Suburban Preparedness

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cardimon

Joined
Sep 20, 2000
Messages
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How many of you don't necessarily have to be prepared for survival in the wilderness?

Living in surburbia, I need to be ready in case the lights go out, I get a flat in a snowstorm, the MAC machine is out of money, etc.

This would be more of a case of thinking ahead rather than live-or-die survival. Thoughts, anyone?
 
Good question! I also live in a semi-urban-metro area and have ofter wondered the same thing. From reading this board and others, I have gotten a good handle on what I need for the wilderness, but spend more time (unfortunately) elsewhere.

My modest list contains: firearm off-duty, at least one knife, one Photon light and cash. Can anyone add other essentials to this?

...also awaiting some input.........Dave
 
Yes...one thing I think is very wise to carry is a whistle. Whistles can make a far better and louder noise for getting someone's attention.

I ready recently a story about guy (in California I believe) who got involved in an accident on a highway in which his van ended up down an embankment. The other driver that contributed to the accident did not stop and that guy ended up pinned in his van for several days. He ended up loosing part of his arm.

The worst part was that he was very close to residences and in fact also heard a road crew and other potential rescuers several times during his ordeal but his yells could't be heard.

A whistle might not have made a difference but then again....

Also...while I don't carry a full fledged "bug out bag" I have a satchel with some jeanes, a t-shirt, sweatshirt and some retired light hiking boots in the trunk. I have to wear a suit to work and I like haveing some more practical gear available if I need it.

 
Guys,

A SAK or multitool with appropriate tools and a small to medium sized First Aid Kit can prove invalueable. A cell phone can be worth its weight in gold as well. For defense, a small can of good quality OC (pepper) Spray is also a great idea.

Mike

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
Thanks for the replies, people. Here's what I carry, in case you're curious.

At work, in my nylon briefcase, I carry a Leatherman PST, AA Mag-Lite, first-aid items, 25 feet of 550 paracord, and a smaller bag.

On weekends I carry the smaller bag alone. This bag holds a AAA Mag-Lite, notepad, paper, Storm whistle, 2x3 Starflash signal mirror (I thought it was cool), filmcan of safety pins, a bunch of rubberbands, another 25 feet of paracord, mini-roll of duct tape, folding scissors, eyeglass repair kit, mini-sewing kit, Buck MiniBuck folding knife (their smallest), aspirins, and bandaids.

On weekends I will have either a Leatherman Wave or Victorinox SwissTool R/S on my belt.

My keyring hold a SAK Classic, AAA Pelican MiniMityLite, Suunto Comet compass/thermometer combo, and a Mini Fox 40 whistle.

And I never leave home without my wireless phone. Ever.

I carry a SAK Craftsman on weekends. In the office, I will carry either a SAK Rambler or Executive, and if I can swing it, a SOG CrossGrip and CrossCut.

I will also carry, at all times, a lighter, a Princeton Tec Blast pocket flashlight attached to a few Photon II MicroLights, lip balm, space pen, and Spyderco Dragonfly.

My family does make light of my gear. This is understandable, considering I work as a computer programmer and I'm not at all the outdoors type. But I do believe in thinking ahead and trying to be reasonably prepared for the unexpected.
 
Maybe not 'live-or-die' survival, we take many things for granted, and a little foresight, as you mentioned, can help. Living in California now, the lights going out is a high probability. So far, they've come back on, but who knows how long they'll be out the next time? Further, the water in my area has been known to go out unexpectedly on occasion, so some of my extras, in addition to many of the standards mentioned by others, are:

Extra gallon bottles of water
Batteries
Extra fuel for camp stoves
Extra food that doesn't depend on being frozen (cans, dehydrated, etc.)
Interesting books and magazines

Between these and my normal 'outdoors' gear, I figure I can make it through most potential problems for at least a couple weeks.

cj
 
As for storing provisions, my wife and I live in a small townhouse. We have no storage space except for three closets already crammed. No basement and no garage.

I love our house, but the lack of storage space really bites.
 
Heres what I've learned from being a homeowner and working as a firefighter.

1.Water can do as much damage as fire.

2.when storms hit,everyone needs help at the same time.Meaning your on your own for a while.

3.what I keep at home.Back up sump pump that does not run on electric.tarps,plastic,duct tape,plywood,2x4s. batteries,flashlights and a battery radio that gets tv and weather channels.extra food warm sleeping bags ect.

I've worked through many a blizzard,thunder storm and an ice storm that left my home without power for 11 days.When the power goes out the sump pump stops and the basement floods,hence the back up.when the trees come down and smash your windows or roof, many others are also in the same boat and contractors and rescue workers are over loaded.Its up to you thats why the wood and tarps.

Let me tell you when the ice storm hit you could not find a generator with in 1oo miles,batteries forget it,stock up before.Also this is when I realized I did not have a radio that ran on batteries.

Now on me I always have a knife or 2, Micra with a photon2 and at night a streamlight scorpion.Cars have full size Mags,blanket,large ems bag,water bottle,cell phone,rope and tools.

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AKTI #000946
 
A few years back, my area experienced what was called an 'IceStorm', basically it rained, and froze on everything.

So, all the power lines got mashed by falling trees, and for a few days, there was no power in my area.

This got me thinking.....

The house/apartment you live in is a shelter, but if it has no fireplace, how do you heat it?

My idea was this.

Your barbeque. In some parts of the world they run braziers to heat the domicile, and cook. Would the the western equivalent be a barbecue, all you have to do is stock up on charcoal, and maybe buy a couple of cinder blocks to get the thing up off the floor, if it small.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com

My website, guided links, talonite/cobalt alloy info, etc....
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff

>>--->Bill Siegle Custom Knives<---<<
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

"To wait for luck is the same as waiting for death." -Japanese Proverb

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao Tzu

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.

40K Space Marine Army, For Sale or Trade for Knives or Gear http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/002045.html
 
barbecue grill isn't a very good idea as it will first emit too much CO which can kill you and will emit black smoke (if it's charcoal) which will wreck your walls, ceiling, and furniture.

If you live in an area where power gets lost for 11 days and you don't have a generator, you're skating on thin ice. If you do have a generator, make sure you have 2 weeks worth of fuel for it. That should solve any problems that arise from snowstorms. if the power outage lasts more than 2 weeks you can always go to a motel.

 
The problem with a using flame heating is Carbon Monoxcide poisoning. There is not enough ventilation in homes apartments and some tents. Keep a small Kerosene or catalytic heater instead.

Also I have found that cell phones are worthless in most emergencies. The systems get overloaded very quickly. For emergency comunications a twoway radio is best.

I am fortunate that I used to camp a lot. Barring a fire that destroys my gear I have everything I need to set up a campsight in my back yard and take care of my immediate neighbors. Two coleman stoves and three Coleman Lanterns all multifuel.

I always have a duffel in the truck with extra clothes and boots/shoes. The clothes vary dependiong on the weather.

NOAH weather radio at home and in the truck.

My list goes on but most of you have already hit the high points.

P.S. Truck vault bolted to the transmission hump. Contains passport, cash, medical ID.

Blue Skies,

ts

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Guns are for show. Knifes are for Pros.
 
Though our townhouse is small, it does have a fireplace. I also have a kerosene heater, so I'm covered in case of a winter storm power outage.

We are entirely electric, so no lights, heat, or cooking. I do have tiny tabletop propane grill, howver, so I'm covered for cooking, as well.

In my car I keep four quarts of oil, two standard jugs of antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, one can of fix-a-flat (gotta get more), analog tire gage, automatic tire pump, 50 feet of 550 paracord, leather work gloves, bottled water, a bag of trail mix, paper towels, a hammer, small crowbar, duct tape, and some stuff I can't remember. In winter I also keep in the car a wool blanket, sleeping bag, a spare wool caps, gloves, and scarves.
 
Please don't put a grill inside your home.Open flame and closed spaces kill.

Also one small charcoal grill will fill a whole house with smoke.Been there done it.Got a call for smoke from a house,guy filled 2 floors with smoke this way.

11 days with out power,was not a life threating thing.Just a pain,kind of camped at home for a few days than moved into my folks house(they winter in Fla.)Ice storms knock out large and small areas.The other side of my street never lost power nor did my neighbor to the right.Lots of extension cord going from house to house.
smile.gif


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AKTI #000946
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Lone Hunter:
Please don't put a grill inside your home. Open flame and closed spaces kill.
</font>
Click to expand...

I sincerely hope everyone here already knows how poisonous carbon monoxide is, not to mention odorless and colorless.

 
Cardimon,if you go a few posts up you'll see that someone was thinking about using a charcoal grill indoors.

I've seen people of all incomes and intelligence levels do things that just make you shake your head(I've even said well seemed like a good idea at the time myself).We call these actions "job security".



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AKTI #000946
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Lone Hunter:
go a few posts up you'll see that someone was thinking about using a charcoal grill indoors.</font>
Click to expand...

I am hoping (1) the person who posted that realizes you need to have fresh air coming in somewhere, like through an open window, or (2) it was posted with humorous intent.

If I ever brought my tiny propane grill indoors, and I don't know why I'd ever do that, I'd have the sliding-glass door wide open and the ventilation system ON.

I have to live long enough to pay off my mortgage. Grin.

 
Exam gloves and a CPR microshield, if you're the type to render bystander care. I also have a cell phone small enough to fit in a pager case, and carry it all the time. That way, it's not in my jacket pocket back in the car when I need it.

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But I don't WANT to be a pie!
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by tommytrauma:
Exam gloves and a CPR microshield, if you're the type to render bystander care. I also have a cell phone small enough to fit in a pager case, and carry it all the time. That way, it's not in my jacket pocket back in the car when I need it.
</font>
Click to expand...

I make sure my wireless phone is always on me. Rendering bystander care is too risky, even with those precautions. I'd rather simply make a wireless call for help.

 
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