Knowledge base

Comprehensive guides and articles on emergency preparedness, self-reliance and survival techniques. Written by our experts.

Knowledge articles

Bushcraft and survival

5 min read time

Bushcraft for beginners: making a good start

Choose your first activity, pack a useful set of essentials and understand what a cooking set or beginner kit can and cannot provide.

Emergency kits

3 min read time

Putting together an emergency kit: step by step

Build a kit that fits your household. Plan water and meals, fill the gaps and agree how to stay in contact.

Water filters

2 min read time

Water purification tablets: use and limitations

Check the correct Aquatabs label, understand why doses vary by tablet strength and know when you need a different water source.

2 min read time

Choosing a home water filter: start with the source

Choose a water filter for a defined purpose. Compare the water source, treatment, maintenance and evidence for specific contaminants.

2 min read time

Sawyer water filters: seven common questions

What a Sawyer filter removes, what it cannot treat, how to maintain it and when you need another source of drinking water.

Emergency preparedness

2 min read time

Bug-out bag: what to take when you need to leave

Prepare a portable go-bag with personal essentials, water, food and contact information. Test its contents against your actual plan.

2 min read time

Five series for fans of survival stories

From The Walking Dead to Colony: five fictional series about disruption, decisions and cooperation. Viewing ideas, not emergency instructions.

2 min read time

What should you do during a nuclear emergency?

Find official instructions, understand sheltering and learn why iodine tablets should only be taken on government advice.

2 min read time

A three-month food supply: building your shopping list

Build a larger food supply around meals you actually eat. Plan portions, drinking water, preparation and storage separately.

2 min read time

Doomsday preppers and everyday preparedness

Prepping need not be extreme. Start with useful supplies at home, household plans and practical skills you can practise.

2 min read time

How long does canned food keep?

Understand best-before and use-by dates, check damaged cans and keep an emergency food supply useful without blanket shelf-life promises.

Gas masks

2 min read time

Choosing respiratory protection: fit and limitations

A respirator only works within its intended use. Understand filters, fit, maintenance and situations where it cannot protect you.

Two-way radios

2 min read time

Baofeng UV-5R: when may you transmit?

A programmable handheld radio is not automatically licence-exempt. Check the equipment, frequencies and authorisation before transmitting.

Emergency radios

2 min read time

Choosing an emergency radio: reception and power

Choose a radio you can receive and operate at home. Compare FM, DAB, batteries and charging before a power cut.

2 min read time

Comparing Tolle emergency radios: what matters?

Compare an emergency radio by reception, power and controls. Choose documented features rather than relying on an old top-three list.

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