Actual survival kit

“Survival kit” is often (over)used figuratively to denote a set of essential items for a given activity or interest. Let’s talk about a bare minimum, actual set of (life) survival items that even a light traveler could carry. A couple of disposable breathing masks, iodide tablets, antibiotics? I don’t wish to go overboard or become a survivalist per se, but surely many of us have been thinking about this in recent days.

And while I’m at it - this moderated blog/board/live update page from Reuters is the single best Japan disaster news source I’ve seen.

(Brad)

Update on March 17, 2011 by Frank@OBOW

FRANK II’s Pick

Comments

[Andrew]

Great topic. As travelers I'm thinking not of a dedicated TEOTWAWKI bug-out bag, but of just enough to get you through an unplanned crisis event until you can get home...

For starters I'd add :
1. Aqua Mira water decontamination drops/tablets, enough to get your party/hosts through a few weeks. More is better than not enough.

2. Collapsible widemouth Platypus, 1 liter or, better, 1.5 liter. Holds many things, not just water.

3. Ziplock bag of protein powder, enough to mix in that Platypus and keep you going a few days/a week if local food is unavailable/contaminated. I carry this anyway because I like it for breakfast. Takes about the space of a balled up pair of socks.

4. Duplicate/spare driver's license, credit card/s, other ID's stored separately from your wallet. Also a USB card with all your important info scanned (ID, address book, certificates, whatever you'd need to reestablish identity and function if your wallet/passport were lost/destroyed). Encrypt if you like. You might want more than one copy (diversify=eggs=baskets).

Plus other items already in many of our one-bag's: Small multitool, TSA-compliant. Matches/lighter. Backup batteries/chargers for smartphone, enough Vitamins. Basic travel-oriented first aid kit. Hand/face disinfectant for incipient pandemics.

Looking forward to other's ideas.

[Andrew]

As to what will likely be happening around you and available/unavailable wherever you may be traveling when the unexpected hits, google '100 Things That Disappear First In A Crisis'.

Another item many/most of us travel with is a good headlamp and batteries. I typo'ed above, but meant 'enough backup/plug-in batteries to keep your smartphone running for at least several days'. Assuming phone/internet still work even intermittently, having a working smartphone on Day 2, 3 or 4 might make all the difference in getting by/ getting out/ getting back.

[Paula S]

Make sure your Tetanus / Diptheria shot is up to date before you go.

[Frank II]

Some of the things I carry with me:

1) Steri-Pen......I gave one of these to a friend of mine making her fourth trip to Africa. She said this was the first time she didn't get sick upon arriving and it's easier to use than trying to lug bottled water back to her house. She likes it better than Iodine tablets because it doesn't make the water taste bad.

2) Collapsible Water bottle

3) Energy Bars and Individual packets of Protein Powder

4) Flashlight and extra batteries

4) Backup charger for Ipod Touch/Blackberry

5) Disinfectant wipes/Bath wipes

I've been in places where they've lost power and only had a flashlight. The other stuff would have come in handy.

I used to carry a shortwave radio with me but it's fairly heavy. If anyone knows of an extremely lightweight radio that includes the AM band, let me know.

[Laurie]

Many of the items most OBOWer's pack for any trip: flashlight, duct tape, tissues, first aid, snacks, water bottle, bandana, utilitool, emergency contacts, etc. are disaster worthy without over packing for "what ifs." Living in an earthquake zone, we already have disaster kits (72 hours worth) for our home and our vehicles but, I am always on the lookout for lighter, multiuse items. Although, survival knowledge, a willingness to improvise and a positive attitude is probably more important than any one piece of specialized gear- whether the disaster is at home or on a trip.

[Maggie]

I'd add a radio to that bare minimum. Low tech but essential emergency item: phones may not work. I have a very old walkman that I travel with that is as small as a smartphone. Antibiotics: Cephalexin 500 mg was prescribed by our doctor for travel. Some people prefer Doxycycline and others worried about anthrax related terrorism events choose Ciprofloxacin. Do some research, talk to your doctor to determine which is best for your purposes.

Thanks for the Japan disaster link. Good accurate links for the nuclear end of their problems can be found at http://nei.cachefly.net/newsandevents/information-on-the-japanese-earthquake-and-reactors-in-that-region/ and http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html (includes good background on number of reactors and sites (news accounts get confusing especially between the two different Fukushima sites)).

[Lisa FD]

Great advice-- especially Paula's regarding immunizations. It's not something I'd have considered a "survival" tool but it makes sense.

I'd add sturdy shoes. One might not think about it if going on a tropical vacation where lounging by the pool is the most strenuous planned activity. Flip flops/sandals won't cut it if you have to hoof it over debris or long distances to get help or evacuated.

[Dan]

This is an interesting topic; especially in the light of recent tragic
events in Japan.I admire their calmness/ discipline and orderly manner
in which they are dealing with this natural disaster.
While we can't posibly envision what disaster one might encounter--
some handy items could include:---
Solar blanket / bandana as an improvised mask / waterpurification tablets /
a small mirror which one could use to deflect sunlight to signal for help /
Flashlight which don't need batteries which one can wind to charge. I
have one with charger attachments to charge my cell phones./ band-aids /
Flushable wipes/ I have a small Grundig radio with Sw bands.( old model).
Check out SURVIVAL KIT IN A SARDINE CAN at Thinkgeek.com . It is lightweight
though I wonder if TSA would allow on the aircraft.
Another item I have actually used in the wilderness to make a bonfire and cook
is a magnifying glass. You can filter the sun's rays through the magnifying glass to
a fine point on dry leafs/ twigs to ignite a small bonfire.A compass would also help
Safe travels.

[tm]

I carry the Pocket Survival Pak (~$25) at all times. Its contents are listed here:
http://www.dougritter.com/psp_contents.htm
Of the items that haven't been mentioned above would be:
A whistle (far more effective than yelling for help)
A signaling mirror

[Till]

Great posts, Laurie and tm. I wanted to say the same things. It has to be small enough to fit in your pocket. Probably the most important thing to have about you is your wits. ;)

Polished interior of the can can serve as mirror, as can the blade of a knife.

Watch can give you at least an approximate bearing.

[flerdle]

Good suggestions, everyone. For a radio, I have a sony walkman am/fm radio (SRF-M97), somewhat expensive but very tiny.

[dpkworldwide]

You obviously need to visit the live news feed and moderated blog at http://www.bbc.co.uk The BBC is typically far less sensational and more measured in their reporting than anyone else. I've been bouncing around everywhere looking at the feeds and am absolutely appalled at any reporting coming from US-based sources. CNN, Fox, Reuters--doesn't matter. They're all being shockingly irresponsible, biased, insensitive, sensationalistic or downright false--take your pick.

Oh yeah--and on subject: I do indeed have a "Survival Kit" of my own ready. Being a native Los Angeleno, I've been through numerous earthquakes and fires over my 48 years. It contains many of the items mentioned previously by other posters. Most important things IMHO are: Steri-pen, Candles, waterproof matches and important phone numbers/addresses/information printed out and laminated to be waterproof. Just read in interesting quote from a Red Cross official in Geneva about that last one in regards to the current situation in Japan:

"Some people are alive and can't say it, and those eager to know what's happening to their family cannot find information," said Mr Stoll. "I don't know how many of the phone numbers saved on your mobile phone you know by heart. How do you reach someone whose number you have in the mobile you lost? These are the little details that make this much more complicated." Wise words of warning on something we might all take for granted.

I've spent a couple of summers in Japan (mostly in Kansai and Tokyo) learning the language and have become quite distraught at the disaster. Please help when and how you can; I've found it very simple and reliable to donate through Apple's iTunes store--all the money will go directly to the Red Cross.

[Monte]

I keep a sealed gallon can of Coleman fuel for the stove and lantern should the need arise. All the other stuff is around the house some place. Oh, and a spare tank of propane for the grill. We don't get too excited about a catastrophe happening.

If anyone is interested I know where you can probably buy bulk lentils and wheat to store with your leftover millenium generator.

[Brad]

I saw Anderson and Sanjay brandishing personal radiation detectors last night on CNN which were about the size of a cellphone. I believe they're about $200. Read a story that said they are selling out everywhere. And maybe the ultimate survival tool is something only bankers and celebs can afford: the private jet -- http://www.cnbc.com/id/42105046

[Dan]

Not only are the personal radiation detectors selling out; there are
reports that there is a run on Potassium- iodide supplies in the US.
Sometimes panic and fear can do one more harm based on perceived
danger here at home.I won't be surprised if some folks are feeding
Potassium-iodide tablets to their pets.The news media does a good job
in spreading fear of radiation or disease, etc .

[tm]

One more thing that would probably be in a traveler's wallet/purse:
Cash in the local currency in small denominations

Also, while it's good to improvise and know how to make do, the purpose of a survival kit is to help you cut down on that need. This will help you preserve valuable energy and time in an emergency.

Finally, it goes without saying that an emergency is not the best time to wish that you had to bought a higher quality tool. Keep in mind that this is stuff your life may well depend on.

Equipped to Survive has been reviewing pocket survival kits for some time: http://www.equipped.org/prsnlkit.htm

I don't mean to keep linking to them, but they really do have a lot of resources for those interested in this stuff. It is geared more towards survival situations in the wilderness, but major disasters often mean that normal services are unavailable for days.

[Laurie]

Frank II- MegaBrite and Ducy make AM/FM radios that are meant for emergency use. They are dynamo powered, about 5" long and include the flashlight, signal flash, a very loud siren, and sometimes a cell phone power jack. There might be other brands that are as small or smaller since when I purchased ours.

[Frank II]

I was looking more for something to take on my travels overseas that can have double duty. I think I found it:

The Degen DE1125--AM/FM/SW radio, mp3 player, digital recorder, alarm clock and can be recharged either by plugging it into the wall or into a PC. I carry a back up battery supply for my Ipod Touch and Smart phone which will work with this as well.

I'll write a review once I get it and have had a chance to play with it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UV90LM/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=AMH4W1K8OCGMX

[Dan]

As a matter of general interest----- check out CNNMONEY.COM about
how close you are residing to a local nuke plant in case of an emergency.
Click on the article --" Your neighbourhood nuke plant".

[Curtis Familia]

Good suggestions, I agree that one of the most important items in your survival kit should be a means to get fresh water. One of the easiest ways to do this is with filter straws or water bottles with built in filters. I have found some nice ones over at http://wisefoodinsurance.com