INTRODUCTION
A B A SI SIC C PR PRE E P F O R E V E RY RYON ON E
Having a prepacked bag—ready to grab and go in the event of an urgent situation—will give you enormous peace of mind. Since an emergency emergenc y could consist of anything from a natural disaster or an accident to social unrest or an attack, it is common to feel overwhelmed and unsettled— and as a result, do nothing. This guide outlines everything every thing you need to remain self-sufficient self-sufficient for up to five days. There isn’t a one-size-fitsall preparation, so consider the following when packing your bag:
Likely scenarios: Think about the vulnerabilities of your particular area (hurricanes (hurricanes,, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, floo ds, overcrowding, industrial accidents) and and prioritize your items accordingly accordingly..
Your fitness level: A well-stocked emergency bag should weigh no more than 25 percent of your body weight; however, however, this may still be too heavy heav y for many people. Start with wi th the starred must-have items in this guide and scale up from there.
Your own experience and budget: If you are totally unfamiliar with a recommended item, educate yourunfamiliar self before buying it and practice using it before an emergency strikes. Products come on and off the market all the time; consider this selection as a starting point p oint so that you know what to look for as you assemble your own bag. Finally, tuck this guide into your packed bag. It contains reminders about using your gear and other tips (purifying water, signaling for help) that could come in handy during an emergency.
EMERGENCY EMERGEN CY BAG RULE S
Obser ve these rules to ensure you are always preObserve pared and ready to go. ■
“borrow” row” supplies from your bag: and never NEVER “bor use your emergency bag for a backpacking trip tr ip or other outing. Purchase separate gear for recreational activities.
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Put a reminder in your calendar to update your bag with season-specific season-spe cific gear every six months (or as the seasons change): Check the expiration dates of your food and other perishables. Use the switchover as an opportunity opportunit y to air out your sleeping sleeping bag and repack your bag with the updated gear.
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If your weight varies, try tr y on your evacuation clothes once a year and make sure they still fit: Upgrade your children’s emergency bags as they grow.
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acces sible place ALWAYS keep your bag in one accessible at home: Do not move it around, put it into deep storage, or stack sta ck things on top of it. This will cause confusion and delay your evacuation.
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airpor t with your bag or EDC NEVER go through an airport (Every Day Carry) Carr y) items: (See (See Card 48.) Some of the contents are prohibited by the TSA and you may be detained by law enforcement.
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Do not add things to your bag without weighing them and trying try ing the bag with the new weight first: Over O ver time you will discover your bag is much heavier than it was initially.
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Do not hang your bag by the shoulder straps long term: This will stretch out the straps str aps and make the bag uncomfortable to wear.
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HOW TO PACK YOUR BAG Packing your bag is like putting together a puzzle. Group “like” items together and place them in your bag according to how frequently you’ll need to use them. Each person’s bag will be different, but the following cards outline one approach. MAIN COMPARTMENT:
1st (Bottom) Layer First, pack flat fl at reference materials (maps, (maps, e-reader) e- reader) that you may not need immediately along the back wall of your main compartment compartment.. Keep all documents and maps in plastic bags.
main compartment
Important documents
Maps
E-reader
Survival manual
HOW TO PACK YOUR BAG (CONT.)
MAIN COMPARTMENT:
2nd (Middle) Layer Next , add the items that you’ll probably only use Next, use at the end of the day (in other words, things that don’t need to be readily accessible throughout the day).
Fire-starting kit
Tent
Emergency blanket
Travel pillow
Katadyn
Toiletries
Water bottle
Camping pot
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YOUR WATER SUPPLY
If the water supply is shut off or contaminated during an emergency, finding clean drinking water may become incredibly difficult. To ensure that you have potable water for at least five days, pack the recommended amount of bottled water below (more if you can carry it). WHAT T O PACK PACK
1 2L HYDRATION BLADDER (FILLED)
1 16-OZ CLEAR PLASTIC BOTTLE BOTT LE (FILLED) (FILLED)
APPROX. COST:
$18–$34
APPROX. COST:
$1–$2
APPROX. WEIGHT:
11.2 oz (empty); 4.5 lbs (full)
APPROX. WEIGHT:
16 oz
1 TRANSPARENT PLASTIC (PET) WIDE-NECK CONTAINER (EMPTY)
10 EMERGENCY WATER 10 PACKETS
APPROX. COST:
$12–$15
APPROX. COST:
$8–$15
APPROX. WEIGHT:
3 oz
APPROX. WEIGHT:
2.6 lbs
YOUR WATER SUPPLY
HOW TO PACK IT IT
The hydration bladder fits fit s into its own pocket— usually on the side or in the back of your bag’s main compartment. Strap one water bottle to the outside out side of your bag or slide it into an exterior pocket. p ocket. Stow extra bottle(s) inside the main compartment. compartment. Emergency Emerg ency water packets can be stored anywhere any where in the main compartment except for the bottom of your bag. YOUR YO UR HY DRATIO DRATION N NEEDS
r ubber or Hydration bladder: A hydration bladder is a rubber plastic reservoir reser voir that fits into a specially specially designated compartment on camping or outdoor-style backpacks. Attached to the reservoir is a hose with a capped mouth, which allows the person wearing the bladder to drink hands-free while on the move. Look for a reservoir reser voir that is puncture resistant and easy to clean. Bleach, water, and sunlight (if the reservoir is clear) will help prevent bacterial growth. Because it is not recommended to store water in hydration bladders long term, you should rotate out the water in your bladder and clean it every six months, or leave it empty and fill it upon evacuation. An easy way to remember to empty and clean your hydration bladder is to do it on Thanksgiving T hanksgiving and Easter. Easter.
Plastic bottles: Pack at least one full water bottle and one empty clear plastic container. Make sure the plastic is BPA-free, BPA-free, and made with food-grade food -grade polyethylene. These water bottles can be used for sterilizing and collecting additional water. water.
Emergency water packets: These little water pouches hold 4.2 ounces of water and are made made of heavy-dut heavy -duty y Mylar. Two packets will cover your bare-minimum hydration needs for one day, day, but save these thes e as a last resort. They last about five years if properly sealed.
FIRE-STARTING SUPPLIES
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Lighting a fire serves ser ves many basic needs, from heating up food and keeping warm to providing some level of psychological comfort. You will need the following items to get your fire started. WHAT T O PACK PACK
L I GH T E R
STORM-PROOF MATCHES
APPROX. COST:
$2–$20
APPROX. COST:
$2–$20
APPROX. WEIGHT:
2–3 oz
APPROX. WEIGHT:
1–2 oz
T IN DE R
F L IN T S T R I K E R
APPROX. COST:
$2–$25
APPROX. COST:
$2–$12
APPROX. WEIGHT:
1 oz
APPROX. WEIGHT:
1 oz
HOW TO PACK IT IT
Store the matches, tinder, and flint striker in a waterproof container inside your main bag compartment compar tment (a GearPod works well for this—see this— see Card 2). Keep the lighter in an accessible exterior pocket.
FIRE-STARTING FIRE-ST ARTING SUPP SUPPLIE LIES S
FIRE-STARTING FIRE-ST ARTING TO OLS
Lighters: Choose a butane lighter (also known as a storm-proof storm- proof lighter, lighter, because bec ause they work in harsh weather conditions). Butane lighters burn through fluid quickly, so it doesn’t hurt to pack a standard naphtha-fueled lighter (such as a Zippo) as backup. Keep in mind that you’ll be lighting tinder to get the fire going, so you shouldn’t be using too much fuel.
Matches: Matches are a must-have item. Purchase a container of NATO NATO Survival Surv ival Matches (standard matchbooks are flimsy and the match heads break apart too easily). You can also make your own waterproof matches by dipping the match heads in wax and storing them in a plastic container. dr yer lint, shredTinder: Tinder can be made from dryer ded egg cartons, coconut oil–soaked cotton balls, and dried wood shavings. You can also purchase compact tinder sticks from camping supply sites. Slow-burning tinder (like (like coconut oil–soaked oil– soaked cotton balls) ball s) can help you get a fire going even in adverse conditions.
Flint strikers: This alternative fire-starting method takes some practice, prac tice, but it is the ultimate backup backup solution if you run out of matches or lighter fuel. This tool has two parts: par ts: a flint fl int and a striker. striker. Scraping the striker against against the flint creates sparks, which—when which— when used in conjunction with tinder—will start a fire.
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OVERNIGHT SHELTER Add an overnight overni ght shelter, shelter, such as a tent or bivy sack, to your bag in case you are forced to evacuate and can’t find shelter for the night. Practice assembling your tent in advance of an emergency. WHAT T O PACK PACK
OR
GOR T E X BI V Y C OV E R
FREESTANDING TENT
APPROX. COST:
$40–$90
APPROX. COST:
$90–$160
APPROX. WEIGHT:
2.2 lbs
APPROX. WEIGHT:
3.5 lbs
HOW TO PACK IT IT
Heavier items, like a tent, should be packed in the main compartment of your bag (ideally toward the top and close to your spine). A smaller bivy sack may fit in your sleeping bag compartment compar tment (if your bag has one) on e)..
OVERNIGHT SHEL SHELTER TER
CHOOSING YOUR EMERGENCY SHELTER
Ideally, every Ideally, ever y able-bodied able-bo died person in a family f amily should should have an overnight shelter in his or her bag in case he or she gets separated from the group. Even if the parents each carry carr y a heavier 2- to 3-person tent, each of the children should carry his or her own emergency bivy biv y sack. Avoid buying one unwieldy, multiperson multiperson tent for the whole family. extr emely small, lightweight, waterwaterBivy sack: This extremely proof shelter serves as an alternative to a tent. A bivy sack is essentially a waterproof fabric case that slips over your sleeping bag and traditionally covers the head and face. Simply remove the bivy from its it s sack and lay it out flat on the ground. Place your sleeping pad inside the bivy, then inflate it. Next, add your sleeping bag, and finally, crawl in yourself. Securely close the bivy biv y, leaving a small gap for ventilation.
Tent: Although it is tempting to buy an inexpensive tent, it pays to invest in one of the higher-qualit higher-quality y and lighter-weight lighter -weight models. models . A good emergency emergenc y tent should be waterproof, durable, easy to set up, lightweight, and big enough to accommodate your size. It should also be freestanding fre estanding so that you can set it up without ground stakes or tie offs. In advance ad vance of an emergency, practice assembling, breaking down, and stowing your tent in your bag.
Which one is right for you? Bivy sacks are inexpensive, lightweight, and very ver y easy to set up. They are not ideal for those who suffer from claustrophobia cl austrophobia (better to opt for a heavier heavier,, more expensive tent). Bivy Biv y sacks also tend to breath poorly and need ne ed to be vented to prevent condensation buildu buildup. p.
PERSONAL HEALTH NEEDS CHECKLIST
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If you (or anyone in your family) have any underlying health conditions, make sure that your bag is packed with medication adequate for at least five days. If your conditions or medications are not included on this card, add them to the end of the list (then use this card as a packing checklist). ❏
Spare glasses
❏
Contacts and contact lens solution
❏
Supplements
❏
Allergy medication(s)
❏
EpiPen
❏
Insulin
❏
Mental health medication(s)
❏
Blood pressure medication(s)
❏
Asthma rescue inhaler
❏
Migraine medication
❏
Extra batteries for hearing aids
❏
Epilepsy medication(s) and identification
❏
Heart condition medication(s) and identification
Other prescriptions/ prescriptions/medications: medications: ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏
PERSONAL PE RSONAL HEALTH HE ALTH NEEDS
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, if you have a rare r are blood type, t ype, or if you are allergic to certain medications or food, be sure that important information is noted somewhere in your backpack. (Y ( You can fill in those details on this card, below.) If you have an identification bracelet detailing your condition(s) con dition(s),, be sure to wear it when you leave home.
Health conditions:
