Sydney Residents 'Must Carry Survival Bags'

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 7-18-2007 | Mark Chipperfield

[blam]

Sydney residents 'must carry survival bags'

By Mark Chipperfield in Sydney
Last Updated: 2:12am BST 18/07/2007

The easy-going residents of Australia's biggest city are being urged to carry personal "survival bags" to help them cope with a future terrorist attack or natural disaster.

The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, says citizens should pack a "Go Bag" containing such essentials as toilet paper, running shoes, spare keys, a torch, disposable gloves, adhesive tape, a transistor radio and sun cream before they leave home each day.

Miss Moore, who has yet to pack her own Go Bag, says it is her duty to warn Sydney's four million residents of the potential dangers that await them.

"Living through the hailstorm [in 1999], I realized how unprepared we were for a catastrophe of that sort," she said.

The city council is distributing 200,000 booklets advising Sydneysiders on how to cope with a terrorist attack, earthquake, flood or other natural disaster. The booklet suggests that people find an "emergency buddy", develop a personal emergency plan and create a contact number on their mobile phones in case they are injured and unable to talk to rescuers.

A council website suggests that in the event of a bombing, earthquake or flood residents should carry their cats in "a cotton pillow case".

The public education campaign, which has been co-funded by the Australian government, has been greeted with skepticism by most Sydneysiders - even from the deputy mayor Chris Harris. "It's purely sensationalist," he said.

"Where are we supposed to go with our Go Bags? With our current public transport system, the roads would be clogged within minutes."

Sydney has already been warned to be on high alert when world leaders arrive in September to attend the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. The latest announcement has only heightened the sense of fear surrounding that event.

[SIDENET]

Anyone with anything other or suggestions?

A couple copies of The Backwoodsman magazine. They'll show you how to make anything you forgot to bring.

;-)

[osagebowman]

We’re with you Hair on that. Most of the HH have a good start on that kit right now; come to think of it, I don’t think we’ve ever seen a pic of the ~ back ~ of Winmag’s SUV.

[g'nad]

I want me one of these in my kit...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a2b_1184262830

[HairOfTheDog]

Yikes... You’re going to need to make a lot of ammo runs :~) Did you see the brass pouring out of that thing?

[osagebowman]

We likes it.

note to self - buy more ammo!

[300winmag]

Most of the HH have a good start on that kit right now; come to think of it, I don’t think we’ve ever seen a pic of the ~ back ~ of Winmag’s SUV.

My truck kit contains vehicle-type survival stuff, including a combo battery-pack/air pump (Never mind booster cables, these don't need a second vehicle), tow strap, tools, strobe lights, and other safety gear. I also have a separate bailout bag in it, equipped with everything except a gun. In the winter, I throw in a large duffel-bag survival kit with cold-weather gear, food, etc. for two people. If the winter looks really bad, I throw in snow shoes, too.

The real secret is you don't want a survival kit, you need several. First, you don't know which ones you'll be able to grab. Second, redundancy never hurts. Third, you can add extra capabilities to different kits. The more kits you can grab when TSHTF, the better off you'll be.

I recommend this book:

[Grizzled Bear]

why? just pack a can of lighter fluid. torches are easily made, just grab a decent sized stick (or a femur if one is handy) and wrap some cloth around it.

---

Well if you MUST do it that way! But I guess you haven’t heard that the more sophisticated mobs only storm castles carrying designer brand-name torches! And Gucci pitch forks!

:-P

[g'nad]

You’re going to need to make a lot of ammo runs

thats why we reload...

[HairOfTheDog]

It’ll be a full time job keeping that thing fed. :~)

[Trailerpark Badass]

Spare keys?!

[300winmag]

note to self - buy more ammo!

A transferable minigun about $200K. Ammo at a slight additional cost. Of course, you really want the Dillon Aero Chevy Suburban with the minigun. But sales are restricted to "special" government agencies.

Here's my back-of-the-closet bailout bag. I keep a similar one in my truck, minus the S&W M1917. It once belonged to my great-uncle, and followed him home after WW1.

Aside from a sheath knife, the kit has four different flashlights and batteries, several forms of fire starters (a Bic disposable is you best primary choice), and first aid supplies. Be sure you have a supply of prescription items to last a week or two. You can never have too many sources of fire and light.

You should also consider your computer when building a survival kits. I have my key financial and personal data backed up on an encrypted USB drive, which I carry with me. Less-frequently-backed-up data also resides on thumb drives.

A future project is to build a bootable Windows XP on a 4GB USB drive. That way, I can take an operating system, key apps, and my data with me, even if all my hardware is lost.

[300winmag]

Sorry, my brain wasn't completely engaged. That's a Colt M1917. An effective, if unstylish weapon. The ammo is stored in full-moon clips, adding to convenience and rapid reloads.

[Smokin' Joe]

Thanks for the rundown. Most of the 'complete' kits I have seen aren't. I guess I'll just have to shop around.

My bug out ride is my work vehicle, same/same, It helps to have a long-bodied cargo van, pre-computer (less to go wrong).

I always carry a shovel and basic mechanic's tools (oil filter and two changes of oil, a gallon of antifreeze, spare fan belts, quart of ATF, brake fluid, etc.) I did too much work in the high desert in NV not to, and shovels are part of the basics (two, because you never know when you could have help). I picked up two square-ended spades at garage sales, and they come along in case I find a snow drift I can't buck. Tire chains, two sets of tighteners, a tow strap and a Hi-lift jack complete the picture, there. (Two spare tires, too). I hadn't thought about it but a sledge and axe, a couple of wedges could come in handy, too.

[Gideon T. Reader]

Hey Smokes,
Yes. Different goodies for different locales.
What is correct and savvy for Nevada is dumb for South Florida.
There is no “high place” to go to. Just more flat and wet.
My “bug out vehicle” my family vehicle. a VW Jetta Diesel TDI.
Big enough trunk for everything I need plus a bit extra. large back seat area as well.
It will have to do. Don't forget this exercise is for an emergency, not for the casting call of Jericho.

Three, five days. Maybe up to ten. Disaster planning out of your car, with pockets of gold doubloons and diamonds sewn in your socks is not real or practical. It is NOT supposed to be for EVER. If it is and I am not,...I’m screwed.
Maybe I’ll just go under my desk until the all clear.

[Smokin' Joe]

LOL! I live in North Dakota, but work from ND to Nevada as aa geologizt. Out of laziness, I have accumulated gear to work/stay alive from +120F to -60F in the van.

It did not take much else to make it the 'bugout' vehicle as well.

Back to basics, though. Water, Shelter, food, defense, (EMS), appropriate clothing, mobility. Throw in some knowledge luck, and the will to survive, and you will make it, wherever you are.

.

[Joya]

From post #50.

What’s in your Go-BAG?

Mine is a Jumbo Versa-pak from Maxpedition.
Two bottles of Purell
Toilet paper
Tooth brush and bottle of Listerine(pint)
Browning Hi-power and four mags
Extra 9mm ammo
Spare sunglasses/spare reading glasses
Floppy hat
disposable rubber gloves
Two liters water
Leatherman Tool
Swiss Army knife on lanyard
Randall #1 & sheath w/stone
300 feet para cord
Emerg fishing kit
Four Tourniquets
Three packs Blood Stop
Bottle Betadine and mini Trauma treat kit
Burn ointment
Asptin/Aleve/any pain pills available with laminated Rx.
Prescription meds with laminated Rx
Surefire Combat light and spare batts
Chem lights X4
Flashing Red diode & spare batt
Portable Radio one set spare AA bats=X6
Rain poncho packet
Hi-cal snacks or go Bars.
Cell phone & Auto charger w/a/c adapter

This is my daily take from the house to my vehicle and travels with me. Other goodies in my trunk that extend my viability for Two adults to **survive** for a week.
Vehicle has: 10 gal potable water
10 gal of Diesel fuel
Canned food for two for week or more if careful
Carbine/mags and 250 rounds 5.56 ammo.
.22 Mossberg rifle & 500 rounds .22LR ammo
Field jackets/pants and socks
Blankets
Jumper/charger unit
Solar light and portable Coleman stove w/fuel canister

[nw_arizona_granny]

You have an impressive ‘go’ bag, good for you and very wise of you.

I hope you never have to use it...