My "Be Prepared" Pack (links included)

[sdj]

Context

Over the years I have found that context and situation dictates what I carry.

The needs of a family with Elders and toddlers in tow will differ from, let's say OrvilleYertleson who is in real combat situations.

A good source of information for the layman: http://www.dhs.gov/xcitizens/

As I learn more and gain more experience, what I think I need changes. I find that in my experience, I need a great deal less than I think.

On the trail, when backpacking:

Ditch the redundant stuff.

+1 On that! And ditch some stuff you "might" need (e.g. the extra batteries!).

Ditch the tent.

Agreed. If a comfortable weekend is the objective, by all means bring it. But if you need to cover ground and will be needing shelter, tarp, bivvy bag, or even a hammock is the way to go.

You want to keep the stove that will run on anything.

Agreed. MSR has a couple of light, strong stoves that run on everything from whiskey to diesel (perhpas a bit of a stretch, but I have used diesel in the MSR dragonfly with no issues. Don't mind the soot! (NB: diesel in a stove is not so good below 0C / 32F, but it does work).

No need for a lantern.

Agreed; A small candle, if you must.

Bug spray will leak all over everything.

Without fail. If it is not absolutely needed (e.g. Northern lattitudes in the Spring...), it's not needed: protective clothing will serve better and last longer. If the bugs are that much of an issue, it's time for a headnet and gloves and long sleeves and long pants. Gloves have the benefit of protecting your hands in other situations, too: bug juice will not have this added benefit.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[conw]

One of those "why not" things to throw in: a few cheap "photon" knockoff lights are less than a dollar and they have an "on" switch...more uses than can be listed, and about as bright as a $5-30 wal-mart flashlight. No kidding. They're quarter sized.

 

[conw]

Ditch the redundant stuff.

My little pocket kit, which is currently out of commission and which I got tired of carrying - it will eventually be a part of a bigger kit - was actually kind of built around redundancy. The key is to have multi-functional items that have overlapping uses.

I think I agree that you don't need to have two identical items of different types (a zippo AND a bic) but I like redundancy as I equate it with reliability.

 

[Exmasonite]

couple things i thought of/noticed:

1) zip ties. just love the things
2) hatchet (over machete, IMO but YMMV)
3) small crow/prybar
4) good fixed blade knife
5) communications? i have 2 of those cobra walkie talkies in my bag.

not sure on your weapons load out but i'd have a .22 rifle and some ammo.

nice set up!

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I use an alcohol stove for my BOB and backpacking gear. It has a low BTU output, but is very small and light, is cheap, you can replace it with a coke or beer can, and the fuel is practically everywhere. Make a heat shield to keep the btu's in and you've got a nice setup.
I use a Nalgene flask to store the fuel. The "shot glass" that comes with the flask is perfect for doling out the fuel.

Not recomended for the casual camper though, since most casual campers tend to need a large flame to keep them company.

 

[41magsnub]

I don't see any way to cut wood in there. Stove fuel can run out or leak.

 

[doc540]

I'd include some basic kind of fishing gear in any survival pack, if nothing more than hooks and line.

 

[offthepaper]

My daughter made an interesting comment some time back. We were discussing shtf scenario and packing needs, when she spouted out "ya know Dad, under the right conditions, you might want to include a pellet rifle in your bag. In case you needed to take small game (bird, squirrel, wabbits) without anybody hearing a gunshot."
I have since included that item in my BOB. It would depend on the situation and the length of time you might expect to be out. If the situation doesn't warrant staying away from EVERYBODY ELSE, ditch it.

doc540
+1 on the lines and hooks (a rubber worm could go a long way too)

 

[ARKIESTEEL]

Not long after joining this site I got to thinking about this and I have put together a bug out "box" large rubber made. The place I have decided to go to is 2 hours away(if I drive the speed limit) so the box will fit ok in the back of my truck. I have tried and dont have any problems lifting this into the truck so here it is

stuff I have in it

4 large jars of peanut butter (change ever 4 months)
3 rolls duck tape
150 ft of light cord
350 ft twine
2 big boxes of matches
2 xx large sweat shirts
1 package large socks
1 roll large trash bags
3 gals of water
2 bricks 22 ammo
1 small hand axe
2 first aid kits
2 large bottles asprin
3 large ponchos
2 large fixed bladed knives
one leatherman multi tool
one roll small wire
tooth brush and tooth paste

etc etc

I have to small book bag type back backs full of ammo for the 6 guns that will go with me

the wife and I never let our cars get below half tank and this should be close to getting us to where we intend to go

thoughts????

 

[doc2rn]

I would add fishing line, you can suture with it and fish with it, as well as make snares for small game. Gorrilla tape instead of electrical tape, for better addhesion, can be wrapped around water bottle as insullator. Ditch zippo for matches and flint. Ditch stove kindling is all around you. Iso-Mats are great, and protect from ringworm and other parasites and allow for a better nights sleep under a tarp or poncho. I like to also add a stocking cap and fleece gloves.

 

[WayneConrad]

Also: Another go-to place for thinking about these kits is the forums over at http://equipped.org. The forums there are as well run and full of deep thought about bugging in, bugging out, and surviving tough situations, as THR is about firearms and tactics.

One thing possibly missing from some of the above kits is some of the basics from the signalling groups: Ways to make noise (whistle) and light (mirror) especially.

 

[Guitargod1985]

I'm bookmarking this.

Any preparedness pack post is a good resource.

 

[sdj]

equipped.org

Thanks for putting up that url, WayneConrad. Lots to look at, there.

 

[KFD147]

Looks great. Working on mine now.

Jason

 

[Navy joe]

Socks, tarp, and more 550 cord is what I'd add to the OPs kit. More moleskin if the listed FA kit is light on it. Foodsaver is great for vacuum packing socks. Or anything else for that matter.

 

[yhtomit]

For the original poster: How big is this collection of gear? How far would you be (or have you been) comfortable carrying it?

I'm not familiar (except vaguely) with the Jetboil system, but it looks like a pretty well thought-out list.

timothy

 

[winnipegger]

moleskin shmoleskin

moleskin is a waste imo its definetly comfortable to have on whilst walking casually but if you are running or not able to change the mole skin which peels of super easy every ten minutes. (not sure about combats but mountaineering boots and moleskin do not work) then duct tape is your answer I learned that trick from some mountains guides in the jasper area of the mountians in canada. i had a blister going while we were on our way up to explore a massive cave and we stopped for a qucik bite. i whipped out the pack of moleskin and the older guys scoffed and threw me a roll of duct tape and honestly i have not purchased moleskin since. the duct tape acts like lube between your foot and the sock which keeps friction down. and if ur worried about casuing more injury when removing the tape from the foot place a small piece of cotton or a band-aid over the blister itself then cover with duct tape. but i honestly dont bother with that by the time u need to change the tape the sweat usually makes it painless anyway thats what i had to add take it or leave it works and you can't bash it until you try it

 

[bwavec]

Good list of stuff...and good follow ups from lots of people.

Here is my $.02:

1) Skip the tent, instead look into a Hennessy Hammock. They are basically off the ground bivy shelters. I have used mine on numerous expeditions, and have found it to be more comfortable than a tent, and does a better job of keeping me dry and bug free than a tent. It packs down way smaller, packs up way quicker, and they even make little "water collector thingys" that allow you to attach water bottles to your overhead cover and use them to collect dew or rain run off in the bottle, which can be a help if you have only questionable water sources available, but also allows you to extend your potable water supply by using that run off water for personal washing or washing gear. I use the superlight rollable platypus bottle/bladders as collection containers.

2) The Light My Fire fork/spoon combo is great, BUT GET THE XM OR SERVING SPORK MODELS. I have found that the standard model is a little too short for getting into the bottom of the freeze dried entree pouches and MRE pouches. I know this sounds like a trivial thing, but I want the food in my mouth and in my belly, not all over my fingers and knuckles (unless I am eating steamed crabs or BBQ ribs...but that's not the issue here). In short, if I am using utensils, I would prefer to keep my hands clean. And the short sporks don't do that well when eating out of the pouch.

3) For a first aid kit, check out the Adventure Medical Ultralight kits, then add in some more stuff to buff it out to full capability. Consider antibacterial agent impregnated bandages for backcountry use. You may be away from medical care for a while, and an infected cut will potentially do you in if you aren't careful. Skip the moleskin, use duct tape. And some hand sanitizer is helpful in preventing the "ass to mouth"-type illnesses that extended stays in the field can cause. Plus an alcohol based hand sanitizer makes a decent emergency fire starting aid. Immodium-type pills for loose bowels can keep you from getting too dehydrated from diarrhea, and oral rehydration salts/gatorade packets to keep you from getting to badly dehydrated if the immodium doesn't stop the flow.

As has been mentioned before, leave out the overly redundant gear: no need for a bunch of flashlights (two is plenty...try to find two that are LED and use the same batteries), or multiple stoves. Skip that stuff to carry more food (Try several types of energy bars and energy gels to see which ones you like the taste of best and can tolerate-then buy a whole box of them. They are easy to eat on the move and require no stopping or prep-which may be important in a SHTF scenario.).

And once you have collected all your stuff, take it out and spend a long weekend in the field with it. Learn how to operate everything in the field in a situation where you life doesn't really depend on it: Does everything work properly ? Is you pack to heavy to carry very far ? Do the freeze dried meals give you bad gas or belly aches or the runs ? Does the stove fuel burn out quick or not stay lit easily ?

Before we go on expeditions, I like to take the time to test as much of my gear as possible. This allows me to head out with piece of mind. I know how my stuff works, and what I need to do to make it work, outside of the comforts of my home. Confidence is one of the keys to survival.

Best of luck..................

 

[NIB]

I gotta disagree with ditching the tent. For someone in a combat environment I can see, but when your back home and you have to bug out in the middle of rain season then a good tent will offer better protection from the elements as well as a big morale booster.

I agree if you have 6-10 flashlights then you need to lighten up but have 2-3 lights. 1 on your person and the other 1-2 packed away.

Fire....always carry 3 different ways to start a fire.

 

[Navy joe]

Never had an issue with Moleskin myself, but then I've mostly used it for equipment rubs on places other than the foot. A couple of weeks worth of 5 miles a day in the mountains on crutches will make moleskin very attractive. Great way to get in ridiculous shape too.

Duct tape though, can't believe I forgot to say that. I have some everywhere. In the bag I have about 5 yards unrolled and re-wrapped around itself. I keep a yard and 4 feet of gutted 550 in my wallet around a Swisscard. Always duct tape. I drive a 17 year old Ford, must have duct tape...

 

[Ed Ames]

This is a trivial bit of "wisdom" but: You can't pick gear without knowing where (and how) it will be used.

Example: Hammocks are utterly useless where there are no trees.

Pick your gear based on where you'll be and what you think will work for you.... then, if you can, go use the gear. Go camping, try out that hammock or tent or whatever in the sorts of areas you think you'll need to survive, and see how your stuff really works. The real world can be an eye-opener.

Where I grew up dome tents were pretty much necessary... stakes didn't hold (or couldn't be driven), there were no trees to sling hammocks from, and shelter from sun, wind, and cold could be necessary day or night. When I moved to a different part of the country I went camping and found that all of my expectatios were wrong... the ground was soft enough to accept a stake yet firm enough to hold, there were trees and plants around (though not enough for a hammock), and the reason for a tent shifted more to bug and rain protection. I traded my self-supporting dome tent for a lighter but stake-dependent bivvy. This thing would be utterly useless where I grew up but is just fine here. Further into swampland a hammock might become the logical choice.

There are some basics that always make sense but every region creates special challenges and there is one way to learn about those challenges... go face them. Take your gear out and try using it. Next time you have a free weekend, or next time you want to go camping, grab your bug out pack and see how it performs in your environment.

Last time I tried that I realized my new multi-fuel stove had become utterly useless during fairly short-term storage and was not field repairable. My older stoves were all easy to fix... the burners could be stripped and the passages cleaned with few or no tools... but not that thing. Bummer... but a good reality check.

 

[Plink]

Good advice about the DEET. I overlooked it in my own bag. An omission I came to deeply regret last time I did a 3 day trial run using the bag. Biting insects can make you seriously miserable in a survival situation, so please bring the DEET!

 

[Dave R]

Great thread! I maintain that the best practice for SHTF is a good backpacking trip. Or just work with Boy Scouts...

I don't see any way to cut wood in there. Stove fuel can run out or leak.

I'm one of the "machete better than hatchet" guys. After spending a week in a REMOTE village in Guatemala (humanitarian project) and seeing how those guys use machetes, I'm sold. They cut pretty big trees with em, also split, de-bark, use like a plane, etc. Even cut their yards with em. About the same weight as a hatchet, but more verstile.

Love the pellet gun suggestion!

 

[onebigelf]

I would stick with the Zippo and add a can of lighter fluid for it. You've got all this firestarter stuff, believe me, when you're hands are numb and shaking and you're freezing, a squirt of lighter fluid over your tinder is a wonderful thing. Trust me on this one.

John

 

[Fred Fuller]

If you're interested in a topic, and it fits the current ules for S&T, start a new thread on it. If you've found an old thread you want to expand/expound on, just link to it from the new thread. Let the old ones RIP.

Thanks,

lpl