Go bags???

[theboyscout]

What's in you hurricane go bag?

I'm new to this and want some pointers to what you would bring.

My bag: good knife, first aid kit, mags with ammo, 2 days cloths, hat, light coat, emergency cash, portable phone charger.

What else would be necessary?

Do you all have different bags for different situations?

Is there one bag to pack that is reasonable for all situations?

 

[herrwalther]

Sounds like you have a pretty good start already. I have always felt a general survival bag is better than bags for specific events. Some hazards are going to be present regardless of the disaster such as two legged threats, danger from elements like wind and water, but also heat and cold. Get some long term shelf stable food. Get some ways to either carry water or purify water on the go, and there are tons of options for both.

Also, THR doesn't really get in the mood to discuss SHTF scenarios so this thread will probably not be open for very long.

 

[theboyscout]

Sounds like you have a pretty good start already. I have always felt a general survival bag is better than bags for specific events. Some hazards are going to be present regardless of the disaster such as two legged threats, danger from elements like wind and water, but also heat and cold. Get some long term shelf stable food. Get some ways to either carry water or purify water on the go, and there are tons of options for both.

Also, THR doesn't really get in the mood to discuss SHTF scenarios so this thread will probably not be open for very long.

Define shtf

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

My go bag is more aimed to massive civil disorder than natural disaster...I think you COULD do one all purpose kit, but it would probably not be optimized for both scenarios- there should be little need for heavy firepower in the wake of a hurricane or earthquake. Looters are easily frightened and don't usually return in greater numbers....Plus, when they pluck you off the roof of the house, the helo crew would prolly get real nervous real fast if they spotted a pistol in your belt, CCW or not.
I would add glow sticks and a flare gun to the hurricane bag.

 

[psyopspec]

At a minimum: Food, water and purifier, lighter, headlamp with extra batteries. Pocket stove and fuel canister. Pretreat with permethrin.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I'm a couple thousand miles from the nearest ocean which is the way I like it, so take this with a grain of salt. But I think a "go bag" for hurricane season is a bit different than a "bug out bag" that so many like to discuss. There's little chance that you'll be bugging out to the woods in advance of a hurricane! So your normal wilderness survival stuff probably isn't going to do you much good. You're probably not gonna light a campfire in 30" of rain. What you may need is water, fuel, medical supplies, cash, documents (eg ID, insurance papers, important financial doc and family stuff), prescription meds that you can't live without for a few weeks, a bit of food, etc.

From the AARs of folks that I know that have faced evac from hurricanes, fuel was one of the biggest concerns. Many gas stations will be completely out of fuel in big storm emergencies. Water is high on the list as well. Money will be more useful than a bunch of battle rifles if you need to leave home and hole in hotel in a neighboring state, or if you need to bug out to a relative's on high ground.

 

[Varminterror]

Since you asked about a Hurricane bag, I'll offer focus towards that particular event. As a former professional risk assessor, I look at the event objectively - what are you going to experience, what do you need in that context, and what attributes do the kit and its contents need to have to 1) not increase your risks, and 2) reduce your risks.

So what are the materially contributory risks in a hurricane? Wind blown debris, electrical shock, and flood/drowning. So a guy would need a minimal weight kit, with a FAST opportunity to bail on it, should it become a death anchor in high water or snagged on debris in high current. Waterproofing of the kit and internal storage packages seems pertinent. A helmet and flotation device seem logical. A lifeline tether for traversing high water. Chemlights, flare gun, and waterproof smoke indicators for signaling rescue would be worthwhile, in my book. Headlamps/handheld flashlights, all purely waterproof could be advantageous. A means to start a controlled fire to stave off hypothermia in relatively cold storm waters if stranded long enough might be worth while.

Civil unrest and physical assault would be the least realistic and last pertinent concerns in this scenario - survive the hurricane, planning a 60lb kit to survive anarchistic fall out seems silly and outlandish - but surviving the REAL DANGERS WHICH ACTUALLY KILL PEOPLE DURING HURRICANES seems pertinent.

 

[herrwalther]

Define shtf

S*** Hits The Fan. SHTF.

My go bag is more aimed to massive civil disorder than natural disaster...I think you COULD do one all purpose kit, but it would probably not be optimized for both scenarios- there should be little need for heavy firepower in the wake of a hurricane or earthquake. Looters are easily frightened and don't usually return in greater numbers....Plus, when they pluck you off the roof of the house, the helo crew would prolly get real nervous real fast if they spotted a pistol in your belt, CCW or not.

True in part. There are some things that are universal good things to have whether the disaster is civil unrest or natural. Medical supplies being one. Food, fuel, and water being others. If space is allowed, and civil unrest is highly suspected, an AR in the back of a truck would serve very well. But it would not be a priority item. If space doesn't allow for one, a handgun with some spare magazines would be what I pack or carry.

Mylar blankets are one of the best things that have ever come across to the civilian market from military tech. They will keep you warm and drier. And in a pinch they can be used for signaling a helicopter or rescue crew. And they can come prepacked the size of a deck of cards.

 

[Balrog]

To keep it gun related, what's the best caliber to use during a hurricane?

 

[Sam1911]

To keep it gun related, what's the best caliber to use during a hurricane?

Ahhh...no. That doesn't keep it gun-related.


THR is really, really, definitely not a survival forum, and our strategies and tactics focus is on armed defense against violent threats, not packing for getting out of town ahead of a storm.

You've got some decent replies, and we'll let that stand, but this isn't close enough to on-topic for THR to continue.