Venting and thinking about Urban Survival Kit/videos

[Shuya]

I think 'heating pad' is a 'double edged sword'.  I'm into outdoor photography and part of my travel does involve staying at remote outdoor location, in freezing temperature for long hours.  One thing I learnt is that if I don't dress properly and need any 'warmer' or 'self heating pad', I probably shouldn't be there in the first place.  Don't get me wrong, they are glorious when you want to travel light in total urban setting, but they are just not long lasting enough to be counted on for winter 'survival' use.

Full agree. The heating pads are not meant to be essential for survival in any case.
I have two kids who, besides proper clothing, manage to have cold hands or get wet all the time. Followed by their Mom who has special ability to have cold hands even in the summer. 
The heaters are more some kind of morale booster.
Nothing keeps spirit up like snuggling with daddy underneath some shelter when rain hits and the cold hands and feet are warmed. 

The word survival kit is a bit misleading to be honest.

[Aloha]

Nice post.  Any parent whose children/child who had a melt down for whatever reason knows survival is what it feels like till they settle down.  When mine were very young I carried items to mitigate as many potential issues that might come up.  Any situations that occurred in the past were noted and to my best and reasonable ability accounted for those that might come up.  I carried a back pack at the time which held all sorts of things.  In many ways parents of young children are good examples of those prepared.  It was always interesting to see a family come to a complete halt when a child was not participating for whatever reason. 

My kids were not attached to a special toy or such item but I knew parents kids who were.  Good luck if that item was forgotten.  Accidents happen as do things like broke shoe strings.  Hunger can strike young ones as can thirst.  In some cases fear or even illness.  Ever had a kid have to go potty in the most inopportune time?   Or in a bathroom that was in really bad shape?  I carried latex gloves and disinfectant wipes and toilet seat covers.  Yup, having girls mom could not always take them into women bathrooms.  My son could always go most anywhere.  My girls, not so much. 

Morale booster is a great way to make sense of what most urban dwellers kit is.     
 

[Shuya]

To boil most survival videos down: They are trying to sell you tacticool stuff, create an unrealistic view on survival (aka hunt and trap) or impress with useless tips at best.

There are few, very few cases where actual survival stories involve the dream of all those people, but face it: 99,9% of survival is just to endure and wait for rescue.

I do a lot of mountaineering and climbing.
In this case, besides proper preparation, the kit is simple: bivy bag, headlight, first aid kit, proper clothing and means to navigate (GPS, maps and compass) and a whistle. Alpine clubs suggest you carry a pocket knife aswell.
Thats it.
If something happen, stay put, call for rescue and make yourself comfortable as possible. Noone is doing things like Bear Grylls did in real life.Unless you want to die, of course.

[Vidar]

99,9% of survival is just to endure and wait for rescue.

That is pretty much true here as well, albeit with a twist: During winter your time available for waiting around might be limited due to cold. If you are proper prepared then you can afford to wait around, and some people have indeed had to wait around for a day or more. If you are not properly prepared you can't wait around - but often the emergency is such that you can't get anywhere either. Sadly that keeps happening and with tragic results.

In this case, besides proper preparation, the kit is simple: bivy bag, headlight, first aid kit, proper clothing and means to navigate (GPS, maps and compass) and a whistle. Alpine clubs suggest you carry a pocket knife aswell.

Much the same here, although few carry a bivy bag. It is more popular with what we call "fjellduk". They are thinner but more multi-purpose. (They might actually become compulsory gear for snow mobile drivers by law in an effort to reduce the issue of freezing to death). And a shovel is a key component too whether it is to free the car or snow mobile after getting stuck, or digging yourself down for shelter.

[comis]

That is pretty much true here as well, albeit with a twist: During winter your time available for waiting around might be limited due to cold. If you are proper prepared then you can afford to wait around, and some people have indeed had to wait around for a day or more. If you are not properly prepared you can't wait around - but often the emergency is such that you can't get anywhere either. Sadly that keeps happening and with tragic results.

Much the same here, although few carry a bivy bag. It is more popular with what we call "fjellduk". They are thinner but more multi-purpose. (They might actually become compulsory gear for snow mobile drivers by law in an effort to reduce the issue of freezing to death). And a shovel is a key component too whether it is to free the car or snow mobile after getting stuck, or digging yourself down for shelter.

I think we had exchanged posts in the past about survival in cold weather with vehicle.  I agree it is a judgment call, since waiting in a vehicle at a 'dangerous' part of the road in white out condition, may or may not be the best decision.  But so is recklessly leaving the vehicle and trying the "luck" to find rescue, especially you are not familiar with the area.

That is why I always think dressing properly is an important key to any survival.  My "photographer" rule is if I can't stand still in the weather for 6-12 hours straight(which I have done in windy subzero temperature or hot semi-dessert environment in the past), then I would rethink my gear list.  Over the years, I did draft out a small log of clothing I used in various weather condition, so I could plan future trips more efficiently and wisely.

To boil most survival videos down: They are trying to sell you tacticool stuff, create an unrealistic view on survival (aka hunt and trap) or impress with useless tips at best.

There are few, very few cases where actual survival stories involve the dream of all those people, but face it: 99,9% of survival is just to endure and wait for rescue.

I do a lot of mountaineering and climbing.
In this case, besides proper preparation, the kit is simple: bivy bag, headlight, first aid kit, proper clothing and means to navigate (GPS, maps and compass) and a whistle. Alpine clubs suggest you carry a pocket knife aswell.
Thats it.
If something happen, stay put, call for rescue and make yourself comfortable as possible. Noone is doing things like Bear Grylls did in real life.Unless you want to die, of course.

It does depend which part of the world you are in and what kind of rescue operation they could launch to save you.  Too often we see people stressing what kind of knife steel and fire starting device in their kit, but signaling is rarely talked about.  PLB and Satellite phone are really good options to have, if you frequent remote location alone.  But even that could be dependent on weather/cloud condition, so my ultimate number 1 item in my survival kit is to always let people know when and where to look for you.  Since one could be injured or separated from the gears, but you can still count on the cavalry coming if you plan it wisely.

To me, the gear list is good--so as long I could maintain my(or even group) body temperature and relative wellness, ideally have enough water to ration or means to purify it, and have ways to signal for help.  I'm golden.

[Aloha]

 
 

[Vidar]

I think we had exchanged posts in the past about survival in cold weather with vehicle.  I agree it is a judgment call, since waiting in a vehicle at a 'dangerous' part of the road in white out condition, may or may not be the best decision.  But so is recklessly leaving the vehicle and trying the "luck" to find rescue, especially you are not familiar with the area.

That is why I always think dressing properly is an important key to any survival.  My "photographer" rule is if I can't stand still in the weather for 6-12 hours straight(which I have done in windy subzero temperature or hot semi-dessert environment in the past), then I would rethink my gear list.  Over the years, I did draft out a small log of clothing I used in various weather condition, so I could plan future trips more efficiently and wisely.

Yes, I think we had that in another thread sometime. If you're somewhat prepared at least you have more options then you'd otherwise have, and the experience might hopefully be more boring than about survival as such.

Here I was thinking more in general though - you might be out winter hiking, skiing or snowmobiling when the weather goes bad. Or there might be an accident where you end up stuck under a snowmobile or otherwise immobilized. That can happen to all of us in the best of conditions. And like you say having someone who can sound the alarm if you don't return is important.

On longer trips here around one should bring enough clothes and such to last for at least 24 hours. If you get stuck in proper bad weather then it is not given that anyone else will be able to come for you either in a while.

[Echotech]

A few years ago I had a bit of an obsession with survival kits and still do have one for edc

I’ve got various kits made up in case of emergency and simpler ones for bush walking or just trips to the city.
The idea being they’re all pocket sized so not heavy meaning I actually take them with me and would give me a bit of an advantage if needed.

Being in Sydney cold weather isn’t really an issue but heat and wet weather can be, so I usually add a lightweight poncho, hat, fleece etc.

Do I know how to use everything in them? Kinda!
I’ve done first aid courses and made a few fires in my time, spent years fishing with very simple gear and done a fair bit of hiking so no survivalist but not a total couch potato either.

They’re based on what I think would be a help. Shelter, water & food are also carried. Just an emergency bivy and tarp for shelter, grayl water purification bottle or life straw (bottle already filled) and some protein bars and jerky or biltong.
None of this weighs that much and the whole lot fits in a waist pack or small backpack. Getting worn out carrying too much in hot weather is not a great idea. Add in a MT (usually a SAK huntsman) plus a few bits on my keychain and it’s better than nothing.
We do get emergencies here, fire particularly but also extreme weather, floods etc so good to have something to grab and go.
In a real emergency with warning I’d take clothes, a wind up radio, spare power for phone, more food etc.

Even on a trip to town I’d take one of the small kits…old habits die hard

[ElevenBlade]

A few years ago I had a bit of an obsession with survival kits and still do have one for edc

I’ve got various kits made up in case of emergency and simpler ones for bush walking or just trips to the city.
The idea being they’re all pocket sized so not heavy meaning I actually take them with me and would give me a bit of an advantage if needed.

Being in Sydney cold weather isn’t really an issue but heat and wet weather can be, so I usually add a lightweight poncho, hat, fleece etc.

Do I know how to use everything in them? Kinda!
I’ve done first aid courses and made a few fires in my time, spent years fishing with very simple gear and done a fair bit of hiking so no survivalist but not a total couch potato either.

They’re based on what I think would be a help. Shelter, water & food are also carried. Just an emergency bivy and tarp for shelter, grayl water purification bottle or life straw (bottle already filled) and some protein bars and jerky or biltong.
None of this weighs that much and the whole lot fits in a waist pack or small backpack. Getting worn out carrying too much in hot weather is not a great idea. Add in a MT (usually a SAK huntsman) plus a few bits on my keychain and it’s better than nothing.
We do get emergencies here, fire particularly but also extreme weather, floods etc so good to have something to grab and go.
In a real emergency with warning I’d take clothes, a wind up radio, spare power for phone, more food etc.

Even on a trip to town I’d take one of the small kits…old habits die hard

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Looks like each one of those has a nifty gadget or three that I'd feel was underused if left in a kit.   

[Echotech]

Looks like each one of those has a nifty gadget or three that I'd feel was underused if left in a kit.   

Haha very true EB, I’ve had to buy duplicates on more than one occasion for that very reason
One is none, two is one etc

[Shuya]

One thing to add to the list:

No matter what Item you pack, get a proper one.

If a knife fits in this altoids-tin its most likely too small for beeing usefull. A knife is not part of the kit, a kit completes a knife.
First Aid Items are not part of your kit. Everything you might fit into your survival kit is insufficient for treating emergencies. Those 3 bandaids you pack is what I carry in case my daugher trips while playing around, not to deal with life threatening wounds. A real first Aid Kit completes your Survival kit. GET A PROPER ONE AND GET TRAINING.
A key sized flashlight inside your kit may be nice if you look for something in your backpack at night, but its neither bright nor long lasting enough for anything emergency related. Get a proper headlight instead and pack spare batteries.

List goes on. I often see people pack flimsy and small Items just to make them fit into some small tins or bags. Or pack a knife in that pack. If you lose the knife you carry around anyway chances are high you have lost your kit aswell.


And: if an item is too big to carry around, its not a survival item, its a useless burden.
A SAK in your pocket is worth a ton more than that hatchet left behind because its too big and heavy.

[comis]

One thing to add to the list:

No matter what Item you pack, get a proper one.

If a knife fits in this altoids-tin its most likely too small for beeing usefull. A knife is not part of the kit, a kit completes a knife.
First Aid Items are not part of your kit. Everything you might fit into your survival kit is insufficient for treating emergencies. Those 3 bandaids you pack is what I carry in case my daugher trips while playing around, not to deal with life threatening wounds. A real first Aid Kit completes your Survival kit. GET A PROPER ONE AND GET TRAINING.
A key sized flashlight inside your kit may be nice if you look for something in your backpack at night, but its neither bright nor long lasting enough for anything emergency related. Get a proper headlight instead and pack spare batteries.

List goes on. I often see people pack flimsy and small Items just to make them fit into some small tins or bags. Or pack a knife in that pack. If you lose the knife you carry around anyway chances are high you have lost your kit aswell.


And: if an item is too big to carry around, its not a survival item, its a useless burden.
A SAK in your pocket is worth a ton more than that hatchet left behind because its too big and heavy.

Good points, and I think on top of that, I would actually say "altoids tin" is definitely overrated in survival gears. 


By confining or conforming everything into a tiny altoids tin, in some way we are inherently limiting many good solid options that could make life so much easier when you need it.  I know all the arguments about it being small(so higher chance to carry it) or something is better than nothing, but there's always a tradeoff between convenience and practicality, and I just don't think altoids tin is a good 'balance' point.

[Echotech]

Good points, and I think on top of that, I would actually say "altoids tin" is definitely overrated in survival gears. 


By confining or conforming everything into a tiny altoids tin, in some way we are inherently limiting many good solid options that could make life so much easier when you need it.  I know all the arguments about it being small(so higher chance to carry it) or something is better than nothing, but there's always a tradeoff between convenience and practicality, and I just don't think altoids tin is a good 'balance' point.

too
Altoid tins are way too small but it really is all about actually carrying it rather than leaving it at home because too big and heavy - which you both also say.
I’ve got different kits for different purposes (see pics above). These aren’t BoB’s, the mess tin is mixed urban/bush carry, the little one literally just my edc and the middle one for bush walking (headlamp with spare batteries, full first aid kit, proper knife, bivy bag, proper rated bush fire mask, 3 types of water purification - not all shown, protein bars etc).

Totally agree about training and actually testing them and also very much about knowing the environment and how long you’d actually need to rely on it. I’m mostly concerned about water, bush fire, insects and sunburn, then shelter and food. I can stick a kit in a waist pack that’d get me through a few days if needed. If I thought I’d be needing to survive for days on end I’d want something much more solid.

As you say it’s a balance between weight and utility, clothes can become bandages but you can’t easily make anti biotics on the run, so kit needs to suit the purpose. There’s always a play off

: cheers:

[Shuya]

..., clothes can become bandages ...

IF you can spare them. Turning your essential insulating layer into bandages for another person isnt very clever.
And it might be the root for having to use antibiotics or further treatment in the first case. 

[Echotech]

IF you can spare them. Turning your essential insulating layer into bandages for another person isnt very clever.
And it might be the root for having to use antibiotics or further treatment in the first case. 

True but it depends on environment, heat is much more of an issue than cold where I live and was purely meant as an example that you can’t carry everything.…a bug out bag would be different and as I said above you’d want to carry a lot more, but this started about altoid tins being too small which we all agreed

[GearedForwards]

One thing to add to the list:

No matter what Item you pack, get a proper one.

If a knife fits in this altoids-tin its most likely too small for beeing usefull. A knife is not part of the kit, a kit completes a knife.
First Aid Items are not part of your kit. Everything you might fit into your survival kit is insufficient for treating emergencies. Those 3 bandaids you pack is what I carry in case my daugher trips while playing around, not to deal with life threatening wounds. A real first Aid Kit completes your Survival kit. GET A PROPER ONE AND GET TRAINING.
A key sized flashlight inside your kit may be nice if you look for something in your backpack at night, but its neither bright nor long lasting enough for anything emergency related. Get a proper headlight instead and pack spare batteries.

List goes on. I often see people pack flimsy and small Items just to make them fit into some small tins or bags. Or pack a knife in that pack. If you lose the knife you carry around anyway chances are high you have lost your kit aswell.


And: if an item is too big to carry around, its not a survival item, its a useless burden.
A SAK in your pocket is worth a ton more than that hatchet left behind because its too big and heavy.

I get what you're going for here but I feel it's a bit too critical:

-A Spyderco Dragonfly comfortably fits in an Altoids tin, a Man/Ladybug would provide less blade but more tin space. All of these knives are very capable, you don't need a fullsize folder or fixie most of the time, something safe to use and sharp will usually be enough whatever form it takes.

-I think you're selling keychain lights here short, the looking in a backpack comment made me think of the older style keychain lights where you basically squeeze the case to connect the circuit with whatever size coin battery is inside. We've come a long way since then and keychain lights are now both capable in terms of brightness and run time to cover a lot of use cases (it really doesn't take that much light to watch where you're going or navigate a room to begin with either).

I think besides the novelty of fitting things into an altoids tin your last point actually addresses a fundamental reason behind it, they're small and light and you can afford to carry them wherever you go. If you're carrying a full back pack kit then go all out, if you're just wearing a jacket or carrying your work cooler then something is better than nothing and an altoids tin is a good standard for that kind of packing.

Disclaimer though: I've never interpreted Urban Survival something like disaster preparedness really, I see it more like an extended EDC, what things are useful to have in an urban environment (e.g. why yes a pack of baby wipes would be handy, oh a usb drive would be useful to have on hand etc.). I also believe that the fundamentals of 'kit' (training is exceedingly important, but also and adjacent subject) start with a capable EDC that's then expanded upon with things like Altoids kits, Maxpedition organisers and the like. Case in point if I just grab my keys I have a capable flashlight, small knife and capable pry bar to hand without any additional thought or hassle. At any given time my EDC proclivities provide me with multiple tools/solutions to any daily or unusual task at hand in my life (though not right now, right now MTO has made me think subjecting myself to a month with the Escort was a good idea  ).

[Aloha]

Going back to the why comis began this thread its interesting how the pandemic changed a lot.  All the panic buying of food and of all things toilet paper  .  I mentioned what about those bags with lots of amazing gear?  Did anyone bug out to their secret location stocked with supplies?  I don't want to come off snarky but I bet not.  They like many of us stayed in.   

Urban survival?  Once the notion of what each of us intends to actually survive then each will know what best works for them.  I never have to worry about snow or a lot of rain.  I also never have to worry about being too far from home.  I don't work in a high rise one go anywhere near the city center.  I look at it Urban Survival more along the line of discomfort.  Hunger, aches, diarrhea, hot, sun burnt, bug sting, thirsty, or minor accident.  Now that said there is the high potential for vehicle accident and personal safety. 

Forgive me if I am downplaying Urban survival.  I am not in any way trying to make light. 

We are pretty well prepared for many things and were more prepared that I thought for the pandemic.  We had already began to store supplies a few years ago.  We didn't panic shop or go into the store much during the initial lock down.  We stayed home quite a lot and made due by initially rationing. 

As far as being out and needing to get home.  I have food and water on in vehicle.  I have a few light jackets as well as a rain coat.  I have lights and tools and personal security.  Getting home from from a job site at the furthest is 50 miles.  Most are within 20 miles. 

Like many who have my Urban "survival" items are what we like to have beyond our MT, SAK, light, boo boo kit.

   

[pomsbz]

Going back to the why comis began this thread its interesting how the pandemic changed a lot.  All the panic buying of food and of all things toilet paper  .  I mentioned what about those bags with lots of amazing gear?  Did anyone bug out to their secret location stocked with supplies?  I don't want to come off snarky but I bet not.  They like many of us stayed in.   

Urban survival?  Once the notion of what each of us intends to actually survive then each will know what best works for them.  I never have to worry about snow or a lot of rain.  I also never have to worry about being too far from home.  I don't work in a high rise one go anywhere near the city center.  I look at it Urban Survival more along the line of discomfort.  Hunger, aches, diarrhea, hot, sun burnt, bug sting, thirsty, or minor accident.  Now that said there is the high potential for vehicle accident and personal safety. 

Forgive me if I am downplaying Urban survival.  I am not in any way trying to make light. 

We are pretty well prepared for many things and were more prepared that I thought for the pandemic.  We had already began to store supplies a few years ago.  We didn't panic shop or go into the store much during the initial lock down.  We stayed home quite a lot and made due by initially rationing. 

As far as being out and needing to get home.  I have food and water on in vehicle.  I have a few light jackets as well as a rain coat.  I have lights and tools and personal security.  Getting home from from a job site at the furthest is 50 miles.  Most are within 20 miles. 

Like many who have my Urban "survival" items are what we like to have beyond our MT, SAK, light, boo boo kit.

 

Can't agree more.

[Aloha]

Lately I've been planning my own 'urban emergency/survival bag' and watching a fair amount of Urban survival kit/Bug out bag/Get home bag youtube videos, what baffling to me is the constant confusing about the purpose/motivation behind those "bags", and how often time I felt it is made for its own sake.

I admit I liked to watch those videos.  I was always asking myself what exactly are they preparing for.  Before I bough my small Maxpediton bag I watched reviews and each review had almost identical items within.  We've talked before that many of these kits become hobby as much as being prepared. 


For example,

When people say 'urban survival', what do they exactly trying to 'survive'?  Is it apocalyptic kinda deal or some kind of disaster?  It is often unclear--you obviously cannot expect a bag will do you much good with apocalyptic kinda deal, even if it does, what kind of items are good for catastrophic event?(For example, I almost never see any radiation pills/meter/Bio hazard/Hazmat mask/suit etc)  If not, what kind of emergency are we even talking about?  I don't often see bag/gear cater to specific emergency, but many borrowed ideas from wilderness survival/camping trip bag.

Who would have known the mask would be daily kit?  I've seen some videos where they had gas masks but not N95.  While some of the gear within the bags are handy they seemed to become moot when we all got stay in door orders.  A few years ago I asked how long could one "survive" at home with what they had currently.  The scenario was no water from city or power.  We were in the midst of a fire locally and sporadic power outages are common when that happens.  At the time we had about 3 months IIRC.  We began in earnest getting up to 6 months prepared.   

Bug-out bag...I am no survival expert, but I always thought the term 'bug out' or 'bail out' are for spies/military working in foreign hostile environment, and if they need to disappear/leave the location, that's what they will rely on.  I can see very valid reason why they need to 'bug out' and potentially what they may need to achieve that(weapon, different cash, false identity, disguise, safe house, data, comm, protocol, etc).  But in civilian situation, what could happen so bad that cause you to bug/bail out from the safety of your own home?  Are we talking about apocalypse or total melt down again?

My guess is the term like many is borrowed.  Many have military experience so they have a idea of whats needed however that was in the military.  Urban Survival in my estimation would require some different items?  Again you mention "the saftey of your home" and its the reality of what happend.  I am no prepper.  I do however buy items we use moreso when I have the extra money to do so or its on sale.  I do take some notes from preppers on how to buy and how to store items.  I am not turning my garage into a food bank or a spare room into one either.  As for a bag.  We have been evacuated and so we have items ready in a bag.  Those items are no different than a 3 or so days worth of items one would pack for a trip.  The extra items are some comfort items like blankets and camping gears. 

Get home bag, this confuse me the most, and it often contains the weirdest collection of gears.  It is not unusual to see lockpick, small prybar, or various kind of 'entry' device included in this kind of bag.  Somehow I just don't understand why people need to 'break in' to their own home?  What is so secretive that requires you to break in and out of places/barricade just to get home?  Is it in a war-torn location deep behind enemy lines? 

From my understanding its a bag designed and filled to help you get from where you were, back home.  As I last mentioned, the furthest from home my job takes me is 50 miles but I wrong.  I have one client thats 60 plus miles away.  The notion of the get home bag from what i gather is to help me get home.  Now heres where its get interesting.  Under most condidtions here in SoCal year around its nice weather.  I can walk.  Some water, a hat for sun, maybe a snack, portable battery for cell, and some comfy shoes.  Truth is I can call one of the many car services  .  I'm also understanding its a bag designed for hostile situations.  I can't quite speak to those as I have no training.  My thinking has alwasy been many could possibly walk home?  I understand some have physical or health concerns but the bag maynot be helpful even then? 



       

[pomsbz]

From my understanding its a bag designed and filled to help you get from where you were, back home.  As I last mentioned, the furthest from home my job takes me is 50 miles but I wrong.  I have one client thats 60 plus miles away.  The notion of the get home bag from what i gather is to help me get home.  Now heres where its get interesting.  Under most condidtions here in SoCal year around its nice weather.  I can walk.  Some water, a hat for sun, maybe a snack, portable battery for cell, and some comfy shoes.  Truth is I can call one of the many car services  .  I'm also understanding its a bag designed for hostile situations.  I can't quite speak to those as I have no training.  My thinking has alwasy been many could possibly walk home?  I understand some have physical or health concerns but the bag maynot be helpful even then? 



       

It's a good point, I wonder whether a small folding bike might not be one of the best 'get home' equipment choices for those who consider it a realistic threat scenario. Something that can be easily stashed in the trunk of a regular sized car. That with some basic food staples, water supply, a FAK and a multitool and you're going to be far better supplied than most and much better able to carry your kit. You'll be much faster than on foot, will be able to move through traffic gridlocks with ease and it's very much a 'grey man' solution. They're almost impossible not to ignore due to the dork factor. I've had to bug out for real, forest fire. They blocked all the roads into the area but I was on a bike that day as I returned from work and knew which paths I could use to get home, routes that hadn't been blocked, I could get home, check my family was out safely and then get out to safety myself.

[Aloha]

IIRC folding bike were mentioned in other threads  .  In any case, yes I agree a folding bike would be excellent.  I think walking home in great weather on flat terrain with a pack or 10lbs for say 20 miles is going to be quite a trip for some.  Now add bad weather, various terrain, and now there may be a problem  . 

     

[GearedForwards]

Another term for a GHB is a 24 hour pack, it's meant to include all you need for 24 hours in order to get you back home in some kind of bad circumstances (this includes calories and water without you going hungry or thirsty). A lot of this is mostly just prepper/gear head fantasy because we like to pack lots of cool stuff into bags  But preparation always has a practical side: a GHB lives in a vehicle typically and serves as a car kit by default. So if you get stuck out on a road in bad weather, you have a source of food, water, light, heat etc. to make it a more comfortable experience and you can leave the vehicle if needed and still have supplies at hand as it's prepacked into a bag not a box in the boot. You could also think of it kinda like a go bag for natural disasters that's already in the car and ready to go if you're out when the warnings come (I don't live in an area where natural disasters are a thing thankfully, so that's just specualtion  )

The topic can get... pretty crazy and frankly stupid depending on how deep you go into it. I once saw (I think it was a YT comment?) where a guy in NY city simultaneously derided the use of water bottles because "I'm in the city, I can buy a bottle of water everywhere) and also carried an ice pick for self defense as it was cheap enough he could throw it away after 'defending' himself and buy a new one...

Personally I just keep a breakdown kit, some torches and a SAK in the car

[comis]

From my understanding its a bag designed and filled to help you get from where you were, back home.  As I last mentioned, the furthest from home my job takes me is 50 miles but I wrong.  I have one client thats 60 plus miles away.  The notion of the get home bag from what i gather is to help me get home.  Now heres where its get interesting.  Under most condidtions here in SoCal year around its nice weather.  I can walk.  Some water, a hat for sun, maybe a snack, portable battery for cell, and some comfy shoes.  Truth is I can call one of the many car services  .  I'm also understanding its a bag designed for hostile situations.  I can't quite speak to those as I have no training.  My thinking has alwasy been many could possibly walk home?  I understand some have physical or health concerns but the bag maynot be helpful even then? 

It's a good point, I wonder whether a small folding bike might not be one of the best 'get home' equipment choices for those who consider it a realistic threat scenario. Something that can be easily stashed in the trunk of a regular sized car. That with some basic food staples, water supply, a FAK and a multitool and you're going to be far better supplied than most and much better able to carry your kit. You'll be much faster than on foot, will be able to move through traffic gridlocks with ease and it's very much a 'grey man' solution. They're almost impossible not to ignore due to the dork factor. I've had to bug out for real, forest fire. They blocked all the roads into the area but I was on a bike that day as I returned from work and knew which paths I could use to get home, routes that hadn't been blocked, I could get home, check my family was out safely and then get out to safety myself.

I think a car kit does make perfect sense, but it's probably a totally different animal than many get-home-bag I see on youtube which often time is a monstrosity with all sort of breaking-in equipment.  Portable bike on car may not be a bad idea, especially if it is safe to use it to get home.  But then again, I think the whole purpose of 'car kit' is to maintain your wellness until 'rescue' or 'towing service' to come and pick you up.  But sensible options is always good.

Another term for a GHB is a 24 hour pack, it's meant to include all you need for 24 hours in order to get you back home in some kind of bad circumstances (this includes calories and water without you going hungry or thirsty). A lot of this is mostly just prepper/gear head fantasy because we like to pack lots of cool stuff into bags  But preparation always has a practical side: a GHB lives in a vehicle typically and serves as a car kit by default. So if you get stuck out on a road in bad weather, you have a source of food, water, light, heat etc. to make it a more comfortable experience and you can leave the vehicle if needed and still have supplies at hand as it's prepacked into a bag not a box in the boot. You could also think of it kinda like a go bag for natural disasters that's already in the car and ready to go if you're out when the warnings come (I don't live in an area where natural disasters are a thing thankfully, so that's just specualtion  )

The topic can get... pretty crazy and frankly stupid depending on how deep you go into it. I once saw (I think it was a YT comment?) where a guy in NY city simultaneously derided the use of water bottles because "I'm in the city, I can buy a bottle of water everywhere) and also carried an ice pick for self defense as it was cheap enough he could throw it away after 'defending' himself and buy a new one...

Personally I just keep a breakdown kit, some torches and a SAK in the car

Personally, I never give GHB much thought because of reasons I stated earlier, it's silly to think you need a bag of 'tools' or 'equipment' so you could get home/break-into home.  However, sensible car kit/outdoor survival kit are totally legit, it keeps you safe and well until rescue, and will prove to be useful in those stressful times.  I think we did touch on the topic whether it is good to leave the vehicle when the car breaks down, and I would say under normal circumstances, unless you know exactly what you are doing(you car break down a few blocks away from home or you know your current location is unsafe to stay), it may be saver to stay somewhere close to the vehicle so you are more likely get rescued.

[ElevenBlade]

I get what you're going for here but I feel it's a bit too critical:

-A Spyderco Dragonfly comfortably fits in an Altoids tin, a Man/Ladybug would provide less blade but more tin space. All of these knives are very capable, you don't need a fullsize folder or fixie most of the time, something safe to use and sharp will usually be enough whatever form it takes.

-I think you're selling keychain lights here short, the looking in a backpack comment made me think of the older style keychain lights where you basically squeeze the case to connect the circuit with whatever size coin battery is inside. We've come a long way since then and keychain lights are now both capable in terms of brightness and run time to cover a lot of use cases (it really doesn't take that much light to watch where you're going or navigate a room to begin with either).

I think besides the novelty of fitting things into an altoids tin your last point actually addresses a fundamental reason behind it, they're small and light and you can afford to carry them wherever you go. If you're carrying a full back pack kit then go all out, if you're just wearing a jacket or carrying your work cooler then something is better than nothing and an altoids tin is a good standard for that kind of packing.

Disclaimer though: I've never interpreted Urban Survival something like disaster preparedness really, I see it more like an extended EDC, what things are useful to have in an urban environment (e.g. why yes a pack of baby wipes would be handy, oh a usb drive would be useful to have on hand etc.). I also believe that the fundamentals of 'kit' (training is exceedingly important, but also and adjacent subject) start with a capable EDC that's then expanded upon with things like Altoids kits, Maxpedition organisers and the like. Case in point if I just grab my keys I have a capable flashlight, small knife and capable pry bar to hand without any additional thought or hassle. At any given time my EDC proclivities provide me with multiple tools/solutions to any daily or unusual task at hand in my life (though not right now, right now MTO has made me think subjecting myself to a month with the Escort was a good idea  ).

I'm on the same page as you.  While there is a point to the thought that a "booboo kit" isn't a first aid kit, I'm sure that if you thought it necessary to carry one, you would.  I happen to keep a first aid kit next to my get-home-bag (GHB) and I have a booboo kit inside my GHB.  Those are for two separate scenarios.  Same goes for flashlights and edged tools.  If I thought that a powerful flashlight or a fixed blade would help me in that scenario, I'd pack one.

[ElevenBlade]

Another term for a GHB is a 24 hour pack, it's meant to include all you need for 24 hours in order to get you back home in some kind of bad circumstances (this includes calories and water without you going hungry or thirsty). A lot of this is mostly just prepper/gear head fantasy because we like to pack lots of cool stuff into bags  But preparation always has a practical side: a GHB lives in a vehicle typically and serves as a car kit by default. So if you get stuck out on a road in bad weather, you have a source of food, water, light, heat etc. to make it a more comfortable experience and you can leave the vehicle if needed and still have supplies at hand as it's prepacked into a bag not a box in the boot. You could also think of it kinda like a go bag for natural disasters that's already in the car and ready to go if you're out when the warnings come (I don't live in an area where natural disasters are a thing thankfully, so that's just specualtion  )

The topic can get... pretty crazy and frankly stupid depending on how deep you go into it. I once saw (I think it was a YT comment?) where a guy in NY city simultaneously derided the use of water bottles because "I'm in the city, I can buy a bottle of water everywhere) and also carried an ice pick for self defense as it was cheap enough he could throw it away after 'defending' himself and buy a new one...

Personally I just keep a breakdown kit, some torches and a SAK in the car

I have kept a GHB in my car for years now.  Maybe I mentioned it elsewhere on this or other threads...  Years ago I could have used one and hadn't considered the concept at the time.  I was "stranded" for nearly a week only about a 25 minute's drive from home during a natural disaster. 

My idea of a GHB isn't to get me into my home... rather it's to provide my basic needs in the scenario where I would just need to "get home".... Not "bug out" with my BOB or adapt to the realization "I'll never come home" and need to rely on my INCH bag.  My GHB would provide some level of convenience and comfort in the way of some clean clothes and toiletries, snacks, medications, a booboo kit, a multitool, water. I have it in mind to be able to "survive" at my desk at work, in a seedy cheap hotel, or in my car in the worst case... For a week.  It's a very real possibility in my mind.

[comis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hblks-lQhVo&ab_channel=WIRED

Since we are on topic of survival stuff and I was complaining about practicality of some of the youtube videos, I was recommended this video just today and think there are quite a good number of info.  Not saying Les Stroud knows it all, but of all the 'survival celebrity', at least he is not jumping off cliffs or racing train in a tunnel.

Interesting enough, he choose a 'mean to start fire' instead of a knife/tool, if he could only choose one 'survival' tool he could take.  He also talked about various form of survival 'kit', and why you shouldn't buy kit 'off the shelf'.  And yes, he did give a great answer to the toilet paper question too.

[Echotech]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hblks-lQhVo&ab_channel=WIRED

Since we are on topic of survival stuff and I was complaining about practicality of some of the youtube videos, I was recommended this video just today and think there are quite a good number of info.  Not saying Les Stroud knows it all, but of all the 'survival celebrity', at least he is not jumping off cliffs or racing train in a tunnel.

Interesting enough, he choose a 'mean to start fire' instead of a knife/tool, if he could only choose one 'survival' tool he could take.  He also talked about various form of survival 'kit', and why you shouldn't buy kit 'off the shelf'.  And yes, he did give a great answer to the toilet paper question too.

Nice one comis always really liked his show but hasn’t been on here for years, good to see he’s still going strong. Always practical and to the point will be checking YouTube for more vids

A little bit different but have you ever seen our Les, Les Hiddins, the bush tucker man? Australian Army survival expert and trainer, spent years living with indigenous Australians back in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, bit of a hero round these parts

[comis]

Nice one comis always really liked his show but hasn’t been on here for years, good to see he’s still going strong. Always practical and to the point will be checking YouTube for more vids

A little bit different but have you ever seen our Les, Les Hiddins, the bush tucker man? Australian Army survival expert and trainer, spent years living with indigenous Australians back in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, bit of a hero round these parts

That's a pretty cool show , I watched the beginning, but a lot of info to sit thru in one sitting.  I often wonder how long do the military train their serviceman in terms of survival skill, given the terrains are so different in various parts of the world.

[Echotech]

That's a pretty cool show , I watched the beginning, but a lot of info to sit thru in one sitting.  I often wonder how long do the military train their serviceman in terms of survival skill, given the terrains are so different in various parts of the world.

You make a very good point there. The skills and items I’d need to survive in the bush of NSW or more precisely close to Sydney are different from Northern Australia for example, let alone a completely different part of the world.

There’s obviously some common elements, water, shelter, fire, food etc but the weather, indigenous plants, dangerous animals etc are going to be different everywhere. No bears where I live but plenty of highly poisonous snakes. (Drop bears maybe a little Aussie humour)

Les Stroud, Bear Grylls etc travel all over the world learning their skills and learn from the locals. Many of the YouTube shows have a one size fits all mentality. Fun to watch but as Les Stroud says in the video you posted, put your own kit together and don’t rely on off the shelf. Mine includes a book of edible plants around here and some paper maps. As you know it never gets that cold here, it gets cold but not like you see on Alone the arctic so very different kit needed. Well apart from a MT, you always need one of those

[comis]

You make a very good point there. The skills and items I’d need to survive in the bush of NSW or more precisely close to Sydney are different from Northern Australia for example, let alone a completely different part of the world.

There’s obviously some common elements, water, shelter, fire, food etc but the weather, indigenous plants, dangerous animals etc are going to be different everywhere. No bears where I live but plenty of highly poisonous snakes. (Drop bears maybe a little Aussie humour)

Les Stroud, Bear Grylls etc travel all over the world learning their skills and learn from the locals. Many of the YouTube shows have a one size fits all mentality. Fun to watch but as Les Stroud says in the video you posted, put your own kit together and don’t rely on off the shelf. Mine includes a book of edible plants around here and some paper maps. As you know it never gets that cold here, it gets cold but not like you see on Alone the arctic so very different kit needed. Well apart from a MT, you always need one of those

Haha...afterall we are a tool forum, so everyone would want a MT/SAK on the kit, and it's funny how on BF, everyone would want a knife in their kit.  And I wonder whether that would be true if everyone on a Zippo forum will rank a lighter as number 1 item on the kit? 


But you are right about the weather, and Stroud's advise to plan your kit accordingly does speak volume about his knowledge about real survival.