Military leaders have issued serious warnings about imminent engagement. In November, General Fabien Mandon, head of France’s armed forces, said that citizens and soldiers alike needed to brace themselves for conflict. Hospitals have also been told to prepare for a major conflict by March of 2026, according to a leaked letter. This letter was confirmed to be accurate by France’s Health Minister, Catherine Vautrin. The document urged hospitals to be prepared to treat up to 15,000 soldiers (both French and foreign), have medical staging areas prepped for rapid transport to treatment centers, and have supplies on hand for long-term treatment, i.e. upwards of six months.
All across Europe, citizens have been receiving pamphlets in the mail urging them to prepare for at least 72 hours without power. These pamphlets detail the items that people should keep on hand, as well as information about vital first aid. Although these brochures haven’t been distributed around North America, the UK, or other parts of the world yet, rising global tensions imply that being prepared for troubled times would benefit all of us.
Distributed Pamphlets Encourage Citizens to Prepare
Pamphlets have been distributed to millions of people across Europe, translated into dozens of languages. The primary goal of these booklets is to help citizens be prepared for a crisis with 72-hours’ worth of survival supplies. Each family member should have their own, with additional kits on hand for small children, disabled or elderly relatives, and pets.
While these survival packs are considered necessities, preparing for longer durations is advised. For example, if people have spaces such as cold cellars and basements, they’re encouraged to stockpile necessities that can last them 30 days or longer.
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Essential Items for Your Own Kit
Being prepared for anything that may occur is in every person’s best interest. The general rule here is that it’s better to have something and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Communication
In times of crisis, governing agencies will broadcast information on radio frequencies. As such, it’s a good idea to have a radio on hand that’s powered by batteries, or has a hand-crank winding mechanism. Solar-powered radios will only work if there’s sufficient sunlight to recharge them.
*Note: in some countries, you need a license to be able to transmit via ham radio, but no license is required to listen to one.
A Kit Suitable for Every Family Member
Each household is encouraged to pack a large container or tote for each member of the family with the requisite supplies. That said, many people prefer to use backpacks instead, just in case they need to evacuate. While having a tote bin per person is efficient, it’s not ideal if you need to pick up and go quickly.
Not all backpacks/rucksacks are created equally, so be discerning when you’re shopping for yours. Aim for those that are sized for each person’s body so they can be carried easily. Multiple pockets and sections are ideal, and carabiners are great for clipping additional items onto straps and lacings.
While suitcases, duffel bags, and so on are handy, they aren’t ideal if you need to evacuate quickly and need to carry small children and/or animals. Backpacks leave your hands and arms free, and can hold a lot more than most people realize.
Food and Drinks
- Energy, protein, and/or granola bars
- Ready-to-eat canned foods with pull tabs
- Instant foods (just add water): These can include instant camping foods, packets of oatmeal, ramen noodle cups, instant mashed potatoes, couscous, etc.
- Dry non-perishable items like pasta, cereals, crackers, dehydrated fruits, vegetables, meats
- High-protein snacks like jerky, cheese and sausage combos, tuna packets, peanut butter and crackers, canned beans and lentils
- High-fat items such as nut butters, cooking oil,
- Bottled water
- Electrolyte drinks and juices
- Comfort food and drinks: items that may help to lift your spirits are very welcome during trying times. Chocolate, instant fancy coffee, powdered milk, Ovaltine, pudding, jam, and dried fruit/nut mixes are idea.
Aim to rotate your supplies every six months to ensure freshness.
Be Prepared with Enough Water for Everyone
Each family member needs at least three liters of water a day.
For home preparedness, stock up on large bottles of water, including the five-gallon drums with pumps. In addition, pack water bottles into every backpack. It’s also a good idea to have a water filter such as a Lifestraw or ceramic pump in case of potential contaminants. If you worry about whether your water is safe to drink, heat it to a rolling boil for a few minutes and allow to cool before consuming.
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Medications
In addition to a well-stocked, all-purpose first aid kit, each bag should also contain medications for every family member. For example, if anyone requires prescription medications, pack a week’s supply of each. Add items such as analgesics (pain medication), allergy tablets, and pills for upset stomach issues. If any family members have severe allergies, epi pens are also important to keep on hand.
Chemical hot and cold packs are also helpful, as these can alleviate discomfort from minor injuries.
Heating
If there is sudden power loss during the cold months, people’s homes will lose heat very quickly. If your home has a wood stove, fireplace, or gas-powered oven, ensure that you have at least a month’s worth of fuel on hand. This will help to keep your family warm, and also allows you to prepare hot food.
Alternatively, look into camping stoves that can be used outdoors. These “rocket stoves” or similar can’t be used to heat your dwelling, but are ideal for cooking meals. Keep matches, lighters, and a fire extinguisher within easy reach.
Ensure that each family member has a warm sleeping bag and/or insulated blanket.
Personal Care Items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Wet wipes for hands in case water supplies are low
- Intimate wet wipes, i.e. baby wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Towel, bar of soap
- Menstrual care items, if applicable
- Lip balm
It’s also important to remember that in many places, losing power may also mean a loss of running water. This means that toilets will no longer be able to flush. Citizens are being encouraged to have camping toilets and supplies on hand.
Clothing
Pack a full set of clean, well-fitting clothes in each pack, to suit all weather. Have each family member try them on regularly to ensure that they still fit comfortably, and replace as needed.
Additionally, ensure that every individual has warm woolen items such as socks, gloves or mittens, hats, scarves, and sweaters. Unlike synthetics, wool will keep you warm even if it gets wet.
Important Documents and Cash
Pack copies of your IDs (licenses, passports, etc.) into plastic zipper bags, along with an emergency contact list that has the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of important people in your life. These include friends, family members, and neighbors as well as lawyers, doctors, veterinarians, and other healthcare providers. Also have copies of insurance information, property deeds, and so on.
In addition to the documents above, it’s important to have cash money on hand to buy essentials if needed. If power is down in your area, debit and credit cards may not work. As such, be sure to keep coins and either gold or silver on hand as needed.
First Aid Items
Your first aid kit should include:
- Bandages and band-aid type adhesives
- Sterile gauze
- Medical tape
- Safety scissors
- Gloves
- Antiseptic, such as iodine
- Isopropyl alcohol swabs
- Safety pins
- Cloth sling
- Antacids
- Tweezers
- Thermometer
- Pain medication
- Polysporin
- Hydrocortisone
- Burn relief gel
- Cough and cold medication
- Masks
*Note: If you have pets, please ensure that you have first aid items for them as well. Styptic pens are a good idea in case of small abrasions, as are pet-safe antimicrobial wipes, sprays, or ointments. Bandages, oral fluids such as Pedialyte, needle-less syringes, and probiotics for your specific species are all a good idea. Herbivores benefit from digestive supplements such as Oxbow Critical Care in stressful situations, and both dogs and cats may benefit from herbal anti-anxiety treats.
Ensure that you have safe transport carriers, and dishes for both food and water. Additionally, clean-up supplies such as towels and wet wipes are important.
Electronic Items and Chargers
Phones, tablets, and other essential electronics should be packed within easy reach, along with their chargers. If possible, keep a solar-powered charger on hand, as well as a mobile charger for your car. If your electronic items are battery powered, have several battery packs on hand, in every size needed.
Lighting
The only thing worse than going through a crisis is doing so in the dark. This is why it’s so important to have lighting sources on hands in case of emergency.
Each person’s pack should contain a flashlight, as well as backup batteries for it. Lanterns and candles are ideal for home use. Additional items can include headlamps or neck lights, especially if people need to work on things in low lighting.
Things to Keep You Occupied
Crisis situations get significantly more uncomfortable when you have nothing to do. If you don’t have anything to keep your mind and hands occupied, time will drag on horribly and anxiety levels can spike. As a result, ensure that every family member’s pack has a couple of items to keep them engaged.
Small children can benefit from coloring books and simple games, as well as soft stuffy toys to cuddle. Older kids and adults may enjoy books, word puzzles, card games, and craft kits. Let each individual choose their own so they’re certain to enjoy what’s on offer.
If you’re stocking your pantry for potential long-term difficulty, ensure that there are many items to keep people engaged. Larger puzzles and craft projects, musical instruments, journals and sketchbooks (with pens/pencils), and games are always a good idea. Being prepared for crises also entails keeping the mind calm and engaged.
First Aid Resources
In addition to having first aid kits and supplies on hand, citizens are advised to learn life-saving and caregiving techniques. Most cities have first aid training courses, such as the those by the Red Cross or St. John Ambulance. These courses teach people how to administer CPR, and treat wounds effectively.
To supplement these courses, or if they aren’t available, have first aid and healthcare books on hand. Some of the most highly rated ones include:
The Survival Doctor’s Complete Handbook: What to Do When Help is NOT On The Way.
Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies: What to do for the Most Common Health Problems
First Aid Fast for Babies and Children: Emergency Procedures for all Parents and Caregivers
Advanced Pet First Aid & CPR Field Manual (2nd Edition): Comprehensive Step-by-Step Emergency Care from Trauma to Toxins (and Everything In Between)
Being prepared for anything that might occur can help reduce anxiety in uncertain times. When and if a crisis occurs, you can keep calm knowing that you have what’s needed to keep you and your family safe, warm, and fed.