Always be well-equipped with these must-have tools for emergency
Even though minor storms can be predetermined and well prepared in advance, the hurricanes or tornadoes come fast and without any warning signs. The worst thing – they occur when you least expect them. In emergency situations, you need to be well prepared and equipped in advance with a survival kit. These life-saving gadgets and tools will help to get through them and stay safe.
Whether you are trapped at home or stepping out on an adventure these emergency tools will surely keep you prepared for any unexpected situations.
Here is a list of the essential survival tools which will become your key to life in emergencies or adventure survival situations:
1. Emergency Radio
The first and the most critical item in the emergency tools checklist is an emergency radio. You may think that „this is so ancient…why I need it if I have my smartphone?”. That might be true for minor thunderstorms, but in tornadoes or hurricanes, you might need to hide or migrate for more than three days. Smartphones run of power in no time, but the hand radio can run for many days, which makes it the most trustworthy gadgets in disaster situations. It will be the only source of information when the internet or power goes out. And that tends to happen a lot. The radio is the single asset through which you can get alerts and other information vital for your survival.
As mentioned on our best emergency radio review the best overall option is the radio made by Kaito. It is an all-rounder and serves multiple purposes. It has an inbuilt flashlight and an onboard battery. The 600mAh rechargeable battery will ensure a full charge on your other tech (e.g., smartphones, chargeable flashlights) in times of emergencies.
This radio is equipped with a solar-charge system, meaning if there is a sun – it will be full of power. Of course, It’s hard to get a burst of sunshine when you are hiding in a bunker or cave, so you can also charge it with hand crank technology. Just spin the wheel, and it will work.
2. Waterproof Solar Charger
As mentioned previously – electricity tends to be the first thing to run out as soon as any disaster occurs. A backup power source is an emergency kit Nr. 2 since your phone, flashlight, and the other tech will not be powered indefinitely.
The solar charger will come in handy whenever there are no other charging options around (when hiding, in the forest, or the debris). This charger is simply the same battery charger you have, but with an inbuilt solar panel (as the name suggests). Make sure to check it’s battery level and keep it charged under the sun, in case a sudden emergency happens.
Make sure to get one with a battery size of 20000mAh (or up), to keep your smartphones fully charged for a couple of days. Another “must-have” feature of the tool is resistance to water as in emergencies you will not have any time to care about it. Another great feature of the charger is that it has 2 LED flashlight, which will help to see the path and whereabouts in the dark.
3. Led Waterproof Flashlight
A flashlight is an indispensable tool in the dark. The night will come, and in any stressful situation, the last thing you want is to get injured, wet, or get lost. It will let you see whereabouts, find injured people or get to a safe location.
The good addon feature – you can definitely use it in your active living activities too. For example – if you’re out camping, then flashlights are the only source of artificial light at night.
GearLight has made our lives easier by creating a waterproof flashlight. The package comes with two bright flashlights, which can light up the whole room or help to focus on particular objects. The range of the flashlight is approximately 1000 feet, which is more than enough to see the path or whereabouts. You can also make brightness adjustments of the torch as per your situation and preference.
These flashlights are long-lasting and also waterproof; thus, you do not have to worry about using it even during the storm or in the water. More than 6000 reviews and 4.5+ stars on Amazon makes this a solid survival kit addition.
4. Folding Knife
Having a pocket knife or a mini blade should come standard in any survival or camping kit. During emergencies, you will definitely use it to survive – either to set free what got stuck (e.g. after a tornado) or to defend yourself from wild animals if you are under attack in the woods. Of course, you don’t need an emergency to use it – it’s safe to carry and use it when camping or kayaking.
SMITH & WESSON has made a solid choice – Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife. It’s made of stainless steel, thus very durable. Jagged teeth allow you to cut even the tightest rope.
5. Multi-Tool Pocket Size Card
You might think that “multi“ equals „jack of all trades, but master of none. “ Though it cannot be farther from real since it does the job of more than ten other tools and does it very well. It is a must-have and can be easily carried around in your pocket or wallet and is lightweight as compared to other ones. It can be used as a great substitute when you had to emerge and could not take any other tools like knife, screwdriver, blade, can opener, etc. And this one comes with 46 different options, which makes it irreplaceable daily helper without any additional bulk.
6. First Aid Only Kit
A small first aid kit may seem pretty insignificant for a lot of people. Still, it can be a lifesaver during an emergency. You may have noticed that when a disaster strikes, medical help becomes very limited. Chances are, you will not receive any medical attention for some time, and all you will have is that first aid kit.
For these situations, FAO-442 first aid kit can be really helpful and may even save your life. This aid box has only the necessary and essential supplies that any person might possibly need during an emergency. It is well-organized and easy to use. So, even an untrained person can conveniently make use of this kit.
7. Waterproof and Windproof Lighter
You must carry around a waterproof and windproof lighter during an emergency. When you’re cold and desperate, you will really wish for something to warm you up. A lighter can help you make a fire to do just that.
Unlike traditional lighters, the lighter by Icfun will put on a fire, whether it’s windy or it has been under the water. It is a plasma lighter and is also waterproof and rainproof. You don’t have to worry at all about it giving up on you. It is the ultimate lighter to have when you’re trying to survive a severe weather emergency.
8. Duct Tape
Duct tape is a must-have item for your survival kit. If you’re wondering why or how duct tape can be useful during an extreme weather emergency, you should know that it is perfect for quick repairs. It helps stop leakages, seal windows, tents, gears, etc. You can also use it as an extra layer over bandages or a sprained ankle.
Gorilla Black Duct tape is one of the most durable duct tapes in the market. It is twice as thick as any other tapes. It is excellent for repairing your tents or filling gaps. This tape is also water-resistant, so it works great against moisture. It is durable and can be used on all kinds of surfaces.

9. Signal Mirror
A signal mirror is another essential tool for your survival kit. Imagine a scenario where you’re lost or maybe trapped in a location where you’re not visible. This tool comes very handily during this type of situation when there’s a disaster. So you’ll be glad to carry around one of these if you’ve lost your way.
The signal mirror from Best Glide ASE is a military-grade reflective mirror, which has an incredible aiming precision. It is small in size, so you can easily carry it in your pocket or wallet. Also, when you are out in the open, you can make use of it just like any other regular mirrors.
We understand that mirror signaling might look like “rocket science” to some, so we are sharing this in-depth tutorial on how to use a signal mirror:
10. Water Filter
Water is the elixir of life. If you want to survive through a weather emergency, you’ll need to have fresh water to drink at all times. But freshwater is not guaranteed during this type of situation. Hence you’ll need a water filter if you don’t want to suffer from dehydration. It is an essential part of your survival kit.
The LifeStraw water filter is a portable water filter that is perfect for this type of situation. It’s made with fiber membranes and tiny pores clean contaminated water by draining away almost all harmful bacteria and particles present in water. All this process makes it safe for consumption.
It also comes with no expiration date or batteries, which makes it a long-lasting item.
Conclusion
Thus, these are the top 10 must-have tools in your survival kit for any type of emergency situation. It is essential to keep yourself prepared, cause you never know when an emergency situation may strike. The more you are prepared, the better the probability of you surviving through an emergency.
Emergency kits are generally small in size and pocket-friendly. They are inexpensive and easy to store in your home. You can even carry them around if you’re traveling just to be on the safe side. You must keep your kit at a location where it’s easily accessible for you to grab and run.
Continue reading: The best emergency radio (Reviewed)