SHTF - Grab ‘N Go Stuff

November 10, 2008
6:31 AM CST

Other than letters asking me about guns and shooting, the next most popular topic is the contents of my “grab ‘n go” bags—actually tubs—that I talked about yea those many moons ago.

I’ve updated the contents somewhat since then, and so I thought I’d share them with you.

Caveat: What follows is tailored to the needs of our family of five adults, and can keep us going in the car, under almost any conditions, for about five days to a week. Your needs, tastes and preferences may vary, and probably will. Feel free to amend the contents of your bags accordingly.

The assumption here is that we have about fifteen minutes’ warning of impending catastrophe, and we have to get the hell out of Dodge Plano quickly, in one car (currently, our KIA Sportage SUV). Space is more of a premium now than it was in the old Suburban, so we’ve condensed a lot of it.

1. Pre-Arrangements.

Each kid has taped to the back of their bedroom door a list of duties and supplies that they are responsible for. They are permitted one small carry bag each for clothes, toiletries, prescription medications and such (contents specific to each kid, of course), and their duties include ”help Dad load the car”, ”help Mom pack supplies”, ”put out food for the cats and leash up the dog”, and so on.

Each family member also has on hand at all times: a cell phone; a Swiss Army knife (Champ or similar); a Surefire 6P flashlight or equivalent; and a folding knife.

Not pictured in what follows is our water supply, which consists of about 40 gallons of water in 5-gal jugs, two trays of bottled spring water, as well as a couple trays of Gatorade. Those all accompany the grab ‘n go tubs.

All the SHTF stuff is stored inside our “disaster room” (actually, our walk-in closet under the stairs), thus serving a dual purpose.

2. Grab ‘n Go Containers

We have two Rubbermaid tubs to carry all our SHTF supplies. As I said earlier, they’re waterproof enough—not enough to survive complete submersion, but enough to keep out heavy rain. And everything which can possibly be damaged by water is kept inside zip-lock bags anyway. We went with these because they’re sturdy, light and inexpensive. Each one can be carried by a single person. Here’s a pic, with a soda can for perspective:

With the exception of the entrenching tool (below), absolutely everything pictured from here on fits into these two containers.

Major Tools

The military entrenching tool is a given. The roofing hammer is an excellent utility tool: axe and hammer in one. The “blue” bag contains an air mattress, and on top is a “bag o’ bags”, with lots of trash bags and such. The two mini-saws are not intended for any kind of heavy sawing, just for kindling and firewood (I’ll replace them with serious draw-string saws at some point). The Leatherman complements the other tools in the car’s toolbox (which is always packed, and contains most tools and spares required to keep the car running).

Grundig battery/handcranked FM/AM/SW radio, canteens, large knife, water-purifiers, slingshot and shot, and reserve .22 ammo. As for the “Hayes” bag, it contains not a modem but a backup gun [nunya], and its caliber is betrayed by the two Big Green ammo boxes (which also contain a few rounds of backup .45 Colt).

Basic First-Aid Supplies

Ever since we went to India, where we learned what happens when your hands are filthy, we’ve become obsessive about keeping our hands clean when we travel. Hence the giant bag (one of two) handwipe towelettes, and there are a whole bunch of smaller bags of same scattered into every nook and cranny. Also in the picture: povidone-iodine solution, latex and nitrile gloves, medicinal brandy, toothache pain reliever (oil of cloves), and bandages. The sanitary napkins and tampons are stopgap blood-staunchers. The contents of the first-aid tin are below.

First-Aid Tin Contents

Basic medical tools, lots of woundcare and bandages, with various painkillers and cold/flu tabs. The little steel thingy in the corner is actually a small folding knife, honed to razor sharpness, and of course there’s a real razor just in case.

Light/Heat/Sundries

Flashlights (and spare batteries), Sterno, matches, compass, walkie-talkies (I’ll upgrade those sometime, but they’re quite adequate for the moment), compass, backup watch, and rope/nylon twine. Also: thermal blankets and handwarmers for each family member, and a light poncho. (Left out of the pic by accident: 500’ of para cord, and a commercially-packed 12’x10’ tarp with grommets and four sturdy 12” stakes).

Toiletries

Paper towel, more handwipes, tissues, and moistened toilet tissue packs. The red and yellow thingies are waterproof cases which hold things like anti-bacterial soap, Lotrimin, Neosporin and Immodium. The little bag in the top left holds backup supplies of shampoo, soap and such (hotel-style bottles).

Basic Foods

Since our several gastric operations, we’ve learned that when it comes to survival-type nutrition, you need protein, protein and more protein. That, sugar and water will keep you alive. Hence the jerky, corned beef, fish, chicken and peanut butter. (The brown bag at the bottom is food for the stupid dog, which the womenfolk insist we’ll have to take with us. Oh well: she’s an excellent watch dog, which might come in handy.)

Candy/dried fruit/nuts

Also in the picture: another bag o’ bags, and three large Glad storage bags, which can double as suitcases or blanket storage, if necessary. Forgotten: energy bars and granola bars.

Drinks/additives

Sugar, breakfast drink/powders, protein mix, coffee, tea, chocolate/cocoa, canned milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk in tubes (found in Europe, by the way).

That’s it, for the Grab ‘n Go Bags.

3. Grab ‘n Go Guns:

Each family member has a handgun [nunya], which would be packed/carried as their individual responsibility, with at least one spare mag of ammo. Long guns are stored in carry cases set aside for this purpose, and include: two assault rifles (and 100-odd rounds of ammo), one shotgun (50 rounds) and two .22 rifles (500 rounds). Remember: we’re bugging out, not going to war—although obviously, if circumstances look like being a little more ummm desperate, then it’s an easy matter just to grab a couple of ammo cans full on the way out. (I store all my ammo in ammo cans, and I think that it’s a decent habit to get into.)

Summary

So: it’s

• two bins
• rifle cases
• the water
• a cooler full of ice
• the luggage
• two extra gasoline cans (10 gallons total, or about 3/4 tank for the Kia).

In a Katrina/Rita situation, with lots of time (24+ hours): fuggedabahdit.

-------------------------------------------------------

A checklist of SHTF stuff (sufficient for one or two people) is below the fold. Add more quantities as the family group grows.

A. Suitcase

Clothing:
Underwear (4) and for girls, bras (2)
Socks (4 pairs)
T-shirts (4)
Jeans (2)
Sweatshirt & pants (1)
Raincoat (summer)
Overcoat, hat and gloves (winter)
Spare pair of shoes/sandals/sneakers
Towels
Sponge bag:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Sanitary stuff (girls)
Prescription medications
Tylenol etc.
Sunburn lotion
Shaving gear

B. Carry bag
Games, CD players and CDs
Batteries – and when your batteries run down, that’s it
2 or 3 books

Survival Items

Medical (in Ziploc bag):
Advil (sunburn, minor pains)
Aspirin (“heart meds”)
Tylenol-3 (Rx painkiller)
Benadryl
Neosporin
10% hydrocortisone ointment
Antiseptic wipes or bottle of Curel
Antiseptic soap in its own baggie
Hydrogen peroxide / disinfectant
Band-Aids
Small roll bandage
Ace bandages (knee, ankle)
Curved sewing needle
Sewing needles & cotton thread
10’ nylon thread
Scalpel blades
Tweezers
Tampons (for wound care)
Sponges
Eyewash / eye drops
Earplugs

Stuff:
Duct tape
Large black plastic garbage bags
Ziploc bags
Toilet paper

Devices & Signaling:
Mirror
Whistle
Compass
Maps
Walkie-talkies
Pencil / pen
Sharpie
Paper
Red spray paint

Fastenings (in Ziploc bag):
40’ parachute cord
200’ twine
Zip ties
Assorted rubber bands
Safety pins
Red electrical tape
Superglue

Tools & Weapons:
Leatherman / Gerber multi-tool
Large Swiss Army knife
Folding knife
Large fixed-blade knife (eg. Ka-Bar)
Cord saw
.22 rifle w/sling and 100 rounds ammo
Shotgun w/20 rounds ammo
Rifle w/100 rounds ammo
Handgun w/50 rounds ammo, per person

Clothing & Shelter (in Ziploc bags):
Rain poncho
Survival blanket
20-hour body warmers
Work gloves
Tarps and pegs

Drinking:
Stainless steel flask of brandy (doubles as signal mirror)
Water-purifying tabs
Canteen & holder
Bottled water

Fire & Light:
Bic lighters
Waterproof matches
Magnesium “flint”
Jeweler’s loupe
10-hour emergency candles
12-hour light sticks
Mini-Maglite and 10 x AA batteries
Photon micro-light
Surefire 6P + 4 spare batteries
Large flashlight / spotlight
Sterno cans

Foods:
Beef stock cubes
Soup packets
Vac-pack meals (eg. MREs)
Beef jerky
Energy bars
Candy
Small cooking pot
Uncooked rice
Corn meal
Sugar
Salt
Canned food
Evaporated milk
Coffee / tea
Powdered drink (pre-sweetened)

Comments

Bottom of Comments | Original Post

Well done and fairly comprehensive. Although I am not real keen on tinned beef, it looks impressive.

If it is not a drill and you do have to bug out, I would recommend a quick purchase of fresh fruit if you have time for that. Your first aid kit is admirable. Your collection is well thought out.

Author ID: 9598 | 11/10/2008 07:39 AM CST | #137400


Before it gets overlooked, I just want to remind that Kim made quite clear that this was our grab-n-go, for our family, and for where we live.

When I lived in Los Angeles, my emergency preparedness focused more on earthquakes.  If someone lives in a snow region, there would need to be more emphasis on that, ditto for drought, flood, ice storms (resulting in days of power loss), etc. 

I think a good rule of thumb is to think about the disasters in the last 10 years, to your region, and then think of what you’d want/need to survive that, and the duration. 

Bugging out is a last resort, except for temporary situations, such as a hurricane in our area.  In other emergency situations, the best place to be is home.  If our power was out, we have other means of cooking.  Winters in our area are not severe (we seldom turn the heat on).  A summer season disaster would mean we’d be hot without A/C, but that would be uncomfortable, not life-threatening.

Our disaster closet is where the family goes during a tornado warning (an interior room with no windows, with the structural support of the stairs above it), but someone else may have a basement to store their supplies, or their garage is a better choice.  Our garage is not insulated and not a place to go during a tornado, and because of the clay soil and water table, we don’t have basements in this region.

0 Author ID: 2 | 11/10/2008 07:48 AM CST | #137401


I’m glad to see the superglue in your kit.  Not only does it fit under the Fastenings list, but it also fits under the Medical list.  Superglue sticks skin together VERY well and is handy for cuts that are messy, e.g. cuts from a serrated edge such as your Spyderco.

Another easy and cheap addition to a HOLYSH#T kit could be a small bottle of bleach.  Only a few drops will sterilize about 1/2 gallon of water, so just a small bottle make LOTS of drinking water.  It’s been used for a long time by outdoorsmen and I’ve never heard of any problems from it.  I used it to turn swamp water into potable water when hiking through the Florida Everglades and had no problems.  It’s ALOT cheaper and faster than those filter/purifiers.

Author ID: 8282 | 11/10/2008 07:58 AM CST | #137403


I saw the US Army Survival Manual pictured above, and got to thinking…

If there was only 1 book you could take with you - say stuffed in a ruck sack - would that be it?  Top 3?

We’ll miss ya when you quit.

Author ID: 7636 | 11/10/2008 08:18 AM CST | #137407


Absolutely admirable.

I’ve finally managed to accumulate most all of this for my family and then some, including nearly a year supply of food . . . now for the (seemingly) daunting task of organizing the essentials in a manner that can be packed into the rig in a hurry in case we bug out.

Of course in the rural area where I live, a bug-out situation is very unlikely and we’d be best off to hunker down right here where our shelter, food, clothing, tools, firewood for heating and cooking, water from well and nearby stream are all in place.  Neighbors are few and friendly.

But still, you’ve inspired me to get some tubs ready.

Author ID: 7643 | 11/10/2008 08:27 AM CST | #137408


The Listening to Katrina series helped me re-evaluate how to setup for emergencies.  The concepts for protecting wealth, which Shane is the first I’ve seen to really cover in a detailed way, are good things to think about.

Author ID: 9694 | 11/10/2008 08:27 AM CST | #137409


About the only difference in my kits is I use the blue “mechanics” towels instead of traditional paper towel. It’s pretty tough stuff.

I used about this same checklist for Africa- though I left out a lot of the “Big” items like e-tools and tarps (those were there when we got there) and food (we killed what we ate, or went hungry)and it served me quite well.

Author ID: 112 | 11/10/2008 08:53 AM CST | #137416


The tampons are great for mild to moderate wound care, and they’re far more cost effective than a product I ran across in a magazine a few years ago.

Z-Medica makes an array of clotting items in their QuikClot brand; a granulated type hemostatic agent that you pour on/in to the wound as well as different types and sizes of gauze and sponges with the same clotting agent as the granules, impregnated in the sponge. Very pricey, but supposedly quite effective. They have a type with a ionic silver to keep bacterial growth at bay too, in case it takes some time to get good medical care.

The clotting agent is an exothermic reaction when it contacts the blood, so it will probably induce a sensation of burning, but beats the alternative of bleeding to death.  Limited application, but it may be worth having on hand in your BOB. I do.

Should be available at Cabela’s, if you live near one, in the camping section, or online, obviously.

Just a thought.

Author ID: 8624 | 11/10/2008 09:18 AM CST | #137422


We live in the San Joaquin Valley, Ppl’s Sov of Khaleefornya.  Dull place:  no fires, floods or quakes.  But it does catch and hold bad air, e.g. from a dirty bomb in the Bay Area.  And the N/S freeways out are choke points.  Our evac plan is East, to the high country.  Since I am gone a lot, that includes rendvs plans (summer and winter).  Have a plan, don’t count on the cel phone.
Don’t forget the locking gas cap on the escapemobile.  Last summer goblins were drilling holes in gas tanks; skid plates came in handy.

Author ID: 11563 | 11/10/2008 09:20 AM CST | #137423


Including the 5 of you guys, does all that really fit into the KIA? I didn’t think that the trunk space behind the rear seat was all that big, but then I’ve never purposefully looked at it.

Author ID: 186 | 11/10/2008 09:49 AM CST | #137431


When you’re ready to upgrade those walkie-talkies, you might want to consider becoming licensed amateur radio operators and getting HTs.  They’re quite a bit more powerful and versatile, which, in an emergency situation, would give you more communications options.  For instance, I have a Yaesu FT-60R, which is dual-band (2m/70cm), powerful (5W transmit power), rugged, able to run on AA batteries (with an optional battery case), and inexpensive (under $200).  It’s popular among emergency communications responders for all those reasons.  I also have a Yaesu VX-170, which is similar to the FT-60R except it’s 2-meter only, and it can share the FT-60R’s battery packs; it’s even less expensive (about $120).  There are other options available, too, not just from Yaesu, but from other manufacturers such as Kenwood and ICOM.

Yes, you have to go get a license to use those, but it’s not an onerous barrier, certainly no worse than a CCW permit.  The FCC dropped the Morse code requirements for all classes of ham radio license not long ago, and the Technician class license--for which the exam is fairly simple for intelligent people such as yourselves--gives you all the privileges you’d need for those radios.  And I think you’ll find that a lot of hams out there have a similar interest in emergency preparedness.

Just something I’d noticed and would submit for your consideration.  73’s from KD0BSZ.

Author ID: 41 | 11/10/2008 10:25 AM CST | #137440


FR,

It does indeed all fit into the Kia’s “trunk”. Granted, a kid or two might have to put their bag on the floor in front of them, but a little discomfort is better than the alternative.

0 Author ID: 1 | 11/10/2008 10:39 AM CST | #137441


And we have a roof rack. We’d just need the time to put the clamshell on the car to make it really useful.

0 Author ID: 2 | 11/10/2008 10:41 AM CST | #137444


I have a seven passenger SUV and three small kids.  It’s shocking how quickly the big SUV fills up with necessities.  When we go camping for the weekend, were lucky if we can fit everything in there.  Which just goes to show the importance of pre-planning.
I figure in a bug out situation, we’d be on our own for at least 72 hours so all meals, beverages accommodations and security are my responsibility.  That’s at least 45 meals, 45 privy visits and depending on the weather here in the North East a boat load of sleeping bags coats, fuel and the like.  Point is, now is the time to plan this stuff out.

Author ID: 10919 | 11/10/2008 11:19 AM CST | #137451


Are those Rubbermaid boxes the 10 gallon size?

As to treating water with chlorine, you have to watch the concentration. According to the US Public Health Service as published in BSA Great Western Council “Footprints” Vol 3, 1974:

Chlorine concentration Drops per Quart
1% 10
4%-6% 2
7%-10% 1

Clorox is 6% Sodium Hypochlorite.

If in doubt about concentration, use 10 drops per quart.
Double the amounts for turbid or colored water.
The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor; if not, repeat dosage and allow water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made mor palatable by allowing the water to stand exposed to air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.

Btw, the ability of chlorine bleach to purify water is a good reason to only buy the unscented variety from the markets if you can get it.

Author ID: 2303 | 11/10/2008 11:23 AM CST | #137453


Excellent as always!!!

Author ID: 7964 | 11/10/2008 11:40 AM CST | #137456


A few things I’d consider adding

1. Potassium Iodide or Iodate - The idea is that radioactive fallout in the case of accident or terrorism produces radioactive iodine which gets into your thyroid. That will cause a nasty quick cancer. The iodate or iodide saturates the thyroid with iodine blocking the radioactive stuff. Check your med history prior to a SHTF scenario

2. A good mask for each person. Again, a radioactive SHTF scenario can be a lot more survivable with some simple precautions. One is to keep the dust out. Also, I get dead critters on the property once in a while. I’m a bit ashamed to admit but my barf level is low. I use the mask to keep the barf reflex in control. Dead bodies would max that effect out.

3. Add in passports if you have them AND A WAY TO HIDE THEM SECURELY

4. Consider another use of the med stuff.. Namely keeping off of FEMA work parties. They supposedly CAN draft you for manual labor… JBFEMAT : “You Vill Grab Dis Shovel Schnell” You “Gee, as you can see from this splint on my leg I have a fractured shin” JBFEMAT :"Verry Vell, you are exchused.. “

5 If you have a fish pond you might want to stock up on some antibiotics for your fish.. You never know when you might run into a pond full of sick Koi somewhere. Of course, it would be against federal law to give those to a human even in an emergency so we won’t do that right??

6. They sell book type topo maps that cover a state level. These could be real handy especially if you know how to read them

anyway, thanks for this post kim. I’m going to dust off my Y2k planners.

Author ID: 9541 | 11/10/2008 12:33 PM CST | #137468


You want to replace those saws with one of these.

The smaller one folds up into something the size of a fat ruler ( that would be the measuring device ... heh ), 17"x 1 3/4” x 5/8”.

When I used to work for the Forest Diservice, we used them exclusively for light sawing duties on wilderness crews ( for big jobs we used a chainsaw, or a crosscut inside the wilderness areas ). Indestructable, light, and they work.

Author ID: 1358 | 11/10/2008 01:26 PM CST | #137481


Totally and completely f***ing brilliant.  Yet another thing Kim reminded me of over the years was to BE PREPARED to take care of myself and my family when the SHTF without relying on anyone, particularly the gummint.  Thank you, Kim.

Also, great advice from the Mrs.  I have three small kids, so bugging out of home base is definitely last resort.  However, I want to be prepared if it happens, as it would definitely be close to panic time at that point and nobody thinks well under that kind of stress.  Accordinlgy, that is exactly when being prepared with Grab N’ Go and having a plan would really pay off.

Also, just going throught the exercise of Grab ‘N Go got me motivated to be more prepared at home in general, as I started to think of what it would take to support my family for a month or more if the thin veneer of society was temporarily scratched away (see Katrina or Urkel losing). Not that I have gone all survivalist, but I found it quite staggering to see on paper what I would really need to put away and then be prepared to defend.  Anyway, I think the possibility is pretty remote but it seems to me that options quickly dissappear once the Black Swan is in the pond, so I’d rather be prepared.

Author ID: 7787 | 11/10/2008 01:38 PM CST | #137487


Be careful with the quick-clot stuff. Because it is exothermic, you must keep it out of your lungs and eyes, lest you suffer some fairly severe injuries.
If you can, score some ciprofloxacin and some clindamycin. Most infections can be treated effectively with those two antibiotics.  Oh, Flagyl ,too.
I read the voices of Katrina series, as well, and found it to be very insightful. I like the 1 minute/ 1 hour/ 1 day preparation levels.
I keep a jump bag in the truck (which can sustain for 72 hours) because if I do need to scram in 60 seconds, then I already have a good start. I just get my laptop, our important docs safe, and the rifle bag. I also have a tub full of stuff staged in the garage with camping gear. That just about takes 60 seconds to get in the truck. Then, I am GONE. Give me an hour, and I can get a couple of cases of ammo, another rifle, more clothes, more food, and more mementos.

Author ID: 7615 | 11/10/2008 02:12 PM CST | #137497


If you can, score some ciprofloxacin and some clindamycin. Most infections can be treated effectively with those two antibiotics.  Oh, Flagyl ,too.

::Goes through her address book, thinking about who she knows who might be able to do that::

0 Author ID: 2 | 11/10/2008 02:16 PM CST | #137498


Just a thought, but if you’ve been having a goodly number of enquiries, is this a business opportunity for you?

You might consider substituting some honey for the sugar: not only is it a sweetener but it keeps better and is useful for treating wounds.

Author ID: 8647 | 11/10/2008 02:24 PM CST | #137500


Just a thought, but if you’ve been having a goodly number of enquiries, is this a business opportunity for you?

Kim, the SHTF Personal Shopper.

heh

0 Author ID: 2 | 11/10/2008 02:26 PM CST | #137501


> Kim, the SHTF Personal Shopper.

And why not? If the demand is there, there’s money to be made. Of course I doubt you’d be allowed to include the firearms or some of the medicines.

Author ID: 8647 | 11/10/2008 03:08 PM CST | #137509


I second Quentin’s suggestion.  Also, does anyone have any ideas for those of use up here in the great white north, a lot of this stuff, including the containers, do no handle -40 degrees very well.

Author ID: 10662 | 11/10/2008 03:15 PM CST | #137511


I will third that, and I believe that makes quorum. Kim you just got a new career!
Great work on this one.

Author ID: 11216 | 11/10/2008 03:44 PM CST | #137516


Bug Spray!  Mosquitos love me, so I have it stashed about everyone possible in house and car.  And for those who wear glasses/contacts, pack an extra pair with eye wash solution.

Author ID: 11657 | 11/10/2008 04:19 PM CST | #137519


Forget it. Too time-consuming, and too heavy to ship.

That’s why I posted the piece—so everyone can get off their fat asses and buy the stuff themselves. There’s even a checklist and everything…

Sheeesh.

0 Author ID: 1 | 11/10/2008 06:35 PM CST | #137526


Kim’s Major Wound Solution:

1. Wash out with spring water and povidone.
2. Cover with sanitary towel/tampon.
3. Bandage and duct tape.
4. Find a doctor and make him fix it, à la James Caan in A Bridge Too Far.

0 Author ID: 1 | 11/10/2008 06:38 PM CST | #137528


Oh, and I left out the codeine tabs and such because I don’t have any, no siree not me.

0 Author ID: 1 | 11/10/2008 06:40 PM CST | #137529


Great post; your earlier grab-n-go posts are what made me a lurker regular here.  And, more importantly, got me to develop my own bugout kits (which, come to think of it, need updating....)

One thought (and doc Russia or Aesop please correct me if I’m wrong) but using a tampon in a wound pretty much guarantees that the clot will be coming out with the tampon.  So serious medical care will still be indicated.

Naturally, if the alternative is bleeding to death, you’ll probably still want to take that chance.

+1 to everybody saying we’ll miss you.

Author ID: 8031 | 11/10/2008 08:03 PM CST | #137536


RE: the “Stupid Dog”:

“Pets are always a great help in times of stress. And in times of starvation too, o’course.”
-- (Terry Pratchett, Small Gods)

Author ID: 7760 | 11/10/2008 08:48 PM CST | #137541


Thanks, Kim.  We’re still at the week of food and water in place with rotation stage, but I’m slowly building up a better system for the two of us and able to fit in either car.  That along with never letting either vehicle get below 3/4 tank of gas.  And working at getting the heck out of this stinking county (and someday state); that is what is making the grab and go prep so slow.

I wish there was some safe way to keep a supply of gasoline (rotated on schedule) onsite.  The extra range would be nice.

Author ID: 359 | 11/10/2008 09:18 PM CST | #137543


I’m off Armistice Day (like you I’m a traditionalist). I’ll be spending part of it filling my first SHTF bin. If I may be so bold here are a few things that might be added/substituted:
1 hard & 1 soft Arkansas stone w/oil for sharpening knives and axes.
Woodsman’s Pal™ tool in place of machete or hatchet.
Kukri! You must have a Kukri!
.22 Shorts for .22 gun. Sometimes quiet beats muzzle velocity
Substitute a bayonet for one big knife. Helps make your point without wasting ammo.
Powdered drink mix to cover chlorine taste in water.
Hand cranked fluid pump to move fuel from one vehicle to another. My wife and I garage our cars with filler caps facing to ease toping off escape pod … er … vehicle.
Binoculars. Whoever’s riding shotgun is also your long range scanner.
We’ve no children so extra space will be used for fuel/ammo/books.

Ah, books! There’s a weeks worth of entries right there!

Many thanks for all you and The Mrs. have done for us. My offline offer holds. Single malt any time you chose to visit.

Author ID: 11083 | 11/10/2008 09:22 PM CST | #137544


In my silly idea that I have for a high school senior-level course in Emergency Preparedness, what would be an appropriate final exam exercise?

I’m thinking the test site would be a farm, with the premise being that it has either been abandoned or the aging owners have enlisted the examinees to come help out, and in whatever case there is no municipal water or electricity, and access to the rest of civilization is assumed to be cut off, in an EOTWAWKI/SHTF scenario
The goal would be to hold out for as long as possible, up to the allotted time period, and examinees would be allowed to bring whatever they can carry, provided that nothing drags on the ground and that at least one hand remains free.

The questions being:How long would be a good time to expect one to last for an A?  Would it be too crazy to include simulated engagements with looters?

Author ID: 1552 | 11/10/2008 09:42 PM CST | #137545


1. Good article.
2. Recommend Gatifloxicin instead of Cipro.
3. Amazing how many of the folks commenting are people I read.
4. We grasshoppers salute you.
V/R J West

Author ID: 9315 | 11/11/2008 09:10 AM CST | #137578


Am I crazy, or was there no toilet paper in that stash?

Or both?

Author ID: 7587 | 11/11/2008 11:35 AM CST | #137592


Am I crazy, or was there no toilet paper in that stash?

Kim didn’t take a photo of it, but it is on the list of the items, under the category “Stuff.”

0 Author ID: 2 | 11/11/2008 11:48 AM CST | #137596


How about a charger for those AA batteries?
Some are made to be used with your car 12v plug.

Author ID: 9032 | 11/11/2008 01:14 PM CST | #137603


1) I’m hoping that “sunburn cream” was, in fact, SUNSCREEN (ideally SPF 45 or 50). Screaming agony is far easier to prevent than to treat.
Especially with long sleeves, gloves, hats, and sunglasses as well. [I love pedants. Wish they’d stick to ironing their socks. Considering that I grew up in AFRICA, you may take it for granted that I know a little bit about sunscreen, sunburn and how to prevent one with the other.—K]

1a) Consider that your flight from disaster may occur in any season, and plan appropriately for scorching heat or blizzards, as applicable, for both clothes, shelter, food, etc. [No shit. Better pack those Hawaiian shirts for a January bug-out.—K]
1b) The best reason for peanut butter (and nuts) is that it’s not only protein, but storeable fat, which is what you need gobs of in a serious SHTF situation (wilderness as opposed to civilization, usually).
And thumbs up on honey vs. processed sugar. It’s a better choice, in most instances. [Unless you’re allergic to honey, like some people in our family.—K]

2) Quickclot is for temporary fixes where medical assistance is reasonably near, as well as possible and likely. For that, it’s great.
But dressings have worked for 5000+ years. (The Frozen Cro-magnon Man in the Alps was found with medicinal herbs and moss for wound dressing in his possession, from XX,000 B.C. Learn a lesson there.)

3) Realize that dressings need to be changed at least daily. Otherwise, you defeat their purpose in preventing infection. Any outer bandages that hold the dressing on merely need to be cleaned from time to time.
So consider packing such that you can do several serial dressing changes.
And consider being able to wash/sterilize bandages for re-use.

4) Five stars on adding a bottle of unscented bleach to the kit. Securely sealed. With formulae on waterproof cards for treating water. And a couple of cheap, non-glass, droppers, in a baggie, both droppers and instructions securely taped to the container. This can increase your water supply 10-fold or more at the price of 1 quart of unscented household bleach.

5) Given my mutiple caveats elsewhere about amateur pharmacology, should Connie/Kim happen across any Slavic medical professionals who might be able to provide scrip for certain antibiotics (ABX), Kim/Connie (and whomever else) might profit immensely from possession, familiarization, and use of any number of small, handy pocket sized 3"x4" pharmacopeias sold in the medical rack of any Barnes&Noble;/Borders bookstore, which contain choices and dosing regimens for such things as Clindamycin and Ciproflaxin, as well as 500 or more other common ABX. [No, we’ll just take random pills from each bottle or mix them up by color. Fuck me, it’s times like this that I’m glad I’m quitting.—K]
I understand that frequently, medical residents and even board-certified docs carry them around in the lab coats, and swear by them, and anyone who can read this post can figure them out, should they possess the requisite ABX. Certain MDs may even be able to provide one of last year’s when they get the new one for this year; the guidelines don’t change much.
This post is for information only.
I’m not saying about whether possession of a spare bottle of pennicillin or Levaquin may or may not have saved certain ER nurses thousands of dollars in medical bills, nor several nights of screaming agony from a tooth abscess on a long holiday weekend. [It’s penicillin, if we’re going to be pedantic.—K.]
I will say that infections tend to happen when you are least able to get to (or afford) medical care.

6) While I recognize that it falls into the nunya category, cash is king.
Thus a (individually determined) suitable stash of 20s and a few Benjamins are de rigeur minimum for any SHTF kit worthy of the name. They should go right next to the hidden passport and shot record in a hidden moneybelt, neckcarrier, ankle wallet, and/or all three, for each person.
(i.e. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.")

7) That stash should also include any pertinent medical history, such as blood type, allergies, medical conditions - say...gout or hypertension - or anything else, as well as current medications used and one’s doctors. Copies of each and every other’s info should be carried by the rest of you as backup. And five people’s should fit either on index cards or folded single sheets and be less bulk than a passport. Especially since younger folks have less to deal with, in most instances.

8) A list of multiple emergency contacts - name, address, telephone numbers, and e-mails - should be added to the back of those same 5 sheets, so that wherever you end up, you’ll have a list of people to get in touch with. Should any of you become separated, each will have a rendevous or common points of contact to get re-united. Update this annually, or whenever neccessary.
8a)If you want to go full-hog crazy prepared: add emergency frequencies/channels for radios, Red Cross/FEMA/state disaster preparedness offices/websites, and possibly emergency info (hospitals, gas stations, etc.) along one or multiple pre-surveyed bug-out routes beyond your local zone of knowledge. It works for the military and the Secret Sevice, so if your life is as valuable to you as the president’s is to them, plan ahead.

9) Making an annual family vacation into a SHTF departure drill is never amiss. It’s always more fun to identify flaws in your kit and plans before you’re in the swamp for real, and up to your ass in alligators.
It also makes the real thing significantly less scary if you’ve done it 2 or 20 times. This is true even for grown adults. Perhaps especially for them, since they haven’t been in “out of your control” territory for years or decades, perhaps since childhood.
Familiarity defeats panic, and in an emergency, PANIC KILLS.

I knew a guy who went so far as to anchor his boat offshore, and live a weekend or more in his (tethered) survival raft using only his survival kit once a year. He did serious shakedowns with no lives at stake, and seriously improved both his actual kit, his familiarity with it and the circumstances, and his chances of surviving successfully, should he ever be forced to abandon ship for real.

Doing the same on dry land is equally valuable.

[Yup: come in like an asshole, leave like an asshole.—See ya.]

Author ID: 9097 | 11/11/2008 06:55 PM CST | #137629