Daryl Stevenett knows what it's like to do without in an emergency.
"I can still remember a trucking strike that happened in Canada when I was very young," he said. "My mother took me to the grocery store with her to stock up on food following the advice of a local radio station. When we got to the grocery store, everything was gone. The shelves were bare. All the bread, milk, meat, cereal was all gone. I remember my mother starting to cry. We left for home empty handed."
People had panicked due to the trucking strike. After a few days the strike was resolved and things turned back to normal, but to this day Stevenett wonders what would have happened if the strike had lasted several months.
"What if something had happened and the power was turned off resulting in no heat and no refrigeration?" he said. "No heat in the middle of winter could have been catastrophic for our family in the middle of winter. With out power, food would go bad with no refrigeration. Restaurants and grocery stores would both close their doors due to tainted food."
Today, Stevenett is a veteran outdoorsman who prides himself on surviving in the wilderness with only his wits and whatever he can fit in his backpack. That's why he swears by the following products that are useful whether you are an experienced camper or someone who just wants to prepare for the worst before the worst happens. They include:
• Premium First Aid Kit - "The first thing I recommend is having a good first aid kit on hand," he said. "Make sure that it is portable and contains all the basics, including antiseptics, bandages, gauze, scissors, water and a solid first aid guidebook. The best we one I have found is made by Guardian Survival Gear, if you purchase one of these you are in good company, these are the same kits used by hospitals, churches, schools and the city of Los Angeles." http://www.mysurvival.org.
• Food Replacement - "Now what about food?" Stevenett asked. "We all know that we have to eat, and that's why we always stock canned goods for use in emergencies. But what if they are destroyed, lost or looted? In an emergency when food is not available, I recommend a product called LifeCaps, a small super vitamin nutrition pill that feeds your body the nutrition it needs to keep the hunger pangs at bay. The pill is safe to eat on an empty stomach and contains no chemicals or stimulants - just 100 percent of the RDA of primary nutrients, vitamins and minerals." www.lifecaps.net
• Swiss Army Knife - "I know it's a cliché, but you can never go wrong with a good old-fashioned quality Swiss Army Knife, with various blades and accessories," he said. http://www.wenger.ch
• Hammock and Tent - "When you're trying to survive, sleep deprivation is your worst enemy," he said. "People can make some bad choices when they are stressed and sleepless, so it's important to have a decent place to sleep. I recommend a combination hammock and tent, like The Hennessey Hammock. They weigh less than a tent and you can eliminate having to pack around a pad." http://hennessyhammock.com/
• Fire - "I know you can't bring fire with you, but a good fire starter is the next best thing," he added. "The fire starters I use will still work, even if they get wet. I bought a couple different kinds of flint fire starters. I will never go back to matches. There are some great instructional videos on this site." http://www.ultimatesurvival.com/
• Goose Down Coat and Pants - "If the power goes out, the evenings can get pretty cold, as many experienced during the storms that hit the US earlier this year," he said. "I have always been a big believer in goose down coats and pants. They are very lightweight and will last for years. They will keep you toasty warm and are easy to store." http://www.e-omc.com
"With these products, you'll have the basics of food, shelter, fire and protection from the elements," Stevenett said. "If you find yourself in the midst of a natural disaster or emergency, these products may keep you in better shape than some of your rescuers."
Author Resource:-
Tony Panaccio is a staff writer at News & Experts.
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