building a Basic urgency Kit - Part I: Clothing

Part 1: Clothing
 
Okay, a disaster has just occurred and you have to take what you can carry and bug out-Now. What do you take? Are you prepared? What are you going to do if you have less than ten minutes to secure yourself, your loved ones and your pets and get out? If you have been paying attention to any of the small disasters that have occurred in mudslide, fire and tornado zones you have no doubt seen or heard the countless citizen who lamented that they were not prepared and 'lost everything'.
 
Other than snorting in derision at the foolishness of citizen who rebuild in the same spot and lose everything more than once, did you do anything to put in order yourself and your family in any manner? At the very least, each person should have a backpack filled with some very considerable items. The usual things citizen think of are clothes and medicines-and the 'irreplaceable photos'. Sure, you need those things but have you given belief to what exactly that should constitute?
 
For the clothes, underwear is vital. No matter how clean you might usually be, in an emergency situation, you won't be. Wearing underwear can extend the number of time you can wear the rest of your clothes without washing; it is also much easier to hand wash. A good number for underwear is three; that way you have one to wear, one that's dirty, and one that is clean. Socks are also vital, even for those who don't wear socks. Dry socks will keep your feet warm and protected and can duplicate as mittens if necessary. Four pairs of socks are a good number; two for feet and two for hands, or one to wear, one dirty, and two ready to go. Make sure that one pair is wool and one pair is thin cotton (for hydrotherapy that can help in numerous ways).
 
Make sure that the clothes you choose can be layered and that one item is 100% wool. Wool breathes, as does cotton. Stick to the natural fibers except for outerwear (jackets). It's also a good idea to pack at least one pair of silk thermals. They don't take up a lot of room and might just save your life on a cold night. Three t-shirts, a flannel shirt and a wool sweater can take you a long way in a real disaster. Two pair of pants, one cotton and one knit (like sweatpants) can also be layered if needed, so be sure one can fit over the other. For outerwear, jackets should be one of the down substitutes. When wet, down loses its insulating factor but a synthetic fiber won't. Two hats are important; one knit and one with a big brim or a sun shield. Hats not only shield the head from the sun but also keep the body warm. You want the clothing you choose to be dual purpose so you are prepared for any weather. A good rain poncho with a hood can also duplicate as a mini tent when needed.
 
Gloves could be leading if one needs to secure wood or climb over obstacles. Two pair, one knit and one leather, can keep the hands warm as well as protected. A sturdy leather belt-even if you don't usually wear one-can be used for a number of things also retention up pants that are too large. Two pairs of lightweight hiking boots and a pair of sandals, along with something you can mend them with, can take you a long way towards safety. A wool scarf or muffler and a brightly colored scarf are good to include. While most of your clothes should be the colors that can fade into the background if needed, you also want something you can signal with. The increasing of three to six cotton bandanas rounds out the clothing. The bandannas can do duplicate duty as washcloths or bandages and they take up very petite space (they also are easy to wash and dry quickly).
 
Check out Part Ii: First Aid Supplies and Part Iii: Survival Tools to round out the rest of the Bug-out Pack.
©2010 Dr.Valerie Olmsted All rights Reserved

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building a Basic urgency Kit - Part I: Clothing

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