Every Australian home should have an emergency survival kit. Bushfires, heatwaves, flooding, cyclones, and storms, affect major cities just as often as rural areas, and you need to be prepared to act before disaster strikes. Having an emergency survival kit in your home ensures you’re ready and able to protect what matters most to you.
What is an Emergency Survival Kit?
An emergency survival kit is a portable collection of essential supplies and basic items that can help you survive when you need to stay put, evacuate, or whenever normal services like shops, heat and water, electricity, and emergency services are unavailable. Sometimes called a disaster preparedness kit, evacuation kit, bug out bag, or go bag, it contains everything you need to stay safe without outside assistance. It is recommended that it contain supplies to last 72 hours, as this is typically how long it takes emergency services to cover everyone following or during widespread disruptions.
Essential Items to Include in Your Emergency Survival Kit
1. Water
Water is the most essential item in any disaster supplies kit. The human body can survive only a few days without cleaning water, so store at least three litres per person in your household per day. Water purification tablets create a backup option by making contaminated water safe to drink when your stored supply runs out.
2. First Aid Kit
A first aid kit should have all the medical supplies you need to treat and stabilise minor injuries until you can get professional help. A comprehensive first aid kit should include: bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tape, and pain relievers, scissors, tweezers, disposable gloves, a thermal blanket, and any personal medications you take.
3. Food (Non-Perishable)
Your emergency survival kit should contain enough food that requires no refrigeration or cooking to sustain yourself for the 72 hour period. Common food rations include canned beans and vegetables, energy bars, and dried fruits and nuts. Also consider any dietary requirements, baby formula for children, and a can opener.
4. Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio
Having a battery-powered radio can help keep you informed about evacuation orders, weather updates, and safety instructions. Also include spare batteries or a hand-crank radio in case they run out.
5. Torch or Flashlight
A reliable torch helps you navigate safely, signal for help, and perform first aid with clear visibility. LED torches offer bright light with minimal battery drain, making them ideal in a wilderness emergency kit. Head-mounted torches free your hands for essential tasks. Include multiple sets of spare batteries in a waterproof storage container.
6. Emergency Clothing
Australian conditions demand specific clothing in your go bag essentials. A wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen protect against intense UV radiation. Long-sleeved cotton shirts and long pants provide protection during bush fire evacuation. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes prevent injuries from debris and sharp objects. Extra socks and underwear might seem minor but become essential for comfort and hygiene during prolonged displacement.
7. Important Documents
Store copies of important documents in a waterproof portable container. Important family documents include identification cards, birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical records, insurance policies, contact info, bank details, and medical history. Also keep a copy of your family survival plan.
8. Mobile Phone Chargers
Communication with family, access to emergency information, and GPS navigation all depend on phone power. A portable power bank keeps your phone charged when electrical outlets aren’t available. Include both wall chargers and car chargers in your survival gear. Also consider downloading offline maps of your area before emergencies strike.
9. Other Tools and Supplies
A multi-tool combines pliers, screwdrivers, knives, and other implements in one compact package. Repair tools like a sewing kit, extra rope, duct tape, and cable ties allow you to fix equipment or create makeshift solutions. Plastic sheeting creates shelter, collects water, and provides waterproof protection.
Waterproof matches or a reliable lighter start fires for warmth, cooking, and signalling. Flint provides a backup fire-starting method that works even when wet.
A signal whistle carries further than shouting and requires less energy, and a signal mirror can catch attention from rescue aircraft or distant search parties. A compass helps with navigation if you need to evacuate on foot through unfamiliar terrain.
Where to Keep Your Emergency Kit
Your 72 hour emergency kit should stay in an easily accessible spot at home. Choose a location that every family member knows and can reach quickly, such as a hall cupboard near the main exit, under the stairs, or in a laundry room. Avoid keeping it attics or high shelves that might be difficult to access during stressful situations.
A car survival kit provides backup when you’re away from home. This scaled-down version should include water, non-perishable snacks, a first aid kit, a torch, blankets, and a phone charger. Keep your kit ready in the boot where it won’t get disturbed.
Survival Supplies Maintenance
Some of the items in your kit will expire, so you’ll need to go over your emergency gear checklist regularly to make sure you’re prepared. You should check your emergency survival kit every six months, alongside routine smoke detector changes or when daylight savings begins or ends.
During these checks you should replace expired food items, update medications, and test any batteries during these check-ups. Water storage containers should be emptied, cleaned, and refilled periodically. Examine spare clothing for damage or mould. Finally, update your document copies to reflect current information.
First Aid Training Completes Your Emergency Preparedness
Preparation is only half the battle. Having a fully stocked kit full of emergency supplies is a great start, but it can’t save your life if you don’t know how to use the items it contains. Supplies provide options, but training provides capability.
By taking a first aid course you’ll truly have everything you need to survive in the event of an emergency. A fully stocked emergency survival kit can save your life in emergency situations, but only if you’ve learnt how to use its survival items. You and your family’s safety and well-being might depend on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Water Purification Methods?
Other than water purification tablets, boiling water for at least one minute kills harmful organisms but requires fuel and fire-starting equipment. Portable water filters provide another option, though they take up more space and can clog.
Should I Include Camping Supplies Like Flint, Tinder, and Flares?
Flint and tinder deserve a place in your emergency kit if you live in areas prone to disasters and need to leave your home quickly. Pre-made tinder like cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly catches sparks easily and weighs almost nothing. Flares can signal your location to rescue teams.
What Emergency Supplies Do I Need for Pets?
Pets need their own emergency food and water, copies of vaccination records, medications, a lead or carrier, and identification tags with your contact details. Include a recent photo of your pet in case you become separated. Pack comfort items like a familiar toy or blanket to keep them calm.
