So, I talked about the Year’s Supply, and was going to move down the list, but it occurred to me that I should start with the bug out bag first, and then move up the list, as things added to the bug out bag will constitute the car kit, and things added to that will constitute the 72 hour kit and so on.
Bug out Bag- In order to explain the bug out bag, I will have to talk for a moment about the 72 hour kit. Many people confuse the 72 hour kit, with the bug out bag, but they are not the same thing. The bug out bag is not designed to sustain you with food and water for 3 days, nor is it used to haul around some sort of mini cabin and the comforts of camping. Of course, if you google Bug out Bag, you will find many variations that are intended for the wearer to run into the woods and wait out the zombies for a few days. Realistically though, how many of you are planning on running straight into the woods in the event of anything? Probably very few of us. Most likely we will be moving to another shelter, a place to get food and water. Most disasters in this area that will necessitate an evacuation of your house will not leave you without someplace to go. We have no hurricanes, no earthquakes that will wipe out huge swaths of city such as Katrina or Haiti. It is very likely that small areas will be affected, but there will be places to go if you are not able to stay in your own home.
The Bug out Bag is used when you have to get out of your house, and get out QUICKLY. I am talking 2 minutes quickly. This is especially true for those that live close to train tracks (chemical spills) or cemeteries (zombies). What is needed in a BoB? It needs to be tailored to your specific needs, and this will involve a little bit of talking with your spouse about what needs to go in there. The BoB assumes that you can get somewhere where you can have water, shelter and food, such as a Red Cross shelter or family. So if you tailor the bag around this scenario, it will be a lot easier to figure out what you want to put into it. For example- My BoB is tailored around having to a) go to a public shelter on foot or b)go to family on foot. Both of these scenarios is going to assume that whatever shelter I will get to will have food and water and perhaps even medical care. So really the BoB is full of important items and a change of clothes, not so much on survival items. Of course, you may want to tailor your bag to fit other scenarios such as the nearest family member is 2 days walk away- so we will need food and water and shelter to get us there.
Remember that it is impossible to plan for every variable. All we can do is plan for the most likely variables, and move on from there. This is why a good knowledge of skill sets could be invaluable to us. Do we know how to get food without packing it along- such as edible plants, or hunting? Do we know how to purify water without purification tablets or filters? Do we know how to build a shelter if all we had was a tarp, 4 feet of rope, a tire and a pallet? How do you stay warm without a sleeping bag? These are skills that can make up the deficit in unplanned variables.
Generally though, here are some absolutes:
Important documents (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO HAVE!!!): either hard copies such as Social Security cards and birth certificates, other important pictures and documents such as bank account info, insurance info, etc. stored electronically on a thumb drive. (this is probably the most important thing you want to take with you- here is a more in-depth website for more info on this http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/blogs/klessons/p/0006.html there is a small amount of cursing, nothing real bad, no f-bombs- but he has a great list of things to have on in a BoB)
Money- probably at least $100 in small denominations, including change.
Medications- I would include daily things like Tylenol, Tums, maybe some anti-diarrheal stuff.
Small first aid kit- nothin’ fancy, just enough to treat some small injuries
Scriptures
Consecrated Oil
Phone numbers for family
Hygiene kit (small bath towel, soap, sanitizer)
Toilet Paper (or disposable towelettes would be better)
As for other things- I would have
Change or two of underwear and socks, perhaps even a change of clothes
Some snack food such as granola bars, candy
A few bottles of water- remember on the food and water- this is not meant to keep you in food and water for 72 hours- although if you want to pack some MRE’s- they are gross, but will provide food in a small package and you could probably fit 2 or 3 days worth. Mostly the food and water would be if you had to walk a few miles to get where you need to go- like to Mom and Dad’s house, to the church, or other shelter set up.
Flashlights- the LED kind as the battery lasts forever
Water filter- the LDS distribution center sells them for $22
Good Leatherman type tool
100’ rope
Trash bags- can be used for all sorts of things from purifying water to shelter
Poncho
Matches, candles, flint and steel, or other firestarting items.
Good pair of work gloves
Spare batteries
The crank power radio and cell phone charger mom and dad gave us
A large tarp
Space blanket
Knit hat
Hand warmers
Compass
Maps of the area
Water purification tablets
Metal canteen cup (one that you can boil water in)
A good knife
100 rounds of ammo for a firearm (not only to mow through waves of zombies, but also for hunting)
Duct tape (a million and one uses for this)
Special Forces Survival Guide- a small booklet with tons of info from shelter to first aid for trauma and sicknesses.
We have small kids, so we have two BoB, and mine is much heavier than Sharel’s, as I can carry more. Having kids means a little less space to pack things you may want, as you are packing stuff for the kids, such as clothes, some entertainment for them, baby food, diapers, etc.
Your BoB should not weigh anymore than 50 pounds- if it does, then you need to get rid of some stuff. It should also be in a place that is very easy to grab on your way out, such as next to the door, or in a coat closet. In order to be effective, you should also practice getting out of your house in under 60 seconds, to see if you need to adjust anything- an evacuation plan.
3 comments:
That pretty much described the contents of my purse, Bro. :-) Keep the info coming. (BTW, you do know about the New Madrid fault in Missouri, don't you?)
We were pretty fortunate when the tornado happened that we were leaving on vacation. Roxy and I often ponder the what-if of that scenario if we had stayed home. What can you tell us about keeping your BoB safe in the event of a non-evacuable natural disaster? I would assume that in the threat of such an event, your BoB should be stored in your home's "safe place"
In answer to Spencer's question- your BOB should be where you can get to it quickly. If it is a tornado, then take it with you to wherever you will seek shelter. But if your safe place is in the basement, and there is a fire, then you probably won't be able to get to it. I would recommend storing it in your bedroom, say under your bed. Someplace that you can grab it quickly.
Post a Comment