How to Build a Survival Kit

Survival requires the establishment of a minimum food and water bank.

Survival requires a sincere and detailed effort when preparing for the worst. Both short-term and long-term survival needs should be planned for. Short-term survival can be only a matter of days to a week and occurs during a natural disaster, while long-term survival can be from two or more weeks to several months in duration. By planning for a month or two of survival, short-term survival needs will be met. A minimum of a 30-day survival kit will provide an excellent start and more of each item can be added over time if a longer period of preparedness is desired.

Things You'll Need

• 2 50-gallon food-grade drums
• 2 - 3 First Aid kits
• Combination pocket knife/can opener/mini-saw (Swiss Army knife or similar)
• 60 - 100 High-carb energy bars (per person for 30 days)
• 30 Packages of dry noodles (Ramen noodles or any competing variety)
• 1 50-pound bag dry pinto (or white) beans
• 30-60 Packages yeast
• 1 Large package iodized table salt
• 1 - 2 Bottles cooking oil
• 1 50-pound bag hard red Winter wheat
• Hand-crank wheat grinder
• 5 - 10 Boxes wooden stick matches
• 1 Cord firewood with kindling branches

Instructions

1. Store dry bagged grains at least six inches off the floor to prevent moisture damage and ensure the location is low in humidity and cool. Dry noodles, yeast, salt and energy bars should be stored in the same location for longest possible storage time.

2. Fill two 50-gallon water drums with water. Drink water from one of the drums regularly until empty, then clean with hot water and soap before filling again. Drink water from the second drum until gone and clean as with the first. By using the water from the drums and rotating between them, no harmful water preservation chemicals (bleach, chlorine, etc.) will need to be added to the drums. When a survival situation where water cannot be pumped does occur, the water will be as fresh as possible and will last until electricity is restored for the water pump to operate again.

3. Place wooden stick matches in a warm, dry location, preferably enclosed in a jar with screw-on lid to keep them dry and usable for the longest possible time. By storing matches in this way, they will be usable for years rather than just several months to a year.

4. Pile firewood in a location with as much shelter as possible to keep it dry. Use the wood for cooking and heat if survival is required in the winter where electric or gas heating may fail.

5. Place first-aid kits on shelves and don't open them until absolutely necessary to prevent contamination. Open only one at a time when needed to mend a cut or abrasion.

6. Store and maintain a quality hand-crank grain grinder for use in grinding grains to make breads and pastas. With a hand-crank grinder and yeast packets, along with a small amount of salt and cooking oil, nutritious whole-grain bread can provide sustenance for many weeks without any other available food.

7. Build upon the above kit over time as possible, using the guide in Reference 1 below which includes information on water purification, cordage and wire, magnesium firesteel bars for lighting damp wood on fire and first-aid information. Further, try to spend as much time as possible learning CPR and how to perform emergency stitching of wounds--both of which will become invaluable in a serious survival emergency.

Tips & Warnings

• This article is designed to make possible the development of the most basic survival kit possible, addressing food and water. The items should be stored at the house or shelter where you will be spending time during any survival situation and, thus, shelter is also provided for by proxy. For comfort and sanitation, provisions should be made for toilet papers, soaps for bathing and washing equipment, blankets, oil lamps and oil or candles and anything else desired. Books, magazines and and any other entertainment items (no electricity required) should be stored as well, if desired.

• Avoid "wet" canned foods if possible, as these don't store as long as dry non-perishable items. If canned foods are wanted, create the initial stockpile and then use the canned goods in everyday life. When a can of food is used, replace it with a newer can, rotating the oldest ones toward the front and placing the new ones behind the others. Canned foods can lose their seals, allowing food poisoning. Always check the seals on wet canned foods before use to avoid serious or life-threatening illness.

References

• How to Make a Survival Kit
• Ready American - U.S. Government Website (FEMA)