Reality Check: 5 common problems in your survival Kits

I was recently asked about my car kit so I took the opportunity to go through it.
What I found brought me very little peace of mind, the opposite of what preparedness is supposed to do.
After several months of neglect, my car kit was a mess and a reality check is in order.
Here are five of the most common fails found in kits.

1)Water
I had used up most of the water in my car for different reasons and only had one 2 liter bottle left in it. Hardly enough for my family if stranded in summer out in the road.
Water is so important, you end up using it up often. The problem is that sometimes we forget to resupply what we use.

2)Expired Food
While water gets used up, with food the problem I often come across as years go by is that is simply expires. Some types of food and some packaging is better than others but it’s still important to check. I just threw away several energy bars that came in individual mylar pouches. Mylar works well but it isnt magic and food can still go bad in them. Check the expiration date and replace as needed. Its cheap enough insurance.

3)Clothes
Spare clothes for each family member are an important part of the kit. For me it has saved the day more than once.
The problem is, kids grow and clothes don’t fit them anymore. I just realized we need to replace the ones we have for some that actually fit if/when needed.

4)Medical supplies
Just like food, your meds expire too. Check those vehicle first aid kits and make sure they haven’t expired. This goes for other supplies that have an expiration date or other items that require regular check, such as batteries or your fire extinguisher. Make sure it still has enough pressure.

5)Missing stuff
Oh, it sure is useful to keep a kit with gear handy. Now, you need to make sure you return everything back to its place because if not you end up with a kit missing many vital components. I just checked and cant seem to find the small folding shovel in my car kit. Who knows where that thing is now? I’m sure there are other items missing too.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Putting together a Survival Fitted Case Kit

I’ve known about these commercial survival “kits” for several years now, actually since the first ones came out with the prepper movement gaining attention around 2012.
Its usually a Pelican type case or PVC tube. It includes a gun of course and some other survival related gear like a compass, whistle, emergency blanket or flashlight or even some MRE (meal ready to eat)
Now I know that far more convenient is to have an actual backpack that is lighter and easier to carry, and put your gear in there. This makes for more practical bug out bags, EDC bags, or get home bags to keep in the vehicle. Something that can actually be carried somewhat comfortably.
Still I like the idea of a kit with fitted gear in a tough impact resistant or even waterproof case.
I think they look pretty neat. They also remind me a lot of those old fitted gun cases, with tools, a bottle of cleaning oil and other trinkets.  I see these as more modern rendition of those great classic cases to some extent.
So, one day looking online I came across a nice deal on a surplus Explorer case. I made and offer and lucky me I ended up winning it. Now this is what I have to work with:


I’m thinking adding a few mags, maybe a cleaning kit and a knife or multitool. I’ll update you once I put it together.
Or maybe a shotgun kit:

At this point I’m just looking for ideas. In fact if you have any pics, comments, links of pics you just happen to like or suggestions of possible content to include in the kit leave it in the comments below or send me an email.
What handgun or long arm would you chose for a kit like this? What gear would you put in it?
Its a fun little project which you may try out yourselves.
Here are a few commercial models to get you brainstorming:
Stag Arms Executive Survival kit

Smith & Wesson

Steyr AUG survival kit

Taurus First 24 Survival Kit
Mossberg JIC (just in case) Shotgun Kit
The Mossberg version is probably the cheapest. Just a PVC tube, end caps and glue.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Reply: Earthquake in Chile

Well of course people are already shungry and looting supermarkets, the army on teh streets trying to keep control of the situation.
Most saught after items?
Water
Bread
Diapers
Candles (I suppose that battries/flashlights as well... but thats just my speculation)
Bread is selling for around 8 dollars per kilo, ATMs arent working and credit and debit cards arent being accepted.
The government has set up generator in the Plaza de Armas so that people can charge their cell phones.(get a solar/crank cell phone charger)
The situation is pretty complicated and havent heard from cousin and aunt since yesterday.


Notice how its always the same basics: water, food, shelter and lighting. Means of comunication. Money buys you stuff as long as you have cash. Medicines or supplies for babies or the sick.
There's a number of disasters and events that can be much better dealt with if you have some basic supplies at hand.

FerFAL

BOB/emergency kit

Hi gang, I’m reposting this my, BOB/emergency kit.
Most of it is pretty basic, but it will work as a starting point for your own.
A lot depends on your location and climate, but most items will be useful for a variety of situations.

This is a city kit, so its missing much of what you’d have for a wilderness kit.

I posted this somewhere else, maybe it will give you some ideas for a BOB
Not a B.O.B. precisely, its more of a Survival/Emergency kit . Should work as a get home bag, help to survive for a while if something unexpected happens and get you out of some minor troubles as well.

It’s actually divided into two. A small Samsonite backpack and an outdoors Doite fanny pack with webbing to carry a ½ liter bottle.


I carry the fanny pack with me at all times when traveling for any period of time. It’s gone with me to many countries as well. ( I leave the gun behind, of course)
The backpack stays in the car at all times, but the fanny pack comes and goes depending on the situation. I find it easier that way. Leaving the backpack there and having the more valuable items (gun, ammo, binoculars) in the smaller fanny pack, which is much easier to drop into the car or retrieve it.

There also another bag in the car with more spare clothes, a blanket/sleeping bag, etc as well as a big 5 liter bottle of water. Those stay in the car at all times, along with the backpack.
Notice that the bags are pale green, the Samsonite back pack has some camel on the sides, but it all blends pretty well in the city and doesn’t catch the eye as bright collors or distinguishable patterns do.
OK, lets start with the samsonite back pack.
It’s really small, kind of flat. But has excellent cushioning for the back and the shoulder straps fit nicely and are wide where they meet the shoulders, cushioned and comfortable to wear.
Contents:
Outside pocket:



Candy. Sugar, fast energy.
Cutter.
Scalpel.
Folding knife with pocket clip. Sturdy enough. Aluminum handles. Half serrated, half straight.
Floss. Can be used for a lot of things other than actually flossing.
Small Bic lighter.
Lighter.
Super glue.
Contact cement. ( inside superglue box)
Salt.
LED light. ( 5 LED kind). Used it for a few months to test durability, works ok and its’ pretty sturdy.
Small radio. Gather news and information during troubled times.
Roll of coins. Extra money, bending machines.
Compass-waterproof match box-flint-whistle thing.
Batteries. AA for the LED and a couple AAA for the radio.
Scotch tape.
Red Duct tape. Flat core.
50 feet of thin steel cable with plastic covering. Not sure how much weight it can tolerate, but it can easily handle my weight.
Note pad.
Isostar fast hydration tablets.
2 Peanut bars.
Missing in the pics: Roll of Toilet Paper with the cardboard removed inside a ziplock bag. TP moistures real soon, I’ve used damp TP before ands I don not want to repeat the experience! : )




3x ½ Liter bottles. Good measure. Can be used to refill if another source of water is found. I also keep a 5 liter bottle of water in the car at all times.
Emergency blanket.
New Testament.
Map of Buenos Aires.
50 feet of 300 kg rope. Enough to climb down a 4th floor. Many uses. Always good to have rope.
The Tasco binoculars stays in the fanny pack, not in the backpack, Isostar tablets already listed.
First aid:


Dressing.
Tape.
Band aids. Different sizes.
Antibiotics.
Hand wipes.
Cauterization powder.
Iodine.
Paper handkerchiefs.
More energy chewing tablets.
Ibuprofen pills.
Tuna Pouch.


Spare clothes. One pair of socks, underwear and t shirt. There’s more clothes in another bag in the car. T shirt can be used as a towel is needed.
Metal Cup. Cooking, drinking, etc.
Candle with 4 wicks. Made it myself using wicks , paraffin and a tuna can. With the 4 wicks lit it boils a cup of water in 10 minutes. Not perfect but good enough to cook. Also good heat and light source.
1 hour Epoxy. Chose it over the 10 minute one because you can work calmly and the final result is usually better.

2 Tuna pouches. Tastes good, 3 or 4 years. The thick aluminum pouch is pretty sturdy. You can eat it without preparation and will keep you going for a while. Takes up very little space in the pack, you can combine it with some rice for a real tasty meal. Best emergency meal out there, at least from those available to me.

Can of corned Beef. Heavy, but needs no cooking and lasts forever. If weight is a concern, it would be one of the firs meals to go.
Isostar Energy chewing tablets, lemon flavor.
One orange powder envelope.
2 soups.
2 Rice Mix. Cheese and with dehydrated vegetables. Taste good and provide enough calories.
2 Soup cubes.





Old Gerber Multi Tool ( not here, but in the fanny pack)
1Kg of dry Pasta.
Mc Donalds salt, Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo.
Some medium gauge cord.
Pencil. ( Just ½ actually)
Hotel Sewing Kit. You know the kind. Needles, buttons, some threads, hook needle, etc. The cotton thread is too weak for serious repairs. I added one quality needle and some black nylon thread ( unbreakable) , the kind I use in my cordura gear.
Tooth brush.
Small tooth paste. Tooth paste does little to keep your teeth clean, brushing them is what really cleans them, so I’m not carrying a big tooth paste tube during an emergency. I may add a Noc10 tube, small one.
Saw.
Deodorant (1/2 way through to reduce weight)
Lighter.
Rubber bands and tire bands, also called Ranger bands.
Soap. Thought about including a small hotel soap, but I found out that soap is a valuable commodity and the small ones don’t last that much. I’d like to take as much baths as possible.
Ear muffs. Shooting, explosions, who knows?
Nivea body cream, free sample. Precious for the ladies, and also valuable for those that have dug out a tire with their bare hands. Little space and weight, but may be extremely valuable if you do need it.

Now the fanny pack.



Browning Hi Power 9mm. Nothing fancy but it works ok and its the most popular pistol in my country. I polished the feeding ramp for added JHP reliability. No problems. Depending on the situation ( holydays, etc) it may get replaced by the Bersa 9mm or Glock. But most of the time the Hi Power stays there, even if I’m carrying another weapon. It’s part of the kit, and not readily available. Its inside the IWB holster, and inside the cotton bag as well. Sometimes when I travel I use the fanny pack to take money/documents and end up opening it in front of strangers. The small cotton bag keeps the gun hidden even if I open the fanny pack.
Tuna Pouch.
Fire starter.
Lighter.
Wire.
Lip balm.
Small pliers.
Aluminum foil.
Candle.
Contact glue (fixing shoes)
Magnesium and flint.
Emergency blanket.
Epoxy band-aids.
Tasco binocular.
Small can of meat pate.
Funny looking tin. 50 rounds of +P+ 9mm. Sealed.





Inside the plastic bag:
Big Victorinox.
Emergency poncho.
Candle.
Whistle
Compass
Duct Tape (removed cardboard core and flattened)
String.
Windproof Fireproof Matches.
Signal mirror.
Epoxy band-aids ( inside mirror envelope)
Lighter.
Solitaire MagLite with AAA batter. ( will replace it soon with a key chain LED light)
Wire saw.
Box of 10 firecrackers. (signaling, diversion)
Two heaters covered in plastic foil.


That’s about it. It all fits in the fanny pack and the Samsonite backpack. 2nd and 3rd back up for many items, a lot of redundancy in lighters, but its all part of the plan.
Hope you guys liked it.

FerFAL