The 3-Day SURVIVAL PACK -- An Art and a SCIENCE

Imagine you’re at work, just going about your day, and the unexpected occurs:
- a once-in-a-mellinium earthquake hits your area
- a terrorist attack shuts down travel along surface streets
- failing infrastructure causes a catastrophic failure of the only bridge that brings you home, or shuts down the train upon which you rely for your commute, or the subway, or the BART.

​The possibilities are numerous, but the end result is the same. A trip which should take you 45 minutes by your preferred transportation method is now a 15-20 mile hike, or a dangerous trek with an adventurous Uber driver, or worse.
 
Do you set off on your 2-day hike? Pay a friendly local to kayak you home? Do you wait it out at work, or at a friend’s house nearby? What if you’re stuck in your car in gridlock when the disaster ensues? What if your kids are with you (and what if they’re not?) What if your furry friends are with you? What will you need to get home?

 BASIC ITEMS FOR A 3-DAY SURVIVAL BAG
(AKA a Get-Home Bag)
& WHY YOU NEED THEM

Radio – battery operated

• Get news when your phone dies & you need to know what’s going on. Plus you can play music to help you  feel better.

AA & AAA Batteries

• For your radio, flashlight, headlamp, and, in a pinch, to start a fire (more later)

Whistle

• To signal your location when waiting for rescue and to scare away bears/wildlife

Hand mirror

• To signal search planes for help, start a fire

Flashlight

• Because sometimes it’s dark

Light Sticks

• To use as a Flashlight back-up, to mark the way for yourself & others, to use as a signal

First Aid Kit

• Because accidents happen

Dust mask

• This will provide  lung protection in high-ash & polluted environments and will also offer some help  if contagious disease is a concern

 Work gloves

• To move things out of your way/clear rubble and keep your hands warm

Duct tape

• Because it’s awesome and can do anything (we’ll cover all of duct tape’s uses in a separate post in the future)

 Pocket knife or multi-tool

• To cut thing, saw things, open things, screw things, whittle things and as personal protection.

Emergency  blanket 

• Because these foil space blankets actually do keep you warm, and can be used as a shelter, to collect water, & to attract attention/help.

Rain poncho(s)

• To protect you from getting soaked. They’re also another layer when it’s cold, and can be used to collect rainwater and for shelter

Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat

• Because you may have to go a long way, outside, when it’s cold

At least $100 in emergency cash in small denominations

• ATMs may be empty or not working, and It may be hard to get change for large bills

Water and food (at least a 3-day supply)

• Better safe than sorry. Being hungry sucks.

Permanent marker, note pad

• To leave messages for folks the old-fashioned way, to make a map, start your novel, write your last will & testament – there are endless possibilities

Fire starting supplies, matches, a lighter

• To get warm, set a signal fire, or  cook that squirrel or fish you just caught

Portable stove & stainless mug/pot

• To prepare food, sterilize contaminated water, make instant coffee, you name it

Prescription medications

• Now is not the time to start going through withdrawal from your anti-depressant!

Flash drive with important documents

• If earthquake, tornado or fire destroys your home while you are away this will come in super handy

Photo ID (copy)

• Stash this in your go-bag in case you lose your wallet (or it’s take from you)

Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes

• If you can’t find them right away you can use these to post “Missing” fliers. It’s a gruesome thought but hopefully everyone will be OK!

List of emergency phone numbers

• In case your mobile phone dies, gets broken or lost, you’ll still be able to call your mom.

Emergency alert bracelet or pendant (if needed), and a list of your medications and allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or foods

• This is mostly helpful in case you need medical attention and aren’t able to share this information yourself

Copy of health insurance cards

• If you don’t have it with you at the hospital it will get sorted out later, but this makes things a lot easier​

OTHER NICE THINGS TO HAVE

o Solar phone charger or at least a back-up phone battery
o Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other semi-essential personal items
o Extra keys to your house and vehicle
o Headlamp (for hands-free maneuvering)
o Mace/Pepper spray
o Zip ties
o Personal care items (deodorant, Toothbrush and toothpaste)
o Local map
o Compass
o Fishing line & hooks
o Playing cards
o Sunglasses

ITEMS TO PACK FOR KIDS & PETS

o Dog leashes
o Water bowls
o Pet food (freeze dried or canned)
o Pet medications
o Copy of your child’s shot records
o Extra diapers, baby wipes, back-up pacifier
o Stickers, coloring markers, coloring book
o Small photo album w/pics of friends & relatives
o Change of clothes, boots
o Emergency candy/bribes/rewards

Please message me with additional good ideas!