Human Needs
Human needs in a crisis: what to secure first
When the power, water or shops stop, the order in which you secure things matters more than how much you own. Start at the bottom of the pyramid and work up.
A person can survive about three minutes without air, three hours without shelter in harsh cold, three days without water and three weeks without food. Health, safety and staying in touch with family come right after.
Each topic below covers one of these needs, from water and food to energy, health, your home and money.
Topics
Guides
- Emergency kit Maslow's pyramid in a crisis Maslow's hierarchy of needs used as a preparedness plan: from water and warmth to safety, family, skills and helping others. Interactive, level by level.
- Health Air in an emergency Why breathable air is the first survival need, what makes it dangerous (smoke, dust, carbon monoxide, chemicals), what N95/FFP2 and FFP3 masks can and cannot do, and what to do if you are trapped in a building full of dust or smoke.
- Water How much water to store The common recommendation is 4 liters (about 1 gallon) per person per day. How to calculate your household's supply, which containers to use, where to keep them and how long water lasts.
- Food Checklist Non-perishable food list Over 40 foods that keep for months or years without a fridge, grouped by category, with shelf life and storage tips. What to buy first and what to avoid.
- Energy Heating without power What to do in winter when the power and heating go off: how to keep the warmth in one room, which heat sources are safe indoors and what you must never use.
- Health Checklist First aid kit checklist The complete checklist for a family first aid kit, by category: dressings, instruments, antiseptics and common medicines. Plus what to add for children and for emergencies.
- Home Security in a crisis How to protect your family in a crisis: meeting points and a communication plan, how to check information and avoid panic, how to protect your data, money and home, plus a checklist.
- Health Stress and anxiety in a crisis Normal stress reactions after an earthquake, flood, pandemic or conflict, simple techniques that help right away, how to support others, when to seek professional help and free support lines.