hi all I am new to this forum but lurking for several months .I starting getting back into preparedness psychology after Katrina Realizing that our gov. responses will be a little slow that I better get a kit together . but I am a little confused by all the different lists on the web . All the lists seem to not my requirements for most. I live in the mid-Atlantic in small city(pop65k) so my concerns are hurricanes and terrorist attacks. so this what my kit has in it so far, any help Will be thankful for .
signaling group

2 candles
1 mini-mag w/ extra batteries

Emergency devices
1 cheap knife (fixed blade)
2 folding knives
1 crank am/fm weather radio
2 bic lighters
2 packs of matches

tools
1 small hammer
1 Gerber sport axe
1 Stanley como saw
2 screwdrivers (flat and Phillips)
1 small adjustable wrench
1 utility knife(extra blades)
1 folding shovel
1 small wire cutters
1 20' rope
1 50' para-cord
1 slingshot with 1/4 pellets
1 snare wire
shelter and protection group
1 9x12 tarp
2 pair leather gloves
2 bandannas
1 wool hat
water and food group
1 5 gallon collapsible jug
2 20oz nalgene bottles
1 disinfectant tabs
1 small bottle of bleach
1 coffee can
6 granola bars
4 packs of instant oatmeal
1 metal spoon
1 can opener
1 foil
1 zip lock bags
medical group
1 large first aid kit
2 compress bandage

Well putting together a BOB can be a little tough, so ill just mention a few things. It also can get pricey when you start getting good quality stuff.

Make a kit that will fit you living region(live in cold weather,prep for cold.)
Never buy cheap knives. Go for a real good quality knife. Remeber quality,not quanity.
Im kind of weary on crank lights and radios.
Are those matches waterproof?if not dip them in wax, or buy some wind and water proof matches.Its worth the $.
Make sure you get a high quality light,it doesnt have to be a surefire thats 400 bucks,but something nice. I like princeton tec's line because they are waterproof. You said you had a mini mag,i have one and i like it but try the mini maglite led-its much brighter and only a little bigger. But choosing what gear to use is a different discussion in its own.
i could comment on your whole setup but ill let everyone else do that. Ill send you a list of my bug out bag componets.

Welcome Al
First lose the bleach and go with iodine and use kool aid to taste (remember to let the water sit for at least 30 min before drinking)
I think it works better than bleach (has a longer shelf life than bleach) Do you have a regular can opener (hand crank) or a Mil-surplus P-38? My DW and son and I all carry a P-38, also wrap the outside of the Halogen bottles w/ duct tape (patch your tarp or what ever you may need to).
Mike

Welcome to the forum! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
You have come to the right place to ask questions.

Is this a kit you will be bugging out with, or hunkering down?
What is in your first aid kit?
What container do you have to hold it all together? backpack? 5 gallon bucket?

If this kit is for bugging out, then you may want to lighten it up considerably by loosing most of the tools and just having a multi-tool, like Leatherman's Wave.
Loose the "cheap knife", as others have mentioned.
Have at least some potable water in your kit.
Perhaps upgrade to MP1 tabs by Katadyn, they have no iodine aftertaste.
Put flashlight and radio into a zip lock baggies to protect from water.
Consider including some items from the personal hygiene group: toilet paper, small bottle of Purell sanitizer, small toothbrush/paste.
Perhaps upgrade granola bars to something more substantial. See what Doug has to say about water and food in emergency kits.
At least some duct tape
needle and thread
whistle
fire starter

That's all I can think of right now. I am sure others will have more ideas. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My first question is, bugging in or bugging out? Since it is a BOB, I'm going to assume the later.

Replace the candles with a Krill lamp- it is a battery powered glow stick that runs on 2 AAs, is water proof, and while I'm not sure if it has been rated for explosive atmospheres, it much less likely to turn you into a signal blast if there is a gas leak nearby. Same weight and bulk, and longer lasting, and it is a safer form of illumination in an urban enviroment. If you were going to use them for cooking, look at the Nuwick candles.

Nothing good ever came from a cheap knife, unless you are an insurance company. A quality fixed blade runs about 45-50 dollars in the 5.5" range, and you can get 4" blades for a little less than that. IMO (I'm not humble) that should be the first thing you replace in this.

2 folders? Need more information- why carry two? Does one do something the other can't? Will one be moved to your pocket if BOB is on the move?

Run a small zip tie around each of the lighters, under the button, so you don't lose the gas if your load shifts.

"Packs" of matches? I hope they are stick matches and not book matches, which are only slightly less than worthless. What kind of pack are we looking at here? A match containers should be water tight, and the matches waterproofed, becuase atmospheric moisture can ruin matches just as surely as a trip to the bottom of the river.

The back of the axe can be used as a hammer. THere are no points for style here. But what are you planning on hammering? I'm not a big fan of axes unless you know how to use on well- nothing like a gashed leg to make a situation go from being just mildly interesting to down right exciting. A saw is better.

I ditto others' call on adding a multitool to replace your tool box. A used Leatherman or Gerber in good condition can be had on eBay for less than 30 bucks.

Folding shovel- the military trifold? If so, if you really need a shovel, in time you might want to replace it with the Gerber or Glock spades, which are much, much lighter. Or if you aren't planning on digging foxholes, the U-dig-it, which is a light weight folding trowel with a metal blade.

Slingshot? We've talked about them before. I like slingshots, I think they are fun, but not so good for hunting- better off with a small fishing kit. Keep in mind that if you don't have relief supplies there in 72 hours, it means everything from NYC to Atlanta is probably busted, so you won't have to live off the land.

More water. I am assuming your "disinfectant tabs" are water purification tabs? Were you are, I wouldn't want to use found water without first filtering it with a good, charcoal- or resin-based filter that is rated for chemical removal. Nothing like a little bit of hydrocarbons to leave you curled in a ball with a gut that feels like you swollowed a weedwacker.

Why the bleach?

I assume you coffee can is empty and you'll be using it as a pot? If so, fire it first (ie now) so it can get a coat of blackish-blue/grey oxidation, otherwise it will start to rust within a few hours of being used. If you have a gas stove, it's easy- put the empty coffee can on a burner for about 20 minutes. Watch it- when you start to see any of it glowing red, turn off the gas, and using tongs move it to another burner or a cooling rack to cool over night. Not sure if this works with an electric stove or not.

Missing overall: Whistle, visual signal (panels/mirror), maps of the area, compass, spare batteries. Remember, names of the game are getting out of danger and getting found.

Becuase yours is an urban pack, money is great (small bills), an old drivers liscence (it can help prove you are you) or your passport, a small book with stuff like insurance policy numbers and phone numbers.

BTW, since I'm making the assumption that your BOB is bugging out bag, not a bugging in bag, what is BOB going to be carried in?

K-D
He should keep the bleach for other hygenic uses. If there is a true disaster and you are either in large groups and or without ultilities it is very easy for a lot of people to get gastro-intestinal illnesses, the flu etc. A light bleach solution is a great way for people to rinse their hands and even eating utensils. Remember the "dunk bag" in the Boy Scouts or summer camp?

Also now that there are chlorine-dioxide productson the market; iodine is obsolete.
Iodine is not effective on Cryptosporidia (sp?) but products like MP1, Potabale aqua chlorine-dioxide, and Aqua Mira are. They leave no taste, color or aroma.
The instuctions require a longer waiting period but that is for the most extreme cases and the manufacturer's lawyers.

Welcome to ETS.
You look like you have the tools segment taken care of but as others have noted; buy quality. You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars but don't shortchange yourself either. A good fixed blade like a RAT-5 can be had for around $75 give or take. I just got a RAT-7 for $55 recently.
Many headlamps from Petzl and Black Diamond cost less than $50.
There are a lot of moderately priced LEDs out there these days.

But what I noticed most was a lack of food ( oatmeal and granola bars; more oatmeal) and cooking gear. I would suggest adding some more food. You could add freeze dried backpacking meals, MREs, or even canned goods. But for 72 hours you will want more
than oatmeal. Also some drinks would be nice; tea, coffee, soups
and even electrolye drinks could be a benefit.
Get a small alcohol or tablet stove and an actual cookpot. The coffee can is a good way to improvise but you are planning now so get the right stuff.

I wouls also add a wool blanket or two. They are warm durable, fire resistant and have some insulation value when wet.

Good luck, I hope you never need your BOB.

Hi Al,

A good start. Read the replies below for more advice. There are really three kits that you might be describing:

1. A bug out bag -- grab and go, designed to get you someplace else

2. Bug in gear ( see also 'shelter in place') staying home during an event. This group is mostly food/ water and some confort items

3. A car kit. tools ( and fluids) for keeping a car running

teacher

thanks for all the replys. I add some firestarters and a roll of ducktape . the cheap knife is back-up. I carry a gerber e-z out and keep a gerber 4.5 inch blade inthe car along with a fannypack fill with survival supplies. my 72 hour kit is more a bug in kit.