Preparing for a Family – A Father's Perspective
I have a major responsibility; my wife and children. They have to have food, shelter, and water.
I started really considering the logistics of how to evacuate the Tampa area in case of a hurricane. What do I need, and how much? My search led me to the Food Insurance™ website and I liked the emergency backpacks.
I sat down and analyzed my needs: three kids (fourteen, five, three), my wife, and myself. I came up with some shocking numbers for someone who does NOT know about survival and logistics.
Up to 12 liters a day in water alone. That is 12 X 2.2lbs per liter – 26 pounds of water. Up to 15000 calories a day.
**(Note, this can be rationed down for me, but not for the youngest kids, they are skinny enough) **
The Essentials kit weighs 21 lbs. and would last all of us for about 4 days. I notice that although the Essentials kit does have a cooking store and matches, it does not include emergency fire making gear. That is an essential need in my opinion.
Below are the items I want to have on a daily basis, so I have added them to my Essentials kits for each family member.
Three year old
– one liter of water
– 1200 calories of three year old food
– diapers
– wipes
– milk
-vitamins
Five year old
– 1.5 liters of water
– 1500 to 1800 calories
– clothes
– milk
– vitamins
14 year old
– two to three liters (call it three for heavy exercise or lots of movement
– 2000 to 4000 calories
– clothes
– milk
– vitamins
– protein
Wife
– three liters a day
– 2000 calories
– clothes
– monthly supplies
Me
– three to five liters a day (depending on the output level and environment)
– 4000 to 6000 calories
– vitamins
– protein bars
– clothes
– ammo
I have also added the following supplies for the family:
– Firesticks (self-igniting starters )
– More matches
– Instant potatoes in individual packages
– Ammo in select pouches
– Vacuum sealed toilet paper
– Camp washes
– Camp stove cooking material
– 4 knives
– Filet knife
– Knife sharpener
– Water bladders
– Forks and knives
– Trash bags
– Ziplock bags
– GRMS radios that pickup emergency and weather alerts
– Two flashlights per bag
– Extra batteries for the lights
– Chem sticks
If you want to know why you need an emergency kit, look at New York or Baton Rouge. Look at what happens when you DON’T have one. I know, I know fear mongering. Yes, I fear that my children will go, ” Daddy I am thirsty!” and no clean water will be available.
What other items have you added to your kits?
Submitted by David S. – Tampa, FL.
Food Insurance™ Guest Author
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