The majority of people probably won’t give much thought to their computer data in the event of an emergency or catastrophic event. However, once things have returned to a more stable state, the electronic information you have stored could prove to be critical to both your survival and your ability to resume a relatively normal life. Preparedness is essential, as is the case with all other aspects of life.
Given the prevalence of paperwork in modern life, deciding which records to keep can feel like an insurmountable task. Some things can be easily replaced with something else, provided that there are some other essential things available. Think about creating digital copies of any documents or information that might come in handy in the future.
What Is A Digital Survival Kit?
Most likely, the first things that come to mind when you consider how to get ready for an emergency are the essentials, such as food, water, and a place to sleep. But what about the rest of the questions? What are the things, like having essential tools, that will make life more bearable in the event of an emergency? What about maintaining connections with the rest of the country or the world while things are in turmoil?
When you find yourself in a difficult situation, having access to the necessities contained in a digital survival kit can make all the difference. Things like travel adaptors, backup phones, portable WIFI hotspot devices, and digital copies of all of your important documents should be on your packing list.
What to Include in Your Tech Survival Kit?
There are many reasons to be concerned about the future, whether it be a natural disaster like a hurricane, an earthquake, or an economic or political crisis that threatens to upend society as we know it. There are many reasons to be ready for unforeseen or unknown events. However, there are other things you can do to feel safer, one of which is keeping a digital survival kit on hand.
1. Identification Materials and Legal Documentation
Essential documents include a passport, visa, driver’s license, federal certificates, photo identification, prescriptions, insurance, medical history, and the last will. It may be challenging to replace documents such as these.
A mortgage or other real estate documents, car titles with VIN or serial numbers, safe deposit box locations and inventories, as well as key locations and who is authorized for access, investment accounts, bank accounts, and credit card account numbers and companies, as well as how to contact them, are also essential pieces of information to have.
A digital copy of everything that is typically carried in a purse or wallet, as well as information about lawyers and social security cards, should also be included in the package.
2. Contact Information
While the information on how to get in touch with someone in an emergency should be easier to find (for example, it should be printed on a luggage tag), other phone numbers and addresses may be required at a later time. In the event of a disaster, it may be essential to be able to locate and contact people who are not strangers.
3. State Regulations on Weapons
When transporting a firearm, it is important to be aware of the laws of all states within the region as well as those further afield. It can be helpful to have the laws for all states digitized, as this can be a convenient way to ensure that you do not end up in jail.
4. Maps
If travel is required, having accurate maps can make it much easier to locate viable routes and arrive at one’s desired destinations. Local maps on paper that can be grabbed in a moment are great, but once one reaches the region’s outskirts, additional maps may be required. If you have them in digital format, it will probably be much simpler to search for specific locations.
5. Important Videos and Images of the Family
In the wake of a catastrophic event, people may find solace in their memories. It can be helpful for families to keep their feet on the ground by watching home videos, and it can be useful to have current photos on hand in case members of the family become separated, as they can be used to help find the missing people and also serve as a source of remembering happier and simpler times.
6. Instructions and Repair Data for Devices
When converted to digital format, traditionally cumbersome and awkward-to-carry instruction manuals, such as those for automobiles, computers, and radios, as well as other types of equipment, will be much simpler to transport.
7. Security
It is essential to protect these documents adequately, as many of them contain sensitive personal information that, if misplaced or stolen, could have extremely negative consequences. There are methods available for encrypting the data; however, it is important to keep in mind that encrypted data cannot be viewed or used without first being decrypted.
In most cases, this will take the form of a password, which you will need to commit to memory. Before deciding which of these to put to use, it is strongly suggested that all of the information be read and fully comprehended.
8. Entertainment
You can help yourself keep your sanity by storing digital copies of your favorite movies and books.
Data Storage Devices
The contents of your technological emergency kit should be tailored to your specific requirements, but the following items should always be included.
Solid-State Drive External
You never know when you might find yourself in need of a drive to store files, share files with others, or copy files. Solid-state drives are preferable to traditional external hard drives because of the significant speed advantage that solid-state drives offer.
Flash Drives
This includes important and sensitive documents that have been digitized to demonstrate who you are and what you own. Before using this flash drive, you should consider encrypting it as it is recommended for your safety. The following are examples of important documents that could be added: passports, birth certificates, deeds, licenses, information about insurance, accreditations, and so on.
A Spare Flash Drive for Medical Documents
It is not recommended that you use this flash drive as a replacement for an emergency medical card; rather, it is recommended that you use it in addition to the card. If you are involved in an accident, the purpose of this project is to create a USB stick that contains only pertinent medical information. This includes your name, the names and contact information of people you can call in an emergency, your blood type, any known medical conditions, and your medical history.
Chargers
Power bank
The last thing you need is for the battery of your device to completely run out while you are doing anything, whether it be waiting for emergency services to arrive or streaming sports on an excruciatingly long train ride. If the power bank is fully charged, it will retain its charge for a few months even if it is not used.
Choose options that are waterproof if at all possible. If you are unable to locate any waterproof options, you can protect your power banks by placing them inside sturdy zip-lock bags. Consider purchasing a power bank that enables wireless charging so that you can reduce the number of cables you need to use. This will add a level of convenience to your experience.
Universal Power Adapters
Making an investment in a few universal power adapters, also known as travel adapters, is a great way to ensure that you will be able to easily charge your devices regardless of whether you are at home, on the move, or traveling internationally. It is in your best interest to go with options that allow you to work in the greatest number of locations possible.
To put it another way, you should go with adapters that have sliders on them so that you can change the plugs to suit any country. You should also think about getting options that come with charging ports for USB-A and USB-C devices.
Unused Batteries
In addition to the specialized items that are listed, it is considered proper etiquette to carry a selection of spare dry batteries or button cell batteries in a variety of sizes, such as AA, AAA, C, and D.
Cables
It is advisable to stock up on USB cables that are capable of both data transfer and charging. This is because, although you can use either type for charging your devices, some cables are not as effective as others when it comes to the transfer of data. If you happen to be using a publicly provided USB slot, such as the ones found in train stations, cafes, and airport lounges, you should make it a point to use cables that are specifically designed for charging devices.
This is another measure you can take to increase the level of safety afforded to you. Because the USB ports and requirements of the various devices you own might be different, you should also get multi-adapters so that you can charge all of your devices without having to switch cables.
Accessories and Phones
Extra Smartphone
When traveling outside of your home country but maintaining access to your primary SIM card through roaming, a secondary phone that doesn’t cost much can be a lifesaver. It is also possible to use it as an emergency device if your primary phone becomes broken.
Mobile Satellite
When you need to make urgent phone calls, but your cell phone is out of range, you can use one of these instead. They are ideal for such circumstances. Be aware that to use them to make calls, you will need to have a subscription to an actual service to do so.
Mobile WIFI Hotspot
When you tether your smartphone to a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, you won’t have to worry about the battery life of your device depleting as quickly as it would otherwise. A reliable portable Wi-Fi hotspot should be able to support between ten and fifteen active connections at the same time.
Prepaid Sim Cards
Your secondary phone can make use of a prepaid SIM card that already has credit loaded onto it. The majority of kits include an adapter for each of the three different sizes of SIM cards such as micro, Nano, and mini SIM as well as a SIM ejector which is helpful. If at all possible, go with a SIM card that has international calling and data allowances.
Additional Tools
Lighting
There is no experience more frustrating than attempting to work on something that is obscured from view. This is especially true when you are attempting something as delicate as making repairs to technology. That problem could be solved almost instantly with a high-quality headlamp. In addition, a quality torch is something that is practically indispensable. Choose an item that is not only portable but also waterproof and has a lumen output of at least 200.
A Diving Watch
Your survival kit cannot be complete without an analog diving watch to serve as a timekeeper. In addition to being waterproof, it will not require charging, unlike a digital or smartwatch, and replacing the battery won’t need to be done for up to a year in most cases. When you are orienteering, having an in-built compass bezel will provide you with a basic indication of where you are in the course.
Solar Chargers
In this day and age of technology, batteries can be found almost anywhere, and you will require them to be charged in the event of a natural disaster. Having a backup battery is a good idea but having a solar battery charger is an even better idea.
There are a few different options available here, such as solar chargers that do not include an internal battery (these are lighter and more portable), as well as smaller chargers that do include an internal battery for continued charging even when the sun isn’t out (heavier and less efficient solar panels).
Emergency Radio
During a natural disaster, you cannot always rely on your smartphone for information, but you can rely on radio signals, as long as transmitters can broadcast, you will be able to pick up a signal.
Camp stove
There is a good chance that you will require a survival stove, A Camp stove is the best option available to you. It can use virtually any dry organic matter as fuel, and it also has an integrated battery pack that can be charged by capturing the energy released by the combustion process. The heat that is captured by the stove is used to power a fan, which in turn increases the power of the flame.
In addition, the stove has USB ports that can be used to charge electronic devices. If you use the stove in conjunction with a hand-cranked radio and a solar charger, you will never be without a fully charged battery.
The ability to survive a catastrophe requires having a well-stocked emergency kit, but this does not mean that the contents of the kit should remain static over time. There have been many technological advancements recently that call for a revision in the items that are included in a standard emergency kit.