Emergency Preparedness

*Photo Credit Darci Larsen

Septemeber 11th is a day of remembrance. A day to honor those fallen in the tragic events of 9/11. We will never forget, and we will always honor their memory. May they rest in peace.
Its days like today that really get you thinking. They make you reflect, think about the past, as well as looking forward towards the future. In doing our best to honor those fallen, we must also learn and prepare for the future.
The world we live in is always unpredictable. Constantly shifting and changing. We may not be able to predict every disaster, but we can always do your best to prepare for them. No one knows where or when tragedy will strike. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that fortune favors the prepared. It would be better to have a bug out bag and never need it than to need it and not have it. The best kind of emergency prepared kit is the kind you never have to use, but it’s always there just in case.
So what goes into a great emergency preparedness bag? The best kind of bug out bag is tailored to you, and your specific needs. But hopefully, we can give you an idea of where to start, and you can go from there.
1.) First aid– As with any emergency, you want to make sure you can take care of those you care about. The best way to do that is to make sure you have a great first aid kit. Any emergency is only made worse by the addition of an injury. If you can treat, or at least care for the injury you will be much better off. You can’t do much else if you’re hurt.
2.) Fixed Blade – A fixed blade can be incredibly reliable in any emergency situation. Fixed blades can be used to assist in building shelters, preparing food, or even freeing you or someone else if they are tangled up or trapped. Fixed blades are strong and reliable. Just the stuff you look for in an emergency.
3.) Gloves – You wouldn’t think it, but gloves can be an immense help in an emergency situation. You may have the first aid kit to assist in any injuries, but gloves may help you to avoid injury altogether. In any emergency situation, you are going to be using your hands a lot, so you will be much better off protecting them with a sturdy pair of gloves.
4.) Stove/cookware – While this item may not be of the highest priority, it can still be immensely helpful in an emergency situation. A stove can provide a fantastic source of heat, and also assist in the preparations of raw foods. The last thing you want is to make yourself or anyone else sick by eating contaminated food.
5.) Compass – The best kind of survivalist is the kind that knows where he or she is. A compass can be instrumental in helping you find your way to help. We may live in an age where we all have compasses on our phones, but, unfortunately, our phones don’t always work everywhere. A compass can be your map back to help.
6.) Flashlight/headlamp– You may be able to create light with fire, but sometimes you don’t have those materials readily available, or you just need light fast. A flashlight can be your lifeline in the dark places of the world. Whether trapped somewhere below ground or lost in the darkness a flashlight is an absolute necessity. Don’t forget backup batteries as well.
7.) Paracord – While you may not think it, Paracord can be of countless uses in an emergency situation. It can assist in making traps for food, making shelter, treating wounds, and many other uses. It’s lightweight and sturdy. Just the kind of thing you want in your bug out bag.
8.) Survival Blanket– No matter where you are, eventually the sun is going to go down. And when that happens, you are going to want to stay warm. One way to do that is with a survival blanket.
9.) Water Filter – As soon as you start to become dehydrated, things start going downhill fast. Fatigue, upset stomach, confusion, all of these things can be caused by dehydration. If you are already in an emergency situation, dehydration can be a death sentence. The best way to go about avoiding this is with a water filter system. These handy little systems allow you to drink from almost anywhere while avoiding getting sick. Always be sure to have one of these, it could be the difference between life and death.
10.) Firestarter– Firestarters can be a pivotal part of any emergency situation. These will assist you in starting a fire quickly, and with less struggle. Staying warm is always a big part of any emergency situation, and sometimes you just need more than a blanket.  They can also assist in sending smoke signals, alerting someone to your location.
11.) Bag – It’s great to have this stuff, but where are you going to put it? All this will just be burdensome unless you have a nice, reliable bag to place it all in. It will make it that much easier to grab should an emergency arise. Always go with something sturdy and reliable, because if the bag breaks, everything else is lost.
12.) Lighter – A lighter is always a great thing to have on hand in an emergency situation. The flame can be used to sterilize things should you need, start a fire, or even provide a light source. They are so small and compact, they won’t take up much room in your bag.
These are just a few ideas to get your started on your emergency preparedness kit. As stated above, it’s great to tailor these bags to you. Include any medicine or prescriptions to the bag, just in case. Hopefully, we have provided you with a good idea of what you will need. We hope you take a moment this 9/11 to remember those who have fallen and honor their memory.