Survival Kits-Build Your Own-Part 2

In the initial article concerning survival kits we really just skimmed the surface of uses, necessity, and contents.  To provide a better basis for what a person might want to include in a survival kit it’s important to take into account the following factors;

• Most likely type of disaster or emergency to prepare for
• Time of year (prevailing weather conditions)
• The immediate environment, i.e. urban, suburban, rural, #%^#!@ nowhere
• Likely companions
• Likely mode of travel
• Current health concerns

How close  relative safety is can be the most important factor, outweighing all others easily.  If  the nearest safe place is the local “bomb-proof” that is invulnerable to everything, an evacuee won’t need much more than food, water, and a deck of cards.

If there is no relatively “safe place”, or if it’s too far or otherwise not immediately accessible, start planning NOW!  You must have an idea of where to go and how to get there ahead of the actual emergency.

If  a person has a place to go, several different ways to get there, knows how long it will take to get there and the possible dangers along the way, most of the survival kit will be obvious and easy to assemble.

For instance, living in an area where  forest fires are the primary danger, the evacuee needs a fire-safe zone, like a lake or a large parking lot, somewhere the fire can’t reach them.

Hurricane shelter is much different than earthquake shelter but  the provisions would be basically the same, as would be provisions for escaping from a forest fire hazard.

The time of year will make a radical difference in provisions and equipment if a person lives in Canada versus one who lives in Mexico.  I personally have two separate  B.O.B.s, one for winter and one for summer.  However, they are light enough to pack both (and I would!)

Your companions in a disaster situation might mean the difference between life and death for the prepared individual.  Hysteria, depression and shock can immobilize anyone if they are not prepared for a massive emergency situation.  The prepared individual must take into account the reactions of those companions and be prepared to deal with them in one way or another.

I am certain of one of my companions and know exactly how he would react in most circumstances.  “Bubba” my 160 lb chocolate Lab will pack his own share of grub and then some. He won’t get hysterical and won’t even stop to sniff another dog unless he has permission.  In a survival situation I would trust him with my life and vice-versa I’m sure!

The immediate environment is the most important factor overall when it comes to packing a survival kit.   If the urban dweller doesn’t know what to do in a disaster they will either be part of a howling, out-of-control mob or they’ll be the first to die.  There is no room for the unprepared in the city.

In  suburban and rural areas the chances of survival for the unprepared grow better for the simple fact of less population pressure.  Less people means less problems with rioting and mass lawlessness.

Of course it also means less possible aid and or emergency services, but getting even farther away from the starving, mindless hordes departing the cities  is easier and defensive areas can be set up.

Anywhere within 100 miles or so of a major population center will put you in harms’ way in case of a massive evacuation.  Build your kit with that thought in mind.

• Have at least one good, all purpose knife that won’t dull if  it’s used to open cans or cut wire.  Two is better than one
• Have enough food for at least one other person, it will last twice as long if you’re alone
• Have a means of filtering and purifying water and something to store it in.  A person can go quite awhile without food but water is needed everyday
• A reliable fire-starting tool and tinder is necessary, don’t count on asking someone for a light!
• Rain gear that can double as a shelter(large poncho)will keep your bed dry
• Disposable emergency blankets work great but only once or twice so bring several (they’re a bitch to repack!)
• Extra socks are an absolute necessity! Take care of your feet and your feet will take care of you!
• Some method of signaling, lite-sticks, mirrors, highway flares are excellent as they will also start a fire in the wettest circumstances
• First-aid materials and current medications in a weather-proof container

In my opinion for serious survival, you must have the ability to defend yourself and your equipment.  You must have the correct mind-set to realize the necessity of defense and the importance of offense when it comes to survival.

If you are in an urban environment or close-quarters with a very real possibility of rioters, looters, raiders and other totally lawless people, a shotgun is a very good device for defense.  Especially for a person who can’t visit the target range often enough to qualify with a pistol.  A 12 gauge is the most persuasive but also heavier.  The ammo is heavy and bulky too, but when it comes to defense, you can’t beat a 12 gauge shotgun!

Ultimate survival shotgun

A pistol would be an excellent back-up to the shotgun and easier by far to pack in a Bug-Out-Bag ahead of time along with ammunition and a cleaning kit.  For the average person I would suggest a .357 Magnum for it’s shear stopping power and because of the ability to chamber .38 rounds too.  The .38′s are good to practice with and still have pretty good stopping power, are lighter thus easier to pack.

Remember this when you’re shopping for weapons;  The only reason for the weapons in an urban or suburban environment is for protection from PEOPLE! You are not hunting deer,  you are protecting yourself from the most dangerous animal on the planet; HUMANS!

This .30-.30 Winchester model 94  is only 37″ long and shoots a 150 gr. soft nose bullet that has probably killed more deer than any other rifle.  It used to be very popular with law enforcement for it’s sheer stopping power and dependability until tactical shotguns  made an appearance.

Get something that you are comfortable with, know how to use and know how to maintain.  Get something that will knock down a grown person and hopefully keep them down!  This will be no politically-correct situation, it will be life or death!

That cute little .22 caliber belly-gun is just that, a gun that you jam in someone’s stomach and pull the trigger, no aiming involved.  Chances are good for NOT hitting something only 10 feet away, so forget those small caliber handguns unless you want to wrestle too.

Don’t count on anyone else to help, if you don’t have the mind-set to do what you must do to protect your loved ones, you are lost before you start.  All the equipment in the world won’t help you survive if you’re not strong enough to use it. or you let someone take it from you.

Related articles

• Survival Philosophy 101: The Caveman Survival Index, by Andrew M. (survivalblog.com)
• The Pocket Survival Kit Can Signal for Help and Light a Fire, Is Still Small Enough to Fit Anywhere [Survival] (lifehacker.com)
• A Survival Battery and Gear For a Prepper Family of Four, by Irish-7 (survivalblog.com)
• BushClassUSA Assignment: Make A Personal Survival Kit (shadowwolf32.wordpress.com)
• Arming Yourself for the Zombie Apocalypse: How to Build the Ultimate Survival Shotgun (suburbanmen.wordpress.com)
• The Ultimate Shotgun for Surviving in the Wilderness (or a Zombie Apocalypse) (itssamuraijosh.wordpress.com)
• Custom Shotgun of the Day (geeks.thedailywh.at)

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