If anybody is trying to prioritize, I want to throw my endorsement behind the hand-crank radio. A few dozen turns will keep it on for hours. Plus nowadays they come with USB ports so you can charge other devices using good old fashioned hand power. And freeze dried meals and so on is all fine and dandy but you can also do quite well for yourself with a jar of peanut butter and some crackers. I was in four hurricanes in a row in 2004 and when we lost power for a week and a half, peanut butter on stale bagels, and peanut butter on crackers, and I was all set until Waffle House opened up.
I agree on the pb and crackers. Many people *and many of those "emergency kits" use just bars (protein, ect). As an experienced hiker I can tell you you will get sick of them before day 1 is done
Great article Jessica. I'm a long distance hiker so I have lots of options, here are a few comments:
Maps - also consider mapping apps, there are several available, along with compass apps.
Matches: I also carry ar least one lighter and a flint striker. It's a good idea to have fire starter. These I find at the dollar store. They look like compressed cardboard and are used to more easily start a fire (you can also use dryer lint)
Stove: although I have several propane hiking stoves, in my bug out bag I have a cheap collapsible wood burning stove. I do carry one can of gel fuel (fondue fuel) that lasts a little over 2 hours. I prefer the wood stove since I don't have to worry about running out of fuel and I have the backup gel, just in case.
Cookware. I have a collapsible cup and bowl made of some sort of high temperature collapsible plastic. I also have a collapsible kettle. All purchased on Amazon.
Power bank: I have had a few of these. I had a solar one but solar charging was next successful. Has anyone found a good solar option?
I always bring a pencil (no a pen) and paper in case I have to leave a note somewhere. Plastic sandwich bags just to put the note in in case ut rains.
Zip ties in various sized. So many uses for these.
Duct tape. I bring a small amount of this. Again so many uses. I actually wrap the end of my pencil with it for carrying it. Also wrap one of the lighters.
I carry a mylar "tent" for emergency use. I actually purchased 2 of these at the dollar store.
Hope some of that is useful. Most have been field tested for (redacted) years.
To prevent your flashlight from accidentally turning on while in your pack, simply reverse one of the batteries to break the connection. This way, if the switch gets bumped, the flashlight won't drain its power. For those who might forget to check the battery's orientation in a hurry or panic, consider attaching a small note to remind yourself to place the battery in the correct position when needed.
I also keep spare flashlights and batteries in my vehicles, along with a car jump-starter lithium battery that can also be used to charge phones. The jump-starter can be recharged through a USB charger connected to the vehicle's cigarette lighter.
Depending where you live a foldable sunhat or something to keep your head warm
2 Light
A lightweight waterproof folding floatable camping lantern with inbuilt solar panel that can also be recharged by USB. It is possible to get one that folds to about the size of the palm of the hand/ pack of cards
If you make yourself a portable rocket stove out of tin cans then you need very little fuel and can dispense with butane and lighten your load.
Digitally scan all of your documents as well as pictures, albums, letters - anything you want to keep - and put it on portable hard drives and on the Cloud.
Get Woobie - military surplus stores - works as poncho - a shelter - everything. Rolls up really small.
Water - LIfeStraw is good for bacteria - I think Sawyer is good for chemicals.
thank you for this 🙌 my only issue is with food section. for celiacs like me, finding gluten-free shelf stable premade foods has left me empty handed. those meals are always so full of flour products. and im willing to bet most emergency shelters cant accommodate gluten-free diets, which males me wonder how does celiacs manage in emergencies?
Jessica, I subscribed because of your common sense approach to our current scene. I got in prepper mode decades ago. And that’s always worked out for me. Are you in Florida? I used to be a regular visitor to Clearwater, the location of my old cult Alma Mater. Thank you for keeping people aware of preparing for uncertain times.
Do not think you can make water safe with bleach if there is any sign of cyanobacteria present. So if the water is green, or has a green, very fine scum. Especially hazardous is water that is highly polluted with nitrates from farms etc, or has lots of grubbing fish like carp. Cyanotoxins can't be boiled out either. They'll kill you faster then any pathogens will at high enough concentrations. They can even affect you neurologically down the line. The higher upstream the better. Digging down to the water table would be safer as cyanobacter8a need light.
If anybody is trying to prioritize, I want to throw my endorsement behind the hand-crank radio. A few dozen turns will keep it on for hours. Plus nowadays they come with USB ports so you can charge other devices using good old fashioned hand power. And freeze dried meals and so on is all fine and dandy but you can also do quite well for yourself with a jar of peanut butter and some crackers. I was in four hurricanes in a row in 2004 and when we lost power for a week and a half, peanut butter on stale bagels, and peanut butter on crackers, and I was all set until Waffle House opened up.
Yes. Hand crank radios and peanut butter for the win.
I agree on the pb and crackers. Many people *and many of those "emergency kits" use just bars (protein, ect). As an experienced hiker I can tell you you will get sick of them before day 1 is done
This piece really brings it home for me. A laundry list from hell. Ooff. Thanks.
Fabulous, Jessica! 👏🏽👏🏼👏
DEET (pump spray) - don't want your efforts to be undone by insects
Great article Jessica. I'm a long distance hiker so I have lots of options, here are a few comments:
Maps - also consider mapping apps, there are several available, along with compass apps.
Matches: I also carry ar least one lighter and a flint striker. It's a good idea to have fire starter. These I find at the dollar store. They look like compressed cardboard and are used to more easily start a fire (you can also use dryer lint)
Stove: although I have several propane hiking stoves, in my bug out bag I have a cheap collapsible wood burning stove. I do carry one can of gel fuel (fondue fuel) that lasts a little over 2 hours. I prefer the wood stove since I don't have to worry about running out of fuel and I have the backup gel, just in case.
Cookware. I have a collapsible cup and bowl made of some sort of high temperature collapsible plastic. I also have a collapsible kettle. All purchased on Amazon.
Power bank: I have had a few of these. I had a solar one but solar charging was next successful. Has anyone found a good solar option?
I always bring a pencil (no a pen) and paper in case I have to leave a note somewhere. Plastic sandwich bags just to put the note in in case ut rains.
Zip ties in various sized. So many uses for these.
Duct tape. I bring a small amount of this. Again so many uses. I actually wrap the end of my pencil with it for carrying it. Also wrap one of the lighters.
I carry a mylar "tent" for emergency use. I actually purchased 2 of these at the dollar store.
Hope some of that is useful. Most have been field tested for (redacted) years.
To prevent your flashlight from accidentally turning on while in your pack, simply reverse one of the batteries to break the connection. This way, if the switch gets bumped, the flashlight won't drain its power. For those who might forget to check the battery's orientation in a hurry or panic, consider attaching a small note to remind yourself to place the battery in the correct position when needed.
I also keep spare flashlights and batteries in my vehicles, along with a car jump-starter lithium battery that can also be used to charge phones. The jump-starter can be recharged through a USB charger connected to the vehicle's cigarette lighter.
Hello Jessica, I think I fell off your list of subscribers again. 😔
You're on, but I haven't emailed this out yet. Should I?
Ah ha, I see. Yes please and thank you! It just happens I was going through Mt bag today. Great minds...
1 Head
Depending where you live a foldable sunhat or something to keep your head warm
2 Light
A lightweight waterproof folding floatable camping lantern with inbuilt solar panel that can also be recharged by USB. It is possible to get one that folds to about the size of the palm of the hand/ pack of cards
Any examples of that lantern thingy please?
If you make yourself a portable rocket stove out of tin cans then you need very little fuel and can dispense with butane and lighten your load.
Digitally scan all of your documents as well as pictures, albums, letters - anything you want to keep - and put it on portable hard drives and on the Cloud.
Get Woobie - military surplus stores - works as poncho - a shelter - everything. Rolls up really small.
Water - LIfeStraw is good for bacteria - I think Sawyer is good for chemicals.
"Pepper spray
You can buy it or make your own.
I use Carolina Reaper.
It works."
Whoa, sounds like there's a story behind that matter-of-fact statement.
thank you for this 🙌 my only issue is with food section. for celiacs like me, finding gluten-free shelf stable premade foods has left me empty handed. those meals are always so full of flour products. and im willing to bet most emergency shelters cant accommodate gluten-free diets, which males me wonder how does celiacs manage in emergencies?
If you can, PB and rice crackers will do for a couple days. It’s really tricky …
Jessica, I subscribed because of your common sense approach to our current scene. I got in prepper mode decades ago. And that’s always worked out for me. Are you in Florida? I used to be a regular visitor to Clearwater, the location of my old cult Alma Mater. Thank you for keeping people aware of preparing for uncertain times.
All sounds good.
BUT.
Do not think you can make water safe with bleach if there is any sign of cyanobacteria present. So if the water is green, or has a green, very fine scum. Especially hazardous is water that is highly polluted with nitrates from farms etc, or has lots of grubbing fish like carp. Cyanotoxins can't be boiled out either. They'll kill you faster then any pathogens will at high enough concentrations. They can even affect you neurologically down the line. The higher upstream the better. Digging down to the water table would be safer as cyanobacter8a need light.
Source - me, a phytoplankton taxonomist!
In case I missed it in the post : prescription meds if you’re on them.
And extra ziploc bags. You can never have enough. And it makes it easier to gather & see what’s in your BOB
Thanks Jessica