Quote: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.

I have a pack of those reflective blankets in both packs. Chem lights are mainly due to familiarity from my Army days. I haven't used the Lifestraw yet but it does filter 99.9% or so of the stuff that would make you sick. We also have the iodine set-up. Zip ties, tampons in case one of use gets impaled, wipes, chapstick, knee-high stockings to keep fleas/chiggers/other nasties off the ankles, plus they're good for preventing hotspots one your feet when walking long distances. Hydration bladder. Nail clippers/file. Plastic map protector with printed maps of our area already in there. Fire starter. A genuine Army issued special operations knife I swiped from my ex-husband when he cheated on me. I did it out of spite at the time but now appreciate it's value. Head mosquito nets. Frogg Toggs wet weather jacket and pants.


I need to print out some info on how to make shelter out of my surroundings. I'll remember it until I need it then draw a blank. Lol. We have one of Mykel Hawke's books about survival in the outdoors and it has a ton of good info in it. Like the kinds of edible plants and such to look for in your area, several ways to start a fire- a 9-volt battery and brillo pad will do as well as the Vaseline cotton balls you mentioned.


I'm not one to be fanatical about this stuff but my husband is definitely into it so I figure I'd better keep up or be left behind. At which point I would hunt him down and be a pain in his butt. Hahaha.

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