Day: February 15, 2018

Wise Buys? Survival Kits Online

by Damon Caskey

It’s no secret that survival is big business. Widget makers are quick to offer various takes on preparedness for your dime – even my transport choice, Chevy Avalanche, offered a “Zombie Apocalypse Approved” edition. Unfortunately, that last example is also a clear sign of buyer beware. In fairness, the vehicle in question is already an off-road capable platform designed to accommodate a variety of needs. But if you were expecting any upgrades for the extra ~1000USD price tag, prepare to be underwhelmed. Dashboard plaques and a green exterior accent are all she wrote.

So it goes with just about anything or anyone touting a quick and easy solution to preparedness. One of the more common market ploys are kits promising to outfit a family of X size for X days with all basic needs and comforts.

Note these kits make a lot of assumptions (as they must). There is almost no accommodation for disabled or special needs people. They are also by nature very generalist. Your own location and proclivities may render them less useful. Finally, as pointed out here, Caskey, D. V. (2018, February 15). Instant Survival – Just Add Money. Retrieved February 15, 2018, from https://www.caskeys.com/dc/instant-survival-just-add-money/ they are also absolutely no substitute for basic planning and awareness. That said, coupled with a bit of know-how and forethought, a well-appointed kit could take some of the hassle out of preparedness. Below are a few for your consideration. Remember, always be aware of your situation!

Wise Survival Backpack – 69.99USD

This backpack based kit is designed to accommodate a single person’s general needs for ~five days in an outdoor setting.

Amazon. (2018, February 01). Wise Foods 5-day Survival Back Pack Red. Retrieved February 14, 2018, from https://www.amazon.com/Wise-Food-5-Day-Survival-Backpack/dp/B00ZX3ALQM

  • 32 servings of Gourmet Entrees
  • Apple cinnamon cereal, portable stove including Fuel tablets
  • Ideal for emergency preparedness for tornados; hurricanes; wildfires; floods; etc. All items are packed in camo nylon backpack
  • 5 x 4.227 fluid ounce water pouches, portable stove (including 24 fuel tablets), stainless steel cup, squeeze flashlight, 5-in-1 survival whistle, waterproof matches, Mylar blanket, emergency poncho and playing cards
  • 42 piece first aid and hygiene kit (including 37 piece bandage kit, N95 dust mask, pocket tissues, 3 wet naps and waste bag

Mayday Classroom Lockdown Kit – 69.95USD

Centered around a classroom emergency (active shooter, severe weather, etc.), this is a short-term kit primary concerned with first aid needs.

Systemax Corp. (2018, January 15). Mayday Classroom Lockdown Kit. Retrieved February 14, 2018, from https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/safety/first-aid/c-e-r-t-kits-and-supplies/classroom-lockdown-kit?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_JTUBRD4ARIsAL7_VeXcmH6-EHOUL3Yy9T7B_yogjB40UaFJxMH63qISQ4V4i6AGovXEZQEaAtiiEALw_wcB

  • (3) 3600 Cal. Food Bars
  • (30) Packs of Drinking Water
  • (1) Portable Toilet
  • (1) Standard Roll of Toilet Paper
  • (2) Toilet Disinfectant
  • (100) Moist Towelettes
  • (4) Toilet Liners
  • (1) AM Radio w/Batteries
  • (1) Whistle
  • (1) 10 yd. Roll Duct Tape
  • (1) Large Mylar Blanket

4-Person 3-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit 139.96USD

Family oriented general kit designed to supply basic needs for ~three days. As is somewhat common for family sized kits, it comes packaged in a watertight bucket.

Home Depot. (2018, January 20). Ready America 4-Person 3-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit in a Bucket-70395. Retrieved February 14, 2018, from https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ready-America-4-Person-3-Day-Deluxe-Emergency-Kit-in-a-Bucket-70395/301024622?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CTHD%7Cgoogle%7C&mid=sF2BZPNpH%7Cdc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_111415680425_pkw__pmt__product_301024622_slid_&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_JTUBRD4ARIsAL7_VeXz6h3ThY9-VZd-WDnusoIy_kQBFsQxVP0v_llHiJ87MlMfCa6ulkQaAj8UEALw_wcB

  • four 2400-calorie emergency food bars (5-year shelf life)
  • 4 liters of boxed emergency water (5-year shelf life)
  • 4 emergency ponchos
  • 4 survival blankets
  • four 12-hour emergency light sticks
  • 4 pairs of nitrile gloves
  • 4 Niosh N-95 dust masks
  • 4 packets of pocket tissues
  • one emergency whistle
  • one pair of leather work gloves
  • one multi-function tool
  • one roll of duct tape (10 yards)
  • 4 safety goggles
  • 3 bio-hazard bags
  • 12 pre-moistened towelettes
  • one 107-piece first aid kit
  • one emergency Power Station (flashlight / AM-FM radio / siren / cell phone charger)
  • one 5 Gal. bucket and one bucket lid

Any inconsistent grammar or errors one might find in the product lists (and there are many) are due to direct quotation. I have left them in place to further emphasize the point of awareness – quality control is nominal when a quick buck is on the line. Would you trust your life to an entity that doesn’t proofread its own bylines? YOU must decide how to best allocate resources and time to be ready for what comes.

Instant Survival – Just Add Money

by Damon Caskey

Has disaster preparedness become too commercialized?

One of the more difficult issues with survival in disasters is communication and sphere of awareness. Common individuals from the public are oft accused of giving little thought or concern about preparedness until after the event – obviously much too late. Is it even fair to expect more? John and Suzy Q. have enough to worry about conducting their everyday lives. To them, the notion of preparing to survive in worst case scenarios smacks of cardboard plaques claiming the end is near.

Perhaps playing on both this and the sensational fear that follows every disaster event, some commercial products have arisen promising preparedness in a box. Just pay the freight, and never give a second thought while the kit gathers dust in some forgotten corner.

This is severe folly that could potentially cost more lives than having no preparations at all. An overconfident family may opt to ride out an incoming hurricane or shun help until it is too late to do so. Dr. Arthur Bradley, author of Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family summarizes the concept perfectly.

Bradley, A. T. (2012). Handbook to practical disaster preparedness for the family. Lexington, KY: Arthur T. Bradley, Kindle Location 482.

We all love one stop shopping. It’s easy, and there’s little thought required. Capitalizing on that line of convenience thinking, several companies now offer prepackaged disaster preparedness kits. Most are stored in airtight buckets or easy to carry backpacks-both good ideas. If you read the the retailer websites, you might be convinced that preparing offers nothing more than forking over $99 and finding a shelf on which to store the bucket of goodies.

Through an exhaustive step by step analysis, Dr. Arthur goes on to put a commercial family of four survival kit up against a real world east coast hurricane scenario. His conclusion was not surprising. The kit fell woefully short of meeting the most basic needs.

Bradley, A. T. (2012). Handbook to practical disaster preparedness for the family. Lexington, KY: Arthur T. Bradley, Kindle Location 529.

The bottom line is that, upon further analysis, the bucket DP kit falls far short of meeting your family’s post-hurricane needs. Test this kit against other scenarios, such as a winter storm, terrorist strike, or widespread blackout. No doubt you will agree that it does little to improve your chance of survival, let alone make the situation more tolerable.

The simple truth is that disaster preparedness is not unlike any other personal skill. It is not particularly complex, but does require a nominal expenditure of thought and effort. You can order today, but it’s of little use unless you act now.