Critique this SHTF grab bag.

[Working Man]

From what I skimmed through the one thing that should be in any king of bag
be it Grab, BOB, or other is missing... that would be extra cash.

You never know where you are going to end up and Master Card might not
cover your everything else. Keep it broken down 1s, 5s, 10s, 20s, 50s, even
a hundred or 2. That way you only show the money you need to spend. Nobody
needs to know how much you have. Just in case.

I've had it come in handy once or twice.

 

[trickyasafox]

i like baby wipes, alcohol pads, and some duct-tape wrapped around a business card with 10-12 feet of paracord wrapped around that. A big plus one to some comfort snacks. a snickers bar and a can of pop / soda can go a long way to improving your mood if your not happy. also a small hand warmer.

I don't know how i feel about the AR-15 in the Bug out situation. if its so bad i can carry a rifle in the streets, then i don't want to be in them. obviously the need could definitely come up. I won't dispute it, but i think creature comforts might come in a bit more handy for most situations.

 

[AndyC]

A good place to start is to remember the Rule of Threes:

You can survive:
3 minutes without air
3 hours without shelter
3 days without water
3 weeks without food

Now, these are rules-of-thumb more than anything, but remembering the sequence correctly will help you to prioritize your needs.

Edit: I think this thread is starting to get seriously OT...

 

[Mortech]

Does anyone remember the Icestrom we had here several years ago in the Pacific NW , I was with out commercial power for 11 days . Some people thought I was nuts for keeping over 200 gals of gasoline out here at all times . That with my generator made life easy . The short moral of the story is that there really is no such thing as being too prepared , because the time you think you are , you'll find out your not . Also an folding stock AK definitely beats an AR for a SHTF carbine UNLESS you have a pistol caliber one that can used the before mentioned 33rnd Glock mags but your range will be limited . AndyC is correct about the rules he posted about what should be your priorities in preparing a BOB/SHTF bag .

 

[islandphish]

I think you neglected to add a holster, though it's probably understood.

I'd go for a nice paddle. Other than that I like the load out. No sense carrying boxes of ammo if you can carry it in mags.

 

[Prince Yamato]

1 Glock 17 pistol.
1 Cleaning kit
1 spare parts kit
5 Glock 18 33 rd mags
5 17 rd high capacity mags.

How about this instead:

1 Glock 17 pistol.
1 Halloween sized bag of M&Ms
1 spare parts kit
5 Glock 18 33 rd mags
5 17 rd high capacity mags.


...note, you don't need to clean Glocks.

 

[Moxy]

bamabluesman, are you kidding me?!? Red Dawn was a documentary!

 

[Fatelvis]

You can survive:
3 minutes without air
3 hours without shelter
3 days without water
3 weeks without food

Andy, I dont understand the shelter part. Please explain...

 

[TNfuzz215]

I believe he is referring to protection from the elements.(i.e. hypothermia or heat stroke)

 

[saltydog452]

i'd agree with air force shooter and cosmoline regarding a 22rf, preferably in a takedown, locked breech version. ammunition would include quiet std velocity and cb caps.

salty.

 

[AndyC]

TNfuzz215 has it right - it's assuming extreme conditions.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I keep a grab&go bag ready, but it's a 3 day type of set-up with spare socks, first aid, light roll-up jacket, dried food, ammo, space blanket, water bottle, knife, matches, small flashlight-spare batteries, para cord, and few other things. I have .22 carbine tack driver.

 

[supraneurotoxin]

don't discount the need for a good set of demolition tools-
I keep a complete tool set in the back of my SUV, as well as a crowbar, hand ax and folding shovel. these also double as melee weapons BTW.

no food though, I keep a pre-paid phone in there so I can just order up some SHTF pizza

J/K. a few MRE's, power bars, and water ride in a insulated bag to protect them from Hot Parked Car Synrome(HPCS). a comprehensive first aid kit, good strong knife, blanket, a few extra mags for my CCW, clean clothes, boots, and a few other things I can't quite recall.
I not only have a canteen, but enough half full pepsi bottles on the floorboards to keep myself hydrated for a really long time!!

 

[kellyj00]

I have two Tommy Lasorda bobbleheads and a pair of shoelaces in mine.

 

[secamp32]

Maybe you should add

A Keltec sub2000. It can use either the 17 or 33 round mags. And it folds up small enough to fit into a briefcase or backpack.

 

[lesjones]

To the original poster: If your idea of SHTF involves needing to shoot people, I guess that bag's a start.

You might want to think about taking care of basic needs like warmth, thirst, hunger, communication, basic sanitation and first aid.

That said, in either case you desperately need a source of light. All of your tools are worthless if you can't see. Likewise a pair of binoculars would be handy for either scenario.