have to consider this option, but if you suffer from a condition that requires regular medication to control, then having an adequate supply on hand, in case of an emergency, seems a logical step.
Cellular Phone – A fully charged phone can be a lifesaver in any emergency, especially if you are in a remote or inaccessible area. It can be your link back to civilization. In the event of a power outage, the relatively inexpensive investment in a power bank can be well worth the cost. They are cheap to buy and generally work for up to three full charging cycles, so with frugal and sensible use they can make your phone, if it has a decent battery, last for a couple of weeks.
Camping Stove – If you are a camping fan then you may already possess one of these, but if not, they are once again a relatively inexpensive investment, and while many non-perishable, long lasting foodstuffs can be eaten cold, others cannot and a hot meal may be something that is badly needed, especially if the emergency continues for a longer period of time. The ability to boil water to sterilize it, in the long term is also important if your drinking supply runs out. As mentioned with the flashlight and candles, a camping stove is no good without a stock of fuel supply to run it.
Fuel Supply – If you have the ability to burn or rely on solid fuel for heat (for example, in a wood burning stove), it is always sensible to have an abundant supply to hand in case of emergency. In these situations, particularly in colder climates, a heat supply can be vital.
Warm Clothing and Bedding – Following on from the example above, especially if your normal source of heat is unavailable, a supply of appropriate bedding and warm clothing is imperative.
72-hour supply list (example – major damage from a natural disaster) All of the above items plus
Extra Toiletries – While you might survive okay for 24 hours without toiletries, these will become an issue very quickly if they are not accessible. Everyday items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and toilet paper are obvious, but in the absence of a proper water supply, items such as hand sanitizers, wet wipes and disinfectant wipes are important to have on your survival supply list, to both keep yourself clean and also to prevent the spread of germs and infection.
Water Purification Tablets – Again these are easily obtained and won’t break the bank. Although usually sold for travelling and camping, in an emergency they will not only purify water for drinking, but also for cleaning cuts and wounds.
Generator – A generator may be a significant aid to you, especially if you are in a remote area or are subject to inclement climate conditions. The ability to charge your phone or activate your heating and lighting systems, could be a lifesaver.
Entertainment – While we have been concentrating on items relevant to safety and survival, it is also very important to have some distractions to keep your spirits up in an emergency. These situations can often involve long drawn out periods of waiting and down-time, so a simple pack of cards, or some writing material can be a real blessing.
7 Day supply list (example – larger scale disaster; earthquake, hurricane, tornado) All of the above items plus
Tool Supply – For more serious natural disasters, a well-stocked toolbox can be of vital importance, for repairs, turning on and off water supplies, removing debris etc. Also recommended is a good bow-saw to cut wood for a fuel supply.
Multivitamin Supplements – As time passes, in order to keep up your health and strength, some supplements with good expiration dates may be useful to have on hand. Your healthcare professional can recommend one for you.
Essential Documentation – Keep a paper record of ID’s and bank/financial details, in order to identify yourself and your assets in an extreme situation.
Non-Perishable Foods
Many of the everyday food items that we consume don’t have a great shelf life, so when selecting items for a survival supply list, it is important that they are long lasting as well as nutritious. Canned items tend to have very long expiry dates, and provisions such as canned beans and spaghetti can be eaten both hot and cold. Don’t forget to have a can opener on hand! Rice is economical, nutritious, readily available and can last for years in storage once it is stored in proper food standard containers. Similarly, pasta has great shelf life, and dried beans can last for decades if they are kept in proper containers and moisture free. Packets of dried fruits can also be purchased easily and also last for ages.
See our article on emergency food suppliers
When looking back over the survival supply lists above, it is plain to see that many of the items discussed are probably already in your home, so the main job in preparation for a potential emergency or disaster, is making sure that you have an adequate supply, and that the items are easily located and accessible. In the modern world, with more frequent and severe climatic events, making and keeping a checklist of vital supplies might just be one of the best decisions you make.