This thread made me wonder why people are often so ill-prepared for survival. I have at least three magnesium firestarters around here. I also have 9v batteries and I’m sure I have some steel wool lying about. There’s a 12v battery in my car that will give a nice spark. But you know what? If I need a fire I’ll use a disposable lighter or a match. Yes, I always have them around. I have an REI Backpacker first aid kit in my car, as well as a little kit in a GI compass pouch consisting of a space blanket, hard candy, a (very) small pocket knife, and one of the magnesium firestarters. Not to mention the Swiss Army Swisschamp knife I keep in my backpack, the Cold Steel ER-1 Rescue Knife in the glove box, and the rope, flares and entrenching tool under the seat.
OK, so my ‘survival gear’ is pretty paltry. But it’s better than nothing, and I do have matches and a lighter for starting the all-important fire.
Now, it’s good that Survivorman shows people how to improvise. But really, how hard is it to carry a disposable lighter and a space blanket with you when you’re hiking, snowmobiling, or whatever?
I damn-near sleep with a Leatherman Multitool, so people who don’t take the slightest precautions bug the snot out of me as well. Oh, well. More sheep to feed on when the Big One hits.
I was looking for the accessory sockets for my Gerber, and I found two ‘Employee Emergency Kits’ from a former employer. It contains an N95 face mask, an emergency/survival (‘space’) blanket, a light stick, and a whistle and lanyard. I think I’ll put one in the car.
My brother keeps a couple of cases of MREs, lots of water, a boatload of first aid supplies, IVs and painkillers, gear for lifting people out of tight spots (harnesses, ropes, etc), weapons, and all sorts of other stuff. He figures that the minute he puts his BDUs on after the earthquake or whatever, he’s on the job. First stop is me and my kids, next is our parents, then the world at large.
Me? A couple of cases of Balance bars, crackers, cans of deviled ham and other goodies (plus a can opener!), water, dog food, medical supplies, regular and Faraday flashlights, batteries, a crank radio. Stuff like that. We only have a few days’ worth, because we are close to ready supplies of food.
Most people forget about their pets. When planning out food and water, don’t forget your dog!
I guess it doesn’t take much to rub some people the wrong way. Admittedly, silenus did mention “The Big One” but clearly tongue in cheek, and the frustration he expresses no doubt comes from the people who are so “surprised” “shocked” or “outraged” when rescue services can’t immediately extract them from their hazard. (I have a coworker who volunteers with a local rescue mountain group; the most frequent call is from a lost hiker by cell phone, and of course, they never have a map and compass. “Where are you?” “Uhhhhh…under a tree across from the big rock.” “Oh, is that the gray rock?” No, they don’t get the sarcasm.)
With a pocket knife, a pair of pliers, and some training you can do a hell of a lot of things to make life on the margins more comfortable, or indeed, possible. You can’t do all–or I daresay, even most–of the things McGyver did–but building the tools to start a fire, repair a simple engine fault, make a deadfall trap for small game, cut bandages, build a simple shelter, et cetera. With a larger, fixed blade knife, a canteen and filter, some matches, and few other simple supplies that will fit in a small bag or box, you can survive anywhere below the High Sierras and above Death Valley. A small first aid kit will at least let you treat minor traumas, and if you toss in a suture kit, some splints, and USP-grade topical antibiotic powder you can care for a wide variety of major traumas, at least long enough to stabilize the patient and move him to a qualified medical facility.
I’ve come across the “anti-preparedness” sentiment before and frankly it confounds me; I’m not sure what some people take such umbrage, as if in keeping a kit of tools and supplies at hand is paramount to attacking modern society. Should “the Big One” (or more likely just a “little one” like being snowed in in the mountains, or wrecked on some side road in Wyoming) ever transpire, I don’t expect it to let me hold out indefinitely, but I’ll at least have a few comforts and, should I need it, the means to cope with at least some simple emergencies before the Marines show up to rescue me.
You’re a member. Search for “survival” or “emergency kits” or something similar. I have listed my stash in car, home and classroom more than a few times on this board.
BTW, I sleep nude. Pictures on request.
I have camping supplies in my truck. The thing is, the carport that I park under would likely collapse in a really big earthquake, as would my apartment building. Where can I keep a survival kit that would survive a disaster? I work in an zone 4 earthquake-rated data center, so I guess that’s my best option in a survival situation.
I keep a small road-side type kit in my car. Things a city dweller might need. I don’t really think I’ll ever need to make fire in my day to day car travels. I suppose if my car breaks down and I need to fend for myself I’ll hike the few blocks to the nearest store and buy a lighter and food. I don’t think building a fire next to my broken down car on a busy street is going to go over very well.
The times I do drive my car into the wilds I almost always have full camping supplies - because that is the reason I’m heading for the wilds.
At home I keep two frame backpacks half full of gear. Foldy shovels, rain gear, batteries, flashlights, radio, first aid, an assortment of small hand tools, a tarp, clothes line, and some backpackers food (enough for 3 days for 3 people). If I had to bail out of my home for some reason we can stuff the rest of the packs with clothes and food. We have a watercooler and extra bottles so there is always many days worth of good water in the house.
It would take my family about 10-15 minutes to load the truck and get out.
If for some reason we get stuck on our island, and every house is burned to the ground, we’d be set for a 3-4 days easy.
I carry a camp box in my truck as a semi-permanent accessory. Not because I camp every weekend, but for lack of a better place to store it. It always contains a tarp, tent, fishing gear, a camp axe, big flashlight, barbeque lighter,air matress, shovel, mess kit, a small machete, a space blanket, pocket knife and rope. I could have potable food and water and some clothing and toiletries ready in 15 minutes. I hope that it never has to be used for an emergency, but I’m glad that it’s there just in case.
Camping gear (tents, pads, small stove, propane, cooking equipment) in our garage, sleeping bags in the closet, first aid kits in the car’s trunk and in our house, plus we just bought a Red Cross-branded “survival kit” for two with various survival and first aid items. Leatherman and Swiss Army Knife on the desk, with a few lighters. We have a good amount of non-perishable food in the house, now we need to get some water stored.
I have a rubbermaid container in my car with too much to list here. I have had it since 9/11. I’ve got one of the best most comprehensive survival kits known to man…Ok it’s my best try at one.
Basically:
Rope
come along
thermal blankets
desalination kit
water purification tabs
full first aid kit included sutures
hunting and fishing equipment
SAS survival guide
crank radio/shortwave
crank coleman lights
slingshot
MRE’s
water
and much much more!
