BOB - Bug Out Bag or emergency planning

[Durandal]

As promised, I have provided pics of the home survival kit...

This has been changed a lot since moving in my fiancee. Space limitations and designing a kit for two have changed things a bit...

I'll type up a list of contents later. Here are the pics though, including detailed shots of the stove...

Keep in mind the purpose of this kit is to supplement what is in the house already and contain enough redundancy to move it if we need to leave...

This kit is designed to both supplement your homes existing food supply in case of a sudden emergency (power outage from storms, bird flu pandemic with a 2 - 6 week quarantine), blizzard, or hurricane/flood.

My design was intended for my fiancee and myself AND had to be able to be portable...by a single person if need be.

The container is a Navy infrared container with the foam ripped out. It is both water tight (for the purposes we are discussing) and has an air pressure bleed off valve.

It has multiple latches to secure it and is ribbed on the bottom and top for stack-ability but also keeps a minimum amount of surface area for low drag single person hauling. A handle is at either end to allow two people to carry it in one hand and keep the other hand free, or holding something else.

I won't bore you with the contents, since its been pretty much discussed to the Nth degree on this forum, just a little bit more advanced first aid kit with a 4 week supply of medication for my fiancee's arthritis...I recommend everyone getting an extra supply for whatever meds they or their family members have prescriptions...

So, here it is...

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0712.jpg
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0714.jpg
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0715.jpg
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0716.jpg
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0717.jpg

SHows you the breakdown of storage and stacking.

It will survive a flooded basement, you can move it with you, you can stand on it, use it as a table...

Some of my other home survival pics...

Gun supply room...
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0720.jpg

Pantry with last ditch water supply...
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0721.jpg

Here is another angle of the gun room, showing the camping gear (not complete since I have not moved ALL my stuff into the new home)...

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0722.jpg
The lower pack is a Dana which I picked up for a mere 100.00, almost unused...5000 cu in and the other pack is my fiancee's she used when she did a solo trip cross country (a drive, not hike)...included in this mess is are two water filters. One is a bottle top design that cleans the water as you drink (not a valuable thing other then letting you drink...if you need water for anything OTHER than drinking its worthless) and another filter...a MSR MiniWorks EX Ceramic Filter which works great and been used several times on multi day pack trips (removes a long list of stuff, affordable, moves a lot of water quickly, small enough to put in a pack, and screws onto a 1 liter water bottle...

I did not mention this, but we also have a garden (photos in the home garden thread) and we can foods in the summer, enough to supplement our veggy portion of our diet by almost 75% during the winter. We store that here:

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0718.jpg

Note: There are no preserved foods other than meets and some homemade salsa since we have eaten through them.

Having a basement (xtra) freezer is something everyone should consider. You could have situations where you are immobile but civilization is still there, alive and kicking. You have power, but nothing else...or you have a week or two of power and then loose it...AND you can buy meets in bulk and freeze them. We have enough meat here for 2 weeks for two people. Maybe a bit more. We buy in bulk and divide it into dinners using a Food Saver (http://foodsaver.jardendirect.com/?ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=topkw-foodsaver&ovcrn=food+saver&ovtac=PPC) to bag them (an absolute most for anyone wanting to do this).

Contents:

(this is about as low as it gets, in the Spring)

Fish (caught by yours truly up on Lake Erie, next trip is in May Woot!)
5 lbs of Perch
2 lbs of Walleye

Venison
1 6 lb log of sausage
2 2 lb steaks

Ground Beef
1 2 lb bag
8 1 lb bags

Pork
1 4 lb roast
6 bags of 2 cuts (1" x 8")

Chicken
1 dozen boneless/skinless breasts
4 breasts w/skin and bone

Sausage
3 bags of spiced breakfast sausage
4 sleeves of kiabosa

1 container (4 cups total) homemade salsa
2 containers of preserved peaches
2 containers of peeled and sliced tomatoes (16 cups total)

Misc freezer packs to put in coolers or help maintain temperature if there is a brief (1 to 8 hour) power loss...

The freezer is 11 cu ft, stand up (obviously) freezer, which allows for easier access then one of the coffin [:D] style. It has coolant lines in each rack and has a vacuum drawn down ever time you close it.


Ultra lightweight pop can stove...

Perfect for just about anything. 1oz denatured alcohol will heat 2 cups of water in less than 5 min...

As you can see I got one of those inexpensive stackable pots sets. Everything you need for three days of backpacking cooking can be stacked inside it. 2 pots, windscreen/riser, 9oz of alcohol, and one double wall pop can burner. More can be stuffed in there, from seasoning, salt, pepper, foldable utensils, etc...

Here is my sample layout...

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0705.jpg
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0706.jpg
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0707.jpg

I do not have the plans for the can, though there are lots of them online for several designs. You'll end up making several of them to get the holes correct so they get the heat up high. Once you make it, you simply pour in the alcohol, ignite and stand back and wait. As the surface burns (in the center of the can, it heats up and begins to convert the sub layers of alcohol to a gas, some of which goes into the double wall construction, rising and forced through pin hole sized "vents" around the outer diameter of the can and provide the exact same effect as using a gas burner or white gas stove.

The windscreen, is three pieces, each exactly one third of the diameter formed when put together. A simple tab and slot design. The folds allow you to have pot above the flame, and the shield allows the burner oxygen while heating, AND acts as a wind screen (20 MPH rated...so far...though heating water took longer).

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0709.jpg
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0710.jpg
http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0711.jpg

The alcohol is in squeeze bottles with ounces marks on the side...to mark off 3 oz...

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Might want to fix your image tags up man.

[Durandal]

Might want to fix your image tags up man.

Woops...fixed...

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Nice man. Pretty much what I take away camping more or less. My cruiser can barely fit all the crap I take away camping. And I usually run out of supplies within a week.

My supplies.

Beer,
Beer,
Smokes,
**** mags (used as a toilet accesory)

[Apogee]

Looks like you have some good "protection" items in that gun safe.... Lets see those. Good looking kit though.

[Hollis]

I guess the benefits of being rural, we are well prepared. I have a old airsteam that is loaded and ready to go, a couple of ATVs (extra fuel is always here), we have two hot water heater... that means 160 gallons of water along with a hot tube (400 gallons) then add the 40 gallons on the air stream. We have three refrig, and one freezer (may need another, espcially at Elk season). I have plenty makings for ammo, plus loaded on hand. My biggest truck can go about 600- 800 on a tank of fuel (44 gal). Also a John deere tractor if things need moved. I don't have a generator yet.. sort of hesitant. I would like a little one for the Air Stream and a bigger one for home (cabin).

Picture of winter at the Cabin and Air Stream at Mt. Rushmoore Vintage Air Stream ralley..

[Durandal]

I guess the benefits of being rural, we are well prepared. I have a old airsteam that is loaded and ready to go, a couple of ATVs (extra fuel is always here), we have two hot water heater... that means 160 gallons of water along with a hot tube (400 gallons) then add the 40 gallons on the air stream. We have three refrig, and one freezer (may need another, espcially at Elk season). I have plenty makings for ammo, plus loaded on hand. My biggest truck can go about 600- 800 on a tank of fuel (44 gal). Also a John deere tractor if things need moved. I don't have a generator yet.. sort of hesitant. I would like a little one for the Air Stream and a bigger one for home (cabin).

Picture of winter at the Cabin and Air Stream at Mt. Rushmoore Vintage Air Stream ralley..

I have a farm too. Where our ever so sexy gun range is. I do not even think I have the time to list what that place is like as far as survival/independence goes...saw mill, fuel storage, crops, grain storage, most of my ammo, horse, modern equipment, a full set of horse drawn equipment (in storage), 200 acres of tillable farm, 10 bu grain bin, plus all my GP Small tents and command tent...the list would take hours...plus a power plant 3 miles down the road and situated on a peninsula formed by 2 rivers with 50 THOUSAND gallons of diesel and hundreds of thousands of tons of coal...

The kit above is the "urban" kit...temporary troubles...the farm is...well...the "Day of the Noose" type stuff...

[Hollis]

I have a farm too. Where our ever so sexy gun range is. I do not even think I have the time to list what that place is like as far as survival/independence goes...saw mill, fuel storage, crops, grain storage, most of my ammo, horse, modern equipment, a full set of horse drawn equipment (in storage), 200 acres of tillable farm, 10 bu grain bin, plus all my GP Small tents and command tent...the list would take hours...plus a power plant 3 miles down the road and situated on a peninsula formed by 2 rivers with 50 THOUSAND gallons of diesel and hundreds of thousands of tons of coal...

The kit above is the "urban" kit...temporary troubles...the farm is...well...the "Day of the Noose" type stuff...

hot damn, rural living sure will make those city boys envious. But that is just rural life, things for every day living. Like you I still have a 36 x 36 Ft shop, Machine, wood, welding etc.. You just can not run into store when you needs nut or bolt. I wish I had a real range, I have a small one, I am thinking maybe expaning it. I prefer that than going off my property to shoot. I did have a 1500 M range, until farmer leased it out.

Also in a rural enviroment, food is not so hard to come by. The city has lots of cool features, but if things go crunch not a good place to be.

[RGRBOX]

Bud.. that's some sweet set up... I've got the same thing here... I keep lots of stuff around... I do need to get my Pelican Case upstairs to load it up the way you have... great idea.. I also have a kit in my 4x4.. and one in my wife's car..

I also have my weapons, and plenty of ammo around... The one thing I'm still looking for are radios (walki/talkis)...

Tuff getting them here in CH..

[TacoDelRio]

Awesome setup! Looks great, Durandal!

[Flagg]

Great stuff guys.......

I've always TRIED to keep my kit sorted in the event of an emergency.

All things considered I THINK I've done a reasonable job so far.

Here's what I've got:

My military FSMO(modified ALICE type pack and issue belt webbing) ALWAYS ready to go.

A flash NZ made daypack for my wifey.

A combined large hydropak/trauma/first aid kit and a decent bit of training to use it.

Approx. 3 months of long shelf life food(mostly things like a month's worth of canned tuna with high energy value/low cube for easy transport as well as a couple days worth of long shelf life rat pack main meals), the rest consists of things like condensed milk, flour, sugar, oil, etc.

ALWAYS 3 months worth of baby formula/food in rotation(now shopping for mini-me evil minion #2 so it'll double)

Approx. 3 months worth of diapers(soon to double as well)

I've just bought 2 1000 litre German built, food grade, bulk liquid containers. They are high quality plastic built onto a standard sized pallet surrounded by a substantial metal frame. Looks just like this:

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/58/10086358_full.jpg

I'll use these for potable water and such, but can be used for bulk fuel/oil storage as well.

They were DIRT cheap, and I can stack them in my garage until needed.

They just need to be kept out of sunlight to avoid algae issues if holding potable water and drop in a bleach tablet.

I also keep several locked ammo tins filled with critical valuables(property titles, stock certificates, pasports, birth certificates, account details, password, cash, precious metals, GPS, maps, torch, etc.) that provide a little bit of protection from water/fire damage and are quite portable.

A single heavy duty bag with several sets of clothes, undies, socks, poop roll, etc.

OUr food and baby stuff goes in three large plastic, closed top containers..not nerly as flash as Durandal's! I'm jealous.

Just bought an economical diesel double cab with bed ute that can do 1000K's + easy per tank.

Things I'm shopping for:

Solar water heater

Solar electric doesn't quite meet my cost/benefit requirements yet

Small diesel gen set

Comms(a REALLY good radio and some FRS handhelds)

chunk of land for shootin' and fishin' when my boys grow up and to make my last stand when the zombies come for me ;)

I never have enough batteries

Overall, I'm reasonably happy with our situation, but I reckon you can never be totally prepared for an emergency.

For us specifically, I'm trying to have us ready in case we need to spend an extended period of time at home, or leave ASAP(we live on the beach) in case of flooding for example.

Where I'm stuck at the moment is, then what? I would likely be called to assist in a domestic emergency, but where would I put my wife and kid(s) for safe keeping if we need to leave our home? SO we've still got to work on the last bit.

At the very least I would encourage people to bulk buy long-shelf life everyday-use commodities. We've saved a small fortune waiting for deals on certain items, then buying stores out. The small amount of time required to search/find sales and managing inventory MORE than pays for itself in $$$ savings.

The way I got my wife into putting some effort into basic preparedness was EASY.

Saving money + the security of supply for our child(ren) = no brainer.

Now if only she'll agree to let me buy a Unimog or a Centurian tank like that fella on the West Coast ;)

How can I POSSIBLY achieve my goal of being a post apocalyptic warlord without a Unimog or tank? I guess I'll just have to settle for starting my own Mad Max biker gang. ;)

[Hollis]

One of the best water storage container as 1 gallon bleech bottle, Bleech uses sodium hyprochlorate, the stuff cities use to sanatize drinking water. It helps preserves the water. We use to use them in the desert to keep water in the trunk, just in case.

[Durandal]

Man I need to roll me a couple of those 1000 L bulk storage units for the farm.

[Durandal]

One of the best water storage container as 1 gallon bleech bottle, Bleech uses sodium hyprochlorate, the stuff cities use to sanatize drinking water. It helps preserves the water. We use to use them in the desert to keep water in the trunk, just in case.

What do you do, empty it and then refill? Or let it sit and dry a bit?

[Hollis]

What do you do, empty it and then refill? Or let it sit and dry a bit?

I probably should have typed Used empty bottle (maybe 1/2 TEAspoon left in the bottle), I leave the residue of bleech in it, when it goes empty, I don't try to shake out the last bits. But you do want some bleech, just a very slight oder of bleech. The bleech can be neutralize by airation, sitting open, boiling, or hydrogen peroxide.. (just a little bit).

[Flagg]

Man I need to roll me a couple of those 1000 L bulk storage units for the farm.

They ROCK!

Heaps of practical uses for them.

Spraying units.

Rainwater collection.

Somewhat portable irrigation.

Heaps of dairy farm uses.

Liquid transport.

Anti-zombie napalm weapon. ;)

[Flagg]

What do you do, empty it and then refill? Or let it sit and dry a bit?

Something else to consider for water purification is baby bleach tablets.

We use a clean ice cream container to sanitize our wee boy's bottles/spoons/pacifiers/etc.

We empty and refill it with water each day dropping one of these bleach tablets into it the size of an aspirin.

They come in packs of thirty( one month's supply).

They're pretty cheap but we still haven't found a bulk supply of them yet.

Nice and convenient to have. If you're using water from a relatively clean stream, drop one into your canteen "doink!" shake it up a bit and you're a bit better protected from Afghani @ss/Baghdad Bum/Montezuma's Revenge :)

Not sure how the price compares to outdoor store water purification tabs.

[Hollis]

Man I need to roll me a couple of those 1000 L bulk storage units for the farm.

there is a water system, Dang I wish I kept the information, it was a purifation unit, held about 600 Gallons.. I wish I was on my own well, I am on a co-op water system. Electricity is the biggest issue I have,.. good news, is solar cells are getting cheaper..But sun don't shine in Oregon.

[Roaming East]

Wow, good primer for what every home should have. Living in the barracks kinda limits me to what i can have and its limited to what i can stuff in a Large frame rucksack (BHI Tactical SOF and an issued CFP-90) and the back of my Blazer

[Durandal]

Ok, here is the list...a little late, sorry 'bout that...

Food/Dietary/Cook:
36 MREs (Various)
20 cans of various protein and starch foods (beans and potatoes mainly)
6 cans of wieners
4 packs of high calorie (3600) wafers
500 Multi Vitamins
100 each of Vitamin C, Complex Bs, B6, and Vitamin E
2 Pots, 1 camp stove, 9 oz of alcohol fuel
2 Plastic spoons (large)
1 Can opener

Medical
250 piece Med-Kit (pretty much the std contents, plus liquid bandages)
100 Aspirin
50 Advil
50 Alieve
150 antihistamines
additional 2 tablet packets of the above
40 pills of various anti-inflamotry/pain meds for the fiancee's arthritis
1 package (50 ct) Baby Wipes
2 squeeze bottles of Antibacterial hand wash (no water needed)
3 packets of skin moisturizer (for exposure or cracked skin)
1 sm spray Solarcain
1 sm Baby Powder
2 roll on deodorants (admittedly this is in there by request of the fiancee...I told her it was NOT a necessary item but I figure if this is all I had to give in on, its a good thing )
3 Cotton Twin Sized sheets (for field dressing or other needs)
Q-tips (for medical and just about ANYTHING when it comes to cleaning)
1 Solar/Emergency Blanket
3 OD Towels (med size)
1 Box of 50ct medical face masks
1 box 24ct silicone gloves

Communication
2 Motorola Talk-Abouts
1 Emergency Radio (not pictured) hand crank and DC power. I have this plugged in, above my work table (we had a series of bad T-storms and Tornado warnings last week).
1 Mirror

Fire/Heat/Light
1 Packet Water Proof Matches in water proof container
1 Butane wand lighter
1 Camp Lantern/spotlight
1 shake/power flashlight
1 mini mag light
1 Candle lantern
4 candles

Tools
1 Leatherman Multi Tool
1 pair scissors
1 screwdrivers
1 CRT knife
1 Compass
1 Pen
1 Pencil
1 Sharpie Market (lrg)
1 Pack razor blades (100 ct) (I cannot recommend these enough. They take up a small amount of space, weight little, sharp as anything and can be used for a WIDE variety of stuff)

Power
16 D Batteries
8 C Batteries
48 AA
48 AAA
4 9 v
(These are wrapped in plastic and stored in the 20mm Ammo Can still in package)

Cover
1 Emergency Blanket (mentioned earlier)
1 9'x9' SilL-Nylon tarp
1 pair water proof pants (X-tra large)
2 Ponchos (not seen, with camping gear)

Containers
1 Navy Waterproof Shipping Container
1 U.S. Army 20mm cassette box
1 Israeli Army OD Tool bag
about 2 dozen various fleece , nylon, and waterproof bags.

That's all I have in it right now. Like I said, its designed to supplement what is in the home, stuff like walking poles and .550 cord, stakes, is with the camping gear.

Cost was about 200.00, most which is tied up in the MREs and batteries. The rest of the stuff is, mainly garage sale items, picked up here or there, or extra stuff that was duplicated after moving in with the Fiancee. The container cost about 15.00!

Total cost new would probably run around 500.00...estimated, depending on where you bought the stuff.

[oldsoak]

wheres the cigars ? booze ? "artistic" magazines ?
- man, how are you going to survive ?
:-P:

[Durandal]

wheres the cigars ?

I don't smoke cigars.


booze ?

We are about to plant 200 acres of corn...that's a LOT of booze.


"artistic" magazines ?

I have the real thing, why settle for photos.

:)

[annihilation]

Man now i feel unprepared with my pocket knife and box of nature valley granola bars!

[SharpShooter282]

Cool topic!
I've got the idea of a "survival kit" since some weeks.... must begin to make it!

[NOT eddie_stone]

hello what should be in my survival kit?????

:oops:

[nickless]

Well... I guess that would depend on what you need that kit for, wouldn't it?

[ZoneOne]

Go into a little more detail. A survival kit could fill a trunk or it could fit in a can of SKOAL... elaborate and you'll get a better response

[T.H.E. rooster]

That new Swiss Army Knife that weighs something like ten pounds and has every Swiss Army utensil ever made on it. p-)

[TacoDelRio]

In the end, it's more about what SHOULDN'T be in your kit.

What environment do you live in?
What environment would you have to walk through to a possible safe area?
What are you trying to survive?
Etc.

[ZoneOne]

Hell, with the right amount of knowledge, the only thing you need in your kit is your mind. It's all about how much you know and how much you want to depend on something.

[Jsjoholm]

"The Final Weapon is the Brain. All Else is Supplemental." - John Steinbeck
(borrowed it from LF)

My civvy survival kit consists of a knife, aqua cleaning drops and a dry pair of socks.

As others have already pointed out, its a matter of;
how long the kit has to be used
how far it is till the nearest safe haven
where you are in the world
time of year and climate of the year
your medical status at the time
danger factors, are you evading something or someone? and if so for what purpose and reason?
nutrition, fluids... bla bla bla and so on

[Hunterhr]

Anything that at the minimum will provide you with fire, water and food.

[mcsplurry]

a good knife, and im not talking folding multitools im talking a good strong
sharp fixed blade knife.

[JoaMei]

Survival in which environment, how long, how comfortable?

Or how much maximum weight or bulk?

For your car, House, Backpack, pocket?

[Hunterhr]

Really all you need is one of these... :)

http://img-srv.everestwebworks.com/w2/Pictures/My%20Files/1000013.1/RAMBO%202%20KNIFE.jpg

[JoaMei]

Actually these "Survival Knives" are crap.
Because of the hollow grip the Blade is fixed with a single bolt, meaning it breaks easily when you really use it for work.

An cheap but stable knife where the blade goes through the Grip in one piece will do better.

[Sabre]

hello what should be in my survival kit?????

:oops:

Nothing. You don't need one. As you've clearly stated you are not Eddie Stone and therefore will not survive...

[California Joe]

All I know is "NOTeddie" better tighten the f*ck up or he's not going to make it to 10 posts....

[Hunterhr]

Actually these "Survival Knives" are crap.
Because of the hollow grip the Blade is fixed with a single bolt, meaning it breaks easily when you really use it for work.

An cheap but stable knife where the blade goes through the Grip in one piece will do better.

That was posted with tongue firmly in cheek.

[Sneeker]

a good survival plan.

{F}uck {F}uck {S}hit {S}hit {W}hat the {F}uck
First aid
Fire
Shelter
Signal
Water
Food.

[ZoneOne]

http://www.cookiepots.com/images/giftsets/menopause-kit-1a.jpg

Carry this around wherever you go

[grabie_bis]

All I know is "NOTeddie" better tighten the f*ck up or he's not going to make it to 10 posts....

x2
---------------------------------------------

[lt tahoe]

So, how about since a dozen guys have already asked "what environment/why/etc" we let him answer before continuing to speculate on his mystery survival situation?

Just a thought. I mean, I could care less, personally, about his survival :) --but if anyone is going to answer the question might as well know the situation first.

[ZoneOne]

So, how about since a dozen guys have already asked "what environment/why/etc" we let him answer before continuing to speculate on his mystery survival situation?

Just a thought. I mean, I could care less, personally, about his survival :) --but if anyone is going to answer the question might as well know the situation first.

He is probably already banned.

[Niels]

Or we might as well turn this into an informative thread and let people state what they have in their survival kit in which environment.

[Ghostryder]

He is probably already banned.

NOTEddie picked up a suspension in his FAK thread

[lt tahoe]

Haha...after reading his FAK thread, I take it back--I co care about his survival (in a negative fashion...)

[Sparky2129]

So this thread is not a complete disaster...
-Emergency Survival Blanket (Backup as signal panel)
-Windproof/Waterproof Matches+Waterproof Container (Burn for 15 seconds)
-Opinel Folding Knife (Small, simple, durable)
-Storm Whistle (Loudest in the world, heard underwater)
-Gerber Ceramic Sharpener (A dull knife is a useless knife)
-"Star" Signal Mirror (Signal)
-Glo-Toob (Signal, long battery life, backup as a small light)
-Compass (Navigation)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/Sparky2129/DSC07047.jpg
All held in a Paraclete Signal Kit Pouch
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/Sparky2129/DSC07050.jpg

[TacoDelRio]

Nice kit, Greg. You know, there's a guy you know who does that stuff on a weekly basis who could show you what to keep and what to throw at automobiles... ;)

Niels, if you want to see a survival kit-ish thread, look up the "E&E Rainy Forest" thread (those are just key words)... it's a "few" pages back, but it's got a LOT of info in it.

[Durandal]

My home kit Home Kit/ BOB for two adults...

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0712.jpg

Packs into...

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0717.jpg

I've added 12 lbs of dog food since we have a dog.

Here is the cook stove...home made alcohol burner:

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0707.jpg

http://web.mac.com/thesw0rdofroland/iWeb/Site/Library%205_files/IMG_0711.jpg

Designed for the home, for three weeks and used to supplement what is already in a home.

This is going to change a bit once the wife and I move to our new house AND we get from Vietnam with our first child.

But for right now...this is the core of my survival kit.

[Ghostryder]

Hmm, looks like Durandal's covered for world wars 3-7.

You forgot the powdered beer though, mate

[Durandal]

Hmm, looks like Durandal's covered for world wars 3-7.

You forgot the powdered beer though, mate

Beer?

This is my home in the city. I also have a farm as my fall back position. p-)

With the fields pumping out 20 THOUSAND bushels of corn each year its corn mash wiskey, not beer. :)

Then we have a cider press and 7 apple tree of 3 varieties...and two rows of grapes...

Alcohol is not a problem...

[Ghostryder]

Beer?

This is my home in the city. I also have a farm as my fall back position. p-)

With the fields pumping out 20 THOUSAND bushels of corn each year its corn mash wiskey, not beer. :)

Then we have a cider press and 7 apple tree of 3 varieties...and two rows of grapes...

Alcohol is not a problem...

Nice Location BTW, Ernst ftw

[ZoneOne]

Or we might as well turn this into an informative thread and let people state what they have in their survival kit in which environment.

I hear that...

My truck :

:Emergency Water Supply of 1 Gallon, plus 12oz in my first aid kit.
:5 glow sticks
:Emergency radio, with hand crank, light, strobe, and power supply to recharge cell phones.
:2 knives, one fixed blade Ontario Hak, and one folder (knock off swiss army knife)
: handle sharpener (one of those green handles that you pull along the blade)
:Small amount of canned food that does not require can opener. Beef jerkey (I'd use the cans for water storage or whatever is needed)
:5 lighters and a space blanket
:First aid kit that includes quick-clot, gauze, antiseptics, etc. Nothing too fancy
:50ft of 550cord and dental floss
:a roll of duct-tape
:compass
:whistle

In my ruck

:Small first aid kit w/ quick-clot. Same thing as in the truck just a smaller amount.
:Water purification pump (handheld)
: pair of glow-sticks
:2 lighters, flint, and one of those magnesium sticks
:A small amount of 550cord, dental floss.
:compass
:whistle
I carry all my knives w/ me if my ruck is on, included is a wet stone in the sheath.

It might seem sparse to some, but to me it's a lot of stuff. I've taken MULTIPLE survival and tracking classes and I'm pretty confident about surviving almost anything with out all of the **** mentioned above.
- edit - I'm always down for my stuff to be critiqued or for people to mention new things.

[Durandal]

It might seem sparse to some, but to me it's a lot of stuff. I've taken MULTIPLE survival and tracking classes and I'm pretty confident about surviving almost anything with out all of the **** mentioned above.
- edit - I'm always down for my stuff to be critiqued or for people to mention new things.

Well there's survival and then there is rebuilding and lasting out a plague.

If its down to just me and bunch of Rambo type $hit, I am sucking a bullet, because things are THAT bad.

[ZoneOne]

Well there's survival and then there is rebuilding and lasting out a plague.

If its down to just me and bunch of Rambo type $hit, I am sucking a bullet, because things are THAT bad.

Hopefully it will never get to that. I was gearing my kit towards more, getting lost, having my truck break down in an area that is very remote, etc.

Nothing apocalyptic. If so, I would need to revise my kit. ;-)

[Flagg]

Well there's survival and then there is rebuilding and lasting out a plague.

If its down to just me and bunch of Rambo type $hit, I am sucking a bullet, because things are THAT bad.


Quitter! ;)

[CMEPTb]

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5495/32672357yr1.jpg

[Christophe]

handy little can;just take out what´s not needed and add whatever necessarry.
Cheapest solution: don´t buy it, make it yourself, according to your needs.

[soldierx]

"SURVIVAL STARTS WHERE CIVILIZATION ENDS"

[ZoneOne]

handy little can;just take out what´s not needed and add whatever necessarry.
Cheapest solution: don´t buy it, make it yourself, according to your needs.

Those wire saws are the biggest joke ever.

[JoaMei]

Those wire saws are the biggest joke ever.

Never used one, can you explain whats wrong with them?

[NEFAS]

Never used one, can you explain whats wrong with them?
They're disposable, use it once and thats it!p-)

[ZoneOne]

Never used one, can you explain whats wrong with them?

They break under any normal usage. They are VERY poorly made and the hooks (an essential part of the device) have broken on me on every pair I've owned. They are like hooks from a key chain and the way they are connected to the wire is what will break. I've gone through three in one weekend. At first I thought I was hard on the first one, but I wasn't doing anything it wasn't designed for. Unless it was made to cut toothpicks.

If you want something similar that has served me good for years now. It's the Pocket Chainsaw. Similar in design and use as the wire saw but it is made out of metal chain. It looks like a flattened bike chain with hooks on one side. Folds up and fits in a can about the size of a skoal can and the hooks it comes with are heavy duty.

http://www.epcamps.com/images/550044c.jpg

I have one of these in my ruck at all times. Whether or not I listed it above ;-)

[Andreas]

I always had a tampon in mine back in the day..
Not kidding, its super waterproof with the wrapping on it, and is excellent material to get a life saving fire going when everything is wet/frozen ect..

[NEFAS]

ZoneOne, where did you get that pocket shainsaw? It looks the part!

I also keep a couple tampons on my ruck, they're compact but once streched make a lot of firestarter material!

[gtronin]

I was told to keep a tampon together with our individual sealed bandage pack by one of my instructors. He said it worked to plug a bullet wound until the injured could get proper treatment. I dunno if he was full of sh*t or not, but it sounds reasonable at least.

[Christophe]

So, anyone has a favourite brand of tampons they use?





;)

[East Scout]

I was told to keep a tampon together with our individual sealed bandage pack by one of my instructors. He said it worked to plug a bullet wound until the injured could get proper treatment. I dunno if he was full of sh*t or not, but it sounds reasonable at least.

Only as a last, absolute last resort.......They are not sterile

[Sabre]

Only as a last, absolute last resort.......They are not sterile

People get hung up about sterility when talking about bandages. It's not a major concern. The aim of a bandage is not to prevent bacteria from entering the wound (plenty will be there already), it is to prevent any more blood from leaving.

It takes days to develop sepsis, let alone die from it. It only takes minutes to bleed to death.


I was told to keep a tampon together with our individual sealed bandage pack by one of my instructors. He said it worked to plug a bullet wound until the injured could get proper treatment. I dunno if he was full of sh*t or not, but it sounds reasonable at least.

As I said above, the aim of a bandage is to prevent further blood loss. This does not mean further loss from the wound, it means further loss from inside the blood vessels. The two are not the same.

An improperly applied bandage may make the wound appear neater and soak up any more blood that comes along, but it will not be doing it's job of shutting off the blood flow to the wound.

For this purpose, a tampon may be used as a form of wound packing (if it fits) but there must be some form of compression bandage applied. A wound pack works by transferring the pressure applied to it's exposed surface to the deeper parts of the wound, thereby helping to compress bleeding vessels.

I would advise against putting tampons or any type of packing in a body cavity (ie abdomen, chest) as it may be lost internally. (surgeons use packing in cavities, but there is a strict accounting procedure and they are usually clamped to the drapes via their ties)

Basic principles work. To stop a haemorrhage, just apply them. Elevation and direct pressure will stop most bleeds, even very large ones. Try this before you start poking feminine hygeine products in the casualty.

The best two things to have are a compression bandage (either new 'israeli' type or an old type with crepe bandage) and an arterial tourniquet.

[Hollis]

Good points Sabre, that has been mentioned before, DO not put anything in the wound cavity.........

I seriously doubt a forum is the place to learn medicine/first aid. In the States the American Red Cross and other organizations offer classes in the various levels of first aid. Some here need to take a class or two. All that has been mentioned, the stuff is worthless unless the person has the knowledge to apply it.

As far as survival kits some great suggestions. Survival kits are best designed for the terrain that you will be operating in. Extreme cold needs are not all the same as jungle survival needs. Other wise if a person is prepared for every event, they will have a semi truck and trailer following them everywhere they go.

[gilgoul]

Only as a last, absolute last resort.......They are not sterile

Sterility is the last of your concern if the dude is bleeding bad man. A tampon in it's wrap will be cleaner than your hands in anyway, and cleaner than your supposed to be sterile gloves too, and way cleaner than the entry wound in any way. By going through clothing, and penetrating skin, the projectile has already brought with it plenty of foreign elements that will trigger infections in anyway.
How many people had their life saved by a buddy who plunged his dirty finger into a wound to stop a bleeding?


Then said, i'm sure the surgeon will want to kick you in the nuts when he'll have to debride the entry wound and remove all the cotton filaments that may get stuck, but in an emergency situation, this seems to be a quite reasonable alternative, if associated with pressure.

[gilgoul]

But Sabre beat me to it anyway :)

[Hollis]

Sterility is not the issue in First Aid, The ER will clean the wound etc. First aid is Stabilize and package for transport (unless there is no other choice and you don't mind getting sued). That is for First Responders in the States, all work under Doctors orders. Military and elsewhere........... ask them.

Generally the issue on Germs/etc is AIDS, HEP, etc,,,,,,,,, thus you see people using gloves, etc to protect the first responder form the patient or the patient from the first responder.

Edited,. Sabre, "arterial tourniquet" is a on again/off again issue. Over the years it has gone back and forth allowing the use and disallowing the use. This is for Civilian first responders, Military is a different issue.

[East Scout]

Im not hung up on anything..I just see no point in making things worse if you dont have to..Like I said an absolute last resort..Id rather have a finger and many other items other than a tampon...

[GiladS]

Im not hung up on anything..I just see no point in making things worse if you dont have to..Like I said an absolute last resort..Id rather have a finger and many other items other than a tampon...but what ever you say;-)

Logic states that a tampon would be a lot more sterile than your finger (it is intended to be inserted into a body cavity in the first place).

[East Scout]

My finger isnt gonna leave many fuzzy pieces of cotton inside the wound when i pull it out..Packing it in to long and to tight will cause this too.. This is especially dangerous if you have jagged bone or metal fragments inside the wound for it to snag on..I never said it wasnt an option just IM its a last resort..Do what you like.

[gilgoul]

My finger isnt gonna leave many fuzzy pieces of cotton inside the wound when i pull it out..Packing it in to long and to tight will cause this too.. This is especially dangerous if you have jagged bone or metal fragments inside the wound for it to snag on..I never said it wasnt an option just IM its a last resort..Do what you like.

True, but like I said, and as Gilad, pointed out, your finger is way less sterile than anything in a wrap.
And you won't pull your finger out anytime if you plugged it in an arterial haemorrhage.
Beside, there is a urban legend in the idf and Mada that mentions the case of a soldier who had to have his finger amputated after applying pressure for hours on his friends wound. Maybe Gilad could elaborate on this.
But there is no point debating this off topic issue in anyway :)

[GiladS]

My finger isnt gonna leave many fuzzy pieces of cotton inside the wound when i pull it out..Packing it in to long and to tight will cause this too.. This is especially dangerous if you have jagged bone or metal fragments inside the wound for it to snag on..I never said it wasnt an option just IM its a last resort..Do what you like.

The problem here isn't sterility but the risk of embolism.

Anyway I never stated that I thought it's a good idea... same goes with sticking any foreign object into a wound for that matter.

Sticking a finger into a wound could also cause embolism and does not prevent the internal hemorrhaging.

Sabre hit the nail right on the head regarding this issue.

[East Scout]

i Just dont get the myth that tampons are a magical FA device for puncture wounds when it makes more sense to just pack the proper tools for the job in your kit in the first place..If you down in the mess and outta supplies a gym sock makes just about as much sense..A tampon is last on my list

[GiladS]

True, but like I said, and as Gilad, pointed out, your finger is way less sterile than anything in a wrap.
And you won't pull your finger out anytime if you plugged it in an arterial haemorrhage.
Beside, there is a urban legend in the idf and Mada that mentions the case of a soldier who had to have his finger amputated after applying pressure for hours on his friends wound. Maybe Gilad could elaborate on this.
But there is no point debating this off topic issue in anyway :)

In the beginning of the course they told us about a medic or paramedic (don't remember excatly) in Shayetet 13 who applied indirect pressure on the artery and had developed gangrene by the time he and the injured soldier were evacuated.

[gilgoul]

In the begining of the course they told us about a medic or paramedic (don't remember excatly) in Shayetet 13 who applied indirect pressure on the artery and had developed gangrene by the time he and the injured soldier were evacuated.

Ok, so I guess it is somewhat true.

Gilad, do you know if there is major difference between the idf medic course and the paramedic mada course?
I have been told that the army course goes way further in practical learning than the mada.

[Hollis]

i Just dont get the myth that tampons are a magical FA device for puncture wounds when it makes more sense to just pack the proper tools for the job in your kit in the first place..If you down in the mess and outta supplies a gym sock makes just about as much sense..A tampon is last on my list


Exactly.............. women's sanitary pads, have been used as a cheap compress'. I think why the tampon subject is always coming up, because some of the kids here....... wowie tampon, a women's thing... wooooooooe.

[Hollis]

In the beginning of the course they told us about a medic or paramedic (don't remember excatly) in Shayetet 13 who applied indirect pressure on the artery and had developed gangrene by the time he and the injured soldier were evacuated.


Must have been a slow evac. We had a Doc, try to seal off a aorta from bleeding, was hit by shrapnel from a grenade...... The Doc tried to do a miracle in the bush, but the Marine still died.

[East Scout]

Real real slow evac...Good to hear from you HolliS..Miss you on the dark side..;-)

Sad story.

[Sabre]

i Just dont get the myth that tampons are a magical FA device for puncture wounds when it makes more sense to just pack the proper tools for the job in your kit in the first place..If you down in the mess and outta supplies a gym sock makes just about as much sense..A tampon is last on my list

Yeah, it's one of those persistant myths. Like you say, use the best kit for the job. Non adherent dressings/gauze for wound packing or nowadays we have the option of haemcon type dressings.

When push comes to shove, you can use anything. There was a recent case here of an army doc using the new CAT tourniquet on a slaughterman who cut his forearm off with an electric saw. Prior to the doc's arrival though, the other workers managed to control the bleeding with a piece of electrical flex.

[kayaker]

As for tampons, having stuck anything inside a wound for a long period of time may result in anaphylactic shock:

"A sudden, severe allergic reaction characterized by a sharp drop in blood pressure, urticaria, and breathing difficulties that is caused by exposure to a foreign substance, such as a drug or bee venom, after a preliminary or sensitizing exposure. The reaction may be fatal if emergency treatment, including epinephrine injections, is not given immediately. Also called anaphylaxis. "

[kayaker]

hello what should be in my survival kit?????

:oops:

read this:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36508

Be happy to answer Questions afterwards.

[gtronin]

I guess I have to elaborate a bit on the tampon plug thing: this was meant as an add to the pretty basic bandage pack that every soldier was carrying in his left shoulder pocket. it was pretty much a maxi pad with a sown on cloth bandage sealed in a robust plasic bag i.e. not much to properly seal up a gaping wound. Nothing replaces the proper kit, but it isnt bad to have with the crap that we got.
the only time I ever used a tampon was on a B.S. embassy guard assignment, one of my guys got a bloody nose (spontanous bleeding my azz, the douche wouldnt stop picking his nose) and I couldnt get him replaced, so the tampon plugged his nose. besides him feeling a bit stupid with a bloody tampon in his nose, the rest of the shift went fine. anyhow sorry for the off topic rambling.
Dont listen to me anyways, I had a friggin powerbar taped my helmet for petes sake(between the helmet and hemet cover).

[kayaker]

hahah, a tampon for a bleedin nose. I like that, see who I can embrasses by convincing them they are the latest solution to plug the nasal tube!

[gtronin]

well, we couldnt go anywhere, but it worked like a charm and I wasnt about to take one for the team and stick my finger in there till it turned gangrenous.

[oldsoak]

Survival kit ? Valid credit card and fully charged mobile phone. :lol:

Seriously, survival kits are only much use if you know what to do with them and are comfortable with them. The last thing you want to be doing is looking at something and wondering WTF you should do with it. Its also geared towards where you are when you need it.
Suppose you're at home when theres a disaster - snow brings down the power lines etc and you cant go anywhere - you'll need to feed the family, keep 'em warm, make sure those on long term medication have a weeks worth of pills etc. One good reason to have a freezer in an unheated garage btw. You will need tins of stuff, gas cooker ( that dinky little barbeque could be the best thing ever ! ).
Car kit - this is for when you get stuck in the middle of nowhere - blankets, old pair of gloves, beanie hat, old pair of tracksuit bottoms, socks candy bars, litre bottle of spring water ( in the cab with you ), little brewkit with a burner and matches so you can make a hot sweet drink. Mobile phone charger, torch and batteries, toilet paper/wet wipes, safety triangle etc. Always have a multitool in the glovebox and one of them foldaway spades in the boot. If you're out in a real hot place - two or three litre bottles of water in the boot.
Personal survival - depends on what kind of survival - Escape and Evasion or just what you take on a hunting/fishing trip ? You get trained on E&E - the instructors should give you an idea of what to take, and how to use it. For hunting, you should carry
Tarp and string to make a rudimentary shelter. Useful for cleaning out animals on - somewhere to put the pieces on without getting them covered in cr*p.
fire making kit
mossie repellant + head net - keep those b*ggers at bay
knife, small handsaw - so you can cut wood and keep a fire going overnight means you keep warm without a blanket or sleeping bag.
compass - learn how to use it
hat, gloves
candy bars
water and puritabs.
loo paper
basic first aid kit - plaster, antiseptic wipes, antihistamine cream, tweezers to get thorns out.
tin mug you can stick in the embers of a fire
mix coffee, whitener and sugar in a film can.
All these pack down into a suprisingly small space.
best thing is get youreself on a course and learn how to make fire, lay up for a night etc.

[foxtrot023]

Popular Mechanics had an article out on emergency gear in your house in case of a hurricane/flooding or similar natural disasters.

The point of this thread would be- what would you have in the trunk of your car for emergencies in which you have to evacuate the house in a hurry (floods, fires, tornadoes, riots, etc) or you get caught in your car (avalanches, accidents etc.)? think of it as an emergency pack.

The items are to be easily carried or stored on the trunk of a car, long durability (meaning you can keep them in the car or house for long periods of time) and comercial availability.

Categories-

Arms (firearms, knives, etc)
first aid (band aids, bandages, aspirin, etc)
tools (swiss army knife, multitools, pliers, etc)
other (flashlight, batteries, tent, water, canned food, etc)

[Beowulf]

Popular Mechanics had an article out on emergency gear in your house in case of a hurricane/flooding or similar natural disasters.

The point of this thread would be- what would you have in the trunk of your car for emergencies in which you have to evacuate the house in a hurry (floods, fires, tornadoes, riots, etc) or you get caught in your car (avalanches, accidents etc.)? think of it as an emergency pack.

The items are to be easily carried or stored on the trunk of a car, long durability (meaning you can keep them in the car or house for long periods of time) and comercial availability.

Categories-

Arms (firearms, knives, etc)
first aid (band aids, bandages, aspirin, etc)
tools (swiss army knife, multitools, pliers, etc)
other (flashlight, batteries, tent, water, canned food, etc)

FEMA has a list.

I currently have a "Car Kit" that goes in the bed of my truck.

I have a spare tire and tools of course.
2 cans fix a flat
air compressor/w emergency radio and flashlight
jumper cables
radiator fluid
motor oil
brake fluid
100 mph tape
tow straps
bungees
Blanket
surefire light
emergency triangles
first aid kit (i used to have a CLS bag, but I had to turn it back in.)
-hygiene and sunscreen, lip balm, RX/OTC meds etc.
2 sets of clothes
half a VS-17 panel

I also keep a bugout bag that I take in the truck on long trips.

Camelbak
Iodine
IFAK
- -hygiene and sunscreen, lip balm, RX/OTC meds etc.
GPS
Set of durable clothes
boonie hat
half a VS-17 panel
some food/snacks
100 mph tape (not a whole roll, just take some off and roll it on itself)
550 Cord
.38spl + ammo
poncho
poncho liner


In cold weather/environments adjust accordingly.

edit: I'm sure I left some stuff off, but you get the idea. Try and keep it as light as possible. ounces make pounds as they say.

[foxtrot023]

Thanks for the reply Beo,

On the medical first aid kit, I found this-

Most store bought first aid kits, especially the cheap ones, are very poor in terms of quality, quantity, and selection of items, and are only suited for treating very minor injuries. A homemade kit, if properly prepared, is generally better and sometimes cheaper than most commercial kits.
A generic first aid kit (http://www.firstaidneeds.com/) is better than nothing. However, the contents of a first aid kit should be optimized for local conditions. For example, a kit for hikers in snake country should have a snakebite kit. A kit aboard a boat should have medications for seasickness.
One list of items for a first aid kit are as follows:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Sparadrap_2.jpg/180px-Sparadrap_2.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sparadrap_2.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sparadrap_2.jpg)
Adhesive bandages are one of the most commonly used items in a first aid kit



Dressings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dressing_%28medical%29) (sterile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_%28microbiology%29), applied directly to wound (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound))
Pads
Sterile eye (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye) pads
Sterile gauze pads
Sterile nonadherent pads
Burn dressing (sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel)
Occlusive dressing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occlusive_dressing) (airtight dressing, can be used to treat a "sucking chest wound," in which air is sucked into the chest cavity, collapsing the lung (pneumothorax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumothorax)). For this use, occlussive dressings should be taped on three sides only, to create a "one-way valve")
petroleum gauze (also used as non-adherent dressing)
Half of any gauze wrapper can be used, since the inside is sterile and air-tight
Bandages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandages) (sterility is not necessary, used to secure a dressing)
Gauze Roller bandages - absorbent, breathable, and often elastic
Elastic bandages - used for sprains, and pressure bandages
Adhesive, elastic roller bandages - Very effective pressure bandages or durable, waterproof bandaging
Triangular bandages - used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other usesSometimes dressings and bandages are combined, in which case they must be sterile.

Adhesive bandages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhesive_bandage) (band-aids, sticking plasters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticking_plaster))
Straight adhesive bandages
Butterfly (knuckle) bandageshttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8d/Disposable_nitrile_glove.jpg/180px-Disposable_nitrile_glove.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Disposable_nitrile_glove.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Disposable_nitrile_glove.jpg)
Disposable gloves should be provided in a first aid kit


Instruments

Adhesive tape (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhesive_tape), hypoallergenic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenic)
Trauma shears (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trauma_shears), for cutting clothing and general use
Tweezers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweezers)
Irrigation syringe, for cleaning wounds
Rubber suction bulb, for clearing the airway of an unconscious patient
If treating snakebites is a concern. This is the only snakebite kit generally recognised as not causing further damage and possibly reducing the effects of a snakebite.[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources)]Equipment
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a5/Flashlight_450x190.JPG/180px-Flashlight_450x190.JPG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flashlight_450x190.JPG) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flashlight_450x190.JPG)
A torch (flashlight) is a useful addition to a first aid kit, especially one placed in a vehicle



Splint(s) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splint_%28medicine%29)
SAM Splint - Versatile splint made of malleable aluminum covered with foam
Air splints - Easy to apply, can also help control bleeding, but bulkier and more expensive
Wire ladder splint
Personal Protective Equipment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_protective_equipment) (PPE)
Gloves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_gloves), disposable non-latex (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latex)
CPR mask (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPR_mask) or other breathing barrier such as a face shield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_shield)
Eye cup or small plastic cup
Torch (also known as a flashlight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashlight))
Instant-acting chemical cold packs
Sterile eye wash (commonly saline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saline_%28medicine%29))
Sterile saline may also be used for cleaning wounds where clean tap water (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tap_water) is not available.
Swabs, sterile non-woven
Space blanket (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_blanket) (lightweight plastic foil blanket, sometimes called "emergency blanket")
Alcohol rub (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_rub) (hand sanitizer) or antiseptic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiseptic) hand wipes (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hand_wipe&action=edit)
Thermometer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermometer)
PenlightMedication (Single use packets of medications, ointments, and antiseptics will prolong shelf life, decrease contamination risk, reduce risk of leakage (usually), and save space (for small quantities). If large amounts of a medication are needed, a multi-use container can be used in addition, but keep single-use packets as a backup. For general household use (not in first aid kits), single use packets can be wasteful and bad for the environment.)

Antiseptics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiseptics)/antimicrobial (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial)
Povidone iodine wipes - very effective and painless, but messy. Can also be used to purify water
Benzalkonium Chloride - painless, effective, often includes anesthetic. (Bactine is one brand.)
Alcohol pads - should not be used on open cuts or wounds, since they cause tissue damage and delay healing. They can be used to prep unbroken skin for injections etc. or to disinfect equipment such as thermometers. While not a medical use, alcohol pads are also useful as a solvent to remove ink, adhesives, etc.
Antibiotic ointment - single, double, or triple antibiotic ointment in petroleum jelly base (i.e. Neosporin, Polysporin). Since it has a petroleum jelly base, it can be used for things such as chapped lips.
Antiseptic/anesthetic ointment or spray
Anti-itch ointment (especially for outdoor kits)
Hydrocortisone cream
Antihistamine cream, such as benadryl
Calamine lotion
Painkillers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painkillers) / fever reducers (since moderate fevers are beneficial, avoid unless necessary)
Acetaminophen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetaminophen) (brand name Tylenol)
Ibuprofen (such as Advil) - anti-inflammatory, often more effective that acetaminophen
Naproxen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naproxen) (such as Aleve) - similar to ibuprofen, but stronger and longer lasting
Aspirin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspirin) - one 300mg Aspirin tablet may be given to a patient suffering a heart attack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myocardial_infarction), to be chewed slowly.
Antihistamines - can treat allergies and allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylactic shock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaphylactic_shock). Although OTC (over-the-counter) medications are far less effective at treating anaphylaxis than epinephrine or prescription drugs, they are much better than nothing and can be potentially life saving, and therefore may be the most valuable medication in a first aid kit.
diphenhydramine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphenhydramine) (brand name Benadryl)
Aloe vera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera) gel - used for a wide variety of skin problems, including burns, sunburns, itching, and dry skin
Burn gel - a water based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anesthetic such as lidocaine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidocaine) and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as tea tree oil (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_tree_oil)
Epinephrine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epinephrine) auto-injector (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-injector) (brand name Epipen) - Often included in kits for wilderness use and in places like summer camps, to treat anaphylactic shock. Requires a prescription and can be used with minimal training.
Poison treatments
Activated charcoal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activated_charcoal) - to be used when directed by poison control (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_control_center).
Syrup of ipecac (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrup_of_ipecac) - to be used when directed by poison control (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_control_center).
QuikClot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuikClot) is a hemostatic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemostatic) agent sometimes included in first aid kits, especially military kits, to control severe bleeding. It is recent product not yet widely marketed to civilians, although in 2002 Z-Medica (maker of QuikClot) received FDA clearance to do so.Note that regulations in some jurisdictions prohibit the provision of actual medications in a workplace first aid kit. In addition, many first-aid organizations explicitly prohibit the use of medication by a non-medical professional due to the possibility of serious legal repercussions. (See Good Samaritan Law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_Law)).
Improvised uses: Many first aid items can have improvised uses in a survival situation. For example, alcohol pads and petroleum jelly based ointments can be used as a fire-starting aid in an emergency, and the latter can even be used as an improvised lubricant for certain mechanical devices, and adhesive tapes and bandages can be used for repairs. These alternate uses can be an important consideration when picking items for a kit that may be used in wilderness or survival situations.

[Robbee]

I've always got a couple of self-lighting road flares in my car.

[whutitdewboi713]

lots of beer.

[foxtrot023]

Shelter or warmth

Reflective aluminum Space blanket (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_blanket) to retain body heat
Lightweight emergency poncho (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poncho) for protection against rain
Emergency "tube tent", "bivvy bag" or tarp with grommets for attaching a rope
Magnifying glass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnifying_glass), magnesium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium), or tinder for fire-starting
Mosquito net (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_net), protection against mosquitoes, flies and other insects.
Magnesium Flint and Saw Striker
Waterproof matches (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match) or lighter
Esbit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esbit) or heat tablets for starting a fire
Dark-colored Shoe Polish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_Polish)(Black preferred) for fire fuel. (it also gives off a smell that can repel animals and can be used for marking and camouflage)
Cable saw for cutting wood (either for constructing a shelter or for a fire)Health and First Aid

First aid kit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_aid_kit) with bandages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandage), sterile pads and gauze, first aid tape, tweezers, surgical razor, disinfectant pads, oxytetracycline tablets (for diarrhea or infection) and aspirin
Insect repellent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_repellent)
Soap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soap)
Toilet paper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper)
Lip balm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lip_balm)Food and water

Iodine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodine) tablets for emergency water purification
Edible salt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_salt) for food and also can be used for brushing teeth.
Water in bottles or tetra blocs
Collapsible (empty) water bags or containers
Canned food (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canned_food), Ready-to-eat meals (MRE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRE)), or high-energy foods such as chocolate or emergency food bars.
Fishing line, fish hooks, lures, and split shot leads
Snare wire
Tea, gum, and hard candy (as a morale booster)Signaling, navigation and reference

Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Position-Indicating_Radio_Beacon) (EPIRB) send a distress signal that allows the beacon to be located by a satellite system, minimizing the search and maximizing the rescue.
Candles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candle), Torch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torch) (flashlight), or glow sticks
Surveyor's orange tape (for marking location for rescuers)
Pen and paper (for leaving notes to rescuers about direction of travel)
Whistle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle), Signal Mirror (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliograph), and/or smoke or illumination flares for signaling
Compass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass), GPS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS) navigation equipment
Maps (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map) of the region
Survival manual (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_skills#Survival_manual)Multipurpose tools or materials

Swiss army style knife (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_army_knife)
Gerber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerber_multitool) or Leatherman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherman) style multi tool
sharpening stone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharpening_stone)
Folding saw or cable saw
Heavy-duty thread and needle (for repairing clothing and equipment)
Plastic bags (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_bag) or trash bags
Heavy-duty aluminum foil (for frying food, signaling, etc.)
Sturdy cord or "550" parachute cord (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachute_cord) (for supporting a tarp, snaring small animals, etc.)
Firearm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm), for self defense, food procurement, and signaling. For home-based or car-based kits, a shotgun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun) or rifle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifle). For portable or mobile kits, a pistol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistol). In either case, a sufficient amount of proper ammunition.

[foxtrot023]

FEMA has a list.

I currently have a "Car Kit" that goes in the bed of my truck.

I have a spare tire and tools of course.
2 cans fix a flat
air compressor/w emergency radio and flashlight
jumper cables
radiator fluid
motor oil
brake fluid
100 mph tape
tow straps
bungees
Blanket
surefire light
emergency triangles
first aid kit (i used to have a CLS bag, but I had to turn it back in.)
-hygiene and sunscreen, lip balm, RX/OTC meds etc.
2 sets of clothes
half a VS-17 panel

I also keep a bugout bag that I take in the truck on long trips.

Camelbak
Iodine
IFAK
- -hygiene and sunscreen, lip balm, RX/OTC meds etc.
GPS
Set of durable clothes
boonie hat
half a VS-17 panel
some food/snacks
100 mph tape (not a whole roll, just take some off and roll it on itself)
550 Cord
.38spl + ammo
poncho
poncho liner


In cold weather/environments adjust accordingly.

edit: I'm sure I left some stuff off, but you get the idea. Try and keep it as light as possible. ounces make pounds as they say.

Beo,

Your imput is much appreciated, specially with the experience you bring to bear.

[oswald]

For keeping in your car, one of those tools that you press against the window and shatter it - some also come with a blade for cutting seat belt straps. I forget the name of the thing.

I also have a slim jim my mom gave me :|

I used to have alot of the meds listed above, as well as emergency cold pack whatnot, but most of those things have expiration dates or lose effectiveness sitting in a car through the seasons, so check dates.

I love those SAM splints. I have several of different sizes down to finger size, but in a pinch the big ones can be cut down with your emergency scissors (yes, they really can cut pennies!)

[theholeinthedonut]

I like your emergency LOADOUT guys!

[oswald]

I like your emergency LOADOUT guys!:bash:



douche p-)

[James]

I have a flashlight/seatbelt cutter/window punch all in one.

[foxtrot023]

For keeping in your car, one of those tools that you press against the window and shatter it - some also come with a blade for cutting seat belt straps. I forget the name of the thing.

I also have a slim jim my mom gave me :|

I used to have alot of the meds listed above, as well as emergency cold pack whatnot, but most of those things have expiration dates or lose effectiveness sitting in a car through the seasons, so check dates.

I love those SAM splints. I have several of different sizes down to finger size, but in a pinch the big ones can be cut down with your emergency scissors (yes, they really can cut pennies!)

Slim Jims are supposed to last a lifetime p-)

On the other hand, what items can include in a kit when you have kids? I am thinking per example, tylenol for kids, perhaps some cloth diapers

[Beowulf]

I have a flashlight/seatbelt cutter/window punch all in one.

thats cool..... where'd you get it?

[oswald]

Perhaps some dry mix formula for infants, plus bottles/liners, of course. Not really sure, since I don't have that problem.

BTW, my wilderness first aid instructor (a bit of a nutjob, so take it with a grain of salt) suggested maxipads since they suck up so much blood :|

[theholeinthedonut]

Slim Jims are supposed to last a lifetime p-)

On the other hand, what items can include in a kit when you have kids? I am thinking per example, tylenol for kids, perhaps some cloth diapers
Kids:
Something to get the fever down is important for kids, electrolytes (hope you use the same word as we do), as you said cloth nappies, baby powder, something against sore skin....ask your pediatrician.
Generally:
something to clear foul water, tablets as well as filter, MSR has a brilliant new modell, knife, axe, entrenching tool a shotgun with pellets, buckshot and slug ammo.

As a rule of thump I would say that experience and knowledge is more important then the equipment!
I forgot for the kid: powdermilk as long as he needs to have his milk.

[Beowulf]

In a vehicle you can really have a lot of stuff as most cars have decent trunk space.

The difficulty arises when you have to hoof it somewhere. Then the selection process of what to bring becomes much more nuanced and difficult.

Especially of you have kids in tow. I'll keep the kid around until I need to throw him to the zombies in order to get away.

Edit: sorry junior, daddy can make more.

[theholeinthedonut]

I think it all depends on the environnemnet where you will have to survive: urban, rural or wilderness, the climate zone and the nature of the emergency will also be relevan! Might there be riots will you have to defend yourself against animal predators or against humans? There are many variables you have to fit into your calculations.

[Ironsight06]

For all Europeans, safety vest is obligatory a lot of EU countries nowadays:

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/7416/safetyvestco9.jpg

Still, laws aside, a good thing to have with you, especially when dark, foggy, heavy rain etc.

[James]

thats cool..... where'd you get it?

Tru-Value Hardware. I was only shopping for a window punch, but they had these instead. Pretty handy.

[James]

I'll keep the kid around until I need to throw him to the zombies in order to get away.


I hear you. We don't have kids yet, but I can run faster than my wife.

[theholeinthedonut]

I hear you. We don't have kids yet, but I can run faster than my wife.

As long as you don't have a run in with Dutroux the wife will serve you fine......

[TH_CYRUS50]

I have a flashlight/seatbelt cutter/window punch all in one.
emergency hammer.
How about those chemical lights, shake them brake them and they light up for about 12 hours

Cheers Cy

[Sabre]

For all Europeans, safety vest is obligatory a lot of EU countries nowadays:



Still, laws aside, a good thing to have with you, especially when dark, foggy, heavy rain etc.

Amen to that. I was told by a doc at a trauma course that if you were to park your car well onto the hard shoulder of a well-lit UK motorway at night, with your hazard lights on, it will take on average only 30 minutes before someone crashes into the back of you.

So, for the most common emergency (car trouble on a motorway) pull your car well off, up the grass bank if you can, and if you aren't doing something simple like changing a wheel, then call the breakdown service and get everyone out of the car and up on the bank, up-traffic of your car.

It's just not worth the risk of staying in or near your car.

[theholeinthedonut]

Amen to that. I was told by a doc at a trauma course that if you were to park your car well onto the hard shoulder of a well-lit UK motorway at night, with your hazard lights on, it will take on average only 30 minutes before someone crashes into the back of you.

So, for the most common emergency (car trouble on a motorway) pull your car well off, up the grass bank if you can, and if you aren't doing something simple like changing a wheel, then call the breakdown service and get everyone out of the car and up on the bank, up-traffic of your car.

It's just not worth the risk of staying in or near your car.

X3
And don't forget to get alll the passengers well up on to thge grass bank as far away from the blacktop as possible and up traffic....so if another car crashs into your own you can't be hit by flying debris.

[Buckeye67]

FEMA has a list.


Yep, for anyone interested - here's FEMA's preparedness website:

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

Neat. They also have a bunch of online "self-study" courses which, while most are geared toward "First Responder" types, are open to the general public. Here's one geared toward civvies about preparedness: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is22.asp

[schwarz]

thats cool..... where'd you get it?


Benchmade makes one for around 40 bucks.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10105

[capixaba]

[quote=oswald;2724934]For keeping in your car, one of those tools that you press against the window and shatter it - some also come with a blade for cutting seat belt straps. I forget the name of the thing.
quote]

You thinking of this...."Lifehammer" http://www.lifehammer.com/ combination hammer/belt cutter.
Check the site... also sounds like the one James mentioned in his post

[Death.]

Uh, well I don't have much in my trunk, being that it's a car. but I've got a small emergency kit tied down in it, it has...
-x2 15min road flares, red
- 4 6" light sticks
- flashlight/strobe
- electrical tape
- duct tape
- space blanket
- matches
- drinking water packets
- multi-tool
- collapsable water container with tube
- tire pressure gauge (lol)
- bungee cords
- jumper cables
- fuses (car)
- other random crap

Also have a first aid kit from cheaperthan dirt back there, and thinking about buying a 3-day survival kit for giggles..

Ya know..just incase the mustang gets stuck or dies when I'm off-roading it through a mud trail 50 miles from civilization or something......;)

[Flagg]

In a vehicle you can really have a lot of stuff as most cars have decent trunk space.

The difficulty arises when you have to hoof it somewhere. Then the selection process of what to bring becomes much more nuanced and difficult.

Especially of you have kids in tow. I'll keep the kid around until I need to throw him to the zombies in order to get away.

Edit: sorry junior, daddy can make more.

That's why I got two....in case the zombies get one, I still have one left to mow the lawn when things get back to normal.

[Flagg]

I hear you. We don't have kids yet, but I can run faster than my wife.

I can too, but I'm not sure for how much longer...My wife's a lot younger than me so I'm not sure how long she'll push my wheelchair before leaving me for dead.

[digrar]

You want to get them used to tabbing too, those kids are going to have to carry their own kit, you're not a pack horse after all.

[Flagg]

On a slightly more serious note, we do the following:

Whenever canned fruit, baby forumula, nappies, basically ANY high volume commodity our household consumes is on supersale.....I empty the store.

If anything starts to approach expiry date, or if my kids have outgrown the nappies/formula and we're sitting on inventory I donate it to the Salvation Army.

Same with our dog....we keep 3+ months of food for him

We not only have peace of mind, but we save a fortune when buying on sale or bulk.

Same rule as Beo pointed out where ounces make pounds....pennies make dollars.

---------

My wife and I each carry a Surefire & Multitool everywhere.

We have basic first-aid kits in our vehicles(with a home-made CLS-like kit at home).

We think of our vehicles as being "empty" when the tank is half full.

We have a giant heavy duty bag loaded with everything we would need, especially for the kids, to go for a week minus water.

With the bag is a set of high quality tramping gear for my wife and I.

Next to that is my modified Alice frame, etc. ready to go for Army stuff.

Basically, we go with the following plan:

If we gotta bail NOW, we can be in the car rolling in 5 minutes with enough for a week or longer.

If we gotta bail SOON, we can be in the car rolling in 30 minutes with enough to last us months...minus water beyond about a fortnight.

The reason why my family takes it somewhat seriously is because we live right on the beach and there is some history of tsunami risk here....and we had at 2am scare about a year and a half ago that fortunately turned out to be nothing.

Nothing I listed is really any different from anyone else, but I would STRONGLY ENCOURAGE the following:

Box O' Valuables including things like:

insurance, insurance, insurance paperwork
CASH(at least a couple hundred)
ACCOUNT NAMES/PASSWORDS/DETAILS FOR EVERYTHING!
passports
mortgages/property deeds/stock/bond certificates/IMPORTANT PAPERWORK
valuables....anything small/portable that's irreplaceable

A cheap(or free) ammo tin works for us.

I would also encourage anyone who is on prescription meds to see about building up their inventory.....talk to your doctor and be honest about what you're doing....I reckon most would be quite willing to increase the size of your script a bit.

For me, I ramped things up a lot when we had our kids...so even if aliens invade and start eating us like chicken wings my kids will not go hungry or wearing sh!tty diapers when they're manning the OP.

[Flagg]

You want to get them used to tabbing too, those kids are going to have to carry their own kit, you're not a pack horse after all.

Yeah...about that......My oldest looks like he has potential to be light infantry...he carries his own little pack to daycare/preschool :)

But my youngest is a sack....he can barely walk 10 metres without needed a cuddle.....he needs to sort his sh!t out ;)

[digrar]

Harsh but fair, they can't toddlers for ever. :)

[foxtrot023]

nursing and first aid procedures-

http://nursing.about.com/od/firstaid/Nursing_Procedures_How_To_Library.htm

[Albatross]

Does anyone know of a company that sell a GOOD survival kit, 5-7 day? Food, Medical, etc, etc......... I can find crap ones or can put one together myself. I am just wondering if anyone has a company that they know/trust they could direct me too. Thanks.

[puff monster]

go to
http://www.bestglide.com/
get military survival tin with there new tin holder
some quick clot
nato water bottle
bcb food packs as needed
airforce survival knife
some paracord
a basha or tarp
and 2 space blankits

bam, a great survival kit

[Albatross]

nice, thanks.

[puff monster]

no problem
you might want to get one of these
http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4s.tam?xax=17194&M5COPY%2Ectx=7824&M5%2Ectx=7824&M2%5FDESC%2Ectx=Emergency%20Preparedness%2C%20Survival%20%26%20Lifesaving%20Supplies&level3%2Ectx=results%2Etam&query%2Ectx=imps%20net&backto=%2Fagcatalog%2Fresults%2Etam

and the lofty wiseman survival guide

and check these guys out
http://m4040.com/

http://www.therangerdigest.com/
anything else

[puff monster]

you should also bring a towel and a nice silva compass

[Albatross]

most of the stuff i am rigging is basic camping gear. just looking for some medical. grew up hunting and fishing, know about the outdoors. live in san fran, hopefully just for a few more months. world is a shaky place right now, just want to get some kit together just in case.

[Albatross]

that net thing is badass! how did you stumble on to that?

[puff monster]

best of luck in the out doors

[puff monster]

that net thing is badass! how did you stumble on to that?
i found info on it at therangerdigest.com
pretty cool aye
best of all it really works

[California Joe]

Theres a couple of bigass threads in here discussing all that kinda stuff.

[Buckeye67]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=71724

[California Joe]

Buckeye, can you fit all that stuff in your possibles bag? :)

[Buckeye67]

I can in my New Invented Knapsack & Haversack 1776 Pattern. p-)


Let's see:
Tin Pot
folding skillet
lead bars
cornmeal
slab bacon
sewing kit
leather pouch with extra round balls
extra material for patching
file/sharpening stone
tin of beeswax & tallow
extra pieces of brain tan (for repairs)
blanket (4-point)
(inside blanket):
spare moccasins
extra shirt
extra wool stockings (winter)
tinder bag

I think that about covers it. :p

Shooting stuff, ball mold, flint & steel, compass - all that type of stuff goes in the shot pouch.

[California Joe]

Hahaha nicely done pal.

[Buckeye67]

I guess it's no surprise really - the stuff you need to survive in the woods really hasn't changed over time. Yeah the materials have changed; they're lighter, more durable, more user-friendly, more efficient, but the needs are still basically the same - food, fire, shelter, water (mainly) and your weapon & ammo (and some tools - knife, belt axe etc).

Doing the longhunter/historical trekking thing is a great way to practice survival skills. :)

[puff monster]

I can in my New Invented Knapsack & Haversack 1776 Pattern. p-)


Let's see:
Tin Pot
folding skillet
lead bars
cornmeal
slab bacon
sewing kit
leather pouch with extra round balls
extra material for patching
file/sharpening stone
tin of beeswax & tallow
extra pieces of brain tan (for repairs)
blanket (4-point)
(inside blanket):
spare moccasins
extra shirt
extra wool stockings (winter)
tinder bag

I think that about covers it. :p

Shooting stuff, ball mold, flint & steel, compass - all that type of stuff goes in the shot pouch.
are the lead bars for musket balls
i really respect you if you can survive on that
and i thought i was tough
but what do you use as a blade

[Buckeye67]

are the lead bars for musket balls

Yes, back in the day a rifle's caliber was determined by the number of balls you could get out of a pound of lead. Rifle bore sizes were rarely ever the same, even from the same gunmaker - so each rifle would come with a mold to produce bullets (round ball) for that rifle.

Ideally in the field you'd try to recover your bullets - then you can melt them down in your ladle over a fire and recast them. If you eventually run out, you can use the lead bars (or sometimes melt the led and let it cool in the ladle - that way you can just toss the ingot into the ladle when you need it) to cast more roundball.

[Albatross]

yea, this whole buy your rounds in one piece thing is overrated. only pansy shoot centerfire, real men melt metal and sh!t.

[Buckeye67]

are the lead bars for musket balls
i really respect you if you can survive on that
and i thought i was tough
but what do you use as a blade

Part two (post edit p-) ):

Here's my long knife and belt axe. Both are pretty common patterns from the 18th century. Some guys carry a smaller knife in a neck scabbard or a folding knife (which were common in the 18th century). Blade length on the knife is about 9". There were longer knives carried back in the day - the Virginians (aka the "tuckey-ho" boys) were referred to commonly by the indians as the "Long Knives".


Long knife and belt axe by my friend Kyle Willyard of Old Dominion Forge (http://www.olddominionforge.com/):
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4150/20040416knives00087vi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

(porcupine quilled medicine pouch by Buckeye67 ;) )

[puff monster]

Part two (post edit p-) ):

Here's my long knife and belt axe. Both are pretty common patterns from the 18th century. Some guys carry a smaller knife in a neck scabbard or a folding knife (which were common in the 18th century). Blade length on the knife is about 9". There were longer knives carried back in the day - the Virginians (aka the "tuckey-ho" boys) were referred to commonly by the indians as the "Long Knives".


Long knife and belt axe by my friend Kyle Willyard of Old Dominion Forge (http://www.olddominionforge.com/):
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4150/20040416knives00087vi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

(porcupine quilled medicine pouch by Buckeye67 ;) )
cool, i use the mod survival knife
http://static.zoovy.com/img/888knivesrus/-/sh71680
has many of the good features of those old blades
simple, reliable, thick, and high carbon

[California Joe]

Those are nice pieces. He does good work. I only have a small patch knife at the moment. Gave my other knife away as a present. Been thinking of making myself a 'hawk.

[puff monster]

Those are nice pieces. He does good work. I only have a small patch knife at the moment. Gave my other knife away as a present. Been thinking of making myself a 'hawk.
you guys make your own knives!
i tried to make a knife out of a leaf spring but i failed
right now im working on a very narrow, short blade thats simailer to the bird and trout knife but with more blade

[Buckeye67]

Kyle does good stuff. Check out this site, CJ. Always good stuff available, and good folks too. Check for knives & axes by Joe Seabolt, he does good work and still works pretty cheap. p-)

http://www.longrifle.ws/

Edit: Looks like Joe only has one knife up at the moment.


you guys make your own knives!
i tried to make a knife out of a leaf spring but i failed
right now im working on a very narrow, short blade thats simailer to the bird and trout knife but with more blade

There are some very talented blacksmiths out there. The only thing I know how to do is work the bellows. ;)

I do nancy-boy artsy stuff (like the quilled bag up there). Learning to do quillwork is the only good thing I ever got from my ex-wife. :-p

[hejab99]

Survival kit or an escape and evade bag?

[Weasel]

Does anyone know of a company that sell a GOOD survival kit, 5-7 day? Food, Medical, etc, etc......... I can find crap ones or can put one together myself. I am just wondering if anyone has a company that they know/trust they could direct me too. Thanks.

I recommend ryan´s top-notch thread:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36508&highlight=beltkit

[Sabre]

yea, this whole buy your rounds in one piece thing is overrated. only pansy shoot centerfire, real men melt metal and sh!t.

Bah, these firesticks are not for real men. True men need only a strong blade and the favour of Thor behind it!

[Weasel]

Bah, these firesticks are not for real men. True men need only a strong blade and the favour of Thor behind it!

That´s what I call a true spirit.

[Albatross]

Survival kit or an escape and evade bag?

-putting together something in case of another attack. i live in a major city, want a bag that i can grab and leave for a week or so. If i am unable to get out of the city, i want something with food and medical for 3 days. (mres, water, etc, etc.) also earthquakes are a very real possiblility here.

[Sabre]

Tinned food and a simple solid fuel is the best way to go for long term storage. Water will always be the biggest problem, as a weeks worth of water for a family (or even just two people) is quite a lot. It will also spoil far faster than food, so will have to be replaced. I remember putting these things together as a kid on the west coast, in a sort of 'earthquake pack'. Worthwhile for natural disasters as well, as they seem to occur in California quite often (brush fires etc).

[Dragonscript]

To celebrate my 100th post i thought i would start a topic about a subject i recently became interested in.

I live in Indiana, USA and emergency situations that i am most likely to encounter are blizzards, tornadoes, floods and emergency evacuation for one reason or another. I have what I call my 72/5 plan, which is to have 72 hours worth of supplies that I can evacuate out with within 5 minutes. This includes water, food, cloths, pet supplies, records, medications & first aid. I keep all of this in water cans and plastic containers that i can load into my car if need be, but i also have packed two backpacks just in case i can't use a vehicle. I don't have a list to share right now put i can post one if anyone is interested.

I know people around the world have very different situations than mine so I'm interested in what people are doing to prepare for their emergency situations and what those situations are. Also, if you have any gear suggestions, links to good sites or any other info to share please do. Here is a site i found to be useful:

http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php

[Robbee]

. . . . . . . . . . .

[Mark Sman]

I keep at least a weeks worth of basics on hand during hurricane season. In my location evacuation is unlikely, so you have to prepare to live in place without support.

That and of course:
http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/zombiesurvivalguide/
http://www.robotuprising.com/surviving.htm

[Hollis]

Needed to merge threads

[Itamajus]

How do you keep you water reserves? for how much days?


P.S. Im asking because, if something happend i would know there to go and who to steal from j/k ;)

[SOG]

Well I'm not big into the emergency scene but I have been seriously looking into getting one of these:

http://www.freeplayenergy.com/products/illumination/lanterns/indigo

With all the little blackouts we have in California, a winding light that doesn't require batteries is kind of cool and I have never cared for having to rely on batteries.

Also I have had the... Experience of having a ER Bar at one time and I have to say as far as emergency food goes it could be worse. They are cheap, taste alright (Like densely packed lemon flavored corn grits), although you will need water to wash them down and they are very thick and hard packed. Did I mention they were cheap and edible?

http://www.quakekare.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=21

They have a 5 year shelf life and 100% of the nutrients required daily. Keeping a box around would basically ensure a 3 month single person supply of food that keeps for 5 years. Not bad.

[onefast93z28]

I've got all the basics in my car:

A good first aid kit with some extra stuff added to it
A full change of clothes
A jacket (add a heavy jacket when it gets cold)
Some water purification tablets
A couple energy bars
A 3 D-cell and a 6 D-cell maglight
Surefire G2
General tools
Jumper cables
Road flares
8 of those 12 hour glowsticks
2 extra 50 round boxes of .40

On me, every time I walk out the door:

Surefire 6P
Multitool
XD40 Service model with up to two full reloads
Lighter

If crap is really going down I have a bunch of preparations in the house and can be rolling in 10-15 minutes with food for a month and enough ammo to take over a third world country...

[Flagg]

How do you keep you water reserves? for how much days?



My wife and I keep a couple of 1000 litre food grade palletized containers with spigots. They're quite popular in NZ for farm/lifestyle block use(we've got a farm which is how I came into possession of our two). They look like this:

http://www.brenntag.pl/gfx/photo-a-oferta-02.jpg

We also have a few food grade 240 litre containers(we got for fre as well) like this:

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/15/50617115_full.jpg

Good for storing junk you don't need to access often.

[Flagg]

To celebrate my 100th post i thought i would start a topic about a subject i recently became interested in.

I live in Indiana, USA and emergency situations that i am most likely to encounter are blizzards, tornadoes, floods and emergency evacuation for one reason or another. I have what I call my 72/5 plan, which is to have 72 hours worth of supplies that I can evacuate out with within 5 minutes. This includes water, food, cloths, pet supplies, records, medications & first aid. I keep all of this in water cans and plastic containers that i can load into my car if need be, but i also have packed two backpacks just in case i can't use a vehicle. I don't have a list to share right now put i can post one if anyone is interested.

I know people around the world have very different situations than mine so I'm interested in what people are doing to prepare for their emergency situations and what those situations are. Also, if you have any gear suggestions, links to good sites or any other info to share please do. Here is a site i found to be useful:

http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php

Great idea.....my wife and I operate along similiar lines:

We have a 5 minute plan and a 30 minute plan.

We live on the beach and had a tsunami scare a few years back and with a couple wee kids in the house it's allowed my wife to sleep a good bit better at night or when I'm away.

[Andreas]

Hmm. interesting thread.

The greatest danger where I live is me putting on a pair of mismatched socks in the dark in the morning... So I dont have a evac-plan or kit.

I am however quite obsessive about where I keep my stuff.
My girlfriend has learned not to move several objects from their inteded place. Maglite, Baseball bat, leatherman, a knife, fire extinguisher, fire blanket and so on..

Cheers
Andreas

[Michigander]

I put clean water at about the top of the list. I figure if I have to hoof it, a lot of other people are too and more likely than not all going in the same direction. That would make finding reliably clean water a real hassle. I have water purification tablets, but I wouldn't want to go far without my backpacker's water filter.

[Flagg]

Hmm. interesting thread.

The greatest danger where I live is me putting on a pair of mismatched socks in the dark in the morning... So I dont have a evac-plan or kit.

I am however quite obsessive about where I keep my stuff.
My girlfriend has learned not to move several objects from their inteded place. Maglite, Baseball bat, leatherman, a knife, fire extinguisher, fire blanket and so on..

Cheers
Andreas

Probably amongst the most likely to be needed pieces of kit in an emergency for most households at one time or other!

My wife has been having some unfortunate incidents in the kitcken lately...which include making lava and accidentally lighting some na'an bread on fire.....a fire extinguisher came in real handy. :)

[Flagg]

I put clean water at about the top of the list. I figure if I have to hoof it, a lot of other people are too and more likely than not all going in the same direction. That would make finding reliably clean water a real hassle. I have water purification tablets, but I wouldn't want to go far without my backpacker's water filter.

Katadyn filters seem pretty good in my limited experience.

[LibertyUnites]

Some of this **** doubles as gear on camping trips... I just keep it in my truck for lack of a better place to store it. As some of you undoubtedly noticed I live in Pittsburgh and don't really face severe weather too often. BUT when I travel out to central PA, WV, etc I do sometimes find myself in the middle of nowhere... so why not be prepared.

Road flares (about the easiest way to start a fire when its raining btw)
Basic tools (screwdrivers, small socket wrench kit, pliers, etc)
First-aid kit including a couple of israeli bandages I brought back
Gerber knife
Gerber multi-tool
Two flashlights, plus extra batteries for each
My cold weather "bear suit" from the Army
Bottles of water (probably frozen right now, its 10 degrees here)
Energy bars that I eat when im too lazy to stop and replace regularly
Searchlight with charged batteries and car adapter (10,000,000 candlepower. i think?)
Tow strap
Garmin GPS (never used it off-road, wouldnt trust it much considering it cant even get me to the ****ing zoo)
Spare tire and a can of fix-a-flat (although I will admit the spare is the wrong size right now, I recently bought four new tires and didnt replace the spare)
Springfield XD40 service model, 1 spare mag (+1 in weapon)
Small blanket for my daughter
Emergency blanket
Jumper cables
I also keep a bunch of movers' mats in the bed that could double as blankets in a pinch

Wow, I have more than I realized... one of these days I'd like to get one of those car battery charging stations since every single time I've ever found myself stranded a dead battery was the culprit. but until I get to try one I'm not gonna shell out the money for one.

edit: almost forgot my iPod.

edit x2: I also keep a cheap-ass fire extinguisher under my seat. Its one of those spray bottle ones and I wouldnt trust it for much, but its all I have until I buy a decent one.

[markyburn]

Hi Guys

I have been looking at this post for a while, but i have only just got round to registering on the site to post some pics of the emergency gear i have assembled.

I think the kit is pretty good for my needs (just travelling to work etc around the UK) I am not a member of the forces, but was in the cadets at school, so a lot of the kit i have used is leftover from then. I was tempted to buy an off the shelf kit from Halfords etc but they didnt seem very comprehensive and a bit expensive.

Anyway my car kit consists of:

Medical bag
(old army respirator bag) with an assortment of plasters, bandages, resusitator, scissors, tape, emergency blanket.

Car Kit Bag
(the two sides of an army bergen joined to make a "jet Pack" backpack)
with bottle of water, jump leads, fire extinguisher, tow rope, tyre weld, quick ties, electrical tape, survival tin, Gore-Tex jacket and trousers

Rations
If i intend to travel far or overnight i will put a ration bag and mess tin in the car, but not for everyday use.

Also dotted around the car i have a poncho/groundsheet, bunges, escape hammer, AA maglite, gloves and Searchlight

So what are your opinions of the kit guys? I have been thinking of cutting it down recently because it takes up a fair bit of space in my boot for the size of car (Audi A3) and i think it might be affecting my fuel consumption.

is it over the top or just the right amount?

[gilgoul]

On me:

SOG multitool
Glock 19+ 2 mags, one in P+P, the other in FMJ
Surefire G2
small gerber folding knife (great for quick access, sturdier blade than the SOG)
I mini CPR kit with gloves
Cellphone

In my fanny bag:
One israeli individual compression bandage
One emergency space blanket
One compass
Head lamp Petzl Taktikka XP

In the car:

Complete first aid kit under passenger seat, with EMT scissors and set of basic medecines

jerrycan of water (5L) in a pack with shoulder straps


Blanket made of fleece, that can double as a sleeping bag

mechanic kit, with 100MPH tape, tools, quick links, fluids etc...

But I need to work a bit on the kit, add some food for instance.

[nowcivvy]

I was reading your great advice and you got me at the end with the last!

"For me, I ramped things up a lot when we had our kids...so even if aliens invade and start eating us like chicken wings my kids will not go hungry or wearing sh!tty diapers when they're manning the OP.[/quote]"

I laughed so hard my heart hurts! Thanks kiwi Flagg!

[Crimsonel]

Yeah I would go for the sawed off shotgun myself. You got a real emergency anywhere near a major city these days and there is going to be looting and rioting and so on. 2 3/4" shells are great for soft targets. I like 0 buck for the extra pellets.

Cheers

[Laconian]

Yeah I would go for the sawed off shotgun myself. You got a real emergency anywhere near a major city these days and there is going to be looting and rioting and so on. 2 3/4" shells are great for soft targets. I like 0 buck for the extra pellets.

Cheers

Say what? Certainly you are not advocating the illegal possession of NFA weapons, are you?

[rhino]

so what is your ABSOLUTLY I HAVE TO HAVE IT OR ILL DIE HORRIBLE DEATH, in your handy survival pack? that is not mentioned usually on any suggestion lists?

my is the nail clippers, I dont think I can even begine thinking about the survival in any catastrophe with knowing that I cant nicely clip my fingernails:)

[boone]

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5001/astroglide2wt7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[RomanS]

http://world.guns.ru/machine/pkm_1.jpg

[Hippo]

SniperSkull

[Karaahmetoglu]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/AKS-74/Masadagirl.jpg


I need both!

[seraosha]

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/daikrieg/leatherman.jpg

[Adumb]

lol @ me and hippo posting at the sametime. p-)

[Briggs]

so what is your ABSOLUTLY I HAVE TO HAVE IT OR ILL DIE HORRIBLE DEATH, in your handy survival pack? that is not mentioned usually on any suggestion lists?

my is the nail clippers, I dont think I can even begine thinking about the survival in any catastrophe with knowing that I cant nicely clip my fingernails:)

A condom. Tripple use: protect your finger (kinda like a glove), use as a water container (can hold water), in case you meet someone during your survival thingy and you don't want her to get pregant (contraceptive).

[D-gin]

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5044/1181023742457pd0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Buckeye67]

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6933/trojan22countvp7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[-Church-]

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5044/1181023742457pd0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CombatBoots is gonna bust a nut.

[evanfitz]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/AKS-74/Masadagirl.jpg


I need both!

is that acr bushmaster?

either way I like

[Karaahmetoglu]

is that acr bushmaster?

either way I like

yes it is. I like as well.

[gaijinsamurai]

The following:

[rhino]

so far no surprices, though Im sure pussy(or the opposite) hasnt been mentioned in any survival gides I read, but its almost a given

though I never considered astroglide

[Kilgor]

http://www.vodkaemporium.com/images/smirnoff_blue.jpg

http://shop.airsealed.com/prod_images_blowup/xanax1mg1.jpg

[Meatwad]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=64&pictureid=1121

[PeterRJG]

http://www.musclemaster.com/images/misc/hornygoat02.jpg

[3rdMillhouse]

so what is your ABSOLUTLY I HAVE TO HAVE IT OR ILL DIE HORRIBLE DEATH, in your handy survival pack? that is not mentioned usually on any suggestion lists?

my is the nail clippers, I dont think I can even begine thinking about the survival in any catastrophe with knowing that I cant nicely clip my fingernails:)

Blood diamon pants, swiss army knife, a paper clipe and a duct tape.

[rhino]

Blood diamon pants, swiss army knife, a paper clipe and a duct tape.

okay, Ill bite; what's the clipe and tape for?

[boone]

okay, Ill bite; what's the clipe and tape for?
Holding the zipper up on the pants.

[rhino]

Holding the zipper up on the pants.

the zippers on BDP are so bad?
man Im so getting the 5'11

[boone]

the zippers on BDP are so bad?

It is if you have a giant beer-gut......5.11 ain't going to help me.

[3rdMillhouse]

okay, Ill bite; what's the clipe and tape for?

Don't know, Mcgivver told me to bring these items along.

[seraosha]

From the PM's I've been receiving there has apparently been a misunderstanding of my initial post.

"Leatherman (http://www.leatherman.com/multi-tools/full-size-tools/surge.aspx)"

[Sloppy Joe2]

a gun and one bullet, surviving takes to long.

[Albatross]

cannon fodder

[Redguy]

My leather survival suit.
http://www.sloyd.com/images/ovsltr1.jpg

[Adumb]

http://www.vodkaemporium.com/images/smirnoff_blue.jpg

Smirnoff? for reals? the last thing you'd have? Smirnoff? no joke?

[Beowulf]

My leather survival suit.
http://www.sloyd.com/images/ovsltr1.jpg

What's up with James' nipples in that pic?

[Adumb]

What's up with James' nipples in that pic?
He asked to use my *****-pump.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Enfield MkIII

But I'd also have my latex clothing. Yeah sure I'll look like a freak but funnily enough the latex could also be used as water storage. I tested this out with my stockings once. Hold about 4 litres of water.

Also the latex can provide protection against cuts and **** thus reducing the risk of serious infection. Or when cleaning your kill. As cool as it is getting blood and **** on you there is a reason why medical professionals and vets where rubber gloves.

Plus if I'm going to die I might as well die looking ****ing sexy .

[Fireball Sanchez]

http://www.liveleak.com/e/5df_1221672735

[Dispatcher]

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc147/Hammertime12_photos/Random/Zombiekit.jpg

[Abbadon the Despoiler]

The following:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57286&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1221704400 (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57286&d=1221704400) [/URL] [URL="http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57288&d=1221704800"] (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57287&d=1221704532) http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57289&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1221704839 (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57289&d=1221704839) http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57290&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1221705000 (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57290&d=1221705000)


+ my gf
+ decent reserve of Staropramen or hard liqur
+ maybe some weed or something to eat
+ sleeping-bag
+
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v428/Speckfire/vz-58-speck.jpg

+

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2895/thereapergvg0003lq0.jpg

[BlackFlag]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y35/IronCross1985/ga114.jpg

[Sand Man]

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc147/Hammertime12_photos/Random/Zombiekit.jpg

How about your squirt gun? You forgot avout your squirt gun, kind sir!

[Panzermensch]

http://weeze-flughafen.com/pictures/festival2005/uh-1d-hubschrauber.jpg

I'll simply fly home

[smalandian]

[/URL][URL="http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=broedrostxv4.jpg"]http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4427/broedrostxv4.th.jpg (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/%5BURL=http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=broedrostxv4.jpg%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4427/broedrostxv4.th.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D)

[Sand Man]

You guys will need snacks.... p-)

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/godafather/00113149122043712f94b7f43.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/godafather/13113149099343712eb1d5422.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/godafather/19113149093943712e7b2095c.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/godafather/27113149094743712e838991b.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/godafather/59113149097943712ea384aee.jpg

[BlackFlag]

^^
I'll pass on the centipedes and tarantula.

[digrar]

5 survival kit threads in one, stickied for your convenience.

[Dispatcher]

How about your squirt gun? You forgot avout your squirt gun, kind sir!


The squirtgun is hidden under the load of REAL bullets, you ****. :bash:

[kayaker]

They break under any normal usage. They are VERY poorly made and the hooks (an essential part of the device) have broken on me on every pair I've owned. They are like hooks from a key chain and the way they are connected to the wire is what will break. I've gone through three in one weekend. At first I thought I was hard on the first one, but I wasn't doing anything it wasn't designed for. Unless it was made to cut toothpicks.

If you want something similar that has served me good for years now. It's the Pocket Chainsaw. Similar in design and use as the wire saw but it is made out of metal chain. It looks like a flattened bike chain with hooks on one side. Folds up and fits in a can about the size of a skoal can and the hooks it comes with are heavy duty.

I have one of these in my ruck at all times. Whether or not I listed it above ;-)
Agreed the BCB wire saws are not top quality. However, with a little care you can go a long way:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/RyanWoods/P3180155.jpg

First time I've heard of the pocket saw. looks like like the bees knees though!

[rhino]

digrar, sorry for confusion, this was ment to be a offtopic funny thread, some people took it bit too serious

as well most people misread my question; there are tons of lists of what to include in a survival kit; condoms, guns, alcohol etc are not unusual and have different uses
I was looking for stuff which is mostly ignored by survival gurus but quite important to average Joe


It is if you have a giant beer-gut......5.11 ain't going to help me.

5.11? goodness, I cant afford that! Ill go for a Made In Vietnam 5'11-for half the price!!

[kayaker]

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc147/Hammertime12_photos/Random/Zombiekit.jpg
Reminds me of...


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/RyanWoods/military%20photos/IMG_9981.jpg

photo shamelessly nicked from another mp.net member

[NZPumpkin]

Im surprised that it took till the 15th page for some to post about firearms being part of the survival kit.

mine is about 3000 rounds of .223 1000+ 9mm and a heap of .308 + sh*tloads of mags for everything.

should get me into/keep me out of trouble :)

[N-G-F-O]

How about your squirt gun? You forgot avout your squirt gun, kind sir!

Methinks if you need that many pistol mags then you're in way over your head anyway and your gucci survival kit won't be much use to you, will it me owld mucker!

Cue visions of you reaching lower, and lower, and lower down your leg then working back up the other side.
Just me that finds that amusing then, yeah?
I'll get me coat.

[usa320]

I got a nice Fire Department issued waterproof duffle in the closet... got enough **** for about a week crammed in it:

Basics:

-Leatherman multitool
-Spare car keys
-1 bungee cord
-$20 cash in quarters, singles and fives
-Spare Cellular Battery
-Spare AA, D cell batteries
-6" LED Flashlight
-2 Cyelume sticks
-2 Zip Ties
-Road map
-Mirror
-Waterproof bag with copies of important docs (drivers license, phone numbers, SS card, title to the car, proof of insurance)
-Butane Lighter
-Small book of matches
-Compass
-2oz OC-17 pepper spray
-Hand Warmer packs
-Whistle
-Small AM/FM radio with headphones
-Sharpie pens and a notepad
-Small ABC Fire Extinguisher
-A few extra zip lock bags
-Duct Tape
-Hammer

Medical/Hygeine:

-Band Aids
-Asprin
-Antihistimine Tablets
-Pepto Bismol
-Bactine Rinse
-SSKI tablets
-Antibacterial Gel Soap
-2 pairs thick blue gloves
-Small water bottle for eye rinses
-Alcohol Wipes
-Gauze Pads
-Ace Bandage roll
-Medical Tape
-Burn Cream
-Calamine Lotion
-Chemical Cold Packs
-Small scissors
-Tweezers
-Q-tips
-A few cotton swabs
-A package of tissue (can also be used as TP)
-Small bottle of oral rinse
-Small stick of unscented deodorant
-2 condoms
-Space Blanket
-N95 mask

food:

-4 high calorie bars
-2 packs of instant noodles
-1 bottle of gatorade
-4 flexipacks of water
-2 cans of Spam meat
-some hard candies
-metal "spork"
-4 water purifying tablets
-Collapsible cup
-Candle/burner


Clothing:

-Knitted Wool Cap (black)
-Nomex Hood
-2 changes of thermal socks/underwear
-extra pair of 5.11 ATAC153 6" boots (black)
-Extra pair of black sweatpants
-Extra pair of tan cargo pants
-Fleece pullover (black)
-2 extra T-shirts, a long sleeve black and a short sleeve olive
-Pair of thick gloves


In addition, i have an extra fleece pullover, LED warning lights, a high vis green vest, a decent toolbox, a small pocket first aid kit and a second fire extiniguisher in the trunk of my car.

In any situation where i had to leave in a hurry, i also would probably bring my laptop computer and a spare battery as well...and of course the mobile phone.

[commanding]

Dang...just found this thread today. I wondered if I was the only jerk in the country who still maintained what I call my "bugout kit". Guess not!!
This should make for some darn good reading.
Thanks to all who have posted...may hit some good ideas.

[commanding]

For your "bugout kits"....may I suggest you include some type of fire starter, other than cigarette lighters and matches. (yes I am aware you can start fire in all kinds of odd manners with various things such as gunpowder etc). I suggest one or several of these: magnesium stick, flint & steel (and charcloth), bowdrill basics, or fire piston.
Some folks can also start fire using steel wool and 9 volt batteries, etc. So there are many ways. Fire is a must if you have to live in the boonies for very many days. I really do not like relying on matches, or lighters as they tend to fail. The most compact methods to me are flint and steel or firepiston. (a good fire piston will cost you between 30 to 50 bucks though, flint and steel is much less expensive, and requires less upkeep than the piston) (I am able to start fires with firepiston, bowdrill and flint and steel )

One neat "trick" I saw someone do on a survival kit was to take their 22LR rifle, and of course they have many bricks of ammo...but they remove the butt plate from the wooden stock, and drill 3 long holes in the wood stock just large enough diameter to hold 22LR rounds, and fill the holes with rounds, then replace the buttplate. Thus you always have extra rounds in the stock of the weapon. I suppose a little beeswax to seal the holes would also help the waterproof the hidden stash.

One other thing I recommend for kits, at least in the south where we live, is to facilitate catching small fish to eat (bluegill, etc), I pack about 6 lb monofilament fishing line, along with some tiny, I believe they are #10 long shank bluegill hooks. With those two items, I can make a bobber/float, and line-weight, and catch plenty of small fish in most bodies of water in Texas, or other southern states. Bluegill are quite tasty and a good batch of them will feed several people. insects/earthworms for bait not included in kit of course.

One other thing I include, are a small bottle of prescription pain killers, in case someone is injured, shot, etc.

[Hollis]

One of the great products of our time are "seal a meals", Vacuum sealers. One can package products in usable units and then vacuum the air out and seal it.


It is great for food preservation on normal use. But allows weather proofing other items. Money, important papers, ammo, fire arms. One can buy pre-made bags or a roll of of material to make bags are what ever length.


I would make more meals for camping and seal them in bags. Pretty much heat (maybe add water) and eat. Cooking in a plastic bag keeps clean up to a minimum and in case cooking wear not being to clean, any "health issues."

[JC0352]

For your "bugout kits"....may I suggest you include some type of fire starter, other than cigarette lighters and matches.

Vaseline-covered cotton balls in a waterproof container go well with a flint, to help get the fire going.

[kayaker]

flint and steel, like the Swedish firesteel, are great bits of kit to start a fire with. It has a life longer than any match or lighter and works even after submerged in water.

One of the best natural tinder's I found was thistle seed, just one spark sets it off. Adding handfuls of dry grass and pencil sized sticks gets the fire going.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/RyanWoods/PA290689.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/RyanWoods/PA290692.jpg

Rubber strips from inner tubes also make for great tinder. They light when wet and are difficult to put out.

[commanding]

Also for the bugout kits....I looked in mine today and additionally I have these items which I consider valued:
1. a small piece of "aluminum cooking foil" say 12 inch square, can be folded into small space or wrapped around a candle or whatever. tinfoil has a million uses and can be reused almost indefinitely.

2. a hand crank powered radio/flashlight that recieves AM/FM/ SHORTWAVE, works on batteries but also by hand crank. i understand these are available with broadcast capable now.

3. cash money
4. bricks of 22LR ammo (500 round bricks)

[commanding]

flint and steel, like the Swedish firesteel, are great bits of kit to start a fire with. It has a life longer than any match or lighter and works even after submerged in water.

One of the best natural tinder's I found was thistle seed, just one spark sets it off. Adding handfuls of dry grass and pencil sized sticks gets the fire going.
Rubber strips from inner tubes also make for great tinder. They light when wet and are difficult to put out.

I had not heard of inner tube strips...need to try that..and the thistle seed had not heard of. here the easiest if in season are the plant "cat tail" heads. they break apart into a fine fluffy stuff that is good tinder and can also be eaten.

[kayaker]

cooking foil rips easily but has got its uses. For example you can fold it into a baking tray shape and boil water in it. Although it does require practice. Personally I added a folded sheet of the shiny stuff to the bottom of my baccy tin.

[kayaker]

I had not heard of inner tube strips...need to try that..and the thistle seed had not heard of. here the easiest if in season are the plant "cat tail" heads. they break apart into a fine fluffy stuff that is good tinder and can also be eaten.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/RyanWoods/PA290704.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/RyanWoods/PA290707.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/RyanWoods/PA290705.jpg

The root of the plant shown above, which tastes starchy. In addition to the use you mentioned the cat tail heads can be made into a dough to eat or added in between layers of clothing as insulation. Great plant indeed.

[Laconian]

The lint from your drier makes great tinder as well. I keep a couple of 35mm film canisters of it in my bug out bag.

[digrar]

As does the lint from your belly button, but it takes a lot longer to collect it.

[commanding]

The lint from your drier makes great tinder as well. I keep a couple of 35mm film canisters of it in my bug out bag.

I have heard that and that is a good idea. I have been very fond of homemade "char cloth" which is basically charcoal in cloth form. I make my own and keep it in air tight tin cans the size of a skoal can. If any spark hits the char cloth, it will start a fire. Ever tried it? It can be used with flint and steel, bow drill, magnesium stick or anything that makes a spark. Then once the charcloth has the spark i put it in the birdsnest of whatever is available (cedar bark works great as it has oil in the bark), as well as unravelled twine like sisal, jute, etc.)
I am darn good at fire starting if I don't say so myself, if i am ever in survival sit. the trouble I will have will be water. Need to get a purifying straw.

[commanding]

cooking foil rips easily but has got its uses. For example you can fold it into a baking tray shape and boil water in it. Although it does require practice. Personally I added a folded sheet of the shiny stuff to the bottom of my baccy tin.

you can also boil water in a 2 liter plastic soda bottle if you find/have one, suspend it over the fire and it will not melt due to the water inside. the tin foil is great for making "char cloth" in the field for fire starting...also good for cooking food, roots, etc.

[rhino]

you can also boil water in a 2 liter plastic soda bottle if you find/have one, suspend it over the fire and it will not melt due to the water inside. the tin foil is great for making "char cloth" in the field for fire starting...also good for cooking food, roots, etc.

I would worry about the chemicals sipping from the plastic into the water
but in desperate times I guess its practical if no other means of purification are available

[kayaker]

As does the lint from your belly button, but it takes a lot longer to collect it.

Yup, if you are a man, you will have tinder on your body.

[Weasel]

Yup, if you are a man, you will have tinder on your body.

:-|





roflroflrofl

[oldsoak]

As does the lint from your belly button, but it takes a lot longer to collect it.

Pole dancers are another source p-)

- I've heard of someone useing a alcohol based hand cleanser to kick things off.

[2495]

I would highly recommend getting some wetfire fuel and a blast match. The blast match make fire starting a breeze first go, and the wetfire tablets are small, and one tablet can last for a half dozen fires or more.

Combined, they make starting your fire as simple and quick as lighting the gas stove at home.

[2495]

http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/CYRKzdSXH34

Would help if there was some thing to see - forgot to add the video - sorry about that. Superb pieces of kit for the time starved.

[kayaker]

Pole dancers are another source p-)

- I've heard of someone useing a alcohol based hand cleanser to kick things off.

Vaseline soaked cotton balls are another good source. But I try to use natural tinder whenever I can as the day I'm going to need that cotton wool it won't be there.

[Greek soldier]

I would highly recommend getting some wetfire fuel and a blast match. The blast match make fire starting a breeze first go, and the wetfire tablets are small, and one tablet can last for a half dozen fires or more.

Combined, they make starting your fire as simple and quick as lighting the gas stove at home.

I have a Swedish Light My Fire Army Firestick (12000 sparks) and a Silva Storm Lighter (excellent, worth bying it).

Both so far have performed very well.

[budgie]

My kit.

2 passports
3 fake diplomas
Box of Durex Featherlite (12pcs)
$99.00 in cash
Bottle of green tea
BDP
International phone with simcards for NZ, Aus, Thailand, Singaore and Dubai
Fake moustache
Lube

[G3SG1]

i am searching for medicine against snake bites .I was almost bitten by a snake last month when i got of the car to pee during a trip and thank Christ the snake was alerted by my presence and quickly left otherwise i would be stepping on it. I survived all army drills in mountains and forests to be bitten alongside the road,,sh...t.

Anyway there is not any specific antivenom here in pharmacies because they say that the drugs used to cope with the bite can cause severe allergies to some people and only hospitals have them. Do you have any suggestions on medicine> Do you find anti venom in pharmacies?

[Ghostryder]

i am searching for medicine against snake bites .I was almost bitten by a snake last month when i got of the car to pee during a trip and thank Christ the snake was alerted by my presence and quickly left otherwise i would be stepping on it. I survived all army drills in mountains and forests to be bitten alongside the road,,sh...t.

Anyway there is not any specific antivenom here in pharmacies because they say that the drugs used to cope with the bite can cause severe allergies to some people and only hospitals have them. Do you have any suggestions on medicine> Do you find anti venom in pharmacies?

If you're bitten by a snake; walk, don't run, to your nearest hospital.

Unless you're in Oztralia; then you're proper f#cked

[StuRat]

Do a basic first aid course, learn how to bandage a wound.

Here's what happens if you think you get bitten, they stick you in hospital and monitor you until you show symptoms. Even doctors won't just give you antivenom.

[digrar]

Just doing a bit of googling, the amount of dodgy info out there on dedicated first aid sites is appalling, telling people to suck out venom and to wash the bite site. :| Get a compression bandage, wrap it around the bite site and then up the limb, immobilise the limb, keep movement to a minimum, seek medical attention.