The 10 (or more) essentials...

[Pug]

Having grown up on a ranch in Central Oklahoma, storm preparedness (shelter, canned foods, emergency kit, etc.) was always a part of the status quo. After living in 3rd World cultures for 14 years, the idea of a bail out and/or bug out bag eventually became a part of the daily routine. Now I'm no survivalist, and I honestly don't consider myself a prepper (at least not in the extreme sense). I simply recognize that things outside of our control can and do happen, and it only makes sense to take steps to diminish the impact of such events, inasmuch as possible. So I like to update my gear and essentials list from time to time.

POLL QUESTION: Have you taken steps to make preparations in the event of the unexpected? Do you have a bug out bag (or similar) and plan in place in the event of a natural or man-made disaster?

Here is my current list.

The Modified 10 Essentials:

• 1. Basic first aid kit (include sunscreen)
  2. Water, water filtration device (and possibly chemicals), and extra water bottles (5gal bladder bags to fill before leaving home or if caught on the road)
  3. Map & compass (optionally with a GPS receiver & extra batteries)
  4. Extra food (minimum 72 hours of freeze-dried or MRE)
  5. Prescription/reading glasses or contacts & sunglasses
  6. Rain gear & extra clothes (to be able to ‘layer up’)
  7. Flashlight (HI-LED) with extra batteries
  8. Fire starter & waterproof matches
  9. Multi-tool (and possibly a hatchet or military shovel combo tool)
  10. Pocket knife & multi-purpose hunting knife
  11. Material for an emergency shelter such as a space blanket or tarp and rope
  12. Toilet paper & trowel or shovel
  13. Basic sewing kit (also used for stitches in an emergency)
  14. Insect repellent (or clothing designed for this purpose)
  15. Crank/solar emergency radio (with charging cables & extra batteries)
  16. Signaling devices such as a whistle, cell phone (with charger), two-way radio, satellite phone, unbreakable signal mirror or flare
  17. Pen or pencil & a note pad
  18. Copies of essential documents (insurance papers, DL, passport, CHL, school docs, etc.)
  19. Prescription medications & basic OTC meds (allergies, pain meds, etc.)
  20. $200-$400 cash, extra checks & credit cards
  21. CCW with extra mags and ammo

And given that our schnauzer has already been rescued once, dog food, collar, leash, pup meds.

Input, feedback, and suggestions are solicited!

[Dave2]

The closest I've come to prepping for a bug-out situation is keeping a spare jacket in the trunk, some beef jerky in the back seat (which I'm now scared of because it's been there so long), and knowing how to drive to the homes of various relatives. Oh, and I've recently started stashing flashlights everywhere, including three or four in my car (no spare batteries for any of them, though).

My immediate family is on the west coast (SF bay area), and, except for the one cousin in Germany, my extended family is all in or fairly near Grand Rapids, MI, so I'm covered for east and west. If for some reason those aren't options and I have to flee north, I'd probably initially go to my roommate's brother's house in KS, but that would just be a staging area for me since I doubt I'd be welcome there indefinitely. If it's south, I have some friends who live in San Antonio and I've worked with enough bands out of Austin that I could probably find a sofa to sleep on for a day or two. But again, it'd just be a staging area before my journey east or west. Come to think of it, my parents still keep in touch with some of their friends from when we lived in Montana, so Billings might be a valid option as well if I think I could find "permanent" shelter before winter hit.

Two problems that jump out at me about my "plan" are 1) that it assumes that our nation's fuel infrastructure will stay fairly intact for at least a few days after I hit the road, and 2) that food & water will still be available (at least outside the greater DFW area).

Edit: I keep a map in my car, but it's several years out of date. No compass, other than the one in my phone.

[AEA]

Food and water should be no problem as long as you know how to hunt and prepare food over a campfire.

Fuel is not necessary if you score a horse somewhere.

[Dave2]

Food and water should be no problem as long as you know how to hunt and prepare food over a campfire.

Fuel is not necessary if you score a horse somewhere.

My hunting knowledge consists of "the bullet goes in the thing you want to eat", I've never started a fire without a match or lighter in my life, and I *think* the horse is supposed to point in the direction you want to travel. At least, that's how they do it in the movies.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

My hunting knowledge consists of "the bullet goes in the thing you want to eat".

This could cost you quite a bit of time and food.

There are specific spots on the animal that the bullet must go in.

If you do not hit that spot you could be tracking your food for quite some time and distance and may never find it.

Also, if you don't hit that spot you risk ruining a lot of the meat.

[v-rog]

I would be well on my way if you could supply me with #20.

Having grown up on a ranch in Central Oklahoma, storm preparedness (shelter, canned foods, emergency kit, etc.) was always a part of the status quo. After living in 3rd World cultures for 14 years, the idea of a bail out and/or bug out bag eventually became a part of the daily routine. Now I'm no survivalist, and I honestly don't consider myself a prepper (at least not in the extreme sense). I simply recognize that things outside of our control can and do happen, and it only makes sense to take steps to diminish the impact of such events, inasmuch as possible. So I like to update my gear and essentials list from time to time.

POLL QUESTION: Have you taken steps to make preparations in the event of the unexpected? Do you have a bug out bag (or similar) and plan in place in the event of a natural or man-made disaster?

Here is my current list.

The Modified 10 Essentials:

• 1. Basic first aid kit (include sunscreen)
  2. Water, water filtration device (and possibly chemicals), and extra water bottles (5gal bladder bags to fill before leaving home or if caught on the road)
  3. Map & compass (optionally with a GPS receiver & extra batteries)
  4. Extra food (minimum 72 hours of freeze-dried or MRE)
  5. Prescription/reading glasses or contacts & sunglasses
  6. Rain gear & extra clothes (to be able to ‘layer up’)
  7. Flashlight (HI-LED) with extra batteries
  8. Fire starter & waterproof matches
  9. Multi-tool (and possibly a hatchet or military shovel combo tool)
  10. Pocket knife & multi-purpose hunting knife
  11. Material for an emergency shelter such as a space blanket or tarp and rope
  12. Toilet paper & trowel or shovel
  13. Basic sewing kit (also used for stitches in an emergency)
  14. Insect repellent (or clothing designed for this purpose)
  15. Crank/solar emergency radio (with charging cables & extra batteries)
  16. Signaling devices such as a whistle, cell phone (with charger), two-way radio, satellite phone, unbreakable signal mirror or flare
  17. Pen or pencil & a note pad
  18. Copies of essential documents (insurance papers, DL, passport, CHL, school docs, etc.)
  19. Prescription medications & basic OTC meds (allergies, pain meds, etc.)
  20. $200-$400 cash, extra checks & credit cards
  21. CCW with extra mags and ammo

And given that our schnauzer has already been rescued once, dog food, collar, leash, pup meds.

Input, feedback, and suggestions are solicited!

[Dave2]

My hunting knowledge consists of "the bullet goes in the thing you want to eat".

This could cost you quite a bit of time and food.

There are specific spots on the animal that the bullet must go in.

If you do not hit that spot you could be tracking your food for quite some time and distance and may never find it.

Also, if you don't hit that spot you risk ruining a lot of the meat.

Speaking of which, I was thinking about going deer hunting this season (didn't work out), so I was researching a bit about it, and it seems that people are against head shots when you're hunting. To me, since I'd be doing it for food rather than wall decorations, it's the one time when you really want a head shot, since you specifically are shooting to kill rather than to stop the threat. Plus you won't have to worry about bullet fragments in the meaty bits. Am I missing something, or are most modern hunters just after trophies instead of food?

[canvasbck]

The problem with head shots, especially for an inexperienced hunter is that a slight miss is a complete miss while a heart lung shot that misses by a few inches is still a double lung shot that will dispatch the animal..............that being said, I support the idea that the two best places to shoot a doe are in the head and in the road. (dirt road on the ranch that is)

[ghostrider]

Have you taken steps to make preparations in the event of the unexpected? Do you have a bug out bag (or similar) and plan in place in the event of a natural or man-made disaster?

not yet. Been thinking about it recently; more so with the epidemic of wildfires in the area.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

My hunting knowledge consists of "the bullet goes in the thing you want to eat".

This could cost you quite a bit of time and food.

There are specific spots on the animal that the bullet must go in.

If you do not hit that spot you could be tracking your food for quite some time and distance and may never find it.

Also, if you don't hit that spot you risk ruining a lot of the meat.

Speaking of which, I was thinking about going deer hunting this season (didn't work out), so I was researching a bit about it, and it seems that people are against head shots when you're hunting. To me, since I'd be doing it for food rather than wall decorations, it's the one time when you really want a head shot, since you specifically are shooting to kill rather than to stop the threat. Plus you won't have to worry about bullet fragments in the meaty bits. Am I missing something, or are most modern hunters just after trophies instead of food?

There are too many things that can go wrong with head shots, mainly missing. Generally while hunting the deer you see will either be feeding or chasing a doe in heat. Both times the head is moving (and a very small target). You can miss high, wide (left and right), and low. If you are low and you do hit all you just did was hit the neck. Now you are tracking and can be a long time (happened to me when I was 14, it was just getting dark and a doe walked out from behind a tree. She had moved back and forth a bit and when I shot. I got the neck found her two days later as coyote leftovers).

You want to shoot a deer right behind the front shoulder (heart) you hit there and they might run a little bit or drop dead. A broadside shot gives you a much bigger target and more room for error (I suggest practicing and getting as accurate as possible cause when the fever hits you'll be shakin). When shooting at the heart you are aiming in the area of all the vital organs. If you hit left, right or low you will more than likely cause fatal damage however you will be in for a bit of a track. If you hit high you have the possibility of a spinal shot which will drop 'em on the spot (seen it happen). If you ever have to track make sure your gun is loaded and you are ready to go. The deer could be laying down and while you are following the blood trail you spook it and have to take a quick shot (My dad did it when I was younger. We were out tracking his deer with our hunting buddies and spooked the deer. Dad raised the gun and fired. The deer dropped. When we got back to the house to gut, skin, and quarter it we looked for the shots. Ends up he shot him just left of the heart. Problem is we couldn't find the second hole. We looked everywhere. Finally gave up and cut him open. That's when we found the second hole. It was a pre-existing hole. When dad shot him a second time the deer was running away from us. He fired and hit him right in the anus . That was a pure mess ).

My very first deer (see below) was an 11 pointer 200# field dressed (that is absolutely huge in both body and rack where I am from, we don't get a lot of big bucks at all). Shot him with my Savage 30-30 right in the heart. He just laid down. The next year I shot a doe with a Remington 30.06. Hit her right in the heart. She literally flipped and laid right there.

Hit 'em in the heart. Bigger target and less chance you will have to track very far.

[OldCurlyWolf]

Having grown up on a ranch in Central Oklahoma, storm preparedness (shelter, canned foods, emergency kit, etc.) was always a part of the status quo. After living in 3rd World cultures for 14 years, the idea of a bail out and/or bug out bag eventually became a part of the daily routine. Now I'm no survivalist, and I honestly don't consider myself a prepper (at least not in the extreme sense). I simply recognize that things outside of our control can and do happen, and it only makes sense to take steps to diminish the impact of such events, inasmuch as possible. So I like to update my gear and essentials list from time to time.

POLL QUESTION: Have you taken steps to make preparations in the event of the unexpected? Do you have a bug out bag (or similar) and plan in place in the event of a natural or man-made disaster?

Here is my current list.

The Modified 10 Essentials:

• 1. Basic first aid kit (include sunscreen) A bit more than basic, I used to be an ECA
  2. Water, water filtration device (and possibly chemicals), and extra water bottles (5gal bladder bags to fill before leaving home or if caught on the road) 5 gallon Water jug,
  3. Map & compass (optionally with a GPS receiver & extra batteries) Check
  4. Extra food (minimum 72 hours of freeze-dried or MRE) usually have enough canned nuts and food bars for about that long
  5. Prescription/reading glasses or contacts & sunglasses carry an extra pair
  6. Rain gear & extra clothes (to be able to ‘layer up’)Mostly in fall, winter and spring
  7. Flashlight (HI-LED) with extra batteries Usually at least 3
  8. Fire starter & waterproof matches Two Zippos and 4 cans of fluid
  9. Multi-tool (and possibly a hatchet or military shovel combo tool) yes and hatchet
  10. Pocket knife & multi-purpose hunting knife always two pocket knives and usually two hunting knives
  11. Material for an emergency shelter such as a space blanket or tarp and rope Both tarp and rope
  12. Toilet paper & trowel or shovel Two shovels and always TP and paper towels
  13. Basic sewing kit (also used for stitches in an emergency) sometimes
  14. Insect repellent (or clothing designed for this purpose) two cans
  15. Crank/solar emergency radio (with charging cables & extra batteries) Not Yet
  16. Signaling devices such as a whistle, cell phone (with charger), two-way radio, satellite phone, unbreakable signal mirror or flare Two family channels radios and a SSB radio
  17. Pen or pencil & a note pad always
  18. Copies of essential documents (insurance papers, DL, passport, CHL, school docs, etc.) Several thereof
  19. Prescription medications & basic OTC meds (allergies, pain meds, etc.) always when traveling
  20. $200-$400 cash, extra checks & credit cards When available
  21. CCW with extra mags and ammo always

And given that our schnauzer has already been rescued once, dog food, collar, leash, pup meds. depends

Input, feedback, and suggestions are solicited!

I voted not ready but intend to do so. Then I read your list and realized that I have approximately 75% of what is on your list in my truck already and have been carrying that for years.

I often work out in the boonies and travel quite often. Plus I have and carry the following: 100 Gal. Auxiliary Fuel Tank, Full Tool box, Extra Serpentine Belt, bulbs, fuses, etc., two machetes, one brush hook, 12 pound Sledge hammer, 20 feet towing strap, Jump Battery, Jumper cables, High lift Jack, Hydraulic floor jack, 1.5 ton cable come along, fire extinguisher, Two claw hammers and various and sundry other things that can come in handy when things go wrong.

[chasfm11]

I'm not sure how to answer your question.

To the first part, have we done planning, the answer is a definite yes. The second part, based on a bail out or bug out bag gets a little harder.

In the event of a disaster, I want to provide for my family, not just myself. That takes the planning in a different direction.

There are a couple of basic questions that come to mind first.

1. Can we stay put and are we better off in doing so? Not every disaster requires relocation. In fact, in North Texas, there are several that would cause that - direct hit by a Tornado, wildfire in our neighborhood or a train wreck/pipeline rupture nearby. In many of the other cases, we would be better of staying put.
2. Can we use our RV?. Assuming that it survived whatever disaster there was (it is inside of a building built to withstand up to 100mph winds), it would provide us with a living environment which we could move up to 900 miles without any support. It is currently provisioned to sustain us for up to 30 days, more if we can find limited support. It we did leave, I'd prefer to leave with it.
3. I was a Boy Scout and did my share of off trail camping. It is hard to imagine nearby areas in North Texas where that kind of survival would be required. If it was required, the problem, at least for me, goes beyond the capacity of a bug out/bail out bag to solve it. Our daughter is a Sierra club hiker and her pack weighs about 45 lbs. Just looking at your list, I suspect that it would weigh at least that much. Water alone is 8lbs per gallon. Once you make the planning assumption that you have a vehicle (that remains in working order), the planning takes on a different complexion.

Part of the question comes down to how long you have to get out. Take, for instance, prescription drugs. We typically have 60 days supply on hand but don't keep them in a bag. Zero to 5 minutes before departure suggests that everything must be in the bag all of the time.

One last consideration. Many emergency planners recommend amateur radio. I haven't gone that route myself yet but see the value in it. We have two way FMRS radios but I'm not sure how useful they would be in a widespread disaster. A marine band radio might also be an alternative but that might depend on the area that you were in. CB radios are very short range and I'm not sure about coverage in an emergency. The emergency planning seminar that I recently attended recommended having several options. In Katrina, the cell phones didn't work but sending texts did.