| We are all busy people. And for some reason we | | | | Nice to Have |
| have a tendency to take care of things that are | | | | These are things that are nice to have but if you don't |
| urgent but not important before we spend time on | | | | have the space, time or the extra items on hand don't |
| those things which are not urgent yet important. That | | | | sweat it. You can add these items later or just forget |
| alone might explain our tendency toward the | | | | about them and go about your day in peace knowing |
| fast-paced busyness that defines our lives. Because | | | | that you're already prepared for the worst.o Toiletries |
| we are so caught up in those urgent little details of life I | | | | are great just for making you feel normal when life is |
| wanted to create a simple package that would help | | | | anything but. They can also be traded for other things. |
| prepare you for those rare, yet life-altering events that | | | | Throw in a couple of toothbrushes if you have them.o |
| catch us by surprise and not in a good way. Nassim | | | | Spare clothes can be used to keep you warm, keep |
| Nicholas Taleb, a specialist in financial derivatives and | | | | the sun and bugs off you or can be ripped or cut up |
| the author of the hugely successful book The Black | | | | and used in many other ways. They can also be sold |
| Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, would | | | | or traded for other necessities.o Batteries are |
| argue that it is far more beneficial for one's survival to | | | | important if you feel the urge to carry some electronic |
| pay close attention to, and prepare for those things | | | | devices in your kit. They are also highly valuable trading |
| which are unlikely to happen but would have a huge | | | | commodities and don't take up too much space.o |
| impact over those things which occur frequently but | | | | Additional, easy-to-prepare food if you have the time, |
| are of little consequence in your life, relatively speaking. | | | | space and money.o A list of people to contact and |
| For example, it's highly recommended to have some | | | | their phone numbers and addresses. If you forgot your |
| kind of fire insurance on your house and/or | | | | mobile phone or the battery dies at least you don't |
| possessions. Even though it's unlikely your home and | | | | have to memorize all this info, although that would be |
| everything in it will go up in smoke, it would be | | | | ideal.o Something fun and useful like a pack of cards. |
| devastating to have to replace everything from | | | | There is no shortage of games that can be played |
| scratch. In contrast, many people spend a lot of time | | | | with cards to keep morale up and take a break from |
| dealing with phone calls and e-mails that are not | | | | the circumstances. And they can be used as kindling if |
| important and have little to no impact on their | | | | required. |
| productivity, safety or well-being. | | | | It might look like a lot, but as I've mentioned above |
| The purpose of this guide is not to tell you to stop | | | | there are a few items that are not totally necessary |
| wasting time on unimportant things, there are enough | | | | to put your mind at ease. You can have a kit like this in |
| voices in that choir already, the purpose is to give you | | | | your home, office and/or car depending on how |
| some ideas on how to fit in a few critical tasks that will | | | | ambitious you are. You can get creative and make little |
| give you piece of mind now and in rough times. As this | | | | modifications like having an emergency blanket - the |
| is an evolving process, I encourage your feedback and | | | | ultra thin foil sheet - instead of a tarp or a sleeping bag |
| comments. | | | | to save space. The key is to spend an evening at |
| 1. The Emergency Kit | | | | home collecting these basic items in a bag and having |
| Some people refer to this as a Bug Out Bag or BOB. | | | | it ready to be grabbed at a moments notice. I know I |
| There are a million variations on this and plenty of lists | | | | feel much better having my kit near the front door. |
| available online if you have the time and desire to go in | | | | And if I never need to use it that's fine with me. Just |
| search of them and in addition have the time and | | | | as I hope to never need to use my fire insurance. |
| money to go in search of the items to put in your kit. | | | | IMPORTANT: Just having a kit is far better than having |
| I've been working on my own kit for about a year now | | | | nothing yet the items in your kit are not highly functional |
| and I often feel it's incomplete. I decided to create | | | | if you don't know how to use them. After you've |
| something very simple that many people could put | | | | packed your kit find about 20 minutes to practice using |
| together with items in their home already so as to | | | | a few of the tools so that you can perform under |
| avoid the dangerous and paralyzing procrastination | | | | pressure if need be. Setting up a shelter, starting a fire |
| surrounding the production of an emergency kit. | | | | and purifying water are the three most important skills |
| The fastest way to do this is to buy a kit already | | | | to practice. |
| made. The two disadvantages with a ready-made kit | | | | Don't have time to practice? Go over it in your mind as |
| are that the kit is a one size fits all and it may not fit | | | | often as you can or watch online video clips to get |
| you, and it's likely quite expensive. Feel free to look | | | | ideas. |
| online for a ready made kit if you want to skip this | | | | 2. Remain Calm |
| step, otherwise read on. | | | | In essence, this is the most important part of any |
| There are three key elements that we need to | | | | preparedness plan. It is a trait that is rather difficult to |
| survive. Shelter, water and food. For some reason it's | | | | develop in the midst of an emergency situation without |
| typically written as food, water and shelter which is | | | | the assistance of a heavy sedative. Therefore, prior |
| strange because that's actually in the reverse order of | | | | learning and preparation is require. Learning to calm |
| importance. Why is shelter first, you ask? Consider the | | | | yourself may not be easy but it can be simple. Many |
| rules of three. The average person can survive for | | | | of us live in a constant state of mild tension. We are |
| three weeks without food, three days without water | | | | so accustomed to this state that it feels like we are |
| and about three hours without protection from the | | | | relaxed because we haven't known any different for |
| elements. Therefore shelter is always your priority. | | | | a long time. It's time to retrain the body and the mind to |
| Shelter can take many forms from a roof over your | | | | enter a relaxed state at will. |
| head to your shoes and clothing. No matter what the | | | | To begin you may find that having a little assistance |
| weather there is some kind of risk due to exposure. In | | | | from some natural calming remedies helps to remind |
| the summer the risk is from the sun in the form of a | | | | you what it feels like to be relaxed. You may also |
| sunburn or heatstroke or rapid dehydration. A sunburn | | | | want to put some of these items in your emergency |
| is an injury to the skin that uses the body's resources | | | | kit.o Bach's Rescue Remedy is a tincture that comes |
| to fight the injury, resources that are very valuable in a | | | | in a small glass bottle and is derived from |
| high stakes situation. In the spring and fall rain or other | | | | homeopathically prepared flower extracts. It is soothe |
| water sources are a menace, soaking your clothes | | | | and comfort in times of stress. I always keep some on |
| and other valuable survival items to keep you warm | | | | hand since I tend to keep a lot of tension in my jaw |
| and safe. In prolonged exposure to cold water or | | | | (TMJ) and it helps to provide relief when I've forgotten |
| when the temperatures drop at night, wet clothing can | | | | how to relax for a period of time.o Nerval Tonic from |
| quickly lead to hypothermia and death without | | | | Flora is a soothing tea that is not only delicious it has a |
| adequate treatment. I don't think I need to get into the | | | | strong relaxing effect. I have found that it's difficult to |
| risks of exposure in the winter, especially the Canadian | | | | find this tea at natural food stores from time to time |
| winters where I live. | | | | so when I do find it I tend to stock up. Please note that |
| Water is quite straightforward, but where do you get | | | | this tea contains liquorice extract which is not |
| clean drinking water if you can't turn on the tap or | | | | recommended for pregnant women.o There are a |
| break open a new bottle of spring water? Many of us | | | | number of other teas that also have calming |
| are surrounded by water that we can't drink or even | | | | properties. Look for ingredients like chamomile or |
| use to bathe so we need to either carry water, which | | | | valerian root. Chamomile may cause allergy symptoms |
| is heavy and will quickly run out, or we need to devise | | | | in people who are prone to plant allergies so test out all |
| a way to clean the water without a complex filtration | | | | calming remedies before you need to use them. |
| system. Unless of course you fancy carrying around a | | | | Being a meditation master, although helpful, is not |
| filtration system and have one in your closet right now. | | | | necessary to cultivate a calm body and mind. A simple |
| Food is a nice luxury in an emergency situation. We'll | | | | way to begin this relaxation process is to notice any |
| cover it a little bit but for short term emergencies it's | | | | time you're feeling stressed, pause for a moment and |
| not the highest priority. | | | | locate where the tension is. Are you holding it in a |
| These three elements give a good idea what simple | | | | certain part of your body? What does it feel like? |
| things you can throw into your emergency kit that | | | | Describe it, note any colours or images associated |
| might be lying around the house or can be purchased | | | | with the tension. Remember to breathe and as you do |
| on your way home from work tomorrow. Keep in | | | | imagine the breath entering that part of the body, |
| mind that this kit will outfit one or two adults and you'll | | | | taking the tension away as you breathe out. You may |
| need to make adjustments to consider other family | | | | need to do this several times before you start to feel |
| member's needs. | | | | relief. If you need to, seek some assistance in the form |
| You don't need a special bag to put this stuff in if you | | | | of a relaxing tea or natural remedy. When you're new |
| don't have one. A backpack is best but even a | | | | to this sometimes you need to throw a few resources |
| pillowcase or fabric shopping bag will suffice. As long | | | | at the tension in order to understand what a relaxed |
| as you put the kit in an easy to reach place you should | | | | state feels like. |
| be able to evacuate your home or office in 30 | | | | It may seem like you can't afford to take any time |
| seconds or less. | | | | away from what you're doing and all your deadlines in |
| If you're really tight for time here's the bare minimum | | | | order to relax. The difference a relaxed state makes |
| for a basic kit:o Bottle of watero Emergency blanketo | | | | to your focus and performance is so remarkable you |
| 2 methods for starting a fireo A good knifeo | | | | really can't afford not to. I suspect that most of us, |
| Chocolate or a few hard candieso A bit of cash | | | | running around in a state of mini-crisis most of the time, |
| (whatever you can spare) | | | | have no idea what we're missing. |
| Everything else is gravy so start adding items as you | | | | At the very least, if you remember nothing else, just |
| think of them. Here are some suggestions for a more | | | | remember to breathe (in AND out). |
| robust kit: | | | | Here are a few other simple solutions to start you on |
| Sheltero A tarp or tent, if you have one. A few ropes | | | | the road to a calm self:o Are you getting enough |
| or bungee cords are helpful here but not required.o OR | | | | water, nutrients or sleep? Usually a lack in any of |
| a few heavy duty garbage bags are better than | | | | these areas can lead to stress on the body. I have a |
| nothing. Be sure they are the really heavy ones and | | | | feeling you already know which ones are in short |
| not the regular bags. You will be using your supplies | | | | supply in your life.o Intense physical activity is proven to |
| hard in an emergency and you want them to last as | | | | reduce stress in addition to a myriad of other benefits. |
| long as possible.o Hat, mitts and scarfo Pair of warm | | | | This can take any form you like from running up and |
| socks (cotton is not warm but wool is)o A foil | | | | down the stairs at work, swimming, cycling, frisbee and |
| emergency blanket is warm, compact and waterproof. | | | | a romp in the bedroom. Whatever you're motivated to |
| You probably don't have a few lying around the house, | | | | do find a way to fit it into your schedule and make it a |
| so I recommend buying one for each family member. | | | | top priority.o Smile! It seems ridiculous, especially in |
| They are not expensive, are easy to find and take up | | | | public for no reason at all or in the middle of an |
| very little space. Failing that, throw in a sleeping bag or | | | | emergency, but the positive effects are well |
| a blanket. Wool is best but whatever you have will | | | | documented. Try it right now and see for yourself. This |
| suffice for now. | | | | fast, simple technique can be applied anytime, |
| Watero A few bottles of drinking water. These can | | | | anywhere and has no adverse side effects.o Focus |
| be reused to collect more water later.o And/or a | | | | on facts not stories. In daily life or in an emergency |
| water filter system, if you have one. You will still need | | | | situation there are the facts and then there is what |
| 2 bottles, one to gather dirty water and the other to | | | | everyone makes it mean. If you focus on the facts |
| put clean water into. Never mix up your bottles or you'll | | | | you focus on the truth and it is from the perspective |
| contaminate your drinking supply.o Water purification | | | | of truth where the best decisions are made. This will |
| tablets, or household bleach (not the kind for fabric) or | | | | allow you to reassert control over a situation and stop |
| iodine. Once you've added these items to your kit | | | | you from over-thinking and avoiding action. |
| spend a few minutes learning what quantity of | | | | By learning to remain calm you can dramatically |
| chemical to add to the water. Too much can make | | | | enhance your performance in an emergency situation. |
| you sick but too little can make you even more sick. | | | | 3. You Are Not Your Stuff |
| Write down the directions for your clean water potion | | | | Typically we become fearful or stressed when we |
| and keep it with your kit because you're bound to | | | | feel we are losing something. It could be as intense as |
| forget the formula.o Small, clean cloth to help filter | | | | losing a loved one or losing our job to little things like |
| water from a raw source. | | | | losing a wallet. This is because we believe that our |
| Foodo Compact, high energy snacks that don't require | | | | stuff is who we are, it defines us, and we need that |
| water or cooking like nuts or power bars.o Hard | | | | stuff to continue on. The people in our lives can also |
| candieso Chocolate (careful, it melts!) | | | | be considered our stuff because it's quite common to |
| Other Necessitieso A sharp, good quality knife. You | | | | feel a sense of ownership over our family and friends. |
| cannot do much of anything without this. In fact, it is | | | | It may be hard to psychologically release ownership of |
| possible to pack nothing but a decent knife and survive | | | | the people in your life but you can start small with the |
| in any situation. This is the one thing you may not | | | | physical stuff that you own. |
| already have at home that you will need to buy. In the | | | | This can be a very long growth process and is an |
| meantime, make a quick and dirty cardboard sheath | | | | ongoing experience so to make it simple all you need |
| for an old kitchen knife and throw that in your kit. You | | | | to do is remind yourself that you are not your stuff. |
| may want to have a knife sharpener too or at least | | | | Somehow you started out at birth with nothing and |
| ensure the kitchen knife is already sharp. A Swiss | | | | have managed to create quite an impressive |
| Army style knife will also make due here. A locking | | | | existence for yourself out of so little resources. Along |
| blade is preferred but any knife is better than no | | | | the way you've learned a lot and that knowledge |
| knife.o A way to start multiple fires. There is a saying | | | | cannot be taken from you. Nearly everything in our |
| by survivalists that three is two, two is one and one is | | | | lives can be replaced and with the experience you |
| none. You want at least two sources of fire in your kit. | | | | have had you can create something fresh and |
| Grab some matches and a lighter to start. You might | | | | superior to what existed before. |
| also want to smear a few cotton balls with Vaseline | | | | Although it usually does not seem like it at the time, |
| and put them in your kit (in a container of course). Fluff | | | | breakdowns and loss often come with a silver lining |
| up the ball when you need it and you'll get a nice | | | | and if we are patient these difficult times will likely |
| firestarter out of it. It only takes a second to do. There | | | | prove to be a great blessing. |
| are lots of other ways to start fires and you can add | | | | 4. Go Without |
| those tools in the future if you want to.o A metal | | | | It may not sound like a good time but in reality it's a fun |
| container or tin-foil to boil water in order to purify it. Tin | | | | and simple experiment. At least once a month spend |
| foil is a great addition to any kit because it has many | | | | one day or an afternoon without some kind of modern |
| uses. Fold it up into a small packet and it takes up very | | | | convenience. Unplug all your electrical devices for 4 |
| little space.o Duct tape. I'm sure you're aware of many | | | | hours on a Sunday or turn off the lights and play a |
| uses for this. Instead of taking a whole roll use a straw, | | | | card game by candle light or spend a winter night |
| chopstick or pencil (can also be used for writing) and | | | | sleeping outside in the yard in a tent. |
| roll your own mini roll so that you don't take up too | | | | There are no rules or restrictions - you invent those |
| much space or weight in your bag.o Fishing line and a | | | | yourself. The purpose of this exercise is to help you |
| hook or paper clips. You can use the line to tie down a | | | | and the people you live with become accustomed to |
| tarp, repair something or to catch dinner. It's light and | | | | living without modern conveniences so that if you do |
| takes up very little space.o Some cash or other forms | | | | have to go without it's not a shock. This exercise will |
| of payment. You're likely to still be in or near an urban | | | | also expand your idea of what is possible in situations |
| centre when something goes wrong so it's a good | | | | that appear to be less than ideal. In addition, it also has |
| idea to carry a couple of different forms of payment | | | | the added benefit of bringing family and friends |
| with you. You might need a credit card although cash | | | | together which brings us to the final simple step... |
| is (almost) always accepted so put as much as you | | | | 5. Build Community |
| can in your emergency kit. Even if you only have $20 | | | | Carrying out the suggestions in this workbook is not |
| to spare today put that in and add a reminder into your | | | | normal. These 5 steps are not the kinds of activities |
| calendar to add more on payday. You might need it to | | | | most people engage in and you may find, if you |
| purchase food or water for your family to stay in a | | | | haven't already, that some people think being prepared |
| motel a ways out of town until you find other sleeping | | | | for anything extreme is a waste of time. Besides, the |
| arrangements.o Medicine. If you or a family member | | | | government will take care of them, right? |
| require medication be sure to pack enough for a week | | | | If you don't believe that and don't find a lot of support |
| or more and check the expiry every 4-6 months and | | | | around you I encourage you to keep looking. There are |
| rotate your stock.o First Aid Supplies. You may want a | | | | many people out there, most of them flying under the |
| few bandages, polysporin and something to clean | | | | radar, who feel that preparedness is important. In order |
| wounds. A small cut is normally a non-issue for most | | | | to stay on task and to reassure yourself that you're |
| of us but in a survival situation it could mean life or | | | | not crazy it's a good idea to find at least one other |
| death if it gets infected and there is little or no medical | | | | person you can talk to who shares your interest in this |
| attention available.o Wind up flashlight. Headlamps are | | | | topic. You'll find the support helpful, reassuring and, |
| also highly useful so pack one plus a spare battery. | | | | most likely, advantageous. It's hard to handle everything |
| Wind ups are great because they don't require | | | | yourself, which why we've always needed community |
| batteries. If you don't have either of these throw in any | | | | in order to survive and to live a full and satisfied life. |
| old flashlight and spare batteries.o Soap or hand | | | | You can join a local community or start your own. If |
| sanitizer. These items have many uses besides | | | | you're in the Southern Ontario area check out the |
| making you smell nice. When you don't have the luxury | | | | Toronto Survivalism Group on meetup[dot]com. If you'd |
| of the lifestyle we enjoy at this moment you can't risk | | | | like some guidance on starting your own community |
| infection or contamination. Soap can also act as a | | | | please feel free to contact me. |
| lubricant in some cases which may come in handy. | | | | |