Thursday, April 30, 2015

The Value Of A Disaster Survival Kit

By Stella Gay


Most disasters, whether they are man made or natural, are unpredictable in nature. This means that no one really knows for sure when a catastrophe will occur and the exact severity of its impact. This is why a disaster survival kit is such an important item.

These kits are important for single individuals as well as groups. Families, for instance, should ensure that they are well armed with these catastrophe defeating kits. It is also important to ensure that each member of the household has knowledge of its location and access to it.

There are some essential items that must be included in these kits. One of them is first aid items. This means items such as gauze that can be used to dress cuts and bruises, alcohol and pain relievers. When a catastrophe has struck, official aid may not arrive promptly for varying reasons such as the lack of access to the area. Until the ideal aid team arrives, the first aid items in kits like these may save lives.

Health concerns may emerge or escalate in the wake of a traumatic event. This is why medications such as pumps for those who have asthma should be included in any emergency package. It is important that each family or individual does an analysis of the health needs that are likely to arise and include the required medications.

Also important for these kits are food and water. These are necessary for survival after any disaster and they are usually scarce in these circumstances. In many cases, the suffering faced by victims of disasters is compounded by limited access to food and water. Many people who are caught off guard by the situation are sometimes driven to consume compromised or unsafe food and water. This in turn leads to health complications and even death in severe cases. This is why experts in emergency preparedness advise that people store enough water and food to sustain them for between a few days to a week.

Official documents are often lost or damaged during disasters. This makes it difficult to pick up the pieces of your life in the aftermath. This is why emergency preparedness experts advise people to seal an official copy of important documents such as marriage and birth certificates in protective casings that will withstand the elements and include them in their kit packing.

Another crucial category of item for inclusion in the kits is those set of items that facilitate movement. Chief among these is a flashlight and the required batteries. In the wake of many disastrous events the power goes out. Alternative lighting sources will become important especially during the nights when the darkness can be a cause for concern.

The importance of being prepared for the possibility of an unexpected traumatic even cannot be overemphasized. There are too many examples of people who were caught off guard by disasters. Don't join those masses. Start putting a kit together today in order to feel more secure tomorrow.




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