Survival Gear - Natural Disaster Preparation Kits, Emergency Blankets, Firestarters, Paracord, and More! — 25,915 products / 35,288 models — Page 1

You never know when an emergency might strike, and you have to be prepared with the right survival gear. Emergency preparedness means you should have a plan in place, along with the right survival kit or go bag, to get you and your loved ones out of harm's way and into a safe situation. You often cannot rely on emergency services to reach you in time, so being self-reliant and taking precautions beforehand is crucial.

What are 10 items in a survival kit?

There are 10 items that should be in every survival kit, often known as the 10 Essentials. These are the bare minimum things that you will need to get through most scenarios. They can be ultralight and carried easily in a backpack for easy transport by foot. Adapted from the Ten Essentials of Outdoor Activities from The Mountaineers, they're so universal that they can be used at home, in urban areas, or in disasters as you try to evacuate.

• Navigation: Map and compass, GPS, or map app on your phone that works in airplane mode (to use satellite GPS, not relying on cell towers). For any electronic navigation, make sure you bring a battery backup like extra batteries, power bank, or a battery charger for rechargeable devices.
• Illumination: A headlamp is ideal as it allows you to move around and perform tasks hands-free. Headlamps are also lightweight, compact, and versatile enough to be used as a handheld or hung from the strap as an improvised lantern. A traditional flashlight will also work, but they don't provide the same benefits. Either way, bring extra batteries!
• Protection: This includes sun protection, such as sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat with a brim, and UPF clothing, which are important year round. It also includes insect repellent, as bugs carry diseases like West Nile Virus and Lyme's Disease, which can be life-threatening. You can also bring a firearm for self-defense, but practice using it often so that you are confident. Also, keep it in a holster or exterior pocket, rather than your backpack.
• First Aid: Keep a first-aid kit that matches the number of people in your group, is small enough to easily carry, and is equivalent to your level of knowledge. Preferably, each adult would carry their own kit, and any adult who's responsible for children would increase theirs to accommodate the extra headcount. Carrying a first-aid kit that matches your experience is important, as you have no need for a full First Responder kit if you only have basic knowledge or training. Plus, using scalpels, tourniquets, an other medical equipment improperly can be dangerous. Those with more than basic first-aid training already know what level of kit they should have and understand their responsibility in bringing it.
• Knife: A good knife is an invaluable survival tool. Most people opt for stainless steel, as it is durable, sharp, and resistant to corrosion. In addition to your knife, you should have a separate multi-tool. Also, keep a repair kit that matches the equipment you're using.
• Fire: Bring along a fire starter that you have practiced using. If you don't know how to use flint and a steel striker or magnesium fire starter, an emergency is not the time to learn. A simple gas station lighter and some tinder works well in most situations. Also, always bring a backup firestarter, like waterproof matches.
• Shelter: A shelter can be as simple as an ultralight tarp or a big durable plastic poncho and some paracord to fasten it. Of course, if you're backpacking out, you can carry an emergency sleeping bag and tent.
• Extra Food: Bring at least 3 day's worth of food servings. Emergency food should be lightweight and simple to prepare. MREs and dehydrated meals specifically designed for backpackers are perfect.
• Extra Water: A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds and takes up just over 0.13 cubic feet. That's a lot of extra weight and volume, particularly since you need one gallon of water per person per day. Instead of trying to pack all of that around, a water filter is much better. There is a wide variety of water purification and water filtration systems on the market today, including some that are integrated into reusable water bottles, filter straws, in-line filters for backpack water bladders, and gravity filters.
• Extra Clothes: One change of clothes is fine, just in case you get soaked from head to toe. Extra clothes also allow you to use a layering system so that you can put on or take some off depending on the temperature.

What is an emergency kit?

Emergency kits come in all shapes and sizes, and many people have several of them: one small one that they keep with them, another larger one in their vehicle, and a full kit at home. Each should have all of the 10 Essentials. The first basic form is a home emergency kit for when you're planning to shelter in place. Alternatively, a bug-out bag is a kit kept in a backpack so that you can grab it and go if you need to evacuate.

What is the best survival preparation?

Knowledge is the best tool you can have in a survival situation. Educate yourself on how to use your emergency kit and everything you keep inside. This helps you prepare for emergencies and be self-reliant. Also, make sure you keep the survival kit up to date so that the tools are fresh and ready to be used. Knowing what to have and how to use it will help you avoid panicking.

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You can get all of the survival gear you need right here at OpticsPlanet.com, including more knowledge in our How-To Guides. It's never too soon to be ready for unexpected events and disasters, let us help you get started right away with some of our top brands, including Garmin, Streamlight, and Benchmade. To save you money for those extra supplies, we give most orders over $49.00 FREE SHIPPING!