A High Mobility 72 Hour Kit - Revised and Updated

We live in uncertain times. One of the lessons of recent history is that your circumstances can change literally overnight. Beirut, Sarajevo, the Twin Towers – all were cases of an abrupt and irrevocable change in peoples’ lives. Another lesson of history is that over 260 million unarmed, non-combatant civilians have been killed by civilians - were murdered by those exercising the power of the state. They were starved, gassed, tortured, shot, impaled, burned alive, drowned, frozen to death, hacked apart with hoes, axes and machetes - a litany of brutality and atrocity beyond human imagination. Hundreds of millions more lived their lives enslaved, impoverished and in despair. This was much of the history of the last century. And this one isn’t looking so good, either.

How could this have happened? A Jewish tailor living in Prague could scarcely have understood what was happening to him when he and his family were rounded up by the Nazis and placed in a packed cattle car – they were told that they were being moved ‘for their own safety’. In the span of 72 hours, the Khmer Rouge emptied every major city in Cambodia. Sarajevo, host of the 1972 Olympics and known as “the jewel of the Adriatic” fell into a flame-shot hell of barbarism with a rapidity that stunned its inhabitants. High-rise buildings became death traps as services failed and snipers picked off anyone who tried to leave in search of food or something to burn for warmth. In America, the Watts riots and hurricane Katrina serve as examples of just how quickly civil order can vanish.

Your best defense against catastrophe is to PAY ATTENTION! Self-absorption in trivialities can get you killed. No one has a crystal ball, but keeping a” weather eye” out for trouble is just pure common sense. It comes down to a simple question: what’s your life worth? Or the lives of your loved ones? If you choose not to consider this question and its implications out of fear or scorn for what you believe is unthinkable, or if it all seems like too much work, then you’ve sold your life and theirs cheap. And believe me, there will be many, many who will do just that. If you’re reading this, then you’ve taken the first step towards not being ‘that guy’. Don’t be ‘that guy’. Do you want to live? Decide now.

So here’s your picture: Everyone – and I mean everyone should have within reach a kit that will allow them to leave wherever they are and proceed to a place of relative safety. If you have planned well (and you do have a plan, don’t you?), then you will be able to make your way home or to your rally point. Most of this gear used to build these kits is off-the-shelf and relatively cheap. Check out Cabela’s, CheaperThanDirt.com or SportsMansGuide.com for the best deals.

7. The weather may not be your friend – hot, cold, wet, snowy. Prepare accordingly

This is a layered approach, with duplication of key items at every layer where practical. Strategy for this assumes that you may lose your backpack and/or your sling bag. Or that you may not have time to suit up, and that you can only grab your sling bag or backpack and weapons.

When it comes to your feet, you must treat them as royalty. So think: can I run, climb, fight and walk long distances with what I have on my feet now? If the answer is no to any of these questions, you may be – no, you WILL be in for a world of hurt. Your every-day footwear should be a pair of decent hiking shoes or durable shoes in case you can’t put your boots on in time. You do have good, broken-in boots for the particular season, don’t you?

Yeah, I know – the shoe thing. But there’s the cold, hard, immutable truth: in a bad situation, those flip flops or Manolo Blahniks will get you killed. Why? Because you will not be able to do the things that you must absolutely be able to do when things get ugly: run, climb, fight and walk long distances. Without question, you will be a liability to yourself and to anyone you’re with if you don’t have sturdy, well broken-in footwear. The term ‘fashion victim’ takes on a whole new meaning here, doesn’t it? Don’t be one.

If you’re a vehicle-based commuter, your car or truck will be your best place to keep your gear. The usual common-sense security considerations apply here. In any case, regardless of your clothing choices, it’s good to have a complete set in your gear bag or locker in your vehicle. You are almost always going to be close to your vehicle, so it is good strategy to have all your gear in a waterproof case in your trunk or covered pickup truck bed.

If you use public transportation, your choices and operational plan become more difficult. First of all, in the scenario we’ve outlined above – civil unrest, etc. – public transportation will be either down or become very, very dangerous in very short order. So don’t even think about using it. This also means that if you want to live through a scenario like this, you’re going to have to get creative in terms finding a place at work to stash your gear.

You may or may not wish to put on BDUs depending upon the circumstances. If you’re going to remain in an urban area, dark or gray inconspicuous clothing may be best. Even digital camo can stand out if no one else is wearing it. You want to be as inconspicuous as you can be in whatever environment you find yourself. The important thing is to have comfortable, durable clothing that you can wear for days. Carhartt makes double-fronted loggers jeans that wear very, very well, and come in colors that will blend a variety of environments. Some tactical clothing manufacturers make pants with inserts for kneepads. If you’ve ever had to kneel on rocks, debris or broken glass, you’ll be very glad you had this particular fashion accessory.

For up-front combat gear, I prefer 80’s era Swiss Alpenflage. This is what works for my area. Cheap and readily available (or used to be), works great for the inland Pacific NW environment. The important thing is to rig for your area and circumstances. Strongly recommend good, well broken-in boots (for reasons we’ve already discussed) and a PASGT helmet with appropriate cover. A good helmet will save your life – without one you might just become another piece of bio-degradable scenery. There’s plenty of PASGT gear on eBay if you don’t have any. Avoid the stuff with bullet holes in it, though. Again, think it through and wear what will work for your environment.

3. Map. Topo maps or even Jeppesen charts are very useful. You should also do a custom Google map of your E&E routes. If you do, then laminate them for durability. You DO have more than one route out, yes?

4. Compass. In a worst case scenario, you may not be able to rely upon a GPS device. Learn how to follow a compass bearing. You can guide yourself through thickly forested areas, featureless winter landscapes, foggy sagebrush areas, etc. An orienteering class or two can’t hurt.

5. LED Flashlight and extra batteries. Use what works best for you. Carry at least two. Most run on AAA batteries.

6. Energy bar(s). Easy to consume on the go. Always have something like this in your pockets. Forget the lowfat stuff. You’re going to need the calories.

7. Extra Clothing Layer. Poncho and/or parka. This could also be a mylar emergency blanket or even a contractor’s bag. Area / climate / season specific. A light poncho will fold up into one of your pockets. So will an extra pair of socks in a waterproof bag – those could be a lifesaver because they may save your feet.

8. Gloves. You need to be able to use your hands. This means protecting them from the elements and from hard use. Make sure your winter gloves will do what they are supposed to do AND allow you enough dexterity to use your weapons effectively. Lightweight for summer, warm for winter.

9. Sunglasses. Save your eyes. Look for shatter-proof lenses. Prescription if you need them.

10. First Aid Kit. Carry basic first aid supplies such as sterile gauze and pads, Band-Aids, moleskin (always, always protect your feet), quickclot bandage, etc. You get the picture. Be smart and take a first aid course or two at your local community college – the knowledge you gain can literally be a life saver.

11. Knife / multi-tool. Preferably one of each. An extra knife on a lanyard around your neck is good insurance. You can’t have too many knives.

12. A pair of heavy lineman’s pliers/wire-cutters. Very useful for getting through chain link or wire fence.

13. Water. Adopt/adapt for your circumstances. Your backpack should have a pouch or space for a Camelback-style water bladder. Do not allow yourself to get dehydrated!

14. Water purification. Clean water is a must! One of the best products I’ve encountered is the Polar Pure water disinfectant system. Compact, effective and inexpensive. One unit will treat 2000 quarts of water. Available on Amazon.com. You won’t be good for much if you’re blowing your guts out of both ends.

15. Ammunition. At least one full rifle mag and one pistol mag. Spare a secure pocket for one of each of these. One is better than none.

1. Small radio w/extra batteries. 22+ mile range GMRS/NOAA combo preferable. If you’ve made arrangements with others to meet up, that type of radio can be invaluable. Be secure about using one, though. Learn its use and its useable range in advance. Practice

2. 25-50 ft of parachute cord. Whatever and wherever it fits. Very useful. That cord and your poncho can construct a decent shelter – which could be a life-saver

I’ve left off fishing kit and items like that because you’re probably not going to have the time for fishing and in any case, you have room for that sort of thing in either your sling bag or your small backpack. I’ve also not included magazines and ammo, because you’re probably going to be carrying that elsewhere.

Practice and test. Finally, when you’ve got that all together, field test it. See how fast you can get it all on, boots and helmet included. Speed counts, and in a tense situation, your training here will definitely pay off. Do it again and again. Then do it at least once a week. Walk, trot, run and see what rattles. Quiet the rattles. Then roll down an embankment, throw yourself down flat, tumble if you’re capable and see what you’ve got left. Walk, trot, run. Still quiet? Still have everything? Good.

Break in Your Boots! You’ve got to be kind to your feet. The time you have to take a 40 mile trek home is NOT the time to break in your boots, or find out where the problem areas are. Break them in with all the gear you’re going to carry.

The sling bags / messenger bags offered by places like Cheaper Than Dirt and Sportsman’s Guide are great. They’re light, easily snatched up, and the contents will afford you an extra day or two of operation in the field. Plenty of webbing attachments for your customization pleasure, but don’t overload it. The premise is that even if you don’t have time to suit up, you can still grab your rifle and sling bag and make a decent go of it. You want stuff handy if you must fight. I wear mine on the left, since I’m a right-hander. The one I use also has a waist strap to keep it from flapping in the breeze. To a certain extent, I replicate the essentials listed above in the bag and the list below reflects that. But it differs in some details and sports a few additions. Ammo, for instance. I hang a 3 mag pouch on it for my AR carbine, and there’s more ammo and an extra full rifle/pistol magazine in the bag. Again, you’re not looking to camp out – you want to keep moving towards your destination. Rest, but don’t set up housekeeping.

5. LED Flashlight and extra batteries. If you’re smart, your radio, flashlight and any other electronic device you might carry will all use the same batteries.

6. MRE of your choice. A good hot meal (although with MREs, some may dispute even the possibility) can make a big difference to your outlook. Even the (ugh) omelet ones.

9. Contractor’s bag(s). Throw in a couple if you have room. Makes a great emergency shelter and/or an impromptu poncho.

10. Sunglasses AND regular glasses. For those of us who need glasses, the investment in an extra pair of each could be a life-saver. The sling bag accommodates glasses in hard cases nicely.

14. Empty Water container. You can fill it later. It’ll add to the one on/in your backpack.

15. Water purification system. Polar Pure as above. Now, you’re up to two of them.

16. Rifle / pistol mag. Full, and one of each. They’ll be inside the pack along with as much extra ammo on strippers as you deem fit. Don’t overload it, though.

17. Rifle ammo on strippers. 5.56 mm doesn’t take up that much room and you can probably carry an extra 2 or 3 magazines worth. Remember to include a couple of extra stripper guides. Wear one around your neck; keep the other in a zipper compartment in the bag.

18. Rifle mag pouch. Hang this in an easy-to-get-to place on the outside of the bag. Most will hold three AR-style mags.

Again, practice and test. Same as above. Still have everything? Still quiet?

Cheaper Than Dirt and Sportsman’s Guide offer some nice compact backpacks. I like the Level III ‘assault’ pack. It’s big enough to hold more of what you need for an extra two or three days in the field, expands your available food and ammo, provides for a change of socks, underwear and t-shirt, insect repellent, a small folding shovel and a hydration pack. Depending upon what you feel like stuffing in there, you can add a small waterproof bag with a towel and some baby wipes. Don’t go for a big backpack that’ll hold everything including the kitchen sink. You want to stay light on your feet and to be able to move fast. Can’t do that with a big monkey on your back.

Again, practice and test. Same as above. Still have everything? Still quiet?

When things get dicey, don’t assume that you’re going to just drive or stroll home. Rifle, pistol and a good fighting knife (that is, a knife that you actually know how to fight with) are essentials. The sane among us know that the last thing you want to do is to get into a firefight – or any kind of fight for that matter. But if you do, you want to have a chance to prevail. Again, carry what you know how to use. This will be no time for on-the-job training. If you don’t have the skills or the mind set to kill your opponent, take a practical martial arts class of some sort (NOT tai chi, dammit) and get thee to an Appleseed event taco pronto to learn how to shoot like a rifleman. www.appleseedinfo.org. Follow that with a practical self-defense pistol course.

But none of this is worth a damn if you aren’t prepared to use it. And it’s not just a matter of skill. It’s a willingness to incapacitate and kill your opponent as quickly as you can. Short, brutal and nasty. Do you want to live? Decide now.

As for weapons, everyone’s got an opinion – so I’ll just tell you what I picked and why.

1. Rifle. CAR15 or equivalent. Light, accurate within reason and you can carry lots of 5.56mm ammo. I carry lots of loaded mags – one in the rifle, three in a quick-access pouch on the sling bag, one inside it and two more in the backpack. Plus more ammo on strippers. My rifle’s in a soft padded case with a sling, so I can carry it in a slightly more inconspicuous fashion during the initial part of my journey out of my work area.

2. Pistol. Glock mod 20 (10mm) with one 15 round mag in the pistol, two in the carry rig, one in the sling bag and two more in the backpack. This is a full-sized hard-hitting pistol, a real fight-stopper. I won’t debate choice of caliber, here. If you’re down to your pistol, then you’ve got other things to worry about besides calibers.

3. Tomahawk. One MOLLE’d to my backpack front strap. I like tomahawks. Very nasty weapon for a close-quarters fight. Learn it, love it, kill with it if you have to. Or use it to make a nice impromptu shelter. Works either way.

4. Fighting knife. One MOLLE’d to my sling bag. Set up for a right hand draw if that’s all I want to use, or a left hand draw if I’ve got the ‘hawk in my right hand.

5. Miscellaneous small knives. Everywhere. You can’t have too many knives.

That is why I really leave our Mountain home and go into town.

If anything were to go down there is only one road in and plenty of REDNECKS with guns waiting along side it.

Move from the city and you will be safe.

WOLVERINES!!!!

Keep in mind that when a state of emergency is declared, weapons are prohibited off your own property in many states. N.C. is currently leading in this category.

No matter what the Constitution says, the authorities will be looking for weapons on refugees (that is what you will be if fleeing danger), and will confiscate them or detain you as being suspicious.

There's a lot of good advice here. One point regarding guns. In CA, ARs and AKs are illegal. However, the Mini-14 is banned neither by name nor by characteristics. With either iron sights or a red dot sight, it's good on a man-sized target at 100 yards. That's why I brought my Mini-14 instead of my AR when I came to CA for the winter. However, it's not a sniper rifle. Don't expect to do precision shooting with it.

The crank radio is a good idea.
The hand held CB’s would be a good idea as well.
I have a 9mm Marlin camp gun with a chote folding stock, fits in a larger style shoulder bag real nice and is agood match for my Glock. I really should invest in a S&W 59 series pistol since the camp gun uses the same magazine.

Also, an AK can be had for a lot less than an AR, for those penny pinchers out there.

Maybe it was listed but those emergency ponchos are about 2 bucks and take up almost no space, that and a cheap plastick tarp combines with the para cord will keep the rain off.

A couple items you may want to add to you list.

The first is a Hand Chain Saw.

They are very light weight. Work like a charm. Have multiple uses including shelter construction and firewood gathering.

The second is a LED Headlamp. This should be your second "flashlight" and allows for hands free operation. For the first flashlight I use the "Serengeti". The Serengeti can also be used for a close in weapon.

The third are Ice Trekker Shoe Chains. For obvious reasons during winter weather. You can't get very far on ice.

The final and fourth item is a good pair of lightweight binoculars. It is best to avoid trouble by carefully scouting out your route and avoiding people.

Another approach is:

1. Get a wooden dowel about 5/8” in diameter and wrap a sheet of newspaper around it, and then tie a piece of string around each end and the center (or put on three rubber-bands that aren’t very snug).

2. Remove the dowel and staple one end of the paper tube securely closed. If you used rubber-bands in Step 1 and they collapse the tube, they’re too tight.

3. Prop it up vertical, fill with melted paraffin, and let cool/solidify. You don’t want to be spilling the melted paraffin on your hand.

4. When cool/solid, cut into pieces roughly 6” to 8” long.

You’ve now got what are essentially candles with exterior wicks.

You can light the paper, use it to light a fire (as the paper burns, the wax will melt and can be poured-out to assist in lighting the fire), extinguish, let cool, and stick it back in your pocket.

Multiple times.

Thank you for bringing this article to our attention. The author has a lot of good points – especially the emphasis on “mobility”.

Best case, of course, is to avoid exposure by limiting one’s movement; i.e., to stay in a location one has adequately prepared and stocked that has prearranged neighborhood security systems in place.

But then, what are the odds we will be at, or close to that location when TSHTF, or that government forces will not require us to relocate from the location?

Compass. In a worst case scenario, you may not be able to rely upon a GPS device.

Even if the GPS satellite constellation is 100% functional and your receiver is working perfectly, the receiver may not give you usable "Desired Course" data; it may tell you your destination is at a Bearing of 137 degrees, but you may have no way of determining "Which way is 137 degrees?".

I've run into this problem in areas where there hasn't been a forest fire in a century, and I have to climb over all the long-fallen trees and crawl under the almost-fallen trees and I can't get up to the 2 mph the receiver requires to generate a "Go that way" arrow.

“Also highly recommended: Kartographer’s Preparedness Manual. Preparedness Manual. Another heavy dose of good, common sense.”

Thanks for the kind words on my Manual FRiend.

A note to LDS members, my manual is based on the LDS Preparedness Manual, though now mine has an entirely different arrangement and I have added much and deleted little to the original. Most direct LDS specifice references have been edited accepted in those articles written by LDS members. There are a number of references to the Bible and the manual is writen from a Christian’s perspective (Those who have trouble with that you can easily filter out God’s word and just go straight to the reference material, but I urge you to read it. Unfortunately for many the following is true:
“That’s the thing about faith — if you don’t have it you can’t understand it, and if you do ... no explanation is necessary.”
- Major Kira, Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Episode “Accession”)

I have had a number of LDS members who wish to get non-members to prepare yet didn’t want to it to seem they were pushing LDS so here’s a good way of doing it.

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 27:12

Those that wish can download the latest version of my Preparedness Manual at: http://www.mediafire.com/?zx5772aa15x6xga

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