May I add to this sage advice-

It's not practical or possible to prepare for every possible danger, or even assure a good outcome. I say don’t even try. Do what you can do, do it logically, and take comfort that you are much better prepared than the hopeless masses. There is life beyond the PSK after all. (Note: potential blasphemy).

Sometimes just tipping the odds in our favor can reap great rewards. Take a lesson from the gambling casinos in Las Vegas. That little green spot on the roulette wheel guarantees fortunes will be made by the house. They don’t need 10 of these squares, one works nicely, thanks. Much of the rest of that industry works on the same principal. Get a slight edge in the odds and run with it. “C’mon, baby needs new shoes”.

Just put together a basic, nothing fancy, EDC, PSK, BOB, and 7-10 day kit (the artist formerly known as the 72hr kit). Take a bit of martial arts or other defense training. I can see the headlines now… (Pay per view), “Prepared Man” (or woman, lest I offend anyone) vs. “Lazy Neighbor Guy” (or Gal), going toe to toe in the earthquake event of the century!. Watch “Prepared Man” as he smoothly reaches into his PSK to deal with crisis after crisis. A veritable whirling dervish of multi-tools and duct tape. See “Lazy Neighbor Guy” cower and panic as the comfortable world that he knows crumbles about him. See him crawl under the coffee table and assume the fetal position with his thumb in his mouth!

A bit silly, but I would really like to know what kind of odds a professional odds maker would give comparing you with a modest kit and some modest training, to a totally unprepared, PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. like, next door neighbor in the same crisis.

My money is on the folks in this group.

TR

Simply put:

"Chance Favors the Prepared Mind"

It isn't the gadgets that make us survivors, it is the mindset and our ability to think and prepare mentally for such an event.

We are given in this world everything we need to get by. We don't need high levels of technology and industry to manufacture anything we have to have. The one thing we can do for ourselves to get through darned near any situation is gather applied knowledge. That's it. The rest is gravy.

Coffee makes me a survivor. That's why there's some and a metal cup in all my kits. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I am replying as if I have not read any of the other replies. Go now, you have 30 sec. to find a bag and fill it with what you will need for an unknown amount of time. Come back and tell us what you got. Every one should try this. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
I would love to see what we forgot, remembered, etc.

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />This is what I got. Backpack, 12 cans of soup, 2 liters of water, my purse, some matches, and sun glasses.
<img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />This is what I didn't get. Shoes, socks, large 1st aid, more water & food, my computer, duckt tape, blanket, large flash light.
This has inlightend me that I could at least put food & water, first aid, and a space blanket in a small duffle bag. That would have saved 15 sec.

P.S. I already was dressed for the day with edc and no shoes.

And how long did you take?

I will try this tonight when I get home from work and see what happens.

12 cans of soup and no can opener? Oops. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

This is a bit long but here goes.

After reading Lasermonkeys Challenge, This is what I did. (I didn?t use his 30 Seconds)

I decided to invent a scenario: Evacuation called while at work. Get home, grab and go as quick as you can. Evacuate by car. (so don?t say ?what if you had to walk etc <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />, this is what I am working with for the test)

How to test: timed from keys removed from ignition. End time when loaded everything at front door (didn?t want neighbor?s involved) Then check through contents. So extra time should be added to throw it all in the car.

Quick description, I have a BOB half stocked, ready to go with various items packed in Pelican Case type cases and other packs ready to grab. There are some double ups across different packs as you will see in final contents.

What I had on me before I started.
iPaq PDA, Leatherman Wave (old style), Surefire E1e with LED Head, Spare CD123 battery, Mobile Phone, Suunto clipper compass, JetScream whistle, Keys with 512Mb USB Disk, Magnesium Flint fire starter,Res-Q-Me tool. Fully clothed with jumper, shirt, cargo pants and Steel cap boots.

What I did:
Enter house, grab a bag go, to kitchen throw in food tins. Go to bedroom grab clothes. Go to BOB area and grab and pack everything inside front door.

So it took me 8 minutes (7:56 to be exact, aprox.10 packed in car) and I did 1 pass through the house. I could have decided to include in my scenario to do a 2nd pass and pick up more gear I have easy to grab. Eg 2 burner stove and gas bottles.

One obvious thing I walked past and didn?t grab was my tent. (I guess I will try and remember next time.)

So I laid everything out and this is what I got out with: ( not including things already in car or on me)
1 change of clothes, coat and 3 pairs of socks.
20 assorted tins of veg, spaghetti, pasta?s
Sleeping bag
Backpack
Rope
Leather gloves
First aid manual
Wide brimmed hat (water proof ish)
Sunglasses
Insulated beanie
Zip ties
GPS
2x 5 Watt handheld CB radio?s
first aid kit with extra bandages etc (wont go into full contents)
PSK tin (wont go into full contents)
Katadyn Pocket water filter
2x Mini Maglights
Buck Knife- model 692 Vangard
Space blanket- Tarp type
Foil emergency blanket
Mini multi meter
Small am/fm radio
4x battery adapters (AA to C or D size)
roll of insulated tape
Leatherman crunch
Diamond sharpener
Ultimate Survival Deluxe Kit (wont go into full contents)
Small tin of Maya dust (tinder)
Compass -Recta DP6
Gerber Military tech pack (Gerber multi tool with interchangeable jaws)
Schrade Vice Grip multitool
Screw driver with ? bits
2x GloToobs
Swiss Tool
Buck Ecco3 knife
3x Aluminium 1 litre drink bottles
1 plastic 750ml drink bottle
led light
insect repellant
sunscreen
Water purification tablets
Matches
1 pack of Whitshire firelighters
My Billy brew kit which includes a solid fuel stove, knife fork and spoon, tea towel, 2 packs of cuppa soap and tea coffee etc.
Batteries: total of 38x AA?s, 10x AAA?s, 4x a23?s, 19x CR123?s


And now the worst part ?. Putting it all back again

p38 edc and all this took 30 sec

That’s a lot of stuff in 8 min great job. The most likely scenario I can think of would give you at least 5 to 10 min. I like the 30 sec because if you prepare for that any more time is great!
Anyone else try?