Bug out bag, natural disaster

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S

sawlight

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Tonight shook me up pretty bad! I'm in the Wichita KS area and had a tornado coming right at the house at fifty miles an hour, five miles left and it lifted. Closest I've ever had one get! I've seen them, I've watched them, but they all were going somewhere that I didn't live!
My wife and child were already in the storm shelter, underground unit in the garage floor with a sliding steel door, slick thing!
We have a "hurricane survival kit" in there already, food, water, glow sticks, crank radio, crank flashlight, toilet paper, a lid that turns the bucket into a port-a-poty, space blanket, and a small first aid kit. The basics are really covered pretty well with this.
Also in there, is a Pelican box with a Luma-Power M3 transformer and a Fenix EO1, with plenty of batts, all lithium for over two weeks of use.
Tonight was the closest I've come to needing to use this shelter, I had time to pack some extra's and get ready, somewhat.
Let's say a handgun is a given and eliminate that now.
What do you feel is important and necessary in a small Bug out bag? I threw all the lights and batts I could find into a backpack, two pair of socks, and extra hat and a jacket.
What would you want? What did I forget? Everything I know would be gone, no tools, no truck, just assume my house is a total loss and I have to start from scratch, but need to get to a point to do that!
So a small to medium bag in my nightstand, ready to go, easy to access, I can drop my wallet in and out of at night as needed, and is ready to go.
 
First thing, glad to hear that you're safe.

Since this is CPF :crazy:, I'd want to have a decent LED headlight to add to your thrower & your low-level flooder. Very very useful, particularly for reading during down times.
  • I keep a deck of playing cards in each of my BOBs - my favorite card game, cribbage, is an excellent game for two or three players.
  • A small pad of paper & pencils/pens works well for keeping score in cribbage. Also, bored kids can use them to draw, which would take their mind off of other things - discomfort, for example. If your party needs to separate, having the ability to leave notes as to intentions and/or directions can be a godsend.
  • A few paperback books are great to kill time if necessary, particularly if you can't sleep.
  • Duct tape.
  • A good whistle. (This one is extremely compact and has gotten very good reviews)
  • Leather work gloves.
  • A spare long-sleeve heavy cotton shirt does great double-duty as a pillow.
  • Extra cash
  • Here is a great idea, so don't laugh: a couple six-packs of canned beer. For example: After the disaster (with roads & convenience stores shut down), if you need some help on a fallen tree from your neighbor who just happens to have a chainsaw, would you rather ask for his help by: offering him a $10, or offering him a beer or two? I pretty much guarantee that most folks would prefer the beer for helping out a neighbor. Very handy for bartering overall, when much of commerce & many services are temporarily shut down.
I have a couple of very good web links that I don't have on hand at the moment - I'll post them tomorrow - excellent reading.

Take care & good luck,
K
 
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After reading these first two posts, I feel like an amateur... but here are a few additions:

Cell phone & batteries
Candy
Cat food
John Wayne
SAK
Leatherman
Deodorant
Monster sized pry bar
Toys
Cleaning supplies for the wife
 
Fits in a small gym bag
Couple lights
good knife
map
first aid kit
meal bars
ramen packs
lighter
blanket
couple poncho's
radio
batteries
 
Dances with Flashlight said:
After reading these first two posts, I feel like an amateur... but here are a few additions:

Cell phone & batteries
Candy
Cat food
John Wayne
SAK
Leatherman
Deodorant
Monster sized pry bar
Toys
Cleaning supplies for the wife
Click to expand...

nice Dances...the ole' P-38

Interesting concept- BOB to get you from bed to the garage storm shelter.......
assuming you already have a NOAA weather alert radio.
Kind of a Shelter in Place Extraction tip- but given what I have seen on the news in tornado alley lately....and today's national dopler radar.....
On the today show this A.M. - family of 4 that was trapped
(for a very brief time) in their storm shelter in Norman OK. The door was covered with debris. So...second for the MONSTER PRY BAR and Cell phone- maybe a 10 ton Bottle jack and spud bar- too heavy in the BOB or go bag- but worth thinking about for the shelter. They were able to open the door about a half inch- so maybe some colored smoke and LED strobes to throw out for SAR. Fox 40 rescue whistle and maybe and air horn. Seen a lot of Trees, Houses, Cars, etc laying in piles where they shouldnt be- so if your gagage should pancake and collect a bunch of debris on top- your biggest challenge might be getting out- depending on how far out in the boonies you live.
Extra signaling devices are plenty light enough for your nighttime BOB/GoBAG.
 
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Since I'm already into camping, and flashlights (and other outdoorsy gadgets), then read Neil Strauss's book 'Emergency', I decided to make my own bug out bag as well (mostly out of boredom to be honest ;)

It's more tailored to surviving outside for multiple days, and fits in a medium alice pack (which I'll replace when I have money for a better bag). Here's what's in it:

Fleece jacket (warmth)
underarmour cold gear top and bottom (warmth)
Gortex jacket and pants (protection from rain/snow/wind)
Emergency Bivy shelter (basically a rip-proof mylar sleeping bag)

Multifuel stove + fuel canister & pump
MSR Water Purifier pump
3 liter bladder + 1 liter Nalgene
Pot + utensils/can opener
3x 3-day Emergency Food rations (3600 calories each)
Couple bricks of dry soup and some instant oatmeal packets for variety

First aid kit (with signal mirror, fire starters, Lighthound keychain light, multitool, iodine, etc.)
Busse Large fixed blade knife (doubles as a hatchet/hammer/prybar)
Pocket Chainsaw (for shelter building, firewood)
100' multi-strand paracord
JetBeam RRT-0 with AA extender (so I can use RCR123's, or the more common AA's)
Garmen GPS with topographic maps of surrounding states (once I get another memory card it'll have most of the US)

Need a handgun at some point, but this is more of a hobby, and not a true when SHTF bag.
 
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Kestrel said:
A few more things:
  • 2-3 heavy sewing needles plus dental floss (far stronger for repairs than simple sewing thread)
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste can considerably improve quality of life
The links I promised earlier, very very interesting reading:


Urban Preparation Kit, Part I
Urban Preparation Kit, Part II

Very comprehensive, plus great pics.
Click to expand...

good ole' OMF......excellent articles...relevant for Quakes or Tornados- both scenarios might result in you having to extract yourself.
 
If only for my own benefit, I'd include some comfort food items like a bag of Snickers bars, M&Ms, etc. No, especially the M&Ms! I'd beef up the first aid items, esp to include medications. Also, tornados are uncommon in my area so I don't have the short dash to the shelter mindset, meaning I personally wouldn't be comfortable if I wasn't also equipped to Get Out Of Dodge completely- meaning I'd have everything survival related ready to move, not just the stuff kept at the bedside, and also would throw in some camping gear and some long arms. And when you start doing that sort of thing, you're really getting into it and should check out Mr Rawles' survivalblog.com which has extensive archived material on all such issues, and is where all the smart survivalists go to get information and ideas. It was a posting there that first got me here to candlepower, so fair's fair!​
 
this is a highly unique/specialized SHTF situation- a small bag to get you a very short distance at warp speed- might suggest some GITD Key Fobs strapped to it so you will be able to see it on the floor/dresser for a late night grab and dash-especially if the power is already out. Andygold in the CPF marketplace sells excellent GITD Fobs- the Jumbo's are very visable all thru the night.
 
RAGE CAGE said:
nice Dances...the ole' P-38

Interesting concept- BOB to get you from bed to the garage storm shelter.......
assuming you already have a NOAA weather alert radio.
Kind of a Shelter in Place Extraction tip- but given what I have seen on the news in tornado alley lately....and today's national dopler radar.....
On the today show this A.M. - family of 4 that was trapped
(for a very brief time) in their storm shelter in Norman OK. The door was covered with debris. So...second for the MONSTER PRY BAR and Cell phone- maybe a 10 ton Bottle jack and spud bar- too heavy in the BOB or go bag- but worth thinking about for the shelter. They were able to open the door about a half inch- so maybe some colored smoke and LED strobes to throw out for SAR. Fox 40 rescue whistle and maybe and air horn. Seen a lot of Trees, Houses, Cars, etc laying in piles where they shouldnt be- so if your gagage should pancake and collect a bunch of debris on top- your biggest challenge might be getting out- depending on how far out in the boonies you live.
Extra signaling devices are plenty light enough for your nighttime BOB/GoBAG.
Click to expand...

We will be in a similar storm shelter as them, we are registered with the Police and Fire crews in our town, and we are in town. Neighbors and family are also aware of our location. The real theory is to park a car over it so debris isn't a problem, but not in my garage!


TriChrome said:
Since I'm already into camping, and flashlights (and other outdoorsy gadgets), then read Neil Strauss's book 'Emergency', I decided to make my own bug out bag as well (mostly out of boredom to be honest ;)

It's more tailored to surviving outside for multiple days, and fits in a medium alice pack (which I'll replace when I have money for a better bag). Here's what's in it:

Fleece jacket (warmth)
underarmour cold gear top and bottom (warmth)
Gortex jacket and pants (protection from rain/snow/wind)
Emergency Bivy shelter (basically a rip-proof mylar sleeping bag)

Multifuel stove + fuel canister & pump
MSR Water Purifier pump
3 liter bladder + 1 liter Nalgene
Pot + utensils/can opener
3x 3-day Emergency Food rations (3600 calories each)
Couple bricks of dry soup and some instant oatmeal packets for variety

First aid kit (with signal mirror, fire starters, Lighthound keychain light, multitool, iodine, etc.)
Busse Large fixed blade knife (doubles as a hatchet/hammer/prybar)
Pocket Chainsaw (for shelter building, firewood)
100' multi-strand paracord
JetBeam RRT-0 with AA extender (so I can use RCR123's, or the more common AA's)
Garmen GPS with topographic maps of surrounding states (once I get another memory card it'll have most of the US)

Need a handgun at some point, but this is more of a hobby, and not a true when SHTF bag.
Click to expand...

Not STHF at all!
Again, all the food stuffs, whistle etc. is already in place, plenty of water, I don't need a GPS, I've lived here forty years. Matches are part of the kit.
Within a couple of days we will be with in-laws, out-laws, or friends.
SHTF is another scenario and I am not leaving!
This is you have NOTHING for a few days.
I liked the beer idea, but I am the guy with all the tools! I've four or six (I forget) chainsaws, a mini skid steer in the garage etc, you get the point! I'm the guy you don't want the tornado to hit!
So what do you pack?
 
Well, two days and three nights of severe weather, I'm frazzled! Tornadoes all around us so far this year, it's crazy weather wise!

I've got this bag on the way, http://www.lapolicegear.com/tabaoutbag.html
and for the price, I figure it was worth throwing one of these in there as well, http://www.lapolicegear.com/lapg-tactical-knife.html

I've added a cell phone charger to my list as well, fortunately my wife and my phone both use the mini USB, so one will work for both.

I'm thinking about a vacuum bag for clothing, but have reservations as to if that is a good idea, I may have to put these items back in the bag, or just need one or two of them, then can't get them back in the small bag.

The notepad and pen, as well as a deck of cards will be going in, very good suggestions BTW, thank you!
I'll update as I build, and feel free to add as I go along.
 
OK, thinking like a cop/governmental type, I would have photocopies (at least) of the passports (if any), birth certificates, and other identity papers for every member of the family, plus the same of all property-related papers such as deeds and insurance policies. Plus a waterproof list of emergency phone numbers including those of family members living in other areas. Also basic medical information on family members, esp for those with special medical problems. I would also include a portable short wave (world band) radio to ensure that news and emergency info would be available from SOMEWHERE if they whole local area gets wiped out. Sony and Grundig make some good ones and they don't need special antennas, just regular batteries. You might want to consider a portable CB unit as well. I assume that someone in your region knows all about weather radio, goes without saying.
 
In a tornado area, I think I would have two kits:

* Bug OUT Bag - 72-hour kit that we can grab if forced to evacuate in a hurry.

* Bug IN Bag(s) - supplies for camping out on our own property, while coping -- and helping others cope, as well -- with the disaster

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
I've got a personal BOB I keep in the car with me at all times. I drive all over the corner of my state and have enough to hike back home (200kms at most) if the SHTF.

Just the vitals:

back pack - $60
One man tent - $35
small sleeping bag - $20
4.5 litres bottled water - $3
10 1500Kj energy bars - $15
poncho - $5
sanitary wipes - $1
tissues for wiping your rear or whatever - $1
change of clothes with warm jacket - No cost (old clothes)
torch (TK20) and spare batts - $60 (you could use something cheaper)
toothbrush (disposable pack x4) - $ 2
vaseline (keep your feet well) - $2
bug spray- $5
sun-screen - $5
fire starter - $7
multi-tool - $10
garden trowel - stole one from the missus
trekking poles - $35 (not entirely needed but useful)
super glue - $2 (it's very useful on minor cuts and abrasions)
rigging gloves - $5


The whole lot only weighs 10kg. So it's easy to do a 30-50km hike without needing to stop too often to rest. I know my way around pretty well within 200kms so there's no need for a map. I also keep a few tins of baked beans in the car as these will be the first things consumed before making off for home or wherever.

That's it for my personal BOB, but I've been thinking about one for the missus. You see, if the SHTF when I was around, I can load up ALL our camping gear and a weeks worth of food in 1/2 hour as I keep it in a ready to go condition. However if I'm not around I doubt my wife could do this, she's half my size with half the strength. Our tent alone weighs 35kg.

So I'm thinking two maybe three 100ltr duffle bags each weighing no more than 15 kg plus a 5kg 4 person tent. We have three kids so there'd need to be enough for all four of them (I already have mine). These she can easily lift into the car and go to our pre-determined meeting place, which is about 100kms out of town on the back roads.
AVOID MAIN ROADS AT ALL COSTS.
 
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Some things that I try to keep handy in case of an emergency aside from the CPF standard lights and batts:

Duct tape - You can get an old credit card and wrap a few feet around the card if the roll is too big.

Paracord - 100 feet.

First Aid kit

Knife/multitool

Perscription meds/extra contact lenses

Deck of cards/pen and paper - Helps keep the kids occupied.

Plastic bags - packs small and can be used to help keep things dry, storage, water collection, etc.

Fire starter - practice using it!

Cash

USB drive with your important documents scanned in, phone numbers, contacts, etc.

Aside from the paracord and first aid kit, everything can fit into one of those cargo-pocket organizer things.
 
all of the above, i'm reiterating some, but its not because i didn't read them, its for emphasis i promise:

-medical kit and know how to use it

-plastic walmart type bags at least a dozen without holes, they are compact and you can carry water, wrap food, anything, endlessly useful

-duct tape

-a REGULAR CORDED PHONE, many people forget that when/if the power goes down cell towers and cordless phones can go out, but corded phones run on 24V provided right in the jack and as long as it hooks back into the network you can ALWAYS dial 911 no matter where you are and whether or not you pay a bill.

-a laminated list of all high dollar items with serial numbers in your house, it makes insurance claims a breeze (We do this in the army all the time) set a number like $150 and put everything that costs more than that on your indestructible list

-have all important documents that you would normally put in a safe scanned and put on a thumb drive/flash card, encrypt it, and keep that in case. (you can keep you list of high dollar items on here too for a backup copy...include digital pics)
 
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