2012 SURVIVAL KIT

... ARE YOU PREPARED?

"Survival of the fittest" is a phrase which is shorthand for a concept relating to competition for survival or predominance. Originally applied by Herbert Spencer in his Principles of Biology of 1864, Spencer drew parallels to his ideas of economics with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by what Darwin termed natural selection.

A disaster strikes! In a few moments your world is changed forever. Do you have the mental strength and items you need to survive?

A 2012 survival kit or, Emergency Survival Gear is a package of basic tools and supplies prepared in advance as an aid to survival in an emergency. Military aircraft, lifeboats, and spacecraft are equipped with survival kits.

Survival kits, in a variety of sizes, contain supplies and tools to provide a person with basic shelter against the elements, help them keep warm, meet their health and first aid needs, provide food and water, signal to rescuers, and assist them in finding their way back to help. Supplies in a survival kit normally contain a knife (often a Swiss army knife or a multi-tool), matches, tinder, first aid kit, bandanna, fish hooks, sewing kit, and an LED flashlight with batteries.

Tami Simon - Mystery of 2012: A Sounds True Podcast - Mystery of 2012

Natural Disasters

The US government's Homeland Security web site provides a list of in-home emergency kit items. The list focuses on the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and materials to maintain body warmth. The recommended basic emergency kit items include:

* Water, at least one gallon of water per person for each day for drinking & sanitation (should be rotated every 3 months)
* Food, non-perishable food for at least three days which is not required to be cooked or refrigerated
* Emergency Food Bars, preferably the products with 2,400 or 3,600 calories and contain no coconut or tropical oils to which many people may have an allergic reaction, in addition to non-perishable food which does not require cooking or refrigeration
* Battery- and/or hand-powered radio with the Weather band
* Flashlight (battery- or hand-powered)
* Extra batteries for anything needing them
* First aid kit
* Copies of any medical prescriptions
* Whistle to signal
* Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
* Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off water valves
* Can opener for canned food
* Local maps
* Spare Keys for Household & Motor Vehicle
* Sturdy, comfortable shoes & lightweight rain gear, hoods are recommended
* Contact & Meeting Place Information for your household.

A bug-out bag is a portable kit popular in the survivalist subculture that contains the items one would require to survive for seventy two hours when evacuating from a disaster. It is also known as a 72-hour kit . The focus is on evacuation, rather than long-term survival, distinguishing the bug-out bag from a survival kit, a boating or aviation emergency kit, or a fixed-site disaster supplies kit.

"The Ten Essentials" is a list of essential items hiking authorities promote as recommended for safe travel in the back country.

The Ten Essentials were first described in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a hiking and mountain climbing club. Many regional organizations and authors recommend that hikers, backpackers, and climbers rigorously ensure they have the ten essentials with them. However, many expert hikers do not always carry all the items.

According to the Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, the ten essentials are:

1. Map
2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra food and water
5. Extra clothes
6. Headlamp/flashlight
7. First aid kit
8. Fire starter
9. Matches
10. Knife

The textbook recommends supplementing the ten essentials with:

* Water treatment device (water filter or chemicals) and water bottles
* Ice axe for glacier or snowfield travel (if necessary)
* Repair kit, including duct tape and a basic sewing materials.
* Insect repellent (or clothing designed for this purpose)
* Signaling devices, such as a whistle, cell phone, two-way radio, satellite phone, unbreakable signal mirror or flare.
* Plastic tarp and rope for expedient field shelter.

* A map and compass prevents one from getting lost in the field. Losing one's bearing in unfamiliar terrain raises the risk of anxiety and panic, and hence, physical injury. Maps that cover the relevant area in sufficient detail and dimension (topography, trails, roads, campsites, towns, etc.) and the skill and knowledge to use them are indispensable when traveling through the outdoors, especially when the place of travel lacks signage, markings or guides. Even a basic compass can help an individual find his way to safety.

* Flashlights and headlamps protect against physical injury when traveling in the dark. A flashlight is also useful for finding things in the pack, observing wildlife in dark crevices and folds, and for distant signaling. Extra batteries and bulbs are highly recommended. Lamps using LEDs have become very popular, due to their robustness and low power consumption.

* Extra food and water can prevent or cure hypothermia and dehydration, common illness that can be serious risks in the back country where immediate medical response is not possible. These items also minimize the likelihood of panic. It is not recommended that one eat food when there is no water, as the body requires water to metabolize food.

* Extra clothes protect against hypothermia. Multiple layers of clothes are generally warmer than a single thick garment. By having the ability to simply take off a layer of clothes, one can avoid overheating, which can cause sweat and dampen clothing. Moreover, a change into dry clothes is the fastest way to become warm. Extra clothing is also useful for protection from the elements, including thorns, insects, sun, wind, and often cold. If necessary, they can be cut into bandages, used as a tree climbing aid, made into hotpads, pillows, towels, or makeshift ropes. For overnight trekking, one should keep one set of clothes dry for wear in the evening. One can wear the "day" clothes during the next day's hike when they are drier.

* Sunglasses help prevent snow blindness. Sunlight, especially when reflected in snow, can seriously limit visibility, and jeopardize one's ability to travel safely.

* A first aid kit usually contains items to treat cuts, abrasions (blisters), punctures and burns. Additional items might address broken fingers, limbs, cardiac conditions, hypothermia, frostbite, hyperthermia, hypoxia, insect and snake bites, allergic reactions, burns and other wounds. If applicable, include any personal medications. In areas known to be inhabited by poisonous snakes, it is also a good idea to carry a snake bite kit.

* A knife is useful for opening packages, building shelter, shaving wood for tinder, eating, field surgery (after sterilization), cutting rope and clothing, etc. A multi-tool such as a Leatherman is also a versatile choice. A larger knife (machete) might be essential when one needs or desires to go off trail into thicker growth. A heavier ax or knife is more effective when one has larger needs for construction or for collecting firewood.

* Matches (or a lighter) and fire starter (typically chemical heat tabs, canned heat, or magnesium stick)[4] to light a campfire is useful for preventing hypothermia and to signal for aid. In an emergency, a fire increases one's psychological will to survive.

* A water treatment device (filter or chemical treatment) makes water potable. All water, including that from streams, lakes, or pools, needs to be treated for bacteria and viruses in order to ensure safety. Most back country travelers carry a water filter: low end models are inexpensive and provide protection against many pathogens, but not viruses. Some more expensive filters and improved chemical treatments get rid of most health risks, including giardia and other protozoa and viruses. Treating the water reduces the likelihood of gastrointestinal diseases. Since some chemical treatments such as iodine or chlorine may leave a bad taste, many suggest mixing in a flavor to hide the taste. These include powdered lemonade or fruit drinks, Tang, Gatorade, or Crystal Light.

* A whistle is a compact, lightweight, and inexpensive way to signal for help. Although a person cannot shout for a long period, he can whistle for extended amounts of time. Moreover, the sharp sound of a whistle travels over longer distances than the human voice, and provides a much more distinct sound. Although environmental factors such as wind, snow, and heavy rain may drown out a voice, the sound of a whistle is clearly distinguishable in the field.

Not every 2012 expedition will require the use of an essential item. Carrying these basic items improves the chances that one is prepared for an unexpected emergency in the outdoors. For instance, if a hiker experiences a sudden snow storm, fresh clothes and fire starter may be used to keep warm, or the map and compass and headlamp will allow them to exit the wilderness quickly; otherwise hypothermia becomes a prominent possibility, perhaps even death.

Earthquake

Below is list of commonly recommended items for an emergency earthquake kit:

* Food to last at least three days
* Water purification tablets/portable water filter
* Heavy-duty gloves
* A first aid kit
* A minimum of 100$ in cash, at least half of which should be in coins
* Family photos and descriptions (to aid emergency personnel in finding missing people)
* Copies of personal identification and important papers such as insurance documents, driver's license, etc.
* A flashlight and radio (battery-, solar-, and/or hand-powered)
* Extra batteries
* Goggles and dust mask
* A personal commode with sanitary bags

Hurricane

For hurricanes, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends that the 'disaster bag' include:

* a flashlight with spare batteries;
* a battery operated portable radio (and spare batteries);
* a battery operated NOAA weather radio (and spare batteries);
* a "Self Powered Radio" and a "Self Powered Flashlight". One, "Eton" model has the Weather Band and it is "self powered". Some of these will keep your cell phone charged
* First aid kit and manual;
* prescription medicines (be sure to refill them once they expire);
* cash and a credit card;
* a cell phone with a fully charged spare battery;
* spare keys;
* high energy non-perishable food;
* one warm blanket or sleeping bag per person;
* special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members;
* change of clothing.

In addition to allowing one to survive a disaster evacuation, a bug-out bag may also be utilized when sheltering in place as a response to emergencies such as house fires, blackouts, or tornadoes and other severe weather.

BUG-OUT BAG Contents

The suggested contents of a bug-out bag vary, but most of the following are usually included:

* Enough food and water to last for seventy two hours. This includes:
o 4 litres (1 gallon) of water per person per day, for washing, drinking and cooking.
o Non-perishable food.
o water purification supplies.
o Cooking supplies.
o Cutlery and cups/dishes.
* A first aid kit.
* A disaster plan including location of emergency centers, rallying points, possible evacuation routes etc.
* Professional emergency literature explaining what to do in various types of disaster, studied and understood before the actual disaster but kept for reference.
* Maps and travel information.
* Standard camping equipment, including sanitation supplies.
* Clothes and bedding.
* Enough medicine to last an extended evacuation period if, for example, one's home were destroyed.
* Pet, child and elderly care needs.
* Radio.
* Lighting (battery or crank operated flashlight, glow sticks).
* Firearm(s) and appropriate ammunition.
* Crowbar (offensive weapon, building and vehicle entry, etc.)
* Cash and change, as electronic banking transactions may not be available during the initial period following an emergency or evacuation.
* Fixed-blade knife - sturdy in safe sheath

DECEMBER 12, 2012 THE TRUTH