packing the RPB (refugee prep bag)

Check out your dollar tree stores too....Lots of cheapo items that could prove usefull.
 
A p38 can opener sounds great to us on this forum, but most people my age have never used one- or seen one. A full sized manual can opener would be much more familiar- and useful- than a p38 for a give away bag.
 
hlee, I agree on the can opener, although maybe better suited for a family sized bag?
a couple of places to look for cheap things although they do require some leg work. Casinos rotate cards quite often, and at least around here if you go and ask on a slow day you can walk out with a dozen or so decks free. here they punch a whole out of the cards so they don't get back on the floor, I'm assuming that is casino SOP everywhere.
Talk to the chaplain at your nearest international airport to find out what happens to confiscated stuff, the bins may go to charity, and you might find out which one you can support by buying all manner of SAKs and tools.
Lots of good ideas here for "seed" kits that people can add to over time. at least gets them thinking about that first 72 hours.
 
Barrells of confinscated items at airports typically go to goverment surplus centers and are sold off for practically nothing to FDs, LEOs, etc....Ive been a couple times, you guys would Sh*t at the deals there. ECWCS parkas for 5 bucks, knives from barrells that are sold by weight, MREs, BDUs, Camelbacks, WileyX goggles etc....next to nothing on price.
 
I would lose the soap and wet wipes for a travel pack of baby wipes, 1 dollar at dollar store.
Wal-mart sells a pocket knife for 1 dollar, looks exactly like an older Gerber I have.
You can also get el-cheapo fleece blankets at dollar tree for, you guessed it 1 dollar. And ponchos for 1 dollar, a 50ft hank of rope for 1 dollar, a pair of pliers for 1 dollar.
One could put together a descent kit on the cheap if one were so inclined.

P.S. have you seen the toothbrushes with the tooth paste all ready in the handle?
 
Add a thin cheap WOOL toque and gloves off the clearance racks with spring coming. They practically give the stuff away in march. So little weight and bulk and will help make rough nights tolerable. People can get hypothermia in the summer too.

I just can't see a full size can opener in a compact bug out because someone may have never seen a p-38 before and not know how to use it........

has the electronic age finally conquered common sense? If it is actually a concern put a piece of tape labelling it CAN OPENER. Anyone who can't figure it out after that without explicit illustrated instructions will get the Darwin Award, leaving all the precious canned goods for me.

with the basic first aid stuff you have add some cheap first aid trauma gear like a few feminine pads with their use stated in a simple first aid sheet.
 
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Hey Brad, this reminds me of a scene from "Band of Brothers" where Captain Winters is fumbling to get into a C-ration with what I assume is a p-38 style can opener. He's talking to the company SO who takes the can and the can opener from him remarking "Don't ever get a cat." This scene may be apocryphal (never occurred and added to humanize the character) but the point is that not everyone has used a p-38. I know that if I had not trapped raccoons with my uncle as a youth (sardine cans came with an opener then, now they are "pull tab to open") then I would never have had any need for a p-38. I'm not sure that my 5 year old son could get a p-38 to work. I know my wife could not easily get it done. I have no doubt that they could get a full sized manual can opener to work without problem. If a bulk of your emergency rations are going to be canned goods (and I'd guess that nonperishable canned goods WOULD constitute a large part of emergency rations) then a good can opener is well worth the couple of ounces.

It's not the "What is this?" factor, it is the "This stupid thing is impossible to use!" factor- especially for a small kid with relatively weak fingers- compared to an adult.
 
my son can't quite manage his SAK can opener yet. he can handle the granola bars.....

If you haven't used a P38 (I might go with the P51 since it's a bit easier on the leverage) then you look at the instructions. it's on the package! I understand the point, but the reall cheap handled can openers don't seem to work any more easily, and certainly don't work as well. The heavy duty ones are great, but about $8 each.


Chris- I have some assorted liptoon soup mizes I'm considering.


I want a basic minimum in mine, but I'm not going for a full on long term kit. Either it's a cheapish giveaway for people who aren't staying or a basic set of tools for people who are, with some food/ownership security
 
OFF TOPIC REPLY

That is funny hlee had a good laugh. I am not talking about little kids though, their bug out bag is parents.
A 5yr old on his own would have can opener low on priority.
the p-51 would be better I agree
When I worked at a booze warehouse as the recoup/damages agent I would use mine. The only can opener in the lunchroom, I would loan it to the revolving door new hires(18 to 22yrs average)without instructions and was a lot of fun.
A very few got it right away, some needed training(if I liked them) and some gave up and I would tell them they just were not hungry enough. One even ruined his cheap knife with me watching after failure and some attitude after the comments
. I opened the bottom of his empty can for him AFTER.
They could operate a forklift, fix engines, drive a car........but not a can opener.

Must be the German in me, Lisa Simpson quoted it when Homer was gloating over Ned's Leftorium going bankrupt.
" Schussenfroisen "(don't know the spelling)
means to derive pleasure from someone else's pain or sorrow
I think my whole families humour was based on that phrase.
But we of German descent have always been known for our gentleness and good humour(or lack thereoff)

Oh yeah, I was also the first aid attendant and was known for my bedside manner with the wankers, whingers and whiners. Pull out a glass sliver and bandage and they ask
"Should I take some time off?"
my reply "You bet, we hire every week"
I was called Brad "the butcher" there as well due to my previous trade and my first aid compassion. Anyone with legitimate complaints were treated well and with respect.

I used to call my can opener the litmus test for common sense when I would loan it........ good times!
 
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