Building a crisis kit: what really belongs inside

In a crisis nothing comes to mind. A prepared kit thinks for you – here is a concrete packing list.

Under high tension, access to knowledge is limited. A crisis kit solves that by making the decision in advance: reach, don't deliberate. A small box, pouch or wash bag is enough.

Packing list by sense

Taste: sour sweets, ginger pieces, strong peppermint

Smell: scented oil, coffee beans, citrus peel in a tin

Touch: spiky ball, rough cloth, rubber band, something cold

Sound: headphones and a fixed playlist for high tension

Sight: a photo of a safe place or person

Cards with text

Add three cards: your personal skill chain in order, three sentences that helped you before, and a contact list including crisis services. Handwriting often works better than an app in a crisis.

Keep it reachable

Two versions make sense: a big one at home, a small one for your bag. Check every few weeks whether the contents still work – stimuli wear off. Test the kit once while calm so it feels familiar when it matters.