emergency kit

with so many disasters and civil unrest happening around the world, and since i'm in an earthquake prone area, i decided to start making an emergency pack...some refer to this as a 72 hour bug out bag (bob)...enough food and water to allow you to be on your own for 3 days...i don't have everything but this is what i have so far

1. overboard waterproof bag - this is basically a waterproof sack with just one small zippered pocket inside...it's not the greatest for compartmentalizing everything, but it was the only fully waterproof bag that i could find...it does not rain often here, but i might not always be living in the same place...also, i would be screwed if something did happen while it was raining...some people buy molle backpacks, which allows them to customize as needed...for me, it was too expensive, too military looking, and not waterproof...i want to avoid looking like some soldier, because it draws too much attention

2. first aid kit - standard kit that you can get at any store like walmart or target...not ideal for backpacks, because it is a little bulky, but i already had it and didn't feel like buying another just for this bob

3. eton flashlight/radio - AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger...i might get a nightstar flashlight too...the eton is decent...the light is not super bright but is good enough...radio is good...i have not tried charging it in the sun, so i can't say if the solar power works well...the only problem that i have with it is the power button for the light...you have to push it all the way down on a very small spot on the button until you hear/feel a small click..i have to use my fingernail to make it work

4. paracord - lots of uses for this stuff...too many to list...you can find many forums for this

5. knives - i have several ka-bars, but they're not all in the bag...i have the kukri, tanto, and fighting knives...the fighting knife is in the bag and i'll probably carry the kukri...good knives and not so expensive that i'm afraid to use them...although, i have cheap knives for really rough use...i also have lots of cheap folders...probably add some of those too

6. champ swiss army knife - gotta have a swiss army knife...i've had this one for over 20 years, and it's still good

7. binoculars - have a really old pair of crappy ones...there are many higher quality stuff like this one from bushnell

8. fire starter - magnesium fire starter...but i'll also add a couple cheap bic lighters and some cotton balls and petroleum jelly for tinder

9. knife sharpener

10. pants - i wanted some tough pants to keep in the bag...too bad they're a bit small and i'm too lazy to return it...i'll have to work out until they fit better

that is all that i have so far...not too heavy yet...i still need the following

1. rations - i haven't decided what type of food i'll put in there...i don't want to spend money on e-rats or mre's...probably just get some spam and chef boyardee...they'll be heavy though...maybe some energy bars instead...some people add cooking kits, but i won't...i'll also need to add a knife, spoon, and fork for eating

2. water - need to add 3 liters of water, water bottle, and a good metal canteen that i can use for boiling too...some add water filtration stuff, but that might be too much

3. compass and maps

4. other clothing - need some good socks, couple shirts, waterproof jacket, hat, gloves (for hand protection than cold), and waterproof boots...saw some heavy duty socks at bass pro shop that had a lifetime warranty...5.11 is good too..just a bit expensive...http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Footwear/8-Boots.html

people make fun of me about this, but shirt jackets are crucial

5. whistle and maybe some type of bright signaling device

6. some add an axe and shovel, but that might be a bit too much...i have the annihilator though...too heavy to carry around but would make more sense in a get home bag (a little bit more about this type of bag at the end of the post)

7. i have no guns in the bag, since it would be illegal to carry a gun in a bag concealed...surprisingly, open carry is legal...still, open carry would attract too much attention...i would take my marlin papoose and maybe my glock 17 if the situation was so bad that i needed a gun...i would also need to carry a small gun cleaning kit...i can fit about 200-300 loose rounds of .22 lr in the hollow stock and would be pretty easy to carry, but i would have to limit it to about 50-100 rounds of 9mm for the glock...i also have a 1911, but .45acp ammo is too heavy...i'll probably get a scope and additional magazines

8. shelter - will add an emergency sleeping bag and a rain shell

9. survival handbook - the sas one is supposed to be good

10. misc - travel documents, cash, glasses and sunglasses, notepad, pen/sharpee, duct tape, cable ties, one good book, some wet wipes, nail clipper, handkerchief/bandanna, can opener, disposable filtration masks

11. some have fishing stuff...still thinking if i should add it too

http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=1508.0  (some pics of other people's bags)

this is a bag that i would keep at home...however, an emergency bag is useless if you don't have it with you at all times...i might make a small bag that i can carry with me and/or keep in my car...the parameters for this type of bag would be a little different...for example, this is something you would take to the office...would have to be less conspicuous and would need things that would help you get out of the building and get you home...therefore, it is usually called a get home bag, but that is best left for another post

this can be a hobby in itself
http://survivalcache.com/
http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/