Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

I have a modest collection of preps started, but obviously nowhere near the amount I need fo rmy family.
I have enough to get my family by for about two weeks.

Now, in a SHTF situation, I want to have some Grab and Go boxes filled up with the basic necessities (Besides food) ie: Flashlight, Peroxide, first aid kit, knives/tools, shovel, pick, Needle/thread, lighter/matches/fuel etc.

I wanted to get some insight from you all, and ask that you put your two cents in so I can build some of these kits up to cover as many bases as possible.
Keep in mind that my hunting/fishing gear is already in consideration.
Also, I will have a tool box packed with all my tools, and I want to build a simple distiller.

I want something that I can throw in the truck and leave town with, and be prepared to spend time away from the city.

So, I'll start, and you guys and gals please contribute.
Thanks!!

Matches
Lighter
Bottle of fire accelerant
thread
needle
fishing line
survival knife
hatchet
bow saw
tarp x2
rope
pins
Fire pot
Fire pan
Fire Grill
Trapping wire
flashlight (LED Type that takes no batteries)
Collapsible shovel with pick
Candles
utensils
what else?

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Any reason the majority of that can't take up permanent residence in the vehicle?

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

That is besides the point.
I don't store preps in the vehicle because my family life is hectic.
Thus I want something I can grab quickliy and leave with.
So are you going to contribute?

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Definitely need a rain poncho, you can buy them with grommets on the end
to use as a tarp, I would substitute this for one of your tarps.

Signal mirror.
Whistle.
Portable radio
extra batteries
Ammo!! ( I know you have some sort of firearm!)

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

I'll try. What size constraints are you under?

The reason I asked the first question is because I'd be hard pressed to load anything else in my car, it's trunk being already full of emergency tools and equipment. I see you've already added tarps. To that, I'd add, at minimun, foil emergency blankets. To the matches, I'd add emergency flares. In wet or high wind, matches seldom function well, but I've yet to see a roadside flare go out unless dunked into water.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

I just looked at your list again...

You gotta have a first aid kit dude!! :wink:

Edit: Ok I see it up in your text.. it wasn't in your list.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

drinking water,spare fuel for vehicle, looks like a good plan on the rest. spent sunday along similar lines with my vehicle.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

I have lot's of room for stuff, so size isn't much of a restriction.
I'm basically setting things up in large, black tupperware boxes that are very durable.
One is packed with food already, and I will buy as many more that I need to have everything ready to go in an emergency.

I have a short school bus that I have built bunk beds in, and there is a lot of storage space, so that is a non-issue.
We could technically live on the bus in a real SHTF situation.
I just don't want to forget anything if we have to leave town.
I forgot to put a first aid kit on the list, but it is definately a priority.

Keep the suggestions coming!

*EDIT - Yes - Fuel and fuel stabilizers are separate from the Grab and go boxes I'm talking about, but you're right.
Need fuel.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

If you plan on using your tarps as shelter,
then get some mosquito netting and little clips
to fasten it to your tarps... Skeeters will drive you freakin crazy.

Don't need any unnecessary stress in a survival situation.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

1st priority - food & water

2nd priority - heat & shelter

3rd priority - items used in everyday life (make a list throughout the day)
plus comfort items that will help your family continue " everyday life "

anything else is a luxury


imho

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

If you think you might use the Bus as a base camp, you will stick out like a sore thumb.... you need some camo netting to help with concealment.

http://www.vtarmynavy.com/camo-net-supply.htm

that is 10x20... you will need bigger than that.

Also you need better lighting for a base camp than an LED light and some candles.
I'd go with at least two Coleman Dual Fuel lanterns, since space isn't a problem.
You can run them off of the extra fuel you were going to pack.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

if/when you do bug out in your bus
do you plan on travelling/moving every day
or just find one place and hunker down ?

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

I recommend the fenix L2D CE Q5 flashlight as a "vehicle kit" type flashligth. Very bright and good spill. On turbo mode/high it's like holding a small floodlight. The 12 lumen mode is a great feature for "survival use"

I prefer the 2xAA size because it's easier to hold than a small AA sized FL.

Great brand name quality. Use eneloop batteries for best performance.

Features:

* Utilizes a Premium (Q5) Cree 7090 XR-E LED with a life of 50,000 hours
* Two modes of output, selected by turning the bezel (patented)
* General Mode: 12 lumens (55hrs) -> 53 lumens (10.5hrs) -> 107 lumens (4hrs) -> SOS
* Turbo Mode: 180 lumens (2.4hrs) -> Strobe
� 28 days of survival use (2 continuous hours per day on the lowest setting)
* Digitally Regulated for Constant Brightness
* Uses two 1.5V AA ( Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium ) batteries (not included), inexpensive and widely available
* 14.7cm (L) x 2.1cm (D) or 5.8 in (L) x 0.8 in (D)
* Made of aircraft grade aluminum
* Durable Type III hard anodized finish
* 56-gram (or 2.0 oz) weight (excluding batteries)
* Waterproof to IPX-8 Standards
* Toughened ultra clear glass lens with AR coating
* Push-button tail cap switch
* Capable of standing up securely on a flat surface to serve as a candle
* Batteries not included
* Includes a holster, a lanyard, two spare o-rings, and a rubber switch boot

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Better get some type of firearm in that list as well

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

There are hundreds of hundreds of acres of wild land in Canada that you could bug out in that is not privately owned.
The biggest task would be getting out of town first.
After one is out and in the clear, it would be hard to find someone that is ready to live off the land and hide in the bush. (Not that I'm fully prepared for that, but I'm working towards it)

To the question - Will I move around or stay put - Not sure yet.
That sort of depends on the situation.

Hunting and fishing gear are considered already.

Add to the list - Crank powered radio/no batteries required.

Thanks for the camo netting tip, and the mosquito netting, TLM.
I didn't think of that.
Really though, if they use thermal equipment, camo isn't going ot help, but at least it's worth a try.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

I was thinking of roaming neredowell's... if the PTB/ military is out to get
you then you are right... then again that is military camo netting,
they might see that and just think.. "Oh, he is one of ours" and just
leave you alone. Hopefully :D

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

A Shortwave radio and or 2 way/cb radio.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

A baby grand piano.





Just kidding ...

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Have it backed in a bag you could carry for a few miles if you had to....personally, I don't expect anything to go towards "Mad Max" if you will, but you never know.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Not to threadjack, well maybe so, but DF how much longer will you be in the states?

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

instead of fishing line, look for a survival gill net.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

If you forsee heading out on foot with this, you should strongly reconsider the weight of all these items. And you should definitely have some form of water purification. You could cover that base in a pinch with a bottle of polar pure.
http://www.grannysstore.com/Wilderne...lar_Pure.1.jpg

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

I have a CB. Good call.

I want to keep foot slogging to a minimum if possible, because I have young children.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

I would conditionally, perhaps grudgingly, second the Fenix flashlights. These are very surprising -- they appear to be designed in China and made in China by the Chinese from Chinese materials, yet they look to be of quality comparable to the best the US has to offer (SureFire, NovaTac, BlackHawk, etc.) Also, they're about 1/4 of the price. Someone who wouldn't pay $300 for a flashlight might well pay $75. The questions of durability and reliability can be settled only over time, but they certainly feel solid.

Given this, maybe "Made in China" will soon become a desirable feature rather than a slur, much like "Made in Japan" made the turnaround around the 50's and 60's. Possibly just the latest sign of the shifting balance of power in the world.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

It's too late for any one person to save the industrialization of North america by purchasing NA made items.

I have no problems buying something made in China at this point, but I won't be spending $75 on a flash light.

*EDIT - I regret posting that. I actually do avoid purchasing off-continent items if possible, but in a case where is a $300 flashlight verses a $75 flashlight, I would buy the cheaper one.
Just wanted to keep the record straight.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Break your list down by categories of needs (I know you probably already have some of this stuff in your other gear):

Paper stuff
-Important documents: birth certificates, titles, insurance info, credit card numbers, pay stub, etc. (You can't guarantee that the crisis will be so all-consuming that these things won't matter anymore, and even in the Cold War, one of the governments primary concerns was getting the post office up and running so that people could be found to pay taxes!)
-Contact list: Contact info for everyone you might want to get in touch with, such as distant family.
-Maps
-Cash
-photographs, etc., that you'd like to keep (perhaps burned to a CD)

Shelter:
-tent (living under a tarp can get old fast)
-tent stakes
-tarp and/or ground cloth
-rope/paracord
-bug netting

Sleeping gear:
-Sleeping bag
-sleeping pad
-possibly bug netting
-pillow or camp pillow (optional, but can make a world of difference)

Food
-Food items
-Food prep: stove, fuel, cook pots, utensils, oven bags (cuts down on cleaning and water use if you boil food in an oven bag), soap, scrubbie, sprondonacle (okay, you probably call it a potholder...), can openers.

Water
-water purifier, perhaps a replacement cartridge
-antiviral tablets or liquid
-water containers

Fire
-Fire starter (cotton balls covered with petroleum jelly is a cheap way to go, hand purifier gels are mostly alcohol and can be used)
-saw, ax, pocket chainsaw (because they're so cool)
-lighters, matches, flint, magnesium starter
-candles

Hygiene
-soap
-towel
-toothbrush, toothpaste, comb
-toilet paper
-feminine hygiene products if you have females in your group
-additional items like razors, nail clippers, etc.

Personal needs
-prescription drugs
-prescription eyeglasses
-saline if you wear contacts
-insect repellant
-sun block
-lip balm

Medical
-First aid kit
-moleskin
-antifungal ointment (if you end up walking a lot, it'd be good to have)
-antibiotic ointment
-hydrocortizone
-decongestant/cold meds
-Benadryl for allergic reactions
-thermometer
-Ace bandage and/or SAM splint
-trauma kit (for the big stuff)
-nitrile gloves
-mask (P100 masks)
-goggles (swim goggles will do, for protection from biohazards, dust, etc.)

Light
-LED light
-headlamp (hands-free lighting)
-candles
-Glow stick (could be useful as a marker)

Clothing
-Clothing to cover a range of temperatures and weather conditions, including rain gear, sun hat, gloves, underwear and socks, footwear, bandana, etc.
-handwarmers

Communications
-Radio (dynamo)
-shortwave radio

General maintenance
-duct tape
-needles and thread
-awl and non-cotton thread
-Shoe Goo (you wouldn't believe what this stuff can fix)
-pocket knife
-fixed blade knife

Tools
-General auto repair tools
-sharpeners for knives and axes
-extra axe handle (if your axe has a wooden handle)
-rock hammer (sounds weird, but it's unexpectedly useful)
-chisel (goes with the rock hammer)
-stuff you've already mentioned, like a shovel
-multitool, like a Leatherman

Miscellaneous
-garbage bags
-Ziplock freezer bags
-flagging tape
-waterproof paper, write-anywhere pen, pencil
-mosquito netting
-batteries
-compass
-snare wire
-fish hooks
-folding lawn chair
-books, cards, entertainment items

Weapons and ammo (and cleaning kit)

Jerry cans of fuel, oil, transmission fluid, etc.

Pet supplies (if you have pets)
-food, water, bowls, meds, beds, crates, leashes, IDs, records, microchip info, muzzles

All this sounds like a lot, but it's not really bad, space-wise. I actually have most of this stuff in my BOB, GHB, or go boxes, and a lot of it lives in the back of my truck.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Do not go cheap on flashlights. I would recommend the Fenix P2D because it is smaller and fits in the pocket easier. I would also recommend an incandescent flashlight because it cuts thru smoke and fog a lot better than a LED light. The Surefire A2 (very expensive) gives you the best of both worlds.

The 2 lights I mention above take lithium batteries that have a shelf life of 10 years.

A standard MagLite is only good as a weapon (larger models); it is near useless as a lighting device.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Thanks Maddie,
I like the way you broke things into categories.
Good list, I'll use it to review my preps... I already see a couple holes I could fill.

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Throw in a bunch of paperbacks that you never found time to read and a pack of cards as it can get real real boring out in the boonies.

Me[with a bus!] would also throw in a little free-to-air satellite dish[35 watts power consumption] , 9" color TV[54 watts power consumption], and 1500 watt power supply[12 volt battery with inverter to supply silent 120 volt]. That power supply can be charged from your bus 12 volt alternator. Also just picked up a little 1000 watt, 40 pound, 2 cycle engine powered generator on sale for under a $100. Can power your "entertainment center" lights, many power tools, small frig, small microwave, charge 12 volt and other batteries etc.etc. and runs up to 8 hours on a gallon of gas.

And don't forget to pack the popcorn, oil and salt!

Re: Emergency "Grab and Go" kits - Input?
 

Good call, Hoot. I always keep a few unread paperbacks in my trucks. You never know when you might get stuck waiting around somewhere. If I'm not bugging out on foot, I plan to grab my laptop and hard drives and a few other assorted things that I want for personal reasons. I keep a list handy that names nonessential items I want to grab if there's time to grab additional stuff. The list is broken down by rooms of the house, and I have a duplicate of the list. If we can spare 20 minutes to get out, I'm grabbing one, handing the other to my husband, and throwing stuff in the trucks.