The List

[Zoff12]

Been collecting this info off the internet for years. Some is mine but much of it is info I found from other people and it was better than I could do. lol

DISASTER EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

Before just jumping on the list and starting to buy your supplies, read the entire list to help with your selection of equipment/supplies.This will also explain how to keep track of your supplies and just drops in some good tips to help you survive.These tips/suggestions are in no particular order and are sometimes repeated.

Place a "✔" in the box after an item is secured and properly stored.
Place a "X" in the box if an item is being eliminated item from inventory.
Place a AG@ in the box after an item is secured/stored and if item is classified for Group inventory.

Always keep this list available in printed form. It can help with inventory before, during, and after a disaster.

Notice there is no ATable of Contents@. You should know this list (or any other you devise) well enough to find the information without one.

REMEMBER: K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple, Stupid!

All quantities are a suggestion. Amounts are up to the individual(s) or group but less should not be stored. More can be stored if able. All quantities should be at least double when possible. Also, this is not a Afixed@ list of quantities or items and is for someone in a static position. List contains more equipment than can be taken on foot or in a vehicle. New items can be included or existing items deleted if you feel the need. Environment will/can determine what and how much. If it can break, wear out, or get used up, always have a backup. Essentially, this means have a backup for everything. Do not count on this list to have everything. Mistakes can be made and items forgotten.

Household items (dishes, silverware, drinking glasses/cups, pots, pans, sheets, pillows, etc.) are just some of the things you should already have and are not on this list.

Remember: It is a good idea to have more than you need. In a disaster scenario, it will be good planning to have barter items and it will be difficult or impossible to replace worn/damaged/lost/missing/stolen items. Let=s face it, paper money won=t be Aworth the paper it=s printed on@ and coins don=t have enough (if any) gold and silver in them to be worth anything.

Basic criteria for barter items:
High consumer demand or value
Not easily home manufactured
Durable in storage
Divisible in small quantities
You can afford to part with it or have a large surplus of the item.

Excellent barter items include (but not limited to):

1)Almost any item on this list
2)Precious Metals/Gems
3)Jewelry
4)Alcoholic Beverages
5)Clothing - All types
6)Female items Hygiene/Cloths
7)Children=s items - Cloths/Toys
8)Candy/Sweets/Treats
9)Weapons & Ammunition
10) Medical/Hygiene Supplies/Skills
11) Labor [do what someone else can’t]
12) Paper/Pens/Pencils
13) Fuel
14) Blankets
15) Flavored and/or Caffeine drinks
16) Tobacco Products
17) Mechanical‑Gadgetry/Machine/Auto Parts
18) Fresh Fruits/Vegetable/Meats
19) Tools
20) Seeds/Sprouts/Bulbs
21) Tea/Coffee


Weapons, Ammunition, medical supplies, and other items should only be bartered with when you have no choice or items, such as obsolete ammunition or ammunition you have no weapon for, that you can part with and not miss. Remember, if you have enough ammunition and weapons, all other items are obtainable. Don=t barter with any item you cannot part with. Don=t barter with the last of any of you items.

All paper items, electronic items, and other items that are not WATERPROOF, should be sealed in some form of waterproof container.

DO NOT store batteries in radios, flashlights, etc. Corrosion may occur and result in damage of your equipment.

If you have a choice of a battery operated device or a device that does not use batteries (i.e. GPS or compass, digital or windup/solar/kinetic watch, etc.), choose one that does not use batteries. Substituting high tech gear for skill and knowledge will only cause problems in the long run.

Knowledge and preparation are the keys to survival in the event of a catastrophe. Remember... knowledge is power and preparation is the difference between life and death. Learn the skills necessary to use all of the equipment in this list.

British SAS "Seven P's" Rule - Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

DO NOT keep all your magazines loaded. This will fatigue the spring and cause feed failures and jams. Keep, at most, a of magazine inventory loaded and rotate every 3 months. Download your magazines a few rounds. If your magazines hold 30 rounds, only load 25 rounds. This will help save the spring. The more magazines you have, the less chance of the springs becoming fatigued. This may or may not be a myth. Many Aexperts@ can and will provide compelling arguments for both sides. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Always drink plenty of water. Dehydration can affect your ability to work, fight, and think. Remember to hydrate yourself!!!! DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages (liquor, beer, etc.) to stay hydrated. Alcohol will dehydrate you even more.

DO NOT store chemicals and fuel in proximity to food or water. Cross contamination can result making food or water unusable.

Boiling water may be effective, but it is not the best way to purify water. Boiling does not always kill or remove certain contaminants and removes the oxygen content and causes it to be flat. For EMERGENCY purposes only, one can use un‑scented household bleach to purify water, but you should use only 2 teaspoon per 5 gallons of water (1 tsp should the water be cloudy). The best method is to use HTH7dry chlorine (65%), which can be purchased in bulk at stores like Wal-Mart7, Target7, K-Mart7, and pool supply stores. (Also a great barter item.) The amount to use is 1/4 teaspoon (0.03 ounce) per 300 gallons for a 0.5-ppm of chlorine.

THE RULE OF 3
Humans can survive for…
…3 seconds from lack of blood
…3 minutes from lack of air
…3 hours from hypothermia or heat stroke.
…3 days from lack of water
…3 weeks from lack of food
…3 months from lack of adequate shelter
…3 years from poor diet, vitamin deficiency, despair, chronic illness

Large flashlights are impractical for personal carry. Big C-Cell or D-Cell Maglites7 or large spotlights are heavier than necessary and should be used at the base only. Mini Maglite7, SurefireJ (standard and LED), and InovaJ LED flashlights are excellent. USGI angle head flashlights are about as big as it should get. Lithium batteries, such as the SurefireJ 123A type have a shelf life of about 10 years. They don=t last long when used but store well. If you use these, make sure to have a large quantity. DO NOT forget to stock replacement bulbs. Also, remember to observe light discipline in dangerous/combat situations.

FAMILY IDEAS...
Identify two meeting places: One near or at home and the second away from the neighborhood in case home cannot be approached.

Keep photo=s of your family with you at all times. It may be helpful in locating them after a disaster.

All adults and teenage children should be taught 1st Aid and CPR. This can be the difference between life and death. Be prepared to teach these skills to younger children as they become old enough to handle it.

REMEMBER THE CHILDREN! If you have children, especially small ones, remember their favorite toys. Children need a sense of normality or as close as one can get in a survival situation. Celebrate Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, and other holidays with them. They need all the comfort and love you can give. This will be tougher on them than on any adult. We understand...they don=t! Don=t take any more chances than you have to, either. They cannot survive without you! Assure them that everything is OK but don=t lie to them. They will know.

If you have children, make sure to include Children=s Chewable Vitamins in the vitamins pack. It is easier to get children to take these types over Adult vitamins.

Make sure that all survival equipment for a child is sized for a child. An adult gasmask will not function properly on a child. The best for this is the Israeli Child sized civilian gasmask. Keep in mind your child will grow. Have a few sizes larger of clothing and equipment stored in the event it turns out to be and Aextended@ situation.

Don't underestimate the supplies you will need to keep a child safe and happy. These needs will change as the child grows.

Pack a few games that DO NOT require batteries. Although not on the list, these are essential for morale of everyone. This can help pass the time and have something fun for the children. It’s a good idea to have a AKids Activity Survival Kit@. You may have to leave your house during a disaster and may sleep somewhere else for a while. It=s smart to put together your child=s own AKid=s Activity Survival Kit@ so they will have things to do and share with other kids. These can all be stored in a backpack or duffel bag. Just make sure they can carry it easily so they can feel as if they are making a significant contribution. Some suggested items for your Activity Survival Kit are:

1. A few of their favorite books
2. Crayons, pencils or marking pens and plenty of paper
3. Scissors and glue and plenty of paper
4. Two favorite toys such as a doll or action figure
5. One or two board games
6. A deck of cards
7. Puzzles
8. Small people figures and play vehicles.
9. Favorite stuffed animal or puppet
10. Favorite blanket or pillow
11. Pictures of the family and pet
12. A "keepsake" box with a few treasures that make them feel special. (Allow them to choose these items)

Check on the school emergency plan of any school‑age children you may have. You need to know if they will keep children at school until a parent or designated adult can pick them up, send them home on their own, or take them to a shelter. Be sure that the school has updated information about how to reach parents and responsible caregivers to arrange for pickup. Ask what type of authorization the school may require to release a child to someone you designate if you are not able to pick up your child. During times of emergency, the school telephones may be overwhelmed with calls. Don=t phone...GO THERE!

If you have pets, remember to include supplies for them. Food, grooming, and medical supplies will be in short supply. Be aware of your animals’ condition at all times. Rabies is very deadly to humans when treatment is unavailable.

Candy is an excellent moral booster. Avoid soft candy [chocolate bars, etc.] as they do not keep well. Store hard candy as it keeps well. Make sure it is sealed in an air/water tight container to keep it fresh and free from pests. Children will especially benefit from this.

If you live near a body of water (lake, pond, river, creek, etc.), know the maximum flood level. You will need to know where you will be able to travel and where the water will be too high. For rivers below a dam, you local authorities should have a map and/or written contingency plan concerning dam failure you can get...or at least see. When planning, avoid having your residence in the flood zone.

If you have to travel, have knowledge of several routes to your destination. Some of the ways may be blocked or otherwise inaccessible. Have a map in your possession at all times. This may be the only way to plan your route.

Understand that consumable goods (soaps, deodorants, feminine products, shampoos, toothpastes, etc.) will be depleted over time with little or no chance of re-supply. Pack plenty and prepare alternatives.

Scavenge from the dead! [Only after a survival situation is in effect!] This seems distasteful but is necessary. No, this is not grave robbing. It is a fairly safe way to replenish or find needed items. Be sure to take the necessary biological precautions and use common sense. Clothing should be thoroughly washed before you wear it. DO NOT ingest opened food, opened medical supplies or ANY water from the dead. Any items found to be or may be contaminated in any way...BURN IT! You don=t know what killed them.

Hygiene is very important! Bathe as often as possible (once a day if practical), even if it=s only water. It is good for health and morale. Be aware of lice, ticks, bedbugs, and other infestations. They CAN/WILL kill you over time. Treat and wash clothing and other items regularly. Do not eliminate lice treatment. In time, you will get lice!

Even after a few days in the field, the human sense of smell, sight, and hearing become quite acute. Lack of bathing or strong scents (soaps, deodorants, colognes, etc.) will give away your position to the enemy or animals (prey and/or predatory). Avoid them!!! This is only relevant in a combat scenario. Unless in combat, do everything you can to stay clean.

Remember sound discipline...if it rattles...tape it.

Remember camouflage discipline...if it shines...cover it.

Your feet are important ‑ ask any infantryman and he'll tell you ‑ "TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET"

Keep your feet dry. Feet that stay wet will eventually develop Atrench foot@ or Ajungle rot@. This can turn gangrene and kill you or, at the least, be the need for amputation. If you require amputation in a disaster situation, you=re going to die. Be careful not to allow your feet to get frostbite. This will turn gangrene also.

Take Care of your boots. Waterproof them the minute you take them home from the store. Don't use the synthetic spray stuff. Leather really hates that. Use something like Mink Oil (KiwiJ) or order 'Bjørnefett'(name translates to 'bear fat') from Norway, Sweden or Finland ‑ it really waterproofs. Reapply waterproofing if you've been trekking/in combat for several 'wet' days. Polish them every time you use them, without exception.

Your head, hands, and feet are the "radiators" of your body. If they are warm, you'll be warm. If they are cold, you=ll be cold. Wear a hat in cold weather. Up to 50% of your body heat is lost through your head.

In all items, avoid goose down or feather products of any kind. If its gets wet, you will freeze. If you freeze, you will die. Always choose wool, Gor-texJ or some form of poly-fill over down.

When you have a choice between wool or synthetics for sweaters and hats, choose wool. Wool will keep you warm even when wet. Be aware that some people are allergic to wool and other natural fibers. Find out before you need them if you/they are. Substitute synthetic materials if you are allergic.

Be aware of all allergies you and your family may have. It will do you no good to stock up on something and then not be able to use it due to an allergic reaction.

Growing your own food may be necessary. It is likely that food supplies will be down and those who have it will charge exorbitant prices for food, especially fresh vegetables and meats. Growing food is no easy task.

Reading up on and practicing farming and animal husbandry is advised.

Personal organization is crucial for survival. You must know exactly where you are, where your allies are, where your enemies are, and where each and every single bit of your gear is at all times.

With regards to medical procedure and remedies, there are some types of natural and/or organic treatments that may work similar to or better than conventional treatments. Currently, there are several publications that address these issues. It would be beneficial to explore the alternate possibilities these treatments offer. There are no guarantees that these Aherbal@ remedies will work but in some cases due to federal, state, or local regulations, these may be the ONLY option. Remember... when out of options, sometimes the improbable or ridiculous should be attempted.

Know your climate! It will do no good to pack items that will be useless or fail to pack necessary items for your particular climate.

Survival requires:
1. Will to survive and a proper mental attitude
2. Physical fitness
3. Knowledge and skills
4. Tools and supplies

Deal with it...
Fear ‑For anyone faced with an emergency situation, fear is a normal reaction. Unless an emergency situation has been anticipated, fear is generally followed by panic then pain, cold, thirst, hunger, fatigue, boredom and loneliness. It is extremely important to calmly assess the situation and not allow these seven enemies to interfere with your survival.

Pain ‑ Pain may often be ignored in a panic situation. Remember to deal with injuries ASAP before they become even more serious.

Cold ‑Cold lowers the ability to think, numbing the body and reducing the will to survive. Never allow yourself to stop moving or to fall asleep unless adequately sheltered.

Thirst ‑ Dehydration is a common enemy in an emergency situation and must not be ignored. It can dull your mind, causing you to overlook important survival information.

Hunger ‑Hunger is dangerous. It may reduce your ability to think logically and increase your susceptibility to the effects of cold, pain and fear.

Fatigue ‑ Fatigue is unavoidable in any situation so it is best to keep in mind that it can and will lower your mental ability. Remember that in an emergency situation this is often the body’s way of escaping a difficult situation.

Boredom & Loneliness ‑These enemies are quite often unanticipated and may lower the mind's ability to deal with the situation.