Emergency/survival pack

L

luria

Joined
Dec 28, 1998
Messages
14
Hi guys;
I sit here in Manhattan looking at my children, just a few miles from ground zero, and my stomach is in knots. Never wanted to live in this city to begin with but the surest way to get G-D to laugh is to make plans. So, If things get uglier here and it's time to drag the city-girl wife and kids the hell out of here on the run, can any of you reccomend a good bug-out bag set up. I'd like to duplicate one for home and office. I'm sure there are as many variations as guys out there so any input would be invaluable. I'm thinking defence/survival supplies to get me/mine out of here and up to friends in the mountains or just the hell out of here.

Thanks to all.
Stephan
 
Hello luria: G-D get ready to laugh, because I offer the following plan to escape the island in a worst case scenario. I have been to this world class city many times over the years and have actually thought about an emergency exit plan. This plan requires a seperate bug-out bag all its own...a bag to "..just get the hell out of here." Once off the island, the survival/defense items would come into play on the Main-Land.

The bridges are closed, all aircraft is grounded, no vehicles are moving...the population is stranded,etc. My bag would contain:

Cell phone(s)with extra battery, both housed in a waterproof pouch.
Waterproof flashlight(s)
Two or more flares
One or more inflateable (small)boats..Sevylor offers many
Two paddles for each boat
One quality life jacket and one whistle for each passenger
Lots of money in large denominations( 20's,50',100's). Credit card(s)
Can of compressed air with fog horn.

Calmly walk to the pier or dock and launch for the NJ shoreline.
The chances, it would seem to me, would be good for a coast guard or other military craft to be present in the water.

This is exactly the way I would prepare to leave the island in a worst case situation. Once dry land has been reached, the money/credit cards/phone, etc. become tools to purchase additional transportation..bug-out bag gear and escape. I know, the fear of water or the inability to swim will exempt this PLAN for some people, but no one ever planed to abort ship when it was sinking and for those who did, the survival rate often was greater. Just some thoughts passed along for you.
 
Luckily, I don't live near ANY large city, but I do live far enough out in the sticks that if problems break out while I'm in the city on my once-monthly shopping trip, I want to be able to get back home, on foot if need be. For this I have designed my Urban Ruck.

Start with a basic civilian rucksack or bookbag. Well consructed, of subdued colors, but nothing that screams "military". It should have a largish main compartment, and 2-3 outside pockets. I keep 3-5 days of food (depending on weather/exertion) in the form of MRE's, rice in indiviual serving packets (baggies with 1/3 cup pf regular rice; cooks up to 1 cup. Less bulk, more nutrients than Minute Rice, longer cooking time). I also have some Coast Guard Rations in there, plus tea bags and sugar, plus hot chocolate envelopes . In one side pocket is a 1 liter soda bottle of water, with a blue enameled steel coffeee cup for cooking in nested around the water bottle; also a spoon. In the other side pocket is a first aid kit, including toothpaste and brush, plus touilet paper. In the front pocket is a Swedish Army Knife, 6 cyalume sticks w/holder, notebook and pens. In the main compartment, in addition to rations, are a Glock M-78 Field Knife, 100 feet of 550 cord, nylon twine, snare wire, a map of the state of Oregon, laminated, a pair of thermals, wool watch cap, wool gloves and socks, disposable poncho, 4 large garbage bags, 6 tea light candles, matches, Bic lighters, cmpressed fuel bars (trioxane and wax-impregnated sawdust sticks), a Mylar tarp (also called a casualty blanket). All that covers the very basics. You might wish to add a handgun in a major caliber, and possibly a second pistol in .22lr for small game hunting. Wear good boots and comfortable clothes, suitable for hiking. I also carry a LOT of gear im my pockets, like a Gerber multi-tool and other knives, plus a mini kit.

The biggest aspect of this kit, besides providing the basics of survivsal, is also the camouflage concept. By NOT dressing or carrying anything that stands out as being militaristic in nature, you stand a better chance of getting out unseen or at least unremarked. Also, the entire kit only weighs 25 pounds (30 with firearms/ammo), so you can still make good time while being relatively comfortable. Good luck.
 
I keep this packed in my home -- the Blackhawk A.L.E.R.T. Bag ready to go in my car if and when I need it.

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I've used it on deployment to Thailand twice and a couple of different spots here in the states. Man you can cram a bunch of kit in there, and the wheels make it so easy to get around with. 8385 cubic inches of space!!! Right now it's packed and ready to go in case Mount Raineer blows.



For smaller bags try these -- Blackhawk's Padded Cargo Bags. I have 'em for grab and go bags and keep one of the large ones (3,342 cubic inches) packed in the car at all times. They are made of 1000 denier Nytaneon® nylon and 3/8" closed cell foam, lining the sides and bottom. They are available in three sizes with three external zippered compartments. Each Padded Cargo Bag comes standard with a fully adjustable shoulder strap.


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That is what I use for my BOBs. Backpacks are at the ready also, but these are my primary move out ones (providing I'm driving :) ) They can all be found at the link below (yep, that was the commercial part of the post)

Hope that helps

Dan
 
I wouldn't plan on one man carrying BO supplies for four or more persons. I'd split up the gear where appropriate, and have backpacks or duffles for each individual.

Each pack should contain:

Extra weather/conditions appropriate clothing;
A personalized Toiletry Bag;
Provisions of/for food and water;
Sierra cup & sturdy spoon,
Where age appropriate, an SAK or quality USA made multitool;
Mini MagLight with extra batteries and bulb;
Photon Microlight;
Whistle;
First Aid Kit;
Space Blanket;
Supply of personal medicines;
Poncho;
Leather work gloves;
Wool watch cap;
Compass & Area map;
BIC Lighter;
BSA Hot Spark Ferrocium Rod;
Vaseline soaked cotton ball firestarters;
50 - 100' 550 cord;
Duct tape;
Sewing Kit;
Cash, credit card(s), atm cards, spare change & ID;
Phone card;
Wash cloth & Towel.

Adults should also carry a good quality OC (pepper) spray. Young children should be allowed one comforting toy like a small stuffed animal and a travel sized game / favorite book / etc.

Knowing how and when to use the equipment is as critical as having the equipment. Take some basic training in First Aid, CPR, and other appropriate topics.

Mike
 
In my opinion, excellent list Sgt.Mike. Do you have experience with a specific phone card/issuing company? I have not used them too extensively, but one I did purchase gave only the number of minutes used rather than the number remaining. No where on the card did it list the total minutes purchased and when I called the toll free number, it was bussy. I like phone cards...they do not run low on batteries and are quite waterproof. Some of them must be better than others. What do you use...what's a good phone card? Are there cards we should stay away from?
 
FF,

I buy my phone cards in a bulk pack at Sam's Club - a division of WalMart. They're ATT backed cards which don't expire and haven't yet failed me. You need to be careful though. Some companies cards EXPIRE within 6 months to a year. I'm sure there are cheaper ones, but sometimes you have to pay a few extra cents or dollars for quality and reliability.

Mike
 
Thanks: Sometimes it is the little things that seem to make your day, and this tip is a joy. I have used cheap cards, because that is what a member of my family purchased. I thought they were all created equal,but not any more....Sams Club here I come.
 
I've also just started looking into bug-out bags. I happened to have the truck full of camping gear the day of the terrorist attacks, but I ordinarily wouldn't have. I'm thinking of a couple of bags for the wife and I, to take into the Adirondacks in case of emergency.

The actual bags are the hard part. I usually use the customary Adirondack pack baskets for medium weight loads, but weather is an issue. Whatever I use, I want them to be tough as nails. Does anybody have any experience with Duluth packs? They're somewhat customary around here, right below the pack basket, but I've never actually tried one. I know a lot of old loggers that swear by them.

The other tough one is the choice of blanket. Again, customary may not be the best. I normally use old military woolen blankets in the outdoors, but they are pretty heavy. Any suggestions? Does fleece hold up in the outdoors?
 
Lots of good ideas guys!I would like to add that a bob for somone in a major urban area might be better served with less "woods"gear and more urban.For example a woman working in a skirt,nylons and "heels"on the 50th floor of a highrise would be better served with a bob filled with sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt.Along with CASH,cellphone,flashlight,sak and some sort of smokehood,and possibly a hardhat.

Its no longer about just surviving in the hills,first you got to get there.;)
 
With modern day terrorism in the cities..... would a gask mask be too much to keep on hand?
 
A gas mask and/or charcoal mask get my vote. I love the idea of the female BOB, it makes a lot of sense. Oh, will the last one to leave the (any) city please turn out the lights, I'm prepared and out of here...Why not? :)
 
Buzzbait-

Re: lightweight blanket. It's costly, but try sleeping bags by a UK company called Snugpak. They make extremely warm, yet ultra-lightweight gear. Their "Code Green" bag is British Military issue, warm to 20F, and just a touch over 2 lb.! Alternatively, get the military-issue mylar disaster blankets--which I think are thicker than the disposable "sportsman" types.

Re: gas masks. I asked the same thing on another BF forum, but didn't get any assistive replies. The way I figure, if you're at "ground zero" of a Bio/Chem attack, your survival chances are pretty dismal. However, if you were to be on the perimeter of such an attack in an urban area, a gas mask would be mighty comforting--not to mention good for combatting smoke and building-debris inhalation. My own limited research concludes this...buy the best you can afford.

US M40 masks seem to be highly regarded, but are expensive and difficult to find. Be sure to buy the new "green ring" NBC-canister filters.

Older US military M17A1's are try at your own risk, and changing the filters cannot be accomplished without REMOVING the mask--not good. There is a bit more availability than the M40's.

Most are divided on Israeli or Foreign surplus masks--some love'em, some hate'em. On the plus side, they're cheap. On the minus side...well...they're cheap. It's your ass on the line, you decide.

Alternatively, purchase the Civilian-type industrial gas masks (respirators) from the likes of companies such as MSA (Mine Safety Appliances) or Micronel Safety; again, get the proper NBC canister filters (which also happen to have a green ring)--not just "air purifier" filters.

When I first started looking into gas masks, I had to fight my own reservations of being overly paranoid. Then, my wife wondered out loud if anyone in the WTC in the upper floors had ever thought of packing a "base-jumping 'chute". That got the hamster wheel in my noggin' turning...

As someone else said, 'chance favors those who are prepared.'

Ron (guncollector)
 
My good friend from school, Sean, always joked that I dressed to come to NYC like I was going camping, because I carried a fanny pack with a little flashlight, a good knife, some water, etc..... I told him often that I carried some gear every time I'm away from the house.

We haven't heard from him yet, he worked in building one, on the 34th floor. I hope he is OK, and that I can visit him in NYC again.

Best wishes,

Edgedance (Todd)
 
A couple things I forgot on my list:

Sturdy trowel;
TP;
Bandanas (2 each);
Lightweight tarp.

Obviously, when I mentioned clothing appropriate to weather & conditions, some common sense should apply here.

Buzz, You might want to check out a route to southern central NY (read Elmira/Corning/Ithaca) should you need to bo. Going north for you might be a problem in trying to skirt Albany. We have lots of state land, the hunting and fishing is better than good, and there are better chances of resupply.

Mike
 
The problem is that the wife works in Albany, at the state agency buildings. To make matters worse, she takes a bus to work. I'd have to go to Albany and pick her up, then head to the Adirondacks. And to make matters worse, the Watervliet Arsenal is pretty close by to Albany. It was one of the top 50 most likely places to get bombed during the 80's.

I may need to pick up a new car for her, and pay out for a parking spot. Boy is suvival expensive!!!


I won't even go into the issue of bridges across the Hudson river, which could be a major issue. Maybe I need a helicopter.
 
It's kinda scary... Almost like I knew something was going to happen. Couldn't sleep for several days before the attack(4 days with no sleep, finally could sleep the day of the attack), I had already started putting together a bug-out bag(still putting it together), and for a few weeks I had been pondering plans for what to do in a terrorist attack(although I'm a little more worried about NBC attacks, everything else seems tame compared to a chem/bio attack...). But then I've always been like that. As for the subject of this discussion, here's what I have. It has changed a lot, at first I was using a waterproof trunk bag from Galls, but it's kinda hard to lug around. I ended up with a medium-sized day pack from the local surplus store(not sure who makes it, but it's pretty heavy duty and only $20 - those of you in the Portland area can go get 'em at Andy & Bax). Right now I've got a big bundle of Cyalume light sticks, a small camp axe, a Spec Plus 8" tanto, a notepad, a box of garbage bags, some toys(climbing harness and some rapelling gear - still need some rope though), tri-fold shovel, 100ft of 550, in the outer pouches I have an extra 2m ham and FRS radio, one of those cute little survival wire saws(works pretty good for a $2 saw), some medical gloves(still need to put together a small med kit), fire starting gear(magnesium, some REI stormproof matches and a couple of paper match books), two compasses, two LED lights(Photon white and ASP red), Fox40 whistle and a little zipper pull thermometer and a small AM/FM radio. Oh yeah, I have my CRK Aviator in there too. I try to keep this bag in my car most of the time. I'll probably need to get a slightly bigger bag eventually, and plan on adding lots more stuff(at a minimum - several road flares, hard hat and goggles, some dust masks(useful stuff when buildings are coming down around you), a good sized medical kit, some rope(for the climbing gear and then some utility rope for other stuff), a better ham radio(probably my VX-5 after I get that new Kenwood F6), and lots of other stuff I'm forgetting right now. Then I'll have to make a smaller kit to go in the pack I'm using right now, and I'm also working on a radio console that will go in my car to replace the seat, powered by a BIG battery and a solar panel. Oh yeah, I should add some MRE's and water to the list. Those Mainstay food bars sound interesting, I'm going to try those out(mmmm....lemon). Lots of stuff. But then I may also be away for a while, I volunteer with the local ham radio ARES/RACES group and we have an agreement to provide backup communications for the city(and other events such as the Portland Marathon coming up at the end of the month)...

BTW, there is one interesting little item, which I currently keep in my car. It's a plastic folding spanner wrench for firefighters with some extra features like a gas valve wrench, seat belt cutter and window punch. It's the Res-Q-Wrench from TFT, you can get it from Galls(http://www.galls.com). I doubt I'll ever need a spanner wrench or even deal with fire hose much, but the other stuff could be useful.
 
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