Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club
ARES Emergency Kits

Amateur Radio Emergency Service Emergency Kits

The following lists have been compiled from many sources and are items you might wish to have in your emergency kits. This information is non ARES-specific; you can use it to develop emergency kits for the entire family, including infants and pets. You might consider these items from three different perspectives: for a personal get-away type bag which would be carried in each car to be available at all times; for your vehicle; and for storage in your home. Some items (such as first aid supplies) would be appropriate for all three locations. Take the following list and customize it for your own needs, deleting or adding items as necessary. You should have many of these items already; others you can purchase at drug or variety stores or sporting goods stores. Some can be low-cost sample sizes. Remember, too, some items can be used for several uses (dental floss can also be used as string). Once a year, go through your supplies and replace any that are out-dated or shopworn.