My Urban Survival Pack: improvement suggestions sought!

guncollector, what I call my "Urban Ruck" is actualy more of a get-back-home bag. Since I live in the sticks, I have different needs. I guess the only reason I call it my Urban Ruck is the perverse need humans have to name stuff (especially if we can work out a neat acronym), and the fact that the only times I carry it are when I'm in the city.

Anyway, since I can't carry that kit everyday, I have stuff in my pockets. I wear BDU pants all the time, so you'll have to modify since you proably wear "office clothes.

In the left cargo pocket I have 3 power bars, a disposable poncho, 3 tubes of glucose tablets, a pellet tin of bullion cubes, another tin of char cloth, and a ziplock baggie of hard candy. In the right cargo pocket is a GI pilot's flask (.5 quart canteen) and an Outer's plastic first aid box which contains a mini survival kit.

Left front pocket holds a Cold Steel 5 inch Voyager clip point, GI match safe of strike-anywheres, and a "snuff" can fishing and snare kit. Right front pocket holds an SAK Rucksack, Bic lighter, and 50 feet of nylon twine in a roll.

Left rear pocket is for my wallet, and the right rear pocket has a ziplock baggie with a mylar emergency blanket, 2 large garbage bags, and fast food napkins for TP. On my pants belt is a Gerber multi-tool. In the pouch for the Gerber are: a small SAK (scissors and nail file, plus the small blade), a plastic tube holding 8 extra jigsaw blades for the multi-tool, a 1/8 inch ferro rod on a plastic handle, and a small diamond rod sharpener.

I also wear two belt pouches on a seperate belt. In the smaller pouch is a farily comprehensive mini first aid kit. The larger pouch holds my MiniMag, extra batteries and bulbs, a Sierra cup for cooking, more hard candy, tube of LSA and Lansky hone (with ferro rod epoxied on) for field sharpening, a wire saw, pen, sewing kit, nylon twine and paracord, monocular, matches, another lighter, scrap paper, and candle wax coated cotton balls for tinder.

You couldn't get away with carrying that much in your pockets, but you could get one of those soft-sided briefcases to carry it all in. It would look perfectly normal, and weigh very little considering the survival value of the items. Hope that helps.
 
Guncollector,
My reply will be interleaved

urban disaster scenario lasting 48-72 hrs. <snip>
Communications:
  • AM/FM radio
  • Cell phone & extra batteries
  • HAM HT, Yaesu VX-5R & extra batteries
Click to expand...

Sounds OK

Clothing (in addition to what I wear to the office):
  • Cold Layer, Extra Boots & Socks
Click to expand...
Depending on what you wear on your feet to work, the boots MIGHT be overkill. Forinstance, I wear low hiking boots every day, and regular hiking boots in bad weather - I don't need and etra pair of boots.

For ME, a likely scenario is to be stuck AT work (sometimes bugging out isn't best) - I keep a change of underware and a spare tee shirt in my office

Defensive:
  • to be determined
First Aid:
  • Dayhiker Kit & Extra Ibuprofen
Click to expand...

Most first aid kits are kinda wimpy. Make up a GOOD kit. Don't worry so much about scratches/scrapes, worry about TRAUMA. Kotex can make a GOOD cheap trauma bandage

Hygiene:
  • Toiletries
  • Towlettes, Moist
Click to expand...

Toothbrush and toothpaste - not for the bag, but again, if you get stuck - can make you feel a lot more human

Misc:
  • Batteries, Extra D-cell & AA-cells
  • Candle, emergency
  • Compass
  • Duct Tape, 1 roll
  • Lighter, butane
  • Lightstick, 8-hr Cyalume
  • Matches, waterproof
  • Money, $500-1000 cash in small denominations
  • Paracord 550, 100ft.
  • Pen & Spiral-bound Notepad
  • Plastic Bag, Warps 3mm (55 gal.)
Respiratory Protection:
  • Gas Mask, MSA Advantage 1000 + extra canister
Shelter:
  • Poncho, USMC
Sustenance:
  • Cliff Bars & MRE's
  • Water
  • (2) 16.9oz Crystal Geyser
  • (1) Canteen, 1 quart
  • Water Filter, Safewater G2
Tools:
  • Knife (& Sharpener), Becker Companion (super-thick blade which doubles as a good prybar)
  • Flashlight (2D)
  • Multi-tool, Leatherman Wave
Click to expand...

Skip the sharpener - your ONLY out there for 2-3 days. I use a Surefire Flashlight, so I skip the D Cells, and add CR123a cells. Take only PART of a roll of Duct Tape (Get Gaffers tape if you can)
 
I disagree about the need to carry a means to sharpen your blades. Even if it IS only a 2-3 day problem (and there's no telling that it may end up being longer), you can use a knife pretty hard in that 2 or 3 days, and a dull knife isn't a very good tool. Besides, a small pocket stone, a Lansky ceramic hone, and a tube of LSA don't weight much or take up any real space. I carry just that kit in my belt pouch all the time, and I *have* used it a number of times, proving its worth. And for me, I would rather have "more than enough" of the basics, then to have just one item that I end up needing, but left out because it didn't "seem" neccesarry.
 
Since the WTC incident, I have not been without my Eagle Liquidator 3, either it's in the truck or on the ambulance with me. Here is a list (may forget a few things so please forgive):
Bladder Pocket
100 oz. Camelback Big Mouth bladder with tube cover and on/off valve
Pur Water filter
Water Purification Tablets
Reusable heat packs

Main Pocket
Mini First Aid Kit
6 Snares of various sizes, wrapped in a burn cloth and stored in the bag from a Camp stove
4 Powerbars
2 dehydrated entrees
Camp stove with small fuel bottle in an OR pouch
Dehydrated soup mixes
Hot Chocolate mix
2 small camp stove pans
UK MiniQ 4AA flashlight with SCUBA mask strap
Spare Bulb for Mini Q

Small Pocket
Green Krill lamp wrapped in a bandanna
Compass
Gerber Fire Starter
Military Battle Dressing
2 Bic lighters
30 feet parachute cord (3 10 ft. lengths)
2 rolls cheery Lifesavers in a ziplock bag

Large Pocket
Small fishing kit
Survival Kit in an Outters box
Leatherman Supertool
Some MRE crackers with jelly and cheese spread
A mini-carbiner with a Fox 40 whistle, a UK 2AAA flashlight, and a Firestarter
Spare AAA and AA batteries

Also, stashed about are more lighters and a couple of Photon lights
My Carson U2 rides the compression straps during non-work related outdoor activities

I was involved i na MCI where a nursing home blew up, and ever since, I do not go anywhere in the ambulance with out the comfort of a hydration system stocked with some variety of munchies.
 
why did you get a military poncho for shelter I suggest something bright that will easily be seen same for the pack get a hiking pack with that reflective stuff on it so if you are in the dark you can easily id it. Get one of those prepaid phone cards (caring change fore the phone never worked for me as I always spent it on gum) also carry all possible devices fore attracting attention. If you have some extra money get a set of body armour (the stuff you can carry concealed under you shirt) it must be able to stop 9mm and .45.

now don’t forget that part of urban survival is that you maybe stuck somewhere fore a long time so packing a walkman and some favourite taps may be useful. In turns of first aid carry only what you know how to use, a number of students on my survival corse brought lots of gear that thay didn't know how to use.

For purpose of defence get an extendible baton and mace both those items must be carried on you belt at all times.
 
Afer my mag died recently I'v been forced to search for a new light, I've concluded that in my bob, I should pack a led flashlight over a regular flashlight because of runtime any thoughts on this? Seems like everyone else is looking to put a regular bulb type flashlight. in it.
 
For Me, I have about three levels of lights. Number one is a Photon Lite on my keychain, and I have to tell you the it's the one which is used the most because it's always with me.

The next layer is light to read in the shelter, putter around camp and trail hike - if needed. A light with an adjustable power output is desirable here since you don't need much light to read. This is one of two LED lights (one is the PAL light from Hoods Woods, or the other might be my Eternalite. The last layer of light is my P-6 from SureFire. This is my shooting light and used for th erbrief moments when you need to see something at a distance or signaling. You could also use it to tan with: it's THAT bright!

After studying the comments on the US R&SOG site, I am probably going to purchase a Princeton headlamp soon.

>RadioRay ..._ ._
 
Hannibal wrote:
Afer my mag died recently I'v been forced to search for a new light, I've concluded that in my bob, I should pack a led flashlight over a regular flashlight because of runtime any thoughts on this? Seems like everyone else is looking to put a regular bulb type flashlight. in it.
Click to expand...
Pack one of both. I think ideally, any emergency pack should have 2 lights. The first, a powerful "beam"-type flashlight, i.e. SureFire E2, (with the drawback of less run-time); and second, an LED "area-light"-type, i.e. Petzl Tikka, (with benefit of long run-time).

I forgot to mention that I also have a CMG Infinity Tasklight (single LED, takes 1 AA) packed in my Urban Survival Pack. It works well for low-light level activities. It's not as bright as the Petzl Tikka's 3-LED's though. I may have to rectify the situation soon.

Ron (guncollector)
 
Just a couple of suggestions ( my forum time is almost up);)

There is a micro rappelling rig don't remember who markets it.

Think about a Ti prybar.

Good cavers have a minimum of three light sources. I suggest a Cyclone light with helmet mount be one of them.

A firearm is probably one of the last things you will likely need. To save on weight and bulk I suggest you look at the Taurus .357 magnum Tracker with the longer barrel.

Even in an urban environment you might need fire. carry a couple of disposable lighter and firestarting sticks in a metal conatiner in your pack.

Carry two hats. One soft booney and one hard hat.

Put all gear in separate bags inside the pack. Preferably color coded.

I use a BlackHawk medics pack (a copy of the Eagle pack) for my large bag. A Mission essential recom pack for my basic gear inside. If I have to dump the large pack I still have essentials.

Be prepaired and remember PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

ts
 
forget the cash. get some gold coins.
It will have more worth then paper money if hell arrives.
just be cafeful of who you show these to.
 
Originally posted by guncollector
...carrying for 72 hrs. what may turn out to be "deadweight" is a very small price to pay for being prepared for more serious eventualities. Plus, I'm willing to wager that many of your friends/co-workers will have nothing at all in terms of supplies--so any extra "stuff" you have will buy a huge amount of goodwill.
Click to expand...
{Rave Mode Begin} If anyone wants goodwill in an emergency, give it to them. Right to the hilt or to the last round in the magazine, depending on whether there is a knife or a gun in hand at the time.

Let me put this real bluntly, lest anyone misinterpret my point. We are talking emergency situations here, not a picnic. If you are sharing your EMERGENCY supplies with anyone at all, it had better be the person you are married to only so you won't have to explain being greedy & not sharing when you eventually get home once everything has settled down. Anyone else is on their own!!!

Those of us who exercise the minimal (and I mean TINY!!) foresight needed to procure & carry emergency supplies around with us owe the people around us, including coworkers or friends, who choose not to think ahead ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Not a sip of our water, not a band-aid from our first aid kit, not a dry spot under our poncho/shelter, not a bite of our rations. Just because my kit will get me through 3 days is no insurance whatsoever that I won't have to make it stretch for 5 or 6 or more. Those who have brought nothing to put into the collective pot do not get to take anything out of that pot. Period.

Our coworkers & friends, like everyone else, now have the opportunity and an extrememly clear historical precedent why it's important for them to think now or suffer later. If the NYC/Pentagon incident doesn't get them interested in acquiring some emergency supplies & training, I guess nothing short of their own death will do it. If their choices hereafter leave them suffering in the face of preventible circumstances, we can only say, "Welcome to the world of consequences and personal responsibility."

If the convulsive knee-jerk emotional over-reacting I've seen on TV for the last couple of weeks isn't sufficient motivation to get the American sheeple to finally tune into some of life's harsher realities and start DOING SOMETHING TO PREPARE, it will not be our job to save them from their own laziness and unwillingness to be inconvenienced.
{Rave Mode End}

Sorry for the dogmatic tone of this screed. We have just experienced one of the clearest ramifications I've seen in nearly fifty years to illustrate the truth & value behind the Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared." From what I have seen, most American urban dwellers are not prepared at all.
 
I have to agree totally with Rok Jok on this one. That's one of the biggest reaons I chose to put my Urban Kit in a totally innocuous-looking "bookbag" instead of an ALICE of some other military looking ruck. The easiest way to make sure people don't want a "share" of your hard-won gear is to appear as if you don't have any. And if they get snotty about it, you just may have to "educate" them.

I live in a very rural area; it's an hour into the "big city" to do my grocery shopping once a month. From what I've seen, the only "preparation" going on is yahoos saying that "we" (meaning anyone young enough to be in the armed forces, not themsleves) should invade the Middle East and teach them "ragheads" a lesson. Of course, they don't see the likely ramifications of that action, like needing a store of food in the home, or carrying minimal gear with you at ALL times.

People like this will never learn the hard lesson that taking care of yourself is truly *your own* responsibilty. They have no intention of spending their beer and chip money on "stuff" they'll *never* need. But once the balloon goes up, they will fully expect you to "share" your gear and food. After all, they've had somebody to take care of them their whole lives. Since you're the most prepared guy in the immeadiate area, you were just elected "mommy". To hell with that!
 
Originally posted by cardimon


According to Radio Shack:

"Sorry, this item is either temporarily out of stock or no longer available in our on-line store."

They're not selling it any more.
Click to expand...

Oops. My mistake. Radio Shack IS selling model 12-803.

I somehow got onto a page displaying model 980-1185, which is the one that looks as though it may have been discontinued.
 
Despite RokJok's tone, I'd have to agree with his rant. If the other people don't think their survival is important enough, then you have no obligation to help them. Sheeple tend to be in a state of denial about catastrophes.

I have to admit that I probably wouldn't completely cut off my co-workers from help. I'll have extra food anyway, so I can toss those out like dog biscuits, and I'm willing to purify water to a reasonable extent or share my fire. However, survival is a personal thing, so my needs obviously come first. I always think of the that story (Aesop's fable?) about the ant and the grasshopper.

I'm going to add some items to my kit. Maps and TP are things I hadn't considered. I agree that a non-descript bag is better than a tactical backpack. If I was carrying my backpacking pack, I'd probably have a trail of moochers following me around like lemmings.

gm
 
I was gonna comment on the rant, but um.. don't think I will. Except to say "do unto others as you would have them do unto you," providing, of course, that allows you to meet your own obligations to family and surviving yourself.

That said..

I'm VERY curious about this Yeasu radio -- I'm just getting started in studying for a HAM license myself, and I'm not at all sure what to look for hardware-wise.

My requirements are outdoors-stomping sturdy, and capable of recieving on AM/FM and shortwave as well as the HAM bands. Sounds like that model fits.. anywhere else you know of I can find a review of it, or of other models to look for?

Finally, any chance this HT can be set to talk with the ubiquitous "talkabouts" some of my family have? Or are those bands blocked off? And is this extra software bundled with the package, or bought separately?

Oh.. if y'all don't want to topic drift, ya can email me at --
kyleeki@hotmail.com

Thanks!

-K
 
RokJok wrote:
Let me put this real bluntly, lest anyone misinterpret my point. We are talking emergency situations here, not a picnic. If you are sharing your EMERGENCY supplies with anyone at all, it had better be the person you are married to only so you won't have to explain being greedy & not sharing when you eventually get home once everything has settled down. Anyone else is on their own!!!
Click to expand...

Your point is well taken, and most definitely applicable in the most dire of bugout/emergency situations.

The problem is there are most definitely degrees of emergencies.

My original post with regard to sharing was in reply to an inquiry of what would I do if I found myself hauling "too much gear."

In a less-lethal threat type of emergency, my Christian roots would make difficult the concept of not helping thy neighbor--be they prepared or not. However, remember we're talking a lesser degree of emergency here.

I feel it is each individual's responsibility to assess their immediate and projected situation in an emergency--and make an educated determination of its severity. I, for one, will be the first to recognize an "everyman-for-himself" type situation--to deny such a possibility is negligent. But, if I can, I will help others when and if I can. My family has always preached to "share until it hurts a bit."

Just my $0.02.

Ron (guncollector)
 
Bolt cutters are invaluable for padlocks, chainlink, rebar, and other urban impediments. A 2' prybar will pick just about any lock. So will a 9mm, but crowbars don't run out of ammo.
The rest has pretty much been covered.
 
This will probably go against the grain, but for a BOB, a purpose-built weapon (i.e. firearm) is a bad idea.

When you are bugging out, you want to be scared and running... and anything that makes you more likely to take risk is BAD. A pack of hyenas can drag down even the strongest lion, and a crisis may give them the incentive to do so.

No weapon is going to increase your chances of surviving an encounter as much as avoiding it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top