With hurricane season fully upon us, this is as real as it gets. I was just at a wedding where some of the folks could not come because they had not had water or power for a week and the town nearby was completely wiped out from a hurricane. They were well inland and would not have considered this a high risk hurricane area.
You might think you have plenty of time, but sometimes these things hit fast. The question is: Are you ready?
One of the most important things you can have on hand is a bug-out bag. We’re not talking about a fancy collection of survival gadgets. This is about the basics—what you need to survive when the SHTF.
Water: Do You Have Enough?
When the power’s out and the taps run dry, what’s the first thing you’re going to need? Water, of course. You can live for weeks without food, but only days without water. And in the chaos of a hurricane, clean water might be the first thing to disappear. Have you thought about that?
You’ve heard the rule, right? One gallon per person per day. Two quarts are doable, but you won't have any extra and will get dehydrated over time. Carrying around that much water can be impractical, but there if you bring a filter system, you just need to find water and have a place to store some to get you to the next water fill time. I like to have a water bladder that compacts down.
I do a lot of backcountry hunting and camping so I have a 10 Liter Bladder that works great and is light weight. There are many on the market that are not light weight but collapse down to a small size and store up to five gallons. These water bladders become your lifeline when you don't have access to a faucet.
Think back to the days of wells and no running water. Many parts of the world still live that way. Getting water becomes one of your daily chores. There are many gravity fed water filtration systems around like LifeStraw or Katadyn BeFree. Also pump systems like MSR Hyperflow. One of my favorites is the Steripen which is an ultraviolet filter that is light weight and small. It does require batteries, but is so small that I carry one even just on day hikes.
None of these filters are particularly fast, so you need to think about how many people you will be providing for and plan accordingly. You can only live for a few days without water so this is serious stuff.
I also pack some water purification tablets, Aquatabs, which are a great back up to whatever filter you have or they can be your stand alone. There is a saying that I think comes from the seal teams, two is one and one is none, when considering your backup systems.
Food: Keep It Simple.
What are you going to eat when the fridge is out, the power’s gone, and the stores are closed? Are you thinking about perishable foods? If so, it’s time to rethink that plan. You need something that won’t spoil, something light and easy to carry. There are always MREs, but they kind of suck.
I am not a fan of MREs, as many of you who have been in the military, and really don't want that to be my survival food. Freeze dried is the way to go here. There are so many great options these days since the backcountry world has exploded and many companies are providing protein rich meals made with good ingredients.
My Patriot Supply has some great combinations or just mix and match your own from your favorite outdoor store. If you do a lot of backcountry stuff, you might consider getting a freeze drier for your home. I still just use a dehydrator but the shelf life of the food is only about a year and a half so you have to be replenishing your supply all the time.
The way I do it is to just make extra food at times and dry the extra. Then seal it in a bag that accepts hot water and add some O2 absorbers. If you hunt and harvest your own veggies and fruit, this is the modern day root cellar. One day we will get a freeze drier, but they are kind of spendy.
Fire: Will You Be Able to Light One?
Depending on the time of year and your location, fire can be either a nice to have or a life saving necessity. Make sure you know how to start one even in the rain. I wrote a blog about this recently and consider this an essential survival skill.
Make sure and have multiple sources of ignition in your bag along with tinder. A bag of lint from the dryer in a plastic bag works great as tinder. Add some fire starter tablets and you are good to go.
Check out our plasma arc lighter, as one of your ignition sources. Wind and water proof.
Shelter: Will You Stay Warm and Dry?
When you’re packing for a storm, do you ever wonder how you’ll stay warm and dry if you’re forced out into the elements? The power grid goes down, your house could be flooded, and then what? Have you packed a way to protect yourself from the weather? Emergency blankets and lightweight sleeping bags don’t take up much space, but they could mean the difference between comfort and hypothermia.
A tarp or an emergency bivvy can be a lifesaver. Even if you’re stuck outside for just a few hours, a tarp and some 550 paracord can give you shelter from the rain and wind. But are you ready to set up a makeshift shelter if the need arises? Could you do it quickly? Practice this skill and you will be much more proficient and might add a few stakes to your kit. I have done many backpack trips with nothing but a tarp.
First Aid: Do You Know How to Use It?
What does a basic first aid kit look like to you? Maybe some bandaids, some ibuprofin, some tweezers, gauze pads, tape, gloves. Most of your simple first aid kits have these items. But in a situation with high winds, trees down, flying objects, broken windows, you should consider increasing your kit to second aid.
Ambulances may not be readily available. That emergency room could be a day or two away. Think about any medications you might need and have access to those. One of the main concerns in this situation is bleeding to death.
Having a roll of gauze can be a life saver. A tampon can be useful for a puncture wound but they are not as sanitary. A torniquet will save your life in some situations. Soldiers carry them into battle always. The war in Iraq taught us many things about using torniquets that were wrong before. Putting a torniquet on does not mean you will lose the limb. The key here is getting it tight enough to stop the bleeding. It is a lot tighter than you think. You will need some kind of windlass to tighten it. How to apply a torniquet.
Torniquets should only be left on for 2 hours. If you cannot get to medical help in that time, you will need to loosen it for 10 minutes every hour. Check for bleeding as you loosen it. If the limb is left without flowing blood for an extended period, permanent damage can occur. Spend some time learning about this and be ready when the SHTF. Make sure and always write the time of application on the torniquet.
Tools: Do You Have What You Need?
What do you think will be your most useful tool when the storm hits? Is it a multi-tool, something you can use to cut, pry, or even open a can of food? It’s easy to forget how many things can go wrong in a hurricane. A multi-tool can save you in ways you can’t even imagine right now. But have you packed one?
What about a knife? You never know when you’ll need to cut through something, open a package, or even defend yourself. This is kind of a no brainer but nowadays many folks don't carry a knife all the time.
In this day and age we need power. Charging batteries can be almost as important as food and water. I take a solar panel into the backcountry when I am out for more than about 5 days. You will also need a battery. I like the Dark Energy battery for it's durability. It is a beast.
Is it duck tape or duct tape? Why? Ask this question at night while you are sitting around the fire and see what answers you get. It can be quite amusing. No wrong answers.
Basic lock pick set. Something small and simple that can help you get out of a sticky situation. There are many scenarios where this could be a crucial piece of your kit. Of course you will need to educate yourself on how to use them before you need them.
Clothing: Will It Keep You Dry?
Let’s talk clothing. What are you planning to wear when the storm rolls in? Think about materials that will keep you warm when wet. There is a saying in the backcountry world that "cotton kills". If you are in a tropical area this is not as crucial. But when the temperature drops and you are wet, you are in real danger.
The key to staying warm is having a shell and having some loft underneath it. For loft think of fleece, or wool, anything thick. Your body heats up the air trapped by the material and the shell keeps the wind from taking away the trapped air. You can even shove grass or dry vegetation under an outer layer if things are desperate.
A hat can make a huge difference. A very large amount of your blood travels through your neck and head. Get some insulation on them and you will stay much warmer.
Hurricanes are unpredictable. You could be standing in ankle-deep water one minute, climbing over debris the next. Having a thin fleece layer with a wind and rain shell can save your life when the temperature drops.
Navigation and Communication: Are You Ready if the Grid Goes Down?
When the hurricane knocks out power and the streets are unrecognizable, how are you going to find your way? Have you packed a compass and a map? It’s easy to rely on GPS, but what if your phone dies or the signal disappears? A simple compass can mean the difference between being lost and finding your way.
And speaking of communication, do you have a way to stay informed? A hand-crank radio might seem old-fashioned, but when the power’s out, and the news is vital, it’s your best bet. Have you considered that?
Prepare for the unexpected and you will thrive.
You are the only one who can prepare yourself for the unexpected. It's not about having every gadget out there, but rather having the basic tools to take care of yourself and your loved ones in a time of crisis. It is why I always admired the hunter gatherer culture, they had some basic tools and weapons and could go indefinitely. Now that is true preparation.
At SubtleDigs, we believe in being prepared for whatever comes your way.