God help this woman. The following is a video of an inexperienced person reviewing an off-the-shelf survival kit. I'm glad that her dad bought the woman this kit. At least she has something. Unfortunately, this is a prime example of, "I got my false sense of security. I'm covered for whatever happens."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SGJgWFCme8

Jeanette Isabelle

She seems to understand the theoretically value of the bag. It may not be top-shelf gear but it's better than what most people her age probably have.
-Blast

My first thought on viewing her garish makeup was "Parody!!" It was, but perhaps not intentional...

I was struck by the tendency for items to be delivered in their packaging, unopened and untouched and returned to the kit unopened. For me, even in a nonemergency situation, I like to have on hand things that I know are tested and true, and capable of doing the job: "Here is my trusty stove which I have used many times - hot water in about three minutes. Now I am getting into my favorite sleeping bag which has given me many peaceful nights."

In any boa fide emergency, you will have enough novel situations with which to cope, so dependability is highly desirable. This alleged kit shows the shortcomings of most of this genre, broad, general categories that disregard individual situations, knowledge, and capability. it is better than nothing, but it only a faltering, hit-or-miss first steep.

A prominent feature of EQs is their unpredictability with respect to time, location, and severity. Keeps life interesting. incidentally, there is a very informative series on EQ preparedness running in the LA Times which is quite good. it covers much more than the contents of this mediocre kit.

What I took away from this video is not the lack of quality of this off-the-shelf kit but the woman's lack of knowledge.

Jeanette Isabelle

I have a problem with labelling this kit as an EQ kit, primarily because bugging out is not necessarily the best course in the immediate aftermath of an EQ; indeed, it may not be possible. There can be all sorts of obstacles - remember the fatal encounter of an lAPD motorcycle off iceer with a collapsed freeway overpass just after the Northridge quake of 1994?

SIP is likely to be a much more viable strategy IMO. I invite forum member's opinion on this subject.

I rewatched the video, and aside from the fact the storage unit is a backpack, I picked up no indication that the objective is to bug out.

Jeanette Isabelle

This thread is of relevance to me because my preparation is centered around two very likely events- wildfire and earthquakes. My thinking is that i evacuate from wildfires and shelter in place, at least initially, with earthquakes.

My earthquake preps do not involve any backpacks but consist of supplies in sturdy containers scattered about the premises (not inside the house). Basically I will camp outside my home and work out a strategy from there.

With fires, I pick up and run. I have done this once and been right on the cusp on two other occasions. That's what backpacks are for. They should be fairly large.

The contents provided with the kit under discussion here are quite typical of BOB contents, although sadly lacking in some areas.

Can't really blame the purveyors of this kind of stuff. They are just trying to makee a living and yes, something is better than nothing.