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photo by Japanese Red Cross
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Disaster can happen anytime, if you are the lucky and have time to escape, you should pack along some important stuff with you. Do not panic but focus, you must be physically and mentally prepared. Help yourself before you help others.
First thing to do
- check family members are OK
- check surrounding for danger
- shut off any gas supply and electricity
- if time permits, take your EDC
- take your BOB
If you have a bicycle, use it. Leave your cars or motorcycle because they can't take you very far and you will be guaranteed stuck in a traffic chaos. Furthermore bicycle do not need any fuel.
Everyday Carry (EDC)
In today's Urban society, the most important items everyone carry everyday is a hand phone, keys and a wallet. There are few items recommended to have it with you at all times and you might find it useful in everyday life.
RECOMMENDED ITEMS FOR EDC
Light
A small pocket light is useful for finding things or a keyhole in the dark.
Tool
A knife, multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife can do a lot for everyday task
Fire
Keep a lighter with you.
Whistle
Not use often but it is the most important item. In an earthquake when you are trap, it is easier to use the whistle than shouting for help.
Water bottle
We drink water everyday, so is good to have a water bottle with you.
Cheap stuff from the internet. Place it together with your key chain.
CiT EDC
Petzl e+Lite and Leatherman Juice Xe6 has been tested and highly recommended.
There is a product by Tool Logic that have all these function. Here is the vid on the product.
We always carry a EDC bag MagForce Fatboy or OCTA. Having everything in one place is better than all over your pants pocket. Furthermore, you will not forget anything left behind.
Note: Hand phone can also provide light in darkness, when there is no service, you still can dial for emergency 110, 119, 112 (International).
(BOB) Bug Out Bag
This bag can only exist if you have time to pick up and there is no surrounding danger. Before we move to the content of the bag, you must prepare a checklist. This recommended checklist must be placed in this bag. All the items are packed according to the checklist as a KIT.
CHECKLIST
- Survival Kit
- First Aid Kit
- Hydration Kit
- Hygiene Kit
- Hazard Kit
- Utility Kit
- Kitchen Kit
- Shelter and Bedding
- Personal Document and Certification (USB Backup)
- Cash and Jewelery
- Ration
- Clothes
Note: This is only a suggested lists, if you have children or need special medication. Do include in the checklists.
SURVIVAL KIT
This kit is a backup kit and it should have enough items to provide you from item 1 to 8. It is a kit we take along during outdoor. This kit should provide you, SHELTER, WATER, FIRE, FIRST AID, REPAIR KIT, SIGNAL, NAVIGATION and FOOD.
FIRST AID KIT
A must have item in the house. Items you need to prepare are bandages, medication and treatment. Can either pack in a First Aid Bag or a Ziploc bag
HYDRATION KIT
Fill water to the rim of the bottle so that there is no air in between. Write the date filled and store in a dark place. Change water every 3 months. We would prepare 2 x 1.5lts bottle per person. It is better to have a water filtration kit.
HYGIENE KIT
Not really an important kit but good to keep your hygiene in place.
Toilet paper (very important), disposal towel, cotton bud, hand sanitizer, tooth brush and paste, shaver etc.
HAZARD KIT
After disaster, there will be a lot of dust, decomposed material and debris.
This kit contain face mask, gloves (cotton and latex), goggle and a disposal rain gear.
UTILITY KIT
This is a gadget kit, tools, lights, radio, batteries, can opener etc. If possible add a solar battery charger for 3A or 2A batteries depending on your gadget. Preferable if 2 sets of rechargeable batteries for each gadget.
Suggested Items
- small note book
- pen
- pencil
- radio
- flashlight / headlamp
- candle
- can opener
- Multi Tools
KITCHEN KIT
You need something to boil or cook or eat. Can be simple Stainless Steel Cup or a camping pot set. Include oil, salt and pepper. If possible include a camping stove set, preferable multi-fuel stove otherwise a cassette connection where Taiwan use it very common.
SHELTER & BEDDING
Can be a tent or a tarp, most important you need either a sleeping bag or a blanket.
PERSONAL DOCUMENTS & CERTIFICATION
Store all documents in a waterproof bag and a backup USB thumb drive, make copies of important document such as Birth Certificate. When the world is back in order, you can still prove your identity and worthiness to get back in the society. Also to include family photos
CASH & JEWELRY
Want to leave all that behind...you decide.
RATION
Have a bag or plastic bag standby. Throw all the ration you can find in the house in this bag. You can use this bag for ration gathering after the disaster. If you do not have ration in the house, try stock some instant noodle or canned food. There is no point buying disaster ration when you do not even use it and waiting for it to expire.
CLOTHES
2 sets of clothes including gloves, socks and head gear but preferable a Shemagh. You can place your old clothes but preferable long pants and long sleeves which can keep you warm.
Which BOB is good?
Expert recommended a waterproof bag but not many would want to buy such an expensive bag. So what kind of bag is good for BOB. Ideally a backpack, otherwise a sling bag. One suggestion is to use a trash bag and place inside the bag, that will somehow provide some waterproof for your content in the bag. Try to keep this bag below 10kg, 3lts of water will weigh 3kg. Get a bigger bag, having a bag with more space rather than no space.
This is our lists and this is how we would prepare ourselves. Hope this can help you to prepare more effectively.
Some questions asked if you are at work and BOB is at home, should you prepare both?
The answer is you can prepare 2 BOB or just have one stored in your vehicle. BOB is only good if you have time to evacuate, however if you have your EDC or a Survival Kit with you at all times, you can survive and savage items along the way.
One important factor, government will try their best to plan evacuation routes for you. However in the last Japan crisis 5 out of 8 evacuation centers planned by the government were destroyed by Tsunami. There were evacuee in these buildings (info from News media). It is best you study these routes, understand the landscape and plan what is possible for you and family.
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