The often overlooked thing of the emergency survival kit, expert highlights

Amid growing global uncertainty, the European Union has published official guidance encouraging citizens to prepare for potential crisis scenarios by assembling a personal survival kit. Released on Wednesday, the document stresses the importance of having enough essential supplies to remain self-sufficient for at least 72 hours without outside assistance.

Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Crisis Preparedness and Management, underscored the need to include basic items such as water, non-perishable food, medicine, and batteries. In a social media video aimed at raising awareness, Lahbib listed must-have items like identification documents, a flashlight, lighter, pocketknife, cash, phone charger with a portable battery, and a battery-powered radio – highlighting the importance of autonomy in emergency situations.

While experts echo the need for these essentials in what some refer to as “post-apocalyptic kits,” some also point to a less obvious, but equally vital component: entertainment.

Resilience in the early hours – and the need for emotional stability afterward

Ignacio Ortega, lead instructor at the Spanish School of Survival, spoke to RTVE.es about the importance of having a go-bag ready with only the strict necessities to get through the first hours of a crisis. From natural disasters like snowstorms and floods to health emergencies or armed conflict, immediate and structured responses are often critical.

From a logistical standpoint, Ortega recommends prioritizing dehydrated foods due to their light weight and long shelf life. “High-calorie, high-protein items like canned goods, chocolate, and sugar are key to keeping energy levels up,” he explained. He also stressed the importance of having a portable cooking system, like a camping stove, and enough water – ideally at least 1.5 liters per person per day.

But for Alfonso Bauluz, president of Reporters Without Borders in Spain, one crucial yet often overlooked item is entertainment. “A deck of cards, Parcheesi – all those board games that help pass the time,” he said. In tense scenarios like the ones outlined, keeping the mind occupied – even briefly – becomes an effective way to preserve mental clarity and decision-making capacity.

Europe’s broader strategy

Speaking to RTVE, Bauluz also framed the guide as part of a wider EU effort to raise awareness about the plausibility of crisis scenarios. “Beyond what goes into the kit, the key is public order. Panic can magnify the problem exponentially,” he warned, stressing the importance of contingency planning to prevent chaos in the early stages of an emergency.

Some EU member states have already rolled out similar initiatives. In May 2024, Poland’s Defense Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, urged citizens to have an “evacuation backpack” ready and backed efforts to reinforce shelters along the border with Belarus. France, meanwhile, published its own survival manual to help the public respond to imminent threats – and reopened the debate on reinstating mandatory military service, a proposal President Emmanuel Macron introduced in 2017 but never fully implemented.

In Scandinavian and Baltic nations, compulsory military service remains in place, in part as a response to heightened geopolitical tensions with Russia. Taken together, the EU’s recommendation appears to be part of a broader strategy to strengthen civilian resilience and preparedness for emergencies that seem, increasingly, not so distant.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.