Seriously thoughtful are you prepared?

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I've been thinking about how best to do this all morning. A photo of a jumble of gear on the bed (read: floor. We don't sleep on beds in Japan,) might be less helpful than a good close up analysis of each item.

Coming up and photo heavy!

Stitchawl

yAy!!!!

[Stitchawl]

OK... KindleKitten asked me for a run down of my bug-out bag so here we go. Please keep in mind that this was assembled to be used in a 'URBAN EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY.' If I were assembling one for rural living there would several differences, additions and changes. Same goes for desert emergencies. I'll try to fill in some of those changes as we go along. Needless to say, staying alive has been important to me, and so far, so good. Also, although most of this equipment can be found in your local Wal-Mart, Target, and camping stores, I'll also link to some Amazon sites for them, as well as to some YouTube instructions for usage.

Survival usually breaks down into component areas; shelter, fire, food and water, and communication. Each area needs to be addressed. Also, an important tenet of survival is 'redundancy.' Two fire makers are better than one. Two flashlights are better than one. It's easy to lose one in a crises situation, but much more difficult to lose two. Being part of 'couple,' my wife and I multiply our redundancy to become redundantly redundant! Four lighters, two stoves, four whistles, etc.

For our personal earthquake scenario, walking around in rubble is a very distinct possibility so our first though is for foot protection.
Boots with heavy soles (walking barefoot through ruble is the pits!)
Solid leather soles and leathers uppers covering our ankles and calves. If we were in the jungle instead of the city we'd probably opt for something with more nylon than leather.


We can figure that if the buildings go down so does the electricity, so finding our way in the dark becomes a problem to be addressed. I prefer LED flashlights that use Lithium batteries. The bulbs last 1,000 longer than regular bulbs and put out an amazing amount of light. The lithium batteries have a 10 year shelf life. Powerful LCD flashlight



Signaling for help is the next consideration. We can only yell for about 2-3 minutes before our voices give out. We need a more reliable way to make noise. This Storm whistle has been tested and proven to be the loudest whistle on the market today. On the sea, it can be heard almost half a mile away. (We keep one always attached to our BCD jackets when scuba diving in case the boat leaves without us!) This whistle can even be blown and heard underwater as it is 'pea-less!'

1 Thunderstorm whistle

http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/D16567

For the sake of redundancy as well as the fact our second whistle is a two-tone sound, having a whistle with different sounds makes it easier for searchers to home in on your location if you are trapped under a rubble pile.
1 Police style whistle

http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/V16568
If were were planing for desert emergency, jungle, or water emergencies we'd include a small signal mirror as well as strips of fluorescent colored nylon 10-15 feet long and 3-4 inches wide for attracting attention from the air.

We figure that if there is an earthquake, McDonald's probably will close so we need to cook. We don't need to cook anything fancy, just boil water for our freeze dried foods and some coffee and tea. This stove does that easily without fuss or bother. I usually call it a Triox, which is a diving term, but the stove's real name is a Hexamine fuel stove.

Stove and fuel for three days and two liter cook pot


The foods we choose for this are right off the shelves of camping stores, are tastey enough and easy to use. Each meal comes in a sealed foil pouch and has the food inside in a large heavy plastic bag. Just add boiling water right into the bag, stir and wait five minutes, and dinner is served.
Freeze dried food for three days http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/E16571

For lighting the fuel tablets for the stove above, or making a fire to stay warm, easy is better. Nothing like a Bic to get the job done... unless the flint in the Bic gets wet and doesn't work when you need it too. So have another one handy is helpful. A firesteel is a great spark maker for lighting a fire, but it's a good idea to practice using one 'before' the crises. You can buy tinder, make tinder, or find tinder, depending upon your skills and inclinations. I like to do all three. Redundency.
2 Bic lighters, Firesteel, tinder.



(Edit: The fellow refers to the 'mishmetal' striker made by GoingGear.com. ALL ferro rods are mishmetal, including the ones that strike a spark in a Bic lighter. Those little bitty flints are made of mishmetal, which means... mixed metal! And had he torn the cotton pad exposing some loose fibers before he started, all of the devices would have struck fire on the first sparking.)

As I said before, I like a fancy flint striker myself. Something like this. But not for survival situations...
Striker


Now we get to a really difficult part of the plan. Water. In the city you can 'usually' find water, but it may not be potable. In the woods you can usually find a water source but it ALWAYS needs to be treated to avoid the risk of Giardiasis. In the desert, you can usually find water but only if you know HOW to find water in the desert. Mt wife and I carry one liter each of water in collapsible water bottles. If were were planning for a desert crisis we'd have a hell of a lot more. We also carry two different types of water purification tablets. In past years I've used common household bleach to purify my drinking water, ordinary iodine, as well as using backpacking filters. For our emergency kits we prefer the tablets. There are plenty to choose from and all work very well.
1 liter of purified water plus a bottle of water purification tablets

Water purification tablets - online. http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/J16569

If I were planning a kit for desert emergencies, I'd include two one liter hard plastic bottles, a 1 meter square of black heavy plastic sheeting, and a three foot length of 1/2 plastic tubing. If you have those three, you can NEVER run out of water in the desert!

I chose a Spyderco Endura pocket knife for our kits as it is robust, takes an excellent edge, (comes with an excellent edge for those who don't know how to sharpen a knife,) large enough to skin a deer but small enough to fit in a pocket, and cheap.
large folding knife and 600 grit sandpaper for sharpening. http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/J16570

The nylon poncho is a great all around cover for body and soul. It can snap together with another one to make an improvised tent, can wrap around one person and keep them bone dry in a heavy downpour, and can even double as a carrying bag if one needs to go out foraging.

Having a Mylar emergency blanket takes care of the temperature problems. I forgot to include on my original list a backpacking roll of duct tape, but it's in the bag, an with this and a couple of blankets, you can keep several people warm and dry
nylon poncho and Mylar emergency blanket
http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/B16573
http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/G16572

I think the radio speaks for itself. (No pun intended) But be sure to buy one in your home area. Not all radios cover the same frequencies. The FM band in Japan is different than the FM band in the US.
pocket radio

This same holds true for pocket transceivers.

You can find these pretty cheaply in Radio Shack or Wal-Mart

$200 cash

First aid is another subject that will generate a lot of debate. First aid kits for a day hike for one person are very different from a group leader's first aid kit for a two-week canoe trip through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Ontario. Our 'quake kit' first aid pack has more large sponges and steri-strips as I figure falling buildings might cause larger wounds. This one below covers most of the needed items, but not necessarily in the amounts that "I" want to have with me. Your kit needs to include any personal medications that you might need too.
First aid kit http://www.nols.edu/store/product.ph...282&bestseller

My wife's bag also has a hair brush, some lipstick, and wet-tissues. If she can clean up a bit, brush her hair and fix her face, she will be in a much better frame of mind and able to cope with the difficulties of survival. Mine has a harmonica. Hey, Nero had his fiddle.

KK, I hope this is in line with what you were asking for. I figured doing it in this form, with better photos, would be of more value than seeing a jumble of gear on the floor.

Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

most excellent! you use a backpack and not a duffle I assume?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

most excellent! you use a backpack and not a duffle I assume?

I guess you'd call it a large day pack, or I've seen it called a 'week-ender' too. Nothing fancy. Doesn't even have the Daisy chains or Snow shovel bungee cords I see on every kid's day pack today. Not a Molle strap to be seen.
Take a look at the goods. The only large item is the boots, and they don't go inside the packs. Everything else is quite small with the largest space taken up by the packages of freeze dried foods, and you know how small and light they are. A dozen of them take up about as much room as a dozen paperback books and weigh half as much. They form the bottom layer of the pack.

Every grouping other than food is in its own small stuff sack. Cooking and fire making, signaling, communications, shelter and first aid. Yo-yo. In fact, we really could use a slightly smaller pack, but this one gives us room to stuff in a sweater, gloves, and wool socks during the winter.

One of the whistles is fastened to the haul loop with a small locking biner for immediate access, and the flashlight is always at the top of the bag. Both whistles and the flashlights have lanyards.

Stitchawl

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Thank you for that!

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I guess you'd call it a large day pack, or I've seen it called a 'week-ender' too. Nothing fancy. Doesn't even have the Daisy chains or Snow shovel bungee cords I see on every kid's day pack today. Not a Molle strap to be seen.
Take a look at the goods. The only large item is the boots, and they don't go inside the packs. Everything else is quite small with the largest space taken up by the packages of freeze dried foods, and you know how small and light they are. A dozen of them take up about as much room as a dozen paperback books and weigh half as much. They form the bottom layer of the pack.

Every grouping other than food is in its own small stuff sack. Cooking and fire making, signaling, communications, shelter and first aid. Yo-yo. In fact, we really could use a slightly smaller pack, but this one gives us room to stuff in a sweater, gloves, and wool socks during the winter.

One of the whistles is fastened to the haul loop with a small locking biner for immediate access, and the flashlight is always at the top of the bag. Both whistles and the flashlights have lanyards.

Stitchawl

Thanks! That was fascinating, AND educational. I do have one more question for you, though. Here in the southern U.S., the most likely emergencies we would be preparing for would be either a tornado (which could be fairly catastrophic) or an ice storm (which is usually just a prolonged power outage.) In either of those cases, though, I would have the opportunity to actually put my hands on my emergency pack so I would be sure to have it with me. (Even though tornados can hit without warning, we usually know if there is bad weather approaching and can take precautions.)
Where and how do you store your kit so that you would be able to access it if an earthquake hit? Since there is usually no warning with earthquakes it seems to me that it would be crucial to be pretty confident that you could find your packs, right?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Where and how do you store your kit so that you would be able to access it if an earthquake hit? Since there is usually no warning with earthquakes it seems to me that it would be crucial to be pretty confident that you could find your packs, right?

You're quite right. And I do know quite a few 'survivalists' who never leave the house without what they consider their 'emergency kits,' often the size of a large pack. These aren't folk who are worried about earthquakes either. They have fishing line, snare wire, SAM Splints, large trauma packs, spear tips, multiple knives of different configurations, several each of fire making, signaling, and lighting options, even stun guns, tear gas, and other weapons that they really have no idea how to use, etc., etc., etc. and this gets carried to the office every day, to college classrooms, and to the movie theaters. They don't leave home without them. We are not that prepared.

I like to think we are a bit more rational, and only afraid of the dark. We keep our packs next to where we sleep. I would say 'under the bed' but we sleep on futons on a tatami mat floor so there is no 'under.' But mine is within reach of my pillow and my wife can reach her's as easily. Night time emergencies are usually much more disorienting than day time ones, and having the packs available to us at night gives us some measure of mental comfort. Once it's light out, things get a bit easier on the brain.

That being said, my wife always has a small flashlight, Fox Tri-tone whistle, mini-Bic, and pen knife in her purse, and I have the same things with me. Larger pocket knife in my pocket, and light, whistle and lighter in my shoulder bag, as we are both out and about during the day. We have made a plan for an exact location where to re-group should some natural disaster strike during the day. Hopefully some cell phone coverage will still be in effect.

Helen Keller said 'there is no such thing as security,' but there certainly is a way to keep a step ahead of the boogieman. Without going overboard, I think we've got things pretty well covered.

Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Thanks! That was fascinating, AND educational. I do have one more question for you, though. Here in the southern U.S., the most likely emergencies we would be preparing for would be either a tornado (which could be fairly catastrophic) or an ice storm (which is usually just a prolonged power outage.) In either of those cases, though, I would have the opportunity to actually put my hands on my emergency pack so I would be sure to have it with me. (Even though tornados can hit without warning, we usually know if there is bad weather approaching and can take precautions.)
Where and how do you store your kit so that you would be able to access it if an earthquake hit? Since there is usually no warning with earthquakes it seems to me that it would be crucial to be pretty confident that you could find your packs, right?

personally for the average American not living in a high rise in a large city I would recommend your emergency pack go in your car (provided you have one). if you are in a standard house, or even small apartment, if you live through whatever your disaster is, you'll be able to get to your car. also, by having it in your car, it will be accessible to most every place you go as long as you are the captain of your ship.

if you are the high rise resident, don't have a car, and so on, the best place is right next to your bed. I have hard soled slippers, a flashlight, pistol and heavy duty knife next to my bed all the time

[SameOldStory]

First aid could easily be a couple of threads in itself.

Unfortunately it's more involved than making a list of supplies. Anyone can find such a list on the internet. Under "first aid list" on Google you have 47,400,000 listings. Of which 47,000,000 are probably simple repetitions.

For those that just want to buy a "first aid kit" all I can say is good luck, and don't buy the cheapest. And hope that you, or someone that you care about, will find a person that knows what to do with it.

The problem is that we all think that we are very knowledgeable, in a general sort of way, about everything. I'm not trying to put anyone down. But the fact is that "a general idea" about first aid is not enough.

For a background - I was an EMT working in an 800 bed hospital's emergency room as an Orthopedic Technician. In addition I taught American Heart CPR at the hospital, and Red Cross CPR outside the hospital.

To better learn first aid I taught a course that is no longer listed, Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care, for the American Red Cross. Sadly, I see nothing like it on the Red Cross or Boy Scout sites. There are classes that you can pay for, but I have no way of assessing them.

If anyone is interested, the second edition of the book I used in class is available on Amazon (the 1981 issue) - Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care.

As a serious joke I used to tell people that there were 3 kinds of first aid. In Red Cross first aid you placed a sterile compress on the wound. In Boy Scout first aid you placed a clean handkerchief on the wound. In military first aid you pressed your dirty hand on the wound to stop the person from bleeding to death.

Speaking of a "sterile compress", sanitary pads are very good too. No joke.

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

personally for the average American not living in a high rise in a large city I would recommend your emergency pack go in your car (provided you have one). if you are in a standard house, or even small apartment, if you live through whatever your disaster is, you'll be able to get to your car. also, by having it in your car, it will be accessible to most every place you go as long as you are the captain of your ship.

Except in my neighborhood.

My car was broken into while parked in my driveway twice in two years, and then stolen. Yep, right out of the driveway. I leave NOTHING in my car now.

KK, I'm on my way now. Put the sign on the coast, please.

(And in a bit of irony, when my stolen car was recovered there were several CDs in there that I guess the joyriders were going to listen to while cruising. The problem -- the CD player had been stolen during the last break-in, and I had not replaced it. Ha! Take THAT, you morons! )

[astra]

This thread has depressed me.
I'm outta here.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

.... And there's always at least two knives in the car.

Isn't it illegal to leave a knife in a car in the UK?

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

First aid could easily be a couple of threads in itself.

Unfortunately it's more involved than making a list of supplies. Anyone can find such a list on the internet. Under "first aid list" on Google you have 47,400,000 listings. Of which 47,000,000 are probably simple repetitions.

For those that just want to buy a "first aid kit" all I can say is good luck, and don't buy the cheapest. And hope that you, or someone that you care about, will find a person that knows what to do with it.

The problem is that we all think that we are very knowledgeable, in a general sort of way, about everything. I'm not trying to put anyone down. But the fact is that "a general idea" about first aid is not enough.

For a background - I was an EMT working in an 800 bed hospital's emergency room as an Orthopedic Technician. In addition I taught American Heart CPR at the hospital, and Red Cross CPR outside the hospital.

To better learn first aid I taught a course that is no longer listed, Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care, for the American Red Cross. Sadly, I see nothing like it on the Red Cross or Boy Scout sites. There are classes that you can pay for, but I have no way of assessing them.

If anyone is interested, the second edition of the book I used in class is available on Amazon (the 1981 issue) - Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care.

As a serious joke I used to tell people that there were 3 kinds of first aid. In Red Cross first aid you placed a sterile compress on the wound. In Boy Scout first aid you placed a clean handkerchief on the wound. In military first aid you pressed your dirty hand on the wound to stop the person from bleeding to death.

Speaking of a "sterile compress", sanitary pads are very good too. No joke.

I carry tampons and sanitary pads expressly FOR injuries!

some years ago I got my "WEC" (Winter Emergency Care) certification. it used to be required for Ski Patrol, I don't even know if it exists anymore. anyway it was somewhere between advanced first aid and EMT. we had 40 classroom hours among other things.

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Except in my neighborhood.

My car was broken into while parked in my driveway twice in two years, and then stolen. Yep, right out of the driveway. I leave NOTHING in my car now.

KK, I'm on my way now. Put the sign on the coast, please.

(And in a bit of irony, when my stolen car was recovered there were several CDs in there that I guess the joyriders were going to listen to while cruising. The problem -- the CD player had been stolen during the last break-in, and I had not replaced it. Ha! Take THAT, you morons! )

;o( well it was worth a shot! I guess you need to keep it by your bed

Originally Posted by astra

This thread has depressed me.
I'm outta here.

I'm sorry! it was supposed to be informative/educational?

[astra]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I'm sorry! it was supposed to be informative/educational?

Heh. I was so depressed that I forgot to unsubscribe. This time I am going to make sure.
It is informative and educational.
The idea itself is scary. I am totally clueless about all of this survival stuff. It is sci-fi for me. I do not exaggerate.
I live in a town approximately 120.000 people. We have never had an outage for longer than 30 minutes. All of the preparations you are talking about it is like watching a TV show or series. It doesn't feel real at all. I cannot imagine the need for such knowledge in my daily life. On the other hand, so many people are real Pro in it that it makes me wonder. It makes me feel very inferior.
Now, to avoid the feeling of inferiority I have two choices. Either start actually learning or to be an ostrich. Naturally, I opt to the latter. It is an easier choice.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Isn't it illegal to leave a knife in a car in the UK?

I don't think so, so long as said knife is legal carry without good reason (which the ones that live in the car are), even though the inside of your own car is considered to be a public place