5 Items For SHTF

My answer would depend on the situation. I can't envision ANY emergency scenario where I'd CHOOSE to only take five items, but that was the question...so.....

Likely:

1) Busse NMSFNO in a Spec-Ops Sheath (Swamp Rat Swamp Warden, Lansky Stone, Silva Starter Compass, and Light My Fire Army Model Ferro Rod all stuffed in the front pocket of the sheath)
2) Nalgene Canteen with a USGI Stainless Canteen Cup nested on it
3) Ruger MkIII 22LR Handgun with (4) Spare Mags (or Ruger 10/22 with Burris 3-9x40mm scope & (4) Spare Mags) and 550rds of Ammo (stored in a waterproof container)
4) USGI Poncho with 200' of 7-Strand 550 Cord rolled up in it
5) First Aid / Trauma Kit (Coleman LED HeadLamp with spare batteries, Chemical Light Stick, Nitrile Gloves, QuikClot (Granular and Pad), Combat Ap Tourniquet, H&H Compressed Gauze, Izzy Bandage, Steri Strips, Adhesive Bandages, ACE Bandage, Sterile Gauze, Cravat, Nasal Tube with Lube, Duct Tape, Asherman Chest Seal, 2 Week Supply Cipro, 5 Day Azithromycin, Saline Eye Wash, Tweezers, Sterile Wound Probe, Sterile LKelly Forceps, Alcohol and Betadine Prep Pads, Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Antihistamine, Lopermide, Burn Cream, Poison Ivy Pads, Mole Skin, Antibiotic Topical Oinment, Floss, SAM Splint (if room allowed), etc. Your basic "oh crap!" I need medical attention and don't want to bleed out or end up dying from infection kit.

Hopefully I'd be properly dressed for the weather in layers (goretex over wool over polypro if its cold)
 
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I live in the country so my priorities are:

Shelter (3 hours of exposure = death)
Water (3 days of no water = death)
Defense (3 seconds of hesitation = death)
Food (3 weeks of no food = death)
*******
First Aid - this is below the line because its worthless until you need it. Then you need it NOW, therefore its hard to prioritize.
 
Tent, wool blanket, axe, ferro rod, water bottle. Done. Everything after that is luxury including food.
 
HandofCod said:
Tent, wool blanket, axe, ferro rod, water bottle. Done. Everything after that is luxury including food.
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Probably the closest to what I would choose. Just makes sense and it not 7-90 items wrapped into each of the 5 items. Otherwise I would just rig my house so I could tow it and take 2 items, my car and my house. :)
 
1 BK2
2 Fire Steel
3 Lifestraw Water Filtration Device
4 Tarp
5 Handgun w/ Ammo (Having a really hard time deciding on Glock 22 (40 cal) or a Ruger Mark III (22 cal). I guess I would measure the situation and prioritize food procurement vs self defense stopping power).

In that order.
 
I understand that these are always hypothetical (if not silly) questions, but I really can't imagine any situation in which my available options include would things like "tents" and "wool blankets" and in which I would still only be limited to choosing 5 items. Unless that situation was one of those ridiculous tv "survivor" type shows.

But props to anyone who would prioritize beer, bacon and porn. :D
 
Smithhammer said:
I understand that these are always hypothetical (if not silly) questions, but I really can't imagine any situation in which my available options include would things like "tents" and "wool blankets" and in which I would still only be limited to choosing 5 items. Unless that situation was one of those ridiculous tv "survivor" type shows.

But props to anyone who would prioritize beer, bacon and porn. :D
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It would be if those were the 5 things you kept in the back of your car!
 
Id grab my go-bag, which has EVERYTHING I need in it, even quality reading material =] . . . however, since the question is about 5 items Ill assume you mean literally only 5 different things. Ill also assume Im wearing my clothing and shoes, otherwise There would be my five (boots, pants, belt, socks, thermal) items and this wouldnt be any fun =] . . . And since it was so eloquently stated above with the words: "... What kind of shit is it? ..." Ill assume the best possible SHTF scenario which for me would be me in a survival situation not involving my 2 moth old daughter . . . for obvious reasons taking care of her AND be in a survival situation wouldnt exactly be the greatest thing. So, enough talk, here goes:

1: John Wiseman SAS survival guide (because honestly as much as I like to think I know and as much backpacking as I do, This book knows loads more than I do)
2: Cold Steel kukri
3: decent First Aid kit (is this cheating since it is technically more than one item?)
4: High Peak Mt Ranier waterproof sleeping bag
5: A few hundred feet of 550 para-cord
 
Vic. One Hand Trekker with Fero Rod.
Water bottle with nested SS cup.
First Aid Kit
Water resistant sleeping bag
Ruger 77-357 with Leupold 1-4 scope and sling.

I think I can Hobo scrounge the rest of what I'll need once I'm out the door.
 
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dericdesmond said:
beer, machete, SAK, porno mag, bacon
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Oink! :thumbup: Not much point just surviving if we can't enjoy it!


RWT said:
My child
My wife
Turn truck sideways in the driveway and go back inside to drink beer while it is still cold
Sit back and enjoy the show as all the crazies head out to the woods to make a stick shelter. I'll be busy refuelling my generator for my AC units
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^ This.

If I wasn't already at home, that's where I will be trying to get back to when this hypothetical, unidentified S hits the fan. That's my 'big plan' - at least in the short term.

Of course, the S might hit my house. I have a plan for that, too. In fact, I have several, depending on the type of S. Let's assume the S looks pretty serious though, not just a localised or short-lived phenomenon. I.e. major war, alien invasion, zombie plague, meteorite 'the size of Texas', dogs and cats living together...


There are far too many 'yes, but, maybe, if' etc in the choice, but here's a go at our starter for five items from my kits:

Mobile phone: So I can call Mountain Rescue, of course :D. Seriously though, my phone has Memory Map installed and I have all of the UK Ordnance Survey topographic maps in 1:50000, 1:25000, satellite image overlays, road maps and even some sea charts. I can still use this even if the GPS fails, as long as I can find or improvise a charging source for the phone (likely - I'm an electronics geek!)

Busse Heavy Heart: I'm not going to be doing bushcraft, there isn't that much bush left to craft in the UK anyway. The HH is strong enough to fulfil a number of roles. In the pouch on the sheath is my fire-making kit and Fallkniven DC4 sharpener. They are included in this as one item. I follow my own rules :p

Katadyn Pocket water filter: The classic! This is probably the best portable filter there is, although it doesn't remove virii. Common sense and, if needed, pool cleaner will take care of those, if things get that bad down the line. In the storage pouch is a rolled up two litre water bag (again, my rules!)

Kenwood TH-F6A radio: A decent triband handheld transceiver with a very wide coverage receiver. Using this I can listen in to just about anything (not digital or encrypted) and talk back to a lot as well. Again, this relies on power but there are ways I can deal with that (just not in my 'five' items)

Goretex Bivibag that I keep in my car kit. It's lighter, quicker and lower profile than a tent, but is big enough to stuff with stuff for extra insulation (like hay, newspapers, young ladies (don't tell the wife) etc).
 
Smithhammer said:
I would only need to grab two items:

1st item:

My pack, which is ready to go, and includes;
- Bark River Bushcrafter
- Trailblazer folding bucksaw
- Husqvarna hatchet
- fire kit
- canteen/cup
- first aid kit
- general repair kit (duct tape, zip ties, needle/thread, etc)
- sharpening kit
- water treatment
- 5' x 7' tarp
- wool hat, socks, etc.
- compass
- whistle
- signal mirror
- headlamp/spare batteries
- alcohol stove
- slingshot/ammo
- wire snares


2nd item:

- longbow and arrows

That's it. Two items. :cool:
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You could lash the bow & arrows to your pack, then it'll only count as one item. :cool:
 
gomipile said:
I'm still wondering why no one else brings toilet paper, even as an item in their pack.
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You have shirt sleeves, don't you?

Anyway, since none of us have brought food either, we won't be needing TP. When the SHTF, animals will know better than to hang about and got shot by all of us running around with bows, guns and slingshots.
 
I'll play although 5 is not an ideal setup for me.. 10? now we're talking but since its fiction anyway here we go.

1) fiskars x-7 (easy to sharpen to a razors edge on with stones found abroad tough enough for firewood processing, fine enough for carving and skinning (though not ideal)
2) Stainless steel guyot (h20 transport and boiling)
3) ferro rod
4) reflective tarp ((shelter reflection of body heat or fire heat)
5)recurve bow and arrows.
 
Had to look up what SHTF meant, can't believe I have been living without that abbreviation. Lol.

1. Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife - (comes with fire steel, sharpener, sheath etc.). Got to be the serrated edge version for me
2. BioLite CampStove - uses twigs, pine cones etc. for fuel and can charge your phone. That's pretty awesome.
3. Tinderdust - to get those fires started easily
4. Emergency Bivvy Bag - for night time warmth but without having to carry the bulk of a sleeping bag
5. Katadyn Pocket Water Filter - got to drink and best not to catch cholera or typhoid

For food I would just forage or hunt.
 
CrazyWildCamper said:
Had to look up what SHTF meant, can't believe I have been living without that abbreviation. Lol.

1. Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife - (comes with fire steel, sharpener, sheath etc.). Got to be the serrated edge version for me
2. BioLite CampStove - uses twigs, pine cones etc. for fuel and can charge your phone. That's pretty awesome.
3. Tinderdust - to get those fires started easily
4. Emergency Bivvy Bag - for night time warmth but without having to carry the bulk of a sleeping bag
5. Katadyn Pocket Water Filter - got to drink and best not to catch cholera or typhoid

For food I would just forage or hunt.
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Just been reminded of this post. Lol. Thought any UK guys might be interested to know I have pre-ordered the BioLite CampStove. Yep, that's right, it's coming to the UK this month. I just had to buy one. Anyone else got one already?
 
Ruger 77-22 in 357...assorted ammo.
SAK Spirit RS
BK9
Possibles bag: Fire and First Aid.
Smallish Camelbak with bladder.
 
To make this easier on those having trouble with a hypothetical situation, of all the items you want to have on you, what are the top 5 items to you that you cannot do without?
It feels like the twilight zone sometimes on these forums.
 
If the $#!t hit the fan?

An umbrella?
...maybe a pancho.

Some cleaning products (nobody wants a house with crap all over the walls)
 
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