Request for Comments - Disaster Survival Kit

After months of working on my Disaster Survival Kit (PSK?), I've got it close to where I think it ought to be. At the risk of embarassment, etc., I am posting the list of the kit here for your collective comments and review. This PSK is intended to be comprehensive and cover any number of situations, from the desolate Southwestern United States to the urban Northeastern U.S. Items that might not be useful in one locale are, nevertheless, stored in the pack and are removeable as necessity dictates.

The PSK, contained in an OD Tactical Tailor Three Day "Assault Pack" , is as follows:

MEDICAL GROUP
(Supplemented Adventure Medical Kits, "Fundamentals" - Packed in Tactical tailor "First Responder" Bag)
No. Description (Needed if 0)
1 "Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness Medicine"
1 "Illustrated Guide to Emergencies"
1 "Ditch Medicine" by H.L. Coffee
1 "SAM" Splint
1 CPR Barrier MicroShield
1 EMT Shears
1 Non-Mercury Thermometer
1 Hyperthermia Thermometer
1 Sawyer Extractor Kit
1 Roll, Duct Tape - 10 ft.
1 Splinter Picker Forceps
3 Double Antibiotic Ointment
6 Antiseptic Towelettes
2 Tincture of Benzoin
1 20cc. Irrigation Syringe
2 Povidone Iodine Solution (1oz.)
10 Wound Closure Strips
1 Moleskin, 7"x4"
2 Spenco 2nd® Skin, 1.5" x 2"
1 Nonwoven Adhesive Knit Bandage 7" x 4"
8 Nitrile Examination Gloves
2 Sterile Latex Gloves
2 Antimicrobial Hand Wipes
1 Infectious Control Bag
13 4"x4", 2"x2" Sterile Dressings
3 Non-adherent Sterile Dressing (3x4)
1 Adhesive Tape 10 yards ( 1")
13 Strip & Knuckle Bandages
3 5"x9" Trauma Pads
2 Conforming Gauze Bandage (3")
16 Cotton Tipped Applicators
1 Elastic Bandage w/ Velcro® (3")
1 Triangular Bandage
1 Stockinette Bandage
2 Eye Pads
8 Extra Strength Tylenol®
4 Antihistamine
8 Motrin®
1 Aloe Vera Gel 100%
3 Safety Pins
1 Accident Report & Pencil
2 Pill Vials
1 Bag of Sugar
1 Nonwoven Adhesive Knit Bandage 7" x 4"
1 SAT Strap (Self-applied Tourniquet)
8 Diphenhydramine, 25 mg.
6 Pseudoephedrine, 60 mg.
14 IOSAT Potassium Iodide Tablets, 130 mg.
1 500 ml, 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation
20 Advil Ibuprophin Tablets, 200 mg.
4 Petrolatum Gauze, 3"x18"
1 Xerofrom Petrolatum Dressing, 5"x9"
2 Stretch Bandage, 3"x75"
1 "Coban" Self-adhesive Wrap, 3"x80"

SIGNALLING DEVICES GROUP
No. Description (Needed if 0)
2 Motorola 5820 GMRS Radios (in charger w/NiCd batts.)
1 Ultimate Survival Signal Mirror, 2"x3"
1 "Wind Storm" Emergency Whistle
0 MS2000 Emergency Stobe 1

EMERGENCY DEVICES GROUP
No. Description (Needed if 0)
1 Emerson Mini CQC-7
1 Sterling "Superior Sharpener"
1 Model "S" Serrated Knife Sharpener
1 Leatherman PST - Black Oxide
1 Blackhawk Nylon Case for PST/6P
1 NATO Wind/waterproof Matches (25 pk.)
1 Magnesium Fire Starter
1 Mil-spec Candle
1 Mil-spec. Survival Saw
1 Fishing Kit, Survival MIL-F-6218C (ASG) W/electrical Tape wrapping
1 Mil-spec.Gill Net
1 Mil-spec Snare
1 Mil-spec Emergency Water Bag
1 Silva Smoke Jumper Compass
1 Mil-spec Angle Flashlight 2 extra bulbs, red, blue filter.
4 Cyalume 12-hour Lightstick, Green
1 Surefire 6P Flashlight, Case, Spares, Extra Bulb.
1 "Photon" Micro Light Uses CR2016 batteries
1 Suunto "Comet" Micro Compass With thermometer.

SHELTER AND PERSONAL PROTECTION GROUP
No. Description (Needed if 0)
1 Mil-spec Space Blanket
1 Mil-spec Poncho
1 Mil-spec Poncho Liner
1 Bandana, OD
1 Bandana, Orange
0 Pair Leather Gloves 1
1 Mil-spec. Insect Repellent, DEET

WATER AND FOOD GROUP
No. Description (Needed if 0)
1 Camebak "Storm" 100 oz. Capacity; in pack.
1 Vial, "Portable Aqua" Iodine Tablets (50)
3 Meals, Ready to Eat Assorted
3 Mil-spec. MRE Heaters
4 Power Bars Assorted
0 Tea Bags 4
0 Bullion Cubes 8
0 Titanium "Spork" 1
0 Lighter 1
0 Sponges 2

BATTERIES
No. Description (Needed if 0)
4 Duracell "D" Batteries
12 Duracell "AA" Batteries
4 Maxell CR2016 Lithium Cells, 3 Volt
6 Duracell 123 Lithium Cells, 3 Volt In Surefire case w/6P bulb.

MISCELLANEOUS/MULTI-PURPOSE GROUP
No. Description (Needed if 0)
100 Feet, Mil-spec. "550" Cord, OD
1 Roll, Duct Tape, 100', OD
4 Cable Ties, 11"
8 Cable Ties, 8"
15 Cable Ties, 4"
2 Garbage Bags, Large
3 Ziploc Bags, Medium
4 Ziploc Bags, Small
1 Mil-spec. Sewing Kit, OD
1 Mil-spec. Towel, OD
1 Bushnell, Magnifying Lens
1 Timex Watch OD Nylon Strap
1 Collins SAS Pocket Survival Guide
1 "Rite in the Rain" Tactical Field Book Bound, 160 pp.
1 "Rite in the Rain" Tactical Bullet Pen
1 ADC "City Slicker" Map of W.D.C. Laminated
1 ADC "State Slicker" Map of Virginia Laminated
1 ADC "State Slicker" Map of MD, Delaware Laminated
1 ADC Map of DE, MD, VA, WV Paper
1 Asst. Maps of Emergency Destinations
1 Grundig "Mini World" 100 PE Radio AM, FM, SW1-6; earphones.
1 Tactical Tailor "3-Day" Assault Pack, OD Orange nylon internal fabric
1 Ultmate Survival "Hard Cache" Case All-weather, plastic case. 1 Ranger Joe's "Pro" Map Case

PERSONAL EFFECTS
No. Description (Needed if 0)
1 Set, House, Truck Keys
100 Dollars, includes roll of quarters.
1 Credit Card 0 outstanding balance.
1 Calling Card Minimum $20.
0 Passport 1
0 Birth Certificate 1
1 List of emergency contacts, phone nos.

PERSONAL SUPPLIES GROUP
No. Description (Needed if 0)
1 Roll, Toilet Paper
0 Pair, Prescription Glasses 1
2 Pair, Contact Lenses
1 Saline Solution and Case
1 Bar, Neutrogena Soap
1 Deodorant
1 Toothbrush
1 Toothpaste

Note: There are a few things one will not see on the list. Most prominent are firearms. If needed, the firearms would be a Remington 870 Police Magnum with night sights, 00 buck and slug; and a 1911 in .45 ACP (what else) with 230 gr. ball.

I seek your comments on how I can improve my kit.

atty_guy

you usually don't call such a kit as PSK ( EDC,everday carried typed survival kit, usually in small container ) they called it a BOB ( bug out bag, a kit you grab wenn you have to bug out )

add good fixed main blade and you got to many battery's, try to limit the type of battery you use.
some rechargeble battery's would be nice 2, with a charger ofcorse.. add some BIC lighters and a p-38 or other type of non-electric canopener.
can't think of anything else yet...

Looks pretty complete,nice job!

A couple of things that i have in my packs that i don't think i saw on your list that you may want to consider are:
sunscreen - can also be used as a moisturizer in a pinch.
salt- {from a previous post of mine}-good for:
-brushing teeth
-mouth rinse for cankers and the like
-eye wash saline( half teaspoon salt to 1 cup clean water)
-ingrown toenail fix(make a paste with salt,apply and put
bandage over,stings for a minute but works great)
-taken with water ,mildly diluted,can help relieve effects of heat exhaustion(cramps,headache,faintness,etc..)
-and for food!

Something else that you may want to consider is the"bag within a bag" approach (if you haven't already,your list didn't mention another bag ,i think), which i believe was discussed recently in the forum. If you're in a hurry and have to ditch stuff, you may not have time to pick through your pack for the things you feel you have to have.In the top of my BOB pack i have a secondary pack ,that's much smaller and lighter than the main pack,with shoulder strap and waist strap(both good if you have to run for it).My secondary pack contain:
the majority of the medical supplies,small bottle water,4 energy bars,dust mask,goggles,some duct tape,twine,2garbage bags,2emergency bankets,change,small pocket knife,wire saw,toothbrush,1/2 roll tp,personal items,etc...

Something that i don't see in most peoples pack lists is a list!
I know thatsometimes i won't touch my pack for a few months and i forget what all i have in there(maybe you don't have this problem.ha),so i keep a list on the ol' computer that's easily updated,and i keep a laminated(sort of laminated-plastic page sleeves sealed with packing tape) copy in a side pocket of the main pack.

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

A couple of comments on the medical aspects of your kit. First, I would trim out some of the duplicate bandaging and dressing stuff. There is virtually nothing that cannot be dressed with simple conforming gauze (Kling) and a couple of 4x4's. Plain old bandaids are fine. No need for a bunch of different kinds.

We have discussed the pro's and cons of steri strips and suturing in the field in this forum. There is really no need for steri strips in your kit. I don't carry them.

Regarding the CPR mask. I would not carry it. There is very little utility for CPR in the field. CPR is effective for the immediate (short-term) response in the case of sudden cardiac death pending arrival of ALS. Prolonged CPR is futile.

CPR in those suffering hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, or exsanguination as the pre-terminal event is pointless. CPR cannot dig the victim out of the deep metabolic hole they are in as a result of the cause of the arrest.

I would not recommend (and don't carry) thermometers. The information that you obtain likely will not change what you do. If someone has a fever, will you treat them with an antibiotic? If someone is obviously sick, will you take them to a doctor regardless of knowing or not knowing their temperature? If someone has mental status changes after immersion, will you change your treatment based upon their temperature? A temperature is useful information to a point. There is also the health risk associated with liquid mercury from a broken thermometer. (I lay awake at night wondering what I might have been without the brain damage suffered while playing with silver balls of mercury as a child from broken thermometers <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

I would not carry both sterile and non-sterile gloves. I would, as you did, stick to nitrile gloves on the outside chance of a latex allergy. Why try and keep sterile gloves sterile? What will you use them for?

I would not carry either a Sawyer extractor (snake bites are not very common and even more uncommonly a threat to life) or a pre-fashioned tourniquet. Doug and I have had some off-line communications regarding the premade tourniquets.

In five years of surgery residency at a level I trauma center and another 15 years of experience in emergency medicine, I cannot remember more than a few patients who required a tourniquet in the field. I would recommend that if you want to have something to use to make a tourniquet, carry a cravat (triangular bandage) and plan on using that. In this way, you will not be too quick to use it. The military has a different need for tourniquets in battle due to the high energy weapons and explosives like mines. Fortunately, things we have little exposure to in civilian life.

Finally, I would encourage you to "field strip" your MRE's. In the military, we open up our MRE's to remove all of the junk that you neither need nor want. Simply deflating the outer bag reduces the bulk significantly.

I hope that you don't regard this communication as a flame <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />.

It is my intent to simply offer an informed opinion. It is my experience that first-aiders will try and carry a lot of stuff to reassure themselves. As providers become more experienced, they carry less stuff as they are confident in their ability ( and experienced enough to know what they need and don't need <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />)

Most important thing to remember is that training and education will make all the difference. Take an EMT course, volunteer with your local rescue squad or fire department. Get involved!!

Sorry this posting is so long......

Jeff

Is your first aid kit based on Ray Mears' from his book 'Bushcraft'? If not, it is very similar. I am currently putting together one based on his kit. He also mentions carrying water purification tablets in you medical kit, but as you already carry them in the rest of your kit, it doesn't really matter.
Good kit.

Dr. Anderson:

First, let me say that I do not take your advice as a flame. It is hard to judge tone and intent from printed words on a screen, but I believe I understand your tone and intent as being positive and helpful. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I asked for advice on what was good and bad with the kit. I've talked to some, read a lot, and tried to research every angle. I've had some training too, but not enough. What I didn't have, until your post and others posts, was direct feedback on what I've done so far. Thank you very much.

Second, some additional information that may or may not affect your advice. Firearms training is a more or less regular thing. This can be on the East coast, Southeast, or Southwest. I do spend time outdoors, and when doing so, I'm typically in rural environments. I have had occasion to come across a lot of really bad snakes, spiders, and even crocodiles in the places I've been. And ticks are problem in most of these places as well. Haven't come across mountain lions or bears yet, but that's a matter of time and going farther North and West. And to reiterate, the intent behind the gear is to have everything for any given trip/experience in one place.

Third, I absolutely agree on additional traing. My first responder first aid training has expired and I'm going to get recertified soon. I've thought about an EMT course and volunteer work, but for work-related reasons, probably only the training is possible.

Thanks very much for the first aid kit advice. I will be removing some stuff from the bag. I am not sure about removing the Sawyer Extractor kit, given the bugs and snakes i've encountered, though if I'd be interested to hear your further thoughts, either on or offline, on the subject. Finally, Dr., I don't think your post is long at all. This is great stuff and of value to many others besides me. Again, thank you.

atty_guy

P.S. The SAT strap was givent to me by a Navy Corpsman who developed it in his work. Ex-sanguination is an unlikely thing for me, but I had the device and so put it in with the other medical gear. It beat putting it in a drawer or box somewhere. . . .

Also, I must have played with more mercury as a child than you, I could only get to a J.D., and not an M.D. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The book and original medical kit are by Adventure Medical Kits and Dr. Eric Weiss. Ditch Medicine I got separately through Amazon Books . It is also available through Safety Central . This book was a referral from a former soldier friend.

Looks like a great start, hopefully I'll be able to get around to posting my almost finished kit on here for review in the next few weeks.
One thing I didn't see on your list that I find very useful is a watch cap. Also, you might want to consider keeping a change of clothes (a set of utilities would be a my choice) and a pair of boots in or right next to your kit in case you happen to be dressed, oh I don't know, like a lawyer <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> (sorry, I just had to throw that in there)

Hope this helps,
Chris.

Great idea on the salt. I may add some to the kit!

As for the bag within a bag idea, I've been thinking about this. I've kicked around whether I need one bag to hold these things, with the resultant time savings from grabbing that bag minus the space loss and weight gain from having that bag, versus taking a little more time to grab one or two containers and one or two sealed lock-tite plastic bags and stuffing them into coat/shirt/pants pockets. My struggle here is that I can't see when there would be a convergence of a shortness of time and a need to go very light. The only scenario I can envision would be if I were being chased by someone. Am I missing something here? Any other scenario that I envision allows me to take the whole bag with me. If I've got to lighten up, I ought to have time to do so and put in the pockets of my coat or pants whatever is most essential. BTW, this "essential" stuff would be in the hard cache or in plastic bags.

Lists are a great thing and yes I have them! That's where I got the list of stuff I posted. I just neglected to mention the list on the list!

I think that: Either Ray Mears based his kit on theirs or he used one of their kits.
thanks for the reply

Clothes?!?

Yes, you are right. I work in the District and have at my office extra clothes should I find that I'm sheltering in place or have to spend some time away from home. The clothes bag, an Eagle Industries duffel bag, is set up presently for cold weather, with a layered approach. (T-shirt, longsleeved shirt, sweater, windbreaker, etc.) Pants are cargo pants, for carrying stuff, and I've got an old pair of hiking boots with extra socks. And, yes, a watch cap. (Watch caps are the coolest.) I also keep a light sleeping bag in my closet, next to the 5-gallon water bottles for my office. I don;t have much else at the office, since I have the pack in the closet.

Working down town brings up a couple other points too. Although I think sheltering in place is probably the best idea for most situations, you should practice several different ways out of town during rush hour to see how they work with crowded streets (arent they always) and to allow for different main streets to be closed in the case of a disaster. Another idea, weather feasable for you or not I don't know, might be to keep a bicycle in your truck, for in the event of a mass evacuation that would probably get you out of town faster.
Another thing I've added to my kit recently is a dust mask and goggles. You could use one of your bandanas as an improvised mask, but I decided that the benefit of having dedicated protection outweighed the cost.

for what it's worth,
Chris.

Chris:

Good points. I have given thought to leaving the District. On 9/11, faced with the choice of staying in the building or going with others elsewhere, I chose to stay. Those who attempted to leave town were caught in gridlock and the fastest means of getting across the river to VA was by foot. A bicycle, moped, enduro, etc. probably would be even faster. I don't have a bike, but suppose I could get one used. It would go in the garage of my building or in my closet. (I've got a big closet.) I'd chip in with friends at work to get a Zodiac <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />, but I suspect the Coast Guard won't tolerate river travel, the next time there's an event in the DC area!

Respirators and goggles. Yes, I've got them. There is mixed opinion on their value. And I'm doubtful of what good they'll do. Should a decision come down to outfit employees with hoods or masks I'll upgrade, for sure.

All the coastguard or police are going to do is tell you to get off the river and go home, to which you can reply that that's exactly what you're trying to do <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> While I still think you'd be better off on foot or two wheels, if you're serious about heading down river, this boat might be a better idea than a zodiac, much lighter and no inflation time/gear. But unless you're willing to keep an outboard motor in your truck, it doesn't seem like it'd be worth it to me.

Yeah, thanks for correcting me on terminology. I've been hesitant to use "BOB" because of a personal, subjective negative perception of the term's connotation.

Regarding batteris: the batts for the Photon are light. The radio, 2-way radios, and strobe rely upon AA batts and so I've got 1.5x replacements for batts in these devices. D batts are big and heavy as is the miitary flashlight. I may dump this light and rely upon the Surefire 6P and Photon, and perhaps add a AA Mini Maglite. Oh, the 2-ways come with rechargable Nicads.

Definitely will add the Bic lighter and P-38!

Your thoughts?

atty-guy :"My struggle here is that I can't see when there would be a convergence of a shortness of time and a need to go very light. The only scenario I can envision would be if I were being chased by someone. Am I missing something here? "

Ah yes,I should have mentioned-
I live on Vancouver Island and the biggest threat the we face out here is earthquake,so the main scenario that I plan for is a major earthquake. I live in an older apartment building surrounded by other old apartment buildings, in a suburbanized area and chances are if the "big one" hits - i'll have to very quickly evacuate the building,the immediate area, and possibly very quickly leave the city. Plus I have 2 cats so once i manage to exit the building i may have to sacrifice bulk for cat!
I've tried to plan for worst case- apartment buildings collapsing/on fire around me, I may have to make run for it and the larger pack would slow me down. I may be injured and not able to carry a full pack and yet still have to leave as quickly as possible. I leave the main pack slightly open so that i can easily and quickly remove the smaller bag , then if i have to i can make the decision in a split second-grab and run- and if it's at night and I'm asleep I am probably not wearing something with a lot (or any)pockets to put stuff in to( the majority of west coast earthquakes hit at night or very early in the morning. I also keep a flashlight,a pair of sneakers and crowbar under my bed- imagine no lights ,a lot of broken glass from windows and a newly off kilter door frame complete with wedged door- none of this stuff will do me any good if i can't even get out of the bedroom!) , I also keep a pair of light canvas sneakers,pants and shirt in a large ziploc just underneath the secondary bag just for this kind of night time situation-though if i can only grab the secondary bag, I can cover up with a couple of (non-see thru- I checked,ha) heavy duty garbage bags that are in it.

Time wise, if my apartment is being shaken to pieces ,taking a little more time to grab containers and stuff pockets could mean trouble- a falling beam to the noggin will could kill me just as dead as a bullet or a bomb. With both packs i can take my time or not, as the situation demands.

I 've planned for emergency situations that are most likely to crop up in my part of the world which tend to more of the natural disaster type of thing, with you being out in D.C. I imagine that you're plans are more geared toward terrorist attacks and you may have that extra few minutes to pack up (just a guess),so what is (i think,ha) right for me -second bag etc..- may not be right for your most likely scenario.

Oh,also (man am I long winded today) my secondary "bag in a bag" is very very light (10$ nylon walmart special,about the size of 4 vhs tapes) so as to add very little weight to my main pack.

Hope I answered your questions .

atty_guy,

Pretty nice job on getting stuff in place! Just a couple of thoughts that popped into my head while skimming over these posts...my apologies if I missed your having included any of these items already.

How about List of frequencies common to your local first responders?

Regarding the bag in bag [perhaps I can coin a new acronym here, what about BNB? <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />] approach? ...I stuck an empty bag, although a cloth knapsack or related item could suffice into my BOB. Figured that if I was in a hurry, or it was raining or whatever, I could dump out the contents (mostly already in smaller bags) into the big one, grab what is needed at the moment, then move on. At a later (safer?) time/place, the original BOB could be repacked.

Hmmm, consider changing the mag lite lamps to led type, you'll get much longer battery life and it could cut down somewhat on the added battery replacement weight. Go to www.candlepowerforums.com and check out the led forums & do a search on replacement lamps.

Regarding the resp/mask concern, what about an EVAC-U8 hood? Multi-purpose, will address burning chemical byproducts, and would keep your whole head clear of dust particulates as well. Doug has reviewed this and related products elsewhere on this site.

Good job!

Regards,
Comanche7

Thanks for the kind words.

First responder freqs.? Yeah, I thought of that, but I'd need a scanner to listen in on them. If I'm on my own, that's an additional piece of gear. If I were to shelter in place, I'd have access to a receiver with the freqs. already programmed. I'll give it some more thought. . . .

Ref. BNB, I'm confused. The 3-day pack rides on my back. The first responder back either goes around the waist or over the shoulder with the strap. Tools, cash, credit card, etc. are in the "hard cache" that would go in a cargo pants pocket, as would the fishing kit and a few other items. Hydration system stays in the pack, so as I type this, I would be disinclined to dump the pack. If I did, the back-up mil-spec water bag would carry the water. I think I'd stick with the pack and dump stuff (e.g., MRE's, towel, poncho liner).

I've definitely thought about switching over to LED set-ups. I can see this happening in the future for the reasons you list.

As for hoods, there are constraints. Money is not one of them. 1) I'm not convinced, yet, that the threat is severe enough to warrant one. 2) I won't have more protection than those who work for me have. 3) There's a chance that my employer may provide a hood, in which case I'd likely go with what I've been given, assuming I am assured that it is adequate. One caveat there: I will not wear a hood if it is the kind that DoD employees were issued. (I won't mention the brand name.) Forgive me for the crudeness of my description, but that hood looks like a hood with a maxi-pad taped to the front. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> If were issued those, I'll buy a #@*!%# face mask and get properly trained on its use and maintenance! The cost is the same and I won't look like some freak! <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

A few thoughts

1 Medical kit
Fewer variety of bandages and more Kling. Kling wrap can be cravat, tournequit, face mask, joint tape. Oh yeah - bandage. Add imodium or other anti-diaherial since that can become severely dehydrating and incapacitating and is likely in a situation of questionable drinking water.

2 Signalling
Go ahead and take the 1 day ham lisencing course for rought $50.00 from your local ham club and get a decent 2 meter or better yet a tri-band ham hand held. It will weigh about the same as your gmrs radio and will also provide scanning for the emergency services freq's and communications with the emergency communications folks directly - heck, who knows you might even want to participate in emergency communications yourself. I wouldn't bother with the strobe, in it's place you might want to get a PLB but that is probably useless in an urban environment. BTW your mini Grundig SW reciever may be able to get the emergency freq's in your area - check it out.

3 Emergency Devices Group
Do lighten up the flashlight. Led converted miniMag light seems to be a reasonably priced and good option and you can keep the original bulb on hand if you need to throw a more directed beam. Add a cell phone and make sure that you have battery conversions for you HandHeld radios and cell phone to use AA or AAA - which ever you settle on for your flash light. Replace mil-spec candle with NuWick candle

4 Shelter
Add an 8X10 sil-tarp. Beats the garbage bags by a long shot and only weighs 10 oz and takes up almost no room. I second the idea of swim goggles and dust mask. These are cheap and will be helpful in any situation that raises dust or smoke. Not a response to bio-chem attack but if there is explosion, fire or building collapse from earthquake then the dust can become a choking problem or debris in the eyes a sever problem. Also add a good pair of work gloves.

5 Food and water
Depending upon resupply, I would forgo all food except a roll of lifesavers or equivalent and a slim-jim jerky snack (see below comments) Water should be sufficient to get you through 1 day. The container for the first day should be adequate for refill for subsequent days. I would also add a small filter of some kind. There are decent filters built into bottles or as straws or even better small hand powered ceramic ones from katadyn. Don't bother with the MRE heaters, they are pure luxury and a small tommy-cooker combined with a sierra cup will weigh less in the long run work longer and allow for boiling drinking water for purification.

6 Batteries
re-arrange you electronics so that everything except the photon takes either AA or AAA bateries, carry enough lithium rechargable AA's or AAA's to replace all batteries in the device that takes the most (eg the Ham HT which takes 4 AA's) and carry a solar / hand-cranked recharger capable of charging all batteries not in use at once (in this example that is only 4 AA's) This arrangement will be lighter and more long-lasting than what you are currently carrying. Potentially smaller in bulk as well since the extra batteries will be carried in the charger.

7 Miscellaneous gear
Add monocular or binocular or scope. Drop all small cable ties in preference for larger. they don't take up that much more room and long ones can tie up small things while small ones cannot tie up large things. Same goes for the extra zip-locks and garbage bags.

8 Personal effects
Add list of immunizations currently effective and

9 Personal supplies group
You might want a Little John Shovel with some refills, ear-plugs, eye-shades - you may find yourself trying to sleep in a shelter with 500+ of your closest friends replace deoderant with gelled alcohal hand sanitizer (which will burn just as well as sterno for cooking on) Add sunglasses / perscription sunglasses.

General comments. There are many scenarios where you would want to evacuate an area with great urgency. In any of them it is not a great thing to be changing clothes or re-packing things or shouldering a behemoth pack while trying to get through a panicking crowd. Building collapse and fire are the most obvious ones but there are probably others (like the bouncers just peppered the brawling bimbos at the edge of the stage - i digress <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> ) In each of these having something small - like a belly bag - is about all you would want to grab to go. It should contain enough to get you through if you get nothing else but will necessarily be minimalist. For example, from your list it might contain a garbage bag for shelter, the space blanket, a plastic rain poncho, and the potable aqua for water and a couple of ziplocks as water containers the photon, the goggles and dust mask, a good pair of work gloves, the cell phone, such of the personal effects as are usually in your wallet, the little-john shovel, 2 oz hand sanitizer, a mini-bic, a classical PSK ALA Dougs altoids kit, the leatherman, the ear plugs and eye shades, the storm whistle and the sierra cup. This bellypack should be expected to get you to your truck. If it needs to it can get you out of the city and perhaps you could survive on it for a week or longer if you had to. Your truck could have a razor scooter or bicycle, a set of carhart coveralls and the rest of your gear - and perhaps a bunch more stuff to make life really comfortable. In any scenario where rapid evacuation is necessary you want to move quickly and lightly. There is no food or water in this belly pack but there is a snare, and fishing kit in the altiods kit and a bottle of potable aqua and a ziplock. And you will have your leatherman. I would also advise that you have a cache that is reachable within a days walk in the worst of situations. Say a locker at a train-station or a self-storage facility or under a friends bed, where you could stash replacement items or a few extra MRE's in-case your truck is crushed in the same collapse that forces you to leave your building. This secondary cache should be selected for survivability - single story building - on a hill - external access to your stuff - etc.

So, I have spewed forth - back to lurking

What the Coast Guard is going to do in a major disaster adjacent to waterways is stretch allready overtaxed, non existent resources.There will be the potential for toxic effluents released by design or accident, securing the waterways for INCOMING relief efforts, evacuating people where necessary and supporting security operations to name a few. Most personell will be reservists specializing in the Port Securityman rating. What the Coast Guard will not have the time, resources or inclination to do is stop and render aid to a flotilla of Mongolian Merchant Mariners <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Only BOOBS object to BOBS. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I am at a loss for words! I've no response appropriate for a public forum!

Regards,

atty_guy

To save the added weight of an additional pack pack you could place your minimalist gear (compass, space blanket, mirror, match safe. & sak or leatherman, etc) in your first aid kit. Place that in your ruck last so that it's right on top. If for any reason you need to lighten up in a hurry all you need to grab is the one pouch. Like you, I can't really see the need for this arising but being prepared should also cover the situations we don't see coming.

** A big thanks to Adventure Medical, whose essentials concept I just plagiarized.

Ed

Yeah. I was giving this same idea some thought last night and think I'll probably do so.

Wow. . . This is great stuff.

Great idea. I will incorporate this one.



I was unaware of such courses, licensing, or the possibility of a handheld ham radio. I'm researching this one now with the intent of taking your advice.


Agreed on majority of this one. D cells and flashlight are going. AA gear only, with exception of Surefire. Mil-spec candle was there because I had it, but will be replaced by NuWick. Oh, didn't include cell phone because I carry it and pager every day.


Looking into tarp. Goggles and mask are already in office, but not bag. Work gloves are on the list, though not yet in the bag.


I'm dropping all but one MRE, which is broken down. Looking int stoves, with a preference towards MSR. Sierra cup is in bag, but not on list. Thinking about filters. . .

Batts - Look into rechargers. Maybe its the company I've kept (ex-mil), but I'm hesitant to go below 12 AA batts, even with a charger.

Monocular/Scope/Binos - I've been thinking about this one. Either going with a very light monocular or the Steiner 8x30's. (Personal preference on Steiners.)

Immunizations - Great one. This came up recently in a conversation with a co-worker on small pox vaccinations. I will be getting the shots and then keeping a record of them in the pack.


Looking into shovel. Already have ear plugs and hand sanitizer in pack. Always have Oakleys (sunglasses) at hand.

General comments - All great. The "First Responder" bag will carry this stuff. As for resupplies. . . they are 12 mi. away (home), 70 mi. (friend 1) and 100 mi. (friend 2) away. Home is first, as I've got dogs.

Again, great stuff. Thank you.

Atty Guy: I'm treating a 9/11 victim and will tell you that her most fearsome recollection (other than actually seeing the second plane hit, then being trapped in an adjacent building for a prolonged period of time) is twofold - the dust and particles in the air, and the injuries to her hands and feet trying to escape thru rubble in her workshoes.
So if I were located where you are, I'd consider goggles, a dust mask (not really a respirator, just swimmers goggles and a painter's sanding mask) some sturdy boots and workgloves.

Take a look @ millenium-ark.net website. There is a lot of great information there!

I've biked in and around DC and it's a good option. Good bike paths which don't compete with cars. Depends how long your commute is though. Some folks commute great distances and a bike would be useless for them.

I think you've got it wired tho'. Prepare to remain in place until the havoc dies down, then go home when it's easier to travel.

Go heavy on food, water, clothing, shelter and ammunition. Minimalise everything else. After all, the only reliable method of bugging out is on your own two feet. And it's amazing just how fast the weight mounts up.
I had the following distinctly unsettling through the other day:
At 60 mph, a 30 min journey puts you 30 miles away from home. That's a two day march. If your lucky. And I would not care to presume on the kindness of strangers for shelter and food. Not to mention LEO's. There is a very good chance that you will get busted for vagrancy. Irrispective of circumstances. If the local ordinances say that vagrancy is whatever the local LEO's say it is, then you are in a pot of trouble. That sound like paranoia. Perhaps it is. But its better to be paranoid than wind up in a cell.
Also: pop over to Don Reac's site and read through the artical on being homeless. Required reading I would say. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

To second and amplify some comments already made, based on long standing prehospital, ER, & in-patient care experience.

Avoid the Sawyer Extractor - causes more harm than it helps. There exists a stung correlation between elevated blood alcohol levels and snakebite (especially upper extremity bites). Some references:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/995_snakes.html
http://www.health.uab.edu/Default.aspx?pid=91859
Also it’s use is specifically contraindicated in the current Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines.


Use ANY tourniquet with great care! The rule (guideline?) use a tourniquet only when willing to sacrifice the limb (which may happen from tourniquet use, not the original injury).


Within the constraints of this discussion sterile gloves are probably unnecessary. That said, if you feel the need for them I would look for non-latex options. Latex allergies are becoming much more frequent. Latex gloves also don't age well, especially if exposed to heat.


The field suture issue has been discussed to death. Though well trained in suturing, I only carry Steri-Strips to allow approximation of larger wounds, not cosmetic closure.

You might want to look at some Inova flashlights...to lighten (no pun intended) your battery load.

The Inova X1 uses a single AA battery and has an LED bulb. Cost wise, I think Target sells them for $20...a bit more than a mini Mag with LED upgrade, but the unit is smaller. The X5, XO and XO3 all get high marks from flashlightreviews.com and if memory serves, they each take two 123s.

Just a thought.

And thanks! Your post has reminded me that I've slacked in my own BOB prep/maintenance.

granted, this post is three years old, but...No cell phone?
I'd drop the d cells and flash light -- better, lighter ligths are available.

re other posts -- yes to more food, water containers. A bicycle can double your cayying capicity and extend your range.

I would agree with most of what the good Doctor said however, given the size of a CPR mask; I would keep it. It is true CPR does little, if any good without being followed up by ALS and hospital care.

But in the case of hypoxia, (a lack of O2) Positive Presser Ventilation (PPV) by way of a one-way barrier mask is just what they need.

As for metabolic acidosis which is a state in which, the blood pH is low (under 7.35) due to increased production of H+.
It is true it won't help but that is comparing apples to oranges isn't it.

As for Exsanguinations it is a dramatic cause of death in humans. It might be more precise to say that exsanguination is a mode of death rather than a cause. This is again the apples to oranges deal.

A very good case for CPR is lightning strike or cold water drowning; in both cases the heart wants to start again it just needs a little help.
So to wrap up I'd keep the CPR mask given its size and weight and make sure you get CPR training and as the good doctor said, “join a Vol. Fire and Rescue Service”.

Sorry to disagree with you Doc.

PS
Oh and in the case of Exsanguination (bleeding out) a tourniquet may be just what you need to prevent Volume shock.

OMG...I hadn't noticed the original post date until teacher mentioned it. And the thread is right under the "replying to outdated posts" thread <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />