DR Part 2-Preparation is Key

This is a multi-part series on family disaster recovery planning. Are you ready? Is your family ready?
[ Back to Part 1 ]

Life Needs

  • Plastic / rubber-made container
    (water resistant/floats) to carry this stuff
  • Flashlight w/ batteries
  • 2 BIC Lighters
  • 3+ candles
  • Roll of paper towels
  • 3 Rolls of toilet paper (extra soft)
  • AM/FM/TV Radio (crank powered would be nice)
  • Multi-tool / leather-man
  • Survival knife with sharpening stone
  • 50 ft of cord/nylon rope
  • Prescriptions / Drugs
  • Toiletries (contacts, glasses, soap, shampoo,
    toothbrush, etc…)
  • Clothes
  • Shoes (tennis, hiking, casual)
  • Coats / rain gear / winter weather
  • Paper / notebook / pencil / pen
  • Cell phone / charger
  • I-Pager
  • USB Thumb-drives with emergency info
    Web sites and passwords ENCRYPTED
  • Work Badge / Identification / SecurID token
    (relocation is bad, but if I can’t work,
    then how do I pay for the hotel?)
  • Drinking Water / Containers / Plastic cups (at least 1
    gal per person)
  • 3 days of non-perishable food per person
    (ramen noodles!)
  • Camping equipment / tent / sleeping bag /
    backpack / space blanket
  • Camera / film
  • 12 or 24 Pak of AA Batteries


Important Papers and Business

  • Laptop w/ power cord (work & personal)
  • Critical data DVD with server backup (encrypted)
  • Firesafe with investment, insurance, birth cert,
    immunization papers
  • Credit cards
  • Wallet w/ emergency cash & Passport & Keys
  • Address book / Paper emergency Contacts
    / Neighbor phone numbers
  • Tax Papers (if not on DVD/laptop)
  • IPod (books on tape)
  • Paperback books on survival / natural living

Car Items

  • Gas (full tank if you can plan ahead)

    never let get below 1/4 tank so water and

    sediment content doesn’t get too high
  • Maps Local / State / National
  • Tools (wrenches, sockets, etc.)
  • Spare gas can / siphon hose
  • Duct Tape
  • First Aid Kit



h3. Got More Time, say an hour?


  • Photo Albums / Family photos and heirlooms
  • VoIP Gizmo / unpowered phone
  • Network Equipment / KVM

  • Server / Monitor
  • USB Backup Drive
  • USB MediaGate
  • Phone book
  • Towels
  • Software & DVD Collection
  • Cooler & food

Ok, with all this stuff, be certain you can close your car trunk/doors. What’s missing?

  • Do your kids have what they need? Family contact information, etc.
  • Will your lost 8 year old be able to contact family?
  • Do you have a meeting place out of town? Grandma’s place?
  • Is there a family central communications place where everyone can leave messages for others and provide status that will be shared?
  • Is there a back up place if the primary is where the disaster is happening?
  • Do all immediate and remote family members know the plan?

    How to pack light
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    Forward to Part 3 ]