Is now the time to start putting together survival kits?

After reading many post's on ATS it has come to my attention that the majority believe a disaster of some magnitude is over due.

I live in the UK to be Precise north West not far from the lakes and not far from manchester.

I have no survival kit however if a catastrophy did happen i have enough alcohol to do some serious trading!!! lol

But seriously is now the time to start putting together a survival kit?

I have a wife one child of 2 and one on the way..

What would you reccomend??

peace be in our time

At least enough supplies for three days water, food, health, warmth. Also pack a stuffed animal for the child, if you ever really needed your gear it would be valuable.

The best time to start preparing for the next emergency was after the last emergency.

The second best time is today.

Only three days?

What would a three day survival kit contain....

what products are best to buy food wise?

Honestly, if you can afford it, stock up on diapers and formula.
I know that you can go through a ton in no time at all.

Realistically, buy what you can afford, and rotate through it so as to keep it up to date. If nothing happens globally, you will at least be ahead of the game if you become unemployed due to economic recession.

I buy bulk when it comes to things that we use daily. The only thing we buy in smaller quantities is fresh fruit, veg and dairy. Meat, we usually buy once a month. Just notice your buying trends and create a stock of your needed things when they go on sale.

If you are interested in a bug out kit, then I'd recommend researching our forum, then tailoring it to your needs.

good luck & peace

I would say it depends on the disaster, I would go for tinned food, rice, water (as much as you can carry), candles, lighter/matches, warm clothes, hunting knife, small radio, batteries, sleeping bags and a fishing line with hook.

I would also aim to make your survival kit last as long as possible, things like rice can last a long time and go a long way too. If the disaster is BIG, world changing, then your kit needs to last at least a year, excluding the water, thats what I would aim for. Look for foods that will last a long time and come in small packets. Try finding a remote place you would go too, if towns and cities turn bad for whatever reason then a remote place may be the best place to be.

I haven't put a kit together for myself yet but its been on my mind and I will, I also know where I'm going if it all kicks off. The best chance of survival would be to form small groups (of like minded people) in remote areas, this will give you extra protection and recourses as well as being fairly hard to find.

In fact we should (ATS people) start making a plan for area meetings if it does kick off.... lol If you live in the South East of the UK meet here.... etc.... ok maybe not lol.

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[edit on 21-2-2008 by elevatedone]

We had an ice storm coming our way today, and the grocery store was packed by 9am. You'd have believed a nuclear attack was on it's way considering how everybody was pushing and shoving to empty the milk case and bread aisles. That's just for a storm.. Imagine the chaos that would ensue were something really big to happen. They'd kill each other to grab the last of the canned goods and foodstuffs!

If anyone truly believes they'll have time to go shopping right before the S hits the fan, they're seriously mistaken. People will revert back to their animal nature, and start grabbing everything they can regardless of whether they need it or not.

I just stopped by to get some cat food, and was practically mowed down in the parking lot by impatient jerks! God help us all if something does really happen.

^^^^ INDEED^^^^

Civilization unravels when there is a blackout for chrissakes.
It seriously does not take much to reduce civility.
Buying a little extra each week is hardly a burden, in fact it is really quite responsible to gather and save. If I could keep guns and ammo, I would, but since I have children in the house, it will have to wait.

From another thread, I decided instead of saving water, keep large containers to fill when the need arises. Most disasters allow enough time to fill containers for an extended lock down. If you are fleeing, carrying too much water will drag you down. I keep a few cases of bottled water for day to day use as it is, so we do have some to run with.

be vigilent

You need to store what you, your wife, 2 year old and baby will need. Water, food, baby food, stuff that your children will be able to eat. Flash lights, candles, am radio, thats the basics. The main idea is when a disaster happens and everybody panics and runs to the store and kill each other over food and water you will be at home safe and sound with your family, Make no mistake, humans are the worst kind of animals god has made, we just dont act like it on a large scale, until a large scale event happens, the hole point is to avoid the animals in an event.

Yeah, I hate it when a storm is coming or like here in NC when they think there might be a chance of a hurricane. Last year people were running to the stores buying up everything because there was a small remnant of a tropical storm coming up this way from the south. It didnt amount to much but the stores were full for days before it happened and packed full of people grabbing anything possible.

I actually have to laugh at some of these folks that grab the TV dinners, I dont think those will do much good if the power goes off. But they grab those every time. Like if it hits bad I can warm it up in the microwave, right like that will work with no power.

People go nuts, so yes having stuff ahead is always good. I always buy at least 3 extra boxes a week of Macaroni or any type of Pasta. It will stay for years if you keep it cool and dry. But if your expecting a baby buy plenty of formula or even powdered milk. I know a lady in Maine that brought up all of her babies on powdered milk. And they are healthy adults now, so yes powdered milk can be used for babies.

As for diapers you can always use old rags if needed. I actually had to use a dish towel on my youngest when we couldnt get out due to, too much mud in Maine. So you can always get past the diapers if needed.

I believe most people should start stocking up before something does happen that way you will be ready just in case. Dry beans, rice and pasta are a good start. Also make sure to have honey and lemon juice handy to help out with colds and for extra vitaminC.

Hilda

I certainly hope that their will be looting at Wal Mart. I have been trying to save for this for years and have not gotten very far.

Red Cross and Fema suggest a 3 day supply. Realistically it should be a 3 weeks supply of food and water for everyone in your family. 3 days didn't help the people of Katrina and that was a small event compared to most of the sitx's.

That is just what FEMA would want you to believe. You will need a 3 year supply.

reply to post by ian990003100

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Hi Ian

I'm from the same part of the world as you and would recommend things such as a

Windup torch (tesco £5)
Small tea light candles x100 (dunelm £1.99)
Cheap lighters
Bleach
Wet wipes
25lt water container with tap
Multi fuel camp stove
Good knife
Strong fishing line, hooks etc
Wire of snares and other jobs
Water pure tabs and/or filter
Compass and local maps 1:25000 scale
Pack of playing cards and small games such as travel chess
Pen, pencil and paper.

Assorted long life foods, tinned e.g.
Large packs of rice and pasta
Tins of beans, ham, corned beef, condensed milk, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, food normally used by family as a change can upset people.

Most are cheap and easily obtained and stored. I have left off firearms as you will properly not have a FAC as I have

I am sure others will also suggest some other things to.

There is no better time to begin preparations than the present! Yes, I would begin to prepare a survival kit post haste! There are countless threads in the Survival forum that discuss this topis and offer suggestions.

I have a prepared kit and have recently begun preparing a second for my wife to carry - now that our child is old enough and doesn't need to be carried everywhere.

Good luck with it!

Don't forget some dice. Gamble and settle disputes......

From UK myself. Hard as whether to know any catastrophe will occur in the next few years but these survival kits sound like a good idea just incase something does happen!!!

I have over the last few weeks buying a few extra things on weekly shops(tinned items, dried fruits, anything which has a sell by date after 2014, can be hard but just check lots have expiry dates years ahead) I have looked into buying some specialist equipment etc including hiking boots,jackets,compass,mas etc. Im thinking that living in the North West i have short journey to huge expanses or rural land, ideal to get away from the madness that may ensue in Liverpool. Climatic changes could be a factor?? thats why im going to take as much hiking equipment etc as i can.

The thing is, with these catastrophes prophesised to us, it seems that only the select few will survive? Will any of us have the chance to use a survival kit???? time will tell im sure but in the meantime is there anyone from the north west in the UK who have any knowledge of "safe places" to be when it all kicks off?? Look forward to any replies

Not having kids myself, I can't offer any advice on kit for your ankle biters, but my "go bag" is a 100 litre arktos bergen with UK military webbing and side pouches. I have two weeks rations and my travelling (unless there I get advance warning) will be on foot. If your kids are old enough it may be better for them to have mountain bikes so you move quicker. As I will be carrying my kit I avoid tinned foods altogether and go for boil in the bag rations allowing around 4000 calories for each day I'm on the move. Once I have reached my location I intend to set up camp, start growing vegetables and go hunting so I have a couple of large knives, wire for snares, netting and vegetable seeds (potato, carrot, cabbage nothing complicated). I have a two man dome tent to use at location, but will use a sleeping bag and goretex cover for sleeping on the move. Not being allowed to own a rifle I am thinking of buying a bow for hunting larger animals (deer in particular), but I'm not sure how practical this will be.

I reckon that if I have my small holding started within 14 days then I should be good for a couple of years until things have calmed down. My only problem will be comms, but I have a solar charger for my mobile 'phone so I can use WAP and the like to keep abreast of the situation. My major worry is that there aren't many truly isolated locations in the UK so I may end up moving on every couple of weeks which will prevent me establishing my small holding. My biggest worry is when I run out of tea!

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