Ah ha!

Now that's the kind of info I was looking for! You've already given me several ideas that I hadn't considered. We all start from a different place, so it doesn't surprise me that you've not covered the "personal defense" aspect of survival yet.

I will say that I think it is important. And the probably of having to defend yourself is at least as high as some other emergency situations (e.g. crash landing in the desert or ocean). If you doubt that, check out packing.org for near-daily stories about people who have to defend themselves. You can also get lots of advice on choosing an appropriate side arm, etc. And since I've mentioned them twice now... NO, I do not work for them! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again... and by all means, if you do compile a complete list, make sure you post it here!

Ben

Parachutes they are buying are modyfied static line models where they clamp or tie diwn a pull out line to a piece of furniture and they jump. Only problem... Windows are welded shut and glass is about half an inch.

Without getting into a huge political discussion, inappropriate on this forum, let me say I was not surprised by the important items excluded from the government's lists. Disappointed, but not surprised. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

As you note, no firearm was included, not even as a option for those appropriately trained. Responding to some other messages in this thread, a firearm should be included not necessarily for defense against terrorists, but rather for defense against citizens who either did not prepare and decided your survival supplies should be "shared," or if lawlessness should develop. I think the defense of their properties during the L.A. riots by storekeepers who were armed provides a classic example. As is always the case with defensive use of firearms, they represent a significant responsibility, this is not a decision to be taken lightly. But, for them to be left out of these lists for obviously political reasons is, IMHO, irresponsible.

No knife or saw is included, both highly desirable for any such preparedness kit. A knife is still the number two survival tool (your brain being number one). These lists were developed in large part with the assistance of the Red Cross who have stated publicly they do not recommend any cutting tools since they might injure someone. There are a number of reasons I do not support the Red Cross, this idiotic reasoning being one of them. The good news is that most homes are well equipped with knives, if only those already in the kitchen, perfectly capable of use in an emergency. Still, IMHO it is irresponsible to not include such tools on the list.

The list includes a signal flare, without any caution statement. There are any number of plausible situations where use of a pyrotechnic by an untrained or stupid person could be catastrophic. The practical uses of pyrotechnics in an urban environment are just about nil with the exception of use as a fire starter, if a handheld flare.

Anyway, just a few points on the subject. You can find plenty of suggestions for items to include here on ETS starting with Disaster Preparedness page.

Yes, and even if they do get out of the window I sure hope the wind doesn't carry them into the side of the building, or their lines get fouled in some way. <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

>>>The focus of the Homeland security web-site is on how to prepare for a terrorist attack.<<<

Without getting too political ...

I thought FEMA was to be part of the homeland security organization. The true danger of creating another layer of "red tape" is the loss of focus and efficiency. What should have been done was to leverage what FEMA has done and perhaps augment it in light of new threates. Instead, they re-invent the wheel and create an official anti-terrorism kit. In reality, a standard home emergency preparedness kit is far more practical and more likely to be of use to the vast majority of people. If they had simply pointed folks to the FEMA information they could have save dollars, avoided the duct tape/plastic farce, and perhaps even saved lives if folks assembled kits for more common natural disasters.

As Doug and others have pointed out, the kits and tools are useless unless there's a brain with knowledge and experience available to use them. Splitting the message up and confussing the populace is not only a waste, but may actually work in the terrorist's favor as people are ill or missinformed.

When the time comes, I recommend .45 acp... cheap and abundant ammo with plenty of "knockdown" power. It rots that your country doesn't allow you to (legally) own semi-automatic handguns. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

If you've read the thread about shotguns, then you know I'm in agreement about .223 carbines... you're a man after my own heart! <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Benman,

We can own semi-auto handguns in .22, .32 acp and. 380. Personally I have never been able to warm up to the .380, especially in a gun designed to be a 9mm or .45. Can you imagine that waste of space, a .45 rechambered to .380, odd but true.

I settled on .38 special because they sell 125 grain +P+ and 158 grain +P for it. I figure that if six in the gun and four speedloaders don't solve the problem an auto wouldn't have either. Mac

Having perused the ready.gov site for several days (how's that for a marketing ploy, by the way?), it strikes me as a very deft, calculated attempted to scare the crap out of everyone without really giving us enough useful information to respond in a meaningful way. I'm not saying that the government is deliberately trying to manipulate public opinion with this web site or anything ... Just kidding. That is exactly what they are trying to do with ready.gov, in my opinion, from the glitzy rollout by Tom Ridge himself, to the website name, to the information (and lack thereof), it is all being presented to us mere citizens with one goal in mind - to whip us into an "us against the rest of the world" frenzy. Never underestimate the government's willingness to use psychological warfare against its own people!

Well, they tested their nuclear and chemical weapons on their own people... What's a little psychological warfare between friends? <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />