As a person interested in Emergency Preparedness, and as a member of NYC ARES, I carry some basic emergency gear with me at ALL times. I have gone to a 3 plus layer system.
Please note: that this kit is only the start of a true '72 hour' kit. It does NOT have nearly enough water and food in it. This bag's main purpose is as a Get Home Bag, in other words, a bag to get me to my truck, or to home, where I have additional resources. The truck (not pictured) does have additional water and food.
The layers are:
- On my Person
- In my Backpack
- In the car/house, ready to go
What follows is a description of what is in each layer, and why
On my Person
These are the bare essentials. They take care of 90% of my everyday need, and minor small emergencies. They consist of:
- Wallet with Basic ID, copy of Ham Radio License, and a card with my important phone numbers on it
- Watch - Waterproof. To tell the time
- Cell Phone
- Blackberry - only because the Boss makes me
- Keys with ARC AAA LED Flashlight, 550 cord fob
the ARC rplaced my Photon - MUCH Nicer - Folding Knife. I've changed the knife I carry to a Chris Reeve Sebenza
This is NOT meant as a weapon, but as a TOOL. It does everything from slice bagels to open boxes.
- A Minikit. What's a minikit? See below
The Minikit
This is a picture of one of my Minikits. There is a second one in my pack, with very slightly different contents
The Contents are as follows
Note: This HAS changeded since the photos, see notes
- One Dose Advil - other kit has 2 (Now 2)
- 2 Packets of Antibotic ointment
- An Altoids tin to store it in - there is a whole field of "Altoids" minikits
- Some change taped to the top of the tins, so it doesn't rattle
- Oaktag cards, for writing Note: This one is actually an cutup Punch Card! (Changed to 2 sheets of Rite In Rain Paper)
- "Ranger Rubber Bands" - a couple of sections of cutup inner tube. Used to hold the kit closed
- Immodium - One dose
- Stubby Pencil, wrapped with some dental floss, the Inner strand of some 550 cord, and with a sewing needle
Dental Floss makes good sewing thread - Ear Plugs - To save what hearing I have left
- Pepcid AC - On a call out, you probably won't be eating right
- New wrapped single edge razor blade
- Some cash
- 3 Doses Benadryl - I have hayfever
- Metrocard with $6 on it. I have one in my wallet too
- 2 Advanced Healing BandAidTM Strips
- 2 Knuckle BandAidTM Strips (Now 1)
- 1 section Moleskin Plus
- Added - one 3x3 Gauze pad
- Added - One dose Allegra (I did say I have Hayfever, right?)
- Added - 4 strips First aid tape - to hold the gauze pad
- Added - One Packet - Bactine Cleansing Wipe
- Added - One Bic Mini Lighter
Yes, it's a REAL tight fit in there, in fact, the only reason the kit stays closed is the rubber bands
In My Backpack
The gear in my backpack is designed to last me at least 1 day in the field, and can last longer if I add more food and water.
I'm NOT that worried about getting food/water here in NYC. The main design goals are 1)Callout, and 2)Getting me home from work if
the trains are not running
Here is a picture of the contents:
The Contents are as follows - I've broken it down into sections
- The Pocket Ref - This is a book with all sorts of useful info in it
- Knot Card - Just in case I can't remember a certain knot
- Folding Saw, Leatherman Tool, section of inner tube to make more "Ranger Rubber Bands"
- 2 Packs Tissues, spare batteries for Flashlight (see item 8)
- Clean Towel, Leather work gloves, "Boonie Cap" with 550 cord laced around rim
- These are really from the "On My Person" section - the knife and keys
- 2 Powerbars
- SureFire E2 Flashlight (I have also added an ARC LS to this)
- Writing Stuff - notepaper, red and black medium "Sharpies", Black Fine Point Sharpie, Mechanical Pencil
Note: I forgot to label it, but right above this is 50 feet of 550 cord - Bundle of Wire Ties
- Small Roll of Duct Tape
- Bottle of Water
- 2 Spare ziplock bags
- Hand wipes, waterless hand cleaner, toilet paper
- EMT Shears
- Sewing Kit
- First Aid Kit
This kit contains- 2nd Mini Kit
- Roll Gauze
- 2 gauze pads
- 2 pairs latex gloves
- Roll of first aid tape
- Prescription Meds for me
- Betadine
- Bloodstopper Trauma Bandage
- Lighter
- Rite-in-Rain notebook, 6" ruler, Fisher Space Pen
- Dual Grit Sharpening Stone
- Small Fixed Blade Knife
- Communications Group
- Icom T-90A HT
- The ARRL Repeater Directory
- Roll Up J-Pole
- Spare AA Battery Pack for HT
- Spare Battery for Cell Phone
- Dental Floss
Not pictured are
- a gain antenna for the HT
- Headset for the HT
- a change of socks and underware
- Cyalume Lightsticks
- A White Glo-toob Lithium which, unlike regular glo-toobs uses CR123A batteries
- ARES Vest and Hat
- Poncho
- Sunscreen
All this is carried in an Eagle Industries Becker Patrol Pack
Just a quick note on the pack - This pack is way oversized of this small amount of gear, but I also usually have my work gear, plus a jacket in the pack, and I still have room. It is also the BEST made pack I've ever seen. Forget your "North Face" or "Lowe Alpine" or whatever. I had doubts until I actually saw one. VERY nice gear
In The Car/house
In the house, I keep a 2nd Go Bag, with the gear I'd take if I'm at home when I'm called - that includes a Mobile Rig, 2 12v 7Ah Gel Cell Batteries, a Camping Stove with a Pot, and a few other items
In the house or car (depending), I have a Mag mount antenna, a larger first aid kit, more tools, and I have more food and water stocked to go.
ALL 12 volt power connectors have been changed to 30 Amp Andersen Powerpole connectors per the CA Standard
Today I found another interesting Go Bag/Emergency Bag page Building a personal emergency bag" by Dr Faulken