While most people tend to concentrate on survival gear that they will have in some kind of bag or shelter, some of the most important survival gear that you can have with you is what you are wearing on your body. This is because not only will it keep you warm and dry, but it will also be cool and comfortable. These factors might seem, on close examination, to be diametrically opposed to each other, but they are not. This is especially true when you consider that when in a survival situation, you probably won’t have the option of picking and choosing the circumstances. This goes for where you are as well as where you want to be.
Whatever the disaster is that you will be confronted with, chances are good that you won’t have much, if any, time to prepare. Obviously, this is why survival clothing is called what it is. You will probably have literally no time to prepare, but you must still be able to survive in a situation. For example, if there is some kind of an attack, you will have literally no time to prepare, but at the same time you must come up with something to wear that will keep you from the elements. On the other hand, if you are faced with the prospect of a storm, chances are that you will have some time to prepare.
Its all about Layers
If you don’t want to deal with the matter of changing survival clothing between seasons, you will need to anticipate what you will need throughout the year. For example, as you enter the winter season, you will want to change your essential survival clothing to warmer clothes. On the other hand, if you are preparing for summer, your survival clothing should consist mainly of lighter, cooler clothes.
The key to successfully clothing yourself and your family for whatever time of the year you are facing is layering. After all, whatever the time of year, you will probably face days that might not be as warm or as cold as they usually are for that season. There is also the problem of dealing with body heat during physical exertion. An example of this might be chopping wood during a winter day. As you become more physically active, you might want to shed some clothing as your body heats up, and then replace it when you are finished.
Regardless of how you dress, you should always think of contingencies. These might include issues such as sunburns and clothing. Despite the fact that summer survival clothing should be cooler, you won’t necessarily want to wear shorts since the sun can not only be an issue, but the wildlife can present a problem too. Your “all inclusive” survival wardrobe should include:
Hat/Face Protection. Remember, warm in the winter, cool in the summer.
Jacket. This should be long sleeved for warmth in the winter, sun protection in the summer.
Trousers. Again, warm in the winter, sun (and varmit) protection in the summer.
Underwear and socks. Underwear can be pretty generic, but wicking ability is important. If you fear getting in a cold environment, make it thermal.
Shoes. In most conditions, boots are better, but before you pack them away, it’s a good idea to make sure they are broken in so you won’t make blisters your constant companion.
Keeping Them Handy
Just as is the case with any survival equipment, having everything does little good if you can’t find it or reach it when it is needed. In an emergency situation, having survival equipment and clothing will do you little good if you forget where you put it or if you put it in a place where it is inaccessible when it is needed.
The issue of not knowing where or when an emergency will occur makes this problem a challenge. For example, just because you create a survival package and store it in your home, it will be of no use if you are caught in your car in the dead of winter. Ideally, you will have several kits for home, office, and car, so you are protected wherever you might be.
Another option to consider is the “bug out bag” or similar “get home bag,” which usually consists of just enough supplies to keep you in good stead for the time it will take you out of a dangerous situation and to a place that is safer. Most experts agree that these types of bags should consist of enough supplies to keep you for at least 72 hours. This allows you to be fed, clothed, and sheltered for the three days it could take for you to reach provisions.
One of the most difficult things to predict in an emergency situation is all of the contingencies that you might have to deal with. Fortunately, with a little imagination, not to mention some creative thinking, you will be able to create a kit that contains all of the essential survival clothing and other provisions that you will need to deal effectively with a crisis situation.
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