Do you have a 'Grab-N-Go' kit for emergencies?

[wb7sgl]

Do you have a 'Grab-N-Go' kit for emergencies? 

What is in your kit? 

How did you decide what to put in the kit? 

What would you like to change? 

Thanks! 

[KI4REX]

I do not have much of one as it is in progress.
What is in mine so far.

Yaesu VX-7R w/;
     Spare li-ion batter
     AA Battery Case
     Speaker Mic
     Earbud Mic - for noisy locations
     Quick Manual - to aid in programming on the fly
     Car adapter w/ quick charger
PocketPC w/;
     Mobilelog2 Software
     Pocket Digi software - BPSK31,QPSK31,RTTY,CW,MFSK16,THROB,THROBX,OLIVIA,CONTESTIA,RTTYM modes in the free version.
     Built in camera - not the best but already on PPC to ease sending
     Spare Battery
Mag penlight
Waterproof Notebook/pen/pencil
Spare AA batteries for radio and mag penlight
Work Gloves
Rain suit

I might add a Laptop and digital camera to add some more beef to datamodes and visually reporting the damage.
edited for spelling

[KC0ZQL]

I do have a grab-n-go kit that will hold for a while, but I am always looking for ways to improve it.
It contains:
1 "clamshell" battery case
A pack of 12 AA batteries
Various ham radio-related papers that I use for references
A copy of my lisence
My radio Charger
pens/pencils
logbook
paper

Possible items to add in future:
laptop
spare chargeable batteries
radio-computer connection
portable antenna

Again, always looking to improve!

[wb7sgl]

So my wife and I were watching the coverage of the Tornado destruction in Greensburg, Kansas.

And it struck me...

I have always maintained a 72 hour kit under the presumption that I would be prepared in the event that something happened where I live. But... I was really impressed that having a jump kit means more than a radio and associated stuff.

In the event that I was called upon to provide emergency communications it would be on short notice.

The Red Cross has emergency supplies to provide for people in the disaster area on a moments notice. But, they don't need to also support the initial emergency assistance personnel since most of us could initially provide for ourselves.

In the event that I was called on a moments notice, I realized that I would also need my 72 hour kit to provide for myself until additional assistance was available.

Just me 2 cents!

Rob

[KF4AQO]

I have a 72 hour kit, and a jump kit containing VHF and ICOM 706 - another containing handi talkies, scanner, antenna, coax, batteries, etc. I also have an antenna box containing a 2 meter bean, a couple of HF dipoles a bow/arrow for antenna hanging, a couple of mag mounts, etc. I probably need to consolidate this stuff.

[AD6WB]

Here is some information I found awhile back, don't remember where I got it so I can't give proper credit to the author.


+ Disaster "Go-Kits" Updated

I am routinely asked "what personal items do I need to take when sent
to a disaster area"?  The short answer: Take everything you would
need to survive on a camping trip for a week, plus some disaster
specific items. Our Go-Kits need to be always on our minds and ready
to go. A complete Go-Kit will help us provide better support to our
served agencies.

Your kit will need to be tailored to meet your specific needs but the
following is a suggested minimum content list. Prepare and test your
kit well before the next event, as you may need to hit the ground
running when called.

The idea of your personal kit is to help you survive, be more
comfortable and protect yourself from unknowns the best you can. We
cannot be productive nor do our job if we are a burden on the system.
Your communications equipment "Go-Kit" is a separate list. Remember
to register with your local EC, and never self-deploy to a disaster
scene.

Training cards: Training cards/certificates for ARRL, FEMA and other
certifications are important items to take with you. Laminate your
training cards to protect them. Minimal training includes FEMA
IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800 and ARRL EC-001, EC-002 and EC-003. 

Served agencies are requiring volunteers to have certain training and
experience before deploying them. Training will help you to know the
lingo, procedures and processes. Red Cross First Aid and CPR training
is also a must. A good way to get general training is to enroll in
the next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class. Then, take
the Red Cross training, and the ARRL and FEMA Independent Study
online courses.
 
Vaccinations and medications: Tetanus, Hepatitis-A, Hepatitis-B, TB
all are recommended vaccinations. (Check with your doctor to make
sure you get the right shots). Personal prescription medications:
copies of all prescriptions, including generic names for meds and a
note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationary for
controlled substances and injectable medications should be carried.
Also: First aid kit or CERT kit; First Aid Quick Reference card and
equipment manuals in zip lock bags; acetaminophen, aspirin,
ibuprofen, or other medication for pain or fever; mild laxative;
anti-diarrheal tablets; throat lozenges; antacid; antifungal and
antibacterial ointments or creams; cough suppressant/expectorant.

Documentation: Addresses, e-mail and phone numbers for family,
friends, work, doctors; ID cards - make copies of everything in your
wallet and leave them with someone at home; paper, pencils; reference
material, e.g., frequencies, net schedules, operator instructions for
all equipment; reading material for spare time; ARES message forms.

Personal: Cash or traveler's checks, change; cell phone, battery,
charger; waterproof watch; moist towelettes for sanitation;
disinfectant; laundry detergent; toilet paper; towel (highly
absorbent, travel towels if possible); extra pair of prescription
glasses, copy of prescription; soap, shampoo, anti-perspirant,
shaving kit; tooth brush and paste; lip balm; sunglasses; ear plugs,
eye shades; Kleenex.
 
Clothing: Gloves (leather, medical, non-latex types); comfortable,
light-weight long pants, long-sleeved shirts; sturdy shoes and boots
(at least two pairs); rain gear; rubber boots; hat/cap; hard hat;
safety goggles; dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter air.

Food and Water: Bottled water; water filters/purification system,
tablets; nonperishable food items; Power Bars.

Camping items: Candles, matches, lighter in a ziplock bag; Ziplock
bags; flashlight and extra batteries or shake/crank-flashlight; can
opener; garbage bags (they double as panchos) and plastic ties; paper
towels; fire extinguisher; duct tape; tent; compass; signal flares;
hand tool kit; Spare AA, C, and D batteries; knife, such as a Swiss
Army Knife or Leatherman; fork, knife, spoon kit; insect repellent
containing DEET (up to 50%); sunscreen (preferably SPF 15 or
greater); crank-powered weather radio; Pair of FRS radios and spare
batteries; ropes of various lengths; pillow, bedding; air-mattress;
bungee cords; chemical illumination sticks; electrical tape; small
hand saw, or tree limb saw; small Teddy bear for yourself or in case
you find an upset child.

Put your go-kit supplies in re-sealable plastic containers, and then
pack them full of trash on the way out. Take a spare everything.

The idea of your Go-Kit is to prevent you from becoming a problem in
the disaster relief effort. -- Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, ARRL Southeastern
Division Director, former Alabama Section Manager and member,
National Emergency Response Planning Committee

[KI6DKC]

M1911 in 45 ACP   

[KIĜOT]

I've got 2 1911's in 45 ACP (Backup's are very important) but a 72 hour supply of expendables is very heavy.  So, I also have my Ruger MKII and a Smith M41 with plenty of food for them.

[KF5CFZ]

I guess you have the trailer in your garage ready to go.

Actually, I've been thinking about the trailer idea... especially if I am going to set up a station off site during an emergency. That's the only way I see of putting the generator, antenna, batteries, etc., etc. together.  Might as well add my 72 hr kit and a little extra food.

Just as easy to back up and hook it up as to try to throw all the stuff into the back of the truck.

[KI6DKC]

I think the hardest thing to plan for is you don't know what kind of dissaster you may have.  I have 72 hour kits that are grab and go, car kits, and then heavier stuff.  If I have vehicles and a few minutes I can load up more than I can if I have to leave immediately and grab something as I'm walking out the door and have no transportation.  Without transporation, I may not be able to carry very much at all.  What if the emergency happens while I'm at work or church and I can't get home to grab my grab and go kit due to the damage or hazzard?  What if I'm on vacation with the family?  What's in that car might be all I have so I have to make sure I have some stuff in there.  Obviously if I have to evacuate the amount of time I have to get out of the house might be long or be very short.  If it is really short I might have to live with what's in the vehicle.  If it's 15 minutes to a half hour I have other stuff I can grab.  It just depends.

As far as a radio grab and go kit, the problem with that for me is that I use my radios and having them packed up won't work.  So I keep a backpack next to my radios with some stuff in it and with the radios that I can stuff in rather quickly and go.  So all I can really do is think about what I would do if something would happen and try and stash the stuff together so I can pack it up quickly. 

If there's a fire and I can't get the vehicle out I might be left with just the clothes on my back.  I'm certainly not going to worry about the grab and go kit then!!!

When I travel by plane for work I like to take my HT and my pocket repeater directory but that's about the best I can do when dealing with the airlines. 

I think for stake and ward communicators it is important that should the need arise you can get to your designated position with gear to do the job and live for as long as you are needed or until you are relieved in a relatively short amount of time.  If the call comes from your stake or ward leader asking you to immediately travel to a particular place to set up communications for them, you can't wait a half a day to show up while you gather your gear.