How am I doing?

OK, been poking around the ETS site the past few weeks. Y’all have done changed my views on preparedness. And I’m wonderin’, am I off to a good start?

My key ring now contains: a paracord-woven fob, a Photon Micro Light, Leatherman Micra and a small pealess Acme whistle. And I now go nowhere without a charged cell phone.

My EDC pocket knife is now a medium-size lightweight Scrhade with black synthetic scales; am waiting for my Ritter Mini to arrive, as well as one of Mr. Ritter’s pocket survival kits.

Cab of the truck already contained a Leatherman Wave, pair of Craftsman Robogrip pliers, Beretta airweight folding knife, multi-head Craftsman screwdriver, 12-foot tape measure, two c-cell machined aluminum flashlights, 1 AA flashlight, user-supplemented wilderness type first-aid kit, can of CLP BreakFree (synthetic lubricant, cleaner). Couple of ball caps, stocking caps, pairs of gloves, Browning Goretex pac jacket. Assortment of bungee cords, some carabiners and split rings, zip ties, binocularss, state gazetteer/atlas, funnel, duct tape. (Most of this fits behind back seat of my crew cab.)

In addition to the already-present tool kit in a Sportsman’s Dry Box in the topper-covered bed, I had a black Contico truck box (held in place with a cargo bar) that carries heavy-gauge jumper cables and a tow strap. Light sleeping bag and fleece-lined cordura poncho now bagged and strapped to top of that box. Also added a rubber-coated lantern-type flashlight with alkaline battery.

I’ve since added to the truck box a 10”x 20” Jansport duffel with the following supplies I’ve gathered:

Light & fire
LED light on carabiner attached to bag zipper
1 2D-Cell Maglite
4 12-hour light sticks
Magnesium flint, carbon steel Boker pocket knife, Coleman tinder sticks
Waterproof matches w/strikers in orange waterproof container
Disposable butane lighter

Medical
1 pretty fair “wilderness type” first-aid kit (larger, user-supplemented kit in cab)

Signaling:
StarFlash mirror
Fox 40 whistle
Both on braided paracord lanyard

Shelter:
10x12 heavy pvc tarp
Heavy duty 54 x 90 pvc poncho
Tube tent
Sportsman’s blanket
Space blanket
50-foot nylon cord
25 foot braided nylon rope

Knives/tools
Fixed-blade knife (Winchester drop point from Wal-Mart; plan to upgrade soon, though it doesn’t seem like a bad blade)
Gerber paraframe folder
Gerber Shortcut mini-tool
Leatherman Super Tool 200
Fiskars snips
Smiths’ 2 step sharpener
Camp saw
Can opener
Heavy pry bar (added under driver’s seat in cab)

Food & water
6 liters bottled water (to be changed out every 6 mos)
2 packs, 9-bars each Mainstay ration bars (5 year life)
6 each of tea bags, individual coffees, sugar packets, beef bullion cubes, chicken bullion cubes (all to be changed out every 6 mos)
6 Gerber breast-milk storage bags for water use
Large stainless steel cup
1 bottle Potable Aqua

Towels, wipes, etc:
1 pack anti-bacterial hand wipes
1 pack Coleman “shower anywhere” wipes
1 pack of 6 disposable synthetic kitchen wipes
1 blaze orange bandana
1 microfiber towel
3 Kleenex pocket packs

Misc:
1 pair wool-blend Rocky hunting socks
1 pair leather-palmed work gloves
1 #2 pencil and 1 dual-tip Sharpie
1 small notebook
1 small AM/FM radio
Packs of spare batteries in D,C, AA, AAA, 9V
1 set earplugs on cord
Spare eye-glasses (polycarbonate shooters lenses)
1 pack 16-inch plastic zip ties
1 travel sewing kit
2 30-gal garbage bags, 3 Ziplock bags each in gallon, quart, pint sizes
1 can Copenhagen

Wow.

I'd say you're doing alright. How long has it taken you to gather all your gear? Did you already have most of it before you came here? If not, I'd say you HAVE been busy these past few weeks!

Welcome here and good for you for not lurking! I believe that you can learn some by lurking, but you can learn so much more by getting in the midst of conversation. The guys and gals here are all very helpful. Too bad Bountyhunter's taking a hiatus; he was always one of my favorites.

My recommendation for your kit is in Medical. I'm sure you've got plenty of items, too many to list, but I always recommend that people carry a few sanitary napkins. Not only for the special women in your life, but they're also a good back-up to your gauze pads.

Thanks for the welcome. I figure it took me about two weeks, just shopping every now and then when it was convenient, before i was happy with the new emergency bag and put it in the truck. I'd say I had about 1/2 the stuff around the house, picked up the second half mostly at local retail, with a few items (StarFlash, Mainstay rations, Paracord items) ordered via the Web. Was actually fun. Will do re the sanitary pads.

"1 can Copenhagen "

Let me guess. It's for gunshot wounds right? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I know that because long ago I used to carry a can of Skoal for the same reason.
That's what they used to use on Gunsmoke anyway. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

Good choices and fairly complete. Two thoughts: training & information.

What training/ practice are you planning? Adv. first aid? Disaster prep? Survival/tracking?

As for info, I always reccomend collecting what you need before the BIG event. Various maps, phone numbers, medical records on cd, etc.

Welcome,

Teacher RO

Doing good, from what I can see.

I would add a wool or polypro blanket or two. I assume you are carrying jumper cables and triangles or flares?

Hey, everybody, thanks for the input.

Re training, I took a pretty good first-aid course in college, but that was 20 years ago, so I'm going to find another course locally as soon as I can. Am also signed up for the next CPR class at work.

I know the Heimlich maneuver and actually had to use it at the office this year. It worked. The lady who was choking ended up just fine. The applause when it was over was a little embarassing, but I just ducked outside for a smoke.

Am also pretty well read up on doggy first aid and have practiced some basics there. I hunt with my brothers' setters and retrievers, and don't want anything bad happening to them (dogs or the brothers, but most importantly the dogs <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ). Also had to do a doggie heimlich on my own (since passed) Brittany pup many moons ago. It too, worked.

After the first aid class, I'd like to learn a little more land navigation, such as using topo maps. I think I pretty well understand the basic use of a compass and carry a compass and a small Garmin GPS while pheasant hunting. I just stop and pop in a way point every now and then. I find it kind of fun, but I may be a nerd.

Re cables, flairs, triangles ... yep, cables and triangles.

Re wool blanket, thanks. Will check out a mil surplus store this weekend.

Re the can of Cope, good line, but it's actually just there for an "emergency" dip. I figure you can't be having a nicotine fit and showing a cool head at the same time, so I figured a dip might come in handy.

Thanks again, everyone.

Welcome to the forums. I'd say as long you are not serparated from your truck then youre set. Ah, but what if you are not able to get to your truck... something to think about. I learned something from your post. I had never heard of "Coleman “shower anywhere” wipes" before reading your post. Sounds useful.

Copenhagen is good for bee stings too. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

"Re the can of Cope, good line, but it's actually just there for an "emergency" dip. I figure you can't be having a nicotine fit and showing a cool head at the same time, so I figured a dip might come in handy."

Seriously, when I smoked I kept a couple of pieces of Nicorette gum in my wilderness survival kit for that very reason.

Regards, Vince

"Copenhagen is good for bee stings too. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />"

Chewed or unchewed? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

MGF.

Hi!

It looks like you have a nice kit. I do think you might also want to add some tools to extract a stuck vehicle, to wit:

Ax
Saw
Shovel
Mattock
Tow Cables
Tow Strap
Winch, power or hand
Tire chains
Fix a Flat and/or compressor
One foot squares of 1/4" plywood for traction
Tall jack
Tire repair kit
Extra fluids for truck, e.g.: Motor oil, ATF, PS, PB.
Larger water supply could also provide for you radiator as well as people and dogs

Good luck,

John

Brian,

Good thought re separation from the truck.

Soon as the wallet recovers, I'm going to order some Mainstay rations and packaged water for the apartment. Re first aid, lighting, tools, etc, already doin' pretty good in that regard in the apartment, I think. I've always been a believer in quality tools, meds, etc. I'm kind of anal about quality and organization. I think it's because I realize my mind is not organized or of great quality, so my stuff better be!

Re pheasant hunting: I already carry a self-made kit that fits into an Atwater Carey pouch you can grab with one hand. I'd say it's about a pound or a little more, It's largely medical, but also has some duct tape, a Gerber "Ridge" Knife, small forceps, space blanket, mirror, eye wash, little lighter, spare whistle, Solitaire 1-aaa cell light, etc. Main intent is to administer basic first aid to a person or dog in case of an injury and keep 'em warm 'til we can get 'em some more help.

Kit fits into my vest nicely, as do two liters of water (1 for me, 1 for the pups, with two more bottles back at the truck to switch out at the lunch break).

Also while bird hunting I religiously carry: a Leatherman Wave on belt (will add my Mini Ritter to back right pocket when it comes). Pealess whistle and now a Photon LED light are on a neck lanyard. Spare keys (one truck, one apartment) are clipped to a belt loop and dropped via cord into front right pocket. Two lighters: One a hot "flameless" mother from Gander Mountain, another a Zippo, one in vest, one in pants. I check the fill levels before each outing and inspect the Zippos flint and wick regularly. A pen, a bandana, a pack of smokes (wrapped in a Ziplock along with some "strike anywhere" matches) round out my kit. I usually carry 14 shells. Two to start the day and six more on each side of the vest that are in shell loops that are inside the vest pockets.

(And, yes, i do pick up my spent shells and field strip my cigarett butts.)

Hunting wear no problem: Pheasant hunting is very walking oriented, so it's largely about light-weight, sweat-wicking and wind-blocking. After many years, have found good clothes, hats, gloves and boots that work and that don't get in the way. (As of last season, I now always carry a spare pair of polypro glove liners in the vest..great extra warmth if needed and almost no bulk).

Edit: Oops, forgot to mention the little Brunton compass, which is pinned to the vest. Started carrying the Garmin eTrex last season. Like it much. One long, unplanned walk back to the truck convinced me that $100 bucks was worth spending, muy pronto.

Waiting for my little Ritter pocket survival kit to get here. If I like it as much as I think I will, I'll probably order some more and keep one in the hunting vest, one at home, one at the office, one in the truck and one for carrying wherever/whenever. I figure 'll add an Adventure Medical Kit .5 ultralight first-aid kit anywhere I don't already have a medi kit.

Sound reasonable?