In the previous article below, we covered the basics of understanding emergency kit preparation. This article will delve deeper into “emergency kit Scenario 1,” which comprises the items you should always have with you. If you are uncertain about overview of the emergency kit, please refer back to this article.
The information below is supervised by Miyako Morio, a Japan Disaster Prevention Expert, (防災士 in Japanese).
Table of Contents
1. Why do I need to prepare Scenario1?
Scenario 1 refers to ‘items to always carry with you,’ as shown in the table below. It’s important to consider where you might be during a disaster. You could be underground, in an office, or even in an elevator. By always carrying the items listed in Scenario 1, you can be prepared for such situations.
Scenario 1: Items to Always Carry
Scenario 2: Items to Take for Immediate Emergency Evacuation
Scenario 3: Items to Ensure Comfort During Home Evacuation After a Disaster
| Scenario | Scenario 1 | Scenario 2 | Scenario 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Volume |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
|
Container |
|
|
|
|
Your location |
Outside |
At Shelter |
At Home |
2. What need to be equipped?
Disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rain can happen at any time. You might be in a subway or an elevator when they occur. In Scenario 1, we recommend gathering essential items such as emergency food, a mobile phone charger, contact lenses, and a whistle—things you might need until help arrives.
| FOOD / DRINKS | HYGIENE SUPPLIES | GATHERING INFORMATION | LIVING SUPPLIES | VALUABLES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ready-to-eat packaged foods such as jelly drink, and candy. |
Tissues |
Mobile Phone |
Whistle |
Cash (including coins) |
|
- |
Wet wipes |
Mobile phone charger |
Portable Toilet |
Identity Card |
|
- |
Hand sanitizer |
Portable Radio |
Flashlight (with extra batteries) |
- |
|
- |
Mask |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
Large Handkerchief |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
Plaster |
- |
- |
- |
It’s best to carry these items in a small, water-resistant, and durable pouch or ziplock bag. Choose a container that fits inside your regular bag without being a nuisance. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department introduces a “disaster preparedness bottle,” which contains emergency supplies inside a 500ml water bottle, on X (formerly Twitter), as shown in the image below.
#1 Food / Drinks
It’s important to choose food and drinks with a long shelf life, easy portability, and relatively high caloric content. It is recommended to try these items before putting them in your bag. For example, nutritional supplements like Calorie Mate are convenient. They are compact at 48.5g per box and provide a balanced mix of the five major nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, and carbohydrates) along with dietary fiber. The following products can be stored for up to three years.
Furthermore, almonds and nuts are a good option. They are lightweight and have high calories per bag. However, softer nuts like cashews can break easily, so it’s better to choose harder ones. Other recommended items include candies, chocolates, and yokan. These are good for small portions, provide sugar, and offer a sense of comfort.
Yokan is a traditional Japanese sweet made by solidifying red bean paste with agar. Depending on the ingredients and moisture content, yokan typically has a long shelf life. If you don’t mind red bean paste, it’s worth trying. There are also yokan varieties sold specifically as emergency sweets, with a longer shelf life.
#2 Hygiene Supplies
Tissues might seem sufficient, but a large handkerchief is very useful during disasters. It can serve various purposes, such as temporary support for fractures, protection from smoke, and stopping bleeding from injuries. For injuries, keep a handy disinfectant spray and plasters. Including a nail clipper is a good idea as it can be used both for trimming nails and as a compact pair of scissors.
#3 Gathering Information
When choosing a portable battery, consider not only the size and weight but also whether it requires a separate cable. Portable batteries that come with a built-in cable can be more convenient, as they don’t add extra bulk to your load. You should also consider the battery’s capacity, measured in “mAh” (milliampere-hours), which indicates the amount of power it can supply per hour. For example, a 5000mAh battery can charge a smartphone with a 2500mAh capacity twice.
The SMARTCOBY Pro CABLE C by CIO Co., Ltd. is a credit card-sized portable battery weighing less than 200g. Despite its small size, it has a capacity of 10000mAh, allowing it to fully charge a smartphone about 1.5 times. Additionally, it has an integrated cable, making it a convenient item to carry around.
If you have extra space in your pouch, it’s a good idea to include a small AM/FM radio. While smartphones are versatile tools for gathering information, communication, and as a light source, using a radio for information can help preserve your smartphone’s valuable battery life.
#4 Living Supplies
A whistle is also a very important item. In a disaster, you might find yourself unable to move or speak. A whistle can be a crucial tool for signaling for help, alerting others to your need for rescue. Shouting for an extended period can be exhausting, but a whistle can save your energy. Keep the whistle in an easily accessible place, like the entrance of your pouch, for quick access.
Additionally, it’s reassuring to carry a disposable portable toilet with absorbent sheets and coagulants. During a disaster, you might need to wait for several hours in an elevator or other confined spaces.
Also, a small LED light for illuminating your hands or feet can be very useful. There are many compact options available, such as keychain-sized lights. Including an emergency blanket (aluminum foil blanket) is also a good idea for nighttime use and warmth.
In winter, adding heat packs is also recommended. The sticky type is ideal for warming specific areas like your back or feet, while the non-sticky type is suitable for longer use or warming your fingers. Consider including one or both types.
#5 Valuables
During a disaster, there may be power outages, making credit cards and electronic money unusable. Therefore, it’s important to have cash on hand. Additionally, stores may not have enough change prepared, so having small coins is also important.
It’s a good idea to include a note with phone number for family members and a copy of your insurance card.
#6 Others
Lastly, it’s important to customize your portable kit to meet your specific needs. For example, if you wear contact lenses, include spare contact lenses or glasses. Store your contact lenses or glasses in a place where you can easily access them. Women may need sanitary pad or pain killers. Also, if you regularly take medication, don’t forget to include it and a copy of your medication notebook in your kit. A medication notebook, called お薬手帳 (Okusuri-Techo), is a notebook where you can record when, where, and what medication you were prescribed. You can receive it when you visit a medical institution in Japan and are prescribed medication.
3. Key Takeaways
- Be Prepared for Unpredictable Disasters: Earthquakes and heavy rainfall disasters can occur unexpectedly, so it’s essential to be prepared for such situations.
What to Equip in Your Kit
Food / Drinks: Choose items with long shelf lives, high caloric content, and easy portability. Test them before packing. Consider items like Calorie Mate, almonds, nuts, candies, chocolates, and yokan for comfort and energy.
Hygiene Supplies: Include a large handkerchief for versatility, along with disinfectant spray, plasters, and a nail clipper for hygiene and minor injuries.
Gathering Information: Choose a portable battery based on size, weight, built-in cable, and capacity (mAh). The SMARTCOBY Pro CABLE C is a compact, high-capacity option.
Living Supplies: Carry a whistle for signaling, a disposable portable toilet with absorbent sheets and coagulants, a small LED light for illumination, and an emergency blanket for warmth.
Valuables: Have cash and small coins on hand for emergencies. Include a note with family contact information and a copy of your insurance card.
Others: Customize your kit with items like spare contact lenses or glasses, sanitary pads, painkillers, and medication notebook (お薬手帳, Okusuri-Techo) for specific needs.
4. References
- Cabinet Office Japan, Disaster Management in Japan, October 2023, https://www.bousai.go.jp/kohou/kouhoubousai/h22/09/special_01.html
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Disaster Preparedness Quest, June 2024, https://www.koho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/2023/12_sp/01.html
- Misato City, Recommendation for a Disaster Preparedness Pouch, June 2024, https://www.city.misato.lg.jp/soshiki/kikikannribosai/kikikanribosai/4/2621.html
