by Preparation Call Editorial Team | Apr 9, 2025 | Preparation Guide, Preparation Supplies
If you’re planning to pick up a first aid kit at the store, you might be in for a shock. Most of those pre-planned kits don’t contain the items that you need for long term or even short-term survival.
Those kits were put together based on normal living conditions. Since surviving a natural disaster or other crisis situation doesn’t qualify as normal, you’re going to want to look specifically for a survival first aid kit. These aren’t the same as a regular first aid kit meant for a soccer mom whose kid needs a BandAid for a scraped knee.
You’re going to want to make sure you have what you need so if you can’t find a kit made specifically for survivalists, then put together the supplies you need yourself. Get a sturdy bag for it – you can use a hard shell case or you can use a backpack for your first aid supplies. If you use a backpack, mark it as your first aid kit.
You’ll want a first aid manual. No matter how much knowledge you have with emergencies, if you’re the one that needs aid, this can help someone else know how to treat you.
Next, besides bandages that range in shape and size, you’re going to want gauze pads. Make sure these are in a variety of sizes and make sure they’re the absorbent kind. You’re going to want butterfly strips, but in a pinch, you can make your own with regular medical tape – so make sure you have medical tape in your kit. Have burn dressings in your kit, too.
You need Ace bandages because these not only help with a sprain, but they can also be used to fasten a splint or a sling if needed. Have a supply of gloves on hand to use while you’re performing treatment.
You’ll also need a way to clean the wound. You can use a piece of gauze if you have to – but most people pack some cotton swabs. You’ll need scissors for cutting and you’ll need tools to get out splinters or other foreign objects.
Tweezers are best for this but in some events, you’ll need a needle. You’ll want a flashlight so that you can see what you’re doing. You’ll want a thermometer as well as the medication to treat in the event someone does have a fever. You’ll want one of those ice packs for help with swelling injuries.
Make sure your kit has plenty of antibiotic ointments and even allergic reaction tablets since you’ll be living in areas where you and your family may not have been exposed to the allergens. Pack the liquid kind if you have children who can’t swallow pills yet.
Having the means to suture up deep wounds in order to save a life is a necessity. For that, you’ll need a suture kit. Superglue can also be used to close a wound. Some people also choose to have a handheld blood pressure machine. You can find ones that can also monitor a victim’s heartrate.
If you’ll be out in the woods or if you’ve set up a camp somewhere away from your home, you might encounter snakes. So take a snakebite kit. It’s a good idea to investigate the area you’ll be staying in to see what dangers you might encounter so that your kit can be built specifically for those issues.
by Preparation Call Editorial Team | Apr 9, 2025 | Preparation Guide, Preparation Supplies, Preparedness
It seems that everywhere you go now people are looking for ways to be better prepared for potential difficulties ahead. Most people consider Long-Term food storage as one of the areas they are most concerned about. They look for helpful ideas on ways to store food supplies in the event there is a need.
Whether you agree with the need for long-term food storage or not, it is never a bad idea to have at least a small stockpile of food in the event of an emergency. Inclement weather events, power outages, and other disasters could make finding food outside of your home nearly impossible. Having some food and water supplies to fall back on is a smart and safe plan.
Get Long Term Food Storage Ideas
Why Should You Have Long-Term Food Storage?
Consider this very realistic scenario: What if you were caught in a long-term power outage due to a severe storm that caused flooding and major damage to roadways. Years ago, my family was impacted by a hurricane that took an unexpected turn and ended-up as a direct hit on our area. We had some supplies on hand, but not enough really to get us through a long-term situation. We survived but we should have been better prepared. We never imagined that we would be stuck in our home for weeks.
Events such as this, and a long list of other possibilities, could happen to you. Having a plan to survive and thrive in any situation, including enough food and water to fall back on, will keep you and your family safe and healthy despite the drastic situation.
How Much Food Should You Store?
Every home should have a minimum of five days’ worth of food and water appropriate for their family size, but having at least two weeks’ worth is much preferred. The rule of thumb for water is one gallon of water per person per day, and do not forget to count children and pets at up to a full gallon of water each as well. The amount of food will depend on your family, but there should be enough to provide enough calories and nutrition to keep you healthy. At the very minimum, each family member should be able to have at least one full meal per day.
Important Food Storage Suggestions
What Kinds of Food Should You Store?
You will want to stock food that has a minimum of a 3-6 month shelf life, and keep that stock rotated so that nothing is spoiled should an emergency occur. Look for canned goods and other non-perishable foods that your family will eat. It will not do much good to only stock canned foods that no-one likes, because then it will be less likely that everyone will consume enough food and get the proper nutrition.
What Are Some Examples of Foods to Store?
Ready to eat canned goods that do not require cooking before consumption, granola bars, dried milk, peanut butter, nuts, and protein bars are all examples of good items to store. Crackers, bread, and similar products are good to keep as well – as long as you keep the stock rotated and keep in mind that they will not last as long as non-perishable items.
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How Do You Store Food Items Long Term?
Have a shelf, closet, pantry, or cellar dedicated to your emergency food storage. Everything in your emergency food supply should be stored in airtight containers and you will want to have extra storage containers and/or zip lock bags to keep opened items in. Keep a list or clearly mark all boxes, cans, and bags with expiration dates and “opened on” dates and keep your stock rotated and free of expired items.
Keeping a stockpile of food and water for your family to fall back on in times of need is a responsible part of emergency preparedness. Should a large storm or other disaster occur in your area, you are more likely to be able to survive comfortably for longer. These tips should help you build and maintain a long-term food storage.
by Preparation Call Editorial Team | Apr 9, 2025 | Preparation Supplies
Disaster Preparedness: A Necessity For Every Individual
Preparedness keys are the key points of gathering food, water, and shelter items to protect you and your family by planning for emergencies. We never know what is going to hit our home town or our family dwelling. Anything from natural disasters to fires or floods or an economic hardship can set us reeling if we are unprepared.
Preparedness is the answer. You must decide now, what my best survival products are and purchase them. You must be water self sufficient and be able to cook and stay warm off the Grid. You need long term food storage, first aid kits, tools, light and communication gear and defensive weapons to protect your home, family and possessions.
Nicolas Chauvin gives us a tour of the fallout shelter in the basement of his flat in Lausanne, Switzerland, where such fallout shelters are not only require…
Preparedness focuses on preparing equipment and procedures for use when a disaster occurs. This equipment and these procedures can be used to reduce vulnerability to disaster, to mitigate the impacts of a disaster or to respond more efficiently in an emergency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has set out a basic four stage vision of preparedness flowing from mitigation to preparedness to response to recovery and back to mitigation in a circular planning process. This circular, overlapping model has been modified by other agencies, taught in emergency class and discussed in academic papers. FEMA also operates a Building Science Branch that develops and produces multi hazard mitigation guidance that focuses on creating disaster resilient communities to reduce loss of life and property.
The Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness
The Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness
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