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First Aid Kits Have Evolved Into Emergency Preparedness Kits Or Bug Out BagsAug 16 '09 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line A first aid kit is now viewed by many as part of a larger preparedness kit - thinking and knowledge are more important than shopping lists.
In many ways, the concept of the “First Aid Kit” has evolved. Certainly, a first aid kit is there for emergency ‘medical’ care. However, it is now viewed by a significant number as simply a part of a larger, ‘emergency kit;’ or, in a sense, a ‘first response’ kit in that it provides you with an additional capacity to make your first response to an emergency an effective one, greatly enhancing the chances of survival. How complete either the medical, ‘first aid’ portion or the entire kit ends up being is dependent on a number of things; including experience, training, finances, and proclivities. In a sense, an ‘emergency kit’ is a ‘first aid kit’ that addresses the overall needs of an individual in an emergency; not just immediate, medical care requirements. After all, items such as water, food, clothing, and the like are intrinsically linked to the health and well-being of individuals in an emergency. What is surprising is how many people have never really sat down and thought through what it would mean to survive an emergency. I’ve often asked members of college classes how many thought they could survive if something happened, at that moment, which trapped them on the campus for an indefinite period of time. (Usually this happens in a class where they’ve just read about how indigenous cultures utilized natural resources.) Generally, the vast majority would put up their hands. When I’d follow up with the inevitable question of “How, exactly, would you do it?” – much silence, birds tweeting, crickets chirping… What would follow was a look at the natural resources right there on campus and how they might be used (not to mention impacted by past and future, development plans). When one is into firearms, fishing, backpacking, and similar outdoor pursuits, certain types of conversations or, I should say, topics of conversation are the norm. There are times when it is fun to go through the mental gymnastics and other times when it’s just plain irritating to be surrounded by those who think they have one-size-fits-all answers to issues that are very much dependent upon individuals and the specific circumstances they find themselves in. However, in the last few years, it has become evident, at least to me, that far too many have never spent time truly thinking about the issue of emergency preparedness. I don’t mean thinking in terms of a detailed shopping list of supplies, but in terms of the thought processes which allow you to accumulate tools, techniques, and essentials which will permit you to make use of what you have or what is readily available. Actual Emergencies Almost twenty years ago, I lived in a region where temperatures drop lower than -30 degrees F in January. That winter, it got particularly cold and the bulk of the town ended up with burst pipes and little water. Outhouses are still prevalent in this region and though it is not exactly fun to visit one in those temperatures, it still provides a certain level of sanitation. For those without, there ended up being lines, literally, at the one gas station which stayed open 24 hours. This lasted a week or more for some families. Me? I had a trickle (I do mean a trickle) of water that would flow from one faucet. The electricity still worked. So, I would fill pots with water, heat on the stove (both the wood stove and the electric range), add the water at a temperature mix I could live with to my camping shower bag, hang shower bag from a 2” x 4” I’d laid over the top of the stall and I was presentable. Toilet duties? A $5 five gallon bucket, a $6 wooden toilet seat, a box of compactor trash bags, and kitty litter took care of digestive results. A little over a decade ago, I was living in a different region of the country; one which is prone to flooding when it rained severely. Sure enough, we got nailed and the town’s main water supply line, which passed under what was a dry river bed most of the year, was broken. People scrambled into the nearby town and found the shelves totally devoid of bottled water. Only three of us remained on our lane, the rest heading for family, friends, motels in nearby towns, etc. to ride it out. How did those of us who remained get by without water lines? You did notice that I said “when it rained?” I’m not sure what the one place did, but another down the road would haul a bucket of muddy water from the pond ¼ mile down the road so he could flush his toilet. Me? I couldn’t see using the muddy water, so I set every bucket and both camping food coolers under the eaves and collected gallons of fresh rain water. I did the same routine with the sun shower as I had when things froze and since the toilet was on a septic system, all I needed was the fresh water to flush the toilet. Drinking water? Well, I could have used the Multi-pure water filtration system I had hooked up to the kitchen sink (it was designed to be able to be used in just such an emergency and I had the necessary accessories) or, as another alternative, I could have pressed into service my MSR Miniworks water filter that I use for backcountry travel. However, I didn’t need to. It seems while virtually everyone had given up on the empty shelves at the grocery stores, almost no one had remembered the 7-11 in the middle of downtown. They had more 2 ½ gallon jugs of drinking water than I could afford or carry. Go figure. In fact, in checking, I noticed that most of these ‘convenience’ stores were well stocked throughout the five to six days it took to restore the town’s water (which still wasn’t the cleanest for a while thereafter – which is the reason I had the Multi-pure in the kitchen to begin with). The point here is to think your way through a situation and find means to utilize what is at hand. Which leads us precisely to thinking about, something generally referred to as 'planning,' what types of things you could have on hand to make an emergency easier or survivable. While many find it unpleasant or fear mongering to talk about such things, we all know what happens to the ostrich that sticks its head in the sand. It may not see what’s coming, but the posterior is in a perfect position to get kicked. If such imagery doesn’t sufficiently inspire, just watch the television the next time a hurricane hits, an earthquake occurs, a blackout happens, or whatever. See what happens to those who didn’t think far enough ahead, found themselves on the back end of long lines trying to get supplies to ‘ride it out,’ and/or found themselves trapped in the disaster zone having waited until the exit routes were blocked. Too Many “What If’s” No single essay can cover every possible variation of emergency and this is precisely the problem with many so-called Emergency Preparedness Kits or First Aid Kits or Bug-Out Bags or Survival Supplies or similar. What you will require in a short term power outage is going to be different than a pandemic. Some of the things you might require in a post Katrina-like situation are likely to be different than a temporary road closure due to a chemical spill. A collapse of the entire U.S. economic system is going to create a different list of ‘necessaries’ than the inconvenience of a teachers’ strike (which can be a very real emergency to those who work and have young kids that then can’t go to school). Of course, there are also issues such as where you are when an earthquake or fire or whatever strikes. Are you trapped at your office without the ability to return to your suburban home? Are you stuck in a small town, with no more hotel rooms or cots at the emergency evacuation center and the roads are cutoff due to a forest fire? Are you in the middle of the ‘wrong’ neighborhood, only slowly becoming aware that riots have broken out around you? Are you caught, without tire chains, along the side of the road in a blizzard? Are you headed for the safe room because a burglar just kicked in your front door? The variations are endless. Earlier this year, with the down turn of the economy, articles began popping up of people, literally, spending tens of thousands of dollars to ‘stock up’ and convert a portion of their homes into ‘bunkers’ against the possibility that banks were about to collapse, people were becoming unemployed, and state services were being drastically cut due to severe budget deficits. Obviously, the ‘have nots’ were going to be hunting what the ‘haves’ have. Having lived through the Cold War, Duck and Cover, Survivalists, World War III holocaust scenarios (remember, there was a reason the Stargate was put in the Cheyenne Mountain complex – the place wasn’t built as just an interplanetary launching pad; Matthew Broderick did learn that video games needed a little more development; Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey did have to experience ‘the dawn’ before having the time of their lives; and The Day After Tomorrow was a sequel, of sorts, to The Day After – where else do you think they got the name?), the Rodney King aftermath, and Geraldo Rivera’s return to television news, I’ve heard it all before. The trouble is, most of these people don’t think through what they’re saying to the logical conclusion. I know hunters who think they’ve got it licked – they’ll just hunt for their food. What they tend to forget is how much time they’ve spent without seeing anything to shoot; not to mention having a narrow vision of what can be a limited supply of prey. Home gardeners think they’ve got a ready supply of sustenance. How long could you live on solely what your garden produces; assuming no person, animal, or insect consumes all or a portion thereof? In addition, you’d be surprised how many of these hunters and gatherers actually have no clue how to preserve their meat and produce without the ability to throw it in the freezer. Uh, folks… If you’re down to hunting and gathering as your sole means of subsistence, the power grid is probably offline… Others have illusions of being Charlton Heston as the Omega Man (Heston’s Soylent Green also springs to mind in light of some of the ‘issues’ being brought up in the Health Care ‘debate’ – check it out) or Will Smith’s version of the same story, I Am Legend, insofar as their ability to survive through foraging; equipped with street smarts, killer looks, and the right firepower. Many of these individuals will endlessly debate the correct firearm(s) to have should the “SHTF” and they need to Bug-Out or if they have to defend their ‘bunker’ if the ‘zombies’ attack. These are the internet incarnation of survivalist discussions heard decades ago. The trouble is, just as with discourses of this kind from previous eras, these individuals tend to forget that in such a situation, being visibly armed, or even ‘invisibly’ armed, is likely to cause you to run afoul of the government authority in charge of the disaster. Two case studies in point: The 1992 Los Angeles Riots and New Orleans after Katrina. If you think you can ‘shoot it out’ with the government ‘lackies’ coming to take it from you… Ruby Ridge? Waco? Iraq? Afghanistan? Need I say more? What if there’s no government authority? The typical answer is to stock up on more guns and more ammo. My standard response? How much ammo can you carry on your back? If society has broken down to that point, how far are you going to be able to ‘bug out’ with mechanical assistance (i.e., that deuce and a half you’re gonna need to haul all that ammo) where the infrastructure is no longer being maintained by the government authority tasked to do so? No matter what firepower you possess, how do you intend to defend your wood, stucco, and dry wall home against the marauding hordes; i.e., how many can you shoot in the ‘horde’ before they blast right through or blow you out of your virtually nonexistent cover? Do you really want to go around in full cammies, overtly carrying firearms? Do you remember the theory behind the Liberator pistols dropped to the French resistance during WWII? While you may think you’re giving off the message of “Don’t Mess With Me,” aren’t you simultaneously setting yourself up as a “resource rich” target? Think about what’s currently happening with military patrols in Iraq and Afghanistan; bearing in mind that they’re much better armed than you will be and they have on-call artillery and air support. Think about this - I even have to be careful how I dress and ‘present’ myself on fishing excursions into the backcountry anymore lest I be ‘mistaken’ for a sheriff’s deputy by marijuana growers. I’ve heard people who’ve watched ‘survival programs’ such as those by Ray Mears, Les Stroud, or Bear Grylls who exclaim “Oh, I can do that” or “He should have done it this way” – without ever having done “this” or tried it “that” way… Actual experience being a world removed from seeing it done on television. This is why the Discovery Channel’s The Alaska Experiment is one of the best ‘reality’ programs going. It ain’t as easy as you think and in a real emergency, there isn’t any helicopter to call. But, it all comes down to the same thing… Utilizing and conserving limited resources to glean the greatest benefit. Some Basics Does all this mean that you shouldn’t waste your time in preparing an emergency kit/bug out bag/survival gear? Absolutely not. As recent emergencies have amply demonstrated, individuals cannot depend on government agencies to immediately ride to their rescue. This is why agencies such as FEMA and the Red Cross now recommend putting together some form of ‘kit;’ right down to suggesting it as part of the shopping you do for back to school supplies. This does not mean, however, that one need to ‘break the bank’ to buy all the latest and greatest outdoor gear or get a doctor to write you a prescription for the most effective drugs or join the long waiting lines for ammunition, assault rifles, and the most high tech tactical gear. You might be surprised how much of what you need is already around the house. The First Aid Kit Most emergency preparedness kits seem to focus on first aid supplies. That makes sense – to a point. However, many people wouldn’t know what to do with much more than antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide, band aids, and aspirin. In point of fact, most first aid classes don’t teach people to work with much more than that. Just because there are all kinds of kits for pulling teeth, performing surgery, defibrillation, dealing with a biological attack, or staving off the effects of radiation from a nuclear attack or a reactor meltdown, doesn’t mean that the $3.99 first aid booklet is going to instantly turn you into a trauma specialist or neurosurgeon in an emergency. Worse, having such equipment might make some think they can use it properly and cause them to try. (Hey man… I watched Mark Wahlberg in Shooter and I know all I need is a couple bottles of water, some surgical tubing [or radiator hose], some salt, a lighter… Is it ‘in the book?’ Yep. Is it something you want to try without proper training? If you do, can I have the guns and ammo you’ve stockpiled?) A cursory look at the first aid supplies recommended or included in first aid kits can leave one’s head spinning. Should I search out one recommended by doctors and EMT’s or strictly follow OSHA guidelines? Do I need Nox-A-Sting wipes to neutralize bug bites (dirt and water, commonly known as 'mud,' has worked well for me on bee stings), the snake bite kit, Iosat Potassium Iodide tablets, CPR shield, Particulate Masks or more sophisticated respirators, body/toe/hand warmers or all of the above? What about getting the doctor to issue me some prescriptions for behind-the-counter meds – you know, the good stuff? If I ask for hypodermics and I’m not diabetic, is someone going to jump to the conclusion I’m an addict? Do I even know how to use this stuff? Okay. But, what should you have? Surprisingly, you’ve probably got most of it already. As mentioned, antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide, band aids/sterile dressings, aspirin/Tylenol/Ibuprofen, and scissors. Of course, if you take prescription medicines, you should keep yourself reasonably stocked. If you’re prone to allergies, lay in a supply of your favored anti-histamine laced capsules. Other than that… What, no burn ointments?! No antibiotics?! Again, learn to work with what’s available to you. In my case, I relearned some things that have long been known, but are lost in the ‘mists of history’ to most people. With the anthrax scare in 2001, people talked their doctors into writing prescriptions for Cipro. Cipro is one of the more powerful antibiotics for bacterial infections and has proven effective in treating anthrax. My problem? I had an open and sizeable wound which had become seriously infected. Lesser grade antibiotics were not getting it; I was also reacting to some of the side effects. My doctor decided on Cipro and gave me the few trial caplets she had – sending me to the pharmacy to get a full course. Unfortunately, the pharmacies in town were short supplied and couldn’t provided me all that was needed. They hoped to have more ‘in about a week,’ but couldn’t guarantee it. What to do? You don’t want to take antibiotics without taking the full regimen; that has consequences. Rather than immediately start on the Cipro, I decided to see if I could hold things in check until I could get the full measure that was needed. How? I started bathing the wound in Epsom salt – which will draw out infection. I then packed the opening with sugar – which inhibits bacterial growth by ‘drying’ the wound – and coated the surface with honey, which also has antibacterial properties. No, it did not cure the problem, but it did hold things in check until I was able to get the rest of my Cipro prescription. In fact, I saw the doctor only 3 days after starting on the Cipro and her comment was: “I guess you do know something about taking care of wounds.” Is this a recommendation to learn about natural remedies and holistic medicines? No. But, there are some things that can be drawn from them; either because they work or because they can’t hurt and might help. Milk can be used on light burns. So can Preparation H – yes, the hemorrhoid cream does a good job and I leave a small sample tube permanently in my backpack’s first aid kit. Epsom salt can work on infected wounds or be used as a laxative. Many of the herbs in your kitchen can be used to make poultices for things such as infections, bruises, congestion, and myriad other issues. Packets of chicken soup can be stored in your desk at the office and can help with sore throats, as an anti-inflammatory aid, and to clear congestion. The list goes on. Does it substitute for proper medical care or modern medicines? No. However, in a disaster or emergency, it can get you by until proper medical care is available or can be reached. The only trick is being aware you can use all of these things – something that is much easier to learn than getting advanced medical training required to properly use many of the alternatives often suggested for inclusion in an emergency kit. Water and Food One of the glitziest things found in emergency kits are water pouches. Generally containing about 3 - 4 oz. of water, these foil pouches serve well enough in the survival vests/kits for military pilots and lifeboats. Catalogs even suggest they can be frozen and used as ice packs (which, again, makes me wonder what type of emergency one is preparing for if they’re down to using 4 oz. water pouches, but the electricity is still flowing). The problem for most people is the maximum 5 year shelf life, proper storage (Do you really want to store a bunch of these in the car, where it can get to over 100 degrees in the sun?), the expense, and the need for a considerable number to be worth the effort. Think about it this way, FEMA and other agencies recommend a minimum of 1 gallon of water per person, per day for drinking and sanitation. How many 4 ounce packets does that make? Bear in mind that if you’re an individual who sweats heavily, a diabetic, on diuretics, simply surviving in a hot/humid environment, at higher altitudes, or subject to myriad other factors, is that single gallon going to be enough? You require more water than you think, even in the cold. You even need a minimum amount of water for simple digestion. In that sense, while a certain ‘to start with’ supply is advisable, it is far, far better to be able to collect and treat water than to try to figure out how to carry or store large quantities. Remember how collecting rain water from the roof helped during the flood I noted earlier? Water collection and treatment comes down to having something as simple as a cup or pot to collect it, a water bottle/canteen to store it, and a way to treat it. Boiling it is not always going to be an option. A filter will get some of the problem; as will chemical treatments such as Potable Aqua. If you can’t boil it, then filtering and treating is a good alternative. But, again, you don’t have to spend a bunch of money or hope the store shelves are still full. Standard household chlorine bleach (not the kind which is scented or laced with ‘color safe’ and/or additional cleaning chemicals) can be used in a very diluted form to treat water. Be advised that should you opt for relying on this or other impromptu solutions (Iodine, charcoal), you need to research what variations are safe and how to properly utilize them!!! More sophisticated techniques such as solar stills or saltwater desalinization are beyond the context of this essay. They are also beyond the normal ‘emergency’ situation; requiring specific types of materials and conditions. However, something as simple as a sponge was found to be invaluable by Captain Scott O’Grady (the F-16 pilot shot down over Bosnia in the mid-90’s) for collecting water. Even having an ordinary bucket to scoop dirty water (or collect rain pouring from the roof) will give you the ability to collect water, allow dirt and other contaminates to settle to the bottom, then withdraw the ‘cleaner’ water – stretching the life of your filter or, lacking a filter, doing away with dirt that boiling won’t eliminate… dirt that will potentially cause harm to your teeth or create digestive issues. Food? Dehydrated backpacking food has a decent shelf life, is light, tastes reasonable, is simple to prepare, and is hideously expensive. They also require water; which can be in short supply. Military rations, known as Meals Ready To Eat (MRE’s), are heavier, also have a decent shelf life if properly stored, are precooked, simple to prepare, better than their reputation (but not as good as you might like), sometimes hard to come by, and also terribly expensive. Canned foods are readily available (you’ve already probably got some at home), can be reasonably easy to prepare – even without electricity, come in a vast variety of ‘foods,’ are much less expensive than dehydrated foods or MRE’s, have a reasonable shelf life if properly stored, but can be bulky and are heavy. Bulk foods, by definition (‘bulk?’), require considerable space. They also require proper storage and rotation (i.e., you work them into your regular diet and replenish). These bulk foods are, primarily, staples such as wheat, rice, etc. and require considerable effort to work into a ‘meal.’ They are also costly. Filling the freezer? Yeah, sure. Are you ‘off the grid,’ with your own solar power, windmill, hydroelectric generator…? In an emergency, how often does the power stay on? If we’re only talking about a few hours, about how long truly frozen food is going to last before you start having issues, then how big an ‘emergency’ is it – really? In short, there is no single, good answer to the food problem. Hunting/fishing and gathering to supplement these foods can help, but is going to be highly dependent upon circumstances. Likewise, multi-vitamins and ‘energy’ bars can be used as supplements, but not substitutes for proper food. Most kits are set up around the concept of 72 hours; e.g., three days worth of food and water. This time frame is thought to be sufficient to ‘ride out’ a short term emergency until things are over or help/relief arrives. (How long did it take for FEMA to get to the Superdome?) This is the basis of most kits or bug out bags. Obviously, longer time frames and the food/water supplies required for them are going to create logistics issues and either demand vehicular transport or remaining in situ (How long did it take to get to the Superdome?). Gear A change of clothes is always recommended as essential gear. Just don’t think you’re going to bring the whole closet. If nothing else, always pack a change, preferably two pair, of socks. Next should be a pair or two of skivvies. (Socks and shorts/panties can be readily washed in sinks or cooking pots; but, you always want to have a clean, dry pair, ready for use.) Additional clothing will depend on circumstances. However, some basics do apply regardless. Don’t pack the Bermuda shorts and the Aloha shirt. A good, long sleeve shirt and pair of full-length, heavy duty pants will last longer and provide more protection (sun, cold, insects, bushes that stick, etc.). A hat with a brim is always a good idea, regardless of climate. Insofar as a change of shoes, if you tend toward tennis shoes or wing tips, pack a pair of boots (lightweight in a pinch, heavy leather is better) in the bug out kit. If you regularly wear boots, then a pair of lighter shoes will provide some relief around ‘camp’ or ‘shelter.’ Tools such as knives, flashlights/headlamps, fire starters (matches, lighters, other), can openers, axes, crowbars, wrenches, etc. are going to be highly individualistic items. How many of these tools you’ll actually need or get to keep will also be dependent upon circumstances. If you’re headed to the woods, then hammer, saw, hatchet, and knife are invaluable aids. If you’re moving into an evacuation center, be prepared to have them confiscated; e.g., think in terms of what you can bring on an airplane. For me, at the very least, I have a pocket knife or multi-tool and a flashlight or headlamp squirreled in a pocket or deep in the pack. In a sense, I never want to find myself in a position where I cannot make fire or ‘clean my own food’ (gut fish, open cans…). But, that’s just me. Yes, I can do these things with tools I make on the spot, but the proper tool is something you only appreciate when you don’t have it. You’re going to have to decide for yourself in terms of specific types and brands and which you can work with, don’t want to try to survive without, and are willing to have confiscated or ‘lost’ depending on conditions. The same goes with mess gear. Something as simple as a canteen cup can make all the difference in terms of water and food. If it’s just you as an individual, then a canteen and metal cup may be all you need. If you’re planning for a family of four, then a kit may be required. In a pinch, simply pick up an inexpensive, stainless steel saucepan (preferable to a frying pan as it can be used for a wider variety of food preparation – the stainless steel being durable and easy to clean without the concerns associated with aluminum or the fragility of non-stick coatings) and you’re good to go. Likewise, you don’t need a $100 backpacking stove. In fact, gel fuel such as Sterno or Canned Heat, though not nearly as efficient, is safer and has less potential for mess. In the end, you can always learn to cook over an open fire; but, there is a certain amount of ‘art’ to this and circumstances may preclude doing so. A radio? Okay. Small and able to do shortwave as well as AM/FM and runs on readily available batteries that you’re likely to already have – high quality versions can be had for as little as $50. The wind-up, ‘emergency’ versions can work; but, I’d view them as a backup or very short term solution. Forget the portable television. Wasn’t there something about a digital transition in the news not long ago…? Personal items such as glasses/contacts (a backup set of lenses and/or frames?), feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, et al. are going to be an individual issue. You can, with a minimum of expenditure, devote a little time to the ‘travel size’ section of the grocery, department store, or pharmacy. Tiny bottles of mouthwash, small tubes of toothpaste, and similar are good for a bug out bag; i.e., they take up little space. However, be careful. It is sometimes easier to buy the ‘warehouse’ size version and create your own ‘kit bag-sized’ container with things such as towelettes, feminine products, etc. In addition, pay attention to expiration dates (this also applies to the first aid ointments, food, etc.) and rotate use – e.g., if you do have one of the small, travel bottles of Listerine, use it before the expiration and refill from the gallon-sized bottle you bought at Costco (just note the new date). Papers such as passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, deeds, and so forth should be copies. The originals should be stored someplace ‘bombproof’ like a bank’s safety deposit box or similar. Simply putting them in a fireproof safe at home may not be enough. (Remember those marauding hordes?) It might even be advisable to utilize a branch outside of your immediate area to store the originals; i.e., if your home may not survive, neither might the branch office down the block. If the bank is gone, your originals are lost; but, if the insurance company and the government can’t provide replacements based on the copies you have with you, the disaster is apocalyptic enough that you won’t need them anyway. Speaking of ‘banks…’ It is usually recommended that you stash some cash in your “Go Kit.” I’ve seen articles which point to the necessity of carrying a $1,000 or more. Well, alright. ATM cards probably won’t work – especially if the power is out. In a true emergency, with limited resources, you may find that credit cards are not accepted. There’s a reason “cash on the barrel head” has become a lasting expression. Motel rooms, food, etc. all require purchasing power. The actual amount or type of exchange commodity is going to depend on the size of the disaster. If your Bug out bag doesn’t carry enough supplies and you need more, how much cash can you afford to carry with you and spend; not to mention store in your emergency kit and only touch in the event of an actual emergency? If the whole economic system has collapsed or a pandemic is sweeping the nation, how much gold and silver can you carry – paper money being worthless and emergency script being limited or nearly as useless? Do you have to buy a sleeping bag? No. You can use blankets, poncho liners, emergency blankets (which I have some strong opinions on related to size and effectiveness, but to each their own), or similar. However, something to bear in mind is where and how you intend using it. If you’re headin’ to the hills, temperatures drop with increases in elevation. If it’s January in Montana, a poncho liner or bivy sack probably isn’t gonna cut it without some advanced survival techniques and additional tools – even then, just be prepared to be cold. On the other hand, evacuating to an emergency shelter for a night or two might mean cots and wool blankets are provided. Something else to remember is that if you are ‘bugging out’ or evacuating, whatever you choose has to be readily mobile. Which brings us to… Backpack, duffel bag, or what? How much can you carry? How much are you trying to bring? Where are you bugging out to? I prefer a backpack, but other types of carriers have advantages and disadvantages. Many feel that a cheap pack, purchased at Wal-Mart is all one needs. In a sense, they are correct. You don’t necessarily want or need to purchase all high end gear for a bag or gear which, hopefully, will never have to be used in a real emergency. (Although, a certain amount of practice with the gear is always advisable.) However, I also can’t see building a “Go Bag,” one that you’re life is supposedly going to depend on, around poorly constructed gear either. Likewise, high end, ‘adventure racing-style,’ gossamer weight packs and bags aren’t going to be durable enough; despite the temptation of 'lightweight is easier to carry.' In the end, you’re the one who has to decide what they can afford. One thing… As alluded to earlier, donning military-esque garb can be an invitation to problems. A little can go a long way. Having an ALICE pack is often seen as quite normal. Carrying an ALICE pack with full ALICE web gear and a full set of camo BDU’s may provoke an undesired response – already frightened civilians may perceive you as a threat and government ‘troops’ (National Guard, Sheriff, etc.) will know you aren’t one of them and not take time to ‘investigate’ before dealing with an obvious, to them, threat. Years ago, I remember seeing an article on laying out emergency caches. The author included two photos, one of him in normal woods clothing (flannel shirt, cord pants) and one of him dressed in camo. The question he posed in the caption was: “Which of these would tend to draw more attention?” I’m not saying “don’t.” Surplus equipment is durable, cost effective, and actually works. In fact, I even recommend some for normal, outdoor gear use. All I’m saying is, be careful and think it through. As stated previously, this thought also applies to firearms. I’m not going to get into any debate here about the efficacy of including one, or several, in your kit; let alone what type, caliber, or manufacturer. Much of this is going to be dependent upon your vision of the world, the circumstances you foresee, ability to handle, acceptance of the limitations they place upon you in terms of options in an emergency (you can’t haul the whole armory, can only carry so much ammo, and may have to give them up if you seek, or are ‘caught’ by, ‘official’ assistance), and where you plan to bug out to. I know my answer. I’m not entirely happy with the conclusions I’ve come to and the choices I’ve found necessary. But, they are just that, my choices. I have to live or survive based on them. Even more significant, they are informed choices, based on careful consideration and discourse (not debate) with experts and officials, made in the safe light of day rather than on muey mucho macho rhetoric, emotional or instinctive reaction to a shocking emergency, or political allegiance. (In that sense, I again refer you to the 1992 L.A. riots where confirmed reports emerged, even in the anti-gun media outlets, about “Hollywood liberals” who were shocked to discover that the 15-day waiting period, legislation they had actively supported, in California at the time also applied to them and that they would not be able to immediately take home a firearm for protection. In other words, ‘thinking it through’ includes being able to measure how your professed ideals will stand up in the harsh light of the realities inherent in a true emergency.) Time Simply having this stuff, somewhere in the house, isn’t enough. Emergencies usually don’t announce themselves with enough time to ‘get it together.’ Yes. There are hurricane and tornado warnings. Volcanoes usually give some sort of signal. Floods can often be anticipated. But, earthquakes, though expected in certain areas, do happen without warning. The same with blackouts and riots. If you’re having trouble judging how much time you’ll have to pack your stuff and get out, it might be advisable to remember the time frame we had during the Cold War. It was generally accepted that ICBM’s could travel from the Soviet Union to the United States in roughly 20 - 30 minutes. Of course, this was somewhat dependent upon the technology available, where in the U.S.S.R. it came from, and where it was targeted to hit. But, the 20 - 30 minute time frame was a good average to work with and people could wrap their minds around it. In that context, it provided people with an idea of how far they could run if they were in an high probability target area; i.e., ‘ground zero.’ If you didn’t figure you could run far enough in that time, you headed for the bunker; which gave you just about enough time to say a prayer and kiss it goodbye. In fact, it was this mentality which led to a substantial amount of the ‘survival movement’ from which the ‘bug out bag’ concept derived. As a kid, I remember we had two civilian defense shelters in the area. One was downtown and could house a fraction of the small town’s population; not to mention being 5 - 10 precious minutes away in normal traffic. The other was a larger facility that could be turned into one. I even remember the fifty gallon water barrels that could be filled, then used for sanitation [toilets] once empty. The problem was that it was a 20 minute drive just to get to the outskirts of the facility and a minimum of another 20 minutes to be able to enter it. On top of that, I could, with more than a little justification, envision it as a primary target in the event of an all-out attack. Frankly, I always figured I’d get further and have a better chance if I spent that time heading into the nearby hills. If that sounds too apocryphal for you, think in terms of the “golden hour” in treating trauma. It is that finite time frame in which proper medical treatment can significantly increase the likelihood of a victim’s survival. It is not, precisely, one hour. It is dependent upon a number of variables, including the type of trauma. But, the concept is there and exactly the same as with the ICBM’s. What this comes down to is deciding, realistically, how much you could put together in that 20 minutes or 1 hour and have what you needed to survive and thrive in an emergency. What might you forget? What if you put some of the basics together, into a kit of sorts, then used that ‘golden time’ to collect other ‘stuff,’ beyond the basics, which would help see you through? Where would you keep such a kit so that you could grab it and go if the time frame you are allotted is closer to, or less than, the 20 minute time frame rather than an hour? In the end, the best stocked bag of gear does you no good sitting in the garage if you’re an hour away at work and unable to get home. Likewise, the most complete bug out equipped vehicle won’t do you any good if you can’t get gas to move it. Final Thoughts As stated in the beginning, this piece is not meant to provide a shopping list for supplies. Such a list would be little better than simply telling you to purchase the 'best' kit you can afford; it may not meet your individual needs, but you'll have 'stuff' to work with. Whether or not you or anyone in your 'group' would actually know how to use it becomes problematic. You could look at it this way: 'Tis better to have what you know how to and can use than to have a bunch of things that can be dangerous or harmful when used improperly. There are any number of topics which could be added to the discussion; e.g., fuel for vehicles, escape routes, constructing a ‘bunker’ if escape is not an option, etc. The whole idea is to get you to think about things and have a plan, no matter how rudimentary, for dealing with emergencies. A little common sense, a considerable amount of rational thought (as opposed to irrational fear), a process for thinking through needs vs. wants vs. reality vs. myth, and a certain amount of research will take you much further than either trying to ‘plan’ in the heat of an emergency situation or simply buying the most couture looking (and priced) “emergency preparedness kit” in the catalog.  |
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