Emergency Survival Gear

Maps Can Help You Get From One Place to Another for Survival in a Natural Disaster

2011-04-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

These days we use a GPS to maneuver our destination desires, and oh how valuable this form of technology can be! They help us to get where we need to so that we can concentrate on other things…. Now think about survival instructions, a booklet with answers on the “how too” purify water, build a shelter, administer first aid, and protect yourself from the elements to name a few. Would this not be the “GPS” of survival for you in case of an emergency or natural disaster? We think so. That’s why we have created a checklist for items in your emergency preparedness supplies.

Maps do help us get from one place to another, and “so” do survival instructions in case of natural disaster. How reassuring would it be to know what to do, when the need arises to do it? Having this information as a guide to help you take care of basic human needs such as building a shelter, first aid or starting a fire are all necessary information you should have when the need arises.

It might also be wise to review the instructions “before” the need arises, so as to have a basic understanding of how to handle certain situations.

Let’s face it in times of disaster, our emotions may be a little heightened and having some prior knowledge or understanding would really be helpful. You can start by just playing around with the literature so as to become comfortable with the instructions… While you are safe for now and not dealing with an actual storm, it is easier to learn something new when you’re not as stressed. So begin now by “playing” with the instructions to better understand them later.

Buy Food Storage Emergency Survival Gear

2011-02-26T15:37:00.000-08:00

You must keep your energy up and your morale high for emergency survival situation. Quality food storage will make this possible. If you are looking to buy food storage online, here are some tips we have found that may help you.

Choose food storage that has a long shelf life. This allows for less rotation, less money spent, and more time saved.
Lightweight foods are best. This helps you waste less energy and makes managing your storage less of a hassle.
Tasty food will be more exciting to buy, store and eat. Keep your morale high with good-tasting emergency survival food.
Variety will help you get the nutrients you need and keep survival foods fun.
Free shipping is offered at many websites. Look for it!

For quality food storage survival gear suggestions see Wise Food Storage - Gourmet Emergency Meals

What is a Good Water Filter for Survival Preparedness?

2011-01-04T17:22:00.000-08:00

The question of drinking water is not limited to mere survival tactics - Its importance goes way beyond that, as due to the rising pollution concerns, water purification is high in question. You can’t trust your water source for being 100% void of any impurities. The government may not be taking enough measures to keep the main supply tank squeaky clean.

Since it doesn’t hurt to re-filter the water at your end, the big question is what kind of water filter is good enough to make the liquid drinkable? You deserve something reliable, durable and worth your hard earned income, because simple household purification techniques just won’t suffice. Take a look at the following pointers to get a good head start:

- Types of water filter manufacturers:

o Different water filters come from different companies. Hence, some of them may be superior to their counterparts. A lot of scam artists slap their water filters with attractive price tags, stickers and glossy finishing. Always opt for a Research ‘n Review strategy; it’ll end you up with a good company eventually.

- What Sort of Water Filter Do I Need?

o Straighten out your requirements; do you need a counter top water faucet filter, or a filtering machine for the whole household water storage?

- Components of an Effective Water Filter:

o When buying a water filter, keep an eye out for Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) filters. The pricing may not be your cup of tea, but then again, it’s the best thing right next to a long lasting purification effect.

o Second of all, go for a water filtering product that avails the Reverse Osmosis procedure because it removes dissolved mineral contents and you end up with a “better taste” in your mouth.

Bear in mind that once you’ve bought a water filter, it is there to stay installed for a long time. Make sure you’ve selected a product that can actually purify water for a long time, as it’s not easy to keep on cycling between different filters from time to time.

What Makes a Good Survival Sleeping Bag?

2010-12-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

What’s the first thing that hammers your mind when the word “Survival Sleeping Bag” pops up? For now, you’re probably taking it for granted or maybe you’re relating your much needed bag to a far flung vacation. Yes, natural disaster or anything else can occur any time. No, every bag is not the perfect bag.

Let’s contemplate the following factors before going for a survival sleeping bag:

- Keep it Warm: When you’re in the middle of camping, the weather may get a lot colder than expected. In order to avoid a series of frost bites and a bad case of hypothermia, go for a sufficiently insulated bag. The warmer it is; you’re better off that way.

- Keep it Light: While, you’re outside on an expedition – do expect to walk for a long while. Even worse, your life may be in question; you can’t bear to carry a heavy bag which is more of a liability than an ease. Henceforth, a survival sleeping bag with a lightweight profile is a must have anomaly for you. Your goal is to preserve your energy levels and maximize your chances of living out any environmental harshness.

- Bright Color: Several surveys have indicated that a person is more likely to lose an object, which has a black or camo color. Chances are that you may be overlooking your survival bag, which is just 10 feet away from you, probably stuck under a mass of bushes. Survival experts have always recommended bright color equipment to their fellow hikers, backpackers and adventurists. Plus, it’d be easy for rescue teams to spot you down because of your bag’s blazing color persona.

- Portability Ratings: An ideal sleeping bag has a small size and high leverage in terms of being portable. You want it small enough to fit in with the rest of the goodies. But at the same time, there should be enough room for a draft collar, hoodie and draught tubes to be squeezed in.

Know this that the above guidelines may be subject to a change, depending on your climatic conditions. Gather as much knowledge as you can, before zeroing in on any particular survival sleeping bag to ensure you have the best gear possible.

What Makes a Good Emergency Survival Tent

2010-11-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

If you are planning to go on an outdoor camping trip, it is important to have a good emergency survival tent. You have to be prepared for anything that can happen, especially out in the wild where very little is within your control. There are a few things to consider when picking out a good emergency survival tent.

You will want to ensure that it is easy to set up as well as disassemble. That will make it easier for you to pack everything up in case you need to leave in a hurry. You will also want it to be waterproof, so if it rains or if you are staying near a lake, you will not be affected by the water.

You should also find a good emergency survival tent that is lightweight and durable. It has to be easy to carry and it should be able to withstand whatever weather conditions may occur. Pay attention to what the weather conditions ought to be for your trip, and make sure to bring the necessary tools and accessories to help you have the best time you can.

If you can find a durable, lightweight, waterproof emergency survival tent that is easy to set up, you can rest assured you will have a good camping trip. A camping trip or any kind of outdoor activity can be fun, but you have to remember to always be ready for the unexpected. Common mistakes, like picking out the wrong tools, can lead to injury or worse. Having a good emergency survival tent may end up saving your life.

Survival Preparedness for the Classroom

2009-09-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

Children spend most of their day in school, where they are just as likely to experience an emergency at school as at home. Survival preparedness is a necessity in the classroom to be sure that students are safe and will be taken care of in emergencies.

The first step in achieving survival preparedness in the classroom is having a school emergency plan. This plan should include how to recognize an emergency situation, how to contact emergency response personnel, all possible exits, orderly exiting process, meeting location outside and head-count procedure after exiting. Every school emergency plan should also include emergency contacts for each student.

Once the emergency plan is completed, students need to be educated on that plan. They should understand the complete process contained in the school emergency plan. The plan should also be reviewed often with each class so that the information is fresh and any new students receive the same training as the other students.
It is important to remember that students (children) become frightened easily and cannot take care of themselves in a survival situation in the same way adults can. Teachers and other education staff must understand their role in the school emergency plan to ensure the safety of all the students and themselves.

Another key part of survival preparedness for the classroom is a classroom survival kit. These kits can be purchased online and can support up to 30 to 50 people. Such school survival kits include survival food and water, survival tools, hygiene and sanitation supplies and first aid. Each classroom should have enough survival kits to take care of the capacity of the room, not the current number of students in the class.

Review the school survival kits often to make sure nothing has spoiled or been broken. Replace any survival supplies that are no longer useable. Keep the survival kits in a safe location out of the reach of the students so they do not tamper with the kits.

Communication Tools for Survival Preparedness

2009-09-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Communication in survival situations is essential to proper survival preparedness. Being able to communicate in survival situations may mean the difference between injury and safety, or even life and death.

Survival communication is useful in a variety of survival situations. If you have to evacuate your home or work, you will need to communicate with your family to let them know where you are and to learn their location as well. Survival preparedness communication is especially useful in survival situations where the urgency is high, such as situations where someone has been injured.

Survival preparedness is having the right survival communication tools to contact emergency response personnel as well. Search teams may look for hours to find you but visibility may be limited due to obstructions such as mountains, buildings, weather, etc.

So what communicate tool options are there and how do they work? Multiple survival communication tool options exist ranging from inexpensive to expensive and effective and ineffective. To make this article the most useful to you, we will discuss only the useful communication tools.

The easiest ways to communicate with people have been used for ages and are still worth the training. Even a simple communication tool such as a fire is very useful in survival situations. The flames are easily noticeable from land or air, especially at night. The smoke is also useful. Remember that green plant material will produce black smoke and will be more visible than white smoke. The downside to making a fire is that it uses precious fuel, which is a problem if you have limited survival supplies.

Another simple technique for survival communication is to make a symbol on the ground that is visible from either the ground or by air. Find a clearing and dig in the dirt or organize objects to form HELP or SOS. Stay close to the symbol as help will be directed to that location if it is spotted.

Many communication tools are small, easy-to-use and will fit in your survival preparedness kits. Flares are an excellent way of communicating with others in an emergency. Gunshots are another way of alerting others to your location, though use discretion as your ammunition is valuable for other uses.

Survival radios are also an excellent choice for a survival preparedness communication tool. Today survival radios are small with multiple powering options. Batteries are reliable as long as the batteries aren’t too old and don’t get wet. Hand-crank radios and solar radios might be the best bet because they have renewable sources of power.

Familiarize yourself with multiple methods of survival communication and communication tools. Survival preparedness is not complete with have the skills and tools to contact others and get the help you need to survive.

Survival Preparedness for the Car

2009-09-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

Multiple hazards are associated with automobiles, making your car a target for survival preparedness. You may have an accident and there is nobody on the scene and you must wait for emergency response personnel. Your car may break down, leaving you stranded if you cannot communicate with anybody. In a blizzard bad rainstorm, you may not have the visibility you need to drive safely, forcing you to pull over and wait out the storm.

Survival preparedness kits should include survival items that you think you may need in potential survival situations. For your car survival kit, be sure to include an emergency blanket, survival food and water, warm clothing and a complete survival first aid kit. Body warmers are an excellent addition to your car survival kit to provide warmth as you will not want to light a fire inside of your car. Be sure to have some basic tools in your car as well for car repairs or for miscellaneous tasks you may want to perform on your car to survive.

Keep enough survival supplies in your car for at least two people, maybe more if there are frequently more people in your car than just yourself. Blankets, food and water are the most important survival preparedness items you may need in an emergency so store enough of these items for yourself and a couple others.

Review the contents of your survival preparedness kit often to replenish any used or spoiled survival supplies. This is especially important as it is easy to forget that you have a survival kit in your car and it is easily damaged with extreme heat. Some survival equipment, especially food will spoil in a hot car. Try wrapping your survival kit in a survival blanket and putting it somewhere in the car that is out of the sun and somewhat insulated.

Car survival preparedness kits can be stored anywhere inside the car but it is important to use some discretion. Storing a survival kit in the trunk is convenient because it does not take up space inside where someone may be sitting, but consider that perhaps you will not be able to open your trunk if it is jammed shut or you are not able to exit your car in an emergency. Only store your survival kit in the trunk if you can access the trunk through the back seat.

Another place to store a survival kit in the car is under the seats. This way the survival kit is not in your way and it is easily accessible, even if you cannot get out of your seat.

Wherever you decide to store your survival preparedness kit in your car, make sure it is easily accessible in all potential survival situations.

Children and Survival Preparedness

2009-09-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

Children cannot fend for themselves in a survival situation as well as adults. They need instruction to keep themselves safe and healthy. Survival preparedness for your family includes training your family, even the children, about what to do in case of an emergency.

A good place to start with survival preparedness for children is making an emergency plan for your family. A good survival preparedness emergency plan will have multiple escape roots from the house, instructions on how to handle specific types of emergencies, emergency contacts, and meeting places outside of the home in case you are separated. Explain the plan with your children and make sure they understand what to do in survival situations. Go over the emergency plan with them often so the information is fresh and well-learned, maximizing their survival preparedness.

Survival preparedness for children can be easy with a children’s survival kit. These kits can be purchased online or you can assemble one yourself. Be careful about assembling one yourself as the cost can be greater to assemble one yourself than buy one preassembled online. Survival preparedness kits for children should be customized for their specific needs. Items such as medication and medical devices should be included as well to make sure the child will be taken care of properly in an emergency. Most survival preparedness kits sold online today include simple entertainment items that will help your child stay occupied in survival situations.

Children have different needs than adults and cannot be treated as adults in emergency situations. First aid and medical attention need to be administered differently to a child than to an adult, depending on the situation. Children eat different quantities of food than adults and may not want to eat stored survival food. Children may also become scared and frustrated easily in survival situations so know different ways to keep their minds off the problem and keep their morale high.

Properly preparing your children will help you feel more prepared and achieve survival preparedness, not just for you but for your entire family as well.

Survival Preparedness Everywhere

2009-09-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Survival preparedness is a topic that applies to everyone no matter where you live. Many think that their location is immune to disaster or that there is a very low probably of a disaster situation. The fundamental idea of survival preparedness is that you cannot predict with accuracy when or where an emergency will happen.

Survival preparedness provides you with peace of mind knowing that no matter what the emergency is or when or where it occurs you are prepared and can survive.

All areas of the world are vulnerable to some form of disaster and therefore require survival preparedness. Below is a list of potential disasters that you can analyze and decide if you are at risk in the area where you live-

• Drought
• Civil Unrest
• Chemical
• Dam Failure
• Earthquake
• Fire/Wildfire
• Gas Leaks
• War
• Flood
• Famine
• Hazardous Material
• Heat
• Hurricane
• Landslide/Mudslide
• Industrial/Work Accidents
• Economic Depression
• Nuclear Power Plant Emergency
• Terrorism
• Disease
• Thunderstorm
• Car Accidents/Lost or Stranded
• Tornado
• Tsunami
• Volcano
• Winter Storm

Many resources are available online that can provide you with disaster information for your particular area so you may customize survival preparedness according to the potential emergencies that are more probable for your area. Maps and specific disaster information are provided at fema.gov along with other useful information to achieve survival preparedness. You cannot trust that your area is secure enough that you do not need survival preparedness.

10 Things to Put in a Survival Preparedness Hygiene Kit

2009-09-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hygiene and sanitation are important components of survival preparedness. By not keeping yourself and your surroundings clean, you increase your risk of getting sick and getting infections, decreasing your odds of survival.

Conditions in a survival situation will probably be unsanitary. Pathogens can be found on any surface, and more so in a disaster where your surroundings may have become more dirty than usual. It is easy to forget to clean surfaces when you when you are in a hurry or panicked. In survival situations, the small things that keep you from being sick are often overlooked. Be prepared for those conditions with a survival preparedness hygiene kit.

Hygiene kits are inexpensive and easy to acquire. Customize your survival preparedness hygiene kit for your own needs and the needs of your family. Be sure to acquire a separate survival preparedness hygiene kit for each member of your family, as sharing hygiene kits may spread sicknesses. Hygiene kits can be assembled yourself or can be purchased and are very affordable. Keep your hygiene kits with or in your survival preparedness kits. Keeping clean can also help morale in survival situations.

Below is a list of items to include in your survival preparedness hygiene kit-

1. Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss

2. Soap, shampoo and conditioner

3. Hand and body lotion

4. Deodorant

5. Razor

6. Comb

7. Maxipads

8. Washcloth

9. Wetnaps

10. Hand sanitizer

10 Reasons You Need Survival Preparedness

2009-09-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Nobody knows when and where survival situations will occur. Natural disasters, civil unrest, fires, pandemics, war and many other factors all contribute to the probability of you experiencing a survival situation.

Trying to predict exactly when and where survival situations will occur is impossible. Your efforts are better spent preparing yourself for them with survival preparedness. Once you are prepared for disasters, you can take comfort in knowing that you have done everything possible to increase your chances of survival and overcome survival situations.

10 reasons you need survival preparedness.

1. Emergency personnel may not be available-Depending on the type of disaster and where it occurs, emergency response personnel may not be available. Survival preparedness includes preparing yourself assuming emergency response help will not be available.

2. No good water sources-Water sources can easily become contaminated or there could be a drought. Survival preparedness includes water storage. It also includes methods of water gathering and water treatment.

3. Limited food supply-Food can become scarce due to disease, famine or economic conditions. Survival preparedness includes food storage that will keep you healthy and can be stored for years.

4. No shelter-Shelter can be lost or destroyed due to many factors. Survival preparedness includes having survival shelters such as tents and knowing a location that will provide shelter.

5. Evacuation-Evacuation can occur at any moment. Survival preparedness includes having a survival preparedness kit that you can grab quickly and evacuate.

6. Injuries-Injuries can be life-threatening. Survival preparedness includes first aid and training.

7. Sickness-Sicknesses can be scary. Survival preparedness includes first aid and medications.

8. Natural disasters-Weather and nature can be dangerous. Survival preparedness includes having a complete survival preparedness kit that is quickly accessible to help you survive.

9. Defend against attack-You may need to defend yourself. Survival preparedness includes knowing how to defend yourself against diverse threats and having the proper equipment to do so.

10. Stranded and/or lost-You cannot predict when you will get stranded either by plane, car or other transportation. Survival preparedness includes knowing survival skills and knowing how to keep morale high.

Change How You See Survival Preparedness With Light

2009-09-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Thinking ahead is the first step in survival preparedness . Survival preparedness kits, emergency plans and survival preparedness training all help to prepare you for the worst, and being able to taking advantage of these preparations in an survival situation depends on one thing-LIGHT.

Light has many, many uses in survival situations and by no means should be overlooked when working on survival preparedness. Survival situations can happen at any time and are just as likely to occur during the night as during the day.

Listed below are some reasons why having reliable light sources is a good idea for survival preparedness-

1. Morale-Being able to light up an emergency situation can help you overcome feelings of depression and hopelessness, increasing morale and will to survive.

2. Avoid injuries-Not having good visibility can cause injuries if you need to move around. Light up your surroundings and avoid injuries with a dependable light source.

3. Treat injuries-Low visibility makes administering first aid and medical attention properly difficult. Ensure you are able to treat your injuries and those of others by having light on-hand to able to see the problem to treat it properly.

4. Communication/get help-Light is an excellent way to communicate for help. Light alerts others and shows them your location.

5. Look for food/shelter-Food and shelter can be impossible to find when visibility is low, even though they may be just a few yards away. Light will help you find them quickly and safely.

6. Tools-Survival tools are difficult to use efficiently and properly with enough light. Be prepared with reliable light sources to get the job done. Good visibility while using tools will reduce injuries and damage tools as well.

7. Cooking-Light can help you cook your food thoroughly and properly. Also light helps you cook and eat fast, which can be helpful if you are in a hurry.

When making lights a part of your survival preparedness, be sure to include more than one source of light in case one light isn’t working or you need light for an extended period of time.

Also, when choosing light sources for survival preparedness, keep in mind that electricity may not be available in survival situations. Various commercial lights are available today that are powered by batteries, shaking and solar energy. Lights with renewable energy sources are the best option. All light sources should be waterproof as well.

Keep Morale High in a Survival Situation

2009-09-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

Survival situations are emotionally draining as well as physically draining. Survival preparedness includes planning for the emotion toll emergencies will take on you and your loved ones. Fear, panic and depression can worsen your situation in survival situations and possibly lead to death.

The most important thing you can do to prepare emotionally for emergencies is to prepare yourselves beforehand by having the appropriate survival preparedness supplies and emergency plans. When a disaster strikes, the peace of mind you will have by having a plan to follow and supplies to use will keep you focused. Emotional stress sets in without the proper provisions. You cannot think clearly after you have gone without food and water for a time, or are cold or injured. The effects of these hazards can be minimized by have a survival preparedness kit, complete with food, water, first aid supplies, shelter and warm items, lights and communication devices and survival tools.

An important and often over-looked part of a survival preparedness kit is entertainment items. Items such as cards, notepads and pencil, small books and small games are very useful supplies to keep in your survival preparedness kit. Having simple items to keep you entertained while waiting for help can keep you from panicking and using bad judgment in how you handle survival situations.

When you find yourself in a survival situation, it is important to stay positive as well. Do not let the situation get the better of you and give you feelings of hopelessness. Be persistent in your efforts to analyze the situation and find a way out or get help. Help others be positive as well. Talk with them about life outside of the situation to take their minds off of the intensity. Lighten the mood by talking about future plans and fun memories you have. Give encouragement to other by telling others around you how well they are doing and how you are glad they are with you. Even singing your favorite song helps to relax you and helps alleviate the hopeless feelings. Also recognize how well you are doing yourself to boost your own morale.

Much can be done to relieve stress and boost morale in survival situations. Be sure you plan beforehand and talk about things to do to boost morale in survival situations with your family. Knowing how to handle emergencies before they happen will help you achieve survival preparedness and could mean the difference between life and death.

4 Ways to Get Drinkable Water for Survival Preparedness

2009-09-18T01:55:00.000-07:00

Untreated water carries many hazards. Wide varieties of disease-causing agents such as bacteria, viruses and impurities are found in untreated water. These dangers include cholera, amoebas, bacteria and other parasites, dysentery, coli poisoning, giardia, schitzomonasis, diphtheria, hepatitis, typhus, and the list goes on. Proper water treatment techniques are important to know for survival preparedness to keep you healthy in an emergency when you need to be at your best.

Knowing these dangers exist in untreated water, what can you do to disinfect water and protect yourself from these hazards? A few options exist for minimizing your risk of getting sick from dirty water. According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), you should always use bottled water that has not been exposed to outside elements when possible. Do no attempt to disinfect water to drink unless it is absolutely necessary for survival.

Treatable water can found around the house in a variety of locations such as in the hot water heater and by melting the ice in your freezer. Avoid getting water out of places where the water is still and stagnant. As a general rule, running water is usually cleaner than still water. Before attempting to treat any water, making sure it looks clear to the eye is the first step. If the water is cloudy, filter it through some fabric or a water filter if you have one. If you don’t have anything on hand to filter the water, let it sit so the sediments and impurities can settle, then skim the clean water without stirring up the sediments.

Once you have clear water, you have different options from which to choose to treat and make it drinkable-

1. Boiling-Bring water to a rolling boil and let it boil vigorously for 1 minute for altitudes lower than 1 mile, 3 minutes for altitudes higher than 1 mile. Warning-boiling only kills MOST pathogens. Some argue that you must boil water at 160 °F for 30 minutes to kill all parasites. Keep in mind that the longer you boil water the more it will evaporate and the more fuel you use, using up two valuable resources. Use good judgment when deciding if boiling water is the right water-treating action for you. Water will be warm after boiling so pour water back and forth into two containers to cool it down and to get rid of the boiling taste. Also you may let is stand for a couple of hours or add a pinch of salt to every liter.

2. Chemicals-Like boiling, filter water as best you can and let it settle before treating it with chemicals. Two chemicals commonly used to treat water that are readily available in stores are chlorine and iodine. Both of these chemical are more effective when used in warm water, but again heating water takes fuel and water evaporates, so use discretion. Like boiling, chemicals remove MOST disease-causing organisms, not all.

3. Bleach-Household chlorine bleach is also useful to help disinfect water. Many chlorine bleach containers have instructions on their labels for treating water. The bleach-to-water ratio will vary according to the percentage chlorine content in the bleach. For detailed instructions on bleach-to-water proportions, go to the EPA’s website.

4. Filter-Various water filters are available on the market today. Use discretion when choosing a filter. Check ratings and customer reviews before purchasing a filter. As with other water treatment methods, filters may not remove or kill all disease-causing agents, so do not attempt to treat water when treated water is already available to you.

Survival preparedness information used in this article was obtained from the author of SurvivalPreparedness911.com, EPA.gov and SurvivalTopics.com.

How to Prevent and Treat Hypothermia

2009-09-16T12:00:00.001-07:00

Keeping warm and dry in a survival situation is crucial to survival preparedness. Warmth and shelter is often overlooked as many survival preparedness enthusiasts focus on food, water, and first aid. Hypothermia has the same importance as other survival preparedness topics, if not more so.

A person has hypothermia when their core body temperature has fallen below 35.0 °C (95 °F), the temperature required for normal body functions and metabolism. Normally, the human body maintains almost a constant body temperature of 36.5-37.5 °C through biologic processes. However, the body cannot hold its temperature at a constant when it is exposed to cold surroundings. Once body temperature falls and hypothermia sets in, the nervous system, heart, and organs cannot function properly.

Hypothermia occurs in three stages. For purposes of this article, only the collective symptoms of hypothermia will be discussed. The symptoms range from mild to strong and can increase in severity very rapidly, thus earning its importance in survival preparedness. Below is a list of hypothermia symptoms to be aware of-

• Mild to strong shivering
• Clumsiness due to cold/numb hands and feet
• Breathing is quick and shallow
• Goosebumps
• Sick to the stomach
• Tiredness
• Warm sensation but nothing was done to warm person and external conditions are the same
• Muscle shutdown (try touching thumb to little finger to test muscle status)
• Trouble seeing
• Slow and labored movements
• Confusion though person may appear more alert
• Person is pale
• Lips, ears, fingers and toes become blue
• Difficulty speaking and thinking
• Amnesia

The severity of the symptoms listed above is a sign of the severity of the hypothermia a person has. If left untreated, hypothermia results in frostbite, frostnip, chilblains, respiratory system and heart failure and death.

Hypothermia can be treated and reversed if it is noticed early enough and you know how to treat it. First and foremost, dial 911 if possible to alert emergency response personnel of the situation and location and to receive proper instruction. If you are not able to contact emergency response personnel, below is a list of steps you can take to reverse the hypothermia-

• Do NOT rub the person to warm them up. Handle the person gently.
• Move person out of cold. Insulate person from cold ground and cover the head.
• Remove wet clothing. Replace with dry clothing if possible or dry blanket.
• Build a fire. Do not put person too close to fire as numb body parts can be burned
• Use your own body heat to warm the person.
• Do NOT apply direct heat. Apply warm compresses to neck, groin and chest wall.
• Do NOT give the person alcohol. Do give them warm nonalcoholic drinks.
• Use HELP (heat escape lessening position). Hold knees together and into chest using arms.
• Use your own body heat to warm the person.
• Do not attempt to warm the arms and legs. Focus on warming the body.

The first and easiest step to preventing hypothermia for survival preparedness is to wear appropriate clothing. Research weather conditions and other related factors for any activity and plan to wear clothing appropriate for that activity. For survival preparedness, keep a change of clothes, hats, gloves, a coat, and a blanket in your car for emergencies.

Wool (fleece) and synthetic fabrics provide the best insulation even when wet and dry quickly as well. Keep a survival blanket and survival sleeping bag in your survival kit. Body warmers are also a good addition to a survival preparedness kit as they can provide quick and easy heat.

Shelter is also essential in survival preparedness as it provides protection from the elements and can keep you warm and dry. Keep a survival tent in your survival preparedness kit. Be sure it is water proof and durable. Put up the tent a couple of times so you are familiar with how to set it up and the space and protection it will provide.

Water-The Key to Survival Prepardness

2009-09-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

Survival preparedness includes numerous precautionary steps to protect yourself and your family. These steps should be prioritized and accomplished in order according to their importance. One of the most crucial steps in survival preparedness is storing and preparing a way to provide drinkable water in survival situations.

Water is the life-fluid for the human body. It aids and facilitates a variety of bodily functions such as carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells, allows proper digestion, flushing waste and toxins from the body, regulates body temperature and cushioning the joints. In a way, water can compared to oil in a vehicle. With the proper amount and quality of oil, a vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently. With low oil level and quality, a vehicle will run roughly and the different parts will begin to fail. With no oil a vehicle will burn out and eventually die. Water has the same effect on the body.

The standard amount of water a person should drink is eight 8 ounce glasses per day. This amount is difficult to drink for most people. The correct amount of water a person should drink per day depends on each individual. A good rule of thumb is the more the better! Men should drink more water than women and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should drink more water than women who are not. Also, a person that exercises should drink more water than someone who does not. Climate and altitude also play a role in how much water a person should drink. High altitude and a dry or hot climate cause the required daily amount of water to go up. Clothing also plays a part in necessary water consumption. Since different parts of the body lose different quantities of water through evaporation, breathing and sweating, the necessary daily intake of water for each person also depends on the clothing a person is wearing.

Not drinking enough water often occurs in survival situations and leads to dehydration. Even if you are simply thirsty, you are experiencing a mild state of dehydration. Some signs that you are dehydrated include dry skin, constipation, frequent urinary tract infections, reoccurring headaches, muscle weakness, sleepiness and dizziness.

Dehydration is a key concern for survival preparedness. Once you are dehydrated, your body begins to shut down and continues to shut down until the required supply of water is replenished. Without water, the average person can last a few days to a just over a week at the most. This short timeline that one can last without water is partly due to evaporation factors. In an extremely hot climate, a person may not last even 24 hours without water. In cooler climates, a person may last a week.

Without water, the kidneys shut down within a couple of days which eventually leads to death. In addition, without adequate water the body experiences other side-effects such as ketosis and uremia (build up of toxins in the blood), organ failure, electrolyte imbalance that causes cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, low blood pressure leading to blood clots, brain damage and eventually death.

Water is also a key factor of survival preparedness because it affects morale. Staying positive and focused in a survival situation is difficult if you do not have enough water to keep you from becoming dehydrated.

Though the effects of having no water are serious, the precautions one can take to have sufficient water for survival preparedness are affordable and simple. Many options exist to ensure you are prepared for survival situations such as water purification devices and tablets, water filtrations devices and various storage options. No matter the method you choose to ensure you will have water to drink in survival situations, do not underestimate water’s role in survival preparedness.

Why Do I Need Survival Preparedness?

2009-09-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Survival preparedness is a topic that is often overlooked. Emergencies will happen. Nobody can predict when or where these emergencies may occur. Natural disasters, accidents, disease and civil unrest all contribute to the probability of experiencing a survival situation, and these threats increase every year. The only way to maximize the chance of survival in survival situations is to achieve survival preparedness. Preparation is the key to overcoming fear.

How is survival preparedness achieved? The first step in survival preparedness is to identify potential survival situations you and your loved ones could experience. Review threats that could cause emergencies such as weather, diseases, transit conditions, etc. Understand when and where each individual disaster could present itself. Only by understanding potential survival situations can you adequately prepare for them.

Second, create emergency plans for each emergency scenario. This plan should include exit plans, meeting locations, emergency contacts, locations of survival preparedness kits, first aid and emergency response training. Review emergency plans often with family members so the information is fresh and retainable. To maximize survival preparedness, post the plans in easy-to-read places in the home, work and in the car.

The next step is to acquire a survival preparedness kit. These kits are sold online or can be assembled yourself, though the cost to build a survival preparedness kit yourself can be more costly than purchasing one online. Be sure your survival preparedness kit has a complete list of survival preparedness supplies. Customize each survival preparedness kit adding items to accommodate your unique personal needs and those of your family.

Finally, review all survival preparedness supplies and emergency plans often, updating them and customizing them for your particular needs. Once your survival preparedness is complete, share your knowledge with friends, family members and coworkers. Working together and sharing information we can ensure everyone’s survival. Do not put off survival preparedness. Predicting survival situations is virtually impossible but preparing for them is easy. Being prepared for emergencies will give you peace of mind knowing that your survival preparedness will take care of you when you need it the most.

Survival Preparedness for the Office

2009-09-04T13:43:00.001-07:00

Survival preparedness is essential in all aspects of a person’s life. Whether at school, home or at work, you must be prepared for emergencies, especially the places where the most time is spent. The majority of the average person’s day is spent at work. The workplace has the same need for survival preparedness as the home.

Though places of work may appear safe and immune from emergencies, they are just as vulnerable as your home. Employers have the responsibility of providing a safe workplace and one that is prepared for emergencies. Walk through your workplace and identify potential hazards. Then plan and prepare for those hazards. Be sure your employees understand the hazards of the office and the precautions that can be taken to avoid them. Also explain to them the proper actions to take if an emergency arises. Such discussions should include emergency exits, fire extinguishers, alarm systems and communication systems with local authorities, and where the survival preparedness kits are located.

Survival preparedness kits for offices can be purchased online and are very economical. One survival preparedness kit can support a group of employees in an emergency situation. Many kits on the market today can support 5 or even 10 employees. Having enough survival preparedness kits to sustain all workers is crucial to providing safety for employees. Today, survival preparedness kits are sold with a complete list of survival preparedness supplies such as food and water, blankets, lights and communication devices, first aid, emergency tools, hygiene and entertainment items. Do not simply buy a survival preparedness kit because it is inexpensive. Make sure a kit contains a complete supply of survival preparedness items before purchasing it. Building a survival preparedness kit yourself is more time consuming and can be much more costly than purchasing a preassembled kit online.

Assign a worker to be in charge of survival preparedness for the office. This person will acquire the appropriate survival preparedness supplies and decide where to store them. Be sure the supplies are not all stored in the same place as some parts of the office may not be accessible during an emergency. Check the survival preparedness kits often to make sure they are complete and up to date. Also, the person left in charge of survival preparedness for the office should routinely review and make updates to the office survival preparedness plan, making adjustments often to keep it current.

Another option an office can easily accomplish to achieve survival preparedness is to get a supply of water and store it in the office. Many offices use water dispensers (water coolers). The water for these devices is delivered in large containers. These containers are a great way to store water in the office. Always have enough water stored in your office to sustain all employees for at least couple of days.

By following the instructions above, every office can be prepared for emergencies. Do no wait until an emergency presents itself to get prepared. Prepare the office and give employees peace of mind in survival preparedness.

What Makes a Good First Aid Kit?

2009-08-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

Many inexpensive first aid kits are so simple that they provide little assistance in cases of emergency. Be sure that any first aid kit you purchase is complete. If you do purchase a first aid kit that only contains band aids, tape and some gauze, add some items of your own to complete the kit.
So what makes a good first aid kit? A good first aid kit contains a diverse and complete supply of first aid items needed for emergencies such as sanitizing products, bandages and tape, a first aid guide, splints, medicine, and lotions such as sunscreen and lip ointment. Many complete first aid kits are sold online or may be assembled yourself, though the cost of building your own first aid kit may be greater than purchasing a preassembled kit. If you decide to build a first aid kit yourself, keep in mind where the first aid kit will be stored and build the kit according to potential emergencies that may present themselves in the immediate area where the kit will be stored.
Sanitizing items such as alcohol pads and antibiotic ointment are the first priority when treating a wound or injury. Wounds must be cleaned with effective sterilization equipment before they are bandaged to avoid infection. Infection can be a silent attacker in injuries that can add to the severity of the injury. Be sure to keep enough sterilization supplies in your first aid kit.
Once the injury is cleaned properly, sterile bandages are applied to keep the injury clean, support it and protect it from further injury. Include bandages of various sizes in your first aid kit. You may have to add bandages of different sizes to a simple commercial first aid kit. Only having band aids in the kit does not adequately prepare you for injuries.
Splints, first aid tape and gauze are important for injuries that require support until help can arrive. Popsicle sticks work well for finger splints.
Medicines are another essential part of any first aid kit. Ibuprofen, aspirin and antacid tablets are common items in a complete first aid kit. Be sure you are prepared for physical ailments that could keep you from functioning properly in an emergency situation.
A final necessary item to include in your first aid kit is a first aid guide. First aid guides are inexpensive and can be purchased online. Don’t rely on your memory or your education to use your first aid kit properly. Emergency situations can be stressful and emotionally intense causing you to panic. You may not be able to think clearly and remember first aid procedures you have learned in the past. First aid guides will give easy instructions to whoever is using the first aid kit.
Three important places to store a first aid kit are in your home, in your car and at work. Since most of your time is spent at these places, make sure you have enough first aid kits to help the potential number of people who may need one in any of these locations.
Finally, after you have obtained your first aid kits and have placed them in the key areas listed above, be sure to review the contents of the first aid kits every few months to see if any items need to be restocked. Always keep your first aid kits complete and up to date.
Below is a list of basic items to include in your first aid kit.
• Trauma dressing
• Sunscreen lotion packets
• Sting relief prep pads
• Burn cream packs
• Aspirin tablets
• Antacid tablets
• Ibuprofen tablets
• Lip ointment packets
• Antibiotic packets
• Pair of vinyl gloves
• Finger splints
• Cotton tip applicators
• Roll of first aid tape
• Roll of gauze dressing
• First aid instruction guide

Read more about survival preparedness.

Do You Have an Emergency Plan?

2009-08-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

Nobody can predict emergencies, but everyone can be prepared for them. Having an emergency plan is an inexpensive way to be prepared.

Review how to recognize different emergencies with your family, especially with older children who are capable of helping younger children. Once family members understand how to recognize emergency situations, the next step is to instruct them on what to do in such situations.
Every emergency plan should include details of how to exit your house in case of an emergency. Not all exits may be usable in an emergency, so include different escape routes from your house. Be sure to recognize all windows and doors as potential exits, with proper instructions on how to exit through a window safely.
Emergency contacts are the next essential part of an emergency plan. Two types of contacts need to be included, in-town and out-of-town. In-town contacts are useful for small emergencies that only affect your own household. Out-of-town contacts are useful in emergencies which affect not only your household but the households of everyone in the surrounding area. Post this list of contacts next to each phone in the house and store the numbers in your cell phones.

Establish meeting locations, one in town and one out of town. Not all family members may be at home when disaster strikes, so make sure your meeting locations are well known. Also be sure that all family members know how to get to the meeting locations, even children.

A final part of an effective emergency plan is to acquire emergency supplies such as survival kits (72-hour kits) that may be grabbed in a hurry and carried out the door. Commercial survival kits include all necessary personal and emergency first aid items one would need for temporary use in emergencies. Survival kits are inexpensive and may be purchased online. Be sure to have enough survival kits to sustain your entire family in emergencies.

Review your emergency plan with your family regularly and update your plan details as needed. Following these steps will minimize the dangers you and your family may encounter in emergency situations.

More on survival preparedness

Prepare Your College Student for Emergencies

2009-08-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

How do we prepare our children for emergencies and help them plan for emergency survival while they are living away from home and attending college?

Cell phones, credit cards, cash stash, pepper spray are all common items that are given to our children when they leave home for college. The peace of mind we get from knowing our college students have these items to use and are educated in emergency survival can be comforting.
These items, cell phones, credit cards and cash, can provide security as long as the systems support these items are still in tact. However, natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes can render these services useless. The only securities you can count on in such situations are items which add to emergency survival and can be kept close at hand.
An emergency survival kit is an easy, inexpensive and thoughtful item to give your college students. Kits can be kept in easily accessible places, closets, cars or under beds. Car kits can come in handy when your child has long distances to drive between home and school, ensuring their safety if they were to become stranded. Students can rely on emergency survival kits when their cell phones, cars or credit cards cannot function usefully.

A complete survival preparedness kit includes food and water, lights, communication, shelter, tools, hygiene, sanitation, first aid, entertainment and other miscellaneous items.

One fully-equipped emergency survival kit is built into a student-size backpack with space to add your own personal items and weighs on average 14 pounds. More simple kits can weigh around 5 pounds, less than what a student’s backpack can weigh.

Emergency survival kits can be purchased online or self-assembled. The cost of building an emergency survival kit can be inexpensive, but it will not contain the same quantity, variety or quality of items as those provided in preassembled emergency survival kits sold online for a similar price.

Emergency Preparedness Kits Q&A

2009-07-30T23:39:00.000-07:00

Q: What is the cost difference between buying a emergency preparedness kit and building one on my own?
A: Surprisingly, preassembled kits are less expensive than piecing one together on your own. Each item in a kit may only cost a dollar or two at a box store, but a preassembled emergency preparedness kit contains many items that cost-wise can add up quickly. Due to wholesale discounts that are available to many online retailers, preassembled kits give you more for your money.

Q: Is there a difference in quality between online and store-bought products?
A: Yes. Online retailers have access to high quality specialty products through wholesale that are not available at local box stores.

Q: How many items come in a preassembled kit and are they all necessary?
A: Most preassembled survival kits sold online are assembled to contain only the essential items that will be needed during an emergency. Even though emergency situations are unpredictable, items in a survival kit can be utilized in any type of emergency. Experts who have determined what items and how much of an item will be necessary in an emergency put preassembled survival kits together. Each kit is built for a specified amount of time, usually 24 or 72 hours.

Q: How much time would it take me to build my own kit?
A: Assembling your own emergency preparedness kit will take a variable amount of time, but you can plan on it taking a significant amount of your attention. Before purchasing supplies, you would want to research how to build a kit, finding out what items are necessary and how much of an item is best for your needs. Once your research is completed, you would be required to spend time in various stores picking out the best items and for the best prices. And some items, which can be found in a preassembled kit, cannot be found at your local big box store. Locating items in a store takes time. On the other hand, preassembled kits include everything you need for an emergency and can be purchased in just a few minutes through an online retailer.

Q: Will I be able to find all the same items in a local store that are included in a preassembled kit?
A: Some items found in preassembled kits cannot be found elsewhere as they are specifically designed for the survival kit and are not sold separately. Also, emergency preparedness kits contain items that are sized to easily fit into a survival pack. Items in a preassembled kit are also quantized for a specific time period.

Learn more about survival preparedness.

Getting Started with Emergency Preparedness

2009-05-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

Emergency preparedness is a topic that is often overlooked and not taken seriously. Many of us live in a world where we feel assured that we will be able to buy food, water and other supplies anywhere we want anytime we want. To assume that there will not be emergencies or disasters in the near future goes against the very nature of emergencies and disasters, which is that they are unpredictable!

Many do not think they have the means for survival preparedness, either they cannot afford it or would not even know where to start. What do I have in storage? How much? How long will it last before I have to replace it? How much will it cost? These are common questions of those are just getting started.

A good place to start is to simply buy a survival kit. Emergency preparedness kits today come fully equipped and are inexpensive. Many survival kits have a shelf life of over a year and are sufficient to ensure survival for days. A huge advantage of a emergency preparedness kit is that they are portable. Being easily fitted into a backpack, survival kits can be stored anywhere and can be grabbed on-the-go in case of an urgent emergency. Keeping an emergency preparedness kit in your car is a great idea if you prefer to have the option to just drive away in case of an emergency.

For starters buy some survival kits and get started today because tomorrow may bring some surprises and you will be glad you are prepared!

Learn more about survival preparedness.

How Much Water Do I Need?

2009-05-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking. Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:
* Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
* Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
* Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
* A medical emergency might require additional water.

To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it. Observe the expiration or “use by” date. If you are preparing your own containers of water it is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers from surplus or camping supplies stores to use for water storage. Before filling with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Follow directions below on filling the container with water. If you choose to use your own storage containers, choose two-liter plastic soft drink bottles – not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them. Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy.

If storing water in plastic soda bottles, follow these steps
1-Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.
2-Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water.
3-Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces.
4-After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.

Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add two drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water. Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your finger. Place a date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Store in a cool, dark place.Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water.

Article from http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/water

Be Informed

2009-05-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

Be Informed

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency preparedness kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.

However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.

In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.

Emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as "Tornado Alley." For Americans, emergency preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

On June 12, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. Digital broadcasting will allow stations to offer improved picture and sound quality and additional channels. An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads).

View full story at www.ready.gov.

"Swine Flu"

2009-05-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Recently the “swine flu” has caused some real alarm. Through the media we hear about how the disease is spreading and the death toll it claims. The best thing to do for this situation is to take some simple precautions, be prepared and simply continue on with life. Washing your hands often, getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, and stocking up on the proper emergency supplies are easy and affordable precautions to take. Some have chosen to purchase dust masks and first aid kits to keep on-hand and prevent the spread of the sickness in case they or someone they know gets sick.

The cases of this flu in the United States and have been relatively mild for the most part. Experts say that if you are experiencing flu like symptoms, do not panic. Just take care of yourself. If your symptoms continually get worse and last for longer than a normal would last, it might be time to see your doctor.

An important key to a healthy life is learn to recognize symptoms of sicknesses early on so they may be treated right away and sick person’s condition does not get worse. The symptoms of swine flu seem to be similar to any other flu. See this video that talks about the symptoms of swine flu and what to watch for to keep you and your family safe.

Finding Peace of Mind

2009-05-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

An important key to living a happy life is being stress free. Often it seems like we don’t have any serious issues that need attention, but we are simply unprepared for unforeseen events. For some having a nice car and a nice house is part of being security. True security and peace of mind is being prepared. One thing is for sure, we all follow major crises as they happen, but are we prepared if we were to experience one ourselves? Some simple things may be done for survival preparedness. For example, having an emergency preparedness kit in your home or car is an easy and affordable precaution to take. Survival kits can be found with a complete supply of emergency preparedness gear. The US Department of Homeland Security (www.ready.gov) has outlined a list of items that should be included in survival kits-

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First Aid Kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps

Survival Gear, Emergency Preparedness

2009-05-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

Are you and your family prepared for emergencies?

Go to www.emergencymadeeasy.com and get information on survival preparedness today!