What to put in 72 Hour Kit?

[Northslope Nimrod]

Looking for a good comprehensive list of items to include in a 72 hour emergency kit. Any web resources?
I have a few lists but they don't seem very complete and I dissagree with many items. I want to take several lists and make a "Better" list.

[Azrael256]

5 gallons of water, a case of spaghetti-os, and a shotgun.

72 hours of what?

[Biker]

A handgun, a long gun, ammo for both, beer, smokes/cigars and a Hustler.

Biker

[Dave R]

Were ya ever a Boy Scout? Didja ever go backpacking?

Basically, a backpack packed for an overnighter, with 2 extra days' food, will do ya. I'd make sure to include a backpackers' water filter. Carrying 3 gals of water (1 per day) is heavy. But in a car, its no big deal. OTOH, the filter wll make drinkable water out of sludge.

Mine essentially has:

-MY Backpack packed and ready to go.
-Water to throw in the car.
-Porta-potti. If you have females along, this is important. Trust me.
-Extra tents for the family. And one designated porta-potti tent. See above.
-Extra food for the family.
-Backpackers pots & pans
-Firearms (a separate discussion)
-Ammo
-Cash. Could come in handy, and doesn't take much space.

[TOADMAN]

Put it in a 96 hour bag - that way you will have plenty of room...Sorry..

There is a thing called a three day pack...The contents depends on your location - time of year - how many folks are going to depend on the bag contents and situation (permissive or non permissive enviornment)...Some ideas are as follows: Food and water/filter kit - gun - light - bug stuff - first aid kit - multi tool knife - money - handi wipes - cell phone - snickers bars - ground pad - mosquito net - matches - pencil flares (red) - NVGs.

[hso]

Been discussed extensively already in this and other forums and not everyone agrees what should be in it. I disagree with the frightened Rambo crowd that fixates on weapons and ammo and nearly ignores, oh little things, like, water, food and shelter.

Pilots have been putting survival kits together for decades that are intended to get them through the first 3 days downed without help while they wait for rescue. That's my model.

A search of BUG, bug out bag or 72 will give tons of material to sift through. Same for google http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bug+out+bag&btnG=Google+Search

Like wheat, the chaff must be sorted from the grain.

[chopinbloc]

well said, hso.

mine is a camelback motherlode and i keep it in my truck. it has warm clothes in it, sun screen, water, water filter, trash bags, towel, ammunition, first aid supplies, small flask of vodka (i think i'll replace the vodka with everclear), extra socks and underwear, rocket flares, smoke grenade, folding knife, gerber multitool, magnesium firestarter, spare batteries, extra eyeglasses and a couple MREs. i've probably forgotten a couple other small things. though it's a bit short on food and water, i have a water filter and enough .22 ammunition that i feel confident i could survive indefinitely on the contents of that bag nearly anywhere in the country. whenever i get around to putting a tool box on my truck i'll add a small tent and a five gallon jerry can of water.

[riverdog]

My 96 hour kit is in my truck too. Clothing depends upon the time of year, but dress-down traveling clothes are a must, not paramilitary, not tactical, just normal clothes that don't look out of place. I've also got a small cooler with nine MRE's, a large First-Aid kit, blankets, tools and my formal BOB. Also if I do decide to walk, there's an empty Camelback Mule to fill with whatever is appropriate from the kit.

[chopinbloc]

...my formal BOB

sorry, i can't resist. does a formal BOB include things like a suit and tie, rolex, etc?

[meef]

hso.....

That's a great resource link. Hard to imagine your average bugoutter could need more than that to get it all together.

:)

[Manedwolf]

sorry, i can't resist. does a formal BOB include things like a suit and tie, rolex, etc?

Hey, if the disaster occurs after six, it might even be black-tie attire only. You never know!

(And is that the bag you keep the PPK in?)

[riverdog]

You're right, formal isn't a very good term to use. A better description would be a wilderness BOB. I use it as the core because it contains a lot of stuff that might be useful in an urban kit: space blanket, silnylon tarp, fire-starting kit, water filter, fixed blade knife, Leatherman, It stays in the back of my truck along with the rest.

No PPK, just a Mod 19.

[Manedwolf]

So more like a "SHTF" kit, and a "OMGWTFSRHTF" (second R would be REALLY) kit. ;)

[riverdog]

?

[Langenator]

OK, so far everyone's forgotten toilet paper. Key stuff, that. Don't want to get crusty butt when there's nowhere to take a shower.

[hso]

Baby wipes are better than toilet paper because it has more uses.

Heck, you can even blow your nose on it like toilet paper.:eek:

[Beachmaster]

http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

The FEMA web site has a lot of good info on disasters and kits.

[greg700]

Don't forget tampons. They are great for plugging unexpected holes as well as the normal ones.

[#shooter]

Biker I am shocked by your response. "A" as in single, uno, one. My 72 hour kit has a at least 144 hours of Hustler video and a dvd player with LOTS of batteries.

[Dionysusigma]

Six MREs (I actually kinda like some of 'em), eighteen bottles of water, seven cyalume sticks, a carton of cigarettes (with Zippo and fluid), a pretty extensive first-aid kit, a bit of rope, paracord, a small "generic" survival kit from Wal-Mart, two good books, etc.

It's not complete, but that's what I've got. Probably going to add toilet paper and other stuff as well... if it seems too extensive, it's because it's my BIK (Bug-In Kit). Doesn't require electricity, and if my current location (read: dorm room) is still intact (which it most likely will be), I don't really have to worry about anything too much.

[hso]

I've heard the Tampon thing so often that I became suspicious of it so I asked a buddy of mine who's "been there and done that". Here's his reply.

Good Question Mike! And No Such Thing as a Stupid Question Brother!

They do work and have been used successfully. The folks I know that used them worked in countries that were not friendly to or not even aware they were there. It was much more low profile for them to go to a local store and buy tampons and pads than to openly purchase first aid gear. So there is some validity for purchasing them...but, like you implied, not as a general rule.

Now, that being said, there is such an excellent array of purpose made first aid gear available, that does a much better job, that I wouldn't consider purchasing fem hygiene products to serve that purpose. Would they work? Yeah. But there are still better products, at an affordable price, available.

Now back to the tampon...Poking something like a tampon, down into a wound channel, can be very hazardous and dangerous...you can mask bleeding that need to be treated, you can dislodge clots that were forming, and you can set up a nasty anaerobic infection process....read as gas gangrene....bad gris-gris!

Wound packing for a wide deep laceration type or tearing type wound is a totally different thing...we've been doing wound packing as long as I can recall...I was first taught it in '73 in Corps School. But that would be using fluffy packing like Kerlix or Kling, topped with ABD pads and an ace wrap...that's why I love those Emergency Bandages and H-Bandages so much.


These things, when repeated as advice often enough, become accepted wisdom...go figure..

[Chindo18Z]

Just some thoughts...

Realizing that everyone’s situation would be different (urban, rural, alone, w/ family, on foot, w/ vehicle, etc.), some things are constant. Sticking to the original post concerning 72 hour kit, and presuming that your initial location is untenable, you need to carry enough to move to temporary safety and last a few days.

1. You cannot possibly starve in 72 or even 96 hours. Food is a last priority. The exception is during cold weather or winter conditions when something with high sugar/fat content becomes important to stave off hypothermia.

2. Laying doggo (in a hide site), you can get by for 72 hours on 2 quarts/liters per day (even during hot weather). If you have to do foot movement, you can still get by on 3 quarts. I normally carry 4 quarts in a patrol rucksack and no more than 6 qts (1.5 gallons) for any reason except deployment into a completely arid or desert environment. If "bugging out", I'd plan on 1 liquid gallon w/ an extra empty bladder (like a surplus military 5 qt canteen) to take advantage of water found enroute. On two quarts per day, you will get a little dehydrated (pissing yellow) but be OK. If during hot weather, move only at night. Lay up in the shade and sleep during the day.

For planning purposes, water weighs 2.2 lbs per qt / 8.8 lbs per gallon without counting the container. At the least, you need some kind of water purification (iodine, bleach, MicroPur tabs, etc.). If you can carry a backpacking water filter plus one of the above water disinfectants, you will be set. Chemical taste is the very least of your problems in a survival situation and can always be rectified by tossing in some powdered kool-aid or Gatorade. Although you could drink ditch water for 72 hours to avoid dying of thirst, developing dysentery or Giardia is going to bring further effective movement to halt (which would be unfortunate if problems last longer than originally anticipated).

3. Short of immediate killers (flood, forest/grass fire, armed and hostile people, zombies, etc.), what will kill you quickest is exposure to high or low temperatures (hyper/hypothermia). If you bugout during a snow storm without clothing and shelter, you are done. If you attempt to daylight road march in 98 degrees / 90 percent humidity, you are done. Your kit should provide appropriate seasonal clothing and some kind of minimal shelter that allows you to erect concealable shade awning and protect you from precipitation. I'd suggest a standard military poncho with small OD bungee cords for hasty setup. A simple tarp shelter, erected low to ground, will keep you cool (or dry) and allow good 360 visibility for approaching trouble. Add in a 3/4 ground sleeping pad and you have a veritable rancho deluxe. In summer, add mosquito headnet, some thin gloves, and insect repellant. In cool weather, add light sleeping bag, bivy sack, mittens, and warm hat.

4. A good topo map of your daily environment should be in your kit. Also a compass and (ideally) a small GPS. You may know the way to Grandma's House or the Pre-stocked Survival Retreat. The question becomes one of taking a clandestine route that avoids the 1,000,000+ other folks headed in the same direction and occupying the obvious water holes (lakes, ponds, creeks, river banks).

5. Whatever your load out, the term "bug out" bag implies that you can carry it easily for many miles and that you can RUN with it for at least several hundred yards. If it's heavier than that, you are humping a ruck; you are hiking at slow walking speed with a heavily loaded backpack.

6. When planning movement, forget roads, freeways, pedestrian paths, river banks, valley floors, and ridgeline trails. Everyone else will be there as well (along with associated problems and stiff competition for resources). Plan a slow and deliberate route, moving during hours of darkness. A planning figure of 10-12 miles per night would be excellent even for a non-lethal and non-emergency environment. If some folks are hunting other folks and people "bugging-in" are armed and suspicious, you would be doing well to make 6-8 miles in an evening (after detours to avoid confrontations, barking dogs, checkpoints, mobs, refugee encampments, etc.).

7. Weapons? Yeah...whatever. I'd bring a long paperback book worth re-reading while you occupy your daylight patrol base.

8. Assuming that trouble is temporary, all you NEED to be able to do is to avoid people, move to a concealed hole-up site, protect yourself from the elements, and rest/read for 72 hours. This location could be in some thickets, in a swamp, in an out of the way office utility room, in an attic, on a forested and steep hillside...the options are endless.

For temporary social collapse, the above is all pretty much a combination of basic Boy Scout, Backpacking, and Infantry Patrolling skill.

If you are just fleeing hurricane Katrina, toss the BoB in your car, don't forget cash & plastic, leave early, and visit some inland Waffle House until all the drama is over. Don't forget the paperback. ;)

[Burt Blade]

A gallon of water in one quart or two quart containers, and the knowledge, tools, and materials needed to obtain and purify 10 more gallons. If you can stay hydrated for three days, you can usually imporvise what else you need, or do without. If you can't get _disinfected_ water for three days, you are in serious trouble.

Add a decent pocketknife, 50 feet of stout multi-strand cord, and a space blanket. The knife, cord, and space blanket have all sorts of uses.

Be a tool maker!

[Boom-stick]

A DVD player and 36 DVD's.

That should take care of about 72 hours:)

[NineseveN]

See the attached PDF for my current loadout. Everyone's situation, capabilities (both financial and physical) and environment will be different; thus what works for one person might not work for you and vice versa. I don't think a list is going to help you make good decisions, it will only give you ideas. Ultimately, survival requires more thought and discussion to learn the process for making the right choices for yourself than can be provided in a "what to put into a BoB" type thread.

Notice I did not include pornography...I found a better solution, I'm bringing the misses; her bag has the porn. :D

[PFFlyer]

Something that I think would be a huge help when trying to "bug out" is a bike. Depending on the conditions, it might not work, but for many senarios, you could easily quadruple your daily travel distance by riding rather than walking. Also, if driving a car becomes impossible due to no refueling or congestion, riding a bike would solve your transportation needs. Plus, you can always just throw it in the back of your truck or car. I can't say that it would always be a good item to take, but I think my Specialized Rockhopper will be coming with me if at all possible in an emergency.

[NineseveN]

If you're going to use a bike (and if that's a good option for you, there's no reason why you shouldn't), I would suggest riding it on a normal basis with your other bug out gear on. Finding out whether or not you can actually use a bike with 40-50 pounds of gear on during an emergency is not a fun surprise.

I tried it, I just couldn't get the hang of it with all of my gear on, that doesn't mean someone else couldn't though.

[Avizpls]

Hers is mine

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=43410&stc=1&d=1155340759

[oregonshooter]

I'm finishing mine this week and will post back, but you can find a very detailed post on http://stormsurgeforums.com of the board owners gear and lots of discussion. (I am the webmaster for the site)

[FreedomKommando]

Last time a hurricaine blew through Houston, I bugged out and got caught on the road. Took 15 hours to reach relatives in Waco. I ain't buggin' out next time. I am stocking up on supplies and will just ride out whatever happens.

[anotherinkling]

Check out Equipped to Survive (http://www.equipped.org). Lots of good info and a good forum to boot.

[Stiletto Null]

Where I live, the worst likely scenario would be power/running water loss for a few days. Raleigh's close enough to the coast that we get flooding in some parts, but not in my specific locale.

We could easily live on MREs, candy bars, and a few gallon jugs of water while we wait for utilities to come back online. So bugging in would be my plan.

[redneckrepairs]

for myself it isnt bagged , but its behind the seat of my pickup all the time , a gal of water in quart squeez type bottles , beanie weenies and vennia sausages mixed , about 2 cans each . a blanket , a couple of cheap raman noodle packs . and a " 6 pack " of bic butaine lighters . this will get me by for a while , and i suppose i could carry it if needed . defense , well that is the pistol i allready have and dont factor into this mess , nor does the cyoute rifle from the pickup since i wouldnt waste effort of carrying it if i had to leave the vehicle .

[strambo]

From Chindo18Zvisit some inland Waffle House -Uugh, like you said, food isn't THAT important!

If it's heavier than that, you are humping a ruck;Excellent point and I haven't heard it mentioned in this context before...every infantryman knows when the SHTF, the ruck gets dumped ASAP. If at all possible, no mission essential items go in a ruck, just extra and nice to have stuff. Since a BOB should be 100% needed stuff, you can't dump it, it's gotta be fairly light. Good point about weapons too, not nearly the 1st consideration...

As for shelter, a poncho, poncho liner and a mat can get you through some pretty nasty weather especially with a fire too. (Tacticool situation permitting. Are zombie-bears attracted to fire?):scrutiny: :D

[Smith357]

The exact same stuff I take on my weekend camping trips,
tent
blankents
tarp
sleeping bag
clean undies and socks
toothbrush
cooler ful of food
water
flashlight
compass
camera
first aid kit
knives
axe
guns
guitar
All of which is easily bungied to the back of the bike for the trip to the cabin deep in the hillbilly hills. I practice this drill 5 to 6 times a year.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=38492&d=1145188034

[ilbob]

If you're going to use a bike (and if that's a good option for you, there's no reason why you shouldn't), I would suggest riding it on a normal basis with your other bug out gear on. Finding out whether or not you can actually use a bike with 40-50 pounds of gear on during an emergency is not a fun surprise.

I tried it, I just couldn't get the hang of it with all of my gear on, that doesn't mean someone else couldn't though.

I haven't ridden a bike in many years but when I was in school, I rode one back and forth to school most of the time (weather permitting). I often had 20 or 30 pounds of books and other stuff in a backpack. I discovered very quickly that while it looks kind of dorkish, a basket or carrier is far better than a backpack on a bike. I had a spring loaded carrier on the back and a basket on the front. I would put the backpack in the basket most of the time. Sometimes I would stop for groceries. Then the backpack went to the carrier and the groceries in the basket up front.

[kahr404life]

Packet of mustard, ketchup, and one half a bottle of pepsi. Plus a gun.

[308nato]

I agree with FreedomKommando I saw the backups on all the roads
out of Houston .Me and my neighbors just boarded our windows and
went to the small stores and loaded up on anything we all might need .
I bought a bunch good used nato gas cans and keep enough to run my
generator for a week. As for water I have my own well and if that dont work
a 15000 gal helps.A my neighbors are armed and we look out for each other.

[sm]

Three Things Folks forget to pack :

1. Imodium
2. Tylenol
3. Baking Soda.

They pack extra persciption meds, but forget they might get an upset tummy, get a headache, fever, and baking soda works for toothpaste (just use your finger) mouthwash, for itchy skin and other things...

[cassandrasdaddy]

i'm of the hunker down school.got a place on the river with chickens a well and a generator. and with 2 neighbors we got a defensible location.

[Lonestar]

Simple I got the following

3 meals + snack per person in family for 72 hours (simple stuff that needs no refrigeration or cooking)
2 liters of water per person for 72 Hours
First aid kit (includes some over the counter remedies and pain killers)
Various Fire starting equipment (Lighter, Matches, etc)
Various Maps (local, State, Regional, National all AAA except one State Topo map)
A Knife
A multitool
Dishwashing soap (which can be used as hand soap, to wash clothes, or even dishes)
A bar of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo
A small bottle of bleach
A photo copy of important docs like Home Owners policy, passports, etc.

99% of the time I will use the BOB to evacuate because of some local issue. I'll just add extra food, a tent, or firearms if needed. 99% of the time I just need to get to a distant relatives or to a hotel until everything calms down back home. That 1% chance of something that will affect the entire world, I'm just going to sit tight, stay home, and defend the homestead.

[oregonshooter]

Below is my normal kit that is always packed. It's also my weekend backpacking rig. It weighs less than 45 lbs with water and averages 40lbs.

It's carried in a Kifaru Marauder (awesome pack) that is very comfortable as long as the load stays under 50lbs. I'm still working on lightening it down to 30-35lbs, but am having a hard time parting with some luxury items.


- [ ] First Aid
BOK: Israeli battle dressing, #14 Cath needle, Nasal ariway
w/ surgical lube, occlusive bandage, windlass, (3) strips of
tape, (1) pr. Nitrile gloves

A&D ointment
(3) Antibacterial wipes
Triangular bandage
Superglue
Benadryl
Advil, Imodium
(1) Min-bic
Suture kit
Sharpie marker
Ace bandage
(2) pair Nitrile gloves


(2) Knuckle bandages
(2) Woven spot bandages
(2) Woven strip bandages
(2) Alcohol pads
(3) 3x3s
(2) Bacterial ointment
(1) Gauze roll
Moleskin


- [ ] Food - Fire - Water
1 minute Rice (3 servings)
1 minute Oatmeal (3 servings)
Tea bags / coffee
Powerbars / Gel Tube

Jetboil w/ frenchpress kit - gotta have that coffee! :)
Vaseline balls / First strike fire starter
Candle lantern w/ (2) 72 hr candles
(1) Mini-bic


Katlyn Hiker water filter
Nalgene bottle w/ cup
100oz Camelbak
6 ltr water bag
(20) iodine pills
TiSpork

Fishing kit: (20ft) 20lb test, (4) hooks, (2) wooley worms,
(2) ear-plug floats, (8) split-shots

- [ ] Hygene
Small bar soap
Toothbrush / paste
Foot powder
TP
Q-tips
Carmex

Camp towel
Baby-wipes
Sunscreen
Deet


- [ ] Element Protection & Clothing
Sleeping bag
Henesy Hammock

Wooley Pulley
Under Armour Cold Gear long sleeve shirt
Under Armour Heat Gear short sleeve shirt
Under Armour Boxers
Polyprop Baclava
(2pr) Wool blend socks
Wool fingerless gloves

Mechanix Gloves
Boonie hat


- [ ] Navigation & Signaling
GPS
Compass
Atlas pages of Home AO
7.5 MOA USGS maps of hiking areas
(20ft) Orange flagging ribbon
Signal mirror
Pace beads
Binocs
Multi-powered AM/FM/SW/WX unit
Fox 40 whistle
Green Inova X1 LED light


- [ ] Misc.
Mini-drill sewing kit
(1) Spare pair of perscription glasses
(2) Carbiners
100ft rapeling rope
10ft flat ribbon for tying off
(3) 12ga flares, perimeter firing mech.
Plastic Spade
(20ft) OD Duct tape
BK-7 & small skinner with 50ft of 550 cord wrapped around
SAS Survival book
(2) Large trash bags
Multicam shooting mat / utility tarp

$110 in cash in ziplock (5 $20 bills and 10 $1 bills)
Leatherman crunch
(100ft) 550 cord
(40ft) copper wire
LED headlamp AAA w/ spare batts
Surefire G2 w/ (2) Spare CR123s
Large Ty-Wraps (cuffs)
Small Ty-Wraps (util)

[gazpacho]

1) Get a Rite-in-the-Rain note book. With a pencil or Uni-ball 207 gel pen write down every important phone number you might need, to call friends or relatives. They'll want to know you are okay. Also write down financial account numbers and insurance policy numbers. This information can be vital, and you might not be in a good mental state to remember all that stuff.

2) $200 ($500 if you can manage that.) plus $5 in quarters.

3) Passport. It's the fastest, most valid proof of photo identification and citizenship you can get. Also, get a leather passport cover, embossed with the cover of another country. An Isreali taught me this. I was on one of those group tours in Eastern Europe, and for the first two weeks, I thought he was a Canadian, because of his passport cover.

4) All that survival stuff afore mentioned.

[jeepmor]

I can go out in the woods for days on cans of chilli and top ramen. That first aid kit of Oregonshooters qualifies him for a corps medic in my book.

If we want to leave fast, it can be done in less than 10 minutes. We do so much outdoor related stuff we can get stuff together in no time because, well, we do it all the time and we have 3 and 4 day weekends. So I guess I best restate that and say we pack for 72 hour bugouts frequently so I don't think about it much anymore, it's automatic.

My rule for backpacking overnight or longer hiking is that if I didn't use it last trip, it comes out of the gear bag. First aid kit excluded in this, but everything else weighs, and weight slows you down if your on foot.

Most important tool I take into the woods would be a bic lighter and a small bit of firestarter stick. Saves tons of effort getting wet wood burning in the PNW.

jeepmor

[oregonshooter]

Jeepmor,

That's a good rule on taking stuff out. I plan on using it, but will wait until I've been out with the kit in all seasons first.

Not sure why the passport is needed? A driver's license is the fastest ID in America, because local LEDS has them instantly.

The first-aide kit is really minimal. My EMT bag was a lot more in-depth when I was on the mine rescue teams. The "Blow Out Kit" is obviously for gunshot wounds which are a real possibility when guns are around, and the rest is basic boo-boo kit.

My normal EDC has some redundancy also:
Colt Commander LW .45
Spare Mag
Surefire Aviator
Fenix 1LP
Leatherman Crunch (I listed it in the BOB, but it's actually on me)
Spacepen
Lock pick
Paracord bracelet
Compass watch
Ken Brock fixed blade (3.5")

Better to be prepared than find out you are not. :)

PS. I was a Corps. Grunt, we use Squids for medics. :Grin:

PPS. Here is a good thread (http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?t=13086) on Katrina and what to expect when SHTF scenario comes to your town. My area is an earthquake waiting to happen so my plans are around this scenario. They are to bug out to the wilderness 50 miles away where I hike, but I live alone with a dog and cat. The dog goes with the cat is on it's own. It's different with a family.

[Plink]

It's only 72 hours. There's only a few things to worry about in a short term situation. Shelter, water and food are top priorities. Shelter would include weather appropriate clothing too. Water and food are easy for 72 hours. Medical and personal needs should be considered also. Keep a fresh and rotated supply of any prescription meds in the kit and backup glasses or contact lenses would be a bonus.

My own 72 hour kit is rather large, in a pack in my trunk. I keep summer and winter clothing in it, so that I'm not constantly reconfiguring it. I figure I can toss excess clothing in the trunk of my car (where the kit is kept) to lighten the load if I don't need it.

Since I carry a handgun on my person, and a rifle with ammo in the trunk, those aren't included in my kit. My kit contains basically clothing, bottled water that is rotated, canned goods that are rotated, a small dome tent that I use for camping occasionally, a first aid kit, small solar/battery radio to keep up with the situation, a couple of space blankets but with the winter clothes they are probably an indulgence, spare batteries, fire starting materials, money ($200 in $10's in case I need fuel, lodging, etc.), water filter and tablets, small tablet stove+fuel, and a few comfort items (toilet paper, soap, bug repellant, skin lotion, lip balm, etc.). I wear a flashlight and knife on my belt and keep another in the car, so I don't have those in the kit either.

We've had recent flooding here. My only 2 paths out of the area were not passible. I was comforted knowing I could head out to the desert and pop a tent for a few days if needed. I do keep a larger, more comprehensive kit at the house though. A 72 hour kit really doesn't need half the stuff I have in mine as 3 days doesn't constitute a major survival crisis. If you need more, pack more!

[ilbob]

A few thoughts.

Two rolls of quarters to feed vending machines. Most likely you won't be bugging out to the wilderness and there will be coke machines to feed.

A couple hundred bucks in small bills will get you McDonalds and Burger King
for a while.

Credit cards will extend your cash supply.

An extra pair of shoes and socks. Wet and cold feet are miserable.

Being mostly a gun board, people tend to think of guns, but most shelters are not going to allow you to bring your firearms with you.

Best to think ahead of time where you plan to go and leave early.

Most of the BOBs seem to be oriented toward walking off into the forest. I just don't see that as a realistic response to most events that might require you to leave quickly.

[Lonestar]

Most of the BOBs seem to be oriented toward walking off into the forest. I just don't see that as a realistic response to most events that might require you to leave quickly.

Diddo, Walking out into the wilderness may be an option for some but in my area the state parks would get crowded real quick if everyone did that. If the SHTF land owners are going to get real squirrely having "armed, tactical squaters" camping out on their land.

My mission is to get away to a relative or at least to a hotel outside the hazardous area. My BOB is there to cover the needs of my family for the trip. I'm starting to like the roll of quarters idea. I did try to save some cash but I kept tapping into it:rolleyes:. Food wise I definately picked stuff that is easy to eat while driving. Also I'm thinking I'm going to invest in a GPS but with US street maps included. That and the maps would make it very handy to travel secondary roads or to avoid traffic or detours. Another thing I created is a GO list for all my important tools. I have too many tools to take them all with me, but I figure it would stink if I return back to a damaged home and all my tools are buried, damaged, stolen, or destroyed. In one area of my garage I keep in one spot, a cordless drill, a small 10" cordless circular saw, a battery charger, I already have an inverter in my truck, Chain saw, your basic tool box (with wrenches, hammer, screwdriver, etc) and a few boxes of screws and nails. If I need to evacuate due to a hurricane or storm, at least I have the stuff to patch up a hole in my roof, when I get back.

[dragongoddess]

What, no beef jerky. No flour. No salt. No pepper. Spices are one of those things that are automatic for me. But for 72 hours a CC, some cash and the cell phone should make things easy as I sit in a hotel somewhere enjoying room service and watching TV.

[Roadwild17]

My approach is the more modular approach.

I have several of those plastic totes loaded and stacked. The most basic kit is on top and the kit with the kitchen sink is on bottom, over all its about 200 lbs.

If I have to run, open box one, grab the Alice pack and run.

Contents (Good for about 48~72 hours)

3 Letters of water (with Gatorade mix pre-measured + 5 extra Gatorade mixes)
3 MRE's
~1/2 LB of Trail Mix
~1/2 LB of jerky
Space Blanket
Poncho (x2)
~40 Ft Para cord
~20 Ft Duct Tape
25 Iodine Tabs
Spare socks & Undies
Gerber Multi-Tool
Buck Folder ~3"
Mid-sized First Aid kit with some extras and 2 battle dressings
1 pack of Baby Wipes (25 I think)
1 flashlight w/ one set of batts.
Lighter (x2, one survival lighter one Bic)
2 small fire starter bricks
Cash & Pastic

In the first box, but not in the bag I have an extra pare of pants, field jacket, & thermal boots (in Louisiana, I kinda doubt I'll need it, but its there if I do)


If I have a few more min, Go for box #2

5 Gal of water W/ Gatorade mix
1 1/2 Case of MRE's
Hot sauce
Ruger 9mm with ~100 rounds and 2 mags
Water Filter system
Box of Baby wipes
3 Flashlights w/ extra batts
Emergency wind-up/ batt radio
5 in fix blade w/ stone
1 fire starter log
6 pack of lighters
Cash

Box #3

Single burner camping stove w/ 3 bottles of fuel
~20 cans of assorted caned goods (I eat all of them)
5 Gal of water
2 lbs of Jerky
Coffee w/ some kind of primitive coffee making device
22LR (Marlin Mod 60) w/ ~500 Rounds

Box #4

Sleeping bag (in one of those vacuum bags, it really cuts down the space)
Dome tent
Back-up Water Filter system
SKS w/ 500 rounds & 2 mags
1 fire starter log
More First Aid


I keep pretty much a copy of Box #1 with a shotgun in my truck all the time. I figure with everything I’m good for ~ 10 days.

[gazpacho]

oregonshooter, a BOB is an even more important consideration when you are away from home, especially out of the country. Vacationers are especially vulnerable to BOB situations, because they are far away from familiar places. When Katrina hit there were several stories of vacationers who didn't know how to get out of the area, and didn't have the resources necessary to survive.

As to the passport, I guess that is a personal thing, because I used to travel extensively. However if you live in a border state, circumstances may force you to flee across the border, as the shortest route to safety. Extra ID never hurts.

[NineseveN]

Updated my stuff a little (and took some purty pictures :) ): http://neardeathexperiments.com/smf/index.php?topic=22.0

[shooting time]

I also include a skin stapler or 2 you can get them on ebay. 2 brand new sealed w/staples for 9.99
better than stitches

[JBusch8899]

These things are packed into a large fanny pack. Don't be afraid to pack smaller items into larger items within the bag.

(1) Kel-Tec 9000 folding 9mm carbine with (3) 33 round magazines.
(6) heat sealed packages of 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition
(3) MREs
(1) graduated 1L fluid bottle with screw top
(1) dropper bottle of bleach
(1) K Bar knife
(1) roll toilet paper
(1) compass
(1) jack knife
(1) compact expandable fishing rod/pole w/ compact tackle box
(1) heat sealed bag of 10 granola bars
(1) Feranday (shake powered) flashlight
(1) crank powered AM/FM radio
(1) floating survival whistle with compass and waterproofed matches
(1) survival blanket
(1) compact first aid kit w/ OTC meds
(1) iron/flint firestarter kit
(5) survival candles
(2) cans of sterno
(1) rain poncho
(1) spool twine
(1) mess kit

[LCSNM]

GOOD OVERVIEW for 72 hr kit plus much more on preparedness. Check the left side bar

http://www.millennium-ark.net/News_Files/Hollys.html

[psyopspec]

My 72 hour kit has a at least 144 hours of Hustler video and a dvd player with LOTS of batteries.

Do I wanna know what the extra batteries are for? :uhoh:

Back on topic, I recommend trying out your plan if it involves long movement on foot. Quite a few of you plan to carry a lot of weight, possibly over long distances of uneven terrain. Ruck up and give it a dry run sometime - you may find that water's in short supply and 300 rounds of x ammunition weighs more after moving a few miles.

[oregonshooter]

I would estimate that over 1/2 of the people who have a BOB packed have never humped it.

Taking a weekend hiking trip with it will quickly show you what is used the most. That does not always mean the items that are not used often are not as important. Right tool - right job.

[ilbob]

I would estimate that over 1/2 of the people who have a BOB packed have never humped it.

I would suggest that anyone who does not regularly hump a heavy pack will find anything more than 30 pounds to be near impossible to carry for any length of time.

I just smile when I see lists of gear that includes 30 or 40 pounds of weapons and ammo.

Backpackers will cut the end off a toothbrush to save weight.

[NineseveN]

I would estimate that over 1/2 of the people who have a BOB packed have never humped it.

Taking a weekend hiking trip with it will quickly show you what is used the most. That does not always mean the items that are not used often are not as important. Right tool - right job.


I would suggest that anyone who does not regularly hump a heavy pack will find anything more than 30 pounds to be near impossible to carry for any length of time.

I just smile when I see lists of gear that includes 30 or 40 pounds of weapons and ammo.

Backpackers will cut the end off a toothbrush to save weight.

Nah, that'd require more work than fun. I really think some folks put these things together just to have something to do and to have an excuse to buy a bunch of cool gear. They don't expect to have to use it, and if they do have to, I think they just ignore the obvious physical limitations that would require they dump 40 pounds of gear just to get down the block.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, some folks collect guns to look at, not to actually shoot too.

[vynx]

1/2 the people - I think you are too generous - probably more like 90%

I think it will be like the wagon trains of old, people loaded up their stuff and 1/2 way there a lot of stuff got left on the ground.

But I also think a lot of the better equiped bags will not be carried on foot, if its in a car trunk why not load it up.

[Avizpls]

My plans for mine are to toss it (and the other sack) into the trunk. If I'm hoofin, Ill go till I can (or have to) stop and remove some items that I may decide arent needed givene the situation.

But I'd like the benefit of KNOWING that situation first.

[Roadwild17]

Well I have humped my first box worth of crap about 5 miles, time was slow, averaged about a mile an hour including breaks n all. But if I got enough time to grab the truck, Y not fill it full of goodies. But I understand where your coming from with the guns and ammo. Some time I wonder what people are going to be doing with that much fire power :eek: .

[Deathrider1579]

All my evac procedures include the vehicle in the plans at least as far as one tank of gas will get me.

-DR

[444]

FWIW, I always considered the BOB to be something that you had to carry on your back. Of course it is fine to load the vehicle up full of supplies, but if you HAD to leave the vehicle or HAD to bug out without the vehicle, the BOB is what you grab. Therefore, one of MY criteria is that it is something that I can actually hump. It HAS to be in the form of a small pack that I can wear on my back and HAS to be light enough to make this practical.

People who say they arn't going to bug out, they are just staying at home, are putting all their eggs in one basket. People who make their vehicle the basis for their bug out plans are also putting all their eggs in one basket. It is amazing, the feeling you get when everything goes to hell and you realize that all your plans had one common element and that one element is now not an option. In this case it could be something as simple as losing your car keys.

"Taking a weekend hiking trip with it will quickly show you what is used the most. "

For 72 hours, you can get along with nothing pretty easily. Water would be the one thing that is almost essential. The rest of this stuff is luxury. I have done a little backpacking and every single time I came home thinking that I brought way too much gear. Not because of the weight, but because I didn't use the stuff. I am a gear fanatic and get carried away. A few years ago, I took a two week canoe trip in the Canadian bush. You canoe for a few hours across a lake and then you have to get out and hump everything over land, including the canoe, to get to the next lake (portage). I was carrying a waterproof bag that weighed 98 pounds when I left (keep in mind that this includes two weeks worth of food). I had no big problem carrying it: I am pretty thick through the chest and work as a firefighter (we work wearing a lot of heavy gear). But, I didn't use half the junk I brought. I was carrying it for no good reason. I had backups for backups simply because I knew we were totally isolated and if anything happened we would be on our own.
Another time I backpacked for a week with a 78 pound pack. This was because I was using gear that was originally household stuff. No specialized stuff, pots and pans from the kitchen etc.
Weight matters.
Be realistic and practical.
Be flexable and keep your options open. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

[oregonshooter]

Excellent post 444,

I know how hard it is to reduce gear. I'm really put in the time and effort to make my BOB as light as possible without having to totally rough it. In my AO I can survive with nothing but a fanny packs worth of gear and a knife, but it will be miserable.

Comfort and a good nights rest will be huge on your moral and will carry you a lot farther than a lighter pack IMO.

Below is my kit now that I hike on weekends whenever I get a chance. It's still a work in progress, but it's getting close.

http://oregonshooter.com/images/BOB.jpg

Item Weight
- [ ] First Aid 1.9lb
BOK: Israeli battle dressing, #14 Cath needle, Nasal ariway w/ surgical lube, occlusive bandage,
windlass, (3) strips of tape, (1) pr. Nitrile gloves

A&D ointment
Triangular bandage
Superglue
Benadryl
Advil, Imodium
(1) Min-bic
Suture kit
Sharpie marker
Ace bandage
(2) pair Nitrile gloves
(20ft) Orange flagging ribbon


(3) 3x3s
(2) Woven spot bandages
(2) Woven strip bandages
(2) Alcohol pads
(3) Antibacterial wipes
(2) Bacterial ointment
(1) Gauze roll
(1) Inhaler
Moleskin


- [ ] Fanny Pack 1.6lb
Ball point pen w/ (2) 4ft rolls of duct tape on it, (5ft) copper wire #24 gauge
Mini-bic
Film canister with vasilene balls
Signal mirror
Fox40 whistle
Note pad & (1) $100.00, (1) $20.00, (3) $5.00, (5) $1.00 bills in ziplock
(50ft) 550 cord
LED headlamp
Mechanix gloves
Dust mask
(1) Locking aluminium carabiner


- [ ] Food - Fire - Water Food=2.5lb Water=7ib Fire=2lb
1 minute Rice (2 servings)
1 minute Oatmeal (1 serving)
(2) Single serving freeze dried meals
Tea bags / coffee
(1) Powerbar
TiSpork

Katlyn Hiker water filter
100oz Camelbak
4 ltr Dromelite water bag
Titanium cup

Jetboil w/ frenchpress kit - gotta have that coffee! :)
Candle lantern w/ (2) 72 hr candles w/ (1) Mini-bic
Vaseline balls / First strike fire starter

Fishing kit: (20ft) 20lb test, (4) hooks, (2) wooley worms, (2) ear-plug floats, (8) split-shots



- [ ] Hygene 12oz
Toothbrush / paste
Foot powder
TP
Q-tips

Camp towel
Baby-wipes
Sunscreen
Deet
- [ ] Element Protection & Clothing 9lb
Light weight sleeping bag (3lb)
Henesy Hammock (3.11lb)

Wooley Pulley
Under Armour Cold Gear long sleeve shirt
Under Armour Heat Gear short sleeve shirt
Under Armour Boxers
Polyprop Baclava
(2pr) Wool blend socks
Wool fingerless gloves
Boonie hat



- [ ] Navigation & Signaling
GPS
Compass (4oz)
Atlas pages of Home AO
7.5 MOA USGS maps of hiking areas
Pace beads
Binocs (7oz)
Ham Transceiver or mutli-power AM/FM/SW/WX unit


- [ ] Misc.
Mini-drill sewing kit
(1) Spare pair of perscription glasses
(3) 12ga flares, perimeter firing mech.
Plastic Spade (3oz)
Tomahawk w/ (20ft) 550 cord on handle (1.9lb)
(2) Large trash bags

SOG multi-tool (10oz)
Surefire Defender w/ (2) Spare CR123s (40z)
Large & small Ty-Wraps (3oz)
Bible (6oz)
(4) loaded mags (2.7lb)

[Dave R]

Complements, Oregon. That is a well-thought out kit. My only thought was the 3lb hammock. You must like hammocks. There are several ground pads that would weigh a pound or so less.

I would estimate that over 1/2 of the people who have a BOB packed have never humped it.I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If you want to have a BOB, go camping with it. Trust me--its a terrible thing to use something the first time when it counts. Better than nothing, but nowhere near as good as practicing with your gear.

If you plan to bug out by car, go car-camping. If you plan to bug out on foot, go backpacking.

Actually, its BEST to go backpacking either way. Gives you more options. Its fast to throw a backpack in a car, and you preserve the option of foot travel.

Katrina taught the Houstonians that road travel may NOT be an option if TSHTF.

[oregonshooter]

Thanks Dave. I just got the hammock and it;s no ordinary one. The best part is no mosquitos!! Which are heavy in some of my hiking areas. A night without bug bites is worth the extra 2 ibs IMO.

I have a nice ultra light Therma-rest but it does not compare to the hammock, especially with my bad back. I sleep on the ground and it takes 3 hours to loosen up in the AM. The Hennesy gives me a better sleep than my mattress at home, keeps the bugs out, takes 5 minutes to set up including the rain fly.

I'm still working on the kit, but I'm happy with it now, just need to par it down a little. I'm always looking at other peoples to get ideas though, I built it mostly from threads like this were people share their list.

[Lonestar]

My plans for mine are to toss it (and the other sack) into the trunk. If I'm hoofin, Ill go till I can (or have to) stop and remove some items that I may decide arent needed givene the situation.

But I'd like the benefit of KNOWING that situation first.

I'm looking for cheap little handheld TV/radio that runs on AA batteries. It isone thing to hear a news report, but to actually see what is going on is a big help. Only problem is they usually get poor reception, but seem like a handy thing to have, my wife can be in the passenger seat getting news updates while I'm driving.

[ilbob]

I'm looking for cheap little handheld TV/radio that runs on AA batteries. It isone thing to hear a news report, but to actually see what is going on is a big help. Only problem is they usually get poor reception, but seem like a handy thing to have, my wife can be in the passenger seat getting news updates while I'm driving.

get one of those little lcd tvs. $100 or less NIB.

used ones on ebay for $20.

[Phantom Warrior]

(1) Feranday (shake powered) flashlight


I'm not trying to be the "It's a MAGAZINE, not a CLIP!" guy in the thread, but do you mean a Faraday flashlight (named after Michael Faraday) or is this a brand name I'm not familiar with?

[Doc2005]

I suggest that you conduct a serch for Preacherman's thread on this topic. You'll understand once you have read it.

Personally, I see little sence in bugging out. Our house is on a large hill, and we have a basement. The house also sits east of a large hill, and so if a tornado came in from the south-west (as they usually would) it would likely blow right over. If not, see basement comment.

For us, our "bug-out" kit is our camping and/or hunting materials. As I posted during Katrina, it's a simple process, all color coded. But for me to bug out, matters would have to hit national crisis level. We are safer at home than anywhere else, and if matters hit a national-level crisis, the roads would be so packed with over-charged fools packing illegally, racing for cover and God knows what else, that I say again, it's safer to simply remain at home.

Depending on where one lives, a bug-out may just be the last thing you would ever do.

Doc2005

[dragongoddess]

First off I'm still new here.

Now it would seem to me that there are 2 SHTF scenerios yet each one has different levels of needs.

1. You have forewarning.
Social breakdown
Storms

2. You have no warning at all.
Earthquake
Terrorism

Questions.
Are people planning on getting home to pick up supplies and hit the bank for cash and important personal ID material?
Do you carry duplicate supplies in each vehicle and at home just in case?
What do you have or suggest for communications?
How does one power or recharge portable devices?
How far do you think you could get away from the area when it happens?
What is reasonable to expect under any scenerio outside of planet wide destruction?
Seasonal changes?
Remember I live in an apartment.

[Phil Ca]

Dragongoddess: there are wind-up devices that will charge up a Cell phonr battery.

Costco sells a 3-LED flashlight with a Am/FM radio that works on the wind-up generator that is built in. It also has a siren for using as a warning or signal. They cost about $23 for two units and I ampleased with the results on the ones I bought.

[oregonshooter]

Questions.
1. Are people planning on getting home to pick up supplies and hit the bank for cash and important personal ID material?
2. Do you carry duplicate supplies in each vehicle and at home just in case?
3. What do you have or suggest for communications?
4. How does one power or recharge portable devices?
5. How far do you think you could get away from the area when it happens?
6. What is reasonable to expect under any scenerio out side of planet wide destruction?
7. Seasonal changes?
8. Remember I live in an apartment.

1. Important ID is on you already, it's a DL. I'd empty my account if I have time, but I keep $ in the BOB always. The more you can the better.
2. The BOB stays in the vehicle lock box and there are additional supplies in the rig that would be used first or to supplement if I did not have to go on foot. An AK-47 underfolder is one addition for civil unrest that stays in the truck with a mounted SF M3-T light mounted.
3. Family radios are better than nothing, but (2) portable HAMs are best (requires license which is easy to get)
4. Brunton makes a nice solar charger, but It's low on my list. The only thing I need to recharge is my cell phone and it can be done off any car battery.
5. 10-40 miles and I'm in no mans land (National Forrest) but depending on scenario I would likely BUG to a friends house on the outskirts of town. I don't want to think about leaving friends behind and to be honest don't know if I could. They will not prepare and have families to keep them in town. If it was civil unrest they could not protect themselves, earthquake, could not get out or have preps ready. Which brings up a topic that is not touched on much... "everyman for himself, or stay and help those who would not listen?"
6. Reasonable in the NW is an earthquake, it's not a matter of "if" but "when." We have had Anarchist going nuts in the streets but removing yourself from the area was not an issue. I believe random bombings are coming to our nation soon and we will suffer the same as Israel in day to day terror. Riots are not out of the picture as Rodney King trial showed us. Many possible scenarios.
7. My kit has enough to not be overly heavy but contains clothing for Winter. My normal Winter dress is Polartec fleece, but in the Winter bugging out would mean building a natural shelter.
8. I live in a house, but my neighbors are drug dealers and would not think twice of trying to invade the house in time of need. Also I was a Deputy for a few years and feel that might mark me as a target for them. My house is not defendable so my plan is to put valuables in the safe and take off.

[riverdog]

dragongoddess,
While I don't plan on "bugging out", I have a BOB which supplements the 96 hour kit in my truck. I also have an EDC backpack which doubles as my work bag and gym bag. One compartment carries EDC gear (LED lights, knife, cash, et al), a liter bottle of water is in a pocket on the side and the main compartment carries whatever else is needed depending on my plans for the day. Extra clothing is in the truck's 96 hour kit if it comes to that.

I do not plan on hitting the bank in an emergency -- too late. We have supplies in each vehicle and at home.

[dragongoddess]

Let me ask. How do you handle pets? I have a very large dog who is quite protective. Also what would your suggestions be for packing in the truck and the apartment. What would you suggest if one is on foot.

Now I do have several handguns,a few rifles and a 12ga shotgun so how would I distribute these.

The handguns
Hammerli Trailside in .22lr with Burris 2X scope
H&R 9 shot .22lr
Rock Island .45
Taurus .45LC/.410

The rifles

Winchester 9422 with scope
Dumoulin 7mm mag needs scope
BAR Safari BOSS in 300 Win Mag needs scope
several milsurp rifles and a AK74

[ilbob]

My house is not defendable so my plan is to put valuables in the safe and take off.

Very few homes are defensible.

Anything that does not have 50 or 100 yards of open space around it is very hard to defend.

Most homes are flammable. One Molotov cocktail and you are literally toast.

Virtually no homes are bullet resistant. You might be able to improve that situation, but it is a lot harder than you might think at first.

Even if you could resolve these almost unresolvable problems, you run into a more serious issue. Defending against multiple attackers with just a couple of people is very difficult.

Unless there is a complete and long term breakdown, you can probably discourage the bad guys enough that bugging in might well make sense if it will be a relatively short time before order can be restored.

You might be able to defend an entire neighborhood if you could get the neighbors to cooperate, but in a crisis I doubt they will be thinking cooperation.

That makes bugging out to a place less likely to be a target your best bet. But you need to arrange this well in advance. A close friend or relative with a remote home or cabin might sound like a good idea, but getting there might well be very difficult once a crisis has developed so leave early.

Having a place to bugout to that is some distance away is probably a good idea for a Katrina type disaster. But keep in mind, the main reason Katrina was so bad in NO was because of the poor quality of the local response and the fact that NO is mostly below sea level and once the pumps stopped and the levees breached, there was little anyone could have done. If you are in such an area, or on a fault line, you probably should just move somewhere more less likely to be in the middle of a disaster. Ten miles can make a huge difference.

I don't see that there is any perfect solution. I live well above the flood plain, not on an earthquake fault line, and far enough away from major cities that I am reasonably confident that bugging in makes some sense, unless my house gets hit by a tornado directly, but that is a very localized disaster. A few hundred yards away there is likely to be no damage at all.

[DRZinn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4YC1SxWyY4&search=bug%20out%20bag%20%20

[kludge]

If you plan to drive your car out of harm's way, you'll need fuel for your vehicle.

I've had a 72-hour kit for years (heavy on the water, clothes, shelter, fire starters, and first aid, light on the food - 1 MRE/day/person)

But after Katrina, I realized... there won't be enough gas for everyone, and half of them will run out idling on the interstate parking lot, so plan a place to go and a route to travel that avoids freeway congestion.

At any rate... my newest addition to the 72-hour kit is 10 gallons of gas rotated twice a year (late fall and late spring, when they change the vaport pressure formulation for "summer" and "winter" gas.

With 10 gallons plus what's in my tank I should be able to get a couple hundred miles from ground zero.

[mindwip]

Film canister with vasilene balls

Oregon

Why do you have vasilene balls?

I have been reading over this stuff and i see very few if any poeple talk about water filters or iodine tablets, thats way more important then haveing water on hand and it weighs a lot less.

[oregonshooter]

They are the best fire starters and are cheap. Regular cotton (100%, check package) with vasilene rubbed into it. They start fast and burn with a 3" flame for a good 6 minutes. Only need 1/4 of one to get even wet wood started though if you build a fuel teepee.

I also wrap mine in wax paper for stuffing inside my flint starter kit as it keeps the mess down and the wax paper makes them even more efficient.


Water:
Good point. I always carried iodine, but my new Katlyn Hiker is the shizzle!

[mindwip]

Ah thanks a good idea i think i will add that to my camping kit

[Glock_10mm]

I've been through several hurricanes where a 72 hr kit wasnt adequate. What are you planning for? Will it be carried, in auto or in house/stationary? It really depends on what you are up against and where you are trying to survive.

If your going full on survival:

I'd suggest a gas mask with 3 NBC filters, a quality knife, A quality folding knife, 6 small snares, 3 large snares, a whistle, 6 asst fishing hooks, 50ft 18lb test filament, 50ft 63lb test. 50ft paracord, a rain poncho, 4 contracter garbage bags, 4 one gallon freezer bags, a small medical kit, a compass, a mirror, a fire starter magnesium block or flint/steel kit, a pocked hatchet or machete, a good pair of boots, 4 pairs of gortex sox, a change or two of heavy duty cloths, waterproof sleeping bag/blanket, mosquito/insect repellant, tylenol, benadryl, cortizone creme, antiseptic, ten 3600 calorie bars, a small bottle of bleach, a thermal blanket, 10ft floral wire. A survival manual (preferably cut out the pages, laminate and then put all in a ziplock - make sure it covers shelter construction, star/sun navigation and time keeping, hunting and snaring, water/food preparation). The supplies whoudl help you when you are running and building your shelter, but you will need to live off the land, and a kit like this will set you up for better long term survival. They will all fit into a backpack or a vest/belt combo, whatever your preferance.

If more of a disaster/hurricane kit:

A gas mask / 3 filters NBC (if you fear a chemical attack, or even if your house catches fire while you are in the safe room), radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, propane grill or stove and extra fuel, food (dont buy just canned foods, alot of the ready made (box) meals are great as you can cook up a real meal on a skillet on a fire/grill, and all you need is water (and they last on the shelf as long as any canned food), pick things you would like to eat, not, if you dont like what your picking, you'll be miserable. 1 gallon of water per person per day (plan 2 weeks - buy the harder plastic bottles as they will not evaporate and can be reused later...the milk jug onew will evaporate, beed, and spring a leak after a few months- gatorade is also good). A good folding knife, a battery operated fan, sleeping bag/blanket, a large medical kit, duct tape, and a few games/books, so you dont go mad. Also keep copies of all important records. You can also get thyroid rad blocking tablets if you fear a nuke attack. There's millions of options...none right none wrong (well if you buy crap it will be wrong - I one was on a survival trip in Oklahoma and one guy had a crappy knife. We were starving and cold. The was hammering something and the handle shattered, the knife was then much less useful. Inside there was a "survival kit" with matches, fish hooks, etc! We thought we were saves, but the matches wouldnt light, and the fish got away with all the hooks because the line was like 8lb test and snapped like a twig! So much for the "Super Rambo Survival Knife". Mine held up just fine and despite not being filled with matches and fishhooks, mine was alot mre useful. He had to fashon a handle with a stick and some cord from his shoelace lol! Buy what you feel is necessary for your locale - if you have snakes consider a snakebite kit, if you have alot of mosquitos get repellant and a citronella candle.

Basically it breaks down to two things...
One kit is completely expendible and assumes services will be in place after a few days. (took 10 days to restore basic services here after the last hurricane - and we were on the opposite side of the state from where it hit!)
The other kit is more of a quick and dirty (no frills) 10 days survival kit, but it also gives you the tools to replenish your resources. Just depends on what you need.

Guns are your choice. Depending on where you live, and the scenario, you might need different things. The best things are .22lr (good for hunting small game (usually easier found)), they are light and cheap + anyone can shoot it. Its also good for short or longer range. 9mm has worldwide availability like .223 or .308. a .357mag is good as you can carry .38spl and 357mag. If its a rifle you can plink small game with the .38 and take larger game (like deer) with the .357. 12guage is all around a great tool as the ammo can be customized for anything. the ammo is heavy though and the kick can be great so choose appropriately! Something like 10mm or .357sig are great, but if you are in a survival situation and need to scrounge for ammo, you'll have a harder time than with .22lr/12ga/9mm/.223/.308! A handy weapon if you are thinking survival is a slingshot. You ammo is rocks, sticks, whatever...just keep a spare band in the kit as you may need it. It wont last forever, but if you have to be out there that long, you'll develope other good skills to get you by.


Ps - most of the prepackaged kits are crap. Those dyno/gyro flashlights on a whole take more effort than its worth and will break at the first sign of water or regular use. One exception I've seen is a solar radio a friend of mine had. It was compact and waterproof, It cost like $200 though, but it has all the weather, vhf, etc in it. I'd search for a survival site online and then build your kit with items they recommend. They've been trough it and have tested the items. I have a shake flashlight made by Hummer (bought at sharper image)...thought it would be tough right...well its pretty rugged, but I get 30 seconds worth of dim light for 20 seconds with a vigorous shaking. Think of the calories you are burning! If your at home, battery powered flashlights will be fine. If your outside, fires work great. I'd get a keychain led flashlight for digging though your bag at night, but short of that if your in the field, try to learn how to live off of naturally replinishing resources, rather than disposeable ones! And those regenerating gyro/dyno's are still using energy...yours!

Build your own kit, to the needs you have. Just research what you put in it. I hate to say but, experience can't be bought or studied. Unfortunately a good kit gets to be a better kit after its been used. Fortunately I have had a few years to practice/refine my "disaster kit". Hopefully these pointers will help.

Either way, you're doing the right thing! Everyone should have a kit, even if its ultra compact and no frills. My neighbor had her kit...1/4 tank of gas, two bottles of wine and some crackers...she didnt fare well, and she was literally begging from door to door...you dont want to be in that situation!

Also if you take life altering meds, you shoudl have at least 2 months supply on hand at any given time!

Doint know where your from, but down here we have the CERT team (citizen Emergency Response Team). The city trained us in valuable metro survival skills for free...check out your local programs offered by your city.

Also carry bleach. It works like iodine tablets but you can carry alot and its ceap. Its also easy to acquire and works for sterylizing clothes, tools, etc. 1-2drops to 1 gallon of water = clean, just filter it first though some cloth so your not chewing on grass/dirt, etc.

[Glock_10mm]

Oregonshooter,

The best fire starter I 've ever used is a chopped up tire. If you cut a car tire into 2" stips about as wide as any groove in the tire, then cut on sight as needed. A bic lighter and that will burn through anything, causes a huge flame, and produces alot of smoke (caustic so dont breath it). Great for starting a fire with wet/green wood, or signaling for help. the tire burns for a long time and will burn wet...no problem. You shoudl try it. Its also a good thing to remember if you get stranded because you might have a car with you!

You can also carry alot of these just like the vaseline balls (another great survival option).

I also like the magnesium blocks.

Good to meet another survival savy person!

Try the tire once, you may see a difference, and the smoke for signaling is incredible!

[kludge]

Yup, Vaseline balls are great. I keep mine separate, though. I keep cotton balls in a film canister and the Carmex in the tube. Then I can use both for purposes other that starting fires.

[dragongoddess]

I've got a small contanier filled with dryer lint.

[oregonshooter]

Glock_10mm,

I will try that. Does it matter what part of the tire really? can I cut a lug off my 4x4 tires? :) The signaling part is worth the test.

One thing I can tell you from recent experience... Gasses from rubber (this was a tire innertube) are explosive! We had a controller door blow open and hit an Electrician in the face because the box it was on had filled with gasses from the I-tube burning in a conduit below.

Probably not a concern in survival conditions, but something to keep in the back of your head.

PS. I started getting into backpacking and "bug out" stuff this year. Lots of good info out there!!

Great post BTW.

[oregonshooter]

Yup, Vaseline balls are great. I keep mine separate, though. I keep cotton balls in a film canister and the Carmex in the tube. Then I can use both for purposes other that starting fires.

I just dab the vasiline on my lips. That didn't come out right.:what:

[mindwip]

CERT team (citizen Emergency Response Team)

thats good advise i am a trained First Responder EMS for cal, and out of all the things i know that would help me alot in any "bad event"

[oregonshooter]

You know mindwip,

when it all boils down, it's not gear but knowledge that will save your life. The more diverse we are in life saving knowledge the better our chances no matter how unaware we are when SHTF.

My EMT skills are becoming more and more valuable to me. My trade as an Electrician and cross training skills (welding, machine work), firearms training, etc. are just as valuable.

It would behoove us all to look at areas we lack that can be useful in the field and to work on them like our lives (and loved one's) might someday depend on it.

I intend to work on my weakest area this year which is field craft / orientation, by joining the local SAR group. It's good knowledge and a service to the community.

So the question is really... "What IS IN you 72 hr kit?" What needs development?

I love gear like the next guy, but to use a firearms analogy... My $1500.00 Novak 1911 I pack EDC is not what matters, it's the training I have from IPSC/IDPA/Shooting schools, etc. that allows me to survive with even a lowly Jennings 22. That and the most important tool... "Mindset", which I owe most of to the Corps.

Sorry for the rant, but I feel it's an important part that needs mentioning.

Back on topic:
How about that Jetboil system!? :D

[dragongoddess]

Not really a rant. Knowledge is one of the most important things one can have. I plan on doing the research on just what plants are ediable in our desert. Also would like to start scouting the mountains around here. Maybe purchase a few topo maps. Learn Spanish. Then spend some time wondering if I have what it takes to take what I need or defend what I have.

[lesjones]

I'm still putting together my gear and list, but from a backpacking background I see a couple of weaknesses in some of these lists:

Clothing - Clothing is the #1 make or break gear in outdoor comfort when it's cold and wet. At a minimum, keep synthetic or wool gloves, socks, and hats in the BOB. After the first rain cotton clothing will get wet and will stay wet. A rain- and wind-shell weighs very little but makes a big difference in comfort.

Sleeping bags - A lot of people seem to be relying on space blankets for warmth. That doesn't work. A space blanket just deflects the wind (the reflective properties are negligible). You need insulation in cold weather.

Sleeping pads - Also, seriously consider some type of sleeping pad for comfort, insulation from the ground, and keeping your bag clean and dry. When I've taken friends backpacking the ones who were the most miserable were the ones who refused to carry a pad because of the weight. RidgeRests, Z-Rests, and other closed-cell foam pads are durable and cheap at $12 or so, and weigh about a pound. Closed-cell foam won't absorb water, so most backpackers simply strap them to the outside of the pack. Therm-A-Rests are more comfortable and more compact, but cost 40 or 50 dollars and can be punctured.

Medicines - A basic first aid kit is fine, but don't forget medicine cabinet staples. The things I use most in camp are pain relievers/fever reducers/inflammation reducers, Immodium AD for diarrhea, Benadryl for congestion and bee stings, and hydrocortisone cream for heat rash.

Water - I've been camping in the middle of summer and come across dry springs and had to make dry camps. I've also been dangerously dehydrated once. Being hungry is nothing compared to being thirsty. Your mental processes break down quickly, your physical strength is diminished, and group morale gets terrible. Carry plenty of water and some kind of water treatment so you can purify water you stumble across. I mostly use iodine tablets, which are small, lightweight, cheap, simple, and effective for bacteria and viruses (but not Cryptospiridia). Platypus water bags are cheap, light, and don't take up much space when empty. They're good for add-on storage. For toting water from the water source to camp I use a simple nylon water sack with a winebox-style spout - they're tiny stored, weigh a couple of ounces, cost about $15, and carry three gallons of water.

Lighting - Flashlights are good, but when you're living or walking in the dark headlamps are better because they leave both hands free. I like the long-life LED models like the Petzl Tikka Plus (about $25). Here's a review (http://www.lesjones.com/posts/000256.shtml) I did of some headlamps.

Misc - Bandannas, safety pins, trash bags, and duct tape are infinitely useful. Everything you want to stay dry must go in a Ziploc freezer bag (which is thicker and more durable than a Ziploc sandwich bag). The athletic tape in the first aid kit is tape, and will fix a lot of small problems. Pens, Sharpies, and index cards are nice to have. If you're around other people and need to sleep, earplugs are worth their weight in gold.

[ilbob]

I disagree with the frightened Rambo crowd that fixates on weapons and ammo and nearly ignores, oh little things, like, water, food and shelter.

Amen. I wonder if any of these guys have ever actually packed up everything they claim to have in a small survival pack and carted it around for more than a few hours.

As at least one poster mentioned, none of us is likely to starve in 3 days. Food is thus mostly a luxury and to carry around 20 pounds of MREs makes little sense to me in any case. It might make you feel better in a crisis to have something to munch, but it is less critical than other things.

[ilbob]

I have a shake flashlight made by Hummer (bought at sharper image)...thought it would be tough right...well its pretty rugged, but I get 30 seconds worth of dim light for 20 seconds with a vigorous shaking.

Ironically, I bought several cheap ones at a gun show. A minute of so of shaking produces 30 minutes or more of bluish light that is actually quite usable. They are not real well made, but I keep them around and use them quite a bit. The worst problem I have had is one of them has a switch that does not latch on so you have to hold the switch down to keep the light on.

Mind you, it is not bright like a surefire, but it is quite adequate for walking around in the dark, or looking for something in a dark house when the power goes off. I keep one in each car, and one in a bathroom drawer.

YMMV.