Check out our checklist and advice for your bug out bags:
Bug Out Bag Checklist
Sample text:
A bug out bag (BOB), also referred to as a Get Out Of Dodge Bag (GOOD
Bag), is a pack that has all the necessary items for any survival
situation for 72 hours or longer. Below I’ll provide a detailed
checklist that will give you a good understanding of what you should
have in your bag. Remember that when you pack to think about the weight
of each item and ask if it will be worth carrying it. Most times more
gear will be better, but just keep weight in mind.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Survival Kit Essentials - The Space Blanket
After considering food and water, what other items should one
have on hand in case of an emergency or disaster situation? Depending on
where you are and what type of emergency or disaster situation you are
most likely to encounter, there are a number of different survival items
and tools that can prove invaluable to your survival. This short is
going to focus on one of the most essential survival items that applies
to most if not all environments and situations. Future articles will
break down additional items that pertain to common and specific
environments and situations.
Let me introduce the good old space blanket. Why does almost every survival kit or bug out bag have one of these? Because along with dehydration, exposure is something you need to prepare for above all else. Living in our climate controlled world it is easy to forget just how brutal the elements can be to the human body. Be it heat or chill, when one is exposed to an extreme for a long duration of time without shelter or protection, bad things happen. Having a good space blanket can literally mean the difference between life and death. Not only can it provide shade against the heat, it can keep you warm in the cold and block wind and rain.
Did you know that space blankets were developed by NASA in 1964 for the US Space Program?
Key benefits for warmth:
There are several types of space blankets available to consumers. The most common is the standard Mylar survival blanket. These are the most cost-effective, lightweight, and easy to pack. They can be found in just about any sporting goods store and from a multitude of online retailers. Unfortunately the standard blankets tend to be a bit too lightweight and have been known to rip and tear. They can also be challenging when the wind is up or when one is caught in a real downpour. A better choice is a more robust Mylar survival pouch, Mylar survival bivy, or Mylar sleeping bag. These are thicker, larger, and are designed to cocoon the user to better protect them from the elements. Due to the heft and increased thickness, these deluxe space blankets hold up better during an emergency or disaster situation and are much easier to use. They are harder to find in local stores but available via online retailers.
Whatever type of space blanket you choose to go with; having one in your arsenal is a vital component for any survival situation. Most pre-packed survival kits and packs come with either a survival blanket or a survival pouch. Being how affordable they are it's never a bad idea to pick up a few spares for the car, boat, or even office. They also make great gifts. What's better than letting a friend or loved one know that you care about their survival? And besides, they are just plain cool looking.
Let me introduce the good old space blanket. Why does almost every survival kit or bug out bag have one of these? Because along with dehydration, exposure is something you need to prepare for above all else. Living in our climate controlled world it is easy to forget just how brutal the elements can be to the human body. Be it heat or chill, when one is exposed to an extreme for a long duration of time without shelter or protection, bad things happen. Having a good space blanket can literally mean the difference between life and death. Not only can it provide shade against the heat, it can keep you warm in the cold and block wind and rain.
Did you know that space blankets were developed by NASA in 1964 for the US Space Program?
Key benefits for warmth:
- Minimizes heat loss caused by thermal radiation, water evaporation and convection
- Windproof
- Waterproof
- Key benefits for keeping cool:
- Reflects up to 97% of radiated heat
There are several types of space blankets available to consumers. The most common is the standard Mylar survival blanket. These are the most cost-effective, lightweight, and easy to pack. They can be found in just about any sporting goods store and from a multitude of online retailers. Unfortunately the standard blankets tend to be a bit too lightweight and have been known to rip and tear. They can also be challenging when the wind is up or when one is caught in a real downpour. A better choice is a more robust Mylar survival pouch, Mylar survival bivy, or Mylar sleeping bag. These are thicker, larger, and are designed to cocoon the user to better protect them from the elements. Due to the heft and increased thickness, these deluxe space blankets hold up better during an emergency or disaster situation and are much easier to use. They are harder to find in local stores but available via online retailers.
Whatever type of space blanket you choose to go with; having one in your arsenal is a vital component for any survival situation. Most pre-packed survival kits and packs come with either a survival blanket or a survival pouch. Being how affordable they are it's never a bad idea to pick up a few spares for the car, boat, or even office. They also make great gifts. What's better than letting a friend or loved one know that you care about their survival? And besides, they are just plain cool looking.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
What Are The Main Types of Emergency Lighting and How They Are Used?
Emergency lights come in many forms and are used to illuminate an area
during an emergency or when power goes out in a building. The main forms
of emergency lighting are typically those powered by the backup
generator of a building, batteries, and even solar power. This type is
often used for a safety light, a standby one, and to illuminate escape
routes.
Backup Generator Lights
Many buildings have a backup generator installed that supplies emergency power. This is often provided by a diesel engine or an engine that is powered by natural gas. Emergency lights are wired to switch on if the generator is activated. They are often used to power low-level lighting that allows people inside of a building to find their way out safely.
Batteries and Solar Power
Some types of emergency lights are designed to run off of batteries. When power does out, the batteries in these lights are used to provide temporary power. You can also find other types that will run on solar power. These lights also use a battery, but the battery is being charged by the sun. Batteries for a solar light are kept constantly charged. A flashlight is an example of a LED emergency one requiring a battery.
Safety Lights
This type of lighting is also known as high-risk task lighting. These ones are used to illuminate places or areas in a building that need to be accessed in an emergency. This includes the access to stairwells or hallways that would otherwise be dark if the power went out. Manufacturing plants often have this type of lighting to allow workers to quickly exit a building or to shut down equipment.
Standby Lights
These lights are installed in buildings that have a backup generator. When a power failure occurs, these are used to allow critical work to continue. They are often found in hospitals, fire stations, and in other buildings that require continually running services. Standby lights will activate and power on if a power failure occurs or the main power goes out.
Escape Route Lighting
Hallways and paths that are used to evacuate a building will require escape lighting. These will often be LED emergency light that are floor mounted. When power goes out, these lights are used to provide a lighted path to an outside door or exit out of a building. The use of escape lighting is designed to keep a person from getting disoriented. A common area for escape lighting is a movie theatre.
Additional Information
A common type of emergency light is an exit sign that is located over the door for a building. This light is often powered by a battery.
Backup Generator Lights
Many buildings have a backup generator installed that supplies emergency power. This is often provided by a diesel engine or an engine that is powered by natural gas. Emergency lights are wired to switch on if the generator is activated. They are often used to power low-level lighting that allows people inside of a building to find their way out safely.
Batteries and Solar Power
Some types of emergency lights are designed to run off of batteries. When power does out, the batteries in these lights are used to provide temporary power. You can also find other types that will run on solar power. These lights also use a battery, but the battery is being charged by the sun. Batteries for a solar light are kept constantly charged. A flashlight is an example of a LED emergency one requiring a battery.
Safety Lights
This type of lighting is also known as high-risk task lighting. These ones are used to illuminate places or areas in a building that need to be accessed in an emergency. This includes the access to stairwells or hallways that would otherwise be dark if the power went out. Manufacturing plants often have this type of lighting to allow workers to quickly exit a building or to shut down equipment.
Standby Lights
These lights are installed in buildings that have a backup generator. When a power failure occurs, these are used to allow critical work to continue. They are often found in hospitals, fire stations, and in other buildings that require continually running services. Standby lights will activate and power on if a power failure occurs or the main power goes out.
Escape Route Lighting
Hallways and paths that are used to evacuate a building will require escape lighting. These will often be LED emergency light that are floor mounted. When power goes out, these lights are used to provide a lighted path to an outside door or exit out of a building. The use of escape lighting is designed to keep a person from getting disoriented. A common area for escape lighting is a movie theatre.
Additional Information
A common type of emergency light is an exit sign that is located over the door for a building. This light is often powered by a battery.
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