How to Plan Evacuation Procedures with Emergency Survival Kit

We live in interesting times.

World-wide, instability mounts. Whether it is an earthquake, hurricane, or tsunami evacuation or whether we encounter pirates, genocide or a nuclear power station going into meltdown, there is little time for preparation in real time. Therefore, it is important to plan for evacuation and other emergencies before they arrive. It is just as important to know beforehand the evacuation route one will be taking as it is to have an emergency survival kit ready to meet an unexpected disaster. Here is a list of what is important to consider for your particular emergency preparedness supplies and evacuation situation. Remember, the best evacuation plan is to plan ahead of time.

Emergency Transport Procedures
Ever noticed how in the movies cars are all trying to flee and there is a crash up front and, subsequently, the traffic is crawling at 2 miles per hour? That’s not a good thing when distance is required as soon as possible. Best mode of transport for an evacuation is either a scooter or a motorbike. The average speed of a small 50cc scooters is only about 35 mph while a state of the art Harley or Honda can take you to about 115 or 120 mph. A new 50 cc scooter can be bought on the web for about $550 and though the top speed is only 35 mph, in a situation where cars are sardine packed, it can the maneuver where a motor vehicle cannot. Remember planning for the unexpected is part of survival.

Maps, Meeting Places, Compass, and Evacuation Routes
It’s important to have a plan in place for a variety of situations. If the family is in different places at the time, evacuation becomes necessary, then they may need to know where everybody is to meet. It is also important to have a variety of options ahead of time as one evacuation route may no longer safe. While a GPS is good to have, it’s perhaps a good thing to have an road map in print and to know beforehand which route will be taken to get out of the city. Familiarity with back roads pays heavy dividends when the main highways have either been cracked by earthquakes or are so full of fleeing vehicles that speed becomes impossible. Lastly, a compass might be an old fashioned gizmo that many no longer know how to use. Yet, knowing east from west and north from south can be a lifesaver when one does not know where one is. It is also small and light, can easily be carried, and is not dependent on any form of satellite communication.

Radio, Cell Phones, and, um Radio.

Communication is a big thing and while cell phones have become ubiquitous, in a nuclear attack or a nuclear accident, internet and cell phone signals will not be available. The best form of communication will be a two-way radio. It’s probably wise to plan ahead of time which wave length you will be contacting friends and family on, and to make sure that each person has a radio. Of course, there’s the other kind of radio – the one on which the news comes. A small, high powered radio is also useful. That way you can catch any emergency warnings being issued by government agencies. It’s helpful if the radio is solar powered. If not, make sure there are spare batteries.

Light-to-Carry Emergency Supplies
While ready made emergency kits are freely available at sport stores and on the internet, it’s better to make your own. Here’s a list of what you will need and the reasons these items have been given priority. The other important consideration is that weight can slow one down, as can large carry packs. The important part of emergency supplies is that they must be light as a feather and preferably small. It’s also useful for each item to be able to multifunction so that one item can perform two or three tasks.

Water Purification Kit
Humans cannot survive for long without clean water. A purification kit need not take up much space, but it is vital to have it so that water can be tested before drinking, and so that it can be cleaned for safe drinking.

Matches or Lighter
The ability to keep warm and to cook food is also important. While food can sometimes be hunted for, most people are not willing to eat raw food. And even packaged food tastes better when it is warmed. Tinned food is too heavy to carry in an emergency, so very often, it is going to be dried food that needs to be cooked in water. This requires matches or a lighter. Then there is the obvious use – that matches provide light if it is dark. Fire is also an accepted means of calling attention to where one is if search parties are out looking for survivors.

Warmth
While it is true that one may be called to evacuate on a blistering hot day, it is more likely that the night will be cooler. Statistically, more of the world’s geographical climate zones tend to be cooler, especially in winter. Warmth is required.

For this, I’m suggesting that a home-made blanket with Velcro on two sides and a hem containing a ribbon on the top. It would be made of water proof fabric on one side and have two layers of silk on the inside. Silk is used rather than fleece as it takes up less space.

This blanket can be used for several purposes. At night, the two Velcro sides can be attached to each other, and it can be used for a sleeping bag. Of course, the waterproof fabric would be on the outside. Two layers of silk act on the inside as a thermal layer and keep one warm. In addition, if one has to hike during a very cold day, then it can be wrapped around one, with the ribbon and Velcro being adjusted so that the blanket acts as a cape. A third use would be to act as a ground blanket to protect one from moist grass and a forth use would be to gather four sticks, attach the blanket and use it as a shelter.

Shoes
The right shoes can make or break an escape when one needs to move fast. Regardless of weather, closed, well fitted, flat shoes with a non-slip sole, are essential. As an emergency evacuation can entail only a five minute grace period, and every minute may count, it’s probably better to have the shoes within the emergency kit, rather than to stop and change. Well, if one has on a pair of high stiletto heels, then change may be mandatory.

Swiss Pocket Knife

Still one of the best emergency tools on the market, nobody should be without one. Victorinox is the original. Stick with them. They generally comprise a large and small blade, a screwdriver, a bottle opener, a tweezer, wirestripper, keyring, nail file, can opener, corkscrew, and a toothpick cleaner. In an emergency, it can be a very useful tool to have.

Binoculars
There was a reason this tool was developed. To be able to see in the distance can provide vital knowledge to one’s survival. A small, powerful pair of binoculars is easy to carry.

Fishing Line
Fish line is stronger than rope. It is also lighter and takes up less space. Also, if you think about it, some fish gut is made to catch fish that weighs a couple of tons. Well, almost. A small reel of high tensile fish gut can serve its weight in gold, not only for fishing for food in rivers or seas, but in tying up logs to make a raft or putting together a makeshift shelter without tools. Just remember to replace it every few years as it only lasts a couple of years.

Food
Food takes up a lot of place and is heavy to carry. Tinned food is not the way to go. Look for packaged freeze dried food that needs waters added to it. Some of the prices on the web, though, are so inflated, it’s pure madness. You could just as well put some rice in a plastic bag! Seriously, jerky (or the better alternative – South African biltong), and chocolate are good standbys. Only take sufficient food for a starvation diet for two or three days. Carrying too much gear will slow you down.

Light
While fire will provide both light and warmth, sometimes, there is not time to light one. A small flash light, probably using LED technology, is vital. It’s possible to get solar powered flash lights, but, of course, the sun might not be shining. Carry one spare set of batteries. Generally, the battery for an LED flashlight is minute.

Medical Kit
Anything can happen in an emergency. Some can be treated. Some can’t. Survival, until very recently, always had its ups and downs. There needs to be a balance between what can be carried with ease and what is vital medical aid. I would go with the following. Above all things, remember it has to be light and very small. You cannot move in a hurry if you have a lot to carry.

• Disinfectant. Hydrogen peroxide or surgical spirits each have many different uses. You only have room for one small container.
• Aspirin for inflammation, headaches, colds, pain, etc.
• Antihistamine for bee bites or unexpected allergy.
• Bandage and dressing for wounds.
• Antibiotic
• Antibiotic ointment.
• Vaseline
• Latex gloves
• Lugol’s iodine in case of radiation. However, folk medicine uses it for a lot more and you might like to read up on this. In case you have taken too much iodine, eat chocolate. It contains bromine and this counteracts the iodine.
• Small container of baking Soda. This is a great cleaner – whether teeth, hands, or dishes.

Hi Tech

There are some items that don’t take up much space but may prove to be the better survival selection in our hi tech age. These include smart phones, a GPS, camping stoves, or Burrito sleeping bags. There is nothing wrong with opting for some of these options. However, bear in mind that hi-tech will often require satellite signals, take up more space, or not be that light. Also, many hi-tech items are designed only for one purpose. In an emergency evacuation, one needs to be able to have these items in a light backpack because weight will slow one’s speed.

Water
While all emergency manuals will tell you to take water, I find too much water is too heavy to carry. I would take one bottle at the most - but, then, that's me.

Time is of the Essence
In the recent tsunami event in Japan, a man and his wife hearing the tsunami warning, started to head for the hills. Unhappily, it occurred to them to fetch something from their home. The wife was lost and the man found himself out at sea, floating on his rooftop for two or three days before being rescued. Sometimes, in life, one just have to leave it all behind.

If you’re in the middle of the city, far from home, and there is a call to evacuate, you don’t have time to go home. So, the items outlined above are so inexpensive, you can have two or three kits. Keep one at home, one in the office, one in your car, and one on your bike. As times become more dangerous, it is hopeful that it will become safer to ride a scooter rather than using a car all the time. Cars not only use up a lot of space and gas, but they are far from the best option when one has to run for one’s life.

Precisely because family members and friends will probably be in very different place when sirens make evacuation mandatory, it is best to arrange with friends and family when you will all meet.

Emergency Kits for Evacuation Planning and Preparedness

It’s vital that you have an emergency kit prepared in case you need to evacuate unexpectedly. You cannot depend on the authorities to provide you all that you will need. Better that you take time now to plan and to spend a few pence on being evacuation ready than lose your life if you don’t.