Posted on 05/14/2009 6:13:12 PM PDT by appleseed
It pays to peek inside Anthony Hardwick’s pricey survival ‘bug-out’ bag
Back when I first got interested in survival preparedness, I’d have long discussions with friends about the necessity of always having a pack ready in case you ever had to make a quick evacuation. We discussed all the contents of our survival packs, and considered both short-term and long-term survival needs away from home.
Knives, tools, water, seeds, clothes, fire, shelter, light. We agreed that the ideal survival pack — also referred to as a “bug-out bag” — would be lightweight and not a burden. We would bring these packs on our desert outings and test how well the items did in field conditions.
We learned that the more you knew, the less you had to carry. The packs that were best were also the heaviest and the biggest. If you could always put your pack in your car and drive away, then weight and bulk wouldn’t be an issue. But the reality of emergencies is that things happen when you don’t expect them, at a moment not of your choosing, when you’re not necessarily ready.
More recently, I have been interested in finding out what people carry in their packs and why they made those choices. Outdoorsman Pascal Baudar recently held an event where everyone showed and talked about the contents of their bug-out bags, and I asked Pasadena resident Anthony Hardwick about his selections.
“One never knows when a natural or manmade disaster will strike,” says Hardwick.
(Excerpt) Read more at pasadenaweekly.com ...
The $1500 threw me too, but I’d still like to know what others have, etc, so I can pack one up. Do you keep them in your car or the house?
Thank you, that is a great list. Do you pack an individual bag for eah member of you family then?
What is a BOB?
No. I'm not insecure or set off. I'm making fun.
This is a thread; http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2250063/posts about two waitresses getting into a fight. Many FReepers are making fun of them and the situation but I don't think you would accuse the FReepers of “being insecure” or “being set off”.
This is a thread; http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2248370/posts about plastic surgery gone wrong. Many FReepers are making fun of them and the situation but I don't think you would accuse the FReepers of “being insecure” or “being set off”.
Bug Out Bag.
Essentials for the event that you have moments to grab the essentials and “Bug Out”. Some folks call them a 72hour kit.
Bug-Out-Bag
The difference is that you are mocking something as fundamental as being prepared for emergencies, that is pretty unusual, you were also insulting us, not the guy in the article or “two waitresses in a fight” and your tone made you sound threatened.
I don’t know what kind of a man you are, maybe you are comfortable around guy topics, guns, knives,compasses, and being prepared, you should tell us more about what troubles you about having an emergency evacuation bag ready so that we know what you are troubled by or what makes you want to insult the people on this thread.
You should have seen what I kept behind my seat in my pickup when I lived in rural Wisconsin.
I kept enough gear to keep two people alive and fairly comfortable for 3 days, figured on temperatures of minus 10 to minus 20 degrees. and heavy clothing and boots and socks to walk out with.
In Minneapolis I ran out of gas one day in that truck at about temp 0 and when I started walking for gas I realized that I was wearing blue jeans and cloth tennis shoes, luckily I was in the urban area so no frost bite happened but it made me aware of how many people in that region jump into their nice cars unaware of what would happen if they had to spend a night in the car, or walk two hours for assistance in 20 degrees below zero.
I made one up for each car. They sit by the door and can be grabbed quickly.
They include, but not limited to the following:
Bible
Spam slices (big enough to cut up into small squares, or eat whole.
Go Paks of crackers, and cookies.
Notebook and pen / pencil
Toilet Paper
Hard candy
water
toothbrush / toothpaste
hand wipes
deoderant (look in the travel size section at the market)
shampoo / conditioner
comb / brush
mouthwash
money
antacid
medical supplies
allergy meds
Everyone is different, because not everyone here eats the same
change of clothes
wind breaker
tarp
Extra ammo
When putting together a kit, most people figure at least 72 hours on their own.
I made the kits because of the members of family who travel alot. If they aren’t home when ‘something happens, they at least have things to get them through the ‘beginning’.
Hunker down at home types here. Living on the Gulf Coast, you plan and prepare...for everything you can.
Regardless you have problems and obviously need some kind of purchased tools to make amends for your other shortcomings.
Bug out bag. It is an emergency kit such as a backpack that can provide all of your needs for at least 72 hours in an emergency.
Thank you for your list-it is pretty comprehensive. I will tr to adapt it to my family’s needs. Lots of good ideas, thanks again.
Duh, I should have figured it out BoB. Bug out Bag. New at this-thanks!
Yeah, I’ve been in some pretty nasty storms here. I believe I will start working on getting items into the trunk of each car. Thanks for the tips.
Although there are better choices, condoms are a small, light weight way to carry water, especially if protected by being carried in a bandanna or such.
In a survival situation it is great to find water when you need it, but if you can't take some with you for later then you have lost a huge opportunity.
I suggest one gallon freezer bags or the replacement plastic bags for drinking bladders.
ping to save great lists for BOB
I was looking for something I saw a while back about reasons to prepare for emergencies, natural, manmade, etc. The guy that wrote the article gave dozens of reasons. Of course I can’t find it now.
I live out in the sticks and it’s just a way life. I didn’t have a computer at Y2K but if it did happen I was ready. I don’t think being prepared makes me a conspiracy nut or a lunatic. However, it does seem to me that the way things are going, the shtf is much more likely now than Y2K.
I found this that explains what I’m trying to say:
Survivalism does not necessarily concentrate on global catastrophe or the collapse of civilization. The profile of a “true” survivalist is someone who is concerned with planning for and avoiding the pitfalls and dangers of daily life and short-term emergencies and disasters of a local and temporary nature. In fact, since the frequency and likelihood of personal and local emergencies are more common, these situations are of primary concern.
http://www.aussurvivalist.com/whatissurvivalismmeg.htm
Given your situation and where you live I totally agree with your reasoning. In some ways it is no different than most people who want to keep a radio with batteries and a flashlight handy.
I admit to coming onto this thread to do a little “baiting”. This was a mistake on my part and I wish you well.
For you, sleeping bags, tea candles, and hand warmers, snow boots and old ski bibbs and a cell phone charger should be the core for what you need. Add a fleece blanket for each bag if you have the space. (a fleece blanket inside of an inadequate sleeping is a very nice addition.
If you keep a supply of hand warmers then you can add one or two to the bag every 8 to twelve hours to greatly increase it's warmth, and since you will only be keeping old or cheap bags in the car then putting the fleece blanket and the handwarmers inside the bag will get you through the night if you can't run the car heater.
Buying some old ski bibbs from the thrift shop and stuffing them under your seat sure is nice if you have to walk and you left the house wearing cotton jeans or a pant suit.
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