Get home bag....

[WILLIAM.M]

Well I wasn't asking about a BOB, since I found the same posts you did before I started this thread. I was looking for opinions from fellow city dwellers and on what they would carry.

But I will post my final carry options.....Bro.

Please do-as you got a lot of us thinking of the same thing

Great Post

 

[Skrapmetal]

I too like the "mission plan" approach. If you do some contingency planning it will serve you far better prepared than having a ton of gear. A moderate amount of lightweight gear could be indespensable though.

I also keep detailed maps of the area - both USGS topos and a state road atlas. The map and compass is more reliable than a GPS in a grid-down scenario - I am not saying don't use a GPS - but a human mind planning out a safe route on a map is far better than the GPS "computer." This will help you with finding alternate routes. I also recommend you plan & take an alternate route home every once an a while to see the lay of the land - see if it passes through bad neighborhoods, etc. If you do thins you will be able to get home better than 99% of the sheeple in a disaster, grid-down, etc...

It wouldn't work for a lot of situations...but I keep a well-maintained folding bike in my trunk. If the main highways are clogged, I can always ditch my car and take the back county roads on my bike. I got it for free so if I had to ditch the bike if the security situation deteriorated ... no great loss.

So I would have a written A, B & C contingency plan and gear to support the mission. Too much and you will not just grab it out of the trunk & be able to move fast on foot.

I definitely don't plan that far ahead. I work in utility construction and am in a different place every day, so I couldn't plan out a point-to-point route if I wanted to.

In the event of something bad I have a plan A destination, and a plan B. The rest is improvisation. All I can hope for is that my knowledge and what gear planning I have done is enough for whatever I may encounter.

I do better when the details aren't all worked out, anyway.

 

[Yorkshire Boy]

A good pair of shoes and the ability to actually walk the distance home.

 

[high desert]

Develop a mission profile to get home with primary and secondary objectives. Devise a strategy plan to accomplish this mission Then build several tactical plans to accomplish this mission especially if it is a hostile environment. Then don't limit your plan based upon a piece of kit but rather build a kit which supports your mission. Remember let your mission dictate your gear choices and not the other way around. But what the heck do I know?

Heck anyone can recommend stuff to fill a bag with. But only you can determine what is mission critical to support your plan.

I never really thought of it this way. I guess I've kept it generic. Good idea

 

[fmajor007]

I like the fold-up bike idea - truly innovative. I've seen 'em here in Europe - mostly retirees who come down to the Adriatic or Med in their motor homes (or even sail) and peddle to the grocery, etc.

The bikes these folks had definitely aren't pannier-bag capable, but you could easily carry your well-stocked pack while pedaling - i see that sorta thing here everyday. Everyday - every single day...

I just did a quickie google search and rather easily, a decent one can be found for +/- $200. Not bad for a *huge* improvement over foot travel and nice for "slam-door" family camping trips as well.

Anyway, we don't all need to extoll our virtues nor roll out resume's, rather work w/the question at hand and enjoy the process of discovery.

 

[fmajor007]

I'm not wanting to be contentious, but one of the nice advents of excellent, reliable civilian-grade *hiking/mountaineering specific* GPS units is the ability to set "waypoints" and nav to them - without the need of an actual, physical map. I love this!!!

I'm all about land nav "old school style" w/map and compass - teaching this is one of the fun "programs/activities" i do for my work. However, it would take an EMP to take out the "grid" that allows satellite navigation - not likely a product of the OP's anticipated earthquake.

A simple GPS would allow you to store waypoints that lead you home along "better" roads/through *better* neighborhoods as well as give you an idea about how far you are from home.

Just a thought....

 

[Les Snyder]

if you don't already have a GPS for your car, you might consider a Garmin nuvi 500, a little expensive but has topographical maps of the US installed...download maps to your PDAs....I recently separated some of the heavier equipment , Swiss volcano stove, machete,extra food and replaced the tinned meat with foil packs, added EGR powder etc, from my BOB contents to lighten the pack, and make it more practical as a GHB.... really look at the foot care options... just keep the heavier BOB stuff next to the GHB and make the decision which to take when necessary

 

[gulliamo]

I live in NYC and have posed similar questions on other forums. I had an equally tough time getting responses that didn't involve fishing kits (I can hardly catch a fish with a full tackle box and I wouldn't eat anything out of the Hudson River anyway), 100 fire starting methods (like I could jump off the 1 train and start a fire in Central Park), combat grade knives (can't carry them here either), etc.

Here are a couple of things I carry every day:
Leatherman Squirt PS4
Corsair waterproof thumbdrive (with vital docs encrypted)
P38 (best tool ever! Google it.)
Fexix flashlight (small, powerful, bombproof)
REI metal keychain whistle
Spare MetroCard
Spare $160 ($100+$20x2+$10+$5+$1x5)
AA Phone recharger
AMK Heet sheet blanket
Protein bars

This may look like a lot but most of it fits on my key chain. The rest is in my satchel. I also wear Merrill hiking boots to and from every day (both brown and black shoes are left at my desk) and make an effort to wear a weather appropriate coat.

A couple things I'd like to add (but don't currently carry):
Eyedrops (think building dust)
Bandana/dust mask (same reason)
QuikClot (if I'm not bleeding so badly that I need this I can likely wait until I get home to patch up)


If you're really interested see the Urban Preparedness forum at http://forums.equipped.org

 

[gulliamo]

...the ability to actually walk the distance home.

I'd like to second this! I am amazed how many people will prioritize gear while remaining physically neglected.

 

[Screwdriver]

I'd like to second this! I am amazed how many people will prioritize gear while remaining physically neglected.

I am pretty fit and average a 10 minute mile while walking. I am figuring I could get home 5+ hours with hazards. I am trying to build my kit as light as possible while not freaking out my coworkers.

BTW....I am not joking. One of my coworkers has a BOB in case of an alien invasion. I asked about earthquakes....and he says he is ready for that also. I am afraid to ask, but I think he has a lot of tin foil in his bag.

 

[Rob Thomas]

a good prybar, and a door stop would be very handy. the door stop will work in reverse to keep a door shut also, incase of an active shooter or something where you need to barracade the door shut to give you time to get out.

 

[ROCK6]

I was stationed in a much smaller urban community than LA, but it was still urban. We didn’t have any major high-rises as that creates a another dimension of hazards, but still, overpasses, aerial wires and power/telephone poles make good substitutes.

I think you have a pretty good plan…just solidify, modify, and make sure you have an alternate route or two (both to your parents and to your own home) and do a couple of what we like to call “ROC” drills (Rehearsal Of Concept). This could be as simple as drafting on a piece of paper, rehearsing on a map or even running a couple of dry-runs. This helps to “war-game” possible problems/potential issues, etc. and allow you to continually modify (really important during changes of season/weather).

I really like the bicycle idea (something I need to add to my own current get-home situation). Even if you bought a second-hand mountain bike, you could leave it at your parents place if your car is out of the equation. Additionally, I would ask to leave a tote or two of cached gear at your parents; just a change of hiking-type clothes, extra batteries, water, snacks/food, etc. for your longer trip to your home.

Now that you have some of the bigger concepts in motion, start considering the hazards and ways to mitigate them. Once a catastrophe or crisis hits...

First thing to check on are injuries; have a decent FAK.
Second is going to be immediate threats/hazards such as fire or structural problems in the building. Evacuation may be the next biggest challenge.
Communication will be critical; ensure you have the text option on your phone and don’t forego signaling methods (flashlight, bright bandana, signal mirror, etc.)
Once you get away from the worst of the danger zone, you need to get yourself oriented for the next stage of planning if needed.
Food and water are always good to have on hand as your body will be under a tremendous amount of stress. Hydration will be essential to keeping your body and mind functioning at optimum levels.

What are your most likely regional threats?

First, consider your most-likely threats for your area; fire, flooding, earthquake, tsunami…are there any major chemical plants or railways in in the area? There have been accidents of dangerous chemical spills creating another potential hazard. Yeah, I know there is the threat of aliens, Charlie Sheen and even the weekly Sci-Fi asteroid catastrophe, but you really need to apply a little “most-likely” scenario assessment. Considering your area, earthquakes and possibly wild fires would be the most likely.

You have some potential obstacles. It could be the need to evacuate out the window 3-4 stories up. Navigate the office/stairwells in the dark or with smoke. Consider having to maneuver through and around broken glass, concrete, exposed rebar and falling debris. We often refer to these protective essentials as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). We also focus on head, hands, ears and eyes. Ears may not be a big issue, but having a good set of leather gloves, ballistic eyewear and if you had that bicycle, you could have a simple bike helmet to prevent serious injury from flying or falling debris.

Another serious consideration would be a simple dust/smoke mask…that would be essential for navigating in an urban area after a major catastrophe; one item I would strongly consider.

Tools will vary depending on your situation. I really like fencing pliers as they can be used as a wire cutter, hammer, pry bar and even a weapon if needed. A mini crow bar would be another good addition. I would also recommend a simple set of adjustable pliers…many uses and even give you the ability to access potable water in a water heater.

If you have to evacuate out a window a few stories up, there are some excellent personal rappel devices (simple 8mm rope, mini belay device and a carbineer or two) that are easy to use with a little instruction and practice.

Don’t forget water! I would keep a case (or two) at work, a case in my vehicle, a case or two at my parents in the cache and carry a bottle or two in my bag. With any major catastrophe in an urban area, most utilities get interrupted…meaning no electricity, no functional plumbing and potable water will become a premium. Along with water, consider batteries. Without electricity and only emergency lighting in some areas, navigation inside buildings will be impossible without a quality LED flashlight; have plenty of batteries on hand and cached. I always EDC an LED light (presently a Novatac 120 mil model), but having a good headlamp in the bag is a great backup and illumination tool when you need both hands free.

I know you have planned routes, but make sure you have good city maps. You should have all the choke or danger points identified…bridges, major on/off ramps and freeways, (don’t forget to identify the more “seedy” areas of town for avoidance), tunnels, drainage areas, etc. Also look for less probable routes to avoid mass traffic…power lines, railroad tracks, drainage ditches, etc. Maps are going to be critical along with a simple, inexpensive AM/FM/Emergency radio will help to get information updates after the crisis hits and possibly avoid congested areas or other hazardous areas. A police/emergency scanner wouldn’t hurt either! Also, make sure you have text on your cell phone as it will most likely be much more successful than a phone call.

With all that for consideration from my own little foxhole when in a smaller, but similar predicament for planning, here is was what my “urban” get-home kit consisted of:

I can’t remember where the list was for my loadout, so hopefully the pictures will do. If you have any specific questions, I should be able to address them as I put a lot of thought into this kit for my own needs and most-likely scenario planning.

ROCK6

 

[paperairplane]

My bag has stainless water bottle, advil, benadryl, small FAK, small firestarting kit, contractor bag, paracord, LM Wave, flashlight, gloves, hat, poncho, emergency blanket, Glock and my lunch.

I also keep boots, socks, warm clothes in the trunk. My goal is to get as gray man as possible, stay light and mobile.

I also have some cash on hand - find some kids bike to buy. In case of a large EMP you could always trade your car...

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

Weather appropriate outerwear. Hat. Water. Portable snacks. Good sturdy boots. A good map. Two flashlights with extra batteries. Some way to recharge your cell phone. A light weight tarp for ground cover or shade. Cordage. Small first aid kit with emphasis on treating trauma. Large pair of side-cutter pliers with insulated handles. Toilet paper. Money. Handgun. Extra magazine or two. Some way to conceal handgun.

Andy

 

[fmajor007]

With all that for consideration from my own little foxhole when in a smaller, but similar predicament for planning, here is was what my “urban” get-home kit consisted of:

I can’t remember where the list was for my loadout, so hopefully the pictures will do. If you have any specific questions, I should be able to address them as I put a lot of thought into this kit for my own needs and most-likely scenario planning.

ROCK6

What a great load-out Rock! I kinda expect it knowing yer j-o-b - i'd guess you've made a couple thousand of these types of things ;-).

To yours, i'd only add a large black 3-mil trash bag. Otherwise, it's "bench mark" quality.

 

[PARKINGLOT]

subscribed! That's a great kit....

 

[kycolonel]

I definitely don't plan that far ahead. I work in utility construction and am in a different place every day, so I couldn't plan out a point-to-point route if I wanted to.

In the event of something bad I have a plan A destination, and a plan B. The rest is improvisation. All I can hope for is that my knowledge and what gear planning I have done is enough for whatever I may encounter.

I do better when the details aren't all worked out, anyway.

Then a just county map(s) for sure. Even without a planned route you can pre-highlight neighborhoods that you would want to avoid, note hospitals, police stations, and potential fresh water sources in between. Most also have rail lines marked on them.

 

[ROCK6]

To yours, i'd only add a large black 3-mil trash bag. Otherwise, it's "bench mark" quality.

Thanks...that last picture has a large 55-gallon drum liner, but I don't think it was 3-mil...that's the type to have. I'm putting my spring/summer Get-Home-Bag together now, but I'm in a much more rural area (instead of urban survival books, I need red-neck translation books)

ROCK6

 

[Skrapmetal]

Then a just county map(s) for sure. Even without a planned route you can pre-highlight neighborhoods that you would want to avoid, note hospitals, police stations, and potential fresh water sources in between. Most also have rail lines marked on them.

I've got a metro area map book (which covers the surrounding county areas), but I don't really need it. I know most of the roads around here extremely well, including little back ways that most don't know about. I've done this job for a living for 12 years now all in this area, which has led to a pretty solid knowledge of how to get around.

Not to mention my laptop in my truck has mapping programs for the different utilities in the area that shows me everything down to the house numbers on every street within 50 or so miles, and the names of the people who own them.

But if I were to head out on foot, I'd bring that map book along just incase.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

I was stationed in a much smaller urban community than LA, but it was still urban. We didn’t have any major high-rises as that creates a another dimension of hazards, but still, overpasses, aerial wires and power/telephone poles make good substitutes.

I think you have a pretty good plan…just solidify, modify, and make sure you have an alternate route or two (both to your parents and to your own home) and do a couple of what we like to call “ROC” drills (Rehearsal Of Concept). This could be as simple as drafting on a piece of paper, rehearsing on a map or even running a couple of dry-runs. This helps to “war-game” possible problems/potential issues, etc. and allow you to continually modify (really important during changes of season/weather).

I really like the bicycle idea (something I need to add to my own current get-home situation). Even if you bought a second-hand mountain bike, you could leave it at your parents place if your car is out of the equation. Additionally, I would ask to leave a tote or two of cached gear at your parents; just a change of hiking-type clothes, extra batteries, water, snacks/food, etc. for your longer trip to your home.

Now that you have some of the bigger concepts in motion, start considering the hazards and ways to mitigate them. Once a catastrophe or crisis hits...

First thing to check on are injuries; have a decent FAK.
Second is going to be immediate threats/hazards such as fire or structural problems in the building. Evacuation may be the next biggest challenge.
Communication will be critical; ensure you have the text option on your phone and don’t forego signaling methods (flashlight, bright bandana, signal mirror, etc.)
Once you get away from the worst of the danger zone, you need to get yourself oriented for the next stage of planning if needed.
Food and water are always good to have on hand as your body will be under a tremendous amount of stress. Hydration will be essential to keeping your body and mind functioning at optimum levels.

What are your most likely regional threats?

First, consider your most-likely threats for your area; fire, flooding, earthquake, tsunami…are there any major chemical plants or railways in in the area? There have been accidents of dangerous chemical spills creating another potential hazard. Yeah, I know there is the threat of aliens, Charlie Sheen and even the weekly Sci-Fi asteroid catastrophe, but you really need to apply a little “most-likely” scenario assessment. Considering your area, earthquakes and possibly wild fires would be the most likely.

You have some potential obstacles. It could be the need to evacuate out the window 3-4 stories up. Navigate the office/stairwells in the dark or with smoke. Consider having to maneuver through and around broken glass, concrete, exposed rebar and falling debris. We often refer to these protective essentials as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). We also focus on head, hands, ears and eyes. Ears may not be a big issue, but having a good set of leather gloves, ballistic eyewear and if you had that bicycle, you could have a simple bike helmet to prevent serious injury from flying or falling debris.

Another serious consideration would be a simple dust/smoke mask…that would be essential for navigating in an urban area after a major catastrophe; one item I would strongly consider.

Tools will vary depending on your situation. I really like fencing pliers as they can be used as a wire cutter, hammer, pry bar and even a weapon if needed. A mini crow bar would be another good addition. I would also recommend a simple set of adjustable pliers…many uses and even give you the ability to access potable water in a water heater.

If you have to evacuate out a window a few stories up, there are some excellent personal rappel devices (simple 8mm rope, mini belay device and a carbineer or two) that are easy to use with a little instruction and practice.

Don’t forget water! I would keep a case (or two) at work, a case in my vehicle, a case or two at my parents in the cache and carry a bottle or two in my bag. With any major catastrophe in an urban area, most utilities get interrupted…meaning no electricity, no functional plumbing and potable water will become a premium. Along with water, consider batteries. Without electricity and only emergency lighting in some areas, navigation inside buildings will be impossible without a quality LED flashlight; have plenty of batteries on hand and cached. I always EDC an LED light (presently a Novatac 120 mil model), but having a good headlamp in the bag is a great backup and illumination tool when you need both hands free.

I know you have planned routes, but make sure you have good city maps. You should have all the choke or danger points identified…bridges, major on/off ramps and freeways, (don’t forget to identify the more “seedy” areas of town for avoidance), tunnels, drainage areas, etc. Also look for less probable routes to avoid mass traffic…power lines, railroad tracks, drainage ditches, etc. Maps are going to be critical along with a simple, inexpensive AM/FM/Emergency radio will help to get information updates after the crisis hits and possibly avoid congested areas or other hazardous areas. A police/emergency scanner wouldn’t hurt either! Also, make sure you have text on your cell phone as it will most likely be much more successful than a phone call.

With all that for consideration from my own little foxhole when in a smaller, but similar predicament for planning, here is was what my “urban” get-home kit consisted of:

I can’t remember where the list was for my loadout, so hopefully the pictures will do. If you have any specific questions, I should be able to address them as I put a lot of thought into this kit for my own needs and most-likely scenario planning.

ROCK6

If the $hit hits the fan--I sure hope I'm near ROCK 6

That man KNOWS what it takes!!!

Excellent gear and the training to back it up