It is a wise decision to be prepared in case of possible emergencies. Whether it be planning in case of a natural disaster, going on a camping trip or other outdoor activities, having survival gear is essential. You may have to manage on your own for many hours or even days before help arrives.

Having survival gear will eliminate the need of trying to find things at the last minute. When there are warnings of things like hurricanes or blizzards, store shelves often empty quickly. If you are traveling by car, or planning on being outdoors, having survival gear can get your through critical time.

The first thing you should prepare for are food and water. Tap water may not be safe to drink, but water purification tablets will destroy bacteria and viruses, yet they are odorless and tasteless. Bottled water should also be on hand, in case you don’t have running water. At least one gallon per day for each person will be necessary. Such things a protein food bars, dried fruit and nuts are easy to pack and take with you on outdoor trips or if you are planning a long commute.

How much survival food you store will depend on personal emergency food circumstances and preferences. However, you should plan to store at least a week’s supply at a minimum. Having enough food to last at least a month would give you peace of mind in case it should be necessary. Having such things as powdered milk, pastas and non perishable food items can be safely stored for quite some time. For long-term food storage, freeze-dried foods can have a shelf life of twenty or more years. These include such things as stews, pastas, vegetables and much more. Meals are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Since you could be without electricity for days in case of natural disaster, a flashlight and batteries are essential. A generator can provide back up power. Portable ones are available as well as larger standby units that will give you power to your entire home.

Your survival gear should contain a first aid kit. You can make your own but a basic kit that will have all the essentials is inexpensive to buy.

A battery or solar-powered radio can keep you up to date on local weather conditions and news. Some radios have other uses including charging your cell phone or an SOS emergency light so they can be even more versatile.

It is important to plan for emergencies by having  for your home, as well as your car. You can buy fully complete survival kits or make up your own. Depending where you live, you may want to have a kit in your car at all times. If you live in an earthquake area, you know they happen without warning, and you could be traveling at the time. Even a few basic things like water, a solar blanket, and energy bars in your car is a good plan to be prepared. A survival kit should always be taken when you are going on road trips, particularly away from a city or in sparsely populated areas, as well as camping and other outdoor activities.