A few of us out there in the world have had the wisdom to prepare an emergency kit for our car and/or home. It often goes by 72-hour kit, bug out bag, etc. but the intent is still the same. I don't like the acronym SHTF for these situations and as I have talked with people about it I have often said when the world blows up..." yes I have a tendency toward the dramatic at times. For now I will just use the term "in an emergency..."
72 hour kits or bug out bags are an essential item to always have packed, fresh and ready to go in your car whether you are two miles from home at the grocery store or 200 miles away on a road trip. Where each of us lives and where each of us may have to travel to get to safety is very individualistic and could have quite an impact on what we choose to put in our 72 hour kits.
How we pack them could also have a big impact. For example, I have eight children ranging from 13 down to a few months. Many 72 hour kit suggestions say pack a bag for each person. My youngest three can't and wouldn't wear a backpack loaded with gear. theirs would have to be distributed among the rest of ours. Also with that many, there are some items that would be redundant such as a folding camp saw or hatchet. We don't need seven hatchets for those of us that could use them.
As for myself, I prefer a tall soft-sided weather resistant backpack. It stores easily in my truck and would be easy for me to carry. Don't use things like Rubbermaid/Sterilite totes etc for 72 hour kits unless it is solely to keep them organized and separated from the clutter of everyday life. In that case you would likely abandon the bin upon the need to depart.
Water is important, probably the most important thing you have in your kit. There are three components to your water kit. First a supply of water, already ready to be used. This needs to rotate just like your food. I bought a gallon jug with a good handle on it and spent a little extra money to make sure it had a thicker walled plastic on the container. Stuff takes a beating in my truck and I didn't want to need to go for it to find out it had sprung a leak and fouled the water. Second, have a ready to carry water bottle with built in filter. Seychelle makes a nice one found here: http://www.seychelle.com/ it is a little spendy but works well. Third have a readily available way of filtering a water source if you come across one like streams, puddles, irrigation, swimming pools, etc. The water bottle incorporates that above, but if it cannot be afforded make sure you are not "one and done" with the ready source mentioned in point 1 above. Water is priceless, invest in it for your family.
Food is also important, just remember it will be in the kit for months so make sure it is not something that will melt. I have some trail mix (without chocolate) beef jerky, lemonheads and some crackers in mine. I am sure there are better things but this is what I will eat and what I have started with. A nice big can of beef stew might be more appealing to some but remember, you need to carry what you pack and the products of a case lot sale maybe more than you can handle.
First Aid kit. This is where a lot of differences occur. The most important thing to remember win this is that nomtter what you think, you could suffer anything from a bee sting to a broken femur in an emergency situation so have what you believe you need. You know your routine and where you drive. I drive in a crowded valley but then up into a canyon daily. Rockfall is one thing I could. Triangular bandages and some simple splint material as well as a walking stick is part of my supply. I also have a knife and saw in case the issue is not so "simple" and I need to fashion something.
Maps. We all may like our GPS's and all but a good map book is not dependent on batteries. Hopefully most of us know the lay of the land around our own home within 50 to 100 miles enough that we could get home without a map but carry one anyway. If you travel farther than that, it would be good to have a good road atlas. lastly, if you will be in rough terrain without any unique landmarks, a good contour map marked with your path and area you will be in both with you and left with a friend at home would be a great idea. Know where you are going and make where you are going known.
Practice. Once you get a good kit together, try a weekend day hike with just what you have in your kit. Through the urban jungle or a ten mile hike overnighter with just what you have. Take a small notebook and write down the impulses and thoughts about what you have and what you wish you brought like, "I usually wear dress shoes to the office. Maybe I should have a sturdy pair of shoes or boots with my kit" or another, I usually wear a skirt. maybe a pair of jeans and a good shirt would be wise" Write the thoughts down and try different things. Go with someone and get their impressions too.
Update. Summer is not winter. I would suggest updating your kit on the quarters of the year. Update your food, clothing, etc. at the end of March for wetter spring weather, end of June for hotter summer weather, end of September for cooler even winter weather, and check again the end of December to ensure you have all you need for a "hunker in the car" winter survival. Always refresh your food on these quarters. As unappetizing as my two month old saltines may sound to some, Two year old saltines are worse. Refresh them as often as needed to keep them usable and choose things that can take some time in the car. Grow the clothes as your kids grow and grow the portions too.
Customize. Nobody knows you better than you. You know your route, your typical haunts, and where you usually go. pack a kit accordingly. Multipurpose some things. Diaper wipes are great for babies diapers which you may need to pack as well, but could work well for wet wipes as well. If you have pets, pack appropriately for them as well, including a small package of pet food. try it test it and as you confront problems ask others what they would do. Advice on what and how to pack is a great way to improve upon it.
72 hour kits are not the be all and end all of emergency Prep. Likely there will be some coordinated response from organizations bot government and non. A 72 hour kit is to help you be in the best condition you can be to survive until you can return to civilization again or when civilization can return to you.
For the beginners and the rest of us who would like a good place to start here is a link to a good list I have found: http://lds.about.com/od/preparednessfoodstorage/a/72hour_kit.htm
post feedback below, I would like to hear about it. I will be doing detailed segments on each part of my kit and would like input. Also, don't forget to enter your e-mail address on the right ----> to follow this blog. You never know what might help!!
Next article: First Aid Kit details.
72 hour kits or bug out bags are an essential item to always have packed, fresh and ready to go in your car whether you are two miles from home at the grocery store or 200 miles away on a road trip. Where each of us lives and where each of us may have to travel to get to safety is very individualistic and could have quite an impact on what we choose to put in our 72 hour kits.
How we pack them could also have a big impact. For example, I have eight children ranging from 13 down to a few months. Many 72 hour kit suggestions say pack a bag for each person. My youngest three can't and wouldn't wear a backpack loaded with gear. theirs would have to be distributed among the rest of ours. Also with that many, there are some items that would be redundant such as a folding camp saw or hatchet. We don't need seven hatchets for those of us that could use them.
As for myself, I prefer a tall soft-sided weather resistant backpack. It stores easily in my truck and would be easy for me to carry. Don't use things like Rubbermaid/Sterilite totes etc for 72 hour kits unless it is solely to keep them organized and separated from the clutter of everyday life. In that case you would likely abandon the bin upon the need to depart.
Water is important, probably the most important thing you have in your kit. There are three components to your water kit. First a supply of water, already ready to be used. This needs to rotate just like your food. I bought a gallon jug with a good handle on it and spent a little extra money to make sure it had a thicker walled plastic on the container. Stuff takes a beating in my truck and I didn't want to need to go for it to find out it had sprung a leak and fouled the water. Second, have a ready to carry water bottle with built in filter. Seychelle makes a nice one found here: http://www.seychelle.com/ it is a little spendy but works well. Third have a readily available way of filtering a water source if you come across one like streams, puddles, irrigation, swimming pools, etc. The water bottle incorporates that above, but if it cannot be afforded make sure you are not "one and done" with the ready source mentioned in point 1 above. Water is priceless, invest in it for your family.
Food is also important, just remember it will be in the kit for months so make sure it is not something that will melt. I have some trail mix (without chocolate) beef jerky, lemonheads and some crackers in mine. I am sure there are better things but this is what I will eat and what I have started with. A nice big can of beef stew might be more appealing to some but remember, you need to carry what you pack and the products of a case lot sale maybe more than you can handle.
First Aid kit. This is where a lot of differences occur. The most important thing to remember win this is that nomtter what you think, you could suffer anything from a bee sting to a broken femur in an emergency situation so have what you believe you need. You know your routine and where you drive. I drive in a crowded valley but then up into a canyon daily. Rockfall is one thing I could. Triangular bandages and some simple splint material as well as a walking stick is part of my supply. I also have a knife and saw in case the issue is not so "simple" and I need to fashion something.
Maps. We all may like our GPS's and all but a good map book is not dependent on batteries. Hopefully most of us know the lay of the land around our own home within 50 to 100 miles enough that we could get home without a map but carry one anyway. If you travel farther than that, it would be good to have a good road atlas. lastly, if you will be in rough terrain without any unique landmarks, a good contour map marked with your path and area you will be in both with you and left with a friend at home would be a great idea. Know where you are going and make where you are going known.
Practice. Once you get a good kit together, try a weekend day hike with just what you have in your kit. Through the urban jungle or a ten mile hike overnighter with just what you have. Take a small notebook and write down the impulses and thoughts about what you have and what you wish you brought like, "I usually wear dress shoes to the office. Maybe I should have a sturdy pair of shoes or boots with my kit" or another, I usually wear a skirt. maybe a pair of jeans and a good shirt would be wise" Write the thoughts down and try different things. Go with someone and get their impressions too.
Update. Summer is not winter. I would suggest updating your kit on the quarters of the year. Update your food, clothing, etc. at the end of March for wetter spring weather, end of June for hotter summer weather, end of September for cooler even winter weather, and check again the end of December to ensure you have all you need for a "hunker in the car" winter survival. Always refresh your food on these quarters. As unappetizing as my two month old saltines may sound to some, Two year old saltines are worse. Refresh them as often as needed to keep them usable and choose things that can take some time in the car. Grow the clothes as your kids grow and grow the portions too.
Customize. Nobody knows you better than you. You know your route, your typical haunts, and where you usually go. pack a kit accordingly. Multipurpose some things. Diaper wipes are great for babies diapers which you may need to pack as well, but could work well for wet wipes as well. If you have pets, pack appropriately for them as well, including a small package of pet food. try it test it and as you confront problems ask others what they would do. Advice on what and how to pack is a great way to improve upon it.
72 hour kits are not the be all and end all of emergency Prep. Likely there will be some coordinated response from organizations bot government and non. A 72 hour kit is to help you be in the best condition you can be to survive until you can return to civilization again or when civilization can return to you.
For the beginners and the rest of us who would like a good place to start here is a link to a good list I have found: http://lds.about.com/od/preparednessfoodstorage/a/72hour_kit.htm
post feedback below, I would like to hear about it. I will be doing detailed segments on each part of my kit and would like input. Also, don't forget to enter your e-mail address on the right ----> to follow this blog. You never know what might help!!
Next article: First Aid Kit details.
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