As I remember my personal 9-11-01 experience, I am reminded that it is smart to always be prepared for the unexpected. Many of us have some kind of story regarding that day in September of 2001. I was out bow hunting about 200 miles from home. One of the hunting party had a radio and heard the news. When we got back to camp from the morning hunt, that person excitedly proclaimed, “There have been several plane attacks on the world trade centers and the Pentagon!” We determined that a new type of war had begun.
We did not know what the extent of the attacks would be that day and it was still early on the western side of the county. We had planned to head for home that day after the morning hunt since at least one of us had to work the next day. We did not know what we would possibly encounter on the way home. I took a quick inventory of the equipment and supplies we had with us: food enough for 3 days at normal meal levels, water for 2-3 days if conserved, cook stove fuel for a week or more. We all had backpacks, and binoculars, and between us we had two rifles, three handguns, and several hundred rounds of ammunition four FRS radios, and one CB radio, pocket and field knives, mechanics tools, flashlights and spare batteries, fire starting supplies, and normal outdoor-survival equipment. We had camping gear for all, a good first aid kit and each of us had a bow and a dozen or more arrows. We also had camouflage clothing, rain gear, and extra under-clothes for several days.
We hurriedly packed up camp and made ready to travel. By noon or so we left camp. The roads were busy, and the talk radio stations were filled with chatter about the events. When we got to the first town we stopped to top off our fuel tanks and they had a TV going which we just happened to catch scenes of one of the tower imploding down. The scene was quite chilling. We drove the 200 plus miles and we encountered no problems on the road. It was interesting when we pulled into town – the local National Guard station had all its Humvees and trucks surrounding the Guard property.
In this case we had a significant amount of gear and equipment with us. There did exist some overlap between our hunting gear and the survival gear we normally carry with us in our vehicles. We were much better prepared than the average traveler for the day. As it turned out the attacks were limited to the East Coast so we did not need our gear that day but we sure felt good about having it with us.
Things we did not have with us that would have been desirable if terrorists had hit the west coast would have been a scanner, some extra cash for travel expenses if delayed getting home, body armor, web gear, night vision, more food and water, and spare fuel for the vehicles. If there was an attack on the west coast and we had become involved in a long and serious firefight by crazed terrorists then we may have needed more ammunition to make it back home as well.
As news and events remind you of 9-11, check and inventory your emergency gear and make it ready to go. Keep your G.O.O.D. [1] bags and survival equipment with you at all times – especially when you are traveling far from home. Expect the un-expected in this day and time.
“A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3, and 27:12.