What to Include in Your Emergency 48 Hour Kit

What to Include in Your Emergency 48 Hour Kit

For every family and individual, it’s essential to be ready for the unexpected with an emergency preparedness kit. Situations like natural disasters, utility failures, or political unrest can and do happen. These events will leave you without access to your normal resources and supply chain for often a few days. While long term emergencies are a possibility, the most common length of time that you may be without water and power is 48 hours. That is why you should always have an emergency 48-hour survival kit on hand. This kit should include (at the least) food and water, light sources, sanitation items, first aid, and essential tools. 

The Basics for Your 48 Hour Kit

While packing an emergency kit can seem like a large task, it is important to only pack things you need. Even though you are most likely to use it at home, keeping your kit compact and portable is also important so that you could grab it and go if need be. Store your kit somewhere dry and easily accessible.

Water & Non-Perishable Food 

Arguably the most important thing you should include in your bug out kit is water. Ensuring you have drinkable water is extremely important, especially if your emergency occurs during hot weather. The average amount of water a person is supposed to drink a day is 13.5 cups a day, so you want to make sure you have enough for you and the people you are with. Understandably, packing a lot of water in your 48 hour kit can become heavy so consider purchasing a filtration straw that allows you to drink unfiltered water if it comes to that.

Additionally, you should make sure you have food in your kit. Pack healthy, easy to store, non-perishable food that you can eat at any time. You want your food to have nutritional value so food like canned meats or fish, granola bars, dry cereal, etc. are all good things to have in your kit. Several MREs (meals ready to eat) are a good idea to include as well.

Light Sources

The next most important items you should store in your 48 hour survival kit are light sources. Nothing is worse than not knowing what your surroundings are in an emergency situation. Many emergency situations can lead to power outages so being prepared with alternative lighting sources is essential.

For a portable light source, include one or two bright and long lasting flashlights in your 48 hour survival kit. If you have access to power in the form of a generator or solar powered outlets a rechargeable flashlight should be fine, but an AA battery light can be better for a long term emergency event. It is also a good idea to include a lantern in your emergency kit to illuminate larger spaces for more comfortable use in living spaces at night.

Additional Supplies

Having a few or all of these items in your 48 hour kit will definitely come in handy in an emergency situation. Keep these additional supplies in your short term survival kit:

  • Toilet paper 
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Antibiotics 
  • Bandages
  • Can opener
  • Mask
  • Flashlight batteries
  • USB charging cord

Whether these items help prevent infections or are simply sanitation items, you’ll definitely want to pack at least a few additional items to basic food, water, and lighting. Also, consider what types of events might be the most likely to happen in your area; if you live somewhere where dust storms happen often, a mask will be great to include. If you live in a very cold area, store extra blankets.

Your 48 Hour Survival Kit

Be prepared for the unexpected with everything outlined for your 48 hour survival kit. The most important items are water, non-perishable food, and adequate lighting gear. Don’t forget to pack additional supplies you might need to survive. While you will hopefully only need this kit for 48 hours, you could wind up relying on it for much longer.

Author: Danielle Duran, Morrison, Colorado

66% Don’t Have Enough Supplies to Last Three Days in Quarantine

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An alarming new study has found that despite the wave of panic buying taking place across the country, two in three Americans say they don’t have enough supplies to last three days in quarantine. 

The study analyzed data from over 3,000 respondents and used the Department of Homeland Security’s recommendation to have at least three days of food and emergency supplies on hand at all times. According to the study, 72 percent of Americans didn’t have this supply before COVID-19 became prevalent. During the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, 66 percent still did not have this supply. 

Because these Americans don’t have enough for three days, we must assume they’re grocery shopping more often. This presents a serious risk, especially considering that visiting public places puts shoppers at higher risk of exposure to the virus. 

All this being said, it’s possible that a severe lack of preparation before and during the outbreak is resulting in the continuation of the virus over time. 

Here is the three-day list of essential supplies the Department of Homeland Security suggests having on hand during an emergency: 

  • Water (one gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation)
  • Food (non-perishable)
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle (to signal for help)
  • Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
  • Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
  • Manual can opener (for food)
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Here are the recommended additions to your three-day emergency kit: 

  • Cloth face coverings (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
  • Prescription medications
  • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
  • Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Cash or traveler’s checks
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
  • Paper and pencil
  • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

For more information on disaster preparedness, use these resources.  

Free Report: ‘How to Build the Ultimate Disaster Survival Kit’

Click Survival has released a free report titled: “How to Build the Ultimate Disaster Survival Kit”. This report aims to ensure people are prepared for any kind of disaster, (including the coronavirus/ covid19 outbreak) and to create a survival kit that is ready to go in any emergency situation. It also aims to ensure that you do not make the most common survival situation mistakes that can cost you your life.

The report has been made openly available and at no cost by ClickSurvival.com. It’s available to the general public, thought leaders within the survival and ‘prepper’ market and anyone with an interest in building a disaster survival kit.

Free Report https://clicksurvival.com/free-report-x04

The free report includes:

  • Discover exactly how to prepare yourself and your family when the SHTF!
  • What you MUST do when the lights go out
  • 13 CRUCIAL things to stock at home
  • 6 things EVERY survival kit must have
  • Preparing food for long-term storage
  • …& TONS more!

Interested parties can find the report ready to download, for free, at https://clicksurvival.com/free-report-x04

Link to the website: https://clicksurvival.com/

About Click Survival

Click Survival was founded in 2020 and is a no-fluff, straight to the point, down to earth website, bringing the wealth of experience from Jim’s 20+ years teaching survival skills. within the ‘Survivalist and Prepper’ industry. It is best known for Jim himself. Jim is the single biggest asset to the venture who brings with him a no-messing approach to surviving the worst that life can throw at you.

Its unique position within its industry gives it the authority to produce such a report on building a disaster survival kit because it is a culmination of a wealth of experience from teaching survival skills to people of all walks of life. The survival kit is the basic necessity for every household and here Jim brings his insights to help you create the ultimate disaster survival kit.

Benefit of the free survival report

For example, as the report aims to solve the problem of being prepared for any kind of disaster, (including the coronavirus/ covid19 outbreak) and to create a survival kit that is ready to go in any emergency situation., it gives valuable information to the reader that will ultimately benefit them by helping people from all walks of life to be ready for when (not if) the disaster will strike their home. This could be the latest pandemic, earthquake, power outage or any number of disasters that are just around the corner.

Product Review: First Aid Survival Kit with N 95 Mask

It’s always fun and intriguing to review a quality survival product.

Recently we were asked to review the First Aid Survival Kit with N 95 Mask from firstaidkitsurvival.com. When the well packaged box arrived at our door, inside it was a beautiful red, durable..and I mean well-made nylon compact survival kit that held no less than 200 pieces inside.

First Aid Survival Kit with N 95 Mask from firstaidkitsurvival.com

The company specifically designed to address a variety of injuries. We love how organized the accessories were laid out which even included a easy to understand and informative first aid brochure.

Also included, was a multitude of well thought out various bandages of sizes shapes and purposes, gloves, tweezers, safety pins,  a carabiner, a eye pad bandage and even a emergency whistle. Besides the N 95 mask, somehow they even managed to fit an instant cold compress and emergency whistle inside this nice kit.

First Aid Survival Kit with N 95 Mask from firstaidkitsurvival.com

The First Aid Survival Kit was a impressive, really nice product to review. It honestly is very reflective of the company’s  motto “Our products are designed to protect and save lives”….

OmegaMan for yearzerosurvival.com

Why Prepping Is So Important Right Now

image source

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the world is in chaos. People are rushing to the nearest bank so they can withdraw their stimulus checks and buy necessary supplies. Others are sheltering away in their homes hoping things will pass. However, there is a risk that things are going to get much worse before they improve. This is why many people have been preparing for such events for a long time. They knew something like this would come along and they wanted to be ready. Prepping can help you prepare for these troubling times.

Within this guide, you’re going to learn more prepping and why it is so important right now.

Troubling Times

The world is going through turmoil. You can see it all around you. When you go to the store, you see people wearing masks and trying other tactics to protect themselves. Simultaneously, oil prices have dropped significantly low so times are critical. Anything can happen in the next few days so it is pertinent to be prepared during these troubling times. Consumers should do what they can to protect themselves. They should stockpile food and find shelter.

Otherwise, it might be too late.

Being Ready

A lot of people were ready for the Coronavirus and it is likely a sign of things to come. The world is spiraling out of control and the next major event may be far worse. It could come in the middle of the night and people may be caught off guard. If this happens, people won’t be able to rush to the grocery store and buy every day. This could create a significant problem for people who haven’t prepared. With that being said, it is pertinent to be ready. You should make sure that you have a stockpile of goods so you can be ready for anything that comes your way.

Puts Your Mind At Ease

You can find an abundance of prepping tips by visiting Preparing with Dave. So, why should you get involved in this practice? What benefits will it provide? Well, there is a good chance that you stay away at night worrying about life and the pandemic. You may worry that things are going to worsen. If you’ve found yourself in this type of situation, there is a good chance that you have trouble sleeping and you want to look for a solution to this problem. If this is the case, you should start preparing as soon as possible.

Once you’ve done so, you’ll know that you’re ready for everything.

How To Get Started

Getting started prepping isn’t too difficult. However, you’ll need to develop a prepper mentality. Once you’ve developed a prepper mentality, you’ll be ready to conquer the world. You’ll know what you need to do. You’ll also find items that you need to collect. This includes water and food. You’ll also need to find shelter. Remember that it is pertinent to prepare over a period. Do that and you won’t have to splurge on everything at once. Prepare over a period so you can balance your budget easier.

Hunting With a Crossbow for Beginners

For the people who are interested in hunting, a crossbow can be a good weapon for beginners. A crossbow is a kind of ranged weapon that uses elastic to launch a missile, in this case, a projectile that can hit your target and kill it. Just like all the other kinds of hunting weapons, a crossbow can be accurate and suitable for hunting. It can be fun using this hunting weapon for people who are just beginning to engage in this activity. You can learn more here by reading along. In this article, we shall discuss some things beginners need to know about the use of crossbows and how to choose the accompanying projectiles for a better hunting experience.

Crossbow for beginners - Year Zero Survival Blog

Here are some of the hunting tips you need to know when using a crossbow as a beginner:

Crossbow Configurations

The fact that many companies manufacture crossbows means that you may be confused about what to choose. However, with some basic knowledge of some features of crossbows, you would be better off. Crossbows come with a stock and a bow. These fit together to form the whole weapon, the crossbow. The difference in many types of crossbows is in the style of a bow that will be attached to the stock. In this regard, there are three designs, which are the Reverse Draw, the Compound, and the Recurve.

Consider crossbow draw weights

This is a very important factor that one should consider when buying a crossbow as a beginner. This refers to the number of pounds it will take you to draw back the string into the cocked position. This ranges from 90 to 260 lbs and should play a very important role in the speed of the arrow after it has been released from the crossbow. With this feature, one needs to consider their strength and know the amount of poundage they can comfortably draw back on the crossbow.

The limb configuration and the length of the power stroke are other factors that can determine the speed of the arrow. If your draw weight is great, your bow becomes more unforgiving. As such, your shooting errors will be many. You will also increase the wear and tear of the components of the bow.

Know the crossbow arrow speeds

The crossbow arrow speed is a very important aspect that can help beginners become better hunters. Modern crossbows come with arrow speeds that range from 265 to 400 fps. You see, the faster the arrow speed, the further and the flatter you can shoot it. With this in mind, you should be able to take the big game with ease. However, it is good to note that bowhunting requires one to be as close to their target animal as possible. Regardless of the arrow speeds of your crossbow, you may not always achieve your goal. Archery is not a long-range sport and one needs to know this while they buy a suitable crossbow. This way, you will not be disappointed. And in any case, as a beginner, you should develop your skills by using the basic crossbow before you can buy the more powerful weapons.

What are the benefits of crossbow hunting?

This is one thing you need to know as a beginner so that as you engage in this activity, you can be encouraged at the same time. There is a wide range of benefits that come with crossbow hunting. These are:Crossbow hunting is good for wildlife management. One good thing with crossbow hunting is that it encourages wildlife population control and management. For the areas that are overpopulated with animals, such as game parks, game reserves, and even forests, crossbow hunting will help in controlling the population of the animals. Consequently, there will be a healthy growth of the wildlife population.

Good for recreation purposes. This is a good recreational activity that beginners in hunting can engage in. You can utilize your free time in this adventure and help relax your mind as you try to look for targets and hit them. It is also a good chance for you to socialize with other people who engage in the same activity. You will get to learn from each other. This is a good way to grow your hunting skills and hunting engagements.

In conclusion, one must be aware of the rules and regulations of hunting in their countries, States or Counties. Regardless of the fun and the adventure that comes with crossbow hunting, you could easily get yourself into jail if you do not follow the regulations laid down in your country. You need to know all there is to know about hunting certain animals in a particular jurisdiction. This way, you should enjoy your crossbow-hunting expeditions as a beginner.

READING TRACKS WHEN IT COMES TO SURVIVE

by Kyt Lyn Walken

Kyt Lyn Walken is the official European representative and instructor for Hull’s Tracking School (Virginia, USA), and she is a certified Conservation Ranger for C.R.O.W. (Conservation Rangers Operations Worldwide). She has been an outdoors and tracking enthusiast since childhood. Kyt lives and works in Europe even if she often travels overseas, and can be contacted at man-tracking.com

READING TRACKS

Any worst case scenario has its own features and what we can actually define ” rules of engagement “. Prohibitive weather conditions, lack of proper gear, absence of cardinal points or unavailability of connection for mobile phones (or GPS): if we add to that an inadequate preparedness we can easily find ourselves abandoning soon every hope to get out sound and safe.

I am pretty sure that all the readers of YEAR ZERO SURVIVAL have not only the proper skills to face quite any kind of challenge and adversity, but, most remarkable thing, they can count on an ideal mindset to do that.

As I often stress with my Students during Basic Tracking Classes, the starting point is ATTITUDE, which is strictly connected to MINDSET. The vanishing point is to give up. I know no Skills in which you can’t apply this perspective. The Art of Tracking makes no difference in that.

 

Our choices are always driven by our mindset and we gain benefits from them, if applied in the right moment and in the correct context. Personally speaking, I have been an Outdoor enthusiast all my life, but the needing of learning how to face an ongoing bad situation (and, consequently, how to fix it) came only with my mature age when I understood that accidents in life can easily happen. My approach to the Art of Tracking just crossed the same path, as from a young girl fascinated by those Native Americans in Western Movies I turned to be into an individual who deeply matured in her heart and mind the willing to learn how to read and follow tracks.

Basic Tracking

Necessity plus curiosity can spark, if united. So happened in my very own case, I can tell you. The critical point is: why should a person start to look at the ground, especially in an emergency situation? People who approach my classes often ask me that.

The answer is far away than being.. unphanthomale! Because the ground (and, sequentially, the entire environment you are in) provides us ALL the information we need to get out from a tough situation.

Search and Rescue Teams do know it very well, especially those who can count on the presence of Trackers inside their groups.

Trackers are not special breed persons. They didn’t deal with any Voodoo during their childhood and they are not guided by any Supernatural force when they inspect the ground to gain important information. They just rely on simple facts, and on Science. Their task is to read the ground, interpret what they see and follow the tracks which are of their interest. They collect clues (which are precious data for them) and put all the pieces together. In this manner, they can disclose how many persons passed on a specific trail, at what time, if they were carrying loads and so on.

Again, if they were women and/or men, if any animal passed before or after them, if anything relevant happened. I am talking of an unbelievable amount of information, I know.

If this can sound to you a bit odd, I recommend to do your researches on internet. A lot of cases – murders, mass killings and so on – have been solved applying the Art of Tracking. Yosemite Murders and Oklahoma City Bombing, both occurred in 1995, just to mention a couple.

​Any disappearing in the woods can be handled through the application of the Art of Tracking, which happens to be extremely effective even if she comes straight from Primitive Era. Technological developments, in fact, seem to have no effects in successfully replacing the feasibility of this skill, anytime, any place. And surely I am not the only one who claims that!

becoming a Tracker

Equally speaking, becoming a Tracker can be extremely useful if you find yourself lost, especially if you have no GPS and the connection is totally off.

Being stranded can surely be a good way to test your Survival (and Bushcraft, why not?) abilities, but we can’t ignore our very first instinct: move along before the darkness come, search for help. In few words, come back sound and safe.

Reading the tracks of other people on ground, for example, can lead you to a safe place: a parking area, the next road, and so on. No doubt you need to be almost very good in that, principally if the soil is clearly tough to read to the presence of rocks, gravel, leaves, grass and so on. Sandy and muddy soils are certainly precious aids in locating the trail to follow: on them, in fact, we can clearly see the outline of footprints.

Considering the case you are an experienced Tracker, backtracking yourself will be probably your very first choice. You may be familiar with your stride (the total length of your pace, measured from heel of left footprint to heel of right, or from toe to toe) and you know how to recognize the pattern (the design) of your boots.

proficient Tracker

Sounds easy, right? You can’t be more wrong. In fact, to reach even the lowest level of being a proficient Tracker, you should have gained experiences in years and years of “dirt time on ground” (as defined by Tracking’s terminology).

Every skill that can save your life requires that, and the ancient (and still so valuable!) art of reading, interpreting and following Tracks makes no exception.

Top Five Survival Knots That Everyone Should Know

Bundle of brown rope

The most essential survival tool available to you today is knowledge. Expensive, all-weather sleeping bags, weather-proof rucksacks and boots that cost more than your TV are all well and good, but when it comes down to it, survival is about ‘knowing’ how to survive. As the famed survival instructor Mors Kochanski said: “the more you know, the less you have to carry”.

Granted, heading out into the wilderness in just your underpants is not something we’d recommend. But, having the fundamental knowledge of being able to build shelter, find food, start a fire and have access to clean drinking water are all essentials to have stored away in your memory. Part of this fundamental learning process should be for you to understand key knots and how to tie them.

Here, we take a look at five knots that are vital for survivalists to have under their belt!

Bowline

Bowline knot laying on a table
Image Source: NightHawkInLight

One of the sturdiest and strongest knots in the arsenal of a survivalist, the bowline knot is one that everyone should know. Its design means it can hold a lot of weight without the threat of untying, with the knot increasing in tightness the more pressure that is added.

Uses

A bowline can be used for a myriad of things, such as hanging objects and food from trees, or hanging things from your pack if you don’t have space inside, such as spare boots or cooking pots. If you’ve been hunting with your air rifle or a survival knife, you could also hang your catch from a tree to drain the blood and prepare it for cooking.

Additionally, the knot can be tied around oneself, even one-handed, which makes this one a useful style to have nailed down.

Disadvantages

When gravity is the sole force on the knot, such as things hanging straight down, then this is a great knot. However, when the bowline is pulled in a side-angled direction, it can loosen and potentially come undone.

Clove Hitch

Man tying clove hitch knot on wood
Image source: Jason Eke

Have you ever wondered how to make an effective fishing rod in the wild? Well, the clove hitch is what you’ll need. This particular knot is used to attach your rope or cord to another object, such as a long fishing pole. This is an effective knot and is super easy to tie.

Uses

Because the clove hitch can be adjusted without untying the knot, this makes it especially useful for raising or lowering heavy items. It could also be used for anchoring or creating a shelter.

Disadvantages

Much like you would check a tent when you’re camping, we’d suggest inspecting the knots regularly if you’re using them for a shelter for an extended period. Wind and rain may eventually loosen the tightness of the knots, so this is something to bear in mind. It’s also worth noting that the knot works best when there is constant pressure being applied, as this will keep it tight.

Half Hitch With/Without Bight

Man tying half hitch knot around a tree
Image Source: Nature Reliance

Have you ever wondered how to make an effective fishing rod in the wild? Well, the clove hitch is what you’ll need. This particular knot is used to attach your rope or cord to another object, such as a long fishing pole. This is an effective knot and is super easy to tie.

Uses

Because the clove hitch can be adjusted without untying the knot, this makes it especially useful for raising or lowering heavy items. It could also be used for anchoring or creating a shelter.

Disadvantages

Much like you would check a tent when you’re camping, we’d suggest inspecting the knots regularly if you’re using them for a shelter for an extended period. Wind and rain may eventually loosen the tightness of the knots, so this is something to bear in mind. It’s also worth noting that the knot works best when there is constant pressure being applied, as this will keep it tight.

Half Hitch With/Without Bight

Fishermans knot made from blue and red cord
Image Source: Nature Reliance

The fisherman’s knot is very good for a specific purpose: combining two separate pieces of cord or rope together without the risk of them untying. That being said, it serves this purpose extremely well and may help you out in a pinch!

Uses

The knot gets its name from the fact that this would often be the first one that anglers and fishermen would learn, as they would tie any loose pieces of line together and could also use it for attaching hooks to their line.

The knot doesn’t slip under strain either, making it good for climbing and the working ends can be cut close to the knot without the risk of failure, once the cord has been pulled tight.

Disadvantages

This knot is particularly difficult to untie, especially if you have cold or wet hands. In theory, this would be used as a permanent fixture rather than being something you may want to untie in the future.

Chain Sinnet

Chain sinnet knot made with yellow cord
Image Source: Richard Mcleod

The chain sinnet is not necessarily a knot, rather a way to store rope when not in use. But, it does involve arranging the cord in such a way that it becomes easily accessible and doesn’t tangle, so for that reason, we’ve included it.

Uses

As mentioned, the chain sinnet is perfect for storing rope or cord when not in use and allows you to easily access it whenever you need it, without having to unravel or untangle anything. You can also access as much as you like without having to unfurl all of the cord, meaning that any you don’t need will remain in the chain formation.

Disadvantages

Outside of being useful for storing string, cord and rope, the chain sinnet doesn’t really serve too much of a purpose in the wider survival community. That being said, it will make your life easier, so it’s not one to completely ignore!

For more tips on survival and wilderness skills, including how to fish with basic equipment, check out our survival blog here!