The words “survivalist” or “survivalism” summon to mind a range of images, even emotions. For some these words evoke a picture of preparedness, security, and sensibility. For others, they conjure images of conspiracy-minded eccentrics bracing themselves for Armageddon or dystopia.
But even the most dedicated “survivalists” are individuals who likely think of their actions as simply exercising preparedness. And in that regard, can being prepared be all that unconventional? Setting aside, for the moment, the most radical fringe of survivalist devotees, the rest of that population (of preparedness types) starts to look fairly sane, even prudent.
Insurance companies urge their customers to keep emergency supplies on hand, and even the government occasionally advises citizens to be prepared in the event of an extended lapse in community services or utilities.
Call the survivalists or call them merely prepared, they are at least ready for anything and can rest easy when the electricity fails in the wee hours. Will the outage last for hours? Days? Weeks? THAT’S always the question. So why tempt fate?
A Survivalist Mindset
Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine going through the motions of beginning your day. Mentally walk through your morning routine — brushing your teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, grabbing breakfast, maybe even making a coffee to take with you. Now imagine starting that day again, but this time, imagine doing so with no electricity, no running water, and perhaps even no shelter. What do you do? Disasters can strike anytime, anywhere throughout the year so preparedness is key. Effective preparedness measures taken today can mean the difference between life and death tomorrow.
“Real Life” Happens Whether We Expect it or Not
16 minutes.
That’s how much time Oklahomans had On May 20, 2013 when a massive twister ripped through their town of Moore. Perched right in the center of some of the most storm prone territory on earth, Oklahomans are no strangers to tornados. But this was no ordinary storm. A massive, howling tornado pulverized a vast swath of the Oklahoma City suburb, chewing up homes and businesses and severely damaging a hospital and two elementary schools. These twisters have the power to fling automobiles like toys, to vanish houses and even neighborhoods in the blink of an eye – bulldozing insatiably ahead until it dissolves in an instant. And on this particular day, a monster of a storm was brewing. A twister over a mile wide with winds over 200 miles an hour was just beginning to form. Sirens rang out and a preformatted text meant to save precious seconds was sent to all residents: TORNADO EMERGENCY. The people of Moore had just 16 minutes.
What would you do next?
16 Minutes and Counting
Any kind of disaster can happen in the blink of an eye. From tornados to car accidents to even a zombie apocalypse. And if it does, it’s usually the most prepared that survive (okay, the most prepared and the strongest). And while we can’t go to the gym for you, we CAN help you prepare with the use of plastics.
Want to Survive It?
Think Plastic.
Being prepared with a “go bag” or survival kit will always increase your odds of survival no matter the disaster before you. By supplying you with essential tools and supplies readily at your fingertips, even the most devastating disaster can be survived. Survival tools these days take on a myriad of forms, both high and low tech. No matter what, though, the best survival gear all comes down to one thing: practicality. And when it comes to survival, nothing is more practical than plastic! Gear made from plastic composites tend to be lighter than other materials but just as strong as heavier metals. So if you want to know what’s in our survival bag, here are our top 8 pieces of plastic gear for today’s modern survivalist.
- TG USB Rechargeable Plasma Lighter
The TG Plasma Lighter is an electric arc lighter that can create flame even in rain. Essentially flameless, this lighter features a shell made of rubber and tough polypropylene, for extra durability. It charges via USB and reaches full charge in just 2 hours. - Go Time Gear Life Tent and Emergency Survival Shelter
This tube tent offers quick refuge when one needs an emergency shelter. Thanks to the included paracord, set up is easy and takes only minutes. Made of mylar, Life Tent is waterproof, to keep you warm and dry even in extreme conditions. Ultra lightweight, it folds nicely into a carrying bag and even includes a bonus emergency whistle. - Vont LED Camping Lantern
It can be nearly impossible to get anything done in the dark, which often happens unexpectedly when disaster strikes. Make sure to have these Vont LED Lanterns nearby! Compact, lightweight and easy to carry, the lanterns feature a polypropylene waterproof casing with an indestructible design that can survive a drop of up to 10 feet. On top of that, the lanterns come with enough batteries to deliver 90 hours of use per lantern so you never find yourself lurking around dark creepy corners ever again! (Just creepy, nicely lit corners) - Wise Company Emergency Food Supply
While the food ITSELF isn’t made from plastic (whew!), the storage container keeping your supplies fresh IS. The high-density polyethylene bucket is made from the perfect plastic composite. Polyethylene is durable with non-reactive thermoplastic elements that resist impact and inhospitable climates. As for what’s inside, this massive bundle of individually-wrapped meals-ready-to-eat offers enough food for up to 60 servings! To prepare each meal, only a small amount of water needs to be added, and there’s no cooking required. The food has a 25-year shelf life and is relatively compact, allowing you to fit several meals into a single bag for emergencies. - LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Rather than carrying tons of water bottles with you, take this polypropylene straw. You use it just like any other straw, but LifeStraw filters out contaminants found in dirty water, including bacteria and parasites. The straw’s natural filtration system delivers safe, neutral-tasting water every time and lasts for up to 1,000 gallons. - Gear Aid 550 Paracord Rope
Composed of super heavy-duty nylon, the Gear Aid 550 Paracord rope is 7 individual strands woven together to create a single paracord. What makes this rope unique is that in a survival situation, it can be unraveled to supply you with things like fishing line, thread, or floss. When together, it can be used to secure tents and shelters, create a makeshift clothesline, or even be used for climbing. - Polypropylene Underwear
Getting too cold is a situation that can pose danger quickly, so finding the right warm layers to wear during a disaster is essential. Polypropylene underwear is our #1 choice for staying warm! It delivers the same warmth as thermal underwear but it will also keep you dry. Polypropylene wicks away moisture and stays warm even when wet! And, it’s cheaper than thermal, too. You can thank us later. - The Ek Model 5 by KA-BAR
This knife was one of the very first designed for both survival and combat and was originally made for marines fighting in WW2. Featuring an especially long 7 inch blade length (for a total length of nearly 12 inches), the Ek Model 5 has a durable design that allows you to be ready for anything.
The handle is made of nylon and stacked leather for exceptional gripping, and the blade is protected with an epoxy resin so it’s ready for any kind of weather.
Be Prepared with Plastic
Just one day after the deadly Moore, Oklahoma, tornado in 2013, survivor Kelly Byrne reflected, “You don’t realize how quickly it happens.” If that moment comes, be prepared with plastic. Kelly had just 16 minutes. How long will you have?
