Where Do You Position Your BOB / EDC

[N_N_R]

There were two small quakes last night in my city (yes, the epicentre's been my very city since 2012 when an earthquake with M 6.2 struck here) and they both caught me asleep. For some time now when this crap''s been happening, I've tried to observe my reaction and what I do in such cases, though if they happen at night, whatever I do, I do it quite instinctively and half-asleep.

So, generally, because I've experienced bigger quakes and hundreds of aftershocks after that and living on the 6th floor the feeling isn't good.... I'm used to having all my EDC very close or ON me at all times. So at night I actually often leave a small flashlight clipped to whatever I sleep with and even leave my wallet in my pocket... so that if SHTF and I have to run away, I at least have money on me. All the time I have a bigger flashlight, my phone and now the Wingman next to me on the bed.

Previously as well as last night, this is how I reacted: I just rolled over the bed, half-asleep, in an attempt to reach the inside walls of the flat (because they're said to be safer and because my bed's closer to an outside wall). I forgot all the stuff on the bed on the bed, but I was left with my wallet and Olight i3s ON me actually. That's still more than most people would have on them in such a moment, but I'm still not quite happy with it. I could've returned and quickly grabbed the phone/MT/Bigger light on the bed, but that would've been a delay, although a short delay, it's still a delay if I have to run out of the flat (though that's still kinda unlikely, since I live on the 6th floor).

I'd like to somehow get into the habit of... absolutely automatically and unconsciously, so to speak, grab those things from the bed on my way to a safer place, not... jump over them... but I don't know how to teach myself to do this. When the stronger quake struck here two years ago, I did the same. Ran to the inside of the flat and in a few-minute interval between the big quakes I managed to throw money, documents, lights in a bag and prepare for leaving...

I've prepared something like a BOB, but it's not that convenient to take, because if I put it on a well-visible place on the way out, my family will think I'm crazy and mock me all the time, so I'd rather not..

What's your strategy in case of emergency? Will you be able to really use/take with you what you need/your BOB?

[Lynn LeFey]

My emergency supplies are in three different locations.

My purse is on a table near the front door. In case of fire, this is my most likely exit.

My 'home emergency kit' is in our laundry room, where we hunker down in case of tornado sirens.

My 'get-home bag' is in my car.

The two big emergencies I'm concerned with are fire and tornado. We live pretty darn close to the town's tornado sirens, and I really can't sleep through them. When they go off, I just have to stumble to the laundry room, and everything I need is there.

My natural inclination for leaving the house (in the event of a fire) would be to go out the front, in which case i always grab my purse. If I had to go out the back, I'd go through the laundry room, and grab the home emergency kit on the way out.

I have to say, I'd be very nervous living in an earthquake prone area on the 6th floor of a building. 

[N_N_R]

Yep, actually those considered to be cheap panel construction buildings/blocks of flats remained intact (thank God) two years ago unlike lots of houses.. so I kinda feel more secure now, though the feeling isn't the best definitely.

Okay, so your emergency kits are located on the ways to your two possible exits...

Well, I have another exit here, in terms of fire... but, well, that's if my life's totally endangered - my balcony x-) which, being 20 metres above the ground, isn't the best option. But I've wondered if I'd be able to jump over the balcony rail on to the neighbours' balcony.... I'd rather not. lol.

So my only way out actually turns out to be: front door -> 6 floors down the stairs or the LIFT, which is said to be very dangerous, but from my experience is actually a lot faster... a devastating quake is more likely to catch you somewhere in the middle of the stairs, I think, while lifts move faster. Though, when I come to think, I've raced with the lift to the 6th floor and if I tried hard, I could arrive at the same time.. but going downstairs, the lift's faster because I'm afraid not to slip and break my neck on the stairs.

[dmanuel]

The only way that I know of to build muscle memory (or a reflexive action) is to train it. Either set alarms for the middle of the night and work on waking up and grabbing these things or just grab them every single time you get out of bed that way it becomes habit to pick them up each time you leave bed.

Just imagine every single person trying to use the lift at once and it stopping on every single floor. The stairs will probably be much safer and quicker.

[N_N_R]

The only way that I know of to build muscle memory (or a reflexive action) is to train it. Either set alarms for the middle of the night and work on waking up and grabbing these things or just grab them every single time you get out of bed that way it becomes habit to pick them up each time you leave bed.

Just imagine every single person trying to use the lift at once and it stopping on every single floor. The stairs will probably be much safer and quicker.

Hm, yeah, I also thought about the muscle memory thing. That's a nice idea. As for the lift vs stairs, that's also logic... thanks for the input.

[derekmac]

Living in a province (Nova Scotia) that gets basicly no natural disasters, we're both lucky, but also probably under prepared as well.  We have a plan incase there is ever a fire in our house, but it really doesn't include grabbing any belongings.  I'd grab my wallet if possible, but my main concern would be getting the kids, my wife and dogs out.

Also, IMHO, NEVER EVER use a lift in the event of an emergency.  Though a elevator shaft if probably one of the strongest parts of a building, if you lose power while in it, you could face the danger of being stuck in it. 

[Aloha]

I live in California where we've had some nasty quakes.  We also have our share of mudslides and fires.  I have my EVAC bag at my bedroom door with a pair of hiking shoes sitting on top.  First place I'll be headed if the rumbling doesn't stop is out the bedroom then out one of two exits if needed, same for fire.  I also have my kids set their EVAV bags positioned at their bedroom doors.  We had fire extinguishers in every bedroom as well and a large one in the kitchen and garage. 

In a earthquake the lift would not be an good exit point so unfortunately the stairs may be the best bet.  I agree with Dmanuel about muscle memory and going thru a few MOCK runs out of your flat in the wee hours of the morning down the stairs and out the building might be a good thing.  I like constancy when dealing with emergencies so you KNOW where your things are as your brain and senses are struggling to sort our whats happening.   Keep items in the same place all the time so in the event of an emergency you know exactly where they are. 

We were evacuated a few years ago when wild fires hit my area and my kids and I easily had our EVAC bags ready to go and in my truck in moments.  I also parked my vehicle in backwards so I can pull out of my garage with no fuss.  When my kids were little we practiced a few times so they wouldn't hurt themselves going down the stairs.  I also had a MOCK drill at 3am which was a good lesson for them and myself with 3 little kids groggy and tired.           

[Lynn LeFey]

N_N_R, would it be possible to instal a chain-ladder on your balcony? Is the railing very sturdy? I don't know if that's a practical idea or not.

Or maybe something like this. Not exactly cheap, but a possible solution.
http://www.safehomeproducts.com/shp2/sm/emergency-escape-ladder.aspx#boldescape

[N_N_R]

Yep, California and the quakes were on our news :/

Of course, you guys are right when it comes to priorities and family members around. I have no kids, so it didn't even occur to me to think about that. However, my father's kinda disabled to a great extent and he can only walk for about 100m with great effort, two walking sticks and VERY slowly. So exiting the flat perhaps is really not an option for me... or it will happen in the worst of crap like 2 yrs ago. I can't imagine how all of us three were taking the stairs down - my mother supporting him and he using her and the stairs rail for support, with the walking sticks, taking each step down... and mom was shouting to me to run outside and not wait for them, but I waited for them at every corner and switched on the corridor lights (because they stay on for like 2-3 minutes and automatically switch off then)... which is weird having in mind I had flashlights on me, but perhaps I didn't even think about them that night 

So, yeah, family members are a priority, of course.

And practising is a good idea.  I think because of these events I found out I'm quite...panicky, lol. Maybe learning to do things automatically will be a good idea..


@Lynn..hm.... this is a nice idea. I think I'd occurred to me once, too, before, but I'd completely forgotten about it until now. I guess it would be practical... and also if other neighbours could use it, lol

[Aloha]

"Practice makes perfect" is a saying I've heard all my life.  I think in crisis situations those who have considered what they'd do and those that have practiced what they'd do will be "calmer".  Its ok to panic as long as you are following the protocol you set for yourself.  I've accepted that I cannot prepare for EVERYTHING but I can have comfort items in the event I have to EVAC.  I can sustain my family at home without power for a month give or take and if we have to EVAC then we will be "ok" in a shelter (Red Cross) or with friends for roughly the same time.   

Your fathers limited mobility may prove to be a situation where neighbors will assist and help him out if you are evacuated.  I've seen it many times where neighbors step in and do amazing things for one another. 

Put your things where you feel they'll be easily grabbed.  Keep them there all the time.  I have my wallet and keys in the same place all the time.  You will instinctively go to that place and the "muscle memory" will be being built by placing them there and picking them up everyday and night. 

I have chem lights/glow sticks on the outside of my pack and kids packs and little lights that shine downward on the rear of their packs.  We can follow each other and lighting the ground for the one behind.  Like duckling following mother duck we would exit our home with me in front lighting the way and each child with a light shining on the ground for the one behind them.         

   

[dmanuel]

That is the great thing about muscle memory, you can be panicking on the inside but the training kicks in and takes over without the need for your brain.

Do your parent's live with you? If they do then a ladder might not work for you, but Lynn had a great suggestion with that. Although in the event of an earthquake a ladder would probably become quite dangerous. I would think that it would start wobbling and bucking under the force of the building.

Another option may be to build yourself, and your family, a bug out bag. Carry that bug out bag with you everytime you leave the house and start using the stairs everyday. In your situation I think you wouldn't have to carry much, maybe a long life light (Maratac Strobe gets 100 hours on high or like 500 hours strobing so emergency personnel could find you), spare batteries, multitool, couple of MRE's or some canned ravioli's or the like, a few liters of water, and personal items. Get used to grabbing it every time you leave the house and leave it next to your door. Nothing should come out of that bag that doesn't get placed back into it immediately. Using the stairs everyday will get you in better shape, build the habit of using them, allow you to do it in the dark without thinking (you will memorize exactly where to put your feet for the steps), and of course get yourself in better shape (something I definitely need to work on lol). With repitition comes speed, you will be able to beat the lift going down in no time.

[ironraven]

I recall you were starting to build BoB. And you probably double checked what you've got so far and your EDC after this, right?

So, first, BRAVO! You're practices gave you a light, money and ID, while your muscle memory was taking your body to a safer location before you were consciously reacting.   

Can you relocate your bed to the inner wall of that room?

Locate your "running away shoes" and a small bag with the other items at one corner of your bed and practice, practice, practice. Make it your goal to get those in your hand before you reach your bedroom door in the morning. Pick a reward for the first time you do it three days in a row, then ten, then 30. Maybe?

Thinking of a small multi or SAK to add to your evening light?

And the only solution I can imagine for your Dad is find a ground floor flat

[N_N_R]

First of all, thanks guys for the wonderful suggestions  When also other people look at a situation from a different perspective, it makes it a lot easier to reconsider or rule out some plans/ideas/points.


@Aloha,

this with the glowing sticks is a very original, out-of-the-box idea...  or at least it looks so to me, never heard about it before, lol. Nice.



@dmanuel,

Yeah, you're also right that in the case of my parents living with me that ladder may not help a lot. I'm just myself not sure yet what I'm preparing, evacuation for one person or for three, it seems, lol. That prepper thing seems to be more complicated than I expected  And more complicated than more people expect, actually, that's why they don't understand preppers, I guess. And the concept of EDC.


@ironraven,

Wow, you've got some good memory! I did prepare a BOB back then...but then changed a lot of things, some other events in my life took place, I moved out for a while, I felt safer there, the BOB changed...now I'm back to that flat on the 6th floor and everything's changed.

Now I have "something like a bOB", which is actually my old laptop's bag - I don't want it to be heavy. In it there are important documents, cash, two flashlights & batteries, a small MT, lighter and a box of matches... and the very laptop bag has a bigger pocket on the outside. I intend, if possible, in the case of emergency, to cram my netbook in that outside pocket.  Because I work online, so having a netbook is also very important if I don't manage to go back home. Of course, I'll do that only if there's time.

As for the bed location, I've thought about that and I may change things, too. Now the short side of the bed, where my head is, is actually to an inside wall and the right side of the bed is like 0.5m away from the outside wall... and immediately to the right of the bed, between it and the outside wall, there's something like a nightstand where I keep the very BOB I mentioned. When I go to bed, I put the netbook ON that BOB.... so if SHTF, I grab the PC, the BOB, cram one into the other...

However, practice showed that, the BOB remains to the right, closer to the outside wall, while I roll over the bed to the left, to the inside of the flat... and my BOB remains just there. lol. Of course, when the shaking stops, I can jump over the bed and grab them, of course.. But Iguess I should consider some furniture moving and placing the BOB on the other side.

The "problem" with a  real BOB preparation are actually my parents. Not really a problem, but if they see me do something like this, they'll think I need psychological help lol and this will lead to some minor annoyances at home..  That's why I prefer having the inconspicuous light laptop bag serve me as a BOB.

And with my father's immobility, even if we go out of the building, we won't be able to go that far without a car, which we don't have. So, I'm thinking that we could call a taxi and go to one of the two houses that we/my grandparents' had in different parts of the city. Of course, it's gonna be the same city, but at least houses are closer to the ground, the shaking isn't felt that terribly and it's easier to evacuate. And therefore, I hope, since there are two possible locations to go, we won't miss water or electricity.... hopefully.

As for a flat closer to the ground... that would be nice, but only if I change the city, lol. I mean, there's a freaking huge dam that supplies the whole city with water. It isn't close to us, but we kinda live in the lower part of the city, so perhaps there's gonna be lots of water coming here if something rrrrrrrrrrrealllly serious happened, God forbid. So I'd rather stay on the 6th floor, lol. And if we go to one of the houses, they're both on higher ground, that's why we felt a lot safer there during the 6.2 quake two years ago...

omG, I wrote an essay 

[Steinar]

Sorry about the thread necromancy, I just wanted to pipe in with +1 on muscle memory. For instance, I always lock the door to our apartment when I step out into the stairs leading up to our floor, even if I'm just stepping out to do something where I can see the door all the time. The reason is I want my hands programmed to always lock that door when I step out, that way, if I one day forget whether I locked the door, I can be quite sure I forgot because I did the same thing I did every day, i.e. locked it. Where am I leading with this? Well, simply "we are what we repeatedly do". If you want to always find your BOB, my suggestion is always pick it up every single time you leave the bed. Perhaps just to put it down again, but it will become a habit and your body will learn exactly where it is.

As for the BOB moving around, I know you're a flashlight fan, do you have a light with a "locator mode" or other extremely low mode? You could attach that to the outside of the bag and it turn it on every time you go to sleep?

Gah, this makes me think of the factories and very real potential problems around here. Not that long ago it was an evacuation on cause of a gas leak in a factory. I have done one thing I feel sort of smart for, though: I have scanned all my most important documents, i.e. diplomas, letters of recommendation from former employers, stuff like that, encrypted that file, and put it on my phone. That way I always carry with me a backup of the most important documents if something should happen.

[ironraven]

Yes, my memory is amazing- which is why I forgot to check for follow up on this. 

For your circumstances, a big BoB like mine is completely unsuitable- your hurdle is mobility, so you need a small bag. A small, black, generic bag is closer to a get home for me, but like I said last time, you're still better off than most people. So let's think about getting you lighter and faster and more hands free.

You work online- how much data do you need? All of my really important stuff, including my writing, is stashed on a gmail account, with the tax forms and stuff encrypted by a free, small, utility that I keep on almost all of my thumbdrives and that I also emailed myself the install for. Or back up weekly to an external SSD or thumbdrive if you need lots of space. That back up then goes in your BoB so you can at least salvage your data on a borrowed machine. My brother is so mobile he keeps his on a microSD card that he keeps in his wallet.

Good news about the laptop bag is, with a little padding, it could turn into a pillow. Have you tried? When travelling, I often give up on super squishy matresses and sleep on the floor with my EDC bag under my head. And the only thing I'm not hearing in that is a pair of gloves, spare socks, a FAK, a poncho and some water. Got room for that in your laptop bag? On the other hand, you have the lighter, do you need the full box of matches? Maybe a match case (which can be an old pill bottle) with a striker taped to the outside? And if you need more padding, a pillow case over it with a folded blanket wrapped around the bag? Just grab your pillow and run.

Without spooking your parents, is there someone, say a home health agency, or even just the local fire department, that you could talk to about evacuation with your father's situation? Civil Defense? And if your folks do think you're paranoid, point out you do live on the sixth floor in an earthquake prone area, but I can't help on that hurdle.

Oh, and Aloha, your duckling lights are an amazing idea! I've already snagged that for a family I know, using small flashlights clipped to their bags and chem lights right at the top of their packs to be hung on zipper cords.

[N_N_R]

@Steinar

Yeah, I do have a moonlight mode-ish light, that's a nice idea, indeed. I didn't have a BOB at the time the earthquake happened before, but I'd been kinda scared by previous, much lighter quakes and for years I'd been putting everything at the same place and kinda...revising what's where in case of emergency. So this also helped me and I didn't waste much time in thinking what to grab and where it is, I simply knew it..


@ironraven

No, I haven't tried the laptop bag as a pillow, sounds quite possible

Yep, I do have a full box of matches apart from the lighter. Honestly,I wondered why I'd ever need them, but  who knows. I wonder... what's more - the matches in a box or the strikes/fires you get from a full mini BIC lighter... 

Yes, I've also almost done that thing with the online data - I have my files on two flash drives, one on my keys, one in my organizer and one i the BOB. wait, that's three, lol. Then I have my passwords and stuff on my e-mail, too, should be accessible from everywhere As some already pointed out, I've... well, I haven't scanned, I can't, but I"ve taken pictures with my phone of important documents and also uploaded on these flash drives. However, I haven't encrypted them. I used to have the important info on my phone, too, but I had it stolen 1.5 years ago and since then I haven't kept important info there. The flash drive that was on my keys I used to keep on a lanyard on my neck.. looked pretty nice. But then I realized that IF I have to leave home, I ALWAYS, ALWAYS grab the keys which hang from the door all the time, anyway. So... I'll end up with at least one flash drive wiht info on it.

As for the pair of gloves, socks and so on... I guess I think about that in the winter...

No, I don't think any agency would help with anything, there are quite a lot of people in my father's position, so they would only help, I guess, if we were literally fighting for our lives. Back then nobody came to our neighbourhood, no police, nobody. i'm not thinking that I may put a tiny radio with batteries in my BOB. Back then we suffered severe lack of info... we didn't know wtf was happening at all.

[nate j]

I wonder... what's more - the matches in a box or the strikes/fires you get from a full mini BIC lighter...

Obviously there are a number of variables which could impact this, but I think the short answer is probably the lighter.  Bic rates the mini at 1450 lights.  Even if we assume only half or a third of this number in real world use, it would still beat out the matches, since a large box of matches usually contains something like 250-300 matches.

[N_N_R]

oh, of course  I'm thinking in terms of our regular... small match boxes here. lol.  But good to know that about the Bic, thanks.

[nate j]

I may put a tiny radio with batteries in my BOB. Back then we suffered severe lack of info... we didn't know wtf was happening at all.

   I have solar/crank radios in mine, for exactly this reason.  In the event of a power failure, it can quickly become your only source (other than word of mouth) of information about what is happening.

[ironraven]

Well, I'm currently VERY unhappy with BIC at the moment- I've found two dead pens in a pack of five, literally no ink in the stems, today, and had two of their mini lighters seize up on me in the past ten days, they won't spin for love or money. So, I'm hoping I just had bad luck. But I also carry a junkie lighter in my bag along with the mini Bic in my pocket. As for lights, should be a several hundred in my experience- before I quit, I recall I needed a lighter every two or three cartons.

Matches I repack as soon as I get them home to protect them from moisture- they go in a very wide mouth jar with a moisture absorber, or into match cases. And I rotate both my normal stick and my storm matches in my kit every year, with last year's going into the on hand camping supplies and/or into the kitchen. Doesn't take much moisture to inactivate them and Strike On Box matches are, well, the acronym is fitting. So I guess my question is, is a full box of even small stick matches really the best fit, or maybe smaller bottle of them? Or drop them all together for a second lighter?
 
As for your dad and agencies, I wasn't thinking in terms of during the event- you're on your own once the earth moves. But prior to, in terms of getting training on how to lift (if you can) or recommendations on equipment that is available to you for moving him, as part of planning. Over here, lots of fire departments are willing to do that if you ask nicely and can show you have a disabled household member, it's part of community outreach programs. Or if there is a home health service you work with. Or does that option not exist there?

With the gloves, leather work gloves not winter gloves. Broken glass and shattered masonry is the reason why- cuts suck and infection cripples, prevention is worth it. After our feet, our hands are our most vulnerable and valuable appendages. This whole thing is an exercise in asset protection, and the small moving parts that have to be included and have to stay moving should be protected.

[dmanuel]

Well, I'm currently VERY unhappy with BIC at the moment- I've found two dead pens in a pack of five, literally no ink in the stems, today, and had two of their mini lighters seize up on me in the past ten days, they won't spin for love or money. So, I'm hoping I just had bad luck. But I also carry a junkie lighter in my bag along with the mini Bic in my pocket. As for lights, should be a several hundred in my experience- before I quit, I recall I needed a lighter every two or three cartons.

Full size Bics can be good for up to 3000 strikes, but if you are anything like me they either get lost or stolen long before that lol.

[nate j]

Well, I'm currently VERY unhappy with BIC at the moment- I've found two dead pens in a pack of five, literally no ink in the stems, today, and had two of their mini lighters seize up on me in the past ten days, they won't spin for love or money. So, I'm hoping I just had bad luck. But I also carry a junkie lighter in my bag along with the mini Bic in my pocket. As for lights, should be a several hundred in my experience- before I quit, I recall I needed a lighter every two or three cartons.

Matches I repack as soon as I get them home to protect them from moisture- they go in a very wide mouth jar with a moisture absorber, or into match cases. And I rotate both my normal stick and my storm matches in my kit every year, with last year's going into the on hand camping supplies and/or into the kitchen. Doesn't take much moisture to inactivate them and Strike On Box matches are, well, the acronym is fitting. So I guess my question is, is a full box of even small stick matches really the best fit, or maybe smaller bottle of them? Or drop them all together for a second lighter?

These types of issues are why I tend to favor a firesteel and a small Ziploc bag of dryer lint for BOBs/emergency kits.  Shelf life is pretty much unlimited as far as I know, and the firesteel is unaffected by moisture.  I vote for dropping the matches, keeping one mini Bic, and adding a firesteel plus some tinder of your choice.

[dmanuel]

These types of issues are why I tend to favor a firesteel and a small Ziploc bag of dryer lint for BOBs/emergency kits.  Shelf life is pretty much unlimited as far as I know, and the firesteel is unaffected by moisture.  I vote for dropping the matches, keeping one mini Bic, and adding a firesteel plus some tinder of your choice.

Firesteels will get destroyed with moisture, I like to put clear nail polish over the exposed parts of it when I return home.

I have one that looks similar to this:



Google it and you will find a lot of issues with corrosion.

[nate j]

These types of issues are why I tend to favor a firesteel and a small Ziploc bag of dryer lint for BOBs/emergency kits.  Shelf life is pretty much unlimited as far as I know, and the firesteel is unaffected by moisture.  I vote for dropping the matches, keeping one mini Bic, and adding a firesteel plus some tinder of your choice.

Firesteels will get destroyed with moisture, I like to put clear nail polish over the exposed parts of it when I return home.

I have one that looks similar to this:

(Image removed from quote.)

Google it and you will find a lot of issues with corrosion.

That is interesting.  I suppose being partially magnesium, it would corrode eventually with long enough exposure to moisture.  I would still have more faith in the firesteel than the matches after prolonged storage in an emergency kit, though.  On that subject, I have some firesteels that have been riding around in my car kits for years.  I'm really overdue to pull and check those kits anyway; I'll report back on the condition of the firesteels.

[N_N_R]

There was a strong earthquake in the Aegean sea (Mag. 6.9), today and it was felt quite strongly in the Southwest parts of my country...... thank God I wasn't in my building today, but actually on the 1st floor, or I'd have freaked out just like before. What I had on me in that particular moment - phone, wallet, Wingman, Preon 1, Olight i3s ... but still, pretty nasty.

[Aloha]

That was a good sized one.  I alway like to have light on me so having a few on you is nice.  I always thought having a whistle was unnecessary but I have changed my thinking.  Having one is better than straining your voice should you become trapped and not seen.   

[N_N_R]

That was a good sized one.  I alway like to have light on me so having a few on you is nice.  I always thought having a whistle was unnecessary but I have changed my thinking.  Having one is better than straining your voice should you become trapped and not seen.   

Yeah, I didn't think that having one is a good idea... until I recalled Titanic's last scenes. But I accidentally bought a few paracord bracelets with in-built whistles.

[Aloha]

That was a good sized one.  I alway like to have light on me so having a few on you is nice.  I always thought having a whistle was unnecessary but I have changed my thinking.  Having one is better than straining your voice should you become trapped and not seen.   

Yeah, I didn't think that having one is a good idea... until I recalled Titanic's last scenes. But I accidentally bought a few paracord bracelets with in-built whistles.

Good movie.  I also like the moonlight modes on flashlights or really low modes.  The run times are long and in total darkness they will still provide decent light. 

[Taxi Dad]

  I need an Olight i3s I know I do 

[N_N_R]

You do, you do

I used its moonlight mode here last night in the middle of the night.. no light in the house, no light in the street, the field ahead... no light at all.. the 0.5 lumen-mode was pleeeeeeeeeenty.