Disaster pack
 

With all the weird weather going on, I've decided to be prepared. It's more time consuming than I thought. Maybe my mind is not organized enough to what I think I need. Dunno. I may over pack it. So, are any of you guys prepared if a natural disaster hits?

thanks!

Surely a daily prayer is all the preparation necessary?

I have several plans in place depending on the situation.

I have a Bug Out Bag containing a few changes of clothes, a checkbook, basic first aid kit, rations for three days, a weeks worth of my medicine, a weeks worth of my wife's meds too, except for the insulin that remains in the fridge. And a couple of other things.

I also have a disaster plan, which includes my camper, which is stocked and ready to go within fifteen minutes. It contains a month's worth of supplies (food, medicine, fresh water, cash and weapons). I try to keep my LP tanks full and my truck at least 3/4 full at all times. Just in case a fire threatens or something like that.

Over in Allah land they say to trust God but tie up your camel.

Who's gonna take checks in an emergency?

and what are you gonna do with a tied-up camel?


Just remember the toilet paper, people, everyone forgets the toilet paper.

And your girlie things if you need them.

If you should ever have to evacuate from a disaster area in a hot air balloon, don't pickup any girls with little dogs ... they're trouble.

I'm thinking something small, like the house catching fire. Some emergency where I need to get out right now but only for a short time. It's grab and go supplies. Also, I'm too broke to be able to afford a cash stash. And my checkbook contains an ATM card.

For bigger emergencies, such as an evacuation ahead of natural disaster, I go hook onto the camper and head for my alternative site in the Ozarks. For that, I need up to 30 minutes warning.

For the end of the world, even cash won't matter. In that case, I grab more ammo and head to my secret lair.

Cool. where's that? ;)

If I told, it wouldn't be a secret!

and if he told you, then he'd have to ... replenish his ammo.

I used to have a pretty well-stocked bug-out bag. I sold the trauma kit for $250.

Anything you want...:blunt:

I thought this thread was about a multi-DVD movie set featuring Earthquake, Airport '77, The Towering Inferno, and The Poseidon Adventure. ;)

The wife and I have a well-stocked BOB (Bug Out Bag) along with a GHB (Get Home Bag) in each car. The GHB is top priority as it is more likely to be used. Mine has the usual things you'll find...first aid kit, flashlight, food, water, knife, multi-tool, makeshift shelter (tarp), cordage, fire starting supplies, gloves, TP (you never know), water purification tablets, etc.

I've never heard of a GHB before. Would you elucidate the differences for me?

I have a GHB, although I never called it that before. I take it with me on my Metrorail commute.

Most used are:
-lunch (not pictured because I ate it.)
-sun glasses
-umbrella

Good to have all the time:
-small first aid kit

Most critical in case of Metro emergency:
-two smoke hoods. One for me, and one for a backup in case somebody tries to take mine from me or for when the first one stops working after a few minutes.
-a handful of glow sticks. 2 high intensity that last 30 minutes and 2 low intensity that last 12 hours
-a reflective arm band with built-in flashing light and dead battery

I also have a leatherman squirt e4 on my key chain.

I hand it to you, Glatt. My backpack I use for my commute weighs enough without that stuff in it.

I'm surprised you have no water in that glatt, or was that part of the lunch?

water is heavy to be carrying around. This is mostly just stuff to get me out of a tunnel alive. Just a few minutes worth of stuff.

gotcha.

It says a lot about the Washington Metro that you carry that stuff, and that no-one here is mocking you for it.

Still, two twelve hour lightsticks? One or two 30 minute ones, maybe, but 24 hours is for camping down there, not the quick escape you mention.

Better to have to much than Not enough Zen

Sometimes, but only up to a point. Especially if you have to carry it.

I used to really overburden myself when hiking or travelling, and I still do a bit. Being prepared for expected needs is sensible; having back-ups for these needs is perhaps overkill; preparation for a possible problem is reasonable; but back-ups for preparations for possible but unlikely problems ... sounds like overkill.

I wonder how much of this subway pack is based on evidence of need, and how much is based on the desire to feel safe. As in, you have to take the subway, and you have to feel safe or you won't do it, but the Metro feels (is!) unsafe, so you prepare for bad events, and the more unsafe it feels, the more preparation it takes to make you feel safe again.

I've been through this mental journey in relation to several things. Once I recognise it I can usually lighten my load a little.

I'd take one smoke hood and one lightstick.

The lightsticks weigh like half an ounce, and you carry extras in case of failure.

Another benefit of them is that they are a cold light source, and won't ignite volatile chemicals.

And he explained about the extra smoke hood ... another less-than-an-ounce item.

This stuff is really light. The umbrella is the only heavy thing, and I've pondered the wisdom of carrying it all the time, but I am surprised by the weather about a dozen times a year and I've decided it's worth it. If I'm carrying the umbrella and a lunch, I need a backpack anyway, so it's no big deal to carry an extra small item or two. I'm only carrying it a mile each way. The glow sticks all came together so that's why I have the 12 hour ones too. I figure a few extra can't hurt. I can pass them out to other passengers and maybe that will win over a few friends who might be eying my smoke hood.

My full backpack weighs less than my wife's purse.

And as for the Metro, I've been riding it for 20 years and one time the train I was on drove through a fire. Some electrical thing was burning in the tunnel. It had just flared up as my car was passing by, so it's not like the driver intentional went into a fire. That year there were several reported electrical fires in the tunnels. And then there was the big crash last year...

You could save some weight, and look really cute by switching to one of these.

http://poncho.win.mofcom.gov.cn/www/...0741111923.jpg

For battery operated emergency gear, I've standardized on equipment that uses AA size batteries for interchangeability; also, the ready availability of AA Lithium batteries which are lighter, won't leak, work over a wider temperature range, last longer in operation, and have at least a 10 year shelf life. All are properties well suited to back packable standby equipment. I use AA Lithium batteries in emergency flashlights, strobe lights, radios, cell phone rechargers, and Krill Lights which replaced my disposable chemlights/lightsticks/glowsticks two decades ago. I don't have to be concerned about duds, expiration dates, cold weather operation; or, run time. It has a lanyard hole, so it can be worn on a dog tag chain for hands free use.

I use the AA Krill Light, White, Extreme 180º: Simple and reliable twist on/off base switch | Long battery life - up to 50 hours | Long operating life – over 3000 hours | Indefinate storage life | Light weight - 2.75 oz. with batteries | compact - Height: 5 1/18 in., Base Diameter: 1 1/6 in. | Impact resistant and durable - drop tested 50 ft. onto concrete | Water resistant - 150 ft. | Economical – pennies per hour to use | No liquids or chemicals to worry about | No bulb to replace.
Image about actual size. It pays to shop around for the best price.

http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper...iqueItemId=517

I have one of these:

Statistically speaking, I am more likely to suffer delays on public transport than any injury endangering life or limb.

Therefore I rarely leave home without a paperback.

I had an emergency kit in my car, but bearing in mind my longest period of continual car ownership was in city centres, it wasn't extensive. And I was alone amongst my female friends having a car escape tool - includes window hammer and selt belt cutter et al. Can't find a pic of the one I had, but they update them regularly and it's been at least 6 years since I drove.

Then again I was the only woman I knew with a rape alarm.
Perhaps we're more quixotic in this country?

All-in-one units like that are a great convenience for an individual's home; or, business use. I like to keep my stuff modular so I can enlist others in it's use to meet various needs at different locations that are still in close proximity.

Thoroughly Modular Millie. :D

It's just me and my kitteh, and I'm not prepared really for anything, except for lights going out. I don't even know how to plug my phone into it. Maybe there is a converter plug?????

From the linked webpage you provided:

If your phone connects to its charger via a USB, you'll need only to find a USB cable to connect the phone to your emergency radio. If your phone has a proprietary receptacle and plug on its charger, then you'll need both a USB cable and a USB to proprietary plug adapter.

Recharging a cell phone from such a small unit, either by hand crank or solar power, is time consuming and results are usually of short duration.

Ahhh, thanks!

Yeah, I expect it would only be for emergencies. I hate phones anyway but it would be handy to call my family to say goodbye when the zombies come.

My phone has a USB that connects to the plug/chargie part. So I guess I'll just need a USB cable?

Thanks for checking on that for me! :)

ps charger plug looks like this:

You should be fine then. The big end of the cable should fit the slot on the radio.

Oh, thanks! I had my old phone when I bought the radio (at a safety fair here at work) and I knew that one wouldn't work but I've never tried the new one!

Part of being prepared is to know what the heck is going on! And, I typically do not. :nuts: