This article is about making a
do-it-yourself survival kit and what you should include in it. This article is
good at points but I can’t help but shake my head at other things. For
instance, it recommends to bring about 10 feet of duct tape and I can’t help
but wholeheartedly agree since duct tape is known as one of those universal
tools that can be used to construct almost anything and is truly a godsend in
an emergency situation. However, the author recommends using it to seal wounds.
Now I will admit I am no doctor and lack a career in the medical field. In fact
I am still in high school, but with what first-aid and medical knowledge I’ve
been taught (as well as common bloody sense), they just seem to scream at me
not to. It’s certainly great to seal wounds, but what happens when you need to
take it off? Have you ever had a band-aid over a bad wound and had that painful
pulling when taking it off? Try an even more serious wound… now try it with one
of the strongest adhesive tapes known to man. I’d advise bringing a less
adhesive type of tape to be safe, although if it is a life-threatening injury,
use duct tape because it may work as well as sutures and can be removed in ER.
This also made me think about … inspired methods of
materials. For instance, an interesting item that they want you to put in your
survival kit is a condom (non-lubricated). It may seem odd, but it functions
perfectly in a survival kit. Its small (rolled up) can perform its functions
(hold water and seal cuts) and is a good way to see what brands are the
strongest and don’t leak which will prove very helpful when you’re back to
thriving and not surviving.
A cool thing that they thought of to note: 4 days’ worth of
personal ration needs like medication. I wouldn’t have thought of this but if
you don’t have these items, depending on how crucial they are, I can guarantee
that you won’t make it for 4 days without these.
This has been a good reminder to keep my mind open to new
possibilities and be creative and inventive. This has taught me that just when
you think that you know almost everything about a subject there’s plenty more
to learn around the corner. This makes me want to experiment and see what sort
of first-aid/survival kit configurations work best.
By: Dylan Shorey
http://outdoorcanada.ca/11556/skills/articles-skills/diy-survival-kit
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