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Date Published: February 24, 2025
Emergencies strike anytime, leaving you with little to no time to prepare. A reliable survival kit can help to ensure you and your loved ones' safety. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one?
We’ve created a guide covering what to look for in a survival kit and how to select the best option for your needs.
Different emergencies require different supplies. Before buying your survival kit, consider the types of emergencies you’re preparing for.
Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wildfires can strike suddenly, causing widespread destruction and increased risks, including injuries, loss of shelter, disrupted communication, and limited access to food, water, and medical care.
Navigating the chaos of a natural disaster requires quick thinking and preparedness. For a natural disaster survival kit, include water, non-perishable food, and/or a manual can opener. Pack a first aid kit, emergency blankets, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio to stay safe, warm, and informed. Don’t forget important documents, cash, and a whistle for signaling, plus extra clothing and personal hygiene items.
View our selection of Hurricane Preparedness Kits & Supplies at the Red Cross Store.
Disrupting life and posing serious risks, power outages — especially during extreme weather or prolonged periods — limits access to heating, cooling, lighting, and refrigeration for food and medications.
For a power outage survival kit, have essentials like flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, and a portable power bank to stay informed and maintain communication. Don’t forget first aid supplies, personal hygiene products, and important documents to stay safe and comfortable during the outage.
Accidents, whether at home or on the road, can happen unexpectedly and lead to injuries, isolation, or even life-threatening situations. Minor incidents can escalate quickly without immediate access to medical help or essential resources.
A survival kit should include a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers, along with instant cold packs and burn cream for injuries. Pack communication tools like a whistle, radio, and flashlight, as well as reflective vests or warning triangles for visibility. Include water, multi-tools, identification, and extra clothing to stay safe, hydrated, and prepared until help arrives.
Outdoor adventures offer excitement and connection with nature but involve inherent risks that require preparation and awareness. Unpredictable weather, getting lost, encountering dangerous wildlife, or sustaining injuries like cuts, sprains, or fractures in remote areas far from immediate help require a survival kit with the right supplies.
Include navigation tools like a map and compass, and communication devices such as a whistle and cell phone with backup power. Pack shelter supplies like an emergency blanket, fire starters, water purification tools, and non-perishable food to stay safe and nourished. Don’t forget first aid supplies, a multi-tool, headlamp, and extra gear like a signal mirror for emergencies in your survival kit.
Having enough supplies for the number of people involved during an emergency prevents resource shortages and boosts morale during stressful situations. When preparing your survival kit, consider the number of people it needs to support. Survival kits are often designed for:
Survival kits are typically labeled for short-term or long-term use:
If evacuation is necessary, you’ll need a survival kit that is easy to transport. Look for features to increase your survival kit portability.
A portable survival kit can distinguish between quick evacuation and getting bogged down by bulky, unwieldy items.
Depending on your specific needs, you may want to prioritize survival kits with additional features.
A survival kit is a collection of essential items designed to help you stay safe and self-sufficient during emergencies, natural disasters, or outdoor adventures. These kits typically include food, water, first aid supplies, tools, and other emergency supplies.
Having essential supplies on hand increases your chance of staying safe and comfortable during emergencies like power outages, natural disasters, or accidents.
When choosing or assembling a survival kit, focus on the basic needs required for survival in an emergency, such as shelter, warmth, food, water, first aid, communication, and safety.
Choosing the right survival kit for yourself depends on several factors, including your environment, the types of emergencies you're most likely to face, and personal needs.
Most items in survival kits have 5–10 years of shelf life. Check the expiration dates regularly and replace items as needed.
Yes, most survival kits are designed to handle a variety of emergencies, including natural disasters, car breakdowns, or being stranded outdoors.
Prices vary depending on the kit's size, quality, and contents.
Keep your survival kit in an easily accessible location, such as a closet near the main exit or your car trunk, for vehicle kits. Make sure all household members know where it is.
Review and update your survival kit every six months to ensure all items are intact, functional, and within expiration dates.
Dedicated kits for each location ensure you’re prepared wherever you are.
Consider adding items for your pets to your survival kit, especially if you plan to evacuate or if you live in an area prone to natural disasters. Pets have unique needs, and including the right supplies — like first aid, pet food, water, a leash, a collar, waste bags, and any medications your pet needs — ensure they are safe, comfortable, and well-cared-for during an emergency.
Survival kits may contain items (like knives or matches) that aren’t allowed in carry-on luggage. Check the TSA guidelines before traveling with your kit.
Many survival kits include instruction manuals or guides. You can also take a basic first aid or survival skills course to feel more confident using the tools.
The best survival gear provides the necessary items to help you stay safe during times of crisis. The American Red Cross offers a wide range of emergency survival kits designed for the home, car, office, and outdoors. This way, you'll have access to the survival supplies you need, no matter what challenges may come.
Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross. Our mission is to advance lifesaving education so you are better to prepared. Our robust training curriculum includes CPR and AED, First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Babysitting and Child Care, Lifeguarding, Water Safety and more.
