Survival Planning

Survival \ Preparation

IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

Detailed prior planning is essential in potential survival situations. One important aspect of prior planning is preventive medicine. Ensuring that you have no dental problems and that your immunizations are current will help you avoid potential dental or health problems. A dental problem in a survival situation will reduce your ability to cope with other problems that you face. Failure to keep your shots current may mean your body is not immune to diseases that are prevalent in the area. Preparing and carrying a survival kit is as important as the considerations mentioned above.

Survival planning is nothing more than realizing something could happen that would put you in a survival situation and, with that in mind, taking steps to increase your chances of survival. Thus, survival planning means preparation. Preparation means having survival items and knowing how to use them People who live insnow regions prepare their vehicles for poor road conditions. They put snow tires on their vehicles, add extra weight in the back for traction, and they carry a shovel, salt, and a blanket. Another example of preparation is finding the emergeny exits on an aircraft when you board it for a flight. Preparation could also mean knowing your intended route of travel and familiarizing yourself with the area. Finally, emergency planning is essential...read more

Make your own Survival Kit

Everytime you shop, pick something up to add to a waterproof tote bag. Make a few. Keep one in your car and a couple in your home. If you have a family, make them special and unique for each family member, like add a teddy bear for the kids or a special snack for your pet. Being prepared is important, but it doesn't have to be dire. Make it fun. Involve the kids.

Water:

Stainless steel water bottle, water purification straw
Water purification tabs, coffee filters
A 6 pack of bottled water
Bottle with Filter

Food:

Energy Bars (granola bars and protein bars)
Packaged food (ramen noodles, precooked rice, mac & cheese, peanut butter crackers, bouillon cubes, sugar, salt…enough for about 3 days)
Drink mixes (tea bags, powdered Gatorade)
Mess Kit (aluminum), can opener, spork

Fire:

Matches (both wooden strike anywhere and waterproof)
Flint & steel
Tinder (petroleum jelly and cotton balls, dryer lint)
Lighters

Shelter:

Space Blanket
Rain poncho
Plastic tarp
Small tent
Sleeping bag/Bedroll

First Aid:

Bandages (assorted sizes, waterproof)
Gauze roll, waterproof tape
Alcohol wipes, antibacterial ointment, burn gel
Latex gloves, scissors, tweezers, needle
Ace bandage, cold pack
Acetaminophen, anti diarrhea, antacid, antihistamine
1 weeks worth of my prescription meds

Weapons:

Survival knife
Sharpener
Sidearm, extra ammo
Pepper spray

Tools:

Multitool, swiss army knife
Folding saw, folding shovel
Mini fishing kit (I’m vegetarian, so this would be a last-ditch emergency)
Binoculars, candles, a mesh bag (for mosquito netting, fishing net, carrying sack)
Signal mirror, compass, whistle (all basic signalling/travelling gear)
Flashlight (led, battery-powered)–I keep two along with extra batteries
Crank flashlight/radio combo
Duct tape, paracord (50 ft), WD-40
Sewing kit, waterproof paper and pencil
Emergency stove and fuel tabs
Ziplock baggies of varying sizes, 10 ft of aluminum foil (folded small)
Padlock (on backpack strap) and key (pinned inside)
Some emergency cash in small bills
Clothing/Hygiene: (this is assuming I already have one travelling outfit on)
Camo pants, shirt, jacket (camo is not necessary, but I prefer it for stealth)
Long johns, 3 pr socks, 3 pr undies, 1 bra
Hiking boots (kept next to the BOB, not in it, in preparation for quick changing)
Wool hat, mechanix gloves, warm gloves
2 bandannas
Toilet paper, Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap
Wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant (unscented)
Hand sanitizer, sunblock, bug spray, lip balm
Handwarmer emergency pak (2)
Old, non activated cellphone and charger (hopefully 911 satellites will still be working)
Old spare glasses, hard carrying case, extra clip on sunglasses
Two small microfiber towels
Map of the area, first aid/survival manual
Mini photo album, deck of cards (to give motivation, stave off boredom)