I'll start by saying that this endeavor to prepare for a natural disaster came from two sides of anxiety. On one hand, I can create the worst-case scenarios and play them out like a movie in my head. Because of that, I avoid news and information that fuels the impending mental images. On the other hand, sometimes the information is unavoidable and requires me to either worry about it or do something to set my mind at ease.
I scrolled across a North Kitsap Community Facebook post that urged (pleaded) with our county residents to be more informed and ready for the inevitable Cascadia Mega Quake and the tsunami that will follow it. I haven't given "The Big One" any thought since sometime in my youth when we were required to bring in disaster tubs to school. After a deep dive of how Cascadia will directly affect my people, I was at top-tier panic mode. The only thing I could do to ease that was to make sure my household was armed with supplies for survival should the worst come for us.
If you want a detailed reality check, spend some time with this article in the New Yorker The Really Big One by Kathryn Schulz. If you prefer blissful ignorance, as I tend to lean, skip it and just make the bag.
While having our home ready is a necessary step, I'm focusing this information on our Bug Out Bags only in hopes it may spur others to ready themselves for an event that will happen at somepoint. I do not make any claims to be a survivalist or have chosen the products that everyone will need. What I am providing is a jumping off spot for others to prepare as they see fit.
I started our bags with the 2 Person 72-Hour Emergency Survival Dry Bag Kit from Stealth Angel Survival. With their sale price and added "Stealth Summer" code, I paid $83.50 per bag. With the amount of items included, I couldn't build a bag myself for two people less than that. A list of included items below.
Food and Water:
The food and water in this kit are meant to provide nutrition for 2 people for 72-hours until help arrives. These products have a 5-year shelf life.
12 - 4oz. Water Pouches
12 - 400 Calorie Food Bar's (4800 Calories)
20 Water Purification Tablet's - each tablet purifies 1 liter of water
Light and Communication:
These products come in handy during a home power outage, car trouble, or other emergency requiring you to leave your home.
Stealth Angel Survival Q5 Tactical Flashlight
Keychain LED Flashlight
Dynamo 4-in-1 Radio Flashlight Charger
12 Hour Emergency Bright Stick
Survival Whistle
Shelter and Warmth:
These supplies will provide protection from outside weather forces. They will protect you from wind, sun, rain, and other harsh conditions you may encounter.
2 Emergency Body Warmers
2 Emergency Blankets
2 Emergency Ponchos with Hood
Emergency Tube Tent with Rope
Tools:
These items are designed to be useful in disaster situations. They will be a valuable resource when you find yourself faced with navigation, transport, personal protection, or shelter troubles.
Stealth Angel Survival 8-in-1 Everyday Carry Kit consisting of:
Q5 Tactical Flashlight
Stealth Angel Tactical Pen
11-in-1 Pocket Card Multitool
Compass
Ferrocerium Rod 5-in-1
Safety Goggles
Pair of Durable Work Gloves
Paracord Bracelet
Hygiene and Sanitation:
When in a disaster situation it is useful to have access to hygiene products. Staying clean can protect against infection, disease, and depression.
Hygiene Kit (including shampoo, shaving cream, razor)
Tooth Brush for 2
Tooth Paste
Soap
Face Masks
Deodorant
First Aid:
These first aid items can assist with minor injuries and protect against serious health concerns in disaster circumstances.
36 - Piece Portable First Aid K
While the kit looks complete, I opted to buy a larger bag and include more items. Communication is a huge concern for me. Purchasing satellite phones with ongoing plans wasn't in the budget, so I chose to include Midland GXT1000VP4 - 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio Long Range Walkie Talkies. I picked a designated channel for our family and included that choice along with directions in our bags. Features, cost, and reviews made this one my choice. This is not an area I have expertise in, so I'm sure there could be more to consider in the purchase.
In addition to the survival kit and the 2 way radios, I stuffed 40l Dry Bags with:
Feminine Hygiene (& doggie bags for disposal)
Items mentioned in paragraphs before list:
Our pups also have a much less involved Bug Out Bag. Here are the items I included:
Dog Food
NOTE: This is by no means a list of required items or a complete list, but the items I believe my family would need to be warm, dry, hydrated, and fed for 72 hours+. Personal needs such as medicine should be considered. If this scenario takes place, medical help is going to all but be inaccesible to most. This EMT Trauma First Aid Bag is a benefical item in an emergency.
The last item I included was printed contact information for our family, routes to reach 300' in elevation (away from shorelines), directions on where to meet, emergency radio stations, maps of KCDEM's proposed Micro Islands, and location information from KCDEM's Catastrophic Event Playbook.
I have registered to become a KCDEM volunteer and I'm looking forward to their next training season. Do it with me!
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