A Survival Tips and Techniques Blog | UrbanWoodsman.com

These days no American can afford to not have emergency preparedness. First aid readiness reguires that you keep a basic list of essential supplies and learn a few survival tips.

So what would Bear Grylls of Man vs. Wild would reccomend to any wilderness junkie.

Bear Grylls has hosted the Discovery Channel’s MAN VS. WILD, in which he strands himself in remote locations to demonstrate localized survival techniques. So when it comes to being ready for anything the expert is Bear!

According to Discovery Channel.com “Bear served three years with the Special Air Service, a special forces unit of the British army. During his service, he broke his back in three places in a parachuting accident over Southern Africa.

Despite the accident and severity of his injury, Bear went on in 1998 to become, at age 23, the youngest British climber to complete a summit and descent of Mount Everest. He wrote about his experience in the book, The Kid Who Climbed Everest.

Not content to slow down, Bear achieved another first when he and his Everest climbing group circumnavigated the United Kingdom on jet skis. He also led the first unassisted crossing of the frozen North Atlantic Ocean in an open rigid inflatable boat. His book about this adventure, Facing the Frozen Ocean, was shortlisted as the U.K.’s “Sports Book of the Year.” Bear was awarded a commission in the Royal Navy in honor of leading this record-breaking expedition.

In June 2005, Bear broke a world record by hosting a dinner party at a table suspended below a hot air balloon at 24,500 feet. He rappelled from the balloon’s basket to the table, where in full naval uniform he ate a three-course meal before saluting the queen and skydiving to earth. His goal was to support the work of two charities: the Prince’s Trust and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Bear hosted a 2005 television series for the U.K.’s Channel Four, called Escape to the Legion, in which he took a group of young men to the Western Sahara Desert to undergo the French Foreign Legion’s infamous basic training. A second Channel Four series, titled Born Survivor: Bear Grylls, completed its U.K. run in April 2007.

On May 15, 2007, Bear set another world record when he became the first person to fly over Mount Everest by powered paraglider. Supported by the GKN Mission Everest Team, Grylls and fellow pilot Giles (Gilo) Gardozo flew specially developed paramotors. Though a fault in Gilo’s machine forced him to abort only 1,000 feet below the summit, Bear continued to ascend until he reached 29,500 feet and was able to look down on Everest as he circled above some of the most famous peaks in the Himalayas. Then his own engine developed problems and he, too, had to glide back to safety — but he had achieved his goal. The mission raised $1 million for the Global Angels Foundation, a charity that supports children in Africa. Filmed by the Planet Earth team, Bear and Gilo’s undertaking will be made into a two-hour documentary for Discovery Channel and Channel Four in the U.K.” Source (Disvcovery Channel)

So what kind of supplies would Bear reccomend you keep on hand? You must cover all the basics.

1.Food & Water

2.Basic Shelter

3.Tools

4.Protection

5.First Aid

6.Light and Communication

Find yourself all of these items yourself or get a complete first aid survival pack!

Water – In general, the “Rule of 3s” tells us that humans can go without water for up to 3 days and without food for up to 3 weeks.  However, such fasting could adversely affect many systems within the body.  It has been shown that if you lose just 2.5% of your body weight from water loss, you will loose 25% of your efficiency.  Water is the key to survival and having adequate supplies is critical to maintaining your employee’s mental acuity and stability.  Many sources recommend up to 1 gallon of water per day per person; however, this includes medical and hygiene uses for the water as well.  Two quarts (approximately 2 litres) per day may be a better approximation for drinking purposes only.  Assuming that the average outdoor temperature is 80o F and employees are inside a building out of the direct sunlight, survival may be possible with at little as 8 to 10 ounces of water per day.  The general rule for water storage is the more the better, but there are storage and transportation issues associated with large quantities of water that you need to consider.  1) Space to store large quantities of water is generally at a premium and floor loading may be a consideration in some instances; and 2) the cost to ship water is expensive due to the weight.  Local purchases tend to be less expensive.

Food – In survival terms, “Food” is a generic term that represents calories.  It’s not that we need a cheeseburger for lunch, we need 800-1000 calories per day to maintain acceptable body functions.  Variations depend on a person’s weight, level of activity during the emergency and their mental outlook (stress level).  Employees performing light search and rescue operations in your building will burn more calories and therefore require more calories.  This will also be true in low temperature environments where humans expend additional energy to maintain body heat.  Most employees enjoy 3 meals a day in their normal daily routine; however, in survival mode they may be snacking more throughout the day to make their rations last.  The easiest food rations to procure are high calorie food bars designed to be stored for up to 5 years.  While all employees may not enjoy these bars, they will provide the needed calories for your employees to survive a 3 day emergency.  To make the emergency more tolerable, you can consider more sophisticated rations such as “meals ready to eat” or “MREs.”  These are available in various breakfast and dinner entrées as well as complete meals.  Most are self-heating and you should make sure that the ones you select do not require additional water to heat the meals.  This is important as you may not have the means to heat food, and water may be in short supply.  Such meals could allow employees to get at least 2 “normal” meals per day and you can augment those with food bars for mid-day snacks if you like.

Shelter – Assuming your building has not been structurally compromised, it woul be possible to keep your employees within the structure or maybe a smaller section of the structure.  As such, shelter from the elements would not be a concern.  However, if power has been lost, you may need to consider supplies to keep your employees warm and somewhat comfortable at night while asleep.  Items such as limited use survival blankets and sleeping bags could prove useful.  A greater problem is keeping your employees at the office when the structure is not suitable for occupancy.  This exposes them to the environment and there are a myriad of shelter problems that should be considered.  An initial plan would be to coordinate with adjacent businesses or other suitable structures (e.g., church, warehouse, etc.) that your employees may share during an emergency.  Another unaffected building on your campus may also be an option.  In lieu of an alternate structure, you will need to consider portable shelters or tents (with walls if your location is susceptible to cold weather), cots, tarps, and portable heaters, lighting and power.

Communication – It is critical during any emergency to have access to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to keep you informed as to the status of the emergency.  If land-line and cell phones are inoperable and power outages restrict radio, television and Internet access, you need a way to stay informed.  Here is where a hand wind-up AM/FM radio becomes very valuable.  Even without electricity or batteries you can listen to stations still able to broadcast via the EAS.  Obviously, not everyone needs a radio, but having access to updated information will help to put employees at ease.  The number of radios you should have depends on the total number of employees sheltered, number of floors, size of your office or number of buildings on your campus. In general, having one radio for every 20-40 employees is a good estimate.

Hygiene/Sanitation – This should not be a concern unless you have lost the water supply to the lavatory facilities in your building.  In which case, you now need to consider a backup waste collection system and provide some means for employees to maintain their personal hygiene and prevent the spread of germs.  Portable wash stations and toilets are readily available and fairly inexpensive to rent; however you would have to have these resources placed at your facility in advance of an emergency and they are bulky.  Other less expensive options include portable folding toilets with waste bags or 5 gallon buckets with toilet seats and waste bags.

While there are more luxurious and spacious kinds of tents available in the market, emergency tube tents tend to be the favorite of campers and other outdoor enthusiasts because of their quick, no-hassle setup.

Advantages of Using an Emergency Tube Tent

Compact
Emergency tube tents are commonly used for outdoor trips and as such, they come in compact designs to take up as little space as possible in your camping gear. Unlike other types of tents, they don’t require you to bring several poles with you for setup. All you need to do is find the ideal location, one where you can tie the nylon rope (included in your emergency tube tent kit) from one end to another, insert the rope through the tube attached to the tent and voila! You’ve got you’re A-shaped tent up and ready to use.

Reusable
Not infinitely, but it will definitely last for several trips. As such, you need not worry about having to take with you several emergency tube tent kits for a three-night camping trip this summer. One would do very well already.

Lightweight
Emergency tube tents are not only compact but lightweight as well due to the materials used for making them. You can put it inside your backpack and it won’t make a difference.

Safe
First and foremost, emergency tube tents are fireproof and fire-retardant. This is an excellent safety feature when you’re battling the forces of nature and lightning’s striking close by. Emergency tube tents are also weatherproof: neither water nor wind will be able to prevent you from having a good night’s sleep.

Be aware, however, that emergency tube tents are designed to have their sides opened. If you want those ends covered, you’ll have to use clothesline pins to keep them closed securely throughout the night.

Shopping Tips for Emergency Tube Tents

Size
Some emergency tube tents can only accommodate one person plus gear while others are large enough to accommodate two persons. It’s best to take this up with your camping partners and base your purchase on your sleeping arrangements.

Thickness of Material
Some emergency tube tents are only 1.5 to 2 millimeters thick. That’s more than enough to protect you from adverse weather, but it might not be enough to prevent accidental tears. For greater durability, try looking for emergency tube tents made of thicker materials.

Color
Lastly, choose a bright shade for your emergency tube tent so that you’re easily seen at night. Having a highly visible shade for your tent will also make it advantageous to use as a signal if you’re lost or you wish to make contact with other campers from a distance.

Most emergency survival kits you see in stores are designed for outdoor trips. While they would certainly do as well, they would nevertheless cost more than it should. Here are a few tips to make your own budget-friendly emergency home kit.

One Kit Per Person
To ensure that every person’s need is covered, it’s best to have one emergency kit per person.

For maximum safety and protection, consider basing your emergency home kit on a 72-hour period prior to receiving help. Lastly, every emergency home kit must be capable of meeting any type of disaster or emergency, whether it’s natural or man-made.

Food and Water
Medication can only go so far. To stay alive in any emergency, you’ll need sustenance. Include a sufficient amount of Aqua Blox water boxes – at least a gallon of water per person per day, but you may need more depending on climate conditions. Remember also that shelf life for Aqua Blox is five years. Bottled water, water purification tablets, and water storage bags should also be included.

As for food, carbohydrate-rich foods are your best bet because they’re effective in replenishing your energy. Canned goods are always useful as they require little to no preparation.

Clothing and Shelter
Instead of thermal blankets, you’ll be a lot dryer, warmer, and safer with 2 large-sized garbage bags per person. Wool blankets would be better while sleeping bags, albeit bulky, are the best. Include one set of working clothes and boots.

First Aid
Bandages of all types, adhesive tape, gauze pads, various kinds of antiseptics, analgesics, and antibiotic ointment are the basics of first aid. Be sure to take note of special medication needs of your loved ones such as diabetic medication or a spare pair of eyeglasses for those visually impaired.

Tools
Include flashlight, matches, camping stove with fuel or burner if possible. Forks, spoons, and various sizes and types of knives (not just for culinary use) would be handy. Swiss army knife sets, screwdrivers, and a hammer and pry bar would definitely be helpful.

Special Needs during Emergencies
Your emergency home kit will naturally differ in terms of content and size if you have an infant with you. Because their immune system is not as strong as those of adults, you need to be extra careful in choosing the right foods, medicine, and supplies to ensure their health and safety. Last but not the least, remember to have an emergency home kit ready for your pets, too!

I have been thinking about Emergency Preparedness lately in the way of basic supplies. These are some of this things that I have been putting back. Obviously, these are extra supplies, not all that I have. Please comment if you have suggestions of items to add next. I would like to be deeper in certain categories, but this is a start.

The First Aid “Heart” of my BOB I wanted to run through and check the items as I am transferring my items to a new pack.

Soongryemun (Gate) Fire Disaster via flickr/titicat

Emergency preparedness is a noble endeavor, one that every individual should be engaged in. But, in order to make it an efficient pursuit, it shouldn’t be performed haphazardly. Many people start out with good intentions, but are misguided in their preparedness and food storage activities. They have a great goal in mind (i.e., being ready for the worst should a disaster or emergency occur), but there is no method to their madness. After they have randomly accumulated some of the necessities for any possible perceived threats, they are not then sure if they have all they need, and if they have allocated their resources properly. Of course almost anything is better than nothing, but there should be some prioritization beginning with preparation for a short-term disaster survival scenario all the way through to a “doomsday” predicament. Not everything can be prepared for because it is impossible to accurately predict the future, but it is certainly better to be over- than under prepared, and the best approach is to build a rock-solid emergency preparedness foundation and add to it in the proper sequence.

The proposed sequence is as follows: the first thing that everyone should store in case of emergency is a 72 hour emergency kit. A 72 hour emergency kit is an easy-to-carry and easily accessible package that contains items such as three days of water (most important) and non-perishable food items (preferably ready-to-eat goods), personal toiletry/hygiene items, first aid kit and medications, flashlight and batteries, blankets and sleeping bag, a radio, pocket knife, etc. 72 hours is the time frame that it will likely take to restore the usual services that are interrupted after a major disaster. You should plan on being self-sufficient for at least these three days.

The next level up in the readiness pyramid is a three-month supply of food storage that would include items that you ordinarily eat and can be rotated easily, eliminating any waste. These are such things as canned goods that fit easily into your food pantry or an extra closet, as well as frozen foods (meat, preserves, and vegetables).

MRE’s (meals ready-to-eat), freeze-dried foods, and dehydrated foods are the next step up in prioritization. These food storage items store for long periods of time in a climate-controlled environment, usually between 10 to 30 plus years.

Dry-pack storage items such as wheat, white rice, and beans move us even further up the readiness pyramid. These items are very nutrient dense, and take more work to prepare meals with, but are extremely versatile and can be included in too many recipes to count. They are very good staples for your diet. Other dry-pack items include powdered milk, powdered eggs and powdered butter, bullion (chicken and beef), flour, pasta noodles, etc.

After having considered food preparation adequately, it is time to move up the readiness pyramid to the level containing extra clothing and footwear. Remember you must consider the climate in which you live and the change (or not) in seasons. If you live in a region that has harsh winters, be certain to have adequate coats, sweaters, thermal underwear, warm clothing, gloves, boots, and blankets.

The next level up the pyramid is firearms and ammunition. First and foremost these serve as tools for killing game animals for meat should this become necessary. Secondly, these may serve as protection in the event of a disorderly societal breakdown (rioting, looting, etc.) where you may need to protect your family from harm.

Camping equipment basics such as tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, camping stoves/Dutch ovens, fishing pole and tackle, a Leatherman, matches, a lantern, and porta-potties will all make you much more confident in your abilities to survive in the outdoors if you need to move even further up the readiness pyramid, and have to evacuate your home for whatever reason for a period of time.

A person may survive indefinitely without a shower, but not comfortably. That is why this category of personal hygiene items is nearer the top of the readiness pyramid, but still very much a valid and useful part of it. The specific items you should include here are soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, a razor and shaving cream, deodorant, feminine napkins, and diapers.

Finally, once you have completed your collection of each of the preceding layers and levels (and not before), top off the readiness pyramid with an emergency fund. This should cover as much as three to six months of living expenses, and then be supplemented with gold and especially silver (poor man’s gold) bullion.

What better way of safeguarding your family during emergencies than having emergency survival kits nearby. Everyone knows how emergency survival kits can protect the family even from the most dangerous emergency situations. Having one actually gives an individual peace of mind, a great sense of security.

Do you live in an area which is remote and is more susceptible to natural disasters? Why not keep emergency survival kits in your home as well as one in your car? Travelling daily can become a terrifying experience if you are aware of the danger you are living with.

Did you know that emergency survival kits came in several sizes? If you are searching for something handy, something compact and easy to carry around, why not settle for an emergency survival kit that’s small? Emergency survival kits that are smaller in size would usually fit inside a pocket and may include a small flashlight, a lighter, compass, a multi-tool and a whistle.

We never know when disaster will strike. Therefore it’s necessary that each person is aware of the emergency survival kits that are in their home or in the vehicle they travel in. Emergency survival kits which come in large sizes are much suited for homes. These usually consist of drinking water, food, a first aid kit, warm clothes, batteries, flashlight, a radio, sleeping bag, lighter and box of matches, cell phone and many other important tools.

The emergency survival kits that are kept in your vehicle or a boat should be more extensive than what was stated above. Such emergency survival kits should include a large first aid kit, a radio, food and water, tools and weapons for extra safety.

In addition to the emergency survival kits stated above; there are also kits that are specially designed for people who go to the wilderness. Such emergency survival kits would include items such as a first aid kit, a sharp blade, water purification tablets, food and water, and other important tools. If you think that the emergency survival kits you see have more of the useless items than what you really need, you could settle for a do-it-yourself emergency survival kit.

Surviving an emergency has nothing to do with luck.  In fact, if luck plays any part at all, it’s probably too small for most people to actually benefit from.  The best way to survive an emergency â?? any emergency â?? is to be prepared, aware and know what to do.  Having the right resources is also advantageous, particularly if these are exactly what you need to survive.  If you’re planning on buying a survival kit or putting one together yourself, here are the types of emergency food you should consider:

Dehydrated food
Dehydrated food is excellent as emergency food for your survival kit because they come in small, compact portions.  They are convenient to pack and easy to prepare.  You will need to heat them up with water, though.  They are a good choice as part of your survival kit if you are ever in an emergency situation where you need warm food.

Dehydrated food includes meat, vegetables, fruits and flavored meals.  Information on the number of calories included in a serving is usually included, so pack enough to meet your most basic calorie needs on a per day basis.

Canned food
Do not use raw food that still needs to be cooked for your survival kit.  Emergency food has to be convenient to store, prepare and eat.  Besides, raw food will rot.  Canned food is a better choice for emergency food because they can keep for several months to a few years.  

Canned food also provides plenty of choices â?? meat, fish, fruits and vegetables.  They can also be eaten straight out of the container.  Probably the only preparation you might have to do is to heat them for more comfort and flavor.

Consider packed meals as well.  Not only do they keep well, they are also very flavorful.  They come in single serves which make it easy to keep track of the number of meals you have.  Make sure to choose those that can be stored outside the freezer.  If the emergency food requires freezing, make sure you have the facility to do this.

Drink
Water is the best choice for all emergency situations and as such, should be a major component of your survival kit.  Regardless of the season or location, the ideal amount of water you should pack should be 1 gallon for each person per day.  If you’re storing emergency food at home, consider keeping enough to supply your need for fluids for at least 10 to 14 days.

Other excellent choices for emergency food for your survival kit are drink mixes, particularly the ready-to-drink or pre-mixed varieties.  Drink mixes not only contain pleasant flavoring (quite helpful in stressful situations such as emergencies), there are many made available in the market that are formulated with vitamins and minerals.  These drink mixes are especially helpful in combating the first signs of dehydration and can replenish important nutrients that may be lost due to the lack of proper food.

A disadvantage to drink mixes is that they cannot be used to cook food.  Your priority should be pure water and then simply supplement what you have with drink mixes.  If you’re unsure about the purity of the water you’ve stored in quite a while, keep a bottle of water purification tablets.  You can treat the water with these to ensure its safety.

A well-prepared emergency survival list can help you survive a disaster or emergency situation that you may confront anytime. This becomes even more important for the outdoor enthusiasts who spend their days outside, away from the comforts of home. Be it camping, hunting, hiking or any other activity, these people are often exposed to more challenging obstacles. Hence, they are required to carry with them emergency survival kits that could help them to survive even in unfavorable situations.

A fully equipped kit can help individuals reduce the risks that cause threat to their life. The right kit is one which contains all the essential tools and supplies that you may need in difficult situations. To ensure that you have all the required items with you, make sure you consider several factors like the climate that you will be exposed to as well as the topography of the place where you intend to go.

Best Emergency Survival List

Though the contents of such an essential pack may vary a little, depending upon the above mentioned factors (climate and topography), there are some items that every kit must have, irrespective of the type of the activity chosen and weather patterns of the area you’re exploring. Following are the most important components that an emergency survival list must include:

Shelter Items: This should include tents, tarps and rope. Besides these items you must also make sure to take sleeping bags, and foam mats with you.

Food And Water: The essential items list must contain food and water. While for food it is better to carry canned or dehydrated food that don’t require cooking, for water you can carry a personal sized bottle and also some water purification tablets.

First Aid Or Medical Supplies: An emergency survival list must include medicines and first aid items. These essential stuffs will ensure you successfully handle any illness or minor injury that you may suffer on your trip.

Tools To Procure Food: Apart from having the food items you must also keep tools for procuring food like fishing hook foldable knives etc. When there is shortage of food supply these tool like will help you procure food.

Signal Rescuers: Any emergency survival kit is incomplete without signaling items. Be it signal mirrors or plastic whistles, you must ensure you have some signal rescuers with you where ever you go.

Guiding Tool: A compass or other direction showing tools must be included at your emergency survival list. This will guide you to find right directions and hence help you to reach your destination.

Fire Starting Tools: Matches, lighters, flints and other fire creating items must be added to such a vital pack. You must go for the items that are more compact and can be used for long.

Utensils: Essential cooking utensils like cooking pots and eating plates should be included in the list of important items. Make sure to carry pots and other utensils that are light in weight and small in size.

There are several other vital items that you need to add to your emergency survival list. they are :

1) Water storage and carrying containers

2) Water filters and/or filters for purification

3) Light sources like flashlights and candles

4) Rain gear and warm outerwear

5) Sanitation and cleaning supplies

6) Hygiene products

7) Comfortable and durable shoes and several pairs of socks

Walkie-talkie radios with solar chargers

Above mentioned are some general essential tools and items that an emergency survival kit must contain. Depending on the situation you’re going to set off for, there could be some other items required.