Whether you're venturing out into nature doing long-term research for a project or you're preparing for the next natural disaster that may strike your city, it's always a good idea to have a survival kit ready if things go awry and an emergency arises. If you haven't prepared a kit and need some starter suggestions on what to pack, Archinect hand-picked a selection of survival products that were kindly provided by a group of reputable brands for our Dry Futures design competition. The top three prizes in each category will include these custom survival kits.

Naturally, staying as healthy as possible is crucial in any survival situation. Devoted to creating durable everyday products equipped with life-saving capabilities, Life Gear's "Wings of Life" and "Grab and Go" Survival Packs include lightweight water-resistant backpacks to carry their accompanying essentials, including: 3-day supply of food and water for one person, poncho/thermal blanket, tarp, personal hygiene and first-aid kits, signaling whistle/compass/magnifying glass, red emergency flashing light, respirator mask and more.

Life Gear "Wings of Life" survival pack

Don't forget that your survival kit should also have enough water and non-perishable food. Over the last 50 years, Mountain House of Albany, Oregon has produced fully cooked freeze-dried foods that have just-add-water-convenience and easy cleanup. Each meal is suitable for hiking trips, camping, emergency preparedness, and even for the U.S. military forces to consume.

Mountain House freeze-dried food

Your water supply — which should provide at least 1 gallon per person, per day — can be stored in a foldable high-grade polyethylene container designed by Reliance, best known for their hydration, sanitation, and purification items. As for drinking water, GRAYL's water filters don't require bulky equipment or lengthy waiting periods to produce clean water wherever you go. Designed like a French press, the interchangeable filter cups can remove many chemicals and heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses.

Top: Reliance Fold-A-Carrier 5G water container; Bottom: GRAYL water filtration cup

The signature "Just in Case" survival kits by MENOSUNOCEROUNO in Monterrey, Mexico are compact enough for easy storage in any living or working space, or even inside a car. Each kit contains a reusable water bottle that can store up to 1 liter of water, 40 emergency matches, a simple cutting knife, a documentary notebook to record your experiences or to make a bonfire, and to quite literally add some Mexican flavor: a solid bar of Mexican chocolate and a mini bottle of Casa d'Aristi Xtabentun Mayan Liqueur.

If you want a chance to win these survival-kit supplies, submit to Archinect's Dry Futures competition. Architects and non-architects worldwide can send their design ideas on how they would address California's historic drought now until the deadline on September 1, 2015. More details at dryfutures.com.