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After the last thread I started to really start think about the bag of emergency stuff that I keep in my car. I ditched a few things that I didn't feel would be useful (like tools that I don't know how to use on a car anyway) and began concentrating more on a 72 Hour bag that would be useful if I ever stranded myself in the middle of nowhere, was stuck on a highway overnight, or even lost power at my home for an extended period of time (we've lost power for as long as 2 weeks before). I'd like to use this thread as an Ask/Tell place to talk about bags and how best to prepare them. I know in the last thread I learned a lot of things from posters that I haven't read online before (such as ditching the hatchet and shovel and going with a sturdy knife instead), and the last thread was closed. Since this is the op I suppose I'll go into the different types of emergency bags, but I'm not super knowledgeable on them and mostly have what I've picked up from the last thread and a few websites: 72 Hr Bag  The city of Calgary's website on preparing for emergencies says: quote:In the event of an emergency, responders may be busy assisting those in immediate danger. The 72-hour kit holds supplies to support you and your family for 3 days in an emergency situation. and includes this checklist:  This bag is what I find myself going towards, though I think my bag is complete it will be a bit further into Prepper Bugout Bag territory. Bug Out Bag  The key difference from what I can tell between the two types is that while a 72 Hr Bag is suited for things like power outages and emergency relocation, Bug Out Bags are also geared towards civil unrest, heavily delayed or limited law enforcement and emergency response, and anarchy that might force someone to retreat into the woods for a few days or more. The Art of Manliness article I've linked here is basically what I'd consider to be a standard Bug Out Bag, though not all Bug Out Bags include a revolver like the guy in the link, which is a pretty awful idea in my opinion in terms of firearm storage unless you're locking your bag up in a gun safe.  Everything Else The further into the hobby, which is what it appears to be for many, the stranger things get. I guess I would define the "Everything Else" category as having a much heavier focus on firearms, knives, and camo while focusing less on food than the others, where emergency services or the military might take several days or weeks to arrive.   My Bag Right now my bag consists of an old backpack, however if I keep adding to it I may switch over to an old duffle bag. In it I have:  A hand crank or battery or solar radio/ flashlight/ phone charger  Toiletries  CLIFF bars, a generic chocolate bar, maps of my area, and an old dive knife  Wool clothing, zip ties, a poncho, and head lamp (another tip from the last thread!)  Glow stick, 2 emergency blankets, sunglasses, whistle, pencil sharpener, granola bars, paracord and elastic cords, a Gerber multitool, a small Gerber outdoor kit (see below), a marker, binoculars, and a very reflective top to a candle.  I forget everything that is in this kit, but I know it has waterproof matches, a firestarter, cheap cord, snare stuff (I do not know how to hunt), and a small knife. I added the scissors. Left to get I've been slowly picking away at this, since I don't want to break the bank putting together something I may never use. My next "big item" is a First Aid kid, followed by things like duct tape, more matches, a tarp, small and compact cooking supplies, metal spork, batteries, and a water filter. Things I can put together now but haven't included include a sewing kit, toilet paper, garbage bags. I also want to buy a better knife, possibly a Ka-bar BK 7 or 9, that i can use and abuse without worry of breaking. Professor Shark fucked around with this message at 23:21 on Apr 4, 2018 |
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Apr 4, 2018 22:02
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I never expect to have to use one of these but as someone who had a large part of their home destroyed by a tornado when I was a kid I do think It's important to be prepared, if something does happen your going to be off to a much better start then the majority of people. I'm hardly an expert but looking over your bag one you didn't post what you were doing for water, two I feel you may want to include more food. You can survive without it but in a stressful situation where you're exerting yourself physically having the extra calories can really help you keep your head on right. Some hard candy is lightweight, easy to eat on the move,and is comforting especially to children if you have any. You might also want to add some tuna pouches. They're lighter than cans and eating nothing but protein bars sounds hellish. Probably try and find them packed in Olive Oil, it'll increase the calories and give you access to some fats instead of relying so much on protein.
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Apr 5, 2018 22:55
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My problem is that winters can get very cold here, so anything like tuna would freeze. Hard candy is a good idea, I was also thinking a couple of those Ritter chocolate bars.
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Apr 7, 2018 12:33
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personally I think having a small camping stove, the kind that you just attach to the top of a propane tank, is a good idea. and some propane. so you can make hot food and boil water for all kinds of uses also there are cheap handcrank flashlights, i'd get at least one of those so you have a portable light source that isn't dependent on batteries
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Apr 7, 2018 16:46
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My nuke plans involve dark clothing and a lawn chair because I've got no interest in surviving that poo poo. But for other, less civilization ending poo poo I think it's a great idea. I live now and have lived in the past in places with extremely severe weather and it frustrates me to no end how few people take it seriously. I've got some ideas involving putting canned food, mylar blanket, waterproofed matches, water purification tablets, etc in a spare nalgene bottle and just tossing that poo poo in the trunk of my car. I could easily get 3 meals + an early afternoon snack in one I'm pretty sure.
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Apr 8, 2018 06:52
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Earwicker posted:personally I think having a small camping stove, the kind that you just attach to the top of a propane tank, is a good idea. and some propane. so you can make hot food and boil water for all kinds of uses Yeah, I have a mug/pot and a small, collapsible stove on my Amazon wishlist:   They both pack small, which is good. Regarding light, the radio I have has a couple lights on it (flashlight and "reading light") that cranks and charges through solar. Milo and POTUS posted:My nuke plans involve dark clothing and a lawn chair because I've got no interest in surviving that poo poo. But for other, less civilization ending poo poo I think it's a great idea. I live now and have lived in the past in places with extremely severe weather and it frustrates me to no end how few people take it seriously. I've got some ideas involving putting canned food, mylar blanket, waterproofed matches, water purification tablets, etc in a spare nalgene bottle and just tossing that poo poo in the trunk of my car. I could easily get 3 meals + an early afternoon snack in one I'm pretty sure. Yeah, if the nukes fly I'm going to be on my lawn watching it happen, not heading off into the woods to live out any prepper survivalist fantasy for my last few minutes.
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Apr 8, 2018 14:31
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Professor Shark posted:My problem is that winters can get very cold here, so anything like tuna would freeze. You can eat frozen tuna, unpeeling it from a pouch would be even easier than a can. Enjoy your tuna popsicle!
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Apr 9, 2018 03:35
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I'll think about adding it! Today I unexpectedly came across a reasonable First Aid kit for $7, so I grabbed it to check off the list as well as a sewing kit I put together. I want to get a tube of Afterbite and a few more thing to put into it, but I'm pleased with the find!
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Apr 12, 2018 20:02
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Looks pretty much the same as the average rape kit really.
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Apr 15, 2018 05:54
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A lot of the time when I'm in the car I'm not wearing substantial shoes so I threw in an old pair with a good thick sole in case I need to walk a bit. Another thing was bulking up the off the shelf first aid kit with some larger bandages, guaze and stuff. I also have an old heavy blanket, umbrella, and a few gallons of water in the car with the backpack. The likely disasters here would be earthquake, fires, and the occasional mudslide/flash flood so that's what I tried to plan for in the car kit. The kit for inside the house is geared more toward shelter in place type situations.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:05
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My concern with these things is that I’d just be buying and organizing supplies for the guy who robs/kills me.
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Apr 15, 2018 09:42
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Maybe I should inject one of the CLIF bars with strychnine...
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Apr 15, 2018 11:27
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Mark it with jolly roger stickers. Just for safety.
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Apr 15, 2018 22:27
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I've just got a dog but I feel she'd be more useful than all of this other poo poo.
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Apr 16, 2018 08:06
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Quite a few sources suggest planning pet stuff. I should probably put a small amount of dog food in.
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Apr 16, 2018 10:15
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Really how much liquor do you need for 72 hours? 6 bottles?
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Apr 16, 2018 11:19
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Depends on if your intent is to live through it.
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Apr 16, 2018 20:38
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A few sources I’ve read suggest having booze in your kit. I was thinking a small thing of vodka, plastic bottle.
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Apr 19, 2018 00:47
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I have a little emergency kit that I keep in the backpack I take to work every day. It's packed into a zippered container the size and shape of a hardcover book (if anyone remembers those). It's an AmazonBasics thing that I think was supposed to be an electronics case: Contents:
This is obviously not a proper bug-out bag or 72-hour kit. It's a small kit designed for everyday emergencies and small injuries/ailments. And most of it has come in handy. (I really hope I never have to use the quick-clot thing, which is the one item in the kit that's only useful in case of a major injury.) If I can get to my car, it contains some more extensive supplies, including a few bottles of water, a package of lifeboat rations, a couple of proper flashlights, sunglasses, an extra jacket, and even a pair of dry socks, plus of course the shelter, heat, radio receiver, electrical power and mobility provided by the car itself. Powered Descent fucked around with this message at 01:50 on Apr 19, 2018 |
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Apr 19, 2018 01:47
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That's a great kit! I've been looking for small bottles of sunscreen but have not found anything. I really don't want to put a full bottle in, since this thing is getting pretty heavy as it is.
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Apr 19, 2018 10:53
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Car is workhorse of wasteland. Car is move, is weapon, is lover.
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Apr 19, 2018 18:02
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Yo toss some fishhooks and a thing of floss up in there. You're also missing a magnesium firestarter.
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Apr 20, 2018 05:43
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I have a pretty big spool of floss already, plus a flint-and-steel, but the firestarter isn't very good so I could always use more. I have a 50 pack of water/wind proof matches in my Amazon wishlist that I've been meaning to buy, but I guess the magnesium would be more compact.
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Apr 20, 2018 10:20
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MC Hawking posted:Yo toss some fishhooks and a thing of floss up in there. You're also missing a magnesium firestarter. I've known more than a few outdoorsy types who keep an ultralight rod and reel in their car at all times in case the opportunity to fish presents itself; you never know when you'll find a nice stream, stocked pond, whatever if you're travelling in a ton of rural places. These modern ones are so light and compact I'd recommend getting one of those instead if money's no object. They do it more for entertainment than food but even so, if you can catch it at all it might be dinner worthy
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Apr 21, 2018 22:21
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I ended up getting a few things over the weekend: another flashlight and a better whistle. I also have a fishing rod that I could attach to the side of it if I find a cardboard tube!
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May 21, 2018 10:31
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I'm curious; how do you intend to actually use this? From what I understand, the original "go bag" concept came from the US State Department (and, uh, other agencies that operate overseas) - if there's civil unrest, you need a bag with your ID, important papers, a phone or radio, and a couple of bricks of American and local cash to pay off people to get your rear end to the embassy during a riot/coup/crackdown/whatever. Obviously, in that kind of situation, you don't want to stick out with a giant hiking backpack, so the idea is a discreet briefcase or school backpack stashed right next to your bedroom door. In an emergency that doesn't involve political violence targeted at people who look like you, why spend time and energy going out into the woods when rescue services are probably going to be focused on the places people live? And, if there is a bunch of violence, then why would you make yourself a literal and figurative bigger target? (This is separate from keeping emergency supplies on hand in your car or home, which is a good idea. I'm asking about the whole "bug out bag, with three days food/water/shelter/clothing/guns/ammo/everything else under the sun, strapped to my back" thing)
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May 21, 2018 13:03
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Space Gopher posted:In an emergency that doesn't involve political violence targeted at people who look like you, why spend time and energy going out into the woods when rescue services are probably going to be focused on the places people live? And, if there is a bunch of violence, then why would you make yourself a literal and figurative bigger target? I suppose: 1) shelter-in-place may not a viable strategy for many potential emergencies e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, etc. Plus, government rescue services haven't exactly performed great lately. 3 days of self-sufficiency seems prudent. 1.5) People can turn brutish pretty quick if they are hungry... 2) in the event of targeted political violence, they're probably not intending to camp in the local park. They'll flee to where it's statistically improbable that anyone will find them, much less that subset of the population seeking to cause them harm. And, if you don't think it will blow over, 3 days may also give you time to reach a safe house.
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May 21, 2018 17:19
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Space Gopher posted:I'm curious; how do you intend to actually use this? It's not quite the same concept, but a use-case I remember when I first heard about a Bugout Bag years ago is having a bag with all your supplies for a normal, non-disaster, 72-hour trip already prepared and somewhere ready. This means that if there's a family emergency and you need to go somewhere quickly to help a loved one, you don't have to slow down to pack before you get in the car. It also means that if you decide to go on any kind of weekend getaway, you just have to make the decision, grab your bag, and go.
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May 21, 2018 19:27
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I can only really imagine me using my bag in an environmental disaster where I might not be able to get home/ have to leave in a hurry, in which case it's really a "In case I forgot ________" bag. It's happened to me once before and I had somewhere close to go, however I'd like to plan for a time when I might have to go further. A lot of the Bug Out Bag stuff seems to be mostly fantasy stuff. It reminds me a lot of a time my father-in-law said that, if he ever needed to, he could walk into the woods and survive without anyone seeing him ever again... I think most of the "enthusiasts" prepare for videogame-like scenarios because it's more fun than breaking down in the middle of the night or flooding, snow storm, etc.
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May 21, 2018 23:10
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Professor Shark posted:I can only really imagine me using my bag in an environmental disaster where I might not be able to get home/ have to leave in a hurry, in which case it's really a "In case I forgot ________" bag. It's happened to me once before and I had somewhere close to go, however I'd like to plan for a time when I might have to go further. Actual wilderness survival without a lot of experience/training is pretty drat difficult. Preparedness makes it simpler. Education makes it simpler (are you sure those plants you're foraging aren't actually poisonous?). If you live somewhere that it's a real possibility (read: anywhere that experiences natural disasters and isn't a massive urban center like NYC), having some kind of plan is a good idea. I don't keep a bugout bag for personal reasons, but if I had to get going in a hurry I could throw something together in about 10 minutes. We don't see tornadoes or earthquakes where I live, which are the only real disasters which may necessitate a faster response than that.
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May 21, 2018 23:31
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Professor Shark posted:... I think most of the "enthusiasts" prepare for videogame-like scenarios because it's more fun than breaking down in the middle of the night or flooding, snow storm, etc. IDK. As Space Gopher pointed out, the optimal kit varies greatly depending on your usage scenario. Personally, I'm not worrying about political stuff, but it's hard to call it completely looney. I suspect I'd have a different view if I were a Jew in France or if Hodgkinson had been a better shot. :edit: Based on their rhetoric, I also suspect a few  #Resist types also have bags.
gaj70 fucked around with this message at 16:55 on May 22, 2018 |
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May 22, 2018 16:37
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gaj70 posted::edit: Based on their rhetoric, I also suspect a few The 'everyone is against me and I need to prepare for black helicopters and SWAT-style police actions' isn't unique to the #resist types, though they're the most recent variation on an old theme. Those kind of 'the government is spying on me, in particular' types tend to have the most  bugout bags though. Mine consists of enough food and water to last three days, plus a sleeping bag I can shove in my car if I figure it'll be cold enough out that a blanket won't work. Oh, and a small first aid kit in case I cut myself really bad or something.
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May 23, 2018 04:43
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Space Gopher posted:From what I understand, the original "go bag" concept came from the US State Department (and, uh, other agencies that operate overseas) - if there's civil unrest, you need a bag with your ID, important papers, a phone or radio, and a couple of bricks of American and local cash to pay off people to get your rear end to the embassy during a riot/coup/crackdown/whatever. Obviously, in that kind of situation, you don't want to stick out with a giant hiking backpack, so the idea is a discreet briefcase or school backpack stashed right next to your bedroom door. That's always been my go-bag and if I couldn't get to safety using a passport, a high-limit credit card and/or a pile of USD, I wasn't going to be able to make it, regardless of how many blades my swiss army knife had.
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May 23, 2018 14:02
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A few things I’d add, homemade fire starters (easy to make with lint and wax), I have a paracord bracelet with a built in fire strike (can’t think of the proper term dang lupus fog), a five-prong harpoon tip you could fashion to any large stick or pole, and yo-yo fishing reels, which can also double as animal traps (there are tons of videos on YouTube on multiple uses for these). I’d also consider adding a few tampons (not just for menstruation, but great at stopping bleeding, a lifestraw and water purification tablets, and of course Mylar blankets. I’m just thinking off the top of my head of things I’ve recently thought of. I know there’s more. I have a couple of laminated cards with info on shelters, purifying water, food resources, make-shift stoves and cooking and eating implements, emergency wilderness first aid, etc., a handcrank flashlight, solar charger for devices,
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May 27, 2018 05:15
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Herstory Begins Now posted:Really how much liquor do you need for 72 hours? 6 bottles? Well, assuming you’re not an alcoholic, 3-4 of the plane sized alcohol bottles is good for a short-term kit, but not to use to get drunk; it’s mainly for disinfecting wounds and any gear needed to treat a wound, and maybe to get tipsy enough that if you have to stitch yourself it won’t hurt as bad.
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May 27, 2018 05:23
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mombot posted:Well, assuming you’re not an alcoholic, 3-4 of the plane sized alcohol bottles is good for a short-term kit, but not to use to get drunk; it’s mainly for disinfecting wounds and any gear needed to treat a wound, and maybe to get tipsy enough that if you have to stitch yourself it won’t hurt as bad. If you're considering booze for disinfectant you should really just be using disinfectant.
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May 27, 2018 09:33
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Dance Officer posted:If you're considering booze for disinfectant you should really just be using disinfectant. You can't bribe a border guard with a bottle of Chlorox.
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May 27, 2018 09:59
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mombot posted:A few things I’d add, homemade fire starters (easy to make with lint and wax), I have a paracord bracelet with a built in fire strike (can’t think of the proper term dang lupus fog), a five-prong harpoon tip you could fashion to any large stick or pole, and yo-yo fishing reels, which can also double as animal traps (there are tons of videos on YouTube on multiple uses for these). I’d also consider adding a few tampons (not just for menstruation, but great at stopping bleeding, a lifestraw and water purification tablets, and of course Mylar blankets. I’m just thinking off the top of my head of things I’ve recently thought of. I know there’s more. I have a couple of laminated cards with info on shelters, purifying water, food resources, make-shift stoves and cooking and eating implements, emergency wilderness first aid, etc., a handcrank flashlight, solar charger for devices, Lifestraw is next on the Amazon list, I really like the idea of laminated cards, though! That's something I can check out today and will fit in with my book of maps.
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May 28, 2018 10:33
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Well, I got out of the habit of buying something every week or so for my bag, but I saw this mini shovel today at the Dollar Store and decided to add it: Reviews for lighter weight folding shovels made it seem like they weren't all that great, and this smaller one beats the old one that I got from my partner's grandfather, which was a sort of "Half Shovel" that weighed a lot!
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Jun 17, 2018 20:26
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What I don't understand is why people never seem to have a spare phone charger and/or a cheap prepaid dumbphone as part of their kit. I realize the assumption is that in a true emergency cellular services will be disrupted for a time, but when you get stuck in the middle of a winter storm on your way home from work your best survival technique may well be to pick up the phone and call for help before you freeze to death. E: I suppose to someone's earlier point this is mostly a regional thing, where I live we don't really have to worry about earthquakes or wildfires, tornados are infrequent, and hurricanes are lol pack your poo poo because anything you leave behind probably won't be there when you get back anyway. Winter storms, however, tend to be an annual thing and often go from a chilly morning commute to a frozen hellscape by lunchtime. Coasterphreak fucked around with this message at 01:38 on Jun 19, 2018 |
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Jun 19, 2018 01:22
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