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16 Comments

  1. JMD seems to have most angles covered. Much of your gear will depend on what State your in as well as your location. One thing people who live near the ocean or large lakes would be to check on a boat. Depending on your experience. Having spent many years on boats for me that would be the best option. A sail boat would be best as you will be in a position where you don’t need much fuel. If your able to snag a motor boat with a fuel tanks full that would work. Just be sure you know what your doing and are able to navigate the area you will be going. Chart can be down loaded and if you don’t have the “no how” to run a boat you can take a Coast Guard class. Getting to know a boat owner is also a great why to get help.
    The Gman

    1. Good point – travel by water could be an article all by itself, but I’m not that experienced with the subject. Beside, I have something better than a boat – I have a friend with a boat 😎

  2. One of the issues I have with these scenarios is the timing. In your example, you scan the radio for info and discover that the power will be out for weeks or months. If you are scanning the radio, hundreds if not thousands of others are as well and they may have the same idea to leave and the ensuing congestion on the roads may be a problem.

    If you are with family and they happen to be shopping, working or at school at the time, your plans just flew out the window.

    Another is the reliance on GPS. In an EMP scenario the odds are 50/50 that it will still be active. Learning to read a compass would enhance your odds as well as having accurate maps that indicate water sources on your intended path. You will not be able to carry a lot of water in addition to your pack so you will have to find it along the way….hence the need for accurate maps.

    I don’t see any indication of how much your full pack weighs…should you have to walk with it. I also do not see any self-defense items that can work from a distance…like homemade capsicum spray or something similar.

    1. The weight was mentioned in Part 1 – my carry-on bag (without water in the water bottle) comes in at around 18 pounds. And if it’s allowed where I’m traveling I always carry a Key Defender pepper spray.

  3. Questionable ammo in storage…

    Any oil in the firearm, magazine, container holding ammunition can & will render ammunition unusable… except for a paperweight. I found out the hard way myself. Tough lesson…

  4. Saying you’re a Canadian when you’re not can get you all kinds of grief. Canadians have some regional accents, many speak French and a few questions would quickly reveal your lies to a skilled investigator or a Canadian, now you’re a liar and a misfit.

    1. My recommendation for saying you’re Canadian was for potentially dangerous situations like when you’re in a bar or walking down a street, not when you’re dealing with government officials. I agree that lying to the police is generally a bad idea.

    1. I’ve played around with a couple of their cards. The Wilderness card, the fisherman card, The tinder scraper, the stove and the hostage escape card. I’ve never had to depend on one to save my life though… It’s just been playing around with them. I my estimation, if you have the dedicated tool that they are simulating, you are far better off. Real fishing hooks, real lock picks, real stoves. However, carrying those real tools 100% of the time is not comfortable or even possible. These tools do a passing job for one-time or short-term use. They are far easier to carry. If you know you are going to need the tool, bring the real tool – You’ll be much happier. Otherwise throw a couple of these cards in your wallet and don’t think about it. It’s better than nothing. Get a couple of extra cards to you can play with them and be familiar with their quirks.

      1. That was kind of my logic for including them in my kit – I had them, and even though I have many of the same dedicated tools in my bag(s) I figured having an extra backup couldn’t hurt.

  6. Thank you for the scenario of using your pack. And thank you for all the great information on your blog. My DH and I discuss many topics brought up here, and utilize the information.

    Unfortunately, New York City bridges and tunnels will be shut down hard during this kind of emergency. Think 9-11. Days, then. Unlikely you’ll make it to Jersey, sorry to say, unless by boat.

    IF you can get across, the best bet is Geo. Washington Bridge. Two levels. Further north, closer to where you want to end up.

    I wouldn’t want to be on foot on either side of the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels during a good day, let alone during an emergency.

    My $.02.

    1. Thanks. My assumption was that without power and solid communications there would be gridlock, and it might take them a day or two to get things shut down, but that’s why I mentioned the boat option.

  7. It has been a while since I have flown on a regular basis.
    (More than once, 3 cities in one day)
    But I find it hard to belive that you can get all your medical stuff through a current TSA check point with out dome sort if EMT ID.
    Do you carry anything special to get an exemption?

    1. I’ve taken my current kit through TSA a couple of dozen times and they’ve never even took a second look at it. My biggest concern was that they would complain about the burn bandage, since it’s filled with gel, but they’ve never said anything. Keep in mind that all TSA cares about is air travel security – they couldn’t care less about who’s allowed to own what.

  8. JMD

    These items are extremely valuable:

    1. Insect repellant [absolute must have ]
    2. Silky saw far better for anything related shelter [ also used for fire starting]
    3. Outside of USA a shemaugh will be noticed in public areas easily. [ gangs where them commonly in my country ]
    4.Pepper spray is illegal in 120 countries [ including but not limited to UK,Australia,NZ,Europe, Africa ] possesion or use will get a a jail sentence]
    5. American accents are easily heard and noticed outside the USA, pretending your a Canadian will not work where I am.

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