Survival kit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Survival kit 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 a survival kit. The US Army uses several basic survival kits, mainly for aviators, which are stored in canvas carrying bags. The aviator's survival vest (SRU-21P) worn by US helicopter crews also contains some basic survival items. US aviators in planes with ejection seats have survival kits in the seat pan. Civilians working in remote locations or regions with extreme climate conditions such as forestry workers, surveyors, or bush pilots may also be equipped with survival kits.

1 General Contents
2 Other meanings
- 2.1 Bug-out Bags
- 2.2 In-home emergency kit for natural disaster
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] General Contents

Survival kits contain supplies and tools to provide a person with basic shelter against the elements and 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. The specific supplies or tools in each of these categories are as follows:

Shelter or warmth

Reflective aluminium Space blanket to retain body heat
Lightweight emergency poncho for protection against rain
Emergency "tube tent", "bivvy bag" or tarp with grommets for attaching a rope
Magnifying glass, magnesium, or tinder for fire-starting
Waterproof matches
Cable saw for cutting wood

Health and First Aid

First aid kit with bandages, sterile pads and gauze, first aid tape, tweezers, surgical razor, disinfectant pads, oxytetracycline tablets (for diarrhea or infection) and aspirin
Insect repellent
Soap
Toilet paper
Lip balm

Food and water

Iodine tablets for emergency water purification
Water in bottles or tetra blocs
Collapsible (empty) water bags or containers
Canned food, Ready-to-eat meals (MRE), or high-energy foods such as chocolate or emergency food bars.
Fishing line, fishhooks, lures, and split shot leads
Snare wire
Tea, gum, and hard candy (as a morale booster)

Signalling or navigation

Candles, Torch (flashlight), or glowsticks
Surveyor's orange tape (for marking location for rescuers)
Pen and paper (for leaving notes to rescuers about direction of travel)
Whistle, Mirror, and/or smoke or illumination flares for signalling
Compass or GPS navigation equipment
Maps of the region

Multipurpose tools or materials

Swiss army style knife
Gerber or Leatherman style multitool
sharpening stone
Folding saw or cable saw
Heavy-duty thread and needle (for repairing clothing and equipment)
Plastic bags or trash bags
Heavy-duty aluminimum foil (for frying food, signalling, etc.)
Sturdy cord or "550" parachute cord (for supporting a tarp, snaring small animals, etc.)

[edit] Contents of lifeboat survival kits

Lifeboat survival kits are stowed in inflatable or rigid lifeboats or liferafts; the contents of these kits may be mandated by coast guard or maritime regulations. These kits provide basic survival tools and supplies to enable passengers to survive until they are rescued. Lifeboat survival kit items typically include:

Bailer
Bilge pump
Boat hook
Bucket
Compass
Emergency high-calorie rations and/or hard bread
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Fishing kit
Red flare, rocket parachute flare, and/or smoke signal flare
Hatchet and knife
Heaving line
Ladder
Lantern and fuel and/or searchlight
Lifejackets
Radar reflector (to help rescuers locate the raft)
Rainwater collection equipment
Seawater desalting kit
Sea anchor (also called a "sea drogue")
Storm oil (animal or vegetable oil for calming waves)
Water (typically 3 liters/person)

[edit] Optional items for military kits

Survival kits for military aviators are often modified according to the environment of operations, as described below:

In desert areas, survival kits may have more water and sunscreen, and have additional items such as shade hats and sun glasses.
In tropical areas, a survival kit may have mosquito head netting, additional insect repellent, anti-fungal cream, and a machete.
In arctic areas, survival kits may have additional cold weather clothing (winter hats and gloves), sleeping bags, chemical "hand warmer" packets, sun glasses/snow goggles, snow shoes, a collapsible shovel, a snare wire for small animals, a frying pan, a campstove, campstove fuel, and a tent designed for arctic use.
For personnel who are flying over large bodies of water, a survival kit may have additional items such as flotation vests, fishing nets, fishing equipment, fluorescent sea marking dye, a flare launching gun and cartridges (and perhaps a revolver and tracer ammunition), a survival radio (e.g., AN/PRC-90), a distress marker light, seawater desalting kit, a raft repair kit, a paddle, a bailer and sponge, sunscreen, and a sun shade hat.

[edit] Mini survival kits

"mini survival kits" or "Altoids tin" survival kits are small kits that contain a few basic survival tools. Items in these kits include a small compass, waterproof matches, a fishing hook and fishing line, a large plastic garbage bag, a small vial of bleach, a small candle, a jigsaw blade, an exacto knife blade, and a safety pin. Pre-packaged survival kits may also include instructions in survival techniques, including fire-starting or first aid methods. In addition, parachute cord can be wrapped around the tin. The parachute cord can be used for setting up an emergency shelter or snaring small animals.

[edit] Other meanings

[edit] Bug-out Bags

The term "survival kit" may also refer to the larger survival kits prepared by survivalists, called bug-out bags, which are packed into large containers or duffel bags so that they can quickly be loaded onto a van or truck in the event of a disaster or social breakdown. These bug-out bags contain supplies such as food, water purification equipment, power supplies, medical equipment, transportation and communications gear, and tools. These supplies and equipment are loaded into a van or truck with bicyle racks and an extra “reserve” gas tank. Some survivalists also plan to carry a small (e.g., 250 cc) off-road-capable motorcycle in the van or truck.

Food supplies in the bug-out kit include hundreds of pounds of wheat, rice, and beans, and enough honey, powdered milk, canned goods, bottled fruit, vitamins, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, salt, pepper, spices, and oil for several months. In addition, the kits often contain high-calorie energy bars, a cooking kit, utensils, liquid soap, and towels. The water supplies may include bottled water, filtering kit, bottles, collapsible water containters, and chlorine bleach for water purification. Food preparation and washing equipment may include items such as a grain grinder, a bread mixer, a strainer, a manual can opener, a steam canner with canning jars and O-rings, cutlery, knives, an electric 12-volt cooler icebox, kerosene lamps and heaters, kerosene or propane stoves, extra fuel, a clothes wringer, a foot-operated treadle sewing machine, and an electric hot plate.

The medical supplies may include a blood pressure gauge, stethoscope, scissors, tweezers, forceps, disposable scalpels, two thermometers (oral and rectal), inflatable splints, bandages, sutures, adhesive tape, gauze, burn ointment, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, rubbing alcohol, ipecac syrup, sterile water, cotton rags, soap, and cotton swabs. The transportation items may include bicycles with off-road tires, emergency tools and spare auto parts (e.g., fuses, fan belts, light bulbs, head light, tire pump, etc.), and an inflatable raft with paddles.

In addition, the kits may contain typical individual “survival kit” items, such as nylon tarps, extra clothes and coats, blankets, sleeping bags, matches (and/or other fire starting equipment), a compass and maps, rechargeable flashlights, toilet paper, soap, a pocket knife and bowie knife, a fishing kit , a portable camping stove, a backpack, paper and pencil, a signaling mirror, flashlight, whistle, cable saw, bleach, insect repellent, magnifying glass, rope and nylon cord, pulleys, and a pistol and ammunition.

The communications equipment may include a multi-band receiver/scanner, a citizens band (CB) radio, portable “walkie-talkies” with rechargeable batteries, and a portable battery-powered television. The power supplies may include a diesel or gasoline generator with a one month fuel supply, an auto battery and charger, extension cord, flashlights, rechargeable batteries (with recharger), an electric multi meter, and a test light. Defence items include a pistol, auto pistol, rifle, ammunition, mace, and a bowie knife.

Tools may include an arc welder, an oxy-acetylene torch, a ropane torch with a spark lighter, a solder iron and flux, a wrench set, a nut driver, a tap and die set, a socket set, pliers, wrenches, vise grip pliers, chisels, a hammer, screwdrivers, a hand-operated twist drill, various saws, a pry bar or wrecking bar, axes and hatchets, a 'come-a-long" hand operated winch, glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, and a fire extinguisher. As well, some survivalists bring barterable items such as fishing line, liquid soap, insect repellent, light bulbs, can openers, extra fuels, motor oil, and ammunition.

[edit] In-home emergency kit for natural disaster

The US government's Homeland Security website [1] 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
Food, non-perishable food for at least three days
Battery-powered or hand cranked radio and a Weather Radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal
Dust mask,plastic sheeting and duct tape
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties
Wrench or pliers to turn off water valves
Can opener for canned food
Local maps

Additional items that may be added to the emergency kit include prescription medications and glasses, infant formula and diapers, pet food, family documents (e.g., copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records), cash or traveler's checks and change, a first aid book, and a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. For people in cold climates, additional clothing is recommened. Other items that may be useful include household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper, to use as a disinfectant and emergency water purifier, a fire extinguisher, matches, feminine hygiene items, plates and utensils, a paper and pencil, and activities for children.