One of the most important aspects to earthquake survival is food and water. When earthquakes hit, food is often unavailable; fresh food in refrigerators spoils quickly if power is lost. Attempting to go to a grocery store may result in disaster. Not only are most stores not even open after an earthquake, but looters usually target stores and may harm innocent people trying to buy supplies. To be prepared, it is best to have supplies stored away that will last a long time. That way, when disaster strikes, preparedness has been enacted and survival will be easier.
The Quakehold! 3000 Survival Kit is an excellent choice for a simple earthquake kit. Each kit includes the three most necessary items a person needs after such a disaster: water, food and a blanket. Six sealed packets of water, six food bars and a lightweight blanket are found in this small kit weighing barely over three pounds. One kit is designed to last three days for a single person. It is best to purchase two kits for each person in the household. In the event that a very strong earthquake hits, it will be beneficial to have almost a week’s supply of nutrition. Also an extra blanket is helpful if the weather happens to be colder. Even in warmer climates, such as the southern part of California, where winter temperatures stay above freezing, blankets are necessary to keep warm. The blankets in this kit are lightweight and fairly thin; in colder weather it would be much better to have two of them.
Food bars in this survival kit include a variety of essential nutrients that would be found in a full balanced meal. Many earthquake survival guides suggest having plenty of canned food on hand, but canned food does not have the vital nutrients needed in such situations. In fact, most canned foods lose their nutritional value, such as vegetables, when they are stewed and cooked before canning. Since no other food may be available, an ample amount of food bars will keep earthquake survivors sustained until help arrives. Stress often depletes nutrients quickly, without proper nutrition, people will become sick quickly. It is vital to stay well after an earthquake, as medical help may also be unavailable.
Water is the essential ingredient of life; over 75% of the body is made of water, so keeping hydrated is very important. Bottles of water may last about one year, but the water in this kit is designed to last about 5 years. Since it is sealed in a special long-shelf-life process, the water is a much better way to keep water than trying to keep perishable bottles and replacing them each year. After an earthquake hits, water may be unavailable for at least a week, so this is another advantage this kit holds. Water from the tap should never be trusted after an earthquake; even if it looks clean, ruptures in the ground may allow contamination, residue from broken pipes or other nearby hazardous substances to enter the water tanks.
One of the best advantages of this kit is its long shelf life – the Quakehold! 3000 is designed to last for five years. It has also been approved by the United States Coast Guard. The measurements of this survival kit are 20 x 12 x 12 inches, making it easy to store, even if space is limited. If multiple kits are purchased for families, the kits may be stacked in a storage area to take up little space. This kit comes in an expandable container, making it very versatile also. Some kits come in metal or fixed material cases, making them much less practical. Although this is one of the best food and necessity survival kits found, it is also a good idea to have a flashlight nearby it. A large percentage of earthquakes hit in the middle of the night, so it is a good idea to have an extra flashlight; a very small and thin reliable flashlight may be purchased and stored inside this kit. For those who are looking for an economical, practical, inexpensive and reliable earthquake survival kit, the Quakehold 3000 kit is an excellent choice for every person.