Analogy of a Survival Kit

Survival kits are portable packages containing essential items and supplies that are designed to help individuals survive and stay safe during an emergency or disaster situation. The contents of a survival kit can vary based on the intended use or specific scenario, but typically include items such as food, water, shelter, first aid supplies, tools, communication devices, and personal hygiene items. Survival kits can range from small, lightweight kits meant for short-term emergencies to larger, more comprehensive kits designed for longer-term survival in extreme environments. The purpose of a survival kit is to help individuals meet their basic needs and increase their chances of survival during a crisis.

I have always had some sort of “survival kit” for as far back as I can remember.  Even as a teenager growing up in a small mountain town these things were a part of me. I wasn’t a prepper or survivalist or anything of that nature.  It was just a way of life.  Back then I didn’t know any of it had a name. It’s just what we did in a small mountain town.   However, what got me into this industry is survival kits.  Over 12 years ago, when I became aware that “survival and prepping”  were what all the cool kids were doing, I began doing research on this very topic.  In 2010 survival shows like Dual Survival became a hot item and for some reason bug out bags and 72 hour kits were increasing in popularity. 

They are professionals…right?

I already had many skills and a survival kit but my research pointed me in the direction of many lists of gear, cool looking items and prefab survival kits.  These prefab kits were put together by “professionals” so I figured what they had to offer would be better than what I had.  So I ordered several of them for myself and my family to supplement our kits, with the expectation that what I would receive would be vastly better than what I had already.  Boy was I wrong! 

Every single prefab kit that I received either had something in it that was already broken or that I felt was completely useless.  You will figure that out quickly if you ever try to use one of the collapsible plastic snow shovels that come in a winter car kit, or a super inexpensive solar charging device with 15 different survival tools built in. With my knowledge and experience, I found that I already had a better kit and could offer my experiences to help people avoid the mistake I had just made by ordering prefab kits from what I thought was a trusted source. Through this, Colorado Mountain Man Survival was born and has evolved into The Survival University.

There are several common survival kits and they all have a unique purpose. In this article I will make a personal analysis of each general type of kit, what I believe they are commonly used for and what my opinion is of each type of kit.  This article does not delve deep into the contents of every kit but rather is intended to get you thinking about where you are in this realm of emergency preparedness and to get you to think about what you might need to change about your kit and yourself.  

Do you know how to use what’s in your kit?

Before I get going further, I will say that you should learn how to use everything in your kit.  If you don’t know how to use it, what is the point in having it?  Don’t just go buy something to check a box on a list that you found on the internet and then throw it in a bag in your closet to be forgotten until disaster strikes.  When a disaster does strike, it is not the time for you to be reading an instruction manual or figuring out how to use some tool that you bought months ago.  

Beware gimmicky items!  The emergency preparedness industry is chalked full of them.  You know, the Shake Weight and Slap Chop of the survival world…. Ooooohhh aaaaaahhh! Queue audience golf clap sounds!  There could easily be a multiyear series of gimmicky survival items to showcase on As Seen on TV.  It astounds me some of the items I see out there.  If there is a goofy video ad about this item, it probably falls into this realm.   

The most important things that you should know is that quality is essential in times of emergency and that training trumps gear!  You do not want your life saving device to fail you when you need it the most and you will need to know how to use it quickly and effectively. 

This is a very short term survival kit, or perhaps a long term kit depending on how you look at it and your skill level.  It is one that we all carry all the time. We all typically have an everyday carry, some of us just may not recognize that we do so.  Some EDC’s might involve a lint covered Tic Tac at the bottom of a bag.  

EDC stands for “Everyday Carry” and refers to the items or tools that a person carries with them on a daily basis for convenience, preparedness, or personal protection. EDC items can include things such as a wallet, keys, phone, multi-tool, flashlight, pocket knife, pepper spray or other self defense tool and other small, portable items that are useful in everyday situations. The contents of an EDC kit can vary based on the individual’s needs and preferences, but generally include items that are practical, versatile, and compact enough to be carried comfortably in a pocket, purse, or bag. The purpose of an EDC kit is to help individuals be prepared for unexpected situations and have the tools they need to tackle daily tasks or emergencies.

What’s in your wallet?

If you always walk out the door and head to a destination with nothing in your pockets other than credit cards and ID, then I urge you to consider making some of the simple tools mentioned above a part of your everyday carry.  They are lightweight and do not take up much room but in an emergency situation they could be vital.  

For example, on just my truck keyring I carry a CPR mask, whistle, fire starter and a tiny knife. Around my neck I carry a fire starter necklace and a sharpening stone.  I always have either a pocket knife or a bushcraft knife on me somewhere.  My wallet has a few credit card survival sized  tools in it as well. Depending on my daily task I either have a leather belt or a Wazoo Cache Belt that has some basic survival items hidden within. 

Paracord Bracelet Survival Kit

A paracord bracelet survival kit is a compact, wearable kit that contains essential survival items woven into a paracord bracelet. Paracord is a durable type of cord originally used in parachutes, but has since become a popular material for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists due to its strength and versatility.

A paracord bracelet survival kit typically includes a variety of small tools and materials that can be useful in emergency situations, such as a Firestarter, compass, whistle, fishing line and hooks, wire saw, and even a small knife or cutting blade. These items are discreetly woven into the bracelet itself which should be made out of 550 paracord, allowing the wearer to have them readily accessible at all times.

Paracord bracelet survival kits are popular among hikers, campers, and survivalists who prioritize lightweight, compact gear that can easily be carried with them at all times. They are also great for those who want to have a backup survival kit on hand, in case they become separated from their main kit.

Is it really useful?

While these bracelets can be useful, I find them to be on the gimmicky spectrum. They fit just fine in the EDC category but they should not be considered a complete survival kit. Don’t let a few items on your wrist give you a false sense of security. The tools are small and difficult to handle if your hands are cold or injured. Typically the survival tools hidden within are cheaply made and may break easily or not work at all. If you are going to wear one, make it a quality one with quality tools inside. Also make sure that the paracord is true 550 cord. If you don’t know what 550 cord is, then watch my video on YouTube.

My personal opinion is that paracord bracelets are more of a psychological tool. They force you to stop, sit down, unravel your bracelet and assess your gear and your situation. Calming yourself and thinking can be vital in an emergency situation. Focusing on the task of getting your tools out of the bracelet may do just that.

A 72 hour kit, also known as a 3-day kit, is a type of emergency preparedness kit that contains essential supplies to sustain an individual or family for up to 72 hours in the event of an emergency or disaster. These kits typically include items such as food, water, emergency shelter, basic first aid supplies, personal hygiene items, basic household tools and other items to survive for at least three days. The purpose of a 72 hour kit is to provide immediate assistance and support until further help arrives or until it is safe to return home or seek additional resources. It is recommended that every household have a 72 hour kit readily available in case of an emergency.

FEMA Says…

This is the kit that FEMA and other government agencies recommends everyone has in their home or vehicle at all times. The 72 hour kit assumes that help is on the way fairly quickly and the users of these kits are relying on others to eventually come save them.   

Because the government has recommended these kits, many emergency preparedness companies exist and are capitalizing on the situation.  The kits on the market seem to be created by someone with little to no real world survival or disaster experience.  The tools in the prefab kits are cheaply made and will probably only last you three days before they break.  The food and water rations are only designed to last you 3 days if you are just sitting around waiting for someone to help you. If you are exerting yourself, these rations will deplete much quicker. As mentioned before, I have purchased many of these survival kits just to see what they were about and I was thoroughly unimpressed with all of them. 

If you have received any formal training, you will see how inadequate these kits are.  They have the bare minimum to get through a small crisis and should anything else go slightly wrong, you will not be properly prepared.  These kits are just not suitable for anybody that intends to do anything other than lay there and wait for help and should be supplemented with other kits or improved upon greatly with additional items. Better yet, don’t buy these prefab kits. Build your own!

A get home bag is a type of emergency preparedness kit that is designed to help an individual get home safely during an unexpected event or emergency situation, such as a natural disaster, transportation breakdown, or civil unrest. This survival kit typically contains essential supplies that can help an individual travel a relatively short distance from their current location to their home or another safe location. The contents of a get home bag can include items such as food, water, first aid supplies, emergency shelter, a map, compass, flashlight, hiking boots and extra clothing. The purpose of a get home bag is to provide an individual with the necessary resources to make it home safely, even if they are not able to access their regular modes of transportation or usual supply of resources.

The Most Valuable Kit for Everyone to Have

Everyone should have one of these kits in their vehicle or office at all times.  When you put together this kit, think about what you would need to keep in your vehicle to spend at least one night sleeping in it. Then think about what you would need in the kit to walk home in inclement weather.  If your typical commute to work is 80 miles, then the contents of your kit may be different than a person’s kit that would only have to walk 10 miles. 

This is the kit that all of us will most commonly use. These situations happen all the time, especially during the winter when highways are shut down due to blizzards and people are stranded in their vehicles for hours, if not days on end.  So you should really put some thought into this kit when you are putting it together. Think about the situations you might face,  the environment you will be exposed to, the distance you will need to travel, injuries that you might receive and of course think about your skill level.  

Bug In Bag

Okay, there usually is not a bag directly associated with bugging in but there are kits involved so I will talk about it.  Bugging in refers to the practice of staying at home or a fixed location during an emergency or disaster situation, rather than evacuating or “bugging out” to another location. The decision to bug in may be made based on a variety of factors, such as the severity and duration of the emergency, the availability of resources, the safety of the surrounding area, and the ability to shelter in place. 

People that bug in may have medical or physical conditions that do not allow them to travel far outside of their home or they simply have no desire to bug out or evacuate.  This is a very common thing and if that is your stance, there is nothing wrong with it other than the fact that there might come a point in time where you will either be forced to bug out or suffer the wrath of the disaster that is bearing down on you. 

Bugging in often involves preparing and fortifying the home or location with supplies, equipment, food, water, medical supplies, communication devices, and security measures. The goal of bugging in is to increase the chances of survival and safety by remaining in a familiar and secure environment, rather than risking the unknown challenges and dangers of bugging out.

Bug Out Bag

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