A map is a very important tool to have in your bag, or even at home if you are an experienced traveler. A map is a piece of paper with coordinates and streets and routes printed onto it.
You can use the map to find where things are located, get directions, and determine how to get somewhere. There are many different types of maps; some show terrain information while others do not.
A compass is also a essential item for every traveler. This device works by detecting magnetic fields and showing which direction is north. You can use the compasses to find North, locate water sources, and learn about the area.
Article: How to Pick Up After Your Travels
Never throw away food packaging- instead either compost it or rinse off any remaining liquids. If you packed in plastic bags, donock them in waterproof containers or recycle them as soon as possible.
If you spent the day at the beach, never leave without picking up after yourself! Take time to pick up plastic ware suchas drink cans, plates, and towels, and take care to scoop up all bits and pieces.
First-Aid Kit
A first aid kit is one of the most important things to have in your car if you know how to use it! This item can be either purchased or made by you, depending on what size of vehicle you have and whether or not you have any sewing skills.
A first aid kit should contain at least: Bandages, Gauze, Antiseptic (for minor cuts and scrapes), Non-Alcohol Disinfectant Spray, Alcohol Stims, Natural Sunblock, Triangular Adhesive Strips, Aluminum Foil, Scissors, Tick Removal Tools, Pure Water, and a Notebook/Journal.
The bandages and gauze are used for repairing broken skin and wounds. The antiseptic is sprayed onto wounded areas to prevent infection. Alkaline chemicals such as alcohol and water are mixed together to make an acid that helps dry out blood and crusts. These work best when applied within two hours of being injured.
Natural sunblock is helpful in preventing heat related injuries like burns. It also works to protect exposed skin from further damage. There are many natural sunblocks that people recommend trying.
Triangle adhesive strips are useful for keeping the contents of the first aid kit organized and easy to access. They can be stuck onto the back side of another container, box, or shelf.
Signal Mirror
A signal mirror is one of the most important things to have in your emergency preparedness stash. This item can help save you or another person’s life.
A signal mirror is an easy to use device that helps alert others to potential dangers. They come in several shapes and sizes, but all work by reflecting some light towards you (for example headlights from cars).
By looking at the mirror, you can see what is behind you and therefore may be able to avoid any obstacles. If there were no lights then people could get caught off guard if they needed to make a sudden stop for instance.
This article will talk about how to make your own flashlight using batteries as the source of light and how to attach it to something durable such as a car hood.
Fire Starter
A fire starter is one of the most important things to have in your emergency preparedness toolbox. There are many ways to make sure you do not need to start a blaze with nothing but your hands!
Many people begin by taking out their cell phone and using it as a flashlight, but there are much better way to light a space. These are usually done by rubbing two pieces of dry material together or mixing dried chemicals that produce heat and lighting.
These types of materials can be picked up at any camping store or through online shopping sites such as Amazon. Some examples include leaves, cotton balls, tissue paper, and even thin strips of leather.
By having this item, you will not need to spend money buying a new one if it expires.
Water Purification System
One of the most important things to have in your first aid box is a water purification system or what we refer to as an PUR (Purify Unknown Liquid) pack. These can be done either through bottles, pads, strips, or gels that you mix with water to make it drinkable.
Typically, people use these for drinking liquids but they work much better if used for urine or other fluids. The way they function is by removing chemicals from the liquid which makes the fluid more neutral. This removes the risk of poisoning due to ingestion or inhalation of the chemicals.
Some examples of chemical removal include chlorides, acetates, alcohols, ketones, and glucose. All of these are very common since we live in a highly industrialized society. Chlorine is usually removed using activated charcoal or gel additives.
These systems cannot remove radioactive particles so do not use those while this item is active! People who use a purification device must remember to keep them stored properly and out of reach until needed as they may waste part of the product.
Cordage
One of the most important things to have in your first aid bag is some type of cord or rope. This could be for hanging up clothes, making tourniquets, or just creating more space to place tissues.
Many people start off with simple cotton strings that they use as shoelaces instead of buying longer ones. These work well until you have to do something beyond simply tying them together!
More durable cords such as heavy duty nylon string can help you create tighter knots which may prove helpful in preventing bleeding. Even steel wool balls make great makeshift bandages when mixed into water and applied appropriately!
Using natural resources such as grass or leaves to wrap wounds helps prevent infection and also works as a compress to reduce swelling. When finding these balance it should not pull out too much gel from the wound as this can cause scarring and further damage!
These types of first aid spools can usually be picked up at any big box store such as Target or Walmart for around $5-10 each.
Fishing Line and Hooks
While it may sound cliché, having enough fishing line for daily use and hooks of all sizes can save your life. Many people begin to accumulate fishing gear as they enjoy spending time outside exploring nature and spending time with friends that like to do so as well.
Sadly, many people never take down the equipment because there is an empty space in their home or room where they store it. If you start to feel overwhelmed by how much equipment you have, consider donating the rest to better opportunities somewhere more appropriate!
Many wildlife rehabilitation centers will accept old equipment free of charge or at reduced prices due to donations. The cost of buying new equipment could equal or even surpass what someone paid years ago!
By being prepared, you’ll know you have enough for basic needs and you can focus on helping others return the natural balance to our environment.
Flashlight or Headlamp
A flashlight is an integral part of every person’s personal emergency preparedness system. They are very helpful for finding things in dark environments, understanding written information, and protecting your eyes from harmful rays.
Most people already have a small light source with them at all times; it’s usually a cell phone with a built-in flashlight. But even though this may be useful, it isn’t enough to be truly practical unless you also know how to use it properly.
It is important to remember that while the smartphone flashlight is convenient, it won’t do anything other than illuminate something else. It can’t actually perform any rescue actions.
A true professional level handheld flashlight has more advanced features such as radio communication, alerting others via signal or noise, detecting chemical vapors, and providing thermal imaging so you can see what temperature objects are before determining if they are safe to touch.
These types of flashlights are much more expensive, but they will last longer because of better quality parts.
Additional Emergency Supplies
Having an adequate supply of food, water, and medicine is a good start when preparing for an emergency. However, there are some additional supplies that you can include in your personal inventory to help you further prepare.
A survival kit item that many people do not have is a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) radio. These radios will broadcast weather information, instructions on how to perform basic first aid procedures, and important safety tips and messages.
Many municipalities require individuals to know what kind of warning signal to send out if an alert or notice is given so they have this info ready as well. Knowing these things helps you be prepared in case of an actual disaster!
Another thing that could really help during a crisis or natural disaster is having enough cash to buy groceries, medicines, and other necessities.