Survival kit. What do you think?

[ReadyontheRight]

I would add:

-Rope
-More 22 ammo
-Watch cap
-Dryer lint in a plastic bag
-Some extra knives - big and small

Plus some extra stuff for trade bait.

Good to think about what you need to get by in the wild.

 

[bdickens]

If the caliber is different, then take the gun they were trying to use as well. Pretty simple.

Just what I need. More weight and more stuff to carry around.

 

[Jim_100]

wmeSha now I see the saw. Thanks.

 

[higher4hockey]

I don't know if this has been mentioned already or not, but one thing I would add to that pack that is dead useful and doesnt' weigh very much is an assortment of zip ties. In the field those things are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Balrog]

Just what I need. More weight and more stuff to carry around.

Whats the point of carrying a gun you have no more ammo for?

 

[Mr. T]

I know guys that can survive out of a back pack comfortably for a couple of weeks, but they need basics like fire and water. I would forget the regular matches and get a fire starter (metal match) and I would also invest in a quality water filter. MSR makes a really good one; if it's good enough for the Marine Corp. Recon people, it's good enough for the rest of us. I think also if I could only take one weapon for survival it would be a shotgun. A shotgun's more versatile to hunt a variety of game. A shotgun can proficiently throw slugs out 100 to 150 yards with a little practice. Paracord is extremely useful and can be had at most military surplus stores as well as some outdoor sporting goods stores. Remember survival is just that...it's not taking the offensive against someone....it's about defending what you have and avoiding conflict whenever possible.

 

[benEzra]

i've actually considered leaving a bike at a safe client site in the city as a means for me to get back if traffic was snarled and walking would take > 3 hrs @ 3 mph from my most common sites in DC. do your bikes play into your plans in any way?

If I were in your situation, I would. The bike is an excellent idea. Just make sure you keep a frame pump and a patch kit on there. It would really be a bummer to need it and find the tires had leaked down, with no pump available.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Lose the camo, add a plain wool or synthetic shirt.
Add a good old pair of broken in shoes.
A couple light pairs of wool, not cotton socks.
Fire striker.
Cash

 

[SniperStraz]

I have no doubt you can devise a potential scenario where ammo is more important than food and water, but realistically I don't think that scenario has ever played out in say the last 200 years in the US.

Unfortunately the US is changing...

 

[sleepyone]

Pots and pans - they make kits that nest

if the zombies are coming, the news will be too late; if Yellowstone blows up, and you're close enough- it won't matter

In either scenario, the likelihood of you having to survive in the wild for long periods of time would be, IMO, minimal - better to have a vehicle you can rely on to go anywhere and place most of that stuff in a lockable box in the vehicle.
Gold, in the event of societal collapse, will go further than dollars
You'll want some food for the initial phase until you know who, what, where, when, and why.

Where I live, hurricanes are the major possibility. A vehicle fully gassed up, important papers in a small box, a gun or two JIC and some clothes, water and food are all that is necessary.
And pack a roll of TP - has multiple uses besides the most important one.

YMMV

Gold, or any form of currency, will be useless in a failed economy/society. Go back to Katrina. "Gold" for those people was water, batteries, food, ammo etc. Try bartering gold or silver eagles for some of those items! Let me know how it works out for you.

 

[Evnldr]

Im staying in my house lol working on a stash so far:

30gal water
6 cases of can foods
32 of all standard batts
3 30 lb propain tanks
propain heter/ stove
4 crank flashlights
2 crank radios
2 sets walkie talkies
2 full size tents 2 small ones
plenty of blankets socks other clothes.
Water anit-freeze adtives
22 revolver and rifle
45 auto
223 rifle
about 1000 rounds of most ammo
and suplies to make a ton more

I have what i think i may need in the event of a bad winter.
i will triple the food and water over time.

 

[RatDrall]

1. 6 - 30 rd. AR mags. (2 loaded with hollow points, 2 with FMJ’s, 1 with SP’s, 1 with AP’s)
2. 80 rounds add’tl .223 ammo in boxes
3. 100 rds. 22lr ammo.
4. Folding metal shovel
5. Buck hatchet
6. Benchmade CSK knife
7. Leatherman tool
8. LED flashlight/batteries
9. Windproof lighter
10. Regular lighter
11. Waterproof matches (the ability to start a fire is critical)
12. First aid kit
13. Compass/mirror/whistle/magnesium stick
14. Water purification tablets
15. Fishing hooks, flies, line, bobber, sinkers
16. Athletic tape
17. Orange flagging
18. Knife sharpener
19. Spare pocket knife
20. Duct tape
21. 100 ft. braided nylon cord.
22. Metal clips/carabiners
23. Needle/Thread
24. Metal cup
25. Plastic bags
26. Plastic sheet
27. Space blanket
28. Mesh mosquito face net
29. Gloves
30. Socks
31. Flannel shirt
32. Camo shirt
33. Water bottle

You need to add a few very important things in there, like toilet paper. Then some baby wipes. Then, along those lines, diarrhea medicine.

Then I'd add a decent sowing kit (patches, needles, thread, safety pins) in case your one set of clothes goes down. More underwear would be nice you'll be pretty gross after a few hours. Bic lighters are great.

Emergency food rations can be bought, they have 3600 calories per pack, broken into 400 callorie bars. They fit a lot into a small package.

If you wear glasses or contacts, add a spare set.

Anyone with allergies needs Benadryl or similar.

 

[Doug S]

This is a little off topic, but I thought I'd post a picture of my new EDC pouch. This 3x5 pouch contains the basics for starting fire, light, a few tools, directions, signaling, etc., and is small enough to carry easily, so that you can have the basics with you at all times. I also use it for my everyday carry needs for things like a pen, usb drive, flashlight not so much an SHTF pouch. Fits easily into a cargo pocket, or even a regular pocket if necessary, and can be easily pulled out of the pocket at the end of the day, placed on a nightstand, or into another pair of pants.

 

[Darkninja]

This is a little off topic, but I thought I'd post a picture of my new EDC pouch. This 3x5 pouch contains the basics for starting fire, light, a few tools, directions, signaling, etc., and is small enough to carry easily, so that you can have the basics with you at all times. I also use it for my everyday carry needs for things like a pen, usb drive, flashlight not so much an SHTF pouch. Fits easily into a cargo pocket, or even a regular pocket if necessary, and can be easily pulled out of the pocket at the end of the day, placed on a nightstand, or into another pair of pants.

Hey, I just started going to EDC forum. Nice pouch.

 

[Doug S]

I just started going to EDC forum

The EDC forum is a pretty interesting site. Lots of good info.

 

[barnetmill]

If you live in a city perhaps one might want to leave because of a SHTF&zombie invasion. Me I live well about sea level on the gulf coast and I will stay in my home. I have plenty of wood and do not to have to use public utilities since I have a septic tank and the water table is quite shallow. I have plenty of wood for heat. Not only do I have everything that I need, but why go somewhere else that likely will not. Perhaps now the woods and mountains seem empty of people, but you have a disaster and there will be huge numbers of people running for the hills. I can see a temporary evacuation in the case of chemical spill of a day or so, but that is it. The major factor in survival is food and if everyone and his brother is out in the woods, guess how much game you are going to eat; exception noted for those that like long pig. I can store a ton food in my home if I want to. How much can you carry in a backpack?

 

[cmhbar]

Im staying in my house lol working on a stash so far:

30gal water
6 cases of can foods
32 of all standard batts
3 30 lb propain tanks
propain heter/ stove
4 crank flashlights
2 crank radios
2 sets walkie talkies
2 full size tents 2 small ones
plenty of blankets socks other clothes.
Water anit-freeze adtives
22 revolver and rifle
45 auto
223 rifle
about 1000 rounds of most ammo
and suplies to make a ton more

I have what i think i may need in the event of a bad winter.
i will triple the food and water over time.

I live in semi-rural area and have most of items you listed.We use propane for heat , also keep several 20#cylinders filled to run propane lights,also ample food, water,medicine ect. My biggest concern is my job as a truck driver. Often I am 500 miles from home the longest over 1200 miles ( northern michigan) The gun laws of some states prevents legal conceled carry but I carry enough warm clothing, water and food to last 5 days if there is a SHTF event and roads are closed.looking at your list will add most of them to my "survival gear" At 66 years old walking home and living "off the land" is not a good option ( i live in okla.) Also many thousands will be in the same fix! Any ideas on the options? comments and ideas ?

 

[ilbob]

I live in semi-rural area and have most of items you listed.We use propane for heat , also keep several 20#cylinders filled to run propane lights,also ample food, water,medicine ect. My biggest concern is my job as a truck driver. Often I am 500 miles from home the longest over 1200 miles ( northern michigan) The gun laws of some states prevents legal conceled carry but I carry enough warm clothing, water and food to last 5 days if there is a SHTF event and roads are closed.looking at your list will add most of them to my "survival gear" At 66 years old walking home and living "off the land" is not a good option ( i live in okla.) Also many thousands will be in the same fix! Any ideas on the options? comments and ideas ?

I knew some people who got stranded on 9/11. A couple guys were in Canada and managed to snag a one way rental and drove back.

An executive for a client was trapped in Paris until air flights resumed.

If you are a long way from home and do not have your own transportation to get back, I think getting home in a real SHTF situation is very dicey. However, I also think that at least during the earliest stages of such things there will be some alternatives available but the longer the crisis lasts the fewer alternatives you will have for getting home.

Best advice I could give you is to hightail it for home at the first sign of serious trouble. Having a truck makes you pretty mobile, even if you have to drop the trailer somewhere. Of course that is a last ditch kind of thing to do as your employer (and the owner of the trailer) is not likely to appreciate you leaving the trailer on the side of the road somewhere.

I did once hear a story of an OTR trucker who dropped a trailer in the far south (like FL) and headed for home in the cab due to some kind of family emergency. IIRC the story correctly, the freight company reported the trailer and cab as stolen and eventually fired the driver. He was in some kind of union arbitration over his firing when I heard the story.

 

[azyogi]

Visit a 99 cent store small packets of drugs, Loperamide [anti-Diarrheal], antihistamine, decongestant, tylenol, Ibprofen, Kava Kava [muscle relaxant] omeprazole [acid reducer] day and night cold caps. 10 bucks worth will fit in a sandwich bag [double bag for water proofing] 20 bucks worth would give you trade goods. Dehydration due to diarrea needs electrolytes, salt and sugar packets, ask for extra at coffee shops fast food joints. [to 1 liter water 2 sugar, 1/2 salt packet]
I also carry nylon surveying string, 300 ft takes up very little space and is very light.
spices, wally sells a shaker with six types, 99 cent stores sells black pepper in grinders [whole pepper corns store longer] powdered onion and garlic make soups much better.
walgreens has a toothbrush with toothpaste in the handle [about a buck]

 

[Patriotme]

Perhaps a canteen and canteen cup instead of a water bottle and metal cup. It might save space and canteen cups are a decent size. If you heat up some water it will be a good amount.
I didn't see a first aid kit (moleskin at least) and you could possibly replace the folding shovel and hatchet with one of those short handled Russian shovels they used to issue.

 

[mrheythere]

M4 carbine and all YOUR stuff. Sorry, could not resist.

 

[801sureshot]

Does yer nylon cord support yer weight what if ya gotta bivouac up a tree? Just kidding, I have one in the truck and two in the house. You look good to go I would add high calorie food though...

 

[frontgate1]

1905 is spot on correct.
Everything else is fantasy playing.

 

[HOV]

Just a note on knives - I'd recommend a nice sturdy survival knife like the Gerber LMT II. It's really more of an all around tool than any folder can be.

 

[TonyDedo]

Less is more. Instead of making a list of things that are cool to have, try to identify the most likely scenarios you're going to find yourself in, and go from there. What situations are you likely to find yourself in, and what's your response plan? While carrying out this plan, what are you going to need?

Case in point - #15, fishing gear? In a REAL bug out situation, you're more likely to find yourself in a community center shelter or stuck in traffic on an evacuation route than out camping in the middle of the woods. How about a box of protein bars instead?

And keep it simple. #4, #5, #6, #7, #18 and #19 - do you really need a shovel, three knives and a sharpener? You're not Robinson Crusoe. Do you need to carry around all that weight?

#1 and #2 - 360 rounds of ammo, a 22 pistol and a high power rifle. I know we all love our guns, and as a result most gun guys plan their bug out bags around a large amount of fire power. But if you were subject to a mandatory evacuation (the most likely bug-out scenario) and you come strolling out of your house with an AR slung over your shoulder, you're going to freak out any civilian who might be of assistance to you, and draw unwarranted attention from any authority figures (cops or nat'l guard) who will probably confiscate the rifle (and you're not going to win that argument, even it you ARE right).

How about we get back to basics:
food & water in portable containers: a box of energy bars and a couple bladders of water will go a long way when you're bugging out.
warm/dry clothing: a full change of clothes, thermal first layer, a couple pairs of thick socks, a long hooded rain coat or poncho, and something insulating (thick fleece). Hit up the summer ski/snowboard clearances for this stuff. If you have room, throw in a good wool blanket and a handful of those pocket warmers.
communication device: in case I lose my phone or it goes down, I keep a tiny "go phone" and charger in my bug out bag, programmed with any important numbers I'll need. And make sure it's text capable - text messages are more likely to go through in a crisis.
portable radio: the self charging ones will help you avoid the need for batteries, plus a small set oh ear buds, so you can tune in and figure out what the hell is going on.
basic utility items: first aid kit, small tool kit (keep it light & simple), duct tape, pocket tool, flash light, sharpie & small pad of paper
health items: basic toiletries (baby wipes will be a life saver), any medication you may need
defense: a small, reliable, concealable handgun, a couple mags and a holster will do just fine.
cash: small bills, as much as you can stash away.

And most importantly, a checklist of what you need and what your plan is. In a real bug out situation, your mind is going to be racing, trying to figure out what to do. Answer those questions ahead of time with a simple checklist:

#1 grab family
#2 grab bug out bag
#3 grab X, Y and Z important items (important paperwork, priceless sentimentals, pets, whatever is important enough that it can't be left behind)
#4 lock doors & windows, set alarms, fill up gas tank (if applicable) and GTF outta there.
#5 go to place A along route B.
#6 backup plan in case #1-#5 doesn't work