Survival Prep is as easy as it sounds.  You prep to survive.  The following information will help you prepare for survival of natural and man-made disasters.

1.  Have a plan for each type of situation.  Go over the plans with your family members so each person knows what to do in each situation.  In this plan be sure to specify a meeting place, outside of the expected disaster area, where you can meet up if you get separated. 

2.  Prepare your disaster supply kit.  Your supply kit should include enough food and water for each member of your family for 7 days, at least.  Don't forget specialty diet foods for medical reasons and medications.  Additionally, include pet foods and medications for your furry family member or members.

3. Your disaster kit should also include the following:  a manual can opener, a flashlight for each family member, extra batteries, a crank radio, space blankets, board games and coloring books/crayons (especially if you have young children), toilet tissue, and some comfort foods - such as candy bars and cookies.  Additionally, every disaster kit should include a well-stocked first-aid kit.

4. Additional things that could be included in a disaster survival kit, depending on the type of disaster anticipated, could be the following:  fishing line and hooks, sleeping bags, tent, camp stove and propane, charcoal, wire hand saw, shovel, axe, rope, tarps, duck tape, maps, books identifying edible plants and insects, and how-to books on everything from creating your own electricity to converting a vehicle to run on alternate fuel. 

5.  Some of your supplies can be kept in watertight tubs with lids or in new trash cans. 

6.  Make sure to check the shelf life on your food supply several times a year and rotate out the expiring food with fresh non-perishable food.  If you buy one or two things a shopping trip then the cost isn't as overwhelming and you can better keep an eye on what will be expiring in the near future.  If you can afford it, it never hurts to have a few cases of MRE's on hand also...they store longer and most come with their own heat sources so you can have a hot meal even without electricity, propane, charcoal, or a campfire.

13 Things Every First Aid Kit Should Have - free article courtesy ...

Everyone should have a home first aid kit ready to go in case an emergency should arise. If you have small children, being prepared with an up-to-date first aid kit becomes even more important. Keeping a first aid kit within easy reach will provide you with considerable peace of mind. Here’s a handy checklist of the items that your first aid kit should, at a minimum, contain:

1. An Antiseptic (such as Bactine): Cleaning scrapes or wounds is important for preventing infection. If soap and water are not on hand, using an antiseptic will help flush out debris and provide a mild pain relief. Antiseptics may come in cream or spray form. Many, such as bactine, also provide pain relief.

2. Bandaids and gauze pads. Bandaids help treat injuries of all sizes. Your best bet is to buy a large package that comes with a variety of sizes.

For gauze pads, buying larger sizes works best, because you can always cut them down to the size you need. Gauze pads work well for more serious injuries.

3. Scissors. Speaking of cutting, scissors are often overlooked in many first aid kits. Scissors come in handy not just for cutting gauze pads, but for cutting clothing, adhesive tape, and anything other materials or obstructions that may present themselves in an emergency.

4. Ace Bandages. Ace bandages come in handy in a variety of situations, such as sprains and breakages.

5. Instant Cold and Hot Pack. These packs are for one-time use only, so it’s a good idea to stock up your first aid kit with them. They can be applied on sprains, bruises, and bumps to reduce swelling.

6. Adhesive Tape. Adhesive tape can be used to form splits, tape gauze, and secure any other bandages.

7. Tweezers. Like scissors, tweezers are often overlooked, but come often come in handy. They can be used to remove stingers, ingrown hairs, splinters, and hang nails.

8. Latex Gloves. Latex gloves are a helpful addition to any first aid kit. Latex gloves will provide a clean and sanitary way to protect you against bacteria, blood, bodily fluids, and other potential contaminants that you may encounter in an emergency situation.

9. Analgesic. An analgesic is a pain reliever. Include a small bottle of aspirin or ibuprofen to combat headaches, migraines, or pain due to injury.

10. Antibiotic Ointment. A small tube of antibiotic ointment can go a long way. Antibiotic ointment can be used on scrapes, cuts, wounds, and other injuries to prevent infection.

11. Rubbing alcohol and disinfectant. These are helpful for cleaning insect sting bites or for cleaning wounds. Alcohol wipes are particularly convenient to have in your first aid kit because they don’t take up much space.

12. Antihistamine. In the case that someone may suffer from severe allergies, having some sort of antihistamine on hand is a good idea.

13. A list of emergency phone numbers. Keep an index card with the numbers of your doctor, the national poison center, and all other emergency contacts. Also, it’s a good idea to write down the name of members of your family who have allergies, and any medication they take on a regular basis.

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Outdoor Survival Skills

Outdoor survival skills can mean the difference between escape/rescue and tragedy. Fortunately, most survival skills are simple and easy to learn.

Here are the top ten things to do in a survival situation, in order:

1. Don’t panic. Breathe. Relax.

2. Give yourself first aid if needed.

3. Inventory your survival items.

4. Assess any imminent weather dangers.

5. Find an open area where you can be seen from the air.

6. Create appropriate shelter.

7. Drink lots of water.

8. Make fire, but safely! Learn how to build fire in a variety of ways and how not to start a wilderness blaze in your quest for survival.

9. Signal for help.

10. Eat the wildlife, including insects, but nothing with more than 6 legs and no plants you aren’t totally sure of.

Ten Essential survival skills

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