The Rapid Pack Guide will help you enhance your emergency preparedness in two ways. First, the Guide shows you which items in your home should be added to your kit. Your Ready2Start bag has ample space to accommodate these additions. Secondly, the Guide will provide you a packing gameplan for a real evacuation. It was designed to help boost your packing speed, foster teamwork, ensure that critical items are not overlooked, and minimize avoidable stress during an evacuation.
Shelf Life and Ingredients: SOS Emergency Water Pouches and Emergency Food Rations have a 5 years from the date of manufacture. The ingredients of the Food Rations include sugar, enriched wheat flour, palm oil, corn starch, wheat gluten, dextrose, desiccated coconut and corn syrup.
Quantities and Dietary Recommendations: Each SOS water pouch holds about 4.2 fl. oz of water (a bit over one half a cup). In the context of an emergency, FEMA recommends storing about half a gallon (64 ounces) per person per day. Learn about water storage here.
The SOS Emergency Food Bar contains 9 individual bars, each of approximately 400 calories, for a total of 3600 calories. The generally accepted daily calorie recommendation is 2,000 calories per person. FEMA recommends storing foods that do not require refrigeration, cooking, or special preparation like canned or freeze-dried meats, fruits, vegetables, protein bars, dry cereal, etc. Learn more about emergency food here.
The emergency radio features a battery pack rechargeable via USB cable, solar panel, or hand-cranking. One minute of cranking yields 20 minutes of radio use or 30 minutes of flashlight use, ideal during power outages.
To use the flashlight, press the top button. For the radio, turn the volume knob clockwise until a click and static are heard. The radio band selector, located above the knobs, enables access to AM, FM, and Weather Band (WB) frequencies. The WB, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides updates on severe weather and natural disasters. Finding the best reception may require slowly adjusting the tuning dial and changing the radio’s position.
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts weather information and alerts from the nearest National Weather Service office. In emergencies, the most crucial information is found on the WB band.
The 3-ply masks are soft, adjustable, and easily foldable for convenience. Constructed from latex-free polypropylene, they meet ASTM Level 1 standards for fluid resistance, making them ideal for everyday non-medical use. For protection against wildfire smoke and ash or earthquake debris, it’s recommended to use an N-95 or P-100 respirator for more effective filtration.
The first aid kit contains:
- 10 Plastic bandages (3/4 x 3 inches)
- 10 Plastic bandages (3/8 x 1 1/2 inches)
- 2 Packs of gauze pads (2 pads per pack)
- 3 Alcohol cleansing pads
- 1 Butterfly closure
- 10 Cotton tips
The most obvious use for a poncho is to protect yourself from moisture. But in an emergency, a poncho can be put to many uses:
Water Collection: Spread out the poncho to collect rainwater for drinking or other uses.
Ground Cloth: Use it as a ground cloth to keep dry when sitting or lying on damp terrain.
Wind Blocker: Hang it to create a windbreak, which can be particularly useful in reducing wind chill or when building a fire in windy conditions.
Signaling Device: The typically bright color of emergency ponchos can be used as a signaling device for rescue. Attach it to a stick and wave.
Sleeping Bag Cover: Use it as an additional layer over a sleeping bag to protect against moisture.
Heat Retainer: Wrap it around yourself even if it’s not raining to help retain body heat in cold conditions.
The mylar sleeping bag reflects 90% of body heat back toward, significantly slowing the loss of heat. This will also serve as protection from wind and rain. In addition to it’s intended use, the sleeping bag has many secondary functions for emergencies:
Emergency Shelter: Can be used as a makeshift shelter to block rain or sunlight when you find yourself exposed.
Signaling Device: The reflective surface can be used to signal for help in rescue situations.
Ground Cover: Under a tent or sleeping area, it can act as an insulating layer against cold or damp ground.
Heat Reflector for Campfire: Positioned near a fire, it can reflect heat towards you, maximizing warmth.
Water Collector: Spread out, it can collect rainwater for drinking.
Insulation for Coolers: Used to line the inside of a cooler to keep items cold longer.
Emergency Blanket for Pets: Provide warmth for pets in cold conditions.
Space Blanket in First Aid: To prevent or treat hypothermia or shock in first aid situations.
Headlamps enable hands-free operation in the dark. This headlamp features three settings: full brightness, moderate brightness for extended battery life, and a flashing red mode. The flashing red mode effectively alerts others to your presence at night, providing visibility without overwhelming brightness. For instance, if you require assistance on a highway, this mode can safely signal passing drivers, minimizing risk to them and yourself.
Stainless steel tools for daily and emergency situations. Includes a toothpick, tweezers, Phillips bit, reamer, corkscrew, nail cleaner, file, tent reamer, flathead screwdriver, bottle opener, scissors, can opener, fish scaler, fish hook dislodger, rope saw, and knife blade.