The survival box

metherer

I would add a wind up radio, so that you can find out what is going on, and for entertainment. Tesco Value do one for around £8. I got one for my husband to take to the allotment, and he really likes it.

Larumbelle

We have an emergency box for the house and one for the car, both are pretty much the same as yours, but the one in the car has a shovel. Remember to take a radio (we have a windup radio/torch/phone charger) for the car, because if you did get stranded you'd risk carbon monoxide poisoning if you ran the engine for the radio / lighter outlet.

tootiefrooties

As you mentioned that one of the reasons is in case of flooding, then i have 2 suggestions - sandbags and wellies! Wellies, not just for the obvious wet feet scenario, but you will need to switch leccy off at the mains and you don't want to be part of a water-electricity circuit... otherwise you won't be needing all that dried food!

Got a whole list of stuff (like wind up radios) sent from floodline direct as we live on a flood plain. Of course, haven't put the kit together yet, and I know when flood day comes it will be the day before I planned to sort it out... hmmm :rolleyes:

If anyone else lives in a flood risk area, you can call them to get text warning updates: 0845 988 1188

survival kit here:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/826674/830330/882451/167284/?version=1&lang=_e

otterspasm

I have been planning this for a couple of years (used to live in Hull and had a feeling it would flood sometime...didn't get us last summer thank goodness but thousands around us). It makes me feel a bit more normal that others are thinking about it too .

The suggestions are great. I can't think of much to add except....inflatable dinghy if you have the storage space in garage/attic and a water/fire-proof box with important documents in such as birth certs, passports and insurance docs!.

When Hull flooded I had a newborn baby so made sure I had a huge store of bottled water and sterilizing tablets upstairs just in case we had no water.

powershopper

Crockery, Cutlery, Mugs, Dishes, And All That Jazz:t :t :t

Primrose

We are fortunate enough to have both gas & electricity, with gas hob so if the electricity went off, we could still cook a meal. For all-electric homes, one of these little one burner gas hobs in its carrying case, with a couple of spare gas cartridges is a useful asset. It's also useful, with a frying pan or griddle, for quick spontaneous outdoor fry-ups where you don't have to wait for ages for the barbeque charcoal to heat up.

We have a Woolworths wind up lantern/radio/mobile phone charger which is also a useful emergency gadget. Wind-up torches are essential too - no duff batteries to worry about.

The_Thrilla

I think the best thing to do is to go on one of those survival courses. I think that knowledge and skills are of better use than gadgets. All you really need is a good knife and something to make fire with; anything else can be improvised. Drinking water is more important than food. If you must get a gadget, it would have to be a really good water filter. Those who live in places where the water literally rolls down the hills are at an obvious advantage. Rainwater can be captured with a sloping plastic sheet, and, so long as the sheet and the vessel is clean, is drinkable.

I, too, intend to prepare for the ultimate breakdown of society, but have yet to decide what to put in my bug-out bag.

knithryn

Sleeping bags/blankets
Tarpaulin/waterproof sheeting

Vaseline on cotton wool balls makes a great firelighter, as do tampons apparently

High viz vests

Solar recharger for mobile phone?

spike7451

Everything I need is packed away in my Army Bergen;

Issue sleeping bag & bivvi bag
Collapsable cot
Ponch (which doubles as a one man tent)
Bungee cords
Tent pegs
Jetboil stove & spare gas
Hexi blocks & stove
24 Hr ration pack bits n bobs
Mess tins & racing spoon
Torch
Batteries
Pocket radio
Mini survival kit (fishing line,wire saw ect)
Plastic Bags & Bin Liners
Clasp knife
Cylumlite sticks
String
Condoms (For covering wounds & water carrying)
Tampons (for starting the fire)
First Aid Kit
Talcum powder
Gortex Waterproofs
Spare clothes (albeit of the green veriety)

The's a few more things but thats all I can think of at the moment.

RAS

For most people, who do not have Army Bergens, add to this

1. Waterproof bags in which to stash stuff (Clas Ohlson do some reasonably priced ones but even decent quality bin liners help)
2. Things in which to carry gear. Not much point in having stuff if you have to get out and cant take it with you. Preferably rucsac type containers as they leave both hands free.
3. String, rope, straps for tying stuff up and fastening it to you or your sacs.

I would add if possible;

a) comfrey, dried or ointment as I know nothing better for bruises and sprains.
b) salt for its antseptic qualities
c) bleach (thin) for burns and sterilising, in a non-glass well sealed container
d) high factor sun screen
e) midge hood