September was National Preparedness Month, and I want to embrace preparedness. I’m the resident Florida man, and I’ve dealt with nasty hurricanes for most of my life. It’s just a fact of life in the Sunshine State. After going through three in 13 months, I’ve come to appreciate the preparedness pack.
The preparedness pack isn’t your typical end-of-the-world bug-out bag. It’s not for the Russian invasion or the super EMP that’s coming any day. It’s for everyday emergencies. While it’s in a pack, you might never toss it on your back. Our Preparedness Pack isn’t just a backpack for bailing out, but a staging point to have on hand.
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It’s easy to grab and go for sure, but also easy to find when the power goes out and you need a flashlight. It replaces all of your various goodies packed away in junk drawers, on top of fridges, and in medicine cabinets. Not only does it have the bare-bones basics, but it also helps reduce stress by having it on hand rather than scrambling to find everything.
The Preparedness Pack
You don’t have to get crazy with your chosen pack. If you’re a single person living alone, a basic backpack works, but you might need to scale up to a family-size bag. For my family, I use the 5.11 Tactical Rush 24. It’s a 37-liter backpack with plenty of room for my needs and plenty of ways to organize my gear.
I want a fairly tough bag that’s not crazy expensive. The Rush 24 works well for my needs, and it’s not overly large or saddled with a dedicated frame. It’s a step up from a basic backpack, but it isn’t full of features I don’t need.
What’s in the Bag – The Basics
Here are a few basics I keep in my preparedness pack. It’s nothing crazy, but it’s a lot of handy stuff should you find yourself riding out the storm at home or in an evacuation shelter.
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Flashlight – I love powerful lights, but they suck batteries. I’d get a decent admin flashlight—something that’s not super powerful, but bright enough to navigate with. I’m a fan of the Streamlight Sidewinder.
Multitool – There are a ton of options out there for every budget. The classic Gerber Suspension is a cheap way to get a decent tool, but by all means pick what works for you.
Phone Charger – Phones are incredibly valuable tools, and the last thing you want to do is forget a charger. I keep a new charger block with a 10-foot cable in my bag.
Power Bank – Power banks are a godsend. I keep three in my bag and check them every few months to make sure they’re charged. They’ve become so cheap it’s tough not to justify one.
Simple NOAA Radio – A hand-cranked NOAA radio ensures you can keep up to date with weather and news alerts.
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Beyond Electronics
Cash in Small Bills – Do you know how good a hot meal is after a week of canned food? Bring some cash, preferably in small bills, because change might be hard to come by. How much depends on your family size, but I keep a few hundred dollars.
Spare Socks and Underwear – If you’re like me, you’d need a couple of suitcases to pack for your family, so just make a few grunt rolls with spare socks and underwear.
Shower Shoes – You don’t want to go barefoot in a portable shower trailer; just trust me.
Hygiene Pack – Pack spare toothbrushes, toothpaste, hygiene wipes, a mini roll of toilet paper, soap, shampoo, and, for the love of God, deodorant.
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First Aid Kit – A little booboo kit is handy, but don’t skimp on hemostatic gauze, tourniquets, and training to use both. Once the chainsaws get whipped out and 911 isn’t responding, you’re on your own.
OTC Meds – A little ibuprofen, allergy meds, sting relief, and the like can be lifesavers.
Handy Extras To Have
Beyond the basics, there are a few things I pack that I’ve found useful in my preparedness pack.
Umbrella – I deal with rain a lot, so I keep an umbrella to keep my family dry.
Raincoat – 5.11 makes a handy, packable little raincoat that’s a must for me. I bring it to most classes and competitions, and keep a second in my car. It’s a small price to pay for comfort. At the very least, toss a couple of those cheap ponchos in your bag.
Lightweight Upper Layer – Most hurricanes come in the summer, but right after, it gets awfully chilly for a day or two, so I keep some cheap sweatshirts in my preparedness pack.
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Spare Prescription Glasses – While I don’t wear glasses, I have family members who do. They keep an old pair of glasses in the preparedness pack just in case.
Prescription Meds – If possible, keep a week’s supply of prescription medications on hand. You can cycle these out as needed.
Snacks – If you’re stuck in a shelter chowing down on MREs, it’s going to get old. Having some sweets, drink mixes, and other goodies can make life a little easier.
Staying Prepared
The preparedness pack is a simple and fairly cheap kit to put together. It’s effective and gives you a simple rally point for supplies you might not think about in an emergency. Take a little stress out of a stressful event by preparing now.
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