05/29/2024
Folks were asking about go-bags or emergency preparation... Do you have one and what do you keep in it? I wrote a comment that felt like a good idea to share:
Yes, I have a few... First I carry important Every-Day Carry (EDC) items on my person all the time, then EDC bag/s that I carry with me all the time. I also have a vehicle EDC set up and a desk EDC that moves between where I am doing work. Then I have a get-home-bag (GHB) that is a step up from there... Mostly part of my vehicle EDC since I have a really full EDC system I carry. I used to keep a GHB in my work locker and van. These are extra things I could combine with my EDC bag to make the best thing I would need to get my self home and survive 72hrs wherever I am/need to (most rescue efforts occur within 3 days). I also have a Bug-Out Bag (BOB) at home. That is the thing I would grab if I had to leave home quickly for a time. There is a lot of overlap between GHB and BOB, mostly probably named because of location of bag to destinations. And I have an (I'm Never Coming Home) INCH set up... In case the likelihood of home destruction or trip of unknown likelihood I would/could come home. It has a lot of stuff that would require a vehicle, but the main bag might be able to be carried and absorb some of the items from other set ups to carry the best bag I can...
All of the most important survival items center around the 10-Cs of Survivability (they are ordered just in first 5 and second 5, the first being the hardest to recreate in nature on the fly):
A) First Five- cutting (knives big & small, saws, axes, multi tools, etc), combustion (both ignitors like ferro rod, lighter, matches, etc & tinder like cotton, char cloth, wax, small wood or natural materials, etc), cordage (Paracord/550-cord, bankline, jute, etc), cover (tarp, tent, emergency blankets, poncho, coats, clothing, etc), container (to hold water and boil water).
B) Second Five- candling (candles, flashlights, headlamps, etc), compass, canvas needle (thick to go thru camping materials easily eg nylon, waxed canvas, leather, heavy materials, etc), cargo tape (gorilla, duct, etc), cotton bandana
Extras: Focus on some general and some specific to you/your skills, needs, locations:
General- first aid & medication, hygiene, communications & power (technology to keep things powered and to communicate with others like walkies, GMRS, Ham, Mesh, or just phone), cooking & food & cleaning, water,
Specific- crafts (carving, writing, games, paints, etc), climbing gear, videography/camera & drone stuff, other tech or writing stuff for your specific work, tools, more of any of the other categories depending on your skill sets (both strengths AND weaknesses) eg medical supplies if you have medical skills and more fire making supplies if you aren't very good at making fires in all conditions. More cover & clothing if you get cold, sunburnt, biten easily, etc.
All the gear needs rotated based on seasons (warm & cold, buggy & rainy, etc) and expiration dates (medical stuff, batteries, food, etc).
Also I didn't mention preparing my home for emergencies as well...
Hope this is helpful, feel free to DM if questions.
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