Urban-Preparation-Kit-Part-II.pdf

Urban Preparation Kit, Part II, Supplemental Kits

Outdoors-Magazine.com

http://outdoors-magazine.com

Urban Preparation Kit, Part II,

Supplemental Kits

Schwert

- Skills and guides - Bushcraft and Survival -

Publication: Wednesday 22 December 2004

Description :

Part II of this article covers the four supplemental kits: coat/hat, shoulder bag, desk kit, and car kit designed to compliment the on-body kit discussed in Part I.

These kits are part of the concentric rings of kits...each getting more capable or providing better items to assist in responding to an urban disaster.

Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike License

Page 1/15

Urban Preparation Kit, Part II, Supplemental Kits

Part I of this article covered the on-body kit and my kit philosophy and potential urban scenarios that drove most of

my decisions in building these kits. Part I of this article really should be read prior to this part....actually it is nearly

required reading before proceeding. Urban emergencies and kit philosophy are, in my mind so important that I will

briefly cover these points again, but I refer the reader to Part I for a full explanation of these details. (3 links back to

Part I in the first paragraph...yes I really mean it).

Preparation Philosophy, revisited

My preparation philosophy relies upon a set of useful tools, a set of related skills that together comprise the basic kit

that is carried or worn at all times. Part II of this article covers the carried kits. These are supplemental kits to the

on-body kit and are an integral and important part of what I call my "concentric ring" approach to kits. Part I covered

the innermost ring...the on-body kit, this article covers the next 4 rings...the coat/hat kit the shoulder carry bag of

items, the desk kit, and finally the car kit.

The comprehensive home kit will not be covered in this pair of articles nor will specialty kits for our volunteer efforts

with local CERT and RACES communications teams. These more specialized kits will possibly be covered in future

articles. I strongly recommend looking into membership and training with these community groups. They always

stress taking care of yourself and family before moving into the role of community volunteer. The on-body kit and the

kits discussed below are primarily meant to make it possible for me and my wife to find ourselves well enough

prepared so that some of our efforts can be directed toward the community needs in the event of an emergency.

Urban Scenarios and Their Influence on Kit, revisited

As I stated in Part I the understanding and evaluation of the urban scenarios that affect each individual is probably

the most important aspect of kit development. Each individual must do this exercise to develop the best set of tools

and skills for their expected uses. My kits are designed for my environment which is vastly different than others.

While certain situations are universal, the type and scope of items and skills needed to cope can be very different

and are very dependent on your local conditions. I refer the reader to Part I for a full explanation of my local

conditions and urban disaster scenarios and their influence on the kits described below. Again for the purpose of this

article I will use a natural disaster scenario, earthquake, to illustrate my kit development. However, urban

disturbances, and terrorism are also part of my kit thinking.

Again I have 4 goals in mind should a disaster strike while I am at work. My first goal will probably be to get out of

my workplace building rapidly and hopefully uninjured. Second goal will be to evaluate the situation and take care of

myself and coworkers as needed. Third goal will be to find out about my family and get home if possible. Fourth

goal is to evaluate my ability to contribute to the community needs through my volunteer efforts.

With that introduction we will jump into the next layer of kits. I think of these as concentric rings but the next two

pieces of kit are really complimentary to themselves and to the on-body kit. Neither the coat/hat or shoulder bag kit

can stand alone, but each supports the others and together with the on-body kit makes a firm tripod of support for me

should the disaster allow me to exit my worksite.

Coat/Hat Kit

The coat/hat kit is an important part of the concentric rings of kits. It is meant to supplement my on-body kits shelter

options by providing solid protection for both wet and cold. The coat choice varies with the time of year. It is usually

Page 2/15

Urban Preparation Kit, Part II, Supplemental Kits

one of 4 Filson coats. My most worn coat is a Filson Oiled Double Tin Cloth Original Hunters coat (style 66, no

longer listed). This one is perfect for the cooler, wetter parts of the year. During the Fall and Spring, I many times

choose either an Oiled Shelter cloth Filson Packer (style 461N) with or without wool liner or my Filson Oiled Shelter

cloth Waterfowler (style 435). In the later spring or summer I use a Filson Photographers jacket in Safari cloth (style

566, no longer made). I keep this light jacket at work when it is not worn daily during the warmer months.

The Hunter's Coat and Waterfowler nearly always contains these items: A CPR mask, latex gloves, a plastic

garbage bag or nylon poncho (depending on time of year), some Paracord, several AA batteries for the HAM radio (in

the 12g shell loops), and 4 CR123A lithium batteries for the flashlights, waterproof notebook and pen, an Alpaca

earflapped stocking hat, Cashmere scarf, and wool fingerless gloves or mittens. The game pocket of these two coats

are perfect for some of these flatter items, and the pocket configuration holds the other pieces securely and available.

Alpaca hat and wool fingerless gloves

The lighter coats (Packer and Photographer) always contain the CPR mask, latex gloves, plastic garbage bag,

notebook and pen, Alpaca earflapped hat, and wool fingerless gloves.

The Filson coats are water-resistant (except for the summer jacket) and wind proof. The plastic garbage bags are for

additional protective use as rainwear in constant or long-term exposure. During the cooler months I frequently wear

a sweater (Filson Waterfowl) under the coat and keep these two items together with my shoulder bag for a quick grab

and go.

Any good comfortable coat that provides wind and water protection would meet my kit requirements. I particularly

like the Filson designs, but most folks would probably choose a Goretex anorak or some such. The small

contribution of items is mostly redundant to my Vest or shoulder bag, but I carry these items as they are easy to get

to and comfortable. Filson coats, particularily those in oiled tin cloth are stiff at first and require some breaking in to

be comfortable. Once broken in they are a pleasure to wear. It should also be noted that these oiled garments are

not meant to be cleaned....Filson states "Clean by wiping or brushing only — gains character with use." This

just about covers it, they are indeed coats that come with character and gain more as they age.

Page 3/15

Urban Preparation Kit, Part II, Supplemental Kits

Along with my coat, I always wear a fully-brimmed hat, not a cap. Summer months this is usually a Tilley cotton T4

hat. This hat can be squashed or stuffed just about anywhere, is rain proof once wet, and perfect, comfortable sun

protection. It can easily be carried in the rear game pocket of the coats. During the wetter cooler months my choice

is an Akubra Lightning Ridge fur felt hat. This is rain proof, excellent sun protection and slightly warm. If it is real

cold, the Alpaca hat can be worn under either the Tilley or Akubra...not exactly styling but damned efficient. I also

sometimes wear my Bailey Lite Packer (pictured in Part I of the article. This is a lighter wool hat that can be rolled for

pocket carry. My vest contains a boiled wool stocking hat, or a large bandana should I not have my coat/hat kit upon

exit from the building. The years have dramatically reduced my natural cover and a hat is essential for sun and rain

protection and warmth.

Shoulder Bag Kit

The shoulder bag kit is another companion part of the ring of kits. The on-body, coat, and shoulder bag is my hoped

for trilogy that will definitely exit the worksite with me. The three together should provide everything I need to meet

my 4 immediate and short-term goals outlined in the introduction. This kit both supplements my shelter options and

expands my radio communication capabilities as well adding a few more capable tools than are carried in the

On-Body kit. A few comfort items are also added, and since this is a daily carry bag a few items strictly not

emergency gear will be in the bag.

Bag. My shoulder bag is a Filson Medium Carry-on bag (style 234) made in heavy oiled twill, but any small backpack,

or comfortable shoulder bag of sufficient volume would suffice. The contents of this bag vary a bit depending on the

season but generally contain the following items.

Shoulder Bag, Shelter Items

Shelter is augmented by the light but excellent Filson Oiled Cover cloth rain pants which can slip over boots and

pants. These roll to a compact bundle and are excellent wind and rain pants. A wool shirt or Merino wool long john

top can expand the comfort range of my coat (wool shirt pictured). I also carry a coated nylon Poncho (blue in

picture, sometimes this is carried in my coat game pocket) and 50+ feet of paracord. An extra pair of long wool sox

and a Cashmere scarf, again if not in the coat kit. A heavy duty, 3 mil, 55 gallon (208L) black contractors bag and a

couple of bandanas complete the shelter improvements aspect of the shoulder bag kit. In warmer months I remove

the wool shirt, scarf and sometimes the rain pants, but retain the poncho and trash bag.

Page 4/15

Urban Preparation Kit, Part II, Supplemental Kits

Shoulder Bag, Tools

Tools. Should shelter building be part of the after emergency preparations, I carry a few light but capable tools to

assist. Since my worksite is right across the street from a large home improvement store, it is likely that various

materials can be had to construct emergency shelter. I carry the very small but remarkably capable Mini Gransfors

Bruks hand ax, a light, thin and legal Dale Chudzinski Full-tang Nessmuk knife and a Felco model 60 garden saw to

assist in shelter construction, firemaking etc. A small roll of duct tape and a few nylon cable ties complete the tools

portion of the shoulder bag kit. I also have a redundant fire making set consisting of a Swedish Military Firesteel and

a filled K&M matchcase (orange in photo).

Shoulder Bag, FAK, Repair, Sundry

First Aid Kit. I also carry a slightly more comprehensive First Aid kit that includes more compresses, gauze rolls,

tape, CPR mask, latex gloves, and some aspirin and Aleve. Again this is not a huge kit, but it should suffice. It is

contained in a plastic tape box and stuff sack (green in picture background).

Page 5/15

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: