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Speak Out: Emergency 'Go Kit' Ideas:

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KG4INK on 2004-08-19
My family and I recently weathered hurricane Charley, we live in Daytona Beach. The hurricane exited the state via Daytona area. We prepared by getting the essentials. We filled a large "rubber Maid" container with the following: Misc. dry foods and canned, "D" cell flashlights, Portable radio w/ batteries, toiletries, 3 gallons of water per person, An HT witn dry cell pack, change of clothing, rain ponchos, full tanks of gasoline in vehicles and power inverters.

We prepared the day that the storm was to hit the west coast of the state. A lot of people thought that it was going to hit tampa and remain north. As everyone found out these things are unpredictable.

Today, 08-19-04, there are still 50,000 residents in my county without power and other utility service. You can never be too prepared. Gas is also scarce.

I've found that the best way to replenish your supplies and gasoline, is to join a private retailers club, ie. "Sam's". They keep supplies stocked exclusively for members. When the rest of my community was waiting in hour long lines for fuel or couldnt find aNY, i WAS able to obtain it easily and without worry of paying inflated gouged prices.

W7WIK on 2004-08-19
If it gets real bad, I guess beer and a cigar would be in my go kit.

73,
Marco, W7WIK

K1ZF on 2004-08-18
Everything WE need is already in our motorhome. It’s a small, 22’ self contained Class “C”. In it are: Food for a week, 50 gallons water. 60 gallons fuel. 2 and 430 ham xcvr. Ham HF radio. 400 AH of battery power, solar panels on the roof. I think we can survive for a while…

Gene, K1ZF/AI1D

KT4XF on 2004-08-17
Here in Cobb Co, Ga., the ARES is asking us to keep "72hr" jump kits, but by the 73rd hour I'll need "88's"

W8VOM on 2004-08-17
Geeeez,with all that stuff a guy could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas!

AE6IP on 2004-08-17
If I've gotta go, I make sure there's toilet paper.

WQ1O on 2004-08-16
Cape Cod ARES uses a teired system of kits appropriate to the level of response. Because we can be completely isolated in a disaster, We insist on self sufficiency. We have a "basic 24 hour kit w/safety kit". We also have a "72 hour kit". I think the important thing is that there is no perfect kit. What We use may be complete overkill to some, or not enough. We have had almost 27 field exercises since 2001. I have been teaching "Go-Kits" as part of our Eastern MA ARES workshop held several times a year. I have also learned something from looking at the kits of others. Our 24 hour kit is as follows:

1 1ea Single or Dual Band HT, battery, charger and AA dry cell pack
2 1 Gain Antenna for 2m HT
3 1 50 or 25 watt 2m mobile radio
4 2 18ah Sealed Lead Acid Battery and charger
5 1-2 Head and earphones
6 4 2 pads of paper and 4 pencils w/ sharpener
7 50 Message forms
8 1 ARES FSD Forms and Lists (Frequency list etc.)
9 1 AA Flashlight and extra bulb
10 1 FCC license and ARES ID
11 1 Appropriate clothing
12 1ea Cell Phone with extra battery, AC and12v Charger
13 1 Leatherman Pocket Type Tool
14 1 50’ of coax cable
15 1 Package of extra fuses (3 of each type needed)
16 1ea Duct Tape and Electrical Tape
17 1 Speaker Mic for HT
18 2 PL-258 Barrel connector
19 1 25’ AC extension cord with multi outlet adapter
20 1ea Radio Manuals and Instructions
21 1 Clipboard
22 2 14 channel FRS radios
23 1 Battery powered LCD Clock with Alarm
24 1 12A (minimum)13.8VDC switching power supply
25 2 Fused DC power cords with powerpoles
26 1ea Multiple adapter cables with powerpoles
27 1 50’ of Poly rope
28 1 Set of 5 Velcro straps
29 1 Pocket Digital Multi-Meter w/ batteries
30 1ea RG-8X Patch cables 1’,3’ and 6’
31 1 3 prong AC grounded outlet to 2 prong AC adapter
32 1 SO-239 to BNC (or SMA) adapter
33 1 Roll up 2m J-Pole
34 1 2 position coax switch
35 1ea 24 pack of AA alkaline and 16 AAA Alkaline Batteries
1 1 AA Flashlight and extra batteries
2 2 Food snacks or rations for 36 hours
3 2 Water bottle
4 1 Appropriate clothing
5 1ea Ear, Eye, Hand protection (non-latex), Dust mask (N95)
6 1 First aid kit
7 1ea Sunscreen, insect repellent, sanitation supplies
8 1ea Emergency Space Blanket and Rain Poncho
9 1 Bottle of Tylenol 500mg
10 1 Work Gloves
11 4 2 Light Sticks
12 1 Emergency Whistle
13 3ea Zip-Lock bags and Large trash bags
14 1 Medications for 36 hours

Remember that what works for us may be completely inadequate for some others. Thanks

73 Frank WQ1O
Cape&Islands ARES DEC

KG4RUL on 2004-08-16
Power wise: A deep cycle Marine Battery, Battery Charger, a Honda 700 Watt generator, oil and 10 gals of gas. I can operate for 3-4 days without a second thought.

K9PO on 2004-08-16
my cell phone, credit card, and car keys

KE4SKY on 2004-08-16
Steve is absolutely right. Radio gear is not the primary content for a go kit. Also, better than having the vehicle storage areas "clean of junk so that in an emergency you can load them with real necessities and get rolling..." is to have at minimum your family disaster kit, portable-mobile VHF/UHF and 72-hour pack in the vehicle at all times, so that you can evacuate NOW. Each vehicle in the family should be so equipped and everyone should have a plan on a safe place nearby place to meet if your neighborhood is evacuated and they can't get home and an out-of-area contact where everyone can check in.

NEVER let your fuel tank get below half. ALWAYS have at least 2 gallons of drinking water, food for 3 meals, 1A10BC dry chemical extinguisher, first aid kit, blanket, rain gear, change of clothes, sturdy shoes, raingear, flashlight, extra batteries, compass, maps, basic tools, etc.

The following is a good minimum list to carry all the time:

Carry these Ten Essentials in your briefcase, waist pack or gear vest

1¡õ Map: :Minimum - Official state DOT road map; Recommended - USGS 7.5 minute series of your assigned CERT sector; Also have either a AAA, ADC or Delorme Regional Atlas in your vehicle.

2¡õ Compass: Minimum ¨C Marbles pocket-type http://www.marblesoutdoors.com/compass/index.html Recommended ¨C orienteering map compass on dummy cord. http://www.theorienteeringstore.com/compasses.html

3¡õ Flashlight: Minimum - Photon Microlight II on your zipper pull or key ring beats nothing. Recommended ¨C either Inova X1 or CMG Infinity Ultra Task Lite plus a spare AA.Better ¨C INOVA X5 LED http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/flashlights.htm

4¡õ Food : Minimum - snacks for 12 hours, Recommended ¨C 1 complete MRE or ; Carb-fruit group: 4 oz. trail mix, dried fruit / raisins + 2 oz. granola or crackers; Fat-protein group: 8 oz. peanut butter tube, or 4 oz. Jerky; Beverage group: soup mix or bouillon + instant coffee, tea bags or cocoa.

5¡õFire / Fuel: Minimum - matchsafe + 3 military trioxane fuel bars
Recommended - also a windproof lighter + hand sanitizer, doubles as fire starter

6¡õFirst aid :Minimum - pocket first aid kit such as Adventure Medical UltraLight-WaterTight https://www.travmed.com/scripts/catalog.epl?product_id=98&category_id=25&moveit=10
Recommended - customize your own, refer to these suggested contents: http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/anglerboater/1999/julaug99/frstaidd.htm

If trained in CPR also include CPR Microshield and barrier protective kit
http://www.cprmicroshield.com/products.html

7¡õWater: Minimum - two pint cargo-pocket flasks or water bottles, carry with you always, Recommended - hydration bladder of minimum 70 oz. capacity

8¡õShelter: Minimum - Space Blanket or garbage bag in pockets. Recommended ¨C stuffable Gore Tex windbreaker + fleece vest as warming layer

9¡õSignal:Minimum - Fox 40 whistle
Recommended ¨C Fox 40 whistle + US Mil type signal mirror, http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/store/ultimate-survival-star-flash-mirror.html

10¡õKnife: Minimum - Mil-K-818, Swiss Army or Boy Scout type pocket knife, Recommended - Leatherman multi-tool, + sheath knife or lockblade folder

Also recommended: N-95 pocket mask, reading glasses, dental floss, insect repellant, SPF30 sun screen, baby wipes, 48 hrs. personal meds, bandanna, tinder and extra matches, spoon, water purification tabs or filter bottle, sunglasses, extra wool socks, foot powder, moleskin.

Communications: cell phone + extra charged battery pack, pencil, pocket note pad. If you are licensed, amateur 2-meter or dual-band portable transceiver, charged battery pack + AA case, two sets of spare batteries, telescoping gain antenna+counterpoise, hand mic with earphone.

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