Emergency Design

I lived in New York City post 9-11. Like many New Yorkers I tried to be responsible about a future crisis and started assembling an emergency kit.

Also like many New Yorkers, my emergency kit ended up scattered between closets and cabinets. By the time I packed up to move to San Francisco the water and food packets had expired. I threw the remnants of my attempt to feel safe in the garbage.

Then I got to San Francisco. Earthquakes. I asked around, mostly I heard, “No, I don’t have an emergency kit, I probably should.” Then I saw some pictures of the 1906 quake and had a nightmare about a big earthquake. The next day I got online and started researching emergency kits.

As a designer who thinks about user experience professionally, pre-made emergency kits and emergency kit lists are a trove. I read. I puzzled. Why include glow sticks and a flashlight? Turns out you don’t want to turn on anything that sparks directly after an earthquake because there might be a gas leak. So, you want a glow stick, then a flashlight.

Many kits contain hotel style toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, razors, combs, toothpaste, and mouthwash. To me these items seem superfluous: give me a good all purpose tool like a Leatherman and an emergency blanket and skip the fluff. But imagining and empathizing, I realized, for many, toiletries represent normalcy and are comforting in an urgent situation.

I combed through disasters list and did thought experiments. I followed a process much like the one I do when I’m designing an app: think imaginatively about all the ways people might use a tool. (Of course, with emergency kits I hope to not have the opportunity to do user tests, whereas with software, that would be my first wish.)

Here’s where I landed and why:

Water—I opted for the marine water packets, a filtration straw, and a gallon jug under the sink. Clean water is absolutely key, so I tripled up on this one. The Red Cross recommends one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).

Food—I went with sailor survivor rations. Their contents are nutritionally void (wheat, shortening, etc.) but they last years and will keep you alive without any prep. The Red Cross recommends non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).

Matches—potentially dangerous in a city with post earthquake gas leaks but important enough to be grandfathered into survival kits everywhere.

Emergency blanket—life saving bang per buck doesn’t get better than these pieces of foil, sometimes called space blankets. Throw one in your emergency kit and in your backpack for long day hikes. Easiest and lightest prevention you can buy.

Rain gear—hard to imagine needing a poncho in this drought, but using a wind block at night if outside seems likely.

Work gloves—put protective leather gloves on my hands and I’m a hundred times more courageous; ready to dig through rubble and build anything.

N95 or surgical masks—the dust and rubble could make it hard to breathe, and lead to lasting lung damage since asbestos and other construction material are airborne.

Flashlight—I'm a fan of headlamps, and this one is made specifically for emergency situations, and includes beacon settings for rescue.

Hand-crank radio—the great Red Cross model also serves as cell phone charger.

First aid kit – I opted for a pre made one geared at hiking. I've got a bad back so keeping my emergency kit light was a priority.

Leatherman – A multi-purpose tool that can also serve as a can opener. 

Tube Tent – plastic sheeting can have many uses; a sun shelter could be handy in our climate.

Glow sticks—included for light when gas leaks might be a concern.

Sanitation items—we’re talking toilet paper and lady's supplies.

Family and emergency contact information

Warm clothes and sneakers

Extra cash

Map(s) of the area

Melville, my cat, this morning post earthquake.

I have to admit I haven’t yet included copies of my personal documents. The Red Cross recommends: medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, and insurance policies.

I also haven’t figured out what I would do for this guy in case of a big earthquake.

Normally this time of day he's looking a little more relaxed, like this.

As a practical note: to save time and money, there are a number of great pre-assembled kits available.

Check out SF72 for more advice.

Addendum: SF72 does a great job emphasizing, "You’re more prepared than you think."  You don't have to buy a bunch of new stuff. Getting what you have gathered together, and thinking through your plan is the top priority.