Tips for Organizing Survival Gear

It is a good idea to stock up on gear and supplies in case of an emergency; however, if those items are lost or misplaced when they are required, even the most thorough preparations will be of little use. As a result, putting together the supplies for an emergency is equally as important as collecting them. The very nature of the word “emergency” implies that there will be a certain amount of pressure and a pressing need to act quickly, so it is in your best interest to have all of the necessary supplies and equipment organized and ready to go in the event of a crisis. When you’re in a situation like that, knowing where to find the things you need can save your life.

1. Make a List

Utilizing a writing implement in conjunction with paper is an effective way to get started. Create an exhaustive list of all of the equipment and supplies that have been gathered so far but be sure to leave some room on the list for additional items that might be added later as new requirements come to light. When it comes time to organize the supplies, having a list that is both comprehensive and broken down into categories will be helpful. In addition, it can be used as an inventory; by including expiration dates, it will be easier to rotate the stock, which is necessary to ensure that the medicines and other items will be usable when they are required.

Ready for disaster - checking off the items on the emergency preparedness form

2. Categorize Your Survival Gear

When you are least prepared for it, catastrophes frequently appear out of nowhere. The average person spends the majority of their time in places that are very familiar to them, including their homes, places of employment, and cars. Therefore, you should give some thought to the location that you are most likely to be in when a disaster occurs. Your primary objective should be to set aside specific areas in which to keep your necessary supplies, regardless of the location you ultimately decide to use. 

Because of this, you will be able to quickly retrieve the particular supplies that are required of you. For instance, you could keep a bag with emergency supplies stashed away in your office at work or in the trunk of your car at all times. In a similar vein, you can set aside a permanent location in your house to store and organize your supplies of food, water, and survival gear in the event of an emergency. Put the supplies away somewhere secure, like a pantry, cupboard, or the basement. Your goal should be to make sure that whatever you store is easily accessible regardless of the type of storage you choose.

3. Safe, Secure, and Appropriate Storage

Make sure that you store all edible items, such as food rations and water, in containers or bags that are hygienic and airtight before you put them away. Similarly, compartmentalize and cover the things you have exposed in preparation for use. Make sure that the foods are stored in the recommended environmental conditions to extend the foods’ shelf life and avoid contaminating them. If there is an item that has passed its expiration date, you need to remove it from storage and dispose of it securely as directed.

Replace the used-up supply right away to lessen the likelihood of your forgetting to do so later. Do not put items in a closet or other location where they could potentially cause harm to other items already there. It is recommended that you keep them organized in distinct containers or boxes.

4. All Items Should Be Labeled for Simple Identification

When you need to access a specific piece of your survival gear quickly, it will be much easier for you to do so if you have clearly labeled it. It is possible to have a photographic memory of where an item is located so that you can find it even in low-light situations if you label it and keep track of its location. 

When you are labeling things like food ratios and first aid items like medications that have a shelf life, you need to make sure that the expiration dates are recorded correctly. In addition, it is essential to label items with the “dates opened” notation because some supplies might have accelerated expiration dates if they have been opened. If you follow these steps, you will be able to protect your supplies from harm and maintain their quality. You will also prevent unnecessary waste.

5. Consider Categorizing Your Kit into Levels

Assigning levels to your survival gear and supplies is a great way to keep them organized and easy to find when you need them. When it comes to classifying your survival supplies, there are four arbitrary levels that you can choose from. As you progress through the levels, you’ll have access to an increasingly large number of different necessities.

6. Level 1 (Everyday Carry or EDC)

You will always have these things on your person, regardless of where you are or what you are doing, provided that it is not against the law to do so. A good quality survival knife, a flashlight, a wrist compass, a watch, a whistle, a multi-tool, a lighter, and a concealed firearm are some examples of the types of items that fall into this category. You should also stock up on some medical supplies that can assist you in the event of an emergency.

7. Level 2 (Bug-out Bag or Backpack)

Your backpack will come in handy at this point. A good backpack should have a capacity of between 4000 and 6000 cubic inches, which is equivalent to 65 to 95 liters. This will allow you to carry almost everything you require for adequate preparedness in the event of an emergency. This bug-out-bag size can get you through a week if there’s an emergency. It is a misconception to believe that a bug-out bag should carry enough supplies to keep you going for three days and nights. In the event of an emergency, a good one should have sufficient supplies to see you through five to seven days. In any case, the amount of time you can spend with supplies stored in a bug-out bag ranging from 65 to 95 liters depends on your skill level as well as the items you have access to at higher levels.

8. Level 3 (Things You Can Load Into Your Car)

Items that you can load into your car, like sturdy containers and bags, are represented at this level. Among other strong containers, military kit bags, pelican cases, and action packers are a few examples of containers appropriate for this level. Verify that you can carry the load by yourself. 

Emergency backpack equipment organized on the table in the living room

You should consider it a part of this level since you are using your car. If a terrible situation forces you to travel a great distance to get to your destination, you will need items of level 3 to survive. Moving without a car does not make for a pleasant experience. You might need to carry your level 1 everyday carry kit, level 2 bug-out bag, or backpack if you’re leaving your home with a vehicle.

Keep in mind that the length of time supplies can be stored depends in part on where they are kept. Supplies can frequently be stored for five years or longer without losing any integrity if the proper conditions are met.