Urban Survival

What items do I need for urban survival?

There are many opinions regarding the items necessary for urban emergency preparedness. I have compiled the following list of items based on my training. The categories are listed in their order of importance.

WATER:

• Water treatment using either boiling, filters, chemicals, purifiers, or a combination.
• Minimum of 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day
• Need of water storage. Depending on the situation this may include accordion type,
  collapsible, drums or other types of containers.
• Must have a grey water storage and use system

SHELTER:

• If housing is destroyed a 3-4 season tent or temporary shelter is needed.
• If housing is intact personal warmth becomes the primary shelter concern.
• Sleeping bags, thermal blankets and blankets are essential for keeping warm while sleeping.
• Plenty of warm clothing that can be worn in layers, including thermal underwear
• Some type of heating like space heaters, fire place or wood burning stove
• An ample supply of fuel and fire starters for your heating devices(s)
• Several sources of illumination, such as candle lanterns, flash lights as well as extra
  batteries and or fuel
• Basic tools such as a shovel, ax and saw can be used for a multitude of tasks.
• A weather and or AM/FM radio
• Signaling devices such as mirrors, fluorescent markers or flare guns can be useful
  if you need to signal rescuers
• Utility tarps can be used for many purposes, including temporary repair to your shelter
• A first aid kit is an absolute necessity
• Extra supplies of any prescription medications

FOOD:

• EACH person needs at least 1200 calories per day
• Food can be canned, freeze dried, dehydrated, or special survival rations.
• A stove and fuel are essential
• A food storage system must be used to ration and maintain food stores, pales barrels and other systems might be employed

HYGIENE:

• Extra clothing
• Containers and supplies to wash clothing by hand
• Toilet paper
• Feminine hygiene products
• Plenty of cloth towels
• Soaps, possibly low water products like “ no-rinse” or biodegradable soaps