subject: Survival Tools And Equipment Are Important In An Emergency Kit [print this page] We hear constantly news stories about people who get into life or death situations and they end up relying on other people to come and rescue them. While there is nothing wrong with needing help now and then, for you and your familys big outdoors adventure, you can still minimize disaster and injury by preparing an emergency kit consisting of survival tools and equipment. There is a vast array of items to choose frombatteries to first aid to warm clothing and sturdy footwear and all the must have items you can carry in a knapsack. Adventures are often a lot of fun, and successful when handled in a safe and responsible manner. The first tool you should have, however, is a plan.
Take into consideration many factors for your adventurethe distance outside of town you are going; are you taking a secondary vehicle with you? (e.g., mountain bike, ATV, canoe) the forecasted weather for the area; is this an environment unknown to you? What animals and creatures might you encounter? Will you be there overnight? Will you be accompanied by a guide? Are you accompanying children? Should you take extra provisions and water? Are there medication concerns? What rules and laws governing your intended activity should you be fully aware of?
Todays many recreational opportunities (e.g., camping, hiking, climbing) are extremely popular and enjoyed by numerous enthusiasts with attending communities and industries to offer further knowledge and support as well as the latest in survival tools and equipmentfrom clothing to provisions to emergency aid accessories and safety products to communication devices. Speaking of which, what do you do in case your cell phone is unavailable? You might have to walk to the nearest landline telephone if you cant send smoke signals and you forgot to pack two-way radios.
With so many survival tools and equipment options available, how do you know what you need?
First, there is always the must-have basics: shelter, water, and food. Tents offer shelter and protection from the elements and do range in price, but comfort can be quite necessary especially if dealing with a medical emergency in a remote area, so select within your budget.
Water, believe it or not, is more important than food in survival situations. On average, a human being requires approximately one quart of water per day. Without water, a human would not survive long. However, a human being may survive as long as 30 days without food. Food can easily become the cumbersome items you carry; it is best to plan your meals and snacks well ahead of the trip, but what do you take? Small foodstuffs, like trail mixes of nuts and seeds, and fruit are good and are portable in medium quantities. A survival diet should be varied enough to provide enough proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins.
Survival tools and equipment are not all high-tech; paper maps are still a reliable resource, even if used as a backup plan. Knives and shovels are very handy, even a whistle can be just as importantthe universal distress call is any kind of signal given three times. Before heading out you might even consider buying a survival handbook to take with you.
Just like a pilot lets the airport know his flight plan, so should you let someone you trust know of your recreational activities. It never hurts to have a backup plan! So whether you buy ready-made kits or assemble your own survival tools and equipment kits, rememberuse your head first, then count on your gear. Have fun and stay safe!
