Disaster Survival Information - How to Prepare and What to Buy
SUPPLY LISTS
Supply Lists
Short-Term & Long-Term
Get Your Own Survival Kit
First, consider purchasing some ready-made basic survival kits to get you started. This will secure your initial need of obtaining some basic first-aid supplies and many other useful survival items. Next, you can add additional food such as MREs or freeze dried foods, water, water filters or another means by which to purify contaminated water, flashlights, candles, a variety of fire starters, clothing, a 10' x 12' nylon tarp, ropes, trash bags, duct tape, other lightweight useful equipment. In addition, we suggest you attach one sleeping bag per-person per-pack. More survival backpack details are provided within the lower section of this page. You may already have some of these supplies on hand and so that is a good start. Whatever specialty supplies you might be missing, can be secured through emergency preparedness suppliers.
Below we have provided you with examples of both short-term and long-term supply list ideas. You should modify the lists to fit your own particular circumstances and needs.
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About Survival Kit Backpacks
When discussing survival kits (aka bug out bag , 72 hour kit, go bag) there are several backpack style options to be considered. There are backpacks with no frame, backpacks with an external frame, and backpacks with an internal frame. If you wish to carry a sizable amount of supplies, you would be wise to secure a backpack with one of the two framed styles discussed in more detail below.
If you have also purchased a more common prepacked smaller basic survival kit, you may wish to repack these supplies into your larger enhanced (customized) framed backpack. Unless, there is also a child or smaller female within your group who may be a good match for the smaller pack.
Weight and balance are key factors in determining the practicality of you being able to carry a particular backpack for any substantial distance. Consequently, you must select a good backpack and strategically determine the most critical items to include within the pack while also controlling the combined weight.
Internal Frame Backpack: pack your sleeping bag as the first (bottom of pack) item within your pack. If you have a small tent and poles, either pack them vertically off to one side or you may be able to pack them atop the sleeping bag. In many cases, the internal framed backpack will probably have a separate compartment at the bottom designed specifically for your sleeping bag and this should be used in such cases.
External Frame Backpack: pack your sleeping bag low on the exterior side of your backpack. Meaning, the sleeping bag is secured to the frame below and outside of the pack. If you have a small tent, you can pack it
last on top of your pack and strap/lash it down.
When using any of the three backpack styles, pack the heaviest items in the center of the pack closest to your body. The lighter items will be packed in the upper section of your pack and away from your body. Remember, a good backpack will have additional exterior backpack pockets for small items you will access the most frequently. For example, matches, lighters, gloves, lotions, compass, snacks, TP etc.
Lastly, read the backpack’s instructions or get an expert's advice regarding how to make the proper backpack adjustments. As you will need know how to properly adjust the chest, shoulder and waist straps on your hiking backpack.