According to preppers the guidelines set out by Belgium’s National Crisis Centre for an emergency survival kit are missing a few crucial items, including a water filter. Preppers are people who actively prepare for emergencies, disasters, or societal collapse by stockpiling food, water, and supplies, and learning survival skills.
‘Water is the most important thing.’ The preppers also warn: ‘Above all, don’t make any rash purchases. See what you already have at home and, above all, invest in knowledge and survival skills, because you’ll need those too.’
Earlier this week, the National Crisis Centre officially advised all Belgians to put together an emergency kit at home to help them cope for 72 hours without water, electricity, gas or the internet. Late last year, the Red Cross also recommended a similar kit, which sold out within a day.
The government-recommended emergency kit consists of two parts: a rucksack that you can grab quickly if you need to evacuate, and a kit for indoors, in case you have to stay inside for a few hours or days without utilities.
In the emergency rucksack that you can take with you quickly, you should also include the following items: important documents, pen and paper, tissues, sanitary products, toothbrush and toothpaste, a mobile phone charger and a power bank, cash, a pocket knife and a whistle to alert the emergency services. As for food and drink, you should allow one litre of water per person and a few biscuits, nuts or energy bars.
It is also recommended that you tailor your emergency kit to your specific needs. Consider, for example, any medication you take daily, as this must not be left out of your emergency kit. And don’t forget your children or pets, as they too need to get through the 72 hours unscathed. So make sure you include nappies and baby food, or a leash and a food and water bowl for your pet.
No unnecessary purchases
On its website the Crisis Centre states that a good emergency kit does not necessarily have to be expensive. This is also confirmed by Jan Schelfaut, a prepper who has been working for over 20 years at survival and outdoor shop 't Amerikaantje in Belsele (Sint-Niklaas – East Flanders). ‘It’s easy to put together a very expensive emergency kit, but don’t make any unnecessary purchases. First, see what you need and what you already have at home,’ he advises.
‘Top up your pantry a little every day,’ says prepper Jeroen van Hekke (40). "Most people go to the shop every day to buy groceries for a single meal, but if you build up a stock, you’re already less vulnerable. For example, buy an extra packet of rice or pasta, because being able to eat a hot meal after a few days without electricity does wonders for morale."
And don’t forget to pack a few comfort items. ‘Think of coffee if you like coffee, or tobacco if you smoke. For your children, that could be some sweets or a game.’
Do invest in a water filter and knowledge!
You can buy various emergency kits online. The cheapest kit offered by outdoor shop ‘t Amerikaantje to tide you over for 72 hours, costing 99 euros, is strikingly basic.
It consists solely of ‘compact emergency food with high energy value’, a water filter, a stove with fuel tablets and an emergency radio.
‘It’s a cheap basic kit,’ says Schelfaut. ‘These are the essentials for when you stay indoors and your home can therefore offer protection.’
It is striking that even that cheap kit contains a water filter, whilst the Crisis Centre makes no mention of this anywhere.
“Water really is the most important thing,” says Schelfaut. “You can survive for 72 hours without food, but many people overlook water. If you have a power cut, the water treatment systems or pumps won’t work either. You’ll then only be able to rely on the water supply in the water tower.”
Prepper Jimmy Linssen also recommends prepping according to the rule of 3. This means considering the following questions: how would I survive 3 minutes without air, 3 hours in extreme weather conditions, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food?
Longer than 72 hours
And then there is the question: what if a crisis lasts longer than 72?
‘This whole package is based on 72 hours, but a potential disaster often lasts much longer,’ explains Linssen.
He even recommends preparing for a period of three weeks. “If you apply the rule of three, you’ll be prepared for 80 per cent of potential disasters. You can take it as far as you like,” he emphasises. “This government initiative is a good start, and it was necessary, but you can always do more. It doesn’t even have to be anything major. Just learn to be self-sufficient!”