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American Red Cross’s Suggested Emergency Preparedness Kit

Continuing with the theme from our Boy Scouts Ten Essentials post, here is what the Red Cross suggests that you have in your emergency preparedness kit. Take a look and pull some ideas for what items you might add to your own kit.

Minimum Basic Supplies:

  • Water: 1 gallon a day per person (3-day supply for an evacuation / 2 week supply at home)
  • Food: non-perishable and easy to prep (3-day supply for evacuation / 2 week supply at home)
  • Flashlight
  • NOAA weather radio (battery powered or hand-crank)
  • Extra Batteries
  • Family first-aid kit
  • Medications for 7 days and medical supplies
  • Multipurpose tool
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (i.e. passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, home lease/dead, medical information)
  • Mobile phone and charger
  • Family and Emergency Contact info
  • Extra Cash
  • Emergency blanket
  • Map of the area
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The Boy Scout 10 Essentials

Many different groups have their recommendations for what your essential gear should be. I find it helpful to see others ideas as I work to curate my own list. This one is from the Boy Scouts of America and obviously is not for the end of the world, but will cover the bases if your just out camping. I appreciate the simplicity of it over anything else.

Image from Boys’ Life Magazine (https://boyslife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/6976/scout-outdoor-essentials-checklist/)
  • Pocket Knife
  • First Aid Kit
  • Extra Clothes
  • Rain Gear
  • Water Bottle
  • Flashlight
  • Trail Food
  • Matches and Fire Starter
  • Sun Protection
  • Map and Compass
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Survival Tip: Finding Water from Animal Behavior

Looking back to the Rule of Three, finding water is either the first or second thing to do in most survival situations. But if you’re alone in the great outdoors, how do you know where to find drinkable water? Answer: Look to the experts… follow the animals!

Here are 3 signs that you can read from animals to find fresh water:

Animal tracks normally lead in one of two directions: toward food/water or toward the animal’s home. Follow the tracks for long enough and you’re quite likely to run into a watering hole.

Flight paths are clues in the sky just like animal tracks in the dirt. Look up instead of down especially in the mornings and evenings to see where flocks of birds are headed. Although this may point you to a water source a little further away, it’s another highly-likely way to find a drink.

Insect swarms are also a good sign that you’re close to water. While some insects live in very dry environments, many more live near water. So those annoying gnats may be good news when you’re thirsty.

Make sure you do all you can to filter your new-found water, and enjoy!

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Survival Snacks: Marigolds

A natural repellent of aphids and beetles, Marigolds are a great companion for your garden. But they are also an emergency food source! Marigolds can be eaten raw, boiled or added to soup. The stems and leaves work as a salad base and the flowers themselves are a rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

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Survival Snacks: Earthworms

The last thing most people would want to eat, all species of Earthworms are in fact edible. They are extremely high in protein on a per pound basis, good sources of Iron and Calcium and rumor has it, they taste a little like bacon when cooked.

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Survival Gardens: Getting Started

Most people picture home gardens as a grid of pine boxes filling a big open space in a backyard. But in reality, nearly two-thirds of the US population live in urban areas and some have figured out alternatives ways to grow food. Prepping for disaster or lowering your grocery bill, home gardens are an excellent way to increase self sufficiency. So let’s get started…

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Knife Review: Shcrade SCHF27

Snapshot

A large fixed blade drop-point, the Schrade SCHF27 is sure to draw attention. With a 6.6″ straight blade and a saw-tooth spine, the pure intent of this beast is to keep you alive when you’re off the beaten path. Complete with a multi-tool secure inside the rubber handle, it truly has everything you need for wherever you are.

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