What should you put in your emergency kit?

An emergency kit contains a selection of the most essential items you should take with you if you need to leave your home quickly due to a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a sudden evacuation order. The goal is not to prepare for every possible scenario, but to provide what you need for the first 72 hours.

Before packing anything, consider your location, seasonal conditions, and available transportation options. Start with the essentials listed below, and then tailor the details to your specific situation.

Water

Water is the most urgent concern in most emergency situations. Dehydration impairs decision-making and physical performance long before hunger becomes a critical issue. You need a plan that includes immediate access to drinking water, as well as a reliable way to purify water of questionable quality.

It is recommended that you have a sturdy bottle and a spare container so you can carry more water when you find a reliable water source. Purification is most important. A filter removes sediment and many pathogens, while purification tablets can serve as a compact backup.

It is recommended that you keep a primary filter on hand, tablets as a backup, and at least one sturdy steel bottle in which you can boil water if necessary.

Food

When you’re stressed, tired, and on the go, food should above all provide sustained energy and be easy to digest. Prioritize foods that don’t melt, crumble into dust, or require much preparation.

Pack a mix of salty and sweet foods, choosing ones you’ve already eaten and are sure won’t upset your stomach.

Essential foods to bring with you:

• High-calorie bars / protein bars
• Nuts and dried fruit mix
• Dried meat or other long-shelf-life proteins
• Peanut butter packets
• Crackers or dense carbohydrates with a long shelf life
• Electrolyte packets (useful if you’re sweating or conserving water)
• Ready-to-eat canned meals

Emergency food supply with freeze-dried meals from ANTARTA Space Food

Freeze-dried meals are a great solution when you want a nutritious meal without the extra weight. They’re easy to store, compact, and simple to prepare.

We at ANTARTA Space Food offer a kit with freeze-dried food for emergencies, containing 12 freeze-dried meals prepared from carefully selected ingredients using modern freeze-drying technology that helps preserve flavor and nutritional value.

Each meal is ready in minutes, simply by adding water (hot or cold), so you can enjoy a complete meal directly from the package without needing additional utensils. This kit is designed for long-term storage with a shelf life of over 3 years and includes a varied mix of soups, main dishes, and desserts that sustain energy and morale during emergencies.

Shelter and Clothing

Exposure to the elements poses a greater threat than most people realize. Wind and rain can quickly lower your body temperature, and once you get cold and wet, survival becomes more difficult. Your shelter system should be quick to set up and realistic for your skill level.

For many people, the most reliable approach is a multi-layer system: a compact tarp or a bivy sack, a thermal blanket, and something to keep you off the ground, such as a foam pad.

An emergency pack is not a wardrobe. You should only pack clothes that allow you to adapt. Follow the layering principle: a base layer for moisture management, an insulating layer for warmth, and an outer layer that protects against wind and rain.

A lightweight raincoat is one of the most cost-effective and durable choices for a garment you must have during emergencies.

Also, bring at least one pair of clean socks, gloves, and a warm hat. These items can significantly improve your comfort and reduce the risk of blisters and hypothermia.

Fire-starting supplies

Fire provides warmth, light, lifts your spirits, and allows you to boil water. Don’t rely on just one method for starting a fire.

Plan for at least two ways to start a fire, such as a lighter and matches, and an easily ignitable tinder. If you plan to regularly eat freeze-dried meals, having a compact gas stove is a huge advantage.

First Aid Kit and Hygiene Supplies

Your first aid kit should match your level of preparedness. A huge first-aid kit whose contents you don’t know how to use is simply dead weight. First and foremost, focus on the issues that are most likely to prevent you from continuing your journey: blisters, cuts, sprains, burns, and minor infections.

Your first-aid kit should include:

• Gauze
• Medical tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Callus care products (e.g., callus patches/Moleskin)
• Pain relief medication
• All necessary prescription medications (a small backup supply)

For hygiene, add a few essentials to reduce the risk of illness and make long days more bearable:

• Toothbrush
• Travel-size soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper or wet wipes

Navigation and Communication

Phones are useful until they stop working—batteries run out, cell towers go down, and online maps won’t load. You don’t need to become an expert in wilderness navigation, but you should be able to move around purposefully.

Bring a classic paper map and a simple compass. Carry a portable charger and the right cable for your phone. If you expect service outages, a small radio can help you stay informed when mobile networks are down. And since emergencies are stressful, write down important phone numbers and addresses on paper.

Self-Defense and Safety

Some people carry pepper spray, a personal alarm, or other self-defense tools. What is appropriate depends on local laws, how comfortable you feel, and your level of preparedness. The most important safety tools are often the most mundane: a good flashlight, situational awareness, and a plan to avoid risky areas.

If you do bring self-defense tools, learn how to use them safely and in accordance with the law.

A Simple List of Essentials

The following list is a good starting point for those with no experience packing an emergency kit:

• Water bottle + filter, water purification tablets
• High-calorie snacks + a few meals (include freeze-dried food if you’re bringing a stove)
• Tarpaulin or bivouac, compact blanket, extra socks, warm hat
• Lighter + matches + fire starter, metal cup/pot, compact stove
• Basic first aid supplies + blister treatment supplies + all necessary medications
• Multitool, duct tape, cable ties, headlamp + spare batteries
• Paper map + offline maps on your phone, portable charger + cables, small radio
• Raincoat, gloves, simple layered clothing

Conclusion

The best emergency kit is one that you can carry, is tailored to the climate and risks in your area, and that you regularly check and update.

Food is one of the easiest categories in which you can improve your preparedness. Along with daily high-calorie snacks, adding freeze-dried meals can make a noticeable difference when you need reliable, lightweight food that gives you the feeling of a satisfying meal. The freeze-dried meal kits we offer at ANTARTA are designed specifically for these kinds of situations. They are compact, quick to prepare with hot water, designed for long-term storage, and offer plenty of variety.