How to Prepare Your Survival Kit?

Should Preparing an Evacuation Bag Become a Reflex?

The French government advises preparing an emergency kit for disasters like earthquakes, storms, or floods, ensuring 72 hours of self-sufficiency when roads, water, or electricity may be disrupted. Your kit should balance safety and portability, with essentials for immediate needs and survival until help arrives.

For reliable, lightweight food options, exploresurvival rations at Freeze Dried & Co. These compact, long-lasting rations are perfect for emergency kits, offering nutritious meals to sustain you during crises.

Essential survival kit Components

This section details the must-have items for any trekker's survival kit, ensuring you're equipped for emergencies, navigation, shelter, and sustenance in the wild.

When venturing into the wilderness, your survival kit becomes your most trusted companion. Every item serves a critical purpose, and understanding why each component matters will help you make informed decisions about what to pack. A properly assembled kit addresses the fundamental survival priorities: shelter, water, fire, food, navigation, and first aid.

Core survival kit components

  • Multi-tool or survival knife - A high-quality Swiss Army knife or multi-tool handles everything from food preparation to gear repairs. Look for models that include pliers, scissors, can opener, and multiple blade options.

  • Fire-starting tools - Pack multiple ignition sources: waterproof matches in a sealed container, a reliable butane lighter, fire starter cubes, and emergency candles. Redundancy is crucial when your life depends on making fire.

  • Illumination equipment - A tactical flashlight with extra batteries, plus a lightweight headlamp for hands-free operation. LED lights offer the best battery life and durability.

  • Emergency shelter - A compact emergency bivvy, thermal space blanket, and lightweight tarp provide protection from wind, rain, and temperature extremes. These items can double as ground covers or signaling devices.

  • Water purification system - Water purification tablets, a portable filter, and a wide-mouth metal bottle for boiling water. Clean water is non-negotiable for survival.

  • Cordage and repair materials - 50 feet of paracord and a roll of duct tape solve countless problems, from building shelters to emergency gear repairs.

  • Navigation tools - A reliable compass, topographic maps of your area, GPS device, and emergency whistle. Technology fails, but basic navigation skills and tools don't.

  • Signaling devices - A signal mirror, emergency whistle, and if budget allows, a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon for remote areas.

  • Power source - A portable power bank to keep essential electronics charged, especially GPS devices and emergency communicators.

  • Identification and emergency contacts - Waterproof copies of ID, emergency contact information, and any critical medical information.

  • Waterproof storage - A durable, waterproof backpack or dry bags to protect your gear from the elements.

Emergency Kit Comparison by Situation:

Emergency TypeCore ItemsSpecialized Additions
Home EmergencyBasic supplies, 72-hour food/water, radio, flashlightsGenerator, extra batteries, board games
Evacuation KitPortable versions of all items, documents, cashLightweight shelter, compact tools, GPS
Vehicle KitJumper cables, tools, flares, blanketsTire repair kit, emergency fuel, maps
Office KitWalking shoes, flashlight, radio, snacksDust masks, local maps, emergency contacts

Extended Emergency Supplies 

  • Enhanced Food Storage Systems Expand beyond 72-hour supplies to include freeze-dried meals with 25+ year shelf life, bulk grains and legumes, canned goods with manual can opener, and a portable camping stove with fuel. Include water storage containers and advanced filtration systems.

  • Power and Energy Solutions Solar chargers for electronic devices, portable generators for essential appliances, battery-powered fans for cooling, and fuel for heating systems. Include extension cords and power strips for efficient distribution.

  • Communication and Navigation Two-way radios for family communication, detailed local maps, GPS devices with extra batteries, and emergency contact lists including out-of-state relatives who can serve as communication hubs.

  • Shelter and Comfort Upgrades Sleeping bags rated for your climate, portable toilets and sanitation supplies, tarps for shelter repair, and additional clothing for seasonal changes. Include work gloves and tools for emergency repairs.

  • Security and Protection Personal protection items appropriate for your area, door reinforcement supplies, window coverings for privacy, and noise-making devices for deterring intruders during chaotic periods.

  • Specialized Tools and Equipment Manual tools that don't require power, rope and cordage for multiple uses, duct tape for emergency repairs, and plastic sheeting for weather protection or privacy.

Extended Emergency Planning

  • Family Emergency Plan Establish meeting points, communication protocols, and evacuation routes. Practice emergency procedures with all family members, including children. Create plans for different scenarios and times of day.

  • Community Connections Build relationships with neighbors for mutual assistance. Know the emergency plans for your children's schools and your workplace. Understand local emergency services and shelter locations.

  • Financial Preparedness Maintain emergency cash reserves, keep important financial documents in waterproof storage, and understand insurance coverage for different types of emergencies.

Protecting yourself from the cold

A well-prepared evacuation kit includes warm clothing and a survival blanket, as it is impossible to predict if or when a disaster will occur. There are also hand warmers and body warmers that provide heat for several hours. Staying warm helps maintain morale and reduces calorie consumption.

Staying hydrated and nourished

Water makes up over 60% of our body weight! Ensuring proper hydration is crucial. Opt for portable water pouches that have a much longer shelf life compared to plastic bottles. In case of evacuation over long distances, a water filter and purification tablets can lighten your pack.

Food, essential as fuel, requires special attention as it is perishable. Ensure regular rotation to keep your stock fresh. Compact rations and freeze-dried meals are ideal for emergency situations: long shelf life at room temperature, low volume, and light weight.

First Aid and Medical Supplies


Equip your survival kit with a robust first aid module, including alcohol for disinfection, assorted bandages, sterile compresses, and adhesive tape for wound care. Ensure a supply of pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage discomfort. For those requiring prescription medications, include a minimum of one week’s supply along with a copy of the prescription. If you wear glasses, pack a spare pair to maintain clear vision in a crisis.

Hygiene Essentials


Maintain health and comfort with a hygiene kit containing wet wipes for quick cleaning and a bar of soap for thorough washing, especially when water access is limited.

Mental Well-Being


To stay calm and focused during stressful situations, include lightweight entertainment options like a deck of cards or a compact book to help pass the time and reduce anxiety.

Pet Preparedness


For pet owners, assemble a dedicated pet kit with sufficient food, water, and any necessary medications to ensure their well-being during an emergency.

Conclusion


Customize your survival kit to meet your unique needs, selecting "modules" that align with your circumstances. For a ready-made solution, consider the Secouristes Sans Frontières Evacuation Bag, developed in collaboration with Freeze Dried & Co, designed to cover core survival needs in crisis situations. For reliable, long-lasting food options, explore survival rations at Freeze Dried & Co. Contact their team to tailor your ideal survival kit.

A Word About Lyophilise & Co 🌶

Based in Lorient, Lyophilise & Co is the go-to reference for freeze-dried meals and high-quality outdoor gear. Whether you're a hiker, skipper, trail runner, bushcraft enthusiast, or bivouac lover, we offer a wide range of technical products tailored to all your adventures. With over 2,000 items available, we support your expeditions in France and abroad.

If you have any questions, our experts are here to help and will gladly assist you:

☎ +33 (0)2 97 87 23 73
✉ team[at]lyophilise.com

We also have a showroom open Monday to Friday:

📍 6 bis rue du Sous-Marin Vénus, 56100 Lorient, France

Published in: Survival