Posted: 9/15/2012 9:44:15 AM EDT
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I’ve been trying to construct a "mini bug out bag” for use to when I have to venture into hostile territory for work in an office building (AKA escape from New York City). Face it, I am stuck working there due to the economy. So I just need enough material in my mini-BOB to get me back to home, 35 miles away from Manhattan. The bag needs to be small, about the size of fanny pack and fit in my regular work bag. The mini-BOB needs to be light and non-attention gathering to the desperate "sheeple” in case of a catastrophe or some overzealous Homeland safety officer thinking he’s busting a terrorist instead of prepared citizen. So far this is what I have decided to go into the bug out bag:
Some items I thought about but cut due to weight and liability considering the area of operation (NYC):
Any suggestions as to what I might be missing or what is over-kill? Granted that if something happens I will have my cell phone (if service still works) and at least a bottle of water from the office so those things will not need to be included in the mini-BOB. Any and all suggestions or criticisms welcomed. |
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Due to being in the city I'd skip the full blown filter for a bottle with built in filter.
I'd skip the survival saw and instead get an EOD breacher bar from County Comm. You're much more likely to need a way to force a door open if you are trapped than to be doing fire craft. Handheld HAM 2M radios are small and during a crisis will be not only a way to keep track of events, but to communicate for a pickup outside the city or to coordinate with friends and family when the cell traffic overwhelms the system. |
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An interesting thing I have added to my EDC is one of those nylon shopping bags that fold into themselves. They are like a couple bucks, but in a pinch increase your storage capability a ton. I have a carabiner on mine and it will clip no problem onto my Maxpedition Fatboy in any number of places.
Also, low visibility multi-use self defense weapon: 6" screwdrivers. Get a phillips and a standard. Not too heavy, useable for a couple things. jim Edited to add: the sawyer squeeze filter is hella small and fits on standard water bottles as well as their foldable ones. |
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I'm a suburbanite but here are my first thoughts -
The heaviest gloves you can store within your space limitations. Moleskin? I've used duct tape/bandaids/ double socks for blisters but have heard good stuff about this. Replace the shoelaces with a spool of paracord if weight/space makes this possible. Nitrile gloves, small cannister of superglue (first aid uses primarily, but a million uses). I'm assuming you have some kind of coat/rain gear that is appropriate to your situation. I wouldn't normally agree with the breaker bar (can look pretty nefarious in regular, day-to-day scenarios) but it sounds like you're in some kind of IT and could make some kind of believable reason to have one. More cash, no matter how much you have. Some extra thoughts: Think about what you have on your person/ in your office that you use everyday that have SHTF type usages. How much water/ non-perishable/semiperishable snacks can you store in your work place without drawing attention? What could you add to your work bag/daily EDC that might help? Do you have any peers along your route(s) where you could cache a larger bag/supplemental equipement? A padlock and large carabiner (4 in with screw on type hinge) could make impromptu brass knuckles, just sayin. |
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@RedRushin I'm definitely in IT (Data center virtualization and storage area networks). Cat5e make great rope. I always have at least a spool or two of 1000' Cat5e nearby at work. I like the idea of substituting the paracord for the shoelaces but getting paracord through business attire shoes will be a feat and half. I guess it would work on casual Friday. A buddy suggested one of those disposable poncho you can get at the dollar store. That is going in. So is a mylar space blanket if I have to hunker down overnight in a dark alley. Work bag with laptop will stay at the office. Don't need to have some bright shiny thing (even if it is in a bag) for some urban youth on a YOLO rampage looking to take it away from me in a fashion to impress his ghetto buddies. I am definitely going to look for a heavy duty carabiner (impromptu brass knuckles as you mentioned). What sucks is that I am a GWYN (go where your needed) consultant so having a base of trustworthy co-workers at a site is slim to none. My thoughts exactly on the breaker bar. Anything the NYPD or Homeland Safety may use or know of could arouse suspicion if I am ever stopped and frisked at a security checkpoint at the subway. If they know what a thing like that is used for they also know the nefarious uses it could be used for. Even if I convince them I am Joe Upstanding citizen it will take at least an hour out of my day at the least (and a a$$ chewing from my boss for carrying crazy stuff like that –– until it is needed –– then it would be too late). |
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@Mikeal: The chem light might be a good give-away for a friendly traveler in return for a favor especially after dark or if I have to hunker down somewhere overnight in some back alley. It is nice to have some light. That was my train of thought in regards to the item. |
| You are 35 miles from home. You won't need camping gear, filters etc. Have any people during the blackout or 9/11 needed or used a portable water filter? I don't think so. They just walked or biked or drove home. I would suggest having a multi-tool, a flashlight, some snacks and a couple of bottles of water and a small first aid kit, as well as safety glasses for when stuff is flying through the air. A nice 20 oz hammer will get you out of doors and through debris, but I'm not sure you'd want to carry it around with you everywhere. |
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What about nonbusiness friends and family to hunker down with or to cache supplies with? I'm not sure how hard it is to rent a locker/storage unit or some such in NY but is that a possibility?
Also, what other kind of useful stuff are you good at? First aid? Empty hand self defense? Parkour (kind of kidding)? Lock picking? That will dictate what kind of gear you'll want as well. Glad I could help in some small way; our geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds sound as far removed as could be. |
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You are 35 miles from home. You won't need camping gear, filters etc. Have any people during the blackout or 9/11 needed or used a portable water filter? I don't think so. They just walked or biked or drove home. I would suggest having a multi-tool, a flashlight, some snacks and a couple of bottles of water and a small first aid kit, as well as safety glasses for when stuff is flying through the air. A nice 20 oz hammer will get you out of doors and through debris, but I'm not sure you'd want to carry it around with you everywhere. This is the new addition to my 3 day GHB. I work 40 miles away from home in a large metropolitan area, so in any serious SHTF, roads will be closed and it will be a long walk home. I have water, change of cloths and boots in the car. 
I have two GHBs, 1. A 3 day pack with food, water, first aid kit, flashlights, tarps, sleeping bag, etc for the serious SHTF and, 2. A small GHB with water, snacks, multitool, Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Survival Pak, a few Micropur MP-1 water purifier tablets, and a few other items. 
________________ Edited: My small GHB is a Maxpedition Jumbo EDC Versipack, it is just the right size. And don't forget a first aid kit, a few alcohol wipes, painkillers, triple antibiotic, and Diarrhea med. plus moist wipes. And if you are serious about this you will need an HT Ham radio and a couple of extra batteries, but you will need to get licensed. 
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One thing I have added to my bag is a M-9 bayonet. It is heavy, but does double duty
as a knife/chopper, if I need to build a shelter or cut small branches for a fire. As a knife it isn't the best choice. However the are chain link and barbed wire fences all over my routes home. If I need to get home on foot, I would rather stay off the roads and or secondary trails. The wire cutter function built into the knife works great. If safe movement dictates going thru a barrier rather than around, the extra weight will be well worth it. The goal is avoiding confrontations, not being funneled into them. |
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NYC can possibly face several disaster scenarios:
1) Terrorist attack 2) Hurricane/flooding 3) Severe winter storm 4) Earthquake All of the above will result in subway/commuter train shutdown, and widespread power outages. So a flashlight is a must. From my experiences in previous NYC disasters, stores, bodegas etc stay open for at least a few hours after the event. Therefore one can get necessary provisions afrer the event. So if you gave a little food with you it should be enough until you get to the store. Eye protection is very important as any of those events will result in something (dust, snow, rain) flying through the air. A good strong umbrella helps with walking through snow or debris. A knife/multi tool is always useful, whether in a disaster or not. For winter, maybe pack some hand and foot warmers, they last 8 hours and are a blessing. A decent hammer has numerous uses when debris are on the street. You can break through things, lift things, move things etc. Also good for deterring bad people. That is my assessment of things needed to get out of NYC disaster. Obviously the list can be endless, but these are basics ond one can build his kit from there. YMMV. |
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If you are worried about being herded like a sheep, or harassed by officials, then consider getting yourself a sheepdog uniform: CERT vest, CERT photo ID, and CERT ball cap (more compact than hard hat). The Feds want to give you a backpack, protective gear, first aid supplies, flashlight, entry tool, gloves, uniform, and an official photo identification badge.
For me, and many business professionals, the most important items to make 35 miles are good shoes and socks, closely followed by light and waterproof protection from the elements in the form of a poncho. |
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You dont seem to have any actual water in there. That's a must have. Its more important to have actual water than a water filter for this type of kit
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Compass (in the city they are useless andbuilding and road signs will guide you) I'll disagree with you there. A compass is still useful , even in the city and especially if you are disoriented. FerFAL |
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@RedRushin I'm definitely in IT (Data center virtualization and storage area networks). Cat5e make great rope. I always have at least a spool or two of 1000' Cat5e nearby at work. I like the idea of substituting the paracord for the shoelaces but getting paracord through business attire shoes will be a feat and half. I guess it would work on casual Friday. A buddy suggested one of those disposable poncho you can get at the dollar store. That is going in. So is a mylar space blanket if I have to hunker down overnight in a dark alley. Work bag with laptop will stay at the office. Don't need to have some bright shiny thing (even if it is in a bag) for some urban youth on a YOLO rampage looking to take it away from me in a fashion to impress his ghetto buddies. I am definitely going to look for a heavy duty carabiner (impromptu brass knuckles as you mentioned). What sucks is that I am a GWYN (go where your needed) consultant so having a base of trustworthy co-workers at a site is slim to none. My thoughts exactly on the breaker bar. Anything the NYPD or Homeland Safety may use or know of could arouse suspicion if I am ever stopped and frisked at a security checkpoint at the subway. If they know what a thing like that is used for they also know the nefarious uses it could be used for. Even if I convince them I am Joe Upstanding citizen it will take at least an hour out of my day at the least (and a a$$ chewing from my boss for carrying crazy stuff like that –– until it is needed –– then it would be too late). Skip the mylar space blanket, they don't hold up. Look at the AMK SOL Blanket. They are much more durable and quiet. 20 |
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Food is, of course, your choice. I'd take a few power bars or cliff bars. They last forever and might have more calories/volume.
I'd ditch the light sticks. Too much non-directional light. Swap the surgical mask for a dust mask or N-95. Don't know if you realize, but most surgical masks are to keep the surgeon from infecting the patient, not the other way around. Buy the right tool for the job. Why spare shoe laces? Those items don't typically fall apart - shoes are made for walking, after all. If you do blow one, you can usually cut the remaining one in half and get it to work. 35 miles (in good weather) is a good 2 day walk at best, and for some it can be done in a day. Now maybe you'd supplement better shoes in winter, but could you leave them in your office? |
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I refer to my bag as a GHB (get home bag) or E&E (escape and evacuate), I.e. get my out of the smoke filled/blasted/on fire building,tunnel, etc.; patch me up;and walk me home, usually fom NYC, DC or Boston. Oh, and carry my daily needs, e.g. Tissues, meds, wipes, eye glass cleaners, etc. I try for <10lb.s. My main suggestions: coin cell headlamp+spare batteries; AA or AAA or both, flashlight e.g. Gerber Infinity (cheap, bright enough, uses both batt.s, indestructible, long batt. life) or Zebralight Sc51 (expensive, powerful, long lived, indestructible, very bright, doubles as a headlamp); strong puncture and heat resistant gloves, HD leather or pilot-police gloves; large swim goggles give water, dust and smoke protection; Xcaper smoke mask ( cheapish, lightweight, certified, ~20min. protection, ABSORBS CO); 2 N-95 flat packed debris masks (if u saw the post 9/11 dust, u know why); a very loud whistle ( Tops, Fox 40 , etc. with a button COMPASS glued on, on a neck lanyard, with a Photon- type flashlight; Leatherman Blast multi tool (lighter than Wave and no one hand open which police may object to, and a ResQme belt cutter&window punch. That's it on the "get me out" portion. Pry bars, lineman's pliers (to cut fence wire) , bigger knives would all be nice, but may be seen as weapons or burglar tools in a security search. Albeit good for an office or auto kit. Add enough Gorilla Tape to seal a door if you tear it in half. I also keep 25-50ft. Of Kevlar or 7strand 550 cord. A cell phone recharger and/ or a Morphie xtra battery and case is also carried. In all matters involving batteries, go with lithium cells. A very small, 2AA, AM-FM radio will keep you informed and/or entertained, even when cell phone service is out.
As to the "patch me up" portion, I carry a lot of first aid, due to my EMS background . However you need decent kit , look to Adventure Medical kit lists for a start and don't forget a dental kit and foot powder. In an urban scenario I also recommend a gunshot trauma kit with at least a double pad, 6" Izzy bandage, TK-3or4 tourniquet , compressed crinkle gauze, chest seal bandage, EMT Shears, Gorilla Tape ,Nitrile gloves and a nasal airway with lube. Learn first aid in a good class or failing that at least on line and U Tube. Prescription strength pain killers along with antibiotics have a place in your kit, if your doctor will prescribe and make sure to carry them in the bottle the pharmacy gave you. "Get me home" is poly and/or wool socks, a silcloth poncho, a lot of cash in small bills ( shoot for at least $500. As Bob Dylan said," Money doesn't talk it swears"). No boots, hat , or change of clothes in a walking around or commuter kit. But yes in an office and car kit. Your daily dress should be seasonally appropriate anyway. Food and water are part of this section. A 27oz. naglene bottle in a Ti cup is the main water source. An alternative is a Seychelles Advanced water purifier, with the purifier element stored in a zipLock bag. I also use 1-2 Seychelles Advanced Water Purifier Straws. I believe Seychelles Advanced are the best purifier because they also deal with much common chemical pollution and viruses . I add two Survival Resources quart water bags, coffee filters and SR folding filter holder and Micropure water purification tablets. Finally, I carry a 4way Silcock Key, to open urban spigots. Yes, I know ,a big water kit. But in an emergency water is more life giving and much more important than food. Most Americans will be fine on a three day fast. Just don't forget the caffeine tabs in the first aid kit. As to food, it's mostly for morale and convienence. I carry some M&Ms and a Millennium bar or two. They're calorie dense, small and lightweight. They taste just OK, which is fine since I'm not tempted to snack on them. Finally, where legal some pepper spray is optional., more for dogs than men. A note, I spent 9/11 in and about NYC and environs. There was no disorder! New Yorkers are tough and were like Londoners in the WW II Blitz. They, " Stay Calm And Carry On". I can't speak for other urban areas in such extremis, but Metro folks do not turn into zombie hoards. Not in blackouts, hurricanes or the like. That's not to say everyone behaves well. Only the VAST majority. The rest of my kit is optional. You may consider a day or two of your daily medications, if any. Wet wipes, bit of toilet paper (saved my dignity more than once)', Tide stick,spare glasses, sun glasses, a small Bic lighter and some REI wind-waterproof matches, tissues , travel toothbrush and floss, Visine, Cat Crap to keep your glasses from fogging up, flat vinyl hair brush, gum, small sawing kit , Tums, hand sanitizer, waterproof pen and paper and an inexpensive monocular. Whatever else you deem worthy. You're carrying it. Just remember its for short term emergencies. It's not an INCH kit and it's not a combat load out. Last but not least is a carry bag. This topic is subject to much debate. I'll weigh in. Gray is the way to go. A black or other dark solid color is best. No Molle. No military or tactical look. Think Tom Binh, North Face, Jansport or LL Bean. Few or no outside compartments. No outside storage other than a water bottle. A two strap backpack is most practical. A messenger bag is second and a sling pack, a distant third. The last two are unstable without an added cross chest strap. A bad thing if you're crawling and climbing over debris, etc. Happy prepping! |
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Skip the mylar space blanket, they don't hold up. Look at the AMK SOL Blanket. They are much more durable and quiet. 20 Great tip! Anyone have any pics of one of these AMK SOL blankets deployed as a shelter? |
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Skip the mylar space blanket, they don't hold up. Look at the AMK SOL Blanket. They are much more durable and quiet. 20 Great tip! Anyone have any pics of one of these AMK SOL blankets deployed as a shelter? YouTube has some great videos of them used as shelters. 20 |
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Skip the mylar space blanket, they don't hold up. Look at the AMK SOL Blanket. They are much more durable and quiet. 20 Great tip! Anyone have any pics of one of these AMK SOL blankets deployed as a shelter? YouTube has some great videos of them used as shelters. 20 Thanks 20, I'll check it out. |
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Great post. FWIW, I'm using an OD green Maxpedition Sitka. The ability to pull it around from your back to your chest allows easy access to the entire pack without taking it off. Really great design.
Maxped Sitka Gearslinger 
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| I would try to get a non-woven fabric type poncho, like Frog togs, I think. They are a lot lighter, and seem stronger. I have one that was only a few bucks, but haven't needed it, so don't know how well it works as a poncho...:-) It held water however, so I expect it is fine. |
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What you want is a GHB - a Get Home Bag - not a BOB. You only need something to get you home, where you presumably have a better setup.
Things I'd lose / change: - Water filter - check out survival straws. Honestly for a GHB in an urban environment you probably won't even need it, but it never hurts to have an option and the straws take up hardly any space and weigh almost nothing. You do not need a full-sized filter for this application, though. An Aquamira Frontier Survival Straw and a Survival Resources Aqua Pouch will give you both a filtration option and a way to carry water, which I didn't see in your list. Add a little 550 cord as well (so many uses...) - Lose the chem-sticks. A good small light liike a Streamlight Microstream will save lots of space and get you alot further - Ear plugs? You want to be aware of your surroundings. Odds are if something happens that will damage your hearing it will happen too fast for you to don the plugs, and you do not want to dull your senses when things are getting loud - Spare shoe laces - just make sure the ones you are wearing are not worn. Replace them if they are, no need to carry extras - For foods try out the Millenium Bars, they have great shelf life and store in all conditions, also packed with energy - I'd put a small FAK in there - Carry extra water with you. A small cooler packed with a few bottles of water isn't out of the ordinary in the workplace and could be gold in a bad situation; you can probably also carry some extra stuff in there - Some sort of poncho, even if it is a disposable one. It only has to last a short time, and some shelter is better than no shelter - Something like THIS can be extremely useful as well. Backpack in your pocket, expand when needed. I have one and it is incredible, so easy to carry anywhere and so useful... I made my own cargo pocket survival kit that would be appropriate for the size you're talking about awhile back and posted a thread on it, but I lost the link... Bad me. I need to do another thread on that... |
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I will add another +1 for getting into "ham" radio. Great for emergency comm.
I don't go anywhere without my HT. I always have a bandana of some type with me. A bandana has 1000 uses. My EDC consists of: Leatherman wave on my belt. full Zippo in my pocket. single AAA led flashlight cell phone Wouxun HT (2m & 70cm) bandana pen cheap folder for everyday cutting tasks. (save on wearing out my Leatherman plus I prefer a folder with a larger blade... 4") wallet with cash and ID and cc. Also no CCW for me due to my job. My GHB supplements my EDC... Bit set for the Leatherman Glock field knife or Mora #1 depending on the situation. small diamond rod knife sharpener. note pad and a couple pens. Nalgene bottle nested into an olicamp SS cup Chargers for all my daily use items: cell phone/ kindle fire/ laptop I keep plenty of food @ work to cover my 21 mile walk home. Though my GHB is not urban based, as I live much more rural then nyc hopefully some of the items will give you some ideas. In the case of an emergency situation where I actually need to start walking and have to abandon my Jeep I will be supplementing with several items I store in my jeep: 300ft roll of para-cord SS water bottle cold steel sf shovel and sheath large pair of pliers gloves Gore-tex winter coat winter boots old pair of bates hiking boots extra socks a couple blankets Spare multi-tool FAK AR7 and 100rnds of 22lr Not sure if much of this applies to you being in an urban situation but I figured I would list some of the stuff to help give you a few ideas. Also remember food is not that big of an issue for a day or two situation. Sure you will need some energy to get home but water is most important... A few granola bars or cliff bars is good to boost your energy. Also look into amateur radio. If you have an IT/ electronic background getting your Tech. ticket wouldn't take much work at all. (my wife works for a veterinarians office and got hers without much studying at all!!!) |
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Since you don't want to bring a handgun into the city, carry a taser or two. No range but better than nothing ... Electronic stun devices are illegal in New York state... NYC probably has its own laws on it as well considering they ban just about anything that could possibly be a weapon. I know in upstate NY you can legally have pepper spray, and any non knife you want (as long as the knife is not auto opening via a button,) and CCW... But I am from Upstate NY and Upstate NY does not = NYC... 
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I absolutely refuse to live in a state that does that. I would rather make less $$ in a state that allows me that basic freedom. Those states also tend to have a lower cost of living so making less may not mean much in real terms. If the point is to get the heck out of the cancerous city, transportation would seem to be the greatest need. How are you getting into the city to begin with? Do you have the ability to bring a folding bike to have available? A bike would increase your exit speed tremendously over walking. Three days walking would be one day biking under most conditions I'd think. A paper map would certainly be important, preferably pre-marked with likely routes out of the area. I tend to doubt you'd need to do a high-rise rapelling escape, but having enough gear to get down from an elevated highway would be a good idea for that environment. If you're traveling by foot or bike you certainly will need food and water to last the duration of the trip, I'd look to carry a couple liter bottles of water and energy bars to cover the initial escape without the need to stop and search, once further out of the area you should have better opportunities for that. Being the frozen northeast, staying dry, warm and blistered foot free would seem to be the most critical elements much of the year. Other thoughts that may or may not be legal in the cancerous city - Small bolt cutters and lock pick set in case you need to get through a fence, gate, etc. Also some options to disguise that you've gone through a fence (cable ties) or to slow others from following you (small cheap locks). |
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Although you can no longer buy a soda larger than 16 ounces in NYC, I believe Mayor Bloomberg still "allows" his subjects to have scissors.
Kershaw Taskmaster kitchen shears come apart, instantly, leaving you with two sharp defense blades that are especially ergonomic in "ice-pick" grip. |
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Ear Plugs- Very good idea, IMO. You could be stuck somewhere where there is a loud alarm going off for hours on end.
Tactical gloves- I ran down 40 floors in an office building and by the time I got to the bottom my hands were pretty tore up (figuratively). Benadryl- Can be chewed and held under the tounge in case of an allergic reaction. AM/FM radio with one earbud- You need to know what people are being told, if only to avoid where they're being told to go. One earbud so you can keep your situational awareness. I just cut one of my earbud cords off and it works great. Black garbage bag- To stash your belongings in case you need to hide them for any reason. Running/hiking shoes- The ability to move quickly is very important. |