Emergency Supplies Blog

We are often meet with such emergency situations which are beyond our control. While some of these are natural disasters others are man-inflicted. We can’t always control the occurrence of such disasters but can surely control the severity of the disaster. This obviously depends on how well prepared we are in handling a crisis situation. That is why it is always a wise to keep your emergency survival kit close. It depends on your unique needs to select the proper emergency kits and supplies. Once a disaster has already occurred you won’t have the time or the be calm to think out your plan and get emergency supplies. Hence being proactive and prepared is always the first step.

By being well prepared you can not only save your skin but also provide a helping hand to others when the help of local officials or rescue operators is yet to arrive. Most emergency survival kits are designed to contain the most vital of emergency supplies such as food, water, shelter, lighting, sanitation and other survival equipment. There are specialty emergency kits especially designed to meet disastrous situations like earthquakes, hurricane, and a pandemic or flu.

Some of the specialty emergency kits are listed below:

Child Care Safety Kit: This is an accessory kit with supplementary emergency supplies. These kits are specifically designed for the safety of young children. These tailor made disaster kits are designed to protect children from common dangers. The pack’s contents may contain Child ID & Records Kit (help in identifying the missing or lost). Child sized water, food, child games, and a light stick. Also, I have seem some kits contain safety corner bumpers (helps in preventing most common household accidents), Child safety cabinet latches (ideal to be used in kitchens and bathrooms), a all purpose safety strap (keeps kids away from dangerous areas), automatic night light (provides light during a power shortage).

Earthquake Kit: Special survival pack with supplementary emergency supplies designed to lessen the severity of the disaster caused by earthquake. This custom kit is especially helpful in protecting you and your home against any kind of damage or injury caused by earthquake. No doubt the supplies in the pack are especially designed to provide immunity from earthquakes. The kit could include comprises a package of picture hooks (prevents the damage of picture frames), Jar of Museum/Quake Wax (a non toxic formula), Furniture Fastening Straps (the furniture can easily shift or block the exit), Power Failure Lights (automatic lights used in power cut), Set of Safety Adhesive Fasteners and Survival Guide (an easy and comprehensive guide with tips on surviving an earthquake). Also, tools like a crow bar, shovel, and gloves.

Hurricane Kit: Specifically designed kit with additional emergency supplies. All the supplies in the pack are specifically designed to protect the occupants from a hurricane and its aftermath. The pack includes a large duct tape, polythene tarp (can be used as a quick spot shelter), survival candle (usable during power cut), waterproof matches (burns even if completely drenched in water, also non toxic), axe (with a flattened head), safety goggles (protects eyes from harmful dust and debris), a folding shovel and a survival guide. It is not possible to keep all the emergency supplies therefore go for only those specialty kits that cater to your regional demands or your unique situation.

Both natural and man-made disasters result in emotional and physical injury. Most of the survivors of natural disasters, war, and terror attacks suffer from acute trauma and emotional turbulence. They may have come out unscathed from a hurricane, earthquake or a bomb blast, but the traumatic experience often paralyses them and deters them from recuperating completely. Physical and emotional trauma, if not handled immediately with first aid kit and emergency supplies, can go horribly out-of-hand and wreak havoc in the life of the victim. This is why a trauma kit with a complete set of emergency preparedness supplies should be made available for employees in a workplace as well as in public domains.

Most of these trauma kit should be attached on walls or should be strung up in plain sight so that in case of emergency people do not have to exert themselves to reach, find,  or access the the first aid kit. Acquiring a trauma kit has become all the more simple as they can be purchased online. Whether you need a trauma kit as a personal safeguard, or need a large one that is part of medical first aid kits for 10-200 strong workforce, availing one today is as easy as buying a hat from a street vendor.

Building a trauma kit needs much more caution and homework than packing a simple medical emergency kit. You need to survey the kind of situations you may experience trauma from as well as the environs around. You may need a foldable stretcher or quick splint and bandage wraps or ointment for a spider bite – all of which, if untreated or unattended to, can cause the injuries to turn into more severe ones. A trauma kit may contain everything – from a simple burn ointment to complete rolls of bandages and foldable stretcher units

Trauma kits have helped hundreds save themselves – right from the scene of the London Subway bombings to Hurricane Katrina victims. And as far as buying such trauma kits or emergency supplies are concerned, right from small personal kits to deluxe emergency bulk-heads for a 1,000 strong crowd is easily available online. The importance of trauma kits are one of the most important first aid supplies to have in emergency situations, this cannot be stressed enough. Injuries may heal, but without trauma treatment with the help of medical first aid kits complete recuperation may take a long time!

A little pre-planning doesn’t make you a dooms-day-ist.  Being prepared could alleviate a whole lot of stress and agravation.  It could even save your life and/or a family members.  If you find you never have to use your emergency supplies its even better yet.  Its kind of like the seat belts in your car.  You put them on just in case, as putting them on after an accident is too late. 

The basic survival kit should be designed to get you through a 72 hour or 3 day period.  This is what the Red Cross and most others suggest.  I believe if you give people the information and knowledge you can put together a nice kit that is unique for each member of your family.

Every time there is a disaster, people are unprepared and they cannot believe what is happening to them.  They then have to wait for State and/or Federal government help or charitable organizations to bring them emergency supplies. 

Condider your own unique situation and take the time to get informed, get a plan, and gather your emergency supplies in advance.

Whether it’s an earthquake, fire, flood, or other natural disaster, it’s important to be prepared if things go bad.  Keeping extra water, food, and medical supplies on hand is always a good idea.  You should have at least two first aid kits or medical supply boxes.  We suggest one in your car and one in your house at all times.  It’s hard to prepare for a disaster, after all, you can’t know all the minute details until the disaster is upon you.  But it’s a good idea to have your supplies readily accessible and/or even have extra supplies outside your home, like in your car.  You should also set a meeting point with family and friends.

If you prepare for an emergency or disaster beforehand, you will be much calmer and able to address the situation should the unthinkable occur.  Being prepared is not just about having the right planning and supplies, it’s about abstaining from fear.

In the time of crises we often lose control over our thought process and become nervous. Such traumatic emergency situations or conditions need to be handled with proper care and intelligence. Your safety should always be the top priority in any case because unless you are safe you cannot provide help to others. Safety is always the top priority and emergency communications is the basic element to this safety. It requires a lot of courage on the part of the victim to wake up and take charge after the devastating damage that comes with a natural or man-made disaster.

It has also been witnessed that after a massive earthquake, a devastating flood or a harrowing tsunami, that the existing communications system may not be available. The cause may be either due to physical damage or system overload. Consequently, the entire communication suddenly stalls with the damage of telephone wires, damage of cellular phone towers and antennas losing power. Even the government system fails in meeting the large scale damage control and the demands of the civilians affected. This is the time for any voluntary or non voluntary organization to respond quickly in the event of an emergency. There are many organizations that have developed emergency communication plans to carry out the communications and operations offering rapid response during a crisis. The communication devices that can be used during a crisis:

Amateur Radio: In time of a natural disaster an amateur radio is often used as an important medium of emergency communication. An amateur radio is especially helpful when wire phone, cell phones and other communication mediums fail to respond. Unlike other communication devices, the amateur radio is not completely dependent on land facilities. Amateur radio operators are experienced in using the device. It can easily be powered with an automobile battery.

AM /FM Solar Dynamo Radio with Flashlight: An AM/FM Solar Dynamo Radio with flashlights is also used as an emergency communication device. The radio with its flashlights converts the solar energy for rechargeable lanterns, blinking lights and an AM/FM Radio for indoor and outdoor activities. These radio types are especially great for power failures.

AM/FM Radio (TRANSISTOR) With Speaker: These radio transistors can best be used to give access to emergency news and warnings. The compact radio keeps one updated on warnings and emergencies even during power failures. These radio transistors are generally available with head sets and carry straps.

Brass Whistle with Lanyard: This brass whistle includes a lanyard and is a great attention catching device. The device is especially compact and affordable. There’s a special method of using the device - to indicate a call for help three sharp bursts are used and to answer a call, only two bursts are used.

Some other important communication devices that can be used during a crisis include, AM/FM Radio Siren Flashlights, Bull Horn, Walkie Talkies, Weather Band w/Dynamo Charging System, Lifeline Emergency Kit w/Phone, Solar Dynamo Radios along with Flashlights Models, Megaphone, some with Sirens, Pocket Compass, Solar AM/FM Shortwave Radio, and shack flashlights.

Emergency communications are important during any crisis or emergency. Since being prepared and informed is always vital, people need to be updated at all times. A successful communication plan and proper emergency supplies is the best possible means to stop overwhelming damage from large-scale disasters.

Its smart to find ways to protect your data before an emergency.  Its a good idea to have a copy of your important emergency contact information in your emergency kit. 

Also, your important pictures , financial information, etc… should be secured as well and be portable and/or secured in a second location.  

Below are a few of the most common ways to back up and store your data.

Use a USB flash drive to store your important data.

Put your important dats and pictures on a CD/DVD

Buy an external hard drive and put your data on there.

Use an online backup service.

Update your hand written lists, forms, etc…

Disasters strike suddenly and without prior warning, leaving you entirely at a loss! Since you are never prepared for such crises you could be anywhere - home, work, school or in a car. We are so absorbed in our day to day activities that we often make the mistake of avoiding important safety measures which are required to safeguard us from freak accidents or other sources of harm. That is why keeping your emergency kits within close proximity is always advisable. Lack of proper emergency supplies during such grave has been the cause for death of many who could have survived if proper disaster kits had been available around.

You can buy emergency and disaster kits from various sources but selecting a proper one is a matter of discretion. A good emergency survival kit is one that fits your unigue needs. There emergency kits are available for one person to more than hundred people. You can buy these kits either by visiting a good real world outlet or through online retailers. No matter whether you want to buy a personal survival kit, office kit, classroom kit or a C.E.R.T kit, you can look to the Internet for a variety of sources to buy them from.

There are different types of emergency and disaster kits that you can use, with some useful ones listed below:

Fanny Pack Survival Kit: A fanny pack survival kit can be used for at least a three day trip. It is a little larger in size than a pocket survival kit and can carry vital emergency supplies. Generally it comprises of bottled water, packaged food, rescue signal devices, compass, basic forms of shelter, flint stones and other crucial survival equipments.

Water Survival Kit: At certain emergency situations it becomes mandatory to survive exclusively over water. At times it even happens that water or rain becomes a major threat to survival. During such situations water survival kits are the best to opt for. Water survival emergency kits are generally carried by pilots, fishermen, people living on houseboats, cruise tourists and even for people living in flood prone regions. Water survival kits generally contains rescue items like water canteen, food and water supplies, compass, blankets, strobe lights, glares, sunscreen, bandannas or handkerchiefs, fishing kit, floats, waterproof fire starter equipment, and similar items.

Pocket Survival Emergency and Disaster Kits: Pocket survival kits are generally small and can be carried in one’s pocket itself (as the name suggests). Pocket kits are generally used by people who are on frequent outings, or by those who go for camping or pursue adventure sports. Trekkers, campers, cyclists, hunters are among the ones to use this survival kit. All the basic survival tools like compass, rescue whistles, knife, fishing cords, flashlights, duct tape etc are present among the components in the pack.

Backpack Survival Kit/Bucket Emergency Kits: Both of these kits are easy to carry. They generally contains almost all the survival supplies like first aid, proper shelter equipment, emergency food, waterm communication product, and more. It could be a best kit in case of an general emergency or in surviving post an earthquake, flood or even a forest fire.

Usually the emergency and disaster kits differ based on the purpose of their use. There could be difference in the quality of the materials; however the basic tools and equipments in the pack always remain about the same.

Over the winter, a particularly nasty storm rolled through the area where I live and knocked down several power lines.  It took the construction crews days to get the power back on, and while it was down I was having trouble maintaining my sanity.  I know, it’s the classic tale of the kid who can’t live without their television, video games, and computer, but I don’t live with anyone else so when the lights are out, I have nothing to do.  I was so glad when I remembered the solar radio I had gotten for Christmas a few years back.   The best part was, I just left it outside for a few hours, and then it was charged and didn’t need power for days. Now I’m a little better prepared for future power outages, and I even make sure I have a couple books I haven’t read on hand as well as a solar light nearby!

With respect to emergency food the first place to start is in your own kitchen and/or pantry.  Start a list of emergency food products that you already have.  Add items to your emergency food list like beens, nuts, energy bars, crackers, etc…  When you have account for what you already have in stock, I would just go and buy some emergency water packs and a few emergency food bars and your basically done.  Finally, I would put the emergency food and water list in a plastic bag and keep the list in your emergency kit for further revision and emergency use. 

If you asked your employer if they are prepared for a natural disaster, emergencies, fires, chemical releases, building lock downs, etc… the common answer would be, well, no, not really.  My experience from being a hazmat trainer would be that you find between 5% to 10 % of offices, schools, etc… are prepared.  My suggestion is to ask your employer, office manager, superintendent, union representative, etc… if they are prepared for emergency and disasters.  It really is their job while you are at work to have all of the emergency gear that will be needed in an emergency or disaster.

What is in your first aid kit?  The Red Cross suggests keeping a first aid kit in your home and another in your car.  There are a lot of first aid kits available today.  You probable do not have to buy a first aid kit if you would rather make your own.  Here is my recommended list of items that should cover 90% of basic care.  You can also add items you feel are important.

Bandages & Medical Supplies:  Two 4 by 6 absorbent compression dressings, 30 adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, one large roll of cloth tape, an assortment of gause pads, and an assortment of roller bandages, 10 packets of antibotic ointment, 2 packets of hydrocortisone ointment for bee stings and rashes, and aspirin. 

Protective Gear: A breathing barrier with a one way valve and some latex gloves.

Additional Supplies:  a couple of space blankets, scissors, tweezer, a first aid book, an oral thermometer, and a list of emergency phone numbers.

Accidents can happen at any time to anybody, and the family that’s determined to be as safe as possible will acknowledge this possibility. If you want to make sure that your family has access to at least basic medical aid, make sure that you choose a first aid kit for your family. Sort through all the first aid kits at the store to ensure that you’re picking the one that’s right for your family. If you find that it’s lacking something, purchase the missing elements and make sure that they fit within the first aid kit. In this way, all the emergency medical supplies are together in one place.

The first thing to do with a first aid kit is make sure that everyone in the family knows exactly how to use all the elements within the kit. They aren’t of much use, after all, if no one can actually identify or use the products within it. The other important thing is that you check the kit every month to ensure it’s still fully stocked. Minor things like Band-Aids are sure to get used first, and a kit can quickly run out of these items.