Everyone needs an emergency kit. This is especially true for RVers camping away from cities, having little access to stores.
When an emergency comes up, the last thing you want is to be hurt, hungry, thirsty and stuck without an emergency kit at the ready…
I found this out the hard way: Experiencing an emergency leading to my inability to walk for a few days, I realized I lacked band aids, antiseptics and gauze. This made life difficult, and potentially very dangerous.
The first thing I did when I could walk again was buy an emergency kit for camping.
A thorough emergency kit should include basic medical supplies, food and water for at least a few days, and basic equipment to help you survive in an unpredictable environment.
The Most Basic Emergency Kit
Emergency kits come in various sizes and support different needs. Sizing and functionality will be determined by: How many people will potentially be using the kit(s), for how many days, and the age and sex of those in your family or cohort.
Age and gender is important to take into account, as babies and toddlers will require age-specific products like diapers, baby wipes and powder, whereas women will need various feminine hygiene products in their emergency kits.
Most basic kits won’t include these “extras”, however, having basic medical supplies available is still a good start. You can always build up a basic kit later by adding necessities as you see fit.
The most basic emergency kit for camping should include: An easily portable bag, a light source, alcohol cleaning pads for injuries, band aids, gauze, something to cut with, a blanket, and a compass.
Know that, while a basic emergency kit is necessary, it is not yet complete. Without the addition of a few more essentials, such a kit may help you dress a wound and survive a cold night, but can still leave you highly vulnerable.
Robust Emergency Kit
Robust kits include the aforementioned medical basics you’ll find in a basic kit, but should also include food and water, tinder, a (waterproof) way to make fire, water purifier, and various light sources (for visibility in the dark as well as a method to get help).
The Sustain Supply Co. makes robust kits which contain these life-saving essentials.
Their kits come in various sizes depending on your family or cohort’s size: 2-Person kit, or 4-Person kit, both of which have enough food, water and supplies to sustain each person for a 72-hour period.
Sustain Supply Co. kits also include a way to cook food during an emergency: A small, portable cooking pot, a miniature stove, as well as collapsible bowls are included.
The collapsible bowls can serve various purposes: As a regular bowl for food, or as a means of gathering water from nearby sources. When not in use, the light bowls collapse flat and are easily carried.
Don’t Forget! Often-Neglected “Extras”
Feminine Hygiene Products
One of the most overlooked essentials for emergency kits are feminine hygiene products.
When the Covid-19 pandemic first hit, causing lockdowns and supply shortages, one of the first things off the shelves in my local stores were tampons with applicators.
Ironically, the shelves containing reusable menstrual cups (that can last for 10 years), remained fully stocked.
So, without another option, I purchased a Flex Cup, and it turned out to be an excellent decision for both monthly use and as an addition to my emergency kit.
Why?
Tampons and pads have their own set of problems: Both are single-use products requiring monthly purchases, they are often made with toxic chemicals, and if you’re in an emergency situation but run out of these types of products, there’s not much that can be done.
Flex Cups avoid all these problems: A one-time purchase of one cup will pay for itself in a few months, and can be used for up to a decade. They are also wearable for up to 12 hours before they need to be removed and cleaned before reinsertion.
For ease of use and comfort, make sure to have a small bottle of water-based personal lubricant to aid insertion, and keep this in your emergency kit. Using an oil-based lubricant will degrade the integrity of Flex Cup’s silicone, so make sure to read the label before you buy!
After my first Flex Cup purchase, I bought a second cup to add to my RV camping emergency kit, which I’d recommend to any woman travelling, camping, or RVing.
Pet Emergency Kit
For pet owners, it’s important to remember to have an emergency kit ready for our furry friends, too.
Similar to human emergency kits, a pet kit should include: Water, food, collapsible pet bowls, medication (if needed), a reflective collar, leash, can opener, toys litter, photos of your pets (in case they get separated from you), and vaccination/medical history.
There are many pet emergency kits on the market, however, most lack some essentials like food and water pouches.
So, building your own pet’s emergency kits can prove to be beneficial to both you and your furry family members.
If you have a dog, you can purchase a doggy backpack, fill it with many of their necessities, and have them carry some of the load.
Pet food can be cumbersome and heavy, so having some nutritious- but lightweight- food on hand is a good idea.
For our cat, we’ve purchased Stella and Chewy’s Freeze Dried Raw Morsels for emergencies. Being freeze-dried, the package is incredibly lightweight, and the ingredients are unprocessed.
If an emergency were to occur, this would be a great option to have on-hand; Just add a bit of water to the morsels and your pet is easily fed healthy food during a disaster.
Water Purification Straws
Most emergency kits for camping come with water packets, but having something to obtain water yourself is always prudent.
Hopefully, if you find yourself in an emergency situation, your on-hand water will be enough to get you through; However, there’s always the possibility that you’ll run out.
In case this happens, obtaining your own water will become necessary.
The Sawyer portable water purification straw removes 99.999% of bacteria and 100% of microplastics commonly found in water.
Unlike other water purification straws, the Sawyer Straw comes with its own 16 ounce reusable pouch, a good solution for obtaining and transporting clean water while on the move.
The straw can also be used with a regular disposable bottle, or inserted straight into a body of water like a river or lake. These options make it more versatile than other purification straws.
Solar Pocket Lantern + Phone Charger Combo
One of the most important tools you can have when faced with an emergency situation is your phone.
Unfortunately, phone batteries don’t last forever and need to be recharged after hours of use.
Finding a place to recharge probably won’t be possible in a true emergency, so having access to an alternative power source is a boon to anyone in a dire situation.
A small solar charger that works both as a phone charger and as a night lantern takes care of two birds with one stone.
Compact and lightweight, the Survival Cat Pocket Solar Lantern can charge your phone and serve as a light for dark nights. Without access to any other power source, a solar charger can truly serve as a lifeline in a disaster.
There is no substitute for the ability to communicate via phone during an emergency, so having a lantern and phone charger in your kit is a no-brainer!
Conclusion
Emergencies can happen any time, anywhere. Although we can’t stop them from happening, we can be prepared.
Make sure you have the essentials for your whole family to remain safe in the face of an emergency: Food, water, medical supplies, and emergency camping appliances to help get through a dangerous situation.