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Emergency Measures
May. 2nd, 2011 03:44 pmIt's tornado season, and we're also currently at risk here (Central Kentucky) of both floods and flash floods. I just finished repacking my bug-out bag (BOB), a large backpack intended to support me for at least three days.
Last week I emptied it, tossed anything damaged or out of date and restocked. However, when I tried it on it was top heavy. I put off repacking until today, since it had all the contents. However, proper balance is essential, even with a good quality pack like this. I "got 'er done" and put the pack in a corner of my back bedroom/library/office.
Everyone should do this, or something similar! You don't necessarily need as much gear as I do, or to have it in a single, large backpack. However, you should have supplies on hand in convenient packages which will keep you warm, dry, fed and medicated for at least three days. The "convenient packages" part is essential. If you have to evacuate due to a chemical spill, wildfire, flood or whatever, this will make things far easier.
I have a smaller backpack with a smaller kit in the trunk of my car. If I get caught out somewhere by events (blizzard, flood, riots, etc.) I can live out of that pack for a couple of days. My house is on high ground, but the entrance to the neighborhood lies low by the Kentucky River. I came back from a short trip a few years ago to find there was only one way in still barely open. If the water had been just a bit higher the kit - supplementing what was in my luggage - would have made the wait for the water to fall a bit less uncomfortable.
Boy Scouts aren't the only ones who need to be prepared!
Last week I emptied it, tossed anything damaged or out of date and restocked. However, when I tried it on it was top heavy. I put off repacking until today, since it had all the contents. However, proper balance is essential, even with a good quality pack like this. I "got 'er done" and put the pack in a corner of my back bedroom/library/office.
Everyone should do this, or something similar! You don't necessarily need as much gear as I do, or to have it in a single, large backpack. However, you should have supplies on hand in convenient packages which will keep you warm, dry, fed and medicated for at least three days. The "convenient packages" part is essential. If you have to evacuate due to a chemical spill, wildfire, flood or whatever, this will make things far easier.
I have a smaller backpack with a smaller kit in the trunk of my car. If I get caught out somewhere by events (blizzard, flood, riots, etc.) I can live out of that pack for a couple of days. My house is on high ground, but the entrance to the neighborhood lies low by the Kentucky River. I came back from a short trip a few years ago to find there was only one way in still barely open. If the water had been just a bit higher the kit - supplementing what was in my luggage - would have made the wait for the water to fall a bit less uncomfortable.
Boy Scouts aren't the only ones who need to be prepared!
