What to put in bugout bag for smoke?

G

Grapevine

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Mar 5, 2002
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I'm trying to put together a bugout bag for my office. My goal are tools that would be useful in an emergency where the building becomes a trap and you need to get out. I know that in such situations smoke and fire are often involved. What should I pack for smoke...gas mask? What kind or brand? Would a respirator rated for toxic fumes work?

PS. In case you're interested and want to critique, what I've got so far are:

14" hatchet with fiberglass handle
2.5 lb blacksmith hammer (kinda like a small sledge)
21" pry bar
Small hacksaw
Puukko knife
75' of 3/8" polypropylene-polyester rope (working load limit: 244lb)
215' of thin cord
Duct tape
Carbinger (280 lb load)
Work gloves
Superglue
LED headlamp
Xenon flashlight (cr123 powered)
Packs of alcohol swabs
Gauze
Notepad
Sharpie
Whistle
I also always have a multitool and a folder on me.
 
There is a thing, I think it is called the smoke exscape hood, Brigade QM use to sale them, look at the web site www.equipped.org for info as well. I have thought about the type of kit after 911 but I have not worked in a building that is large, or in a place that something could happen. I think if I worked in New York city or some other large city would be needed. I think you are right on as far as the equipment you have chosen so far.


RickJ
 
http://www.fireescapesystems.com/quickescape.asp

p_quickescape_1.jpg
 
I work on the 34th floor of an office building so I do have a bag in my office that's supposed to help me get to my car, where I have another, bigger survival bag waiting.

We had a case here in Chicago where several people died in a stairwell from smoke inhalation because the stairwell doors locked automatically behind them. I included some rubber door stops, some zip ties and a length of cord in my "walk out bag" so I could make sure that the door to the stairwell wouldn't close completely behind me as I begin my walk down to street level. I also added a very good surefire so I could see thru the smoke.

Hope any of this helps. Hope you never have to use it.
 
rolling papers:)
But seriously, a cotton hankie and a bottle of water, (soak hankie with water and hold in front of you breathing holes) could keep you alive if you don't burn to death. Would be a big help with 'earthquake dust' too.
 
saxon said:
I spend weeks a a time right now in different motels every night, so I've thought alot about my bug out needs. I always keep one of these in my motel bag.

http://www.hylinesafety.com/evacu8smokehood.html
Click to expand...

I believe the evacu-8 hoods were recalled a couple of years ago. I had to turn in all that I had on the unit, nothing was issued to replace them, and my purchase order to replace them was never filled. If they are available again, that would be a good thing.

I found a breathing filter mask through either ShomerTec or Actiongear (don't remember which) a few years ago that provides filtration for smoke, pepper spray etc, but can't find them any more. I set-up an office kit for my wife and put one in there. I use medical face masks on a regular basis but have no idea if they would work against smoke.

A bandanna would be useful for breathing and eye protection.


This might be a good alternative hood. I have no idea what size it is. http://www.beyondbulbs.com/ASE30-Safe-Escape-Smoke-Hood-pr-134.html
 
I like the look of that one better than the evac-u8. Seems like better visibility.
 
I found this site. http://www.smokehoods.com/products. At first glance, they look like simple hoods, but they have O2 supplies and scrubbers in them. Sounds expensive.

I would get a stronger rope and carabiner and take some classes in using them-- rappelling and harness work at a rock climbing school. Don't count on being able to get to your car and add some liquids, food, first aid, a small radio, extra clothing and boots, and spare batteries for all the electrics.
 
Grapevine said:
I'm trying to put together a bugout bag for my office. My goal are tools that would be useful in an emergency where the building becomes a trap and you need to get out. I know that in such situations smoke and fire are often involved. What should I pack for smoke...gas mask? What kind or brand? Would a respirator rated for toxic fumes work?

PS. In case you're interested and want to critique, what I've got so far are:

14" hatchet with fiberglass handle
2.5 lb blacksmith hammer (kinda like a small sledge)
21" pry bar
Small hacksaw
Puukko knife
75' of 3/8" polypropylene-polyester rope (working load limit: 244lb)
215' of thin cord
Duct tape
Carbinger (280 lb load)
Work gloves
Superglue
LED headlamp
Xenon flashlight (cr123 powered)
Packs of alcohol swabs
Gauze
Notepad
Sharpie
Whistle
I also always have a multitool and a folder on me.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:Good list but add a few bottles of water to drink or rinse out wounds or eyes & bandana ,soak with water a make shift smoke filter & a pair of safety glasses.
 
Thanks guys. Those hoods look good. Compact and portable.

I added a couple of water bottles, a bandana, and a pair of safety glasses as recommended by several of you. I think I'm going to replace the puukko with a one hand opening SAK with wood saw, even though my multitool already has a saw.

On the rope. That's been bothering me right after I wrote the original post actually. What I have is too short to get to the ground. I really don't know why I packed it other than it gave me some sort of false peace of mind. I'm on the 12th floor of an office tower. I would estimate each floor taking 12 ft when concrete flooring is added. The amount of rope needed to get to the ground wouldn't fit in the bag. And I certainly need to take rappeling courses because though I can climb a gym rope up at least 20 ft, I know that it's foolhardy to think that a 3/8" rope can be used to "climb" down, especially at that height. Body harnesses would add even more bulk to the amount of rope needed for rappelling. I can find a spot for all that rappeling gear in my office itself, but I think it'll be too much to grab along with the bugout bag as I head to the exits. So I need to rethink this part. Right now I think my rope is probably pretty useless.
 
not useless could be used as a way for co-workers to follow you out safely by holding on to it if sight is limited due to dust/smoke ??? just a thought ?
 
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