I am no sort of militant survivalist nor have I had any sort of specific survival training that would give too much credibility to me as an expert. I have no misconceptions about us surviving in the wilds of western North America. This is purely and urban survival sort of kit that isn't terribly different from what we would take on vacation, except with more food, medicines, and such a a little less clothing.
That being said, at various times, we have a "GO" (Get Out) box that is a large Pelican Case (1650 series, I think)in which we have clothing, toiletries, first aid, some permanent packaged food (some of which was harvested from MREs, some just dry foods), as well as a variety of general purpose medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, tums, imodium, Benedryl that will work for nasal allergies as well as skin rashes and help with severe bug bites. We have a couple of bottles of antibacterial hand wash that requires no water to use. One of the better additions is a giant bottle of multivitamins. Flashlights, you can't really have too many or enough batteries in reserve. There are other items that may or may not be useful such as a regular charger for cell phone batteries, but most likely we would be recharging while in the car.
Gear in the GO box gets changed out on a regular basis because we use it to travel anyway. When not on vacation, we like to have at least 3 full changes of clothes, plus extra socks and underwear. For winter stuff, heavier clothes take up more room, hence the limit of 3 sets.
Already in both family cars are various roadside emergency gear including tire plug kits, a 12v air compressor (and I have used both on the road and it really isn't too hard to fix a puncture out in the middle of nowhere if the tire is NOT completely flat and no longer sealed against the rim), more food, jumper cables, tow cable, mixed set of tools (in case a mechanic finds us stranded and doesn't have any tools, then s/he can use mine to fix my car), flashlight, toilet paper (hey, you never know) and paper towels. In both cars, there is probably 2 or more rolls of duct tape. There are also some work gloves and if it is winter, then a set of tire cables are included also.
Not knowing what will be going on in the next few days, we took some time to change out some clothing, added some specific items relevant to our current conditions (the wife is pregnant), and feel pretty good about the GO box. Both cars have first aid kits as well.
The GO box we do is not intended for anything extraordinary really, just based on practical needs that we might have. We could leave straight away with the GO box because of a dire emergency (flooding, big fire swallowing the landscape, etc.), but don't anticipate ever having to leave with just it alone.
Firearms and weapons are your call. For me, today seemed like a really good day too see just how many magazines I have and to go ahead and check their condition by loading all of them. We don't keep firearms in the GO box for storage, but right now it does hold a few of the mags and a couple boxes of ammo for each gun that we might leave with. We have a home defense shotgun and while it remains loaded at home with a single spare box of 00 buck tactical, there are now several boxes in a carry pouch with the shotgun. If we leave, then it will be ready to go with us with ammo.
45 Shooter, I realize you probably posted your query based on the horrific incidents that occurred today and it was for the same reason that we took inventory. I don't think that we live in an area where we will have much concern for terroristic problems - I mean you go past two tactor supply places getting out here. I doubt we will have any problems unless some local people decide that the rules have all changed, which I also don't see happening.
The GO box is like the first aid kit we have. We have used it for several little incident things like cuts, scrapes, etc., but have never had to use it for emergency stuff, but it is there if we do. The nice thing about having a GO box is that we can (and have) used it for taking spontaneous trips when friends invite us out or because we hear something fun is going on down in Austin and it starts tonight. For things like that, we can be on the road really quickly.
Just like when you travel, pack items that are practical and try to pack items that have more than one function or can be used in a variety of situations. Knives can be used for many jobs and I carry one and my wife has one as well. We have a compass in each car an that is one of those items that you might overlook, but like a gun, when you need a compass, you need it now. They have glowing parts and can be used in the day or night. Spare shoe laces are great because they can be used to replace broken shoe laces, or be used to tie up things. Much of our stuff is compartmentalized into freezer sized ziplock bags that also can be used to store unfinished food or hold water. Spare clothing can be balled up to make pillows. For anything packed in the box, try not to bring two non disposable items that serve the same function unless you actually need both of them. For example, you don't need to pack steak knives if you already have a good pocket knife. Do bring extra batteries or flashlights because the batteries do get used up and the bulbs may burn out.
I am sure I am forgetting stuff, but hopefully this will help.
That being said, at various times, we have a "GO" (Get Out) box that is a large Pelican Case (1650 series, I think)in which we have clothing, toiletries, first aid, some permanent packaged food (some of which was harvested from MREs, some just dry foods), as well as a variety of general purpose medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, tums, imodium, Benedryl that will work for nasal allergies as well as skin rashes and help with severe bug bites. We have a couple of bottles of antibacterial hand wash that requires no water to use. One of the better additions is a giant bottle of multivitamins. Flashlights, you can't really have too many or enough batteries in reserve. There are other items that may or may not be useful such as a regular charger for cell phone batteries, but most likely we would be recharging while in the car.
Gear in the GO box gets changed out on a regular basis because we use it to travel anyway. When not on vacation, we like to have at least 3 full changes of clothes, plus extra socks and underwear. For winter stuff, heavier clothes take up more room, hence the limit of 3 sets.
Already in both family cars are various roadside emergency gear including tire plug kits, a 12v air compressor (and I have used both on the road and it really isn't too hard to fix a puncture out in the middle of nowhere if the tire is NOT completely flat and no longer sealed against the rim), more food, jumper cables, tow cable, mixed set of tools (in case a mechanic finds us stranded and doesn't have any tools, then s/he can use mine to fix my car), flashlight, toilet paper (hey, you never know) and paper towels. In both cars, there is probably 2 or more rolls of duct tape. There are also some work gloves and if it is winter, then a set of tire cables are included also.
Not knowing what will be going on in the next few days, we took some time to change out some clothing, added some specific items relevant to our current conditions (the wife is pregnant), and feel pretty good about the GO box. Both cars have first aid kits as well.
The GO box we do is not intended for anything extraordinary really, just based on practical needs that we might have. We could leave straight away with the GO box because of a dire emergency (flooding, big fire swallowing the landscape, etc.), but don't anticipate ever having to leave with just it alone.
Firearms and weapons are your call. For me, today seemed like a really good day too see just how many magazines I have and to go ahead and check their condition by loading all of them. We don't keep firearms in the GO box for storage, but right now it does hold a few of the mags and a couple boxes of ammo for each gun that we might leave with. We have a home defense shotgun and while it remains loaded at home with a single spare box of 00 buck tactical, there are now several boxes in a carry pouch with the shotgun. If we leave, then it will be ready to go with us with ammo.
45 Shooter, I realize you probably posted your query based on the horrific incidents that occurred today and it was for the same reason that we took inventory. I don't think that we live in an area where we will have much concern for terroristic problems - I mean you go past two tactor supply places getting out here. I doubt we will have any problems unless some local people decide that the rules have all changed, which I also don't see happening.
The GO box is like the first aid kit we have. We have used it for several little incident things like cuts, scrapes, etc., but have never had to use it for emergency stuff, but it is there if we do. The nice thing about having a GO box is that we can (and have) used it for taking spontaneous trips when friends invite us out or because we hear something fun is going on down in Austin and it starts tonight. For things like that, we can be on the road really quickly.
Just like when you travel, pack items that are practical and try to pack items that have more than one function or can be used in a variety of situations. Knives can be used for many jobs and I carry one and my wife has one as well. We have a compass in each car an that is one of those items that you might overlook, but like a gun, when you need a compass, you need it now. They have glowing parts and can be used in the day or night. Spare shoe laces are great because they can be used to replace broken shoe laces, or be used to tie up things. Much of our stuff is compartmentalized into freezer sized ziplock bags that also can be used to store unfinished food or hold water. Spare clothing can be balled up to make pillows. For anything packed in the box, try not to bring two non disposable items that serve the same function unless you actually need both of them. For example, you don't need to pack steak knives if you already have a good pocket knife. Do bring extra batteries or flashlights because the batteries do get used up and the bulbs may burn out.
I am sure I am forgetting stuff, but hopefully this will help.
