December 21^st, 2012, otherwise known as the day that the world as we know it will end. It does make sense to take some of it in, regardless of how ridiculous you think these theories may sound. The question begs, of course; would you ever survive the day the earth will end?

There are a million and one websites out there dedicated to the cause of helping people to survive this huge day, and even more focused entirely on the theories that surround it. Survival is paramount, and with more disasters happening on an almost daily basis, it pays to have some idea of what will be required in order to survive such a traumatic event. Whether it is the end of the earth coming, or an impending tsunami, there are certain things that you should have in a survival kit, should the worst ever happen. As the website December212012.org states, “They (the government) know they won’t be able to protect and assist everyone” so it pays to know how to help yourself.

Starting with food, it makes sense to choose foods that are going to last a long time. Firstly, you aren’t going to want a packet of ham that you need to replace every few days in a bag by the front door, should a disaster or the end of the world happen. Use foods that will last a long time. You don’t want anything that would usually be kept in the fridge or freezer – canned and packet foods are often the best choice. You are going to want to take a few things into account, such as needing sugar. Honey tastes good and has many uses with a long shelf life, but if a pack of sugar is kept dry, it can last for years to come. Meals that are considered ready to eat, such as mini meals in cans are another ideal addition for the survival kit – just make sure you either pack a can opener, knife or cans that have ring pulls only! No one wants to survive the end of the earth, only to starve to death because they couldn’t open that can of beans.

Other foods that you will want to pack are those that are considered highly nutritious. For the first few days after a disaster, you are going to need all the help you can get. Almonds are a great idea for a survival bag, especially when you consider that they don’t perish, they don’t weigh much at all, and they are filled with nutritious stuff, including monounsaturated fat which is great to keep those hunger pangs at bay.

Water is essential to live, but this can be a hard thing to pack in a survival bag because there is a chance that it could weigh you down. Water purification tables are a must have for any bag to survive a disaster, and these can ensure that any water is suitable to drink within reason, and the water that you are consuming is going to be good for you, and not hazardous t your health. You can even just boil the water for the most part.

You are going to need some basic survival skills in order to make it past the end of the world as we know it. Do you have what it takes to hunt down an animal, skin it and cook it over a naked flame to deem it suitable enough to eat? Maybe a survival course is on the cards? You never know when it could come in handy. These basic and sometimes fun weekend courses can also teach you how to fight through things such as hunger, pain, cold and even thirst.

You are going to need things that will easily start a fire, plus the knowledge necessary in order to actually get it started. Basic knowledge on how to build some kind of shelter is also a good thing to know, and you may even want to put special thought into clothing that you may throw in your survival guide – there are plenty of outdoor weather brands that make clothing suitable for extremes of heat and cold.

Finally, a few last minute essentials are necessary to keep yourself alive in times of tragedy – a flashlight with a few extra batteries, compass, brightly coloUred plastic bag, water and food, a sharp knife that can be safely stored in your pocket or bag, lighter or water proof matches, whistle, and rope. If you have seen an Indiana Jones movie, you will have the right idea!