A SURVIVAL PACK - The Priorities
Rocky Montana
A survival pack will be the most important thing you can have if you are caught in a natural or man-made disaster. Most people have the necessities for survival on hand in their homes and will be able to survive for a brief period of time without new supplies. But what if your home is in the disaster path and is destroyed? Or, what if they are caught away from home without the ability to get home? If you own and automobile and you drive to and from work or travel by bus, plane, ship, train, or truck you will want to consider the wisdom of keeping an emergency pack with you in the event of such an emergency. And it is a good idea to keep a second Survival Pack at home.
A good Survival Pack should start with basic life sustaining items. The items below are listed in priority of sustaining the life of the human body. If you are not caught in need of immediate medical attention, the following priorities should be considered for a good Survival Pack.
Priority #1: Oxygen, clean air.
Priority #2: Water.
Priority #3: Salt.
Priority #4: Shelter from cold/wet weather.
Priority #5: Food.
Priority #6: First Aid Kit.
Priority #7: Back pack.
Priority #1: Oxygen, clean air. The human body can survive only 3-4 minutes without oxygen. It can become incapacitated by breathing toxic air, depending upon the type and level of toxicity. Air quality may be compromised in natural and man-caused disasters. The inhabitants of the Pompeii volcano were unearthed with bodies preserved in lying positions. They died of suffocation from ash fall-out. Remember the images of the Mt. St. Helens ash fall-out? If you breathe in ash for an period of time, it mixes with the moisture in your lungs forming and cement lining on the lung walls, which will cause suffocation and death. A respirator with a few replacement filters will give minimum protection to the lungs. Also, eye goggles will protect the eyes in such disaster. Suggestion: Purchase and store a respirator with replaceable filters in both your home and vehicle. The best selection of respirators will be at "AIR/MEDICAL GAS" stores. 3M makes a good respirator for about $10 and replaceable respirators cost about $5 each.
Priority #2: Water. The human body can survive only 3-4 days without water; 2-3 days if exposed in hot, arid, windy conditions. By the third day, one becomes sick with hyperthermia and dehydration, and may be too weak to travel on foot. If not remedied, death of the body follows. You will need to be well enough to travel on foot in a disaster. The rule of thumb is one gallon per day for drinking and cooking. Suggestion: Purchase and store plastic water containers in your home and vehicle.
Priority #3: Salt: You need both water and salt to survive, not just water. The human body is approximately 70 percent salt water and must maintain that balance in order to continue in a healthy state. Water and Salt are continually excreted from the body through the urine and perspiration, and, therefore, are in continual need of replacement. Without enough water and salt, the body will become ill with hydration or heat prostration. Cramps and vomiting will occur and you will not be able to travel on foot. People treated for hydration and heat prostration are immediately put on an I.V. drip of saline solution. What is saline solution? Salt water. Obviously, ones caught in Summer in the southern states and the mountains will be more vulnerable than others. Suggestion: Purchase and store salt tablets in your emergency pack and take according to the directions on the container.
Priority #4: Shelter from cold/wet weather. The human body can survive only a few hours in cold/wet conditions under 32 degrees F. if not properly attired. Hypothermia is the result, which if not remedied, can cause death of the body. Suggestion: Purchase and store a few space blankets (foil packs). They are light-weight, water-proof, and will hold your body heat when wrapped around you. Also purchase and store a fire starter device (a hunting knife and a block of magnesium) in your emergency pack. Assuming you can find something dry to burn, a fire will bring both heat and comfort to one stuck in an emergency situation; smoke/fire can also serve to signal for help. A hunting knife can be used for a variety of survival conditions. Obviously, ones caught in Winter in the Northern states, and mountains will be more vulnerable than others. You will want to customize your Survival Kit depending upon what climate you live in.
Priority #5: Food: The human body can survive 3-5 weeks without food, depending of certain variables, but will come into a weakened state long before then. Protein and carbohydrates are both needed to maintain the body in good working order. In a stressful emergency situation, food also brings great comfort. Suggestion: Purchase and store a number of MRE's (Meals ready to eat) in your emergency pack. Most sporting goods stores carry MRE's. They are light-weight, compact and loaded with calories and will keep the body warm. Be sure to pack something sweet, both for energy and comfort. Also, a stash of mineral and vitamin supplements will be beneficial.
Priority #6: First Aid Kit: You may be required to administer first aid to yourself or another. Suggestion: Purchase and store a First Aid Kit, available at most drug stores.
Priority #7: Back pack: Its not possible to carry the essentials for survival without having a container to put them in. Suggestion: Purchase a back pack to put your emergency essentials into, available at any sporting goods store and some department stores. Depending on its size, you might have to carry your one gallon water containers in your hands.
If a disaster hits your area, you may not have time or the presence of mind to grab items that you think you will need for survival, and you may not be at your home to do so. You may have only seconds to grab your Survival Pack, wallet, car keys and evacuate your home and get away from a disaster. Also, the faster you leave, the less you will be impacted by traffic on your escape route. You may be required to share your Survival Pack with another who is not so well prepared; all the more reason to be prepared now. A well stocked Survival Pack can make the difference between making it through a disaster or not. If you already have a Survival Pack, now might be a good time to dust it off, update your food supply,replace your water supply, and make sure you have the proper essentials.
March 11, 2010