So, I have an interest in survival and emergency kits.  For homes, for travel, for cars, for disaster preparedness, for the zombie apocalypse.  I've been working on putting together my own Emergency "Bug Out" backpack for my apartment, and was just interested in seeing if any of ya'll share my love for survival/camping/emergency stuff.

I currently own an emergency roadside repair kit and am also interested in making a matching bug-out bag or supplemental kit to go with it -stuff to have if it turns out your car cannot be fixed and you'll be stranded for an unforeseen or inconvenient amount of time.  My main interest in putting these together is because of near annual ice-storms here in Springfield that cut power and are high tornado and severe storm risk (we are close to Joplin, MO).


So far, my main list of needed items for my emergency backpack(s) include:

First Aid Kit                         :  I have many first aid kits, I kinda collect them, but none seem satisfactory.  Most of what's included is band-aids. 
Blood staunching sponges:   :  These are expensive, but make a lot of sense.  The kinda injuries you would really worry about while lost would be blood loss or infection of an open wound,
                                             and a tourniquet  should really only ever be a last resort.
Strike anywhere matches     :  I already bought a couple boxes if these.  Pretty cheap and they will burn underwater, in high wind, and for a guaranteed 15 seconds before hitting the wood.
Wet fire tinder                     :  Also purchased.  A bit more pricey than normal tinder, but they work better for damp conditions. 
Folding Stove                      :  You can get these also very cheap, and are necessary for generating heat sufficient to boil water.  They take up little space, just make sure they are not 
                                            painted and can be folded and unfolded multiple times.  Ones that take solid fuel are the most efficient as far as weight.

Flashlight/radio                    :  One that is sturdy, waterproof, hand-crank powered is ideal.  Most nowadays come with flashlight, radio and cell phone charger.
Compass                            :  A cheap compass will come with any survival kit, but a good quality one is the only kind you could reliably use to help navigate unknown territory.
Whistle                               :  For calling for help.
Mirror                                 :  Or any reflective surface for signaling for help.  If you keep your supplies in a tin or canister, the metal case can be used to signal and to hold and boil water.
Blankets                             :  Emergency reflective blankets are one of the most useful survival tools you can buy for their money and weight.  They keep in body heat, can be used to
                                             make shelter and to signal.  They are, however, not sufficient for colder climates.
Tube tent                            :  Cheap, often colored orange for easy spotting, they are effortless shelter when you may be low on energy.  Energy conservation is important!
Food:                                 :  MRE's with included non-flame heaters taste like butt and are pricey, but are best for emergency or bug-out bags.  Survival kits would be better off with   
                                            high-calorie food bars or dehydrated meals, provided you also have the means to re-hydrate the meals.  Know that an emergency food bar gives you
                                            calories, but little true nutrients or energy.  If you are lost longer than 3-4 days, then even eating them once a day, no-matter the caloric intake, will not
                                            suffice.  Also be aware, many come in packs of 10-20, but the bars are not individually wrapped.  Opening one means opening them all, and some bands do
                                            not make their ingredients easy to locate. 
Water:                                : Some water for survival and emergency kits come in boxes like fruit juice, or in pouches.  I might just rather have a plastic bottle.  Sturdier, reusable and
                                            clear.
Canteen                              : Or bottle.  Something sturdy and big enough to not only hold water, but tools and food if needed. Meaurements on the side are good if you plan on using
                                            water purification tablets.
Water purification tablets      : For long-term survival.  Boiling is a start, but not perfect.
Hunting Knife                       : Find a knife that is not too big for you to handle, is sharp, long lasting and resistant to rust.  Full tang if you can get it, with a pommel that can be used to
                                            hammer. Look into a whetstone and quality sheath and leg/belt strap.
Small fishing kit                   : Probably the least necessary considering how you may not have access to fishing waters, it would only be needed for long term survival and fishing is a bit 
                                            iffy in yield anyhow.
Pocket saw                          : For cutting wood for fire, shelter and weapons.
Snare kit :                           : A bit like the fishing kit, you would need a ton of well placed and quality snares to get any get of worthwhile yield, but also like the fishing kit they take up
                                            little room and the components (wire, para cord) have mulitple uses.
Survival Book(s)                  : Everything just mentioned is useless if you don't know how to use it, what kind of terrain you are in, and how to keep your cool.

Last edited by OnlyInThisLight (09-30-2012 08:54:33 PM)