Group Survival 101.

What would you change?

1 case
1 Bandages Plastic Assorted
- (1"x3", 3/4"x3", 5/8"x2 1/4") 60/box
5 Bandages Plastic 2"x4.5"
1 Bio-Waste Bag 1 Gallon 11"x14"
3 Burn Jel Packettes 1/8 oz.
20 BZK Towelettes
2 Cold Pack Unit
1 Compress 4"x4"
4 Cotton-tip Applicators 3" 2 pk
1 emergency blanket
1 Elastic Bandage 3"x5yds.
1 Eye Pads Medium
1 Eye Wash 1 oz.
1 First Aid Guide
1 Gauze Pads Sterile 3"x3" (10/box)
4 Gloves, Vinyl
1 Roll Gauze 4"x4yds
1 Scissor lister bandage 4 1/2"
1 Tweezers
4 Sting Relief Towelettes
1 Tape 1/2"x10 Uncovered
1 Triangular Bandage 40"x40"
10 Triple Antibiotic Ointment Packettes

This is the kit as I purchased it,to it I added

1 tube of super glue
a sewing kit
small bottle of alcohol
small bottle of peroxide
additional vynel gloves
butterfly type tape
1 epi-pen- requires script
1 ace bandage
safety pins
sterile water
additional plastic bags to dispose of waste
pen/marker and paper
do not laugh at this one ,1 package of feminine hygeine products
for obvious reasons,plus they also make excellent absorbant pads for large wounds(use the ace bandage to secure in place)

Looks good to me, add in the information sheet with necessary meds, blood types and med. allergies (unless that's there and I missed it, in which case I apologize profusely)

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Originally Posted by trax

Looks good to me, add in the information sheet with necessary meds, blood types and med. allergies (unless that's there and I missed it, in which case I apologize profusely)

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haha you got me,I was sitting there looking at the med list and didnt even add it to my list,I do have an epi-pen listed(for severe alergic reactions),in my medi-cabinet I also have meds for poison ivy prescription for steroid tabs,and anti itch creams and such but not in my basic kit (yes I consider this my basic kits).

I do not include other than a triangular "sling" a method to stabilize a fracture,anything strong found in your surroundings may be used as long as the break does not go through the skin,I once ace bandaged my daughters arm to my arm when she was kicked by a horse ,I could not have done that if I had had to drive (her right arm) hubby drove,but my arm was the most suitable thing around for her injury,the doctor himself said he would not have thought of that but it was a good idea.

I'm allergic to nothing, but I know people who have to carry those epi-pens full time and I know people allergic to.....here goes...aspirin, penicillin, morphine, now the rest of the list escapes me just cuz I'm trying to show off, but you get what I mean.

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Originally Posted by trax

I'm allergic to nothing, but I know people who have to carry those epi-pens full time and I know people allergic to.....here goes...aspirin, penicillin, morphine, now the rest of the list escapes me just cuz I'm trying to show off, but you get what I mean.

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hehe! my mother was allergic to penecillin ,ANY type of numbing agent stitches were taken without being numb,my duaghter is severly allergic to the bite of a common house spider.

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Originally Posted by volwest

-back pack

-Bic lighter
-matches in water proof container
-flash light / batteries
-emergency candle in a cigar tube container

-whistle
-star flash mirror

-maps (city/town/village-state)
-button compass

-potable aqua water purifier tablets
-army canteen with cup
-72 hours of food (MRE's)

-USMC poncho
-hat / gloves
-cotton bandana
-extra pair of socks

-KA-BAR
-multi tool (Leatherman "wave")
-duct tape
-100 feet of 550
-monocular / binocular
-trash bags
-cell phone
-pen and paper
-safety pins
-AM / FM portable radio

-first aid kit
-prescription medication

-important documents (passports, birth certificates...)


Amounts have to be discussed (water/food)...and of course the content of the first aid kit. But for 72 hours, this list should give a survival advantage beyond basic needs in the event of an emergency.
Did i miss something ?
This list does not address infants and dogs...which we will have to talk about.
Also, and this is why i don't like this BO thing, having all of this stuff will have a great impact on the community. Can you imagine walking through New Orleans after 3 days with this on you ? You become a walking general store open for business. I feel that those kits are just a safety net for us to sleep better before an emergency...we feel prepared, and it is a good feeling, but in all honesty, as soon as you step out in a desperate environment, it is going to be a very different story.

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Volwest
Never talked with you before but thought I would bring up a few items that might be worthwhile.
Combination carbide and ceramic sharpener for knife
3 watt led Minimag flashlight with extra set batteries
Steripen to disinfect water uses UV light
Emergency Cell Phone Charger (uses 1 AA battery)
Bottle insect repellent
Package of Wet Ones
Small pair Bonoculars

Here is the problem I see with the kits, and don't misunderstand me, I have several in the cars and house. One, they have to be specific. What I mean is you have to know what you are trying to survive, what season, and what part of the country you're going to be in.. My bugout kit is setup to get me to East Texas where I have relatives in the country. I also have setup at the house equipment and supplies for 60 days. I figure that will take care of most emergencies until help arrives. If help does not show, then it's time to leave anyway. Like you, I live in a major metropolitan area (Dallas/Fort Worth) with a combined population base of 4 to 5 million. I believe things could get really bad here really quick. The point I'm trying to make is that these kits are for short term survival only. I'm not an expert and don't pretend to be, but I have taught survival to Boy Scouts, gone on weekend, one week, and two week survival treks and unless we brought food (which we weren't allowed to do) we always finished up as very hungry campers. This is with firearms and a fair knowledge of edible plants. I cannot imagine trying to take care of my family under those circumstances and keep them fed, sheltered, and protected. Again, don't misunderstand I have kits for those eventualities like everyone else, and I use them regularly trying to become more proficient,I just don't believe they're viable long term. What makes the most sense to me is having a preprepared location to go to, whether it is a remote retreat, a weekend farm, or a relative's home in the country. At that point if there is a long term disaster scenario, you have the ability to store food and water, have a garden, and still hunt if possible. One other thing. Have you ever went deer hunting on the first day of the season? The deer are nowhere to be found because all the people in the woods. What do you think will happen if just 1 million of the 4 million people in this area decide to evauate to the country. By the way, I'm addressing this to you because I went to your website and figured if anyone would know, it would be you. Anybody else, feel free to jump in also. Does this make sense to you?

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Originally Posted by volwest

Good list...i would add or modify certain aspects of it like:



-razor blade(s)
-more sterile gauze pads (different sizes), less band aids...or ABD pads ("tampax" works too).
-flash light
-tube of neosporin instead of packets ?
-ibuprofen (fever reducer)
-blister pads
-thermometer
-suture kit

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Like the tube of neosporin,it is reclosable ,the packets are not,and I agree with all of the suggestions,these were prepackaged kits I added to and I am always looking out for more to add to them,I know that there should be a weight/size resriction also so have been looking at what I can add that can do "doubleduty" in my first aid kit (like the hygeine products,they have more than one purpose).

good point vol

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Originally Posted by volwest

Yes, "adding to it" just seem to be what it's all about.

We could also add a good snake/insect bite kit. (the syringe suction type)...
For weight and size i have 3 different ones.
-a car first aid kit (medium size)
-a personal one (very small, and part of my day to day carry bag)
-and the main one at home, in it's own army medic bag, which would come with me if and when...

Thank you for your prompt and efficient work.

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I would love to have one of the army medic kits,lots of great stuff in those,Ihave been eyeing one online for a month or so.

I keep adding to mine because since my husband is diabetic,even a scratch on his leg could become dangerous very fast,and I find the kits I purchased at the local shop not very well put together for treating wounds for people like him and not just diabetics,and I realize that in a situation where we would need to "bug out" puts him at a much higher risk for infection,and medical treatment could be a long way off.

One thing I have in my car kit that I did not list,is a seperate indentifiable diabetic kit,it includes all testing supplies,an isulin pen that does not require refridgeration,glucose tabs and juice boxes ,in case his sugar goes too low.

These are additional items in my kit and of course not every one will need to keep these in their kit.

I can't help but wonder how all this will affect the average person who doesn't know squat about Survival, the equipment needed, or even the inclination to shell out more green for the better quality gear? Also, looking back at the Govt.'s list I think they listed so much stuff thinking that some of it might be better than none and let folks pick out what they've already got of could afford to buy.:cool:

I think you're right about the gov't list. The main point being is that some equipment and supplies are better than no equipment at all. Most people have made no preparations at all. That is who this list is for, not for people like us who try and plan in advance. You guys are also correct about people tending to buy the cheapest stuff unless thet are familiar with the equipment and actually use it. I try and get the best value for my money regardless of the total costs because if something happens and you have to use this stuff, I want the best I can afford. I don't want it to break at a critical point while I am using it. You're not going to be able to replace things when they break. That's why my primary tools are the best I can afford but I buy some midpriced and inexpensive spares. Perfect example would be my knives (notice I said s as in plural) My main knife is a Cold Steel Trailmaster bowie that I have had for 20 years. I paid $175 for it back then and have never regretted it. It uses San Mai steel. You have a carbon steel center layer sandwiched between two layers of stainless. The carbon can be made razor sharp and the stainless gives it flexibility and strength. The blade can be bent 40 degrees and still return to true. I have given it heavy use for twenty years and it is almost indestructible. It comes with a black cordura sheath to which I have added a spandex wrap which holds a hacksaw blade in back and a flat frog gig. My backup is a folding Gerber lockback with a half serrated edge, and the backup for that is a Leatherman Wave Tool. Than I have half a dozen misc. folders and sheath knives for spares or family. Too many people just buy the cheapest they can get and expect them to perform on a level of tools costing many times more. You pay for what you get and you get what you pay for.

I don't carry the spares in my kits, they are at the house. The Gerber goes in my pocket when I put on my pants.

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Originally Posted by volwest

Keeping it real ?

Pretty subjective stuff there sarge.

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Sorry Vol, we had to reject this post, it's about 5000 words too short!:rolleyes:

Back to this again. I started a thread awhile back about picking a leader. Obviously the odds are against picking a group, you take the cards you're dealt. However if I could pick a group based on what I've learned from the guys here the choice would be the following.

Vol-West
Owl-Girl
Foggy
RiM (he could even have his 5 relatives)
Trax
Wareagle 69
Marscroft

That's seven right off the top of my head, although I'm sure there's more, just can't remember them all. Assuming that everyone has come through whatever survival situation we face unscathed I would not suggest picking a leader, but rather forming a team. The knowledge displayed by this group suggests that all know what to do and each would use their particular skills for the better of the group. If the group is even numbered there maybe to be a"tie-breaker" selected in case voting is used. This, of course, is the best-case scenario. No one really ever knows with who, what, where, when, why, or how they might wind up. Nor do they know the state of their fellow survivors in any given situation. After all it's not a perfect world, and Murphy is still running around on the loose.;)

Use that skin pad, pilgrim,
before you lose all your fingers.

Whatever you learned down in the flat
will serve you no good up here.


You got some work to do.

Thanks, Sarge

Aww thanks Sarge.

When you trust the people your with its not that difficult to form a team however if your with a bunch of strangers who are reckless and headstrong it could take a long time to function as a team.

[QUOTE=Sarge47;5700]
RiM (he could even have his 5 relatives)
QUOTE]


I am not sure what you mean by this. Did I post something about this?

...except that one guy..Trax?...he gets a little weird, what? oh um, never mind...:D :D :D