Survival kit -- do you have one or are you going to get one

[CrispyQ]

after seeing how miserably our govt takes care of those in dire need?

I don't have one, but am seriously thinking of putting one together. I found a few websites with good info & a list of stuff to put in your kit. Obviously, all these items would take 2-3 big plastic tubs, but in an emergency, if you had to evacuate, you could just grab the tubs & go, no searching the house & wondering last minute what you need.

One ax
One 100 ft. length of heavy hemp rope
One shovel
Leatherman tool or good Swiss army knife
One radio and four sets of extra batteries
Whistle
One flashlight per family member and four sets of extra batteries
Thick gloves (I buy neoprene ones)
Coleman stove w/fuel; pans
Mirror (for signaling)
Jumbo box of garbage bags
Matches in a waterproof container
Candles
Ppaer, pencils, markers
Regular towels, paper towels
TP
Blankets -- 1 for each family member & pets
Two changes of clothing (complete) for each family member, including sweats
Sturdy hiking boots for each family member

One gallon of water per day per person for at least four days (and person includes animals)
Canned veggies and fruits
Canned NOT condensed soups
Can opener
Utensils
Saltine crackers (in place of bread)
Energy or power type bars
Dried fruit and trail mix
Pet and baby supplies
Moist towellets
Emergency supplies of any medications anyone takes
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene items
Extra pair of eyeglasses
First Aid kit
First Aid book

===
Here are a couple of sites with kit suggestions.

This one from the Dept of Homeland Security: http://www.ready.gov/make_a_kit.html

Wilderness survival kit site:
http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Survival%20Kit.htm


Input welcome!!

[mike_c]

1. I have all of these things except the water in my "ready to go camping...

...on a moments notice" box-- well, most of them, anyway, and plenty of water containers that only await filling.

[tsuki]

2. You forgot bleach. I keep 6 gallons during hurricane season. eom

[LittleClarkie]

3. Let's see,

DU membership -- check
NYTimes online membership -- check
Kerry bumpersticker -- check
Democratic Party membership -- check

Eh, I have camping gear. I expect most of the stuff I could use is there, just not as complete as yours.

Input: I would go to your local Army surplus store and get some MRE's. They won't need replacing near as much as your food. You could keep them for years and they won't go bad. With some water, they have their own heat source so you wouldn't necessarily need the stove. And just one has enough calories for the whole day.

[elfin]

4. Plus velhicle with at least

1/2 tank of gas at all times with addresses of relatives out of danger zone.

I NEVER get below 1/2 tank at any time.

[slackmaster]

13. It's good to have 4-wheel drive too

Foreseeable disasters in my area (earthquake) may make roads difficult for on-road cars.

[CrispyQ]

20. I never thought of that.

I drain my tank hoping I'll get to the station before I run out. I will change that! Thanks!

[fortyfeetunder]

5. Started during Y2K

Thanks to the local Red Cross, have something for home, work and in the car. They come by the office selling survival kits.
And as long as I have wheat flour and water, I will survive.

On the side, have a slingshot and an abundance of crows in the neighborhood. Will add a whole new meaning to eating crow!!!

[CrispyQ]

19. That reminds me of what a friend said before Y2K

Asked what he was doing to prepare for Y2K he replied, "I'm corn feeding my squirrels."

A slingshot is a good idea!

[nine23]

6. Had ours for years. Now, we await the "Big One" (earthquake).

If any "good" can come out of Katrina at all, it's that everyone has this on their minds again. That and, don't rely on government...at least initially.

[mshasta]

7. the "big one" ..

yes ready for "that one"...have some Trojans...around... :evilgrin:

[nine23]

9. Oh behave! But hey...

...'ya never know when you'll stumble upon some post-apocalyptic singles bar!

[anarchy1999]

8. We've had one and then some since October of 2001. Is this it?

n/t

[Applan]

10. I just got me some duct tape

That's all we need isn't it?

[TriMetFan]

11. I live in earthquake area (Portland OR.)

and we have 4 set of survival kits. I'm glad we have them now.

[feminazi]

12. there was a thread on this last week

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4678233

lots of good suggestions here

[CrispyQ]

21. Thank you!

Yes, some great suggestions in that thread!!

I miss so much when we are in level 3.

[slackmaster]

14. I'd double up on the water

My standard for my home (one human plus three cats) is 50 gallons on hand at all times, plus a backpacking water filter to make lower quality water safe to drink.

I figure on up to two weeks stranded in my home with no assistance from anyone.

[niyad]

15. geeez, you forgot the wine and the chocolate

[niyad]

16. copies of all important documents-- and perhaps a set of same with someone

who doesn't live in the area? inventory of house and contents, pictures, etc/

[CrispyQ]

23. Great idea!

I wonder how many of the people in NOLA will have more difficulty because they don't have copies of documents of ownership, etc.

Safe deposit boxes probably are not water or fire proof, are they?

[brook]

17. Absolutely.

I keep enough water and single blend scotch on hand for about 3 weeks.It got me through the earthquake 2 years ago - so I'll stick with it.

[CrispyQ]

22. Scotch ----- lol!

:rofl:

But a good idea!! One I would not have thought of!

[rumpel]

18. Water 2.5 gallons per day per person and pets. I was without drinkable or

otherwise usable water for 2 weeks after Northridge, and my area had not suffered any damage! Water is not only for drinking.
So, if your house is still standing even when it is perfectly fine:

Our 3 neighborhood supermarkets were cut off from deliveries for 1 week due to landslides to our 2 main roads in and out of our community and freeway damage. So shelves were empty. Especially no bread and water. (I usually freeze some bread to keep them fresh but it may help)

At least we were able to flush but the water already smelled like sewage. I made a big mistake to try to brush my teeth with tap. I still have that taste in my mouth.
We bathed in water that we treated with chlorine, brushed our teeth with bought water.

Remember you also have about 40-60 gallons of water in your waterheater tank, if you have those.

That was when FEMA and emergency response worked, I presume in unison.
I would be prepared now for at least a month. Make sure you rotate your emergency supply. Water has expiration dates too, and batteries, even sometimes newly purchased ones, are goners. Probably good thing to have are those sanitary wipes and lotions to conserve water.

[JNelson6563]

24. Different regions, different preparations

In the northern region (I'm in northern Mich.) the trouble we are likely to encounter is severe winter conditions. The greatest danger with that is on the road. Blankets, flashlight, heavy winter gear, food, transitor radio are all helpful. You can also buy a shovel that folds and stores easily in trunk, in case you are stuck in snow.

The upside is that, with lots of snow, water's not in short supply.

Julie