Emergency Preparedness Tools

An emergency situation can strike without warning, and those that plan ahead for this eventuality can survive the experience in better shape. This can involve planning the best escape routes from buildings and taking note of emergency service contacts. Having emergency equipment in a convenient location can also help in the aftermath of a man-made or natural disaster, and this involves putting together an emergency preparedness tool kit.

Rescue and Escape Tools

• Potential dangers following a disaster include becoming trapped in a damaged building. Rescue and escape tools can therefore help survivors exit a building or clear fallen debris from their path. This type of tool can include standard metal pry bars, which come in a variety of lengths of around 6 to 20 inches. Alternatives can include a utility bar, which resembles a pry bar. A utility bar has serrated jaws and a hammer face on one end to enable it to also perform grabbing and striking jobs.

Location Finders

• Survivors of a disaster may find themselves cut-off from help, and having tools that show their location can help rescuers more easily locate them. Audible tools include whistles, sirens and air horns. Tools for attracting attention by vision include strobe lights, signal mirrors and flares. More modern location finder tools include handheld satellite trackers, which when activated, gives rescuers the exact coordinates of a survivors location.

Tools for Light

• Power outages can commonly occur following a disaster event. Tools that provide some light help survivors trying to escape from darkened locations, or during the hours of darkness. Such tools can include flashlights, lanterns and headlamps. Alternatives that do not require a power source, include chemical light sticks, which come in a variety of colors and can provide a light source for up to 12 hours. Tools providing light can also function as signaling equipment.

Tools for Heat

• Setting a fire provides another option for producing light, and this can also provide warmth for survivors of a disaster left out in the elements. Simple options for fire-starting tools include waterproof matches and gas lighters. Other options include striker tools, such as flint-and-steel or magnesium fire starters. A pocket knife can also prove useful to assist in starting a fire, and can help in cutting and preparing tinder for a fire.