To prevent the further hijacking of "What did you do today to prepare?" I'm starting a new thread.

Scenario: You have enough advanced warning to plan, book a flight over sees, pack and get onboard before a mass evacuation. You already have your passport. What do you do? What do you pack?

Me? I have all of my important papers and medications, even reserves.

Jeanette Isabelle

You said most of the important things, but I would add money (as much as possible) and credit cards as must haves, then a couple of other small things.

The problem is the restrictions airlines place on carry-on (size, weight, number) when combined with TSA regulations for carry on. Just my insulin, syringes etc. take up quite a bit of my carry on, despite (theoretically) being exempt from the basic carry on regulations (you can never successfully win an argument at the gate). So, what you can carry on is very limited.

Theoretically, you can put more things, and a greater variety of things in checked bags. But these are subject to many mishaps and also there may be customs inspections/restrictions, again, possibly very arbitrary. My rule for checked bags is nothing goes there that I can't do without.

So for me, in the situation you propose, it would be papers, medications, money, credit cards, enough clothing for the weather, my phone, thumb drives with important files and my laptop. All else would have to be left behind. When you land, you start over.

If possible and you have enough time, some things could be shipped (if you have an address overseas) before departure, and, if the circumstances permit it, you might be able to wire funds to a bank account you have established overseas (that can take some time to set up, and would need to be done way in advance).

Based on the State Department / Family Liaison Office / Post evacuation resources / go bag contents.
https://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c1991.htm

Money
-ATM & credit cards
-Checkbook
-Cash (better to have too much, and just re-deposit the excess)
-Safe deposit keys
-Travel credit card

Medical Items
-Medical and dental records
-Immunization cards
-Glasses & contacts
-Prescriptions Medications & paperwork

Documents
-Government issued ID (drivers license, passports, etc. Look for forms of identification that meets the "Real ID" requirements.
-Marriage, birth, adoption and/or naturalization certificates.
-Auto insurance policies, registrations and title if applicable
-Power of attorney & will
-School records
-Pet records
-Household effects inventory
-Employment records
-Powers of attorney (medical, durable and bank)
-Wills and trust documents
-Bank records (most recent year)
-Stock records (records of purchases)
-Passwords for internet accounts*
-Tax records (last three years)
-Address database or book
-Computer / backup (Critical data should have three copies: On the computer, encrypted online backup, encrypted portable media)

Personal belongings
-Clothing
-Toys and games
-Pet items
-Cell phones
-Chargers for all electronics
-non-replaceable items (albums (might want to create electronic copies), heirlooms, etc.)

Other
-Snack food
-Water
-Usual travel detritus (first aid kit, pen/pad, earplugs, etc.)
-Bag(s) to carry it all

Sometimes adverse situations develop really fast. What criteria do you use to determine the coming of a mass evacuation? What will you do if you "miss the deadline," so to speak? Have you considered land-based or sea-based escape routes?

This thread is the offspring of the following post:


If it were just a tsunami, damaged infrastructure, attack on the power grid, war or collapse of the economy then likely we will bug in. If it appears as if it will get worse or, in some other way, we get notice to bug out to a foreign nation, we will pack what we can.

If we miss the window of opportunity, then we will have to go with the rest of the mass evacuation.

If not by plane then by boat.

Jeanette Isabelle

I'd have to be truly desperate to leave the USA for a disaster. Most likely it would be an "I'm never coming home" event. We'd be taking important papers, a few days of clothes, a computer or two, and comfort/distraction items -- not too much else. Given enough time I'd take the bulk of our funds in travelers checks or similar instruments.

In a separate thread, Jeanette gave a historical example of such mass evacuations, and it seems that she has in mind, among other things, large-scale persecution of certain groups. This sort of stuff is really hard to gauge -- when is it so bad that you can no longer get out, and when is it not so bad that you can still stay? I'd wager the window is quite narrow. Six million people misread the situation in WW2. How can we do better?

I don't know what warning, if any, the Jews received.

The Armenians, on the other hand, received advanced warning. Beyond that we can only assume what happened.

Jeanette Isabelle

There's a pretty good account of the laws and attitudes leading up to the holocaust in the autobiography" The man without a shadow" . There were a few years of increasingly persecuting laws before the ghettos. The Jews' attitude mostly stayed at "It'll get better, we'll deal with it until then" untill it was too late. There was a brief period of "send the kids away", then "Oh s###". By then, only a few countries, mainly in South America, were accepting refugees.

They were convinced that "civilized Germans" had limits that they would not exceed. The modern expression is "Frog in a pot".

For us it's not "It'll get better." The problem I see is "It's not that bad. It would be better to bug in than pack up and leave."

Jeanette Isabelle

Have a trigger event or date. When this happens, or that deadline is passed, you go from condition orange to red and bug out.

I thought about that. Unless there is a sign from Heaven a good indicator would be the supply chain being down for more than a month and my reserve of prescription medication is being depleted.

Jeanette Isabelle

I would be a bit careful with that. Some countries (e. g. in the EU) have money laundry laws and limits on the amount of money people can bring with them. The same applies for boullion.
I would investigate that in advance and adhere to the laws.

Good point---the USA has a limit ($10,000) on how much you can carry out. If you take more than that, there are documents you must file. When I visit in Europe there is a $10,000 limit on what you can bring in without a similar paperwork drill.

This is why I suggested having a bank account overseas, so you can wire money into it and have it there when you arrive; also, safer than carrying. I think most countries in Europe will allow non-citizens with a valid passport to open bank accounts, and these accounts can be denominated in dollars, but I am not familiar with the rules in every country. At one time, Swiss Banks were allowing accounts to be opened and funded by mail from the USA, (you did not need to be there personally) but I don't know if this is still possible.

But in a bug out situation, I would do the paperwork and try to take the cash if nothing else were available. Otherwise, I would never get access to the funds at all.

I asked the same question about having a reserve currency in another forum. The solutions came down to two, completely legal, preparatory options .

First: Have an account in an international bank based in a foreign country. It's a little tricky to do as most of the international banks seem to be based in China (out of the frying pan and into the fire). But, having funds independent of where you're fleeing from, and can be accessed from where you're fleeing to, can be a safeguard in case things go seriously pear shaped.

Second: Have an internet based foreign currency account. Still subject to local banking laws, so no defense if the PTB decide to persecute this or that group. But, has the ability to store money in very stable currencies (Norwegian Krones, Swiss Francs, Canadian Dollars), and then wire transfer it to wherever you need. Minimum opening deposit requirement of $5,000 or $10,000 are common.

Lastly, If you're getting, while the getting is good. That is, coming in as an immigrant instead of a refugee, you may just be able to transfer your funds over as a routine matter.

I don't know international banking at all. What are the problems with banks based in China? Also, what about those famous Swiss banks that we hear about in the movies? That's where the James Bond villains keep their money ("in a numbered account"), right?

China's government tends to be very heavy handed. I'd balk about putting my money where it's subject to their whims.

The Swiss banks are the ones with the "Numbered accounts". Just keep in mind that a 1.3B dollar fine early last year by the US Justice department is making them skittish to take on any US clients.

I would not count on zipping off to a different country unless you hold citizenship there. In a genuine widespread crisis, borders will thicken rapidly.

The documentation listed here is useful and necessary, especially in the event you can't go home (soon or ever).

One troubling thought, though: it is also the perfect identity theft kit, a treasure trove for crooks, all neatly stowed in one portable package. Security measures?

Depending on what the signs are, some may recognize them as such. Among those, some may know where to go.

Jeanette Isabelle

I have checklists for various situations here atcETS. Look them up and if you like them, modify it to your specific geography and situation....

Look up what? I need more information to even be able to look it up.

Jeanette Isabelle

Here's 1 example, EQ Checklist:

As I mentioned on the Hurricane Thread, I am not remotely qualified to speak on this subject but I am intrigued....

I am thinking that trigger points may be based around strebgths and frequency of those EQ's that are occurring. Those in EQ areas are requested to consider my idea and then correct or modify those ideas with their actual knowledge and experience. Here's my start:

EQCon 5: 1's and 2's are regularly occurring (pressure is constantly being released).
EQCon 4: 3's and 4's occurrances have increased above normal levels of activity.
EQCon 3: 5's are being occasionally occurring and volcano's are beginning to rumble.
EQCon 2: 5's have increased in frequency, subsurface magma movement has been detected, volcano's are occasionally releasing steam and gases.
EQCon 1: Previous EQ Activity drops to a much lower level (pressure is building), subsurface magma movement continues, volcano's continue to rumble and release steam and other gases, EQ Activity on the western side of the Ring of Fire dramatically increases with 6's and 7's.

EQCon 5:
Continue to build and rotate basic EQ supplies.
Locate suitable storage places for supplies that provide the highest chance of EQ survivability and accessibility.
Get and maintain organization of personal and business papers, personal effects.
Develope "Get Home" and "Evacuation" plans for work and family.
Have the necessary tools on hand to secure gas lines.
Address medical needs of family as is possible.

EQCon 4:
Keep gas tanks in cars above the half full level.
Update family on "Get home", "Evacuation", and "a Rendezvous/Meet Up Location" Plans.

EQCon 3:
Keep GHB in work vehicle or at the place of employment.
Keep Bug Out Bags ready to grab and go.
Insure an adequate inventory of required medications are on hand and accessible.

EQCon 2:
Insure that family members make their planned whereabouts known on a daily basis.
Review EQ Plans with family again. Refine as needed.
Top off supplies as quickly as possible. Continue rotating supplies.

EQCon 1:
Either keep family local or take a long distance vacation...
Run a family EQ Drill on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Provide small BoB's for each family member for daily carry.

Post EQ response:
Gather all family members together at the Rendezvous Point.
Conduct damage survey of property and EQ Supplies
Contact friends and family to update and get updates as communications allow.
Contact Insurance Agent(s) as Communications are restored.
Report as able, utilities issues to local authorities and/or providers.

The biggest problem that I see with this checklist is that some conditions may go on for 1, 25, 100, or longer years as Geologic events move very slowly over great expanses of time. Per this checklist, California, Oregon, and Washington are mostly in EQCon 1. C'mon West Coasters, throw reality into this list and see if something useful can arise from it....

Here's an example of the Towboat Hurricane Checklist:

This checklist may be used by anyone and disseminated as wanted.

HurCon Checklist for M/V _____________________
Updated: 15JUN2015

5= Set during Hurricane Season (01Jun-01Dec)
4= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 72 hours (See Houston Port Condition WHISKEY)
3= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 48 hours (See Houston Port Condition X-RAY)
2= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 24 hours (See Houston Port Condition YANKEE)
1= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 12 hours or less (See Houston Port Condition ZULU)
HURRICANE SEASON: regular season "01June through 01December"

HurCon 5: Automatically set at the beginning of Hurricane Season (01Jun) and is automatically
secured at the end of the Hurricane Season (01Dec). Upon setting HurCon 5:

Update and top off inventory of groceries and supplies

Top off all 5gal gas cans (stabilized) for small boat
Maintain adequate amounts of Potable Water onboard

Update the Hurricane Contingency Plans

Review the plans with Shipmates.



HurCon 4: Set when expected landfall is within 72 hours and within range to affect the tow.
Upon setting HurCon 4:

Top off gas cans if possible.

Top off Fuel and Potable Water Tanks, if possible.
Go to the grocery store and top off the pantry with normal foodstuffs.

Insure that flashlights and lanterns are working.

Review Bug Out options based on storm strength, predicted landfall, host locations available,
likely storm path after landfall. Consult with Port Captain and Dispatch.

HurCon 3: Set when expected landfall is 48 hours away and is close enough to affect the tow.
Upon setting HurCon 3:

Walk the decks. Have everything on deck either lashed down or secured in the Rudder Room.

Top off fuel and Potable Water tanks, if possible.

Consult with Port Captain and finalize plans to either ride out the storm or to evade.

Lash down Park Bench to Fleet Deck.

HurCon 2: Set when expected landfall is 24 hours away and is close enough to affect the tow's
location. Upon setting HurCon 2:

Relocate the tow to the chosen location and tie off securely to what's available.

Secure all missile hazards on the deck. Lash down everything that is loose.

Batten down completely all weather doors and hatches.

Tie down all trash cans securely.

Bring down and stow all flags that aren't needed for safe navigation purposes.
Charge up all cell Phones, Laptops, Net Books, etc. Minimize usage. Set up a
Communications schedule with Port Capt.and keep electronics secured until needed
so as to save battery power.

Lash down all Barge Drip Pans securely.

Stow all barge fire extinguishers in Barge Dryboxes.

Secure all Barge Dry Boxes with a hand tight Nut & Bolt.

Relocate all coiled lines to Barge Shack or within the spill containment areas.

Stow barge trashcans in the Rudder Room.

Lash Cargo and Vapor Hoses down.

Lash Barge Spill Containers to stanchions

Properly secure Barge Booms in cradles.

Have crew wash and stow their laundry.


HurCon 1: Set 12 hours prior to expected landfall.

Visually monitor what the storm is doing, (from the safety of the Pilothouse), for
the duration of the storm.

Be prepared to grab Life Jackets and run to higher ground, if worse case scenario were to develope.

Pull Scupper Plugs on empty barges for the duration of the storm.

Place both MDE's and GEN's on the line for the duration of the storm.

Post-Hurricane Checklist

1) Once storm passes:

A) Assume HurCon V.

B) Conduct a damage survey of the boat and tow. Update the Port Capt and Dispatch. Wait until channels have been checked for sunken debris and reopened by the USCG.
C) Make basic repairs, as possible, to damaged areas of the boat and tow so as to prevent further
damage.

2) Store those items not needed and break out those items that are needed:

3)
_________________________
QMC, USCG (Ret)
The best luck is what you make yourself!

Here's the Hurricane Checklist for my family:

This is my Hurricane Checklist tailored for my "reality". Everyone is welcome to copy this to your own file and tailor it to your needs.

HurCon Checklist

Updated 03Aug2011



5= Set during Hurricane Season (01Jun-01Dec)
4=Hurricane Force winds are expected within 72 hours

3= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 48 hours
2= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 24 hours
1= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 12 hours or less


HURRICANE SEASON: regular season ¨C 01June through 01December

HurCon 5: Automatically set at the beginning of Hurricane Season (01Jun) and is automatically secured at the end of the Hurricane Season (01Dec). Upon setting HurCon 5:

Update emergency supply inventory

Top off all 5gal gas cans (stabilized)

Swap out all stored water

Update the Hurricane Contingency Plans

Review the plans with Household members.

Test run the generator for 30 mins.

HurCon 4: Set when expected landfall is within 72 hours and within range to affect the family. Upon setting HurCon 4:

Go to Home Depot and pick up a sufficient quantity of 2" deck screws (if in short supply), 1"x4" and 1"x12" pine boards to install shutters over the windows and doors (1"x4") that have them and to board up over the few windows that don't have shutters (1¡±x12¡±).

Keep the vehicle gas tanks above 1/2 tank levels.

Go to the grocery store and top off the pantry with normal foodstuffs.

Insure that all propane bottles are topped off.

Insure that battery supplies are sufficient.

Insure that flashlights and lanterns are working.

Check oil and run generator for 30 minutes to insure proper operation.

Get all the money we can get from the ATM 24 - 48 hours of a probable impact on our coast. (once the hurricane hits and leaves, everything is cash only, no money - no nothing for days)

Review Bug Out options based on storm strength, predicted landfall, host locations available, likely storm path after landfall.

HurCon 3: Set when expected landfall is 48 hours away and is close enough to affect the family. Upon setting HurCon 3:

Review checklists for any missing items or chores that remain to be done.

Top off all vehicle fuel tanks.

Decide on whether to Bug Out or to shelter in place; if Bugging Out - this is the time to leave. If Bugging Out ¨C execute Nuclear War Survival Skills; Chapter 4/Evacuation.

HurCon 2: Set when expected landfall is 24 hours away and is close enough to affect the family location. Upon setting HurCon 2:

Prepare our Hurricane Shelter area within the house (the main hall next to the bathroom).

Secure all missile hazards in the yard. Tie down everything that needs tying down.

Install shutters or board up all windows and doors, except for 1 front door and 1 back door.

Top off all BOB's.

Gather all important documents, BOB, and firearms (the ones I plan to carry) and put it by the bed.

Set up a communications watch. Use 2 programs to monitor storm (Radio and T.V.) and then switch to wind up solar radio once power is lost.

Use cargo net to secure backyard storage building.

Charge up all cell Cell Phones, Laptops, Net Books, etc. Minimize usage. Set up a Communications schedule with relatives (if pertinent) and keep electronics secured until needed so as to save battery power.

HurCon 1: Set 12 hours prior to expected landfall.

Set up in the Hurricane Shelter (inside of my home) and start dealing cards.

Visually monitor what the storm is doing to the neighborhood (from the safety of the house), for the duration of the storm.

Be prepared to grab BOB's and run to higher ground, if worse case scenario were to develop.

Keep BoB¡¯s and important documents with each person until the storm has cleared the area.

Maintain the communications watch. Use 2 programs to monitor storm (Radio and T.V.) and then switch to wind up solar radio once power is lost.

¡¡

¡¡

Post-Hurricane Checklist

1) Once storm passes:

A) Assume HurCon V.

B) Conduct a damage survey of the property. Contact the insurance company to file a claim if needed.

C) Make basic repairs, as possible, to damaged areas of the property so as to prevent further damage.

2) Store those items not needed and break out those items that are needed:

A) Store cargo net from storage building.

B) Untie those yard items that were secured for windy conditions.

C) If power has been lost:

1) Set up the generator*, at least 20 feet from the house and chain it to something substantial, like a tree.

2) Set up a field kitchen on back patio or porch.

3) Set up a Sanitation Facility (Latrine).

3) Attempt to contact friends and relatives outside the storm affected area and let them know what your situation is. Establish a Daily Communications Schedule so as to conserve cell phone battery power. Remember that if your cell phone voice does not work, your texting capability probably will work.

4) *After setting up the generator and taking care of the above items, contact your immediate neighbors and see what their needs are. (especially elderly neighb

I like your list a lot, but I live in California and we don't do hurricanes here, we do earthquakes....

Currently, there is essentially no warning (This may improve in the future and we might have minutes to prep, which actually would be a significant improvement) so I judge it is best to set something like EQ 4 and live accordingly.

Keep the gas tanks at 1/2 full or better. Keep batteries stocked up. Remove mirrors from the ceiling, etc.

I probably need to put more effort into planning for the aftermath - cleanup, reconstruction, and the attendant sordid financial details....

Editnote: I just realized you had prepared an EQ checklist, which I have just hastily read. While seismologists can recognize fore shocks, as well as after shocks, these identifications come after analysis after the fact and therefore are of little practical, immediate value. Predictions are put forth. One recent one was something like: "There is a 15% probability of an m7 event along the southern San Andreas Fault within the next thirty years." Nice to know, but doesn't tell me that i should definitely put on my hardhat today.

The 1994 Northridge quake, for example, had absolutely no prior warning signs that were recognized beforehand - zero, zilch, nada.

The only partially reliabilty in EQ forecasting is to read the Lost Pets section of a local newspaper everyday and count the number of ads. When the number of ads dramatically increase, one may expect an EQ within 72 hrs. The more dramatic the increase in ads, the stronger the EQ will be.

This was all figured out by Jim Berkley (sp?). A Geologist with the Orange County geological office. He's retired now but I think he wrote a book or two on the subject.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_prediction

Good ol' Wikipedia has a pretty through examination of the subject of earthquake prediction. No mention of James Berkley and lost pets. Observers in Greece (BC era) observed animals fleeing a city prior to a major earthquake. Fluctuating well levels have also been proposed as predictors, along with lots of other phenomena.

An entity knows as earthquakeprediction.com is predicting a major earthquake in the San Francisco region TODAY. Pardon me if I don't hold my breath.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oroville-earthquake-20170302-story.html

Well,some earthquakes are somewhat predictable. This is an engrossing story about EQs triggered by rapidly rising water levels in their reservoirs...

Unfortunately, theories that earthquakes can be predicted based on animal behavior have not panned out when subjected to cold, hard, statistical analysis. Despite decades of research, other attempts at earthquake prediction using other methods have also not panned out.

At the moment, the best that can been done is to say that a given fault segment is likely to rupture at some point in the future, and to provide some very loosely constrained numbers on how frequently that segment has ruptured in the past.

For a good readable discussion of the history of attempts at earthquake prediction, and some thoughts on whether we will or will not ever be able to predict earthquakes, I recommend Susan Hough's book Predicting the Unpredictable: The Tumultuous Science of Earthquake Prediction. Susan Hough is a seismologist at the United States Geological Survey in Pasadena, California, and scientist in charge of the office.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-earthquake-san-andreas-grapevine-20170307-story.html

This interesting story appeared this morning. There will be a major shakeup, something between a 7.5 and a 7.9, butprecisely when is anybody's guess. I did not check the Lost and Found section for any data.

For a while, Mom has considered getting a small SUV. Yesterday she brought up using it for bugging out. That got me to thinking about what and what not to bring when bugging out either temporarily or permanently. The following list is what I'm considering and is in no particular order. Let me know if there is something I should add or drop.

• Identification and important papers: Drivers' license, Social Security Card, passport, birth certificate and medical records.
• Medication: Prescription and OTC
• Glasses and case
• Cell phone and cord for charging it
• Cash
• Bottled water
• Nutritional supplements and anything that is of a nutritional benefit
• Extra lip balm
• Kleenex
• Electric toothbrush, replacement brush heads and toothpaste
• Other toiletries including deodorant and shaving products
• Makeup kit [it's small and it includes nail care items]
• Tool bag [if that's too much, I'll bring the more valuable tools]
• Mac Mini, keyboard, mouse, backup drive and video cable [I'm leaving the monitor behind because I can hook up my computer to any modern TV. If that's too much, I'll only bring the backup.]
• First aid kits and refill items
• D-Cell LED MAG LITES
• EMT shears
• Books: Complete Jewish Bible, Wilderness and Travel Medicine and The Chronological Gospels
• Hand wipes
• Towels
• Clothes and shoes
• If it is a permanent bugout, small sentimental items like my diploma

Jeanette Isabelle

JI.. if you plan on staying in Florida, would suggest something like an aluminum folding chaise lounge to sleep on in case you can not find lodging... mosquito netting...7 day cooler with frozen water jugs and 3 days minimum perishable cold cuts, etc, and 3 days worth of chunky soups/stews that can be heated in the can... small Asian style butane stove with extra gas canisters...extra cooler to carry ice... 12v cigarette charger for your electronics...small digital TV... 20 liter Scepter style water jug for you and one for your Mom... blue tarp and some bungee cords to convert your SUV to a makeshift camper... have a definite destination to evacuate to... regards

Les: I'm interested in your idea for a small ( Asian?) butane stove & extra cartridges. We live in an all electric high-rise, without an open terrace. Our present back-up stove is an old two burner Coleman Fuel / unleaded gas, hand pump camping stove. The CO danger, even near an open window, has always concerned me. Butane is, in my understanding, cleaner burning than liquid fuel. So which model do you recommend? What kind of burn time does S cartridge give you? Add all the usual questions?

acropolis... sorry, I don't have an answer for you... from my reading on the subject, they are well regarded for ease of use, I thought it would be a better option for JI as they are single burner, and relatively small and compact...., I use a Coleman propane two burner camp stove with an unleaded gasoline/Coleman fuel single burner back up...most of my cooking for the 9 day outage in 2004 was on a small tail gate gas grill to ease cleanup without hot water available... all of my hurricane cooking is done outside....with the inside air temps in the high 90s until midnight, I spent most of the afternoon and evenings in my garage with the door open

I went to propane in the 90s for hurricane cooking, with a propane adapter for a traditional Coleman fuel camp stove... but gave it to a relative that needed to cook fish for a large outing...

I store 3 bulk propane bottles and have a 1# bottle adapter as will as a hose connector... but would recommend the old Coleman fuel stove with the propane adapter for someone looking for a multi fuel cooking option

Les: Thanx for the quick reply. It is appreciated. I may do some research. I'll let you know what I find out. Anyone else have any relevant info?

Being a hiker and backpacker, I would consider the many stoves produced for that purpose, like the MSR Pocket Rocket 2, weighing a mere 3 oz, and utilizing isobutane canisters of varying sizes readily available in outdoor stores. There are many other choices available, like Trangia alcohol stoves and their homemade equivalents. For top of the line versatility, consider the MSR Whisperlite Universal backpacking stove , a bit more costly., but burns many different fuels.

These are all quite light, and readily portable, unlike the Coleman and its ilk (of which I have two -- quite useful when weight is not a concern).

CO is a concern with any open flame. Use outdoors or with really good ventilation.

reply moved to different thread.

Jeanette

A couple of helpful suggestions, after having the experience of taking groups of people overseas for more than 15 years.

1. It is quite easy to forget your passport. Not only because you accidentally left it at home. But also because it's super-easy to misplace the passport when you are going through airline security.

Here are the things I do, to make sure this disaster does not happen ...

1. When leaving home, about to get into the taxi for the airport, I check that I have 3 things in my carry-on bag ... passport, wallet and airline tickets. These things go in my bag, i never put them in my pockets.

2. After going through airline security, waiting at the departure gate, i check all 3 things again. This check is very important.

3. When I get off the plane, as soon as i set foot on the arrival pkatform, i do the same check again. That way, if the passport is accidentally left on the plane, a stewardess can get it for you.

4. After I collect my luggage, before i get in the taxi for the hotel, i do the same check again.

So that's 4 independent checks for your most important things, at different stages of the journey.

Finally, what do you do ... if your passport is lost or stolen?

MAKE SURE you make a photocopy of the important pages of your passport. clear and legible. put that in your carry-on. If an emergency happens, go to the US Consulate. if you give them the photocopy, along with new photos of you, they can replace the passport in 24-48 hours. I do know someone who went thru this nightmare. It was scary for them, but stay calm. It will work out.

Pete

If you're a US Citizen consider obtaining a Passport Card to accompany the traditional Passport Book. A Passport Card is only valid for sea and ground travel and only close to home (Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, I believe) but having it in your wallet may make things a heck of a lot easier if you need to go to a US Embassy or Consulate without your Passport Book.

I got my passport last year. Thanks for the tip. I will bring it up.

Jeanette Isabelle

Hi,
Unless you're using the stoves for space heating (6 hours at a time no ventilation),
whatever stoves you're using,
carbon monoxide should be manageable with windows/door ventilation
(1 hour cooking 3 a day day)
especially above ground level (more wind )


If you're using smelly fuels (kerosene, briquettes...)
and you're still smelling that
or smelling smoke
after the stove gets going (5-10min),
you might want to take that outside like 25 feet away from building

Some info about carbon monoxide and ventilation and legal pants

Using a $27-$50 CO alarm with digital readout to monitor CO--Carbon MONoxide output of Coleman lanterns

Canisters CO / FAQ - Stoves / CO by Roger Caffin.

Thanx EMP....

You may want to include a vehicle repair kit. My car kit includes:

• Basic tools
• Reflectors
• Gloves, roll of towels
• Gas can (empty)
• Tire wrench
• Air foot pump
• Portable battery jump starter pak
• Jumper cables
• Spare fuses, Duct tape, Wire, Extra hose clamps, Tire repair kit (as well as keeping up the air pressure in the spare tire)
• I thought about adding a quart of oil and a quart of windshield washer fluid but haven't gotten around to that yet.

Let's face it, if I can't repair my vehicle with these basic items then the repairs are simply beyond my ability and a call for service is required!

I also carry my hard hat, hi-vis vest, hearing and eye protection, and work boots due to my job requirements.