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SHTF bag

12K views 42 replies 29 participants last post by  Thumper 
#1 ·
So let's hear it...

Who has a SHTF bag?
What do you keep in it?
Where do you keep it?
What type of bag is it and how large is it?

FYI a true SHTF bag is one which you do not raid from time to time for supplies and ammo. This is a bag that is kept up to date and secure with all the things you would need to protect you and yours in a time in which the SHTF.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Orbrit;
No, My tac vest is not the Condor Vest.

Bryan; The "Cheaper Than Dirt" stuff looks good as long as it's NEW and not the used stuff.

Any quality army surplus store or website can get you the actual military grade vests and packs. At the local Army Surplus where I got my vest the Border Patrol are buying them by the dozen beacuse they're relatively inexpensive compared to other places. I believe mine was between $65-75. I'd still like to get a Tac Thigh Holster, Butt Pack, Hydration pack and other misc items I might run across.

I've been thinking about it and if the "SHTF" I need to get to "The Ranch" ASAP, and be able to sustain myself and my loved ones for the long haul if need be. At least there's plenty of hunting available and great water sources. Now it's time to stock up the freezers and pantry.

I'm really glad I ran across this thread. I think it was the push I needed to get the wheels in motions as far as initializing and completing a contingency plan.

www.blackwatergear.com
A lot of American defense contractors in the middle east as well as Executve Protection details use this gear. It's a bit expensive but the quality is there.
 
#30 ·
I like the layered approach. Have what you need always, be able to drop what you don't need easily.

Have a small bag, like a large fanny pack. Keep things like a poncho, change of socks, MRE, quart of water, 50' of parachute chord and ammo.

Then a larger bag. Backpack is definitely preferred since you may have to carry it. That should have some clothes, snivel gear, first aid, sleeping bag, more water, food, 550 chord, ammo, and ponchos (ponchos are wonderful things) . Hatchet, crowbar, and/or E-tool also good things to have.

Even more stuff in the vehicle (alternatively, a base camp or such). I'm envisioning a box that I can load in the bed of my truck (perhaps suspended in the garage; back up, lower the box, unhook, drive away). About a tank of gas, some tools, more food water and such. Bicycles are a great idea, with solid rubber spare tubes.

Just remember the zombie uprise is inevitable.
 
#32 · (Edited)
I use a rope system to store my truck canopy when I need to haul dirt or gravel etc. I have ratcheting ropes that I hook into eye bolts in the ceiling (x4).
I get in the truck bed and undo all the canopy clamps and I lift the canopy enough to pass a nylon strap under the side about 6" in from each corner. The strap is about 8' long and looped at both ends.

I then attach the hooks of the ratcheting rope to the loops of the straps and tighten the ratcheting ropes - that lifts the canopy up of the bed. I do this in all 4 corners and just drive the truck out from under it.
Getting it back on is the reverse.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Started Months Back...

My first desire is to stay at home. Can't imagine trying to get out on the road and go...WHERE?...grid lock would abound! Short of a Nuke/Chem/Bio strike...I'll be here.
Have 2-3 months of food and drink, first aid supplies, medicines, extra gas, and all type of camping/cooking gear.
Soon, I am purchasing an enclosed cargo trailer to haul ALL prepacked camping and food items...if we HAVE to go, we can.
On the weapons front, I can haul enough weaponry and ammo to start a small war...that's why I prefer to stay at home. One street in...one street out...woods on both sides. My neighbor has 20 times the weaponry I have...he's a well-armed cop. He and I have discussed a REAL neighborhood watch if the SHTF...we stand a much better chance staying where we know the people, the area, the problems, etc...
If something DOES hit...hang on...it'll be one hell of a ride!

There was a similar thread a while back. Both threads have been educational for me...I learn with each post...thanx to all...

ret
 
#34 ·
My SHTF bag has some new contents....thanks to all! I have a tac vest (Cheaper than Dirt) easily loaded with my .40 Witness compact & 3 extra mags (loaded), compass & whistle, LED flashlite, P-38, 10 SKS stripper clips (200 rnds), leatherman, cheap poncho, tactical goggles, binoculars, 2-way radio, knife, matches, firestarter & 2 cans potted meat. I have a tac thigh holster w/ 1911; canteen & 5 mags on belt. Oh, and an SKS will be slung over the hanger (after Christmas!). All I need to do is put on the vest, insert pistols and haul ass! My wife gets the 12 gauge & ammo belt.

My bag (fits nicely in the truck's toolbox) is a seabag with 2-man dome tent, 100' para cord, 200 rnds. of .30-06, 5 gal. bladder, 3 days of clothing (inside compression bag), 2-pk boot laces, spool of 17# test fishing line, sinkers & hooks, camp shovel, cy-lites, matches & sticks inside 2 ziplocks, field first aid kit w/ lots of goodies, machette, sm. box of stuff (misc. screws, bolts, nuts, twist-ties, washers, etc - 8 oz total), sleeping bag, 3 ponchos, snakebite kit (updated version), 3 cans of SPAM, Louisiana hot sauce, hand warmers, folding bone saw, 12 gallon-sized empty ziplocs, respirator & extra filters. Too heavy to carry far (which is why it's in the truck). I think I will add a few short pieces of PVC tubing (slightly larger than the diameter of a 12 ga. shell & about 6" long), end caps, roofing nails and 10 rounds of #4 shot (to establish a perimeter around my base camp).

The Alice pack (never far away and can lay at the very top of the SHTF bag) has one can of SPAM, 2 oz earth-scented gun oil, breakdown .22 cleaning rod, patches, knife sharpener, TP, travel pack baby wipes, gloves, hats (boonie & stocking), face paint, poncho, 50' nylon cord, water purifier, sm. first aid kit, wire saw, 24" picture wire (can double as snare), space blanket, 1 oz tube of liquid graphite, ammo wallet w/ 9 rnds .30-06 (in double ziploc), ammo wallet w/ 10 rnds .45 & 10 rnds .40 & 5 rnds. for SKS (ziploc'd), bar of Ivory soap, toothbrush & paste, spare Rx glasses (good to see with & start fires!), 2 cy-lites, 3 oz scent blocker, 3 oz fox urine, mini-mag lite, $20 bill, 5 $1 coins & 4 quarters, 10 yds. duct tape, 4 pr. latex surgical gloves, whistle, compass & signal mirror, matches & mag. firestarter, knife, leatherman, 33 gal. 3-mil trashbag and a hand towel. I have carried it through the woods for 12 hours with no major issues.

The truck has other stuff tucked here & there. Husky Jump-Start system w/ lite, hand axe, tree saw, mag-lite, 2 gallons of water and a bunch of odds-n-ends. Canned food can roll around the bed if need be.

We can go if we need to (worst case), but we are likely to stay put (grid-lock). Best case is to go about 20 miles to a friend's house cuz he's got a secure location that is well-stocked. Word of advice: if you meet people, bring something to the party. Same goes if you intend to host. Tell people to bring something - don't show up empty-handed, lest they be turned away!
 
#35 ·
Just remembered something from my Nuclear Navy days. Polyethylene. Poly bottles and tanks provide protection for your dinking stuffs in two ways. One, for the most part they are chemically inert, so they can be used in an evironment that is not 100% clean, and two, polyethylene blocks low level gamma radiation so it minimizes the potential of nuclear contamination of water and other items kept in the poly container.

That said, there is a supply store near me that has several 275 gallon poly tanks going for $149 each. I'm thinking that it might be a pretty good investment to pick up a couple for water storage instead of the stainless barrels I'm using now. The only thing is that they need to be kept out of sunlight or treated to prevent algae growth.
 
#36 ·
I have a 210 gallon poly tank under my house (no sun there). I have it connected to my water main and then to the house. when I need to I can use the water in the tank. There is always water moving through the tank so it stays fresh.
 
#37 ·
I remember a conversation I had with my dad a few years back when everyone was buying duct tape and plastic sheeting.

There are 2 ways to protect yourself in a chemical attack. The first is wear protective equipment that should be changed about once every 12 hours. This means filters and suits. Changing this gear requires that you either be in a sealed shelter or expose yourself to the chemicals. Other tasks such as eating and eliminating waste require shelter, practice, and decontaminating equipment. Chemical weapons can stay around for a long time. There are 2 ways of checking if the chemical has gone (and it's safe to unmask). One involves chemical detection equipment. Both involve someone unmasking to see if he reacts (step 1 is to take his weapon away).

The second way is to get out of Dodge. (this is my preferred option)

I'm not an expert. I qualify this opinion as a trained nuclear biological and chemical NCO (4 week course)
 
#38 ·
You are quite right - I was also an NBC specialist in the RAF Regiment - one of our jobs on base was to make sure all the other station personnel were trained in the use of their weapons and NBC equipment. Our main role was an infantry wole in support of air ops and so the NBC emphasis was much stronger than during my time in the Army.
There are two types of agents - persistent and non persistent. Non-persistent agents are typically used in areas where the attacking force wants to occupy the ground shortly after deploying the chemical or nerve agent. It's a whole lot easier to fight when you're not wearing "4 Romeo" NBC equipment. Persistent agents are used when you want to deny access to a certain area or if you just want to eliminate an enemy force in an area of no tactical significance - i.e. you don't need to occupy the ground post attack.
As Daddy Warcrimes correctly stated, you need the right equipment - buying used surplus NBC suits is probably not going to help you in a real attack as the activated charcoal linings are only "fresh" for a limited time. Respirator canisters also have a shelf life. Decontamination drills are tricky - especially if you're tired and under stress. We spent 48 hours at a time in full NBC gear - that way we made sure we had to eat, drink, urinate and defecate. It is no fun.
The thing about chemical or nerve agents is that they are area weapons - if you can, get out of the area.
Obviously in a combat scenario the use of the weapons could well be intended to drive a defending force into an area where they can be easily attacked, especially if they are well dug in.

I assume we are talking about an attack on the civilian population so my advice is move and move fast!
 
#40 ·
I plan on using my Jeep to live in. It is already set up for expedition type camping.
It is modified for off road camping. Extra fuel water food 2 batteries 3 way fridge.
Winch, roof top tent, plenty of food. Of course if I have to leave the jeep I will take only
What I need. Hand gun ammo H2o. Dextrose bars small tent. First aid kit. ETC. I have been doing dry runs to see how every thing works with me and any family who wants to go with me.
 
#41 ·
I live in earthquake and volcano country (Washington), and we also have our share of windstorms, as the recent spate of them have shown. I don't have anything like a bugout bag.

I can put one together to keep at home, but I'm wondering something else. I ride the bus, walk or bike ride only (my eyes are too bad to drive, so I gave up driving... nothing to do with my ability to shoot, however; I'm actually rather good.)

Any way, I was wondering, what MINIMAL bugout gear should I carry at all times, on my person, while riding bus, bike or walking? My problem is that I can't wear a backpack right now (I overstressed my shoulder and clavicle while doing so in our last big windstorm), and I feel to vulnerable wearing a purse. I was thinking a fannypack.

For all I know, that next big quake could hit at 9:30am on a work day while I'm downtown Seattle. Or in the next five minutes.
 
#42 ·
seattlekos.... a small flashlight, a lighter, some food like a energy bar or two, water, cash, if your CC- extra ammo, (an extra magazine or a speedloader or two will do fine) a quality folding knife and a small first aid kit with water less hand sanatizer. Extra shoe/boot laces come in handy a lot too.
 
#43 ·
YIKES! It's starting to look like I need a Bug-Out Travel Trailer! :gah:

This really makes you think about what you really need as apposed to what you would like to have! Great post everyone! :hand10:
 
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