Quote:First aid stuff, basic toiletries, chem lights, Lifestraw, safety pins, heavy duty gloves, change of clothes, eye drops, fixed blade, compressible water container, protein bars I switch out every few months, 550 cord, Rite in Rain notepad, pen, red sharpie, compass, whistle, small flashlight, signal mirror, ammo for my 9mm (the gun stays in the house within easy reach of grab and go), hat, small amount of cash, etc. I have a sleep mat and bag I can carry on the outside of it.

 

That's all in my smaller bag. My big backpack has that and more. The small one I leave in my truck just in case. Like this weekend we had snow and ice. We lost power and had it been for longer than it was I was prepared to get in my truck and go to my nearest friend's house who has a wood burning stove. An older mobile home gets cold real quick when it's that dang cold. I have everything in that bag I need to leave quick if I have to.

I like what you have going on in that bag. How do you like the Lifestraw? I haven't used one yet. Been curious about them. They only filter right? As in make the water clear and take out the large stuff. They don't remove the micro stuff that will make you sick though correct? That better than filtering then boiling/Clorox/iodine? Chem lights are another thing I think about and make a lot of sense but have opted not to add in. I just assume at night SAR won't be out and I'd be trying to get whatever sleep I can. But I'm sure depending on the use or circumstances they could be a lifesaver. The rest of those items I pretty much have as well.


I also forgot in my original post to say I've got some emergency blankets. I think those can be important as well for keeping body heat and making shelter. I'm a big fan of items that have multiple uses. I tend to buy a lot of items in twos. One for the bag and one for practice. If it fails the practice I remove from the bag and try the next item(s). After all, what good is something if you can't use it properly or it fails on you.

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