They've just loaded their web site with new stuff for fall, and one new item is their MEC Emergency Preparedness Kit .

(Disclaimer: no affiliation, other than being a member)

From the site, it includes:

* Wind-up dynamo radio / 3-LED flashlight (needs no batteries).
* Personal first aid kit with rubber gloves, scissors, adhesive tape, non-stick and absorbent gauze, adhesive bandages, a roll of gauze, triangular bandage, and safety pins.
* 3 food ration bars (one per day) and 10 purified drinking water packs (125ml each). Food bars and water packs will last for five years if unopened.
* 10L folding water container for transporting additional water.
* Leather work gloves to protect hands while clearing debris.
* Two N95 dust masks for easier breathing in or around collapsed buildings.
* Black felt marker for messages on buildings and doors.
* Space blanket.
* Three chemical light sticks for safe, battery-free light.
* 2.4 x 3m reinforced polyethylene tarp for emergency shelter.
* Nylon rope for rigging the tarp or other shelters.
* Personal rain poncho.
* Duct tape.
* Whistle.
* Toilet paper.
* Pencil.
* Emergency preparedness booklet.
* Playing cards.
* Multi-use knife.
* 6 tealight candles.
* 2 lighters.
* Note pad.
* 2 orange garbage bags to keep possessions dry or as improvised rainwear.
* Hand sanitizer.
* Brightly coloured pack for easy location.

I'm a member at MEC as well. Personally, I'd rather put together a kit myself walking around their store as they have some really nice stuff, but for a one stop deal, this should be good. Plus, not everyone is as into the custom prep thing like ETSers. MEC has a reputation of not carrying crud products you may find in your low cost retailers, so I'm sure there's a good standard for the contents.

I agree with ROTNCORE,

I think an experienced person could put together a better kit that this but just having this kit would have you more prepared than most.

I also am a MEC member and find the service excellent. I have never met or talked to on the phone, a MEC staff person who was unfriendly or did not go out-of-their-way to help a customer.

I am putting together a future MEC order right now, the prices are always competitive and they often are the first in Canada to have new equipment.

Mike

Very true, MEC doesn't sell junk. (Another member here.)

As they correctly say, it's a Red Cross approved evacuation kit for one person. And, it has many items of value for urban disasters or pandemics; in fact it's weighted that way. I certainly wouldn't mind one of these in my closet or trunk, though of course I would flesh it out quite a bit. I can also see giving it as a gift to friends.

The one thing I notice is lack of a metal cup or small pot. That would be on my "A" list in any situation, and it takes up almost no room (I pack stuff inside). Though in an urban scenario, equivalent items are relatively easy to come by.

I often stop in at the coffee shop beside my local MEC ... seems like that cup of java usually sets me back about $200 (wink, wink).

I like MEC too and I'm a member. I think it's pretty much the same concept as REI.

Contents are good, size is good, price is good.
I however dont like the color...yes yes easy to spot...but in an urban calamity I wouldnt want to attract that much attention....and I certainly wouldnt want any goon (military/government) thinking I stole it from a Red Cross station and use that as an excuse to pull me from the maddening crowd.