PWCARES: Go Kits 2017
We hear about it all the time - grab your go-kit. But just what is a go-kit, and why is it important. What should go in it, and more importantly, what should not go in it. We will review and refresh.
MORE DECKS TO EXPLORE
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
WHAT ARE WE PREPARING FOR?
EVERYTHING!
We are preparing for an all-hazards emergency, whether that is natural or man-made.
Photo by Mark Sardella
BUT NOT THIS
Zombies. Really? I suppose, but the principles are the same.
BEFORE
- Create a personal & family plan
- Secure personal papers
- Prepare an I.C.E card
- Evacuation Decision Tree
- Personal Go-Kit(s)
- Family Go-Kits(s)
- Radio Go-Kit
For information about personal preparedness, visit:
http://www.pwcares.org/html/prepare.html
I.C.E: In case of emergency. Recommended but not required. This is a card or electronic entry in your mobile device (make it a card in your wallet, include your meds)
http://www.pwcares.org/html/prepare.html
I.C.E: In case of emergency. Recommended but not required. This is a card or electronic entry in your mobile device (make it a card in your wallet, include your meds)
WHAT IS A GO KIT?
- A collection of things you might need when called to activate
- The bag or box with all that stuff in it
Go kit, bug out bag, it is all the same thing.
You might want to consider a larger go-kit that resides in your vehicle that can be used to stock your personal kits or carried in case you are caught without your personal kit.
You might want to consider a larger go-kit that resides in your vehicle that can be used to stock your personal kits or carried in case you are caught without your personal kit.
Photo by VMBrasseur
WHAT TO INCLUDE
- Really important stuff
- Kind of important stuff
- Sort of important stuff
- Comfort items
- Seasonal adjustments
We are talking about radio go-kits here. Your definition of what is important is may be different.
Photo by Zemlinki!
REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF
- Identification
- Your radio
- Antenna and coax and connectors
- Power supply
- Headset/External mic
- Quick Reference Guide
- Medical and Snacks
ID includes your driver's license, any other government issued id, FCC operating license.
Radio can be an HT, mobile, or base, or any combination
Most deployments will be in noisy situations. Headphones are usual a must.
Food and water means enough water for your needs for the length of the operation. Hydration systems are great. You might want to keep an empty water bottle in your car and fill it from the litre or larger water bottles as needed. Keep non-salty snacks in your bag (gorp, fruit snacks, Power Bars etc).
Radio can be an HT, mobile, or base, or any combination
Most deployments will be in noisy situations. Headphones are usual a must.
Food and water means enough water for your needs for the length of the operation. Hydration systems are great. You might want to keep an empty water bottle in your car and fill it from the litre or larger water bottles as needed. Keep non-salty snacks in your bag (gorp, fruit snacks, Power Bars etc).
Photo by moyix
REALLY IMPORTANT (CONT)
- Appropriate clothing
- "Sucky things"
- Sunscreen
- Stationary
- Work gloves
Sucky things: Life Savors, throat lozenges. You would be amazed how dry your throat will get
Work gloves, with some other glove, like latex gloves, form a good barrier and keep your hands warm.
Stationary: Something to write on and write with. At least a Sharpie and a china pencil.
Work gloves, with some other glove, like latex gloves, form a good barrier and keep your hands warm.
Stationary: Something to write on and write with. At least a Sharpie and a china pencil.
Photo by ecfman
KIND OF IMPORTANT STUFF
- Money
- Extra power source(s)
- Additional connectors
- Tool kit(s)
- First Aid kit
- Flashlight or other light source
- Sleeping bag
Money: Both coin and paper. Do not expect your cards to work.
First Aid kits: We are not first responders, but you would be amazed how many times I have cut myself.
Sleeping bag is good to have if you get stuck at the site.
Flashlights: There are so many to choose from. Get one that has the most flexibility in terms of power. Lithium powered lights provide lots of light, but 123 batteries are not easy to come by in large quantities while AA and D are. You may or may not want to have a “headlight” as well. Again, batteries are a consideration.
Multi-tool: A Leatherman, Gerber, Swiss Army knife all work. You want something that cuts cable, strips wire and spreads peanut butter. Some areas will NOT let you take knives into them. Be prepared to drop your tools at security check points.
First Aid kits: We are not first responders, but you would be amazed how many times I have cut myself.
Sleeping bag is good to have if you get stuck at the site.
Flashlights: There are so many to choose from. Get one that has the most flexibility in terms of power. Lithium powered lights provide lots of light, but 123 batteries are not easy to come by in large quantities while AA and D are. You may or may not want to have a “headlight” as well. Again, batteries are a consideration.
Multi-tool: A Leatherman, Gerber, Swiss Army knife all work. You want something that cuts cable, strips wire and spreads peanut butter. Some areas will NOT let you take knives into them. Be prepared to drop your tools at security check points.
Photo by mr.smashy
SORT OF IMPORTANT STUFF
- Extension cords
- Soldering iron
- Misc cables
- Change of clothes
- Chair/Table/Cot
- Shelter
Extension cords include both power and coax. And associated connectors.
Shelter could be an easy up, a tent or something else to protect you if you are outdoors.
Shelter could be an easy up, a tent or something else to protect you if you are outdoors.
Photo by steve-uk
COMFORT ITEMS
- Pillow
- Sweats/Sweater
- Downtime Entertainment
- Change of underwear
- Toiletries
Never underestimate the value of a good pillow.
It can get cold, even in the summer. Having a sweatshirt to pull on makes things bearable.
Nothing feels better than clean underwear.
It can get cold, even in the summer. Having a sweatshirt to pull on makes things bearable.
Nothing feels better than clean underwear.
Photo by just.Luc
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT
WHAT TO PUT IT IN
- Bags
- Backpacks
- Plastic boxes
- Vests
- Jeep or similar large haul vehicle
There are a number of bags available for gear. Popular manufacturers include Maxpedition and 5.11. You can look at Quartermaster (http://www.qmuniforms.com), 5.11 (http://www.511tactical.com/), Maxpedition (https://www.maxpedition.com) or Galls (http://www.galls.com) for a variety of bags. Vests can be found at ScotteVest (http://www.scottevest.com), as well as other listed above. Jeep is a registered trademark of FCA, LLC
SMALL ITEM ORGANIZATION
- No GLASS!
- Roll clothes and put them in stuff sack
- Garbage bags for waterproofing
- Compression sacks save space
- Bring spare zip lock bags
Any outdoor/camping store will have stuff sacks, compression sacks, and other waterproof options.
CARE AND FEEDING
- Take care of your gear
- Don't buy it all at once
- Food, water and meds have shelf lifes
- People change over time
- Rubber ages
Check your gear yearly. Rubber ages out (especially in socks and underwear) and clothes tend to shrink in storage.
Ensure your maintenance meds are rotated. Check with your doctor about acquiring a larger allotment for preparedness.
Ensure your maintenance meds are rotated. Check with your doctor about acquiring a larger allotment for preparedness.
Photo by holisticmonkey
SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS
- Layers for Winter
- Hat and sunscreen
- DC can have 40 degree temperature swings
Winter tends to need layers of clothes.
A hat in invaluable, regardless of the season.
You can get a sunburn in winter.
Keep lip balm around, even in the summer.
A hat in invaluable, regardless of the season.
You can get a sunburn in winter.
Keep lip balm around, even in the summer.
Photo by Random Retail
LAST MINUTE ITEMS
- Things to grab on the way out
- Water
- Rain Coat
- Hat
- Any charging batteries
- Emergency Meds
Photo by Greg Marshall
