Why you should have a survival kit.

If there's one thing this week has shown us, it's that routines can change in an instant. This isn't being dramatic. It's the reality for many people who have been left without power, with roads cut off, rising water levels, and services operating at half capacity.

Storm Kristin was a clear example: IPMA described it as an episode of extreme wind, with records reaching 156 km/h at Leiria aerodrome. And E-REDES even reported a peak of around 1 million customers without power during the early morning hours.

When the power goes out, it's not just the lighting that fails. Chargers, ATMs, internet, refrigerators, water pumps in some buildings also go out, and the feeling of control quickly follows. RTP reported that, days later, there were still areas in the Leiria municipality that had been without power for "a week."

And, as if that weren't enough, the week also brought floods and inundations. The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority reported 5,793 flood-related incidents in just a few days and hundreds of people relocated in different districts.

This is exactly the kind of situation where a survival kit stops being "an interesting topic" and becomes a tool for peace of mind.

This kit isn't meant to make you live in fear. It's there so you don't become a prisoner of improvisation.

What exactly is a survival kit?

A survival kit (or emergency kit) is a set of essential items needed to survive the first hours and days of a major disruption, whether due to storms, floods, fires, blackouts, or even a health crisis. The 72-hour rule is not arbitrary: the European Commission recommends that families have essential goods for a minimum period of 72 hours in case of emergency.

In Portugal, too, you have organizations reinforcing this idea of ​​preparedness as prevention, not as alarm.

Recent Portuguese examples where a kit would have been very helpful.

Blackouts. In April 2025, there was a widespread blackout in the Iberian Peninsula. ERSE indicates that it began at 11:33 AM and that the full restoration of the transmission network in Portugal was completed around 11:20 PM. Even when everything "goes back to normal" on the same day, spending hours without power immediately reveals what's missing in your home.

Floods and flash floods. In December 2022, IPMA described flash floods in the Lisbon metropolitan area due to heavy rainfall and weather warnings that escalated to red. That night, in addition to the damage, there was one fatality in Algés and 455 incidents were reported.

Wildfires. In Pedrógão Grande, in 2017, the death toll reached 64, according to Diário de Notícias. In October of the same year, the fires caused 50 deaths, according to RTP. No one "marks on the calendar" when they'll need to leave the house quickly, but that's what makes preparation valuable.

Pandemics. The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. In Portugal, a state of emergency was declared on March 18, 2020. A pandemic isn't a storm, but it creates the same kind of pressure: rushes to the stores, stock shortages, anxiety, and the need to have the basics secured.

What should be included in a kit (with realistic numbers)

Start with the basics that give you real autonomy: water, energy, communication, first aid, and food.

Water. An easy reference point for many families is to suggest at least 3 liters per person per day when talking about a 72-hour kit, and the Portuguese Red Cross recommends water for 5 days (about 4 liters per day/person) considering drinking and hygiene, remembering that children and breastfeeding mothers may need more. If you want an even more realistic number per category, the Canadian Red Cross suggests at least 1 liter of drinking water per person/day and 2 liters per person/day for cleaning and hygiene, for at least 3 days.

Food. The rule here is simple: food that doesn't spoil, that doesn't leave you thirsty, and that you can eat even if you don't have a stove. The Portuguese Red Cross suggests foods with an extended shelf life that don't require preparation, such as canned goods, energy bars, cereals, dried fruits, and biscuits.

Communication and light. Battery-powered radios and flashlights seem like "things from the old days," but when network and internet are down, they become essential again. DECO, when explaining how to prepare a kit, gives examples such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, and extra batteries, and reminds us that authorities communicate through means that do not depend on the internet.

Health. A first-aid kit and regular medication (at least for a few days) are among the most overlooked items until the day you need them.

Money and documents. At large events, electronic payments can fail, and having some physical cash and well-protected copies of documents helps resolve problems faster.

If you don't want to do everything from scratch and want a ready-made kit

There are two ways to be prepared: build gradually or opt for a 72-hour prep pack. If your goal is to "have a good base" and then customize it with what's specific to your family, here are some practical options from:

To start simple and light: Essential Survival Kit . In the product details, the brand lists items such as a 40L waterproof backpack, a water purifier with a capacity of up to 5,000 liters, a rechargeable LED flashlight and battery-powered radio, as well as a first-aid kit and thermal blanket.

For more complete autonomy (includes solar power and cooking): Advanced Survival Kit . The product includes a 20W solar panel, power bank, as well as tools and utensils for cooking and hygiene, designed for 72 hours or more.

If you want everything in one pack, with food included: Complete Essential Survival Kit . Here you have the option of traditional or vegan food for 72 hours and 2 people, with freeze-dried meals and supplements (bars, coffee, sugar and salt), and the page states a shelf life of up to 8 years for the meals.

If your focus is first on securing emergency food: Traditional Food Survival Kit or Vegan Food Survival Kit . The kit page mentions 12 meals and approximately 500 kcal per meal, plus bars and coffee.

And if you already have the rest and just want a good waterproof backpack: 40L Waterproof Survival Backpack . The page describes a roll-top design, 40L capacity, and waterproof protection.

One final thought, without alarmism.

The goal isn't to have a "bunker" at home. It's to have a base that allows you to take a deep breath and think clearly when there are setbacks around you. The European Union is literally pushing citizens towards a 72-hour preparedness culture. And what Portugal has experienced in recent days shows why.