How to Build A Family Survival Plan? [2022 Updated Guide]

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is probably the fact that we must always prepare for the unexpected. Disaster can strike anytime, and we must ensure the protection of our families and loved ones.

Planning a survival kit beforehand is the key to weathering the challenging times. Be it a pandemic or a hurricane, we can rarely control the consequences when a calamity strikes, and more often than not, we are left in ruins.

A contingency plan can save a lot of things, from lives to livelihood, and here is our well-curated guide to traverse the bitter reality.

How to Create a Plan That Suits the Needs of My Family Members?

An excellent way to start would be with an exhaustive risk assessment of your family, the area you live in, and a thorough awareness of the global crisis that can immediately impact you. For instance, if you live in Mississippi, the chances are there will be the possibility of a flood, so you should have a survival kit preplanned that will keep all your family afloat for days.

The second most important thing is to analyze the needs of the individuals in the family. People’s need varies according to age, sex, and various other ailments. While planning, we have to remain vigilant to all and every need that’s essential. Many times, families generalize the requirements of all in one bag. What this does is create further chaos, which is a big negative in times of crisis management. It takes away the purpose of the entire family survival plan.

Finally, simplicity is the key. Handover brief and easy to understand guidelines in printed form to everybody. To meet the requirements of all, we should not overcompensate and make things complicated. The primary thing to remember here is to keep things light so that in times of panic, or survival plans become our anchor. 

Goals For Family Survival Planning 

1. Preparing for the Worst is the Best Chance of Survival

It may not be an outright zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion, but preparing for the worst-case scenario will be doubly reassuring and apt to fit all circumstances.

2. Limiting the Loss Factor

Carry minimal stuff and essential documents, let go of tangible material. Attachments are hard to let go of, especially ones with emotional ties but keep in mind that everything is replaceable as long as the lives are saved.

3. Allocate a Common Meeting Ground and Seek Normalcy

 When the storm passes, figuratively or speaking, the family shouldn’t feel helpless. Our dear ones are our strongest pillars, and regrouping at a common point would reestablish the next goals. 

Basics that Will Save Lives and Time

Primary essentials that are ready at hand can realign our panic into calmness. Let’s take a look at some of the essentialities:

1. Plan A, B, and C

Disaster can strike in many and any form. That shock factor often renders us useless. So we must prepare an alternative plan to combat different types of disasters. If Plan A focuses on natural disasters, then plan B should be customized to suit human calamities’ demands. 

2. Take the First Route Out

Stalling is a common reaction in panic, but leaving our homes can be the safest option at times. In case of a military attack or war, leaving the residential site to find a refugee camp set up by the government will increase survival chances.

If these are not safe, then look at your local community and try to figure out where the safest place is and have a plan for you and your family to meet there. It’s best to be near the supplies, so consider that when you’re attempting to leave your home. If you’re not keen on this idea, then prepare an emergency system for protection in your own home, whether it’s plywood so that you can board up windows or it’s extra raw materials to build makeshift storage.

3. Stocks and Supplies Are the Saviours

As nations went into lockdown to battle the pandemic’s first wave, people were unprepared and had a crazy rush for hoarding in food and toiletries supply. While some overstocked, many were left empty-handed. The demand superseded the supply chain, and the government had to step in to restore the balance. Considering this lesson, we should always have food in storage that can sustain the entire family for over a month. 

The amount of water to food ratio is 2:1, which is crucial for building a family survival plan. Look for things that can be stored and consumed without much hassle or resources. 

4. Skills at Hand

Although we do not need to compete with Bear Grylls’ skills at any point, some primary skills are important. Cooking, cleaning, repairing, and of course, first aid should top the list of our skills agenda. This makes the family, from the youngest to the oldest, more self-reliant and makes them feel hopeful about their survival. 

Teach them how to create a barrier on the lock, how to evacuate in case of fire, or how to protect their own selves against intruders. These basic life skills make all the difference in dire times.

5. Sanitation

We cannot ignore our body’s needs, and sanitation is that one need that we should always make a provision for in our contingency plan. Unhygienic situations can impact our other resources like water and shelter too.

6. Weapons

One of the survival topic ideas that need discussion seriously is whether or not you’ll be purchasing weapons that are either lethal or nonlethal. This could come in handy for protection, and while the local laws permit, make sure that you’re looking into this option. Purchasing something that will keep you safe and you can train your family to use.

Final Words on How you can Build a Family Survival & Emergency Plan

It may seem unnecessary and daunting at times, but small steps every day can make some significant differences.

As marketers suggest only financial insurance, you can get ahead of the pack and cover all grounds by making this survival insurance right at home.

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