Survival Gear: Are You Prepared?

For those who don't know me too well, I am a wildfire survivor. I lost my home during the California Tubbs Wildfire and my parents and I relocated North.

I don't recall which steps I took before the fire to prepare for disaster, though I was adamant about taking care of my old Trusty Steed (my very old SUV). A very wise decision. It taught me the basics of car care, and it dragged my SUV on it's final run towards a new beginning.

Now, I'm actively taking steps for disaster preparedness. My main focus is car preparedness. It's definitely a work in progress, and I think it's because where I live there are many weather and location elements that make it essential to be prepared for the worst and because I travel so much in the car, it's a given to be well off on survival gear. One of my favorite Christmas presents I received the first year in my new home was a go-bag from my dad, and I truly enjoy expanding it.

As I said, it's a work in progress, but on the driver's side I have a cubby chalk full of maps (thanks to previous jobs, I have a basic proficiency in map reading), I have an emergency whistle with a compass on it, and I have pepper spray. I intend on acquiring LED flashlights to place on the driver side, passenger side, glove box, and trunk.

In the trunk, I have a bag full of all-weather clothes, hiking boots, and a bag full of socks. I have a container with non-perishable foods (cliff bars, snack mixes, cup of noodles, and soup/chili with a pop-top). I have a big container that I try to keep stocked with water and other drinks (I go through it, but I try to keep replenishing it regularly). I keep toilet paper, paper towels, and garbage bags on hand. I keep a basic Walmart first aid kit.

And then there's my go bag.

I won't go into every single detail, but a few things I try to keep is a roll of quarters (I usually dip into that so I usually go through them, but I try to keep it on hand because in my mind from movies I watch, some things require quarters and cash/bills isn't enough), latex gloves, something really important to me that I keep is a sewing kit and an eyeglass fixing kit, I have glowsticks and window marker-paint-type thing, camp soap and sponge, an assortment of lighters...I keep and replenish a med kit of basic over the counter meds AND I have a pill container that contains not only several days of psych meds I take regularly but a piece of paper that contains emergency numbers.

My friend mentioned I keep a go-backpack in case I need to ditch the car. I like that idea. My school backpack also contains some survival gear, but I have another backpack I can use for a go bag.

It may be obsessive, but it gives me a sense of security knowing that if the worse occurs (again), I'm ready.

What really dumbfounds me is that some people don't prepare at all for disasters. Not a single plan. Just assume nothing will happen to them. Per the anniversary of the fire this year, PG&E decided to black out a vast majority of California. So many people weren't prepared when they lost power. There's so much one can do to prepare for outages, floods, fires, earthquakes, etc.

I know a lot of what I am feeling is PTSD from the fires and the blackouts, but I wanted to discuss what others have done to prepare for disaster. Have you done anything to prepare for a survival/emergency/disaster situation? Do you have any tips for survival situations? Is there gear you swear by?

@LiteraryLark

I am so sorry you went through that natural disaster trauma of experiencing a wildfire. Wildfires, earthquakes, sinkholes, hurricanes, the flooding after heavy rainfall, tornadoes, tsunamis, and other weather conditions can be perceived as traumatic, especially if you fear your life is in danger and/or experience any losses (e.g., such as the loss of all your belongings and your apartment/house during a wildfire). That's why there are categories of trauma such as natural disasters.

Manmade disasters are similar but different. Those can include things like oil spills that contaminate water and therefore cause medical trauma among those getting cancer diagnoses in a particular area, etc. Those, too, are considered a form of trauma.

Being prepared with survival gear is smart, especially after experiencing that kind of trauma. It's not paranoia, because the likelihood that you'll experience it again might be there, or because you just want to be prepared for the unknown.

Having an emergency backpack or rolling luggage that you can easily access in case you have to evacuate in a short period of time is best. Water, some food that you can eat without having to cook it, toilet paper, batteries, a flashlight, an extra charged battery for your cell phone, an extra cell phone charger, pens or pencils and paper, a list of emergency numbers and your local Red Cross, a change of clothes, sanitary wipes, a whistle, a blanket, a pillow, some trash bags (they can keep you warm if you don't have shelter), some tape, a pocket knife, some extra cash, and other survival gear are all useful tools when you're involved in an emergency evacuation. If flooding is an issue, then a blow-up life jacket would also be helpful, along with your items packed in fully sealed ziploc bags (some come in 2 gallon and larger gallon sizes now).

I don't have a survival pack yet, but I plan to get one soon. Where I live is relatively disaster-free, but I still want to be prepared just in case.

Lark, your plans sound senseable to me given where you live.

I drive a lot for work too. My "disaster plan" for driving is to keep my cell phone charged so I can call AAA if the truck breaks down. Living in Florida I don't have to deal with snow.

At home I have a big plastic tub with my important papers and some cash stash in the bedroom if I ever have to leave in a hurry.

Hurricanes are the biggest threat we deal with. Even though we get days worth of warning of a storm I still stock up on non-perisables at the start oc the season. If it looks like I might have to evacuate I stack everything I'm taking in ine place so I can load the truck and go.

Back when my abusive husband was still alive I kept a change of clothes behind the seat of my truck, $100 in cash in an envelope in a hidey-hole I created in the seat and a spare ignition key in the glovebox in case I needed to leave in a hurry.

Hi @LiteraryLark

I am saddened you lost your home to that dreadful Tubbs Wildfire, but hope you are settled now. Your topic is most interesting and I hope to share...please excuse me as I write from memory as I've not long been back after a very long day!

My late father was into survival big time and left me a considerable amount of gear: maxpedition remora gearslinger, their multi-purpose bag, his Peli 1510 wheelie case with foam interior and lid organiser, but my preteen daughter is the firebrand for survivalist interests and is far more knowledgeable. A skilled archer using a longbow, she's the group leader and knows more than her older peers. She's almost 12, and though tough for her age, has a loving heart and acts kindly towards her outdoor enthusiast group. I am so proud of her. Talking about groups online a mo, she's a member of plainsman's cabin discussion areas. They are a good bunch of men and I trust them with her. They discuss EDC and survivalist topics that may interest you.

During her time away my daughter has been well taught how to forage. She knows what to eat and what to leave well alone, can set snares for rabbits, skin and cook them. Her instructor is a retired SAS man who puts on survivalist courses with his wife and helpers specially for young people. My daughter has been doing these survivalist courses during school holidays since she was 9 years old. She wants to teach English and is top in her homeschooling class.

For her 12th birthday soon I bought her Peli's U140 Urban Elite backpack and got it for almost half price. The backpack has watertight compartments for her laptop and phone. But she is forbidden to carry knives unless under strict supervision during her survivalist courses. The UK has very strict laws for knife carry (18+). Incidentally, the course and instructors are fully insured and are police checked.

If I wasn't so tired by the weekend, I'd get into her outdoor interest more seriously. The only tools I have is an old leatherman surge that was Dad's, and a recent purchase, an MRF 60+ card tool 3.0 in 420C hardened stainless steel which has been invaluable. Razor sharp, the tool card has its own leather pouch and is carried in my maxpedition CMC wallet along with banknotes, cards and my doctor's licence. My doctor's case contents I'll explain more shortly.

I've suffered PTSD having narrowly escaped with my life from a terrible car accident months ago when a driver pulled out, and I ploughed into him doing 40 mph in a 60 limit. My sportscar's airbags saved me, but I got badly bruised, had whiplash and broken ribs. After being discharged from hospital I had post-accident counselling, but it still wasn't enough. I decided buying a Land Rover truck, a Defender with roll cage and a host of protective gear including a periscope for water wading for road floods. Frankly I feel much more secure in it than any previous vehicle, so the PTSD has gone. Though I consider myself fortunate, I have been through severe trauma and received much support from my medical colleagues.

I have a comprehensive first aid bag. My advice with these is never to buy them, but make up your own first aid kit because it's far cheaper. As for my doctor's case, it's dad's lockable rugged old peli 1510, a recently bought nitecore 4,000 lumen flashlight and a Damascus steel framelock folder among urgent medicines, my stethoscope and sphygmomanometer (blood pressure monitor), prescripton pads, hospital admin forms, sickness certificates, accounting forms, dangerous drugs record book, important phone numbers, pens, emergency medicine, ophthalmoscope, leatherman raptor shears - those can even cut rings off fingers and are great tools for first responders - recommended. In addition to my smartphone, I also carry my Inmarsat satphone for medical emergencies should the internet be weak in some areas. Sometimes I get called out to road accidents, and that is when I really have to gather my toughness and go do. The most hardest part is when children and animals are involved in road accidents. I'd rather not dwell on that except say that doctors do cry.

I'm very admiring of Canadians' and Americans' survivalist awareness. It galls me how relaxed people are in my country, but would imagine those living far up in the Scottish Highlands to be more survivalist-aware, and even those living in the Inner and Outer Hebrides such as Islay, South UIst, Shetland, Orkney, and the Isle of Iona.

I'm shocked my people don't prepare for disasters, but it's only when someone bring awareness to the population. I think I may contact our local Member of Parliament to raise this in The House of Commons. Except whether our present government will listen is another story.

Thank you Lillib, your answers are always very informative.

Your daughter sounds very smart and tough! How did she get into survivalism? Your story was very fascinating. Thank you for sharing!

@accessdenied

How do you go about acquiring some of these items?

My daughter just told us she was interested in outdoor activities and when I asked her to specify, she said "Survival stuff because my best friend's dad in into it."

So I went to see her friend's dad and he directed me to this outdoor course for youngsters and teens.

If you google "EDC/Survival gear" then that is probably where you'll find most of the gear. Have to say that my most recent purchase of the Nitecore TM06S was expensive, but its lighting can be lowered right down, and the strobe can be used as a deterrant in self-defence. Peli cases can be bought in the US, Canada or just about anywhere and the same applying to Maxpedition gear. Dad bought his Peli from waterproofcases UK. (Hope my mentioning these products isn't seen as spamming!) and me, that Peli backpack was an amazon deal. it was the last in stock, just right for my daughter. It's even got handly bottle openers on its straps! Very tough backpack so is made to last.

Amazon might have this gear though it can increase some prices, but be wary of shipping costs. I found some receipts of dad's going way back to 2005 where he bought maxpedition gear and his leatherman pocket tools from heinnie.com which is a UK site for hard wearing gear.

The leatherman raptor shears may be pricey, but they're worth it. Their holster is very compact, but strong. The shears are 440C hardened stainless steel. There are good reviews on You Tube of those shears worth watching.

Look on You Tube for the reviews of the gear dad left me, and go from there. Beware buying from You Tubers as they get a percentage for advertising. Go straight to an EDC website where you'll probably get a better deal.

Keep in contact with me if you like. Maybe hopefully I'll get into Juni's survivalist passion, but I'm an overworked doctor so it's highly unlikely. That's the NHS for you!

Thank you for the information! I appreciate it!

I am so sorry about your unbelievably hard and scary experience with the fire, Lark. How awful! I hereby freely admit that I am totally unprepared for any kind of major disaster. I have nothing stored away. No alternate source of shelter. I've done nothing. My only means of transport are my feet and a fast bike, neither very practical in case of actual catastrophe.

We are overdo here in my town for a magnitude 9 or greater earthquake. Experts say it is a certainty. There will be a cataclysmic tsunami at the coast, but that's an hour away and won't affect us directly here. That's what I worry about most, earthquake. Mt. Hood, which is an hour drive to the east, could certainly erupt, and that would be a disaster for Portland, but no-one thinks that is imminent. So we're looking at a devastating earthquake.

I have actually thought about this. I am in a brand-new construction building, which is up to quake code, so that's good. I need to somehow find a way to put away several days of food and water, at the very least. It will be days and days and days before any kind of services are restored here. Other than volcanoes, this city has little experience with big-time disasters. They aren't gonna know what they're doing. So, it's going to be bad. Puerto Rico bad.

Guess I better get my butt in gear.

I am located on the Oregon Coast. My house is above the tsunami lines but we are anticipating a major earthquake off the coast as well.

It's worth the expenses to prepare not only in supplies but in evacuation routes as well. When the fire hit we traveled a couple hours away and stayed in a hotel for a few days before coming to live with my grandparents. We were lucky enough to have a host with multiple bedrooms. Thousands of people lived in shelters on cots or in tents for months. We were blessed to have a roof over our heads.

Do you not drive? I'd definitely prep the house the best you can. Flashlights, lots of batteries, gallons of water, camping stoves, cans of food, toilet paper, first aid....there's so much you can do to prepare, and a lot of it is just basic stuff.

Army Surplus stores might have survival and cool tactical gear as well.

Growing up in Florida is a good way to be prepared in general. 10 days of food, 20 gallons of water, candles, lanterns, bug spray, neosporin and bandages of all sizes. Baby wipes, bleach. Blankets/ sleeping bags. Generator, full gas cans. Cookstove. Toilet paper, cheap set of silverware. Knives and ammo

Living In Tennessee now? Only other thing I have really added is more blankets.. oh and life straws.

Water is okay, but with the exception of food, we are prepared to pick up and leave at a moment's notice. I possess a small tent trailer which is stowed with gear year round (I winter camp too). I have spontaneously made decisions to go on an adventure and been on my way near immediately. We have what we need to make a pretty rugged go of it if necessary. I also never allow my car to be more than half empty - ever.

I think this is something everyone needs to consider - especially if living in areas that might befallen by disaster - forested areas, flood plains, etc. I am really glad you brought this topic up. I am sorry you lost what you did.

For emergency hydration needs there is a well known and very reliable water sterilizer called LifeStraw which my daughter said could be very useful to store for emergency preparedness. It retails in the UK for under £20. She said it has won an award last year and can be bought in 2-packs and 5-packs.

She also found this useful information and copied it to me: "LifeStraw removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and filters to 0.2 microns; surpasses EU and EPA filter standards. It removes E. Coli, Giardia and Cryptosporidium oocysts, and many other waterborne contaminants "

I got my dad a similar version of Life Straw. I should pick more up.

What would I put into a trunk go-bag in case I need to ditch the car?

Hi @LiteraryLark

I asked my daughter to specially make you an esential list. Here it is.

road map
small foldable snow shovel, tyre mat(s) for snow / mud traction
hand-held GPS unit
no-spill petrol can
car fire extinguisher like mummy's
towing strap or chain
soap / hand sanitizer,
towelettes
small trash bags
rain poncho / plastic sheet
paracord
candles / LED headlamp
spare AA + AAA batteries
comprehensive first aid kit including safety pins
roll of duct tape
emergency splint kit (UK cost about a tenner)
fixed blade knife in holster, multitool, or folding knife, but do NOT use liner lock knives cuz potentially dangerous if slipping, cut your fingers. preferably buy a frame lock knife.

tent
rainproof matches
SOG Flint (kit includes fire starter, steel wool tinder compartment, tungsten carbide tipped window breaker, safety whistle
lighter, tin containing tinder (6 pk)
survival reflector emergency blanket
emergency car battery charger
solar battery charger
extra pair of shoes, gloves, woollen hiking socks, merino wool beanie, woollen jumper, waterproof / Goretex boots
underwear
Note: acrylic clothes when wet do not conduct warmth from the body. Acrylic fabric can cause hyperthermia
26800 mAh (or higher) power bank and/or cell phone charger (to be left in car at all times)
battery powered and/or hand crank radio with NOAA Weather Service

sleeping bag(s) and wool blanket
survival reflector emergency blanket
catapult (check legality)
rabbit snares
seat belt cutter+ glass breaker (some can be attached to seat belts)
if possible safely stow £500 in banknotes and coins
durable waterproof bag for stowing items (Nixwax waterproofing kit useful)
spare waterproof jacket, pair of warm gloves
It would be sensible to learn unarmed combat in case you are mugged. Like mummy I've been trained.
Lastly, please go on a survival course like me. I am a survivalist with 3 years know-how.

Love,
Juni

WOW Juni! Thank you!!!

We went through the 2010 8.8 earthquake here and weren't as prepared as we should have been. The house was fine, but we lost power for 6 days and had wáter cut off several times. There were runs on the ATMs and gas stations.

We now live in a different house, which is new and should be up to all the latest earthquake codes. We're doing more these days to be prepared for the next one. We buy 20 liter returnable purified water jugs, so we always have plenty of water on hand. We bought a battery-powered radio, although we don't get much reception where we are now. I also have bought chargable LED emergency lights and a power bank to keep phones charged. We keep the car well maintained and more than half tank of gas in it always and also have some cash in the house.

My daughter thanks you @LiteraryLark and so do I.