I was drawn into the drama of the situation. The movie brought out some very real survival points.
You can clearly see the ordeal he had to deal with and time frame he had to operate in, we can all better prepare and practice.

In a real situation there is no prepare you just die when mistakes are made.

I was not criticizing you, I was just pointing out a longer range plan would be necessary. This is a tough scenario because there are too many severe problem happening all at once. Maybe a small paramilitary group survival operations is necessary or maybe just to Bug out and hide in the hills until it all blows over plan is the best, who knows. I do not think that it would be over with in 2 days or 2 weeks, an I bet that not to many people have kits that would last for a months except for buckshot's.

So what would you do to improve your kit.

I think that is a great idea. That is why the military always performs so well and civilians don't. They don't have to think because they have already prepared for something similar.

No worries <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I was agreeing with you fully, I didn't take it as any criticism. Actually, I think you could combine the small paramilitary idea with the bug out to the hills deal and really have a much better chance of success. That's why I would head for the cabin where I can hang for an extended period and have a fortified position to defend from. There shouldn't be that many marauding gangs out in the middle of nowhere, and if there happen to be some, well, I will have the element of both surprise and preparation.

If I couldn't get to the cabin or my plan b, well, I am still suitably armed to acquire more stuff to support my cause. That doesn't sound very humanitarian, but you do what you gotta I reckon.

Grab my bushcraft rucksack, jump on the motorbike, head out of town an enjoy myself in the bush until the pet has found a different playground.

I saw the movie and enjoyed it quite a bit. I also studied the radio show in communications classes in college though so I may have enjoyed it with a different perspective than many. As far as what to grab in 60 seconds if aliens were destroying my city in 300' tripod robots and there was mass panic in the Bronx. I'm thinking I probably would have passed on the box of condiments (had to see the movie to understand that comment) and just added the firearm to my normal EDC. In my case I would have a 2 year in tow so a diaper bag with as many diapers as I could stuff in there would also be mandatory but that's about it and that could be done in less than 60 seconds even considering the 45 seconds I would waste making my wife spot panacing come to her senses. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This is truly a nightmare survival scenario. On the run from aliens, which you know nothing about, facing the total breakdown of social order and support. Avoid other groups of people, travel well off the main highways, and find a secure wooded site to wait it out. Better know your edible plants and survival fishing, you might be there a long time.

The standard equipment in a BOB, if set up for long term survival should get you through. This movie really drives home how important it is to have it packed and ready to go at all times, and have a "escape the city" plan

Dean

OK, first half, my BIG grumble with how they did EMP.
-EMP MIGHT mangle your starter, but you can on the battery.
-EMP WILL destroy the chip that runs your fuel injector. That minivan ain't moving.
-EMP will NOT effect an engine with a carb. We only saw it for a few seconds, but wasn't that a Cobra? Not a single chip under the hood, it wouldn't have just stopped.

Second bit, why do you think I hate cities. :P One minute to clear, I grab everything I can put my hands on real fast, and go. Period. If that means bugging out with the EDC, so be it.

In this particular senario, if I was close enough to see the walker come out, my first action would be to soil myself. I won't lie. I know the state of the art, and anything that far in advanced of it.... I can't run very well these days. The knee doesn't cooperate.

Now, I have another question for everyone: who here has, just for haha's, thought about an alien invasion in thier planning sessions? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> What can I say, I'm a geek.

Anything electronic you can pretty much forget about having working after EMP. That includes your LED flashlights, regulated batteries (like CR123), cell phones, electronic ignition, or complicated vehicle setup, ect. The only vehicles that you can still get going are pre 1970 or so with a manual transmission that can be push started or simple two stroke type vehicles.

Anyway, I would grab my BOB (which is already loaded with 2-3 days food, clothing, ect), a gun, and hop on my dirtbike. From there I would head up to my equipment yard which has plenty of pre-1970s vehicles in running condition (from our plow trucks to heavy equipment), a well, a generator, large underground tanks of diesel, gas, and oil, tools, a high security fence, as well as plenty of other good stuff.

9 and counting, though I am getting old enough to dress like the professor and not Brad <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />