Disaster pack - Page 2

infinite monkey · 07-06-2011, 07:54 AM

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

dmg1969 · 07-06-2011, 12:01 PM

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.

footfootfoot · 07-06-2011, 01:58 PM

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

glatt · 07-06-2011, 02:50 PM

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.

Pete Zicato · 07-06-2011, 03:13 PM

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

classicman · 07-06-2011, 03:22 PM

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

glatt · 07-06-2011, 03:30 PM

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.

classicman · 07-06-2011, 03:44 PM

gotcha.

wolf · 07-06-2011, 04:12 PM

This is a really cool one.

ZenGum · 07-06-2011, 06:49 PM

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.

zippyt · 07-06-2011, 06:55 PM

Better to have to much than Not enough Zen

ZenGum · 07-06-2011, 07:11 PM

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.

wolf · 07-06-2011, 07:18 PM

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.

glatt · 07-06-2011, 07:36 PM

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...

Spexxvet · 07-07-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

The umbrella is the only heavy thing,

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

07-06-2011, 12:01 PM	#17
dmg1969 I got nothing Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 486	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. __________________ Void where prohibited. Your results may vary. Not intended for resale. Do not remove tag. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

07-06-2011, 01:58 PM	#18
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	I've never heard of a GHB before. Would you elucidate the differences for me? __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

07-06-2011, 02:50 PM	#19
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	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. Attached Images

07-06-2011, 03:13 PM	#20
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	I hand it to you, Glatt. My backpack I use for my commute weighs enough without that stuff in it. __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

07-06-2011, 03:22 PM	#21
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I'm surprised you have no water in that glatt, or was that part of the lunch? __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

07-06-2011, 07:54 AM	#16
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	I thought this thread was about a multi-DVD movie set featuring Earthquake, Airport '77, The Towering Inferno, and The Poseidon Adventure.

07-06-2011, 03:30 PM	#22
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	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.

07-06-2011, 03:44 PM	#23
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	gotcha. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

07-06-2011, 04:12 PM	#24
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	This is a really cool one. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

07-06-2011, 06:49 PM	#25
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	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. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

07-06-2011, 06:55 PM	#26
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	Better to have to much than Not enough Zen __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

07-06-2011, 07:11 PM	#27
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	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. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

07-06-2011, 07:18 PM	#28
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	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. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

07-06-2011, 07:36 PM	#29
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	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...

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