Worst Case Scenario Disaster Pack (1 Viewer)

[LoveTractor]

Well. My stove works or at least the alcohol stove works. Almost too well. Haven't tested the wood or esbit yet. But remember. I just thought of this last night.

Used a hammer w/ an x-acto knife to start the cut around the Armour 3oz. Potted Meat can. (WEAR GOGGLES! The tip of my x-acto knife broke and went flying. It would suck to be in the eye. ) Then used the X-acto knife exclusively to finish cutting the big hole. I drilled 8 holes and tried it outside, and the flame was all over the place. I might try another with fewer vent holes.

I ended up w/ a 25.5oz Chef Boyardee can. A little taller and will give me more burn time with wood. (I thought I had bought lunch too, but that s*** is just nasty. )I measured thirds around the can to properly place the triangular "flaps." I tried the x-acto knife, but it was too tough. Got out an old serrated knife and went to town. Pick one ring around the can to start all your cuts from. This way the inner alcohol stove will be level.

We'll see if the holes around the bottom work or if I should make another with the holes in the bottom and put some legs on.

I ordered the canteen stand last night. Should be here shortly.

Oh yeah. Total weight minus fuel: 3.5oz.
Pic:

And I forgot to mention, I don't have any denatured alcohol for testing. I'm using Everclear in this picture.

You can see the flaps better in pic#2. I also added a ring so I can clip the stove to my pack instead of packing it. Don't want all the black stuff and stench from burning wood getting all over my gear.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Pick your poison. A razor cutter, small drill bit and bit of trial and error. The one I have has a inner wall and is semi pressurized. These stoves really need a wind screen so dont forget about that.

http://zenstoves.net/Templates.htm#InnerWallSideburnerStoveTemplates


If you don't feel like messing with it you can buy them pretty cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/0-3-oz-Backpack...099184317QQcategoryZ87136QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BEST-side-jet-A...098971224QQcategoryZ87136QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Go-Torch.html


There are a zillion plans and pre-made ones out there. The good thing is you can always pick up alcohol someplace. Lots of places (like here) you just can't get white gas.

good luck.

Thanks, sorry I missed the links first time you posted.
I built one of these a while back, my looked pretty rough compared to yours. Yours looked so nice I assumed you bought it, nice job.

 

[ducktapeguy]

Just wanted to second the recommendation, www.equipped.org is a very good resource for this type of info without getting too paranoid (no tinfoil hats and government cover-ups).

There are also a lot of state websites that put together webpages specifically for the type of disasters you are likely to encounter. Over on the west coast, we have www.72hours.org, which deals mainly with earthquakes and such. There is probably one for your area also. Our community had an emergency response meeting a couple of weeks ago, with visits from the local fire department and emergency services. One good piece of advice they said was that 72 hours is the minimum amount of time you should be prepared for, in a serious disaster, expect it to be much longer before you will get help. They just said that in the event of a major earthquake, they will have other critical priorities, so don't expect a quick response, you'd be on your own for a while.

There were a few things I would add to your original list, maybe you already have them but I might have missed it.

1) Good gloves. Your hands are going to be one of your most important tools during an emergency. I had a pair of mechanics gloves in my kit, but I recently switched them out to a pair of full grain leather gloves. Regular work gloves would work too, but I just don't like the clumsy feeling of wearing them.

2) Good Boots. Depending on your area and type of disaster, tennis shoes might be fine. But good lightweight boots are great to have. A lot of it depends on whether you're planning on bugging out, or sticking around, and the type of disaster. But tennis shoes really suck when they get wet. Good non-cotton socks are a must.

3) Eye protection. Goggles or even safety glasses. Gotta protect the eyes.

4) Headlamp. Much more useful than a flashlight. Doesn't need to be real powerful, just enough to do things while having your hands free.

5) Bandana. Thousands of uses for a bandana, I carry one at all times.

A couple of things I've been meaning to get, but haven't gotten around to

AMK heatsheet - supposed to be better than the space blankets
Silnylon tarp - multiuse, can be used as poncho, tarp, shelter, etc.

Also, a shotgun would be great for home defense, but I wouldn't even consider trying to carry one while bugging out unless you're trying to be the next Rambo. For my situation, even a rifle wouldn't be much use, it'd be dead weight in my pack. But YMMV, if you think you'll actually need it, then carry one. Also, I dont' carry a whole lot of food, just enough to give me energy. 1-2 days without food isn't that big a deal. Extra cash in small bills is always good.

A lot of this is coming from the perspective on preparing for an earthquake, so your specific items might need to change. So just think about what is the most likely scenario and plan for that. If you're too vague on your planning, and trying to cover all scenarios, you're going to be carrying a lot of useless stuff. There are a lot of different opinions on what is essential, so you just have to be realistic in your planning.

 

[Poser]

Headlamp <---- this is a link


Small, lightweight, easy to pack, provides hands-free light, lasts a long time with the LED’s.

I have one in just about everything I own/operate, and a couple around the shop.

 

[mj1015]

Thanks, sorry I missed the links first time you posted.
I built one of these a while back, my looked pretty rough compared to yours. Yours looked so nice I assumed you bought it, nice job.

Thanks. Version 1 looked like Homer Simpson made it. I would not bother to do this again.

 

[Mark W]

Yeah, after seeing the prices on that ebay link that was posted above for the cute little ones... Not worth my time to ever make another one unless I need it right now.


I'm probably gonna buy several from that guy and stash them away, each with a bottle of fuel.


Mark...

 

[RHINO]

it takes what, 2-3 mins to make one? i'll never pay for one. oh and i have made all types and the best working by far is the simple single walled ones.

 

[Mark W]

Yeah... after I wrote that I sat down tonight and made one out of a soda I had just finished. Few minutes while I halfway watched the tube. Time that would have been wasted anyway.

So I have to recant that statement. I doubt I'll be buying any after all.


Mark...

 

[RHINO]

 

[MarkReye1]

There were a few things I would add to your original list, maybe you already have them but I might have missed it.
Also, a shotgun would be great for home defense, but I wouldn't even consider trying to carry one while bugging out unless you're trying to be the next Rambo. For my situation, even a rifle wouldn't be much use, it'd be dead weight in my pack. But YMMV, if you think you'll actually need it, then carry one.

Ducktape,

You mention quite a bit of information. Thanks to you and others that have listed the various weblinks to vendors and sharing info with the rest of us.

You are correct, packing a rifle or shotgun in public in situation of the poo hitting the fan is probably a bad idea. Fortunately for me, and unfortunately for you, Florida does have CCW laws, where I would go for a pistol on person, and rifle and shotgun in truck. A good stout 4 to 6 inch 6 shooter in 357 Mag on up would be very good for potting game and defending whats left of home or protecting your area that you are holed up in.

I live in Hurricane Alley, and I have all kinds of birdshot, steel shot, slugs and various amounts of 00, 000, and #4 buckshot for all of my shotguns for all of my shotguns from 410-10 gauge. If the situation gets worse, I can transition to my AR-15, or better my target rifle with the 308 barrel. I can use my Anschutz smallbore rifle with Colibri ammo to whack birds if it really got bad.

I am 15 miles inland, so I am out of a mandatory evac zone, but for the house, I have plenty of sterno fuel cans, Coleman pressurized Propane tanks for my Coleman grill, charcoal for my Weber grill. I have 8 5 gallon fuel cans for my 5000W Gen Set, case of oil for the gen set for every 24 hours of use. I have started getting Water Containers, potable water is of utmost importance. We have rice, and could live off of that. All I would need would be chorizo or any summer sausage. My cousin (old enough to be my uncle), was sent to Angola by the Bearded AH 90 miles from Fl for 3 tours as a combat medic, and I asked him what did the Cuban Army use for their rations in the field. Rice and Chorizo and whatever plains game they nailed with AKMs.

All I need now, is to get my HAM license, extended range fuel tank for my truck, and Ill be set. Well, maybe if I hit the lotto, then Ill acquire a real BAR or M60 and teach my nephews how to link ammo.

Mark

 

[MarkReye1]

Hi all,

Since we are on this thread, is it safe to reuse old sterno cans? My thought was once the fuel is spent, can these tins be refilled with Denatured Alchol and used like a sterno can?

I got my sterno cans for 99 cents each from a local grocery store. Much cheaper than the surplus stores in town.

Mark

 

[AATLAS1X]

I bought this at the Portland gun show today, I will have a friend rip out a 100 or so on his HASS and I will ad nail holes on both sides and at an angle on the corner for cord ties.

Here is the link http://www.hi-vel.com/Catalog__20/Perimeter_Alarm_Systems___Acce/perimeter_alarm_systems___acce.html



I have had a KELTEC for years now and get it through all security (NON federal) Like clubs and events. I run a brass cleaning rod down the barrel and it hang from my neck on lanyard. They are great little cheap guns. My Walther P22 is also a great pack pistol for small issues and fun with a TROS can.

 

[LoveTractor]

Hi all,

Since we are on this thread, is it safe to reuse old sterno cans? My thought was once the fuel is spent, can these tins be refilled with Denatured Alchol and used like a sterno can?
...

Yeah, it's fine. It's what's called an "Open Flame" alcohol stove(per http://zenstoves.net/OpenFlameStoves.htm).
I've decided on using Everclear as my main alcohol fuel. Pure ethanol. Fuel for the stove, antiseptic for first aid........and spirits. 3 uses in one.

 

[ducktapeguy]

I am 15 miles inland, so I am out of a mandatory evac zone, but for the house, I have plenty of sterno fuel cans, Coleman pressurized Propane tanks for my Coleman grill, charcoal for my Weber grill. I have 8 5 gallon fuel cans for my 5000W Gen Set, case of oil for the gen set for every 24 hours of use. I have started getting Water Containers, potable water is of utmost importance. We have rice, and could live off of that.

Mark

Here's something that might be useful for you, or someone in your similar situation

http://cgi.ebay.com/Emergency-Disas...04QQ<br />ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's such a simple idea, I'm surprised it wasn't thought of before. It's a giant liner bag to fit inside your bathtub so you can fill it in the event of an emergency. It will keep your water clean, and comes with a siphon for getting the water out. I've always heard of using your bathtubs to store water, just in case, but if you've seen my bathtub, there's no way you'd want drink that water, I barely even want to take a bath in it. With something like this though, it's a good way to store massive amounts of water quickly without taking up too much space during the off season

It probably wouldn't work for my situtation, but if I lived in hurricane alley where I would have advance notice of a possible emergency, I would probably get one of these.

 

[FJTex]

I would get a straight-edge knife, Tex. Serrated blades are a lot harder to keep sharp out in the field. Hell. Almost impossible. With a straight-edge, you can sharpen it easily with a portable diamond knife sharpener like I got(eze lap) OR you can sharpen it using sand, quartz, or granite with a little ingenuity. Serrated blades need much more intricate methods for sharpening.

i agree, idk if i mentioned it but i do also cary a small staight blade as well as a gerber utility tool that has a straight blade in it as well. in my (admittedly limited) experience most of these blades jsut dont take the kind of abuse that they're likely to find in my hands. this may, of course, indicate my inability or lack of desire to use the right tool for the job, but i very often find myself using a knife for lots of "non-knife" uses (digging, prying, chiseling, etc.) and for those types of typically detrimental uses for a knife, i've found that particular blade to be highly durable.

I'd also look for a better quality backpack. I know you're on a budget, but you want a comfortable pack. You don't see many climbers with Eddie Bauer packs. The $50 you spend today on a cheap pack is $50 you don't have tomorrow to get a better quality pack. I'd save the $50 and save some more for a nice Kelty, Gregory, or some other respected brand. If you're stuck on the $50 budget, take a hard look at ALICE packs. ALICE packs are cheap if bought from army surplus stores and have been used by our troops for years.

somthing i'm definitly considering, i'm also trying to prioritize upgrading my bone stock truck with this as well. both are priorities for me

 

[FJTex]

well not to revisit the firearms debate too much but i'm strating to agree with some of whats been said here about the practial wisdom of a handgun over a shotgun or rifle. that being said i found the walther p22 to be an exceptional choice for me. its a very inexpensive gun (can be bought for under $300) and fires .22 LR ammo wich is admittedly not great for stopping power but is exteremely inexpensive and versitile. additionally the p22 is very compact and lightweight, so i can keep it in my pack easily

 

[LoveTractor]

Nice gun. I'd post over in the Guns section for more input.
.22 is nice and cheap, but if you only buy one handgun your whole life, you might as well get one with "punch." I own just the one HK USP Compact and settled on .40 caliber. Why? Because nobody will shrug off a shot of .40 caliber lead where as a .22 or a 9mm shot is sometimes not fatal. .40 is undeniably painful. That and I have Federal hollow-point loaded for defense situations so nobody will be giving me trouble.

But standardizing ammo for a BOB is nice. Get the Walther .22 handgun and then a Ruger 10/22 rifle and then get 1000s of rounds for cheap and you're set.

 

[Bad Voodoo]

...Because nobody will shrug off a shot of .40 caliber lead where as a .22 or a 9mm shot is sometimes not fatal...

A wise man once said,

"...the primary determining factor of stopping power is BULLET PLACEMENT. A cool, deliberate marksman with a little .32 Walther PPK will beat (as in dead) a panicky, inaccurate man with a .357 Magnum or .45 auto every time."

Choose your poison, be it a .22LR, .32, .38, 9mmHP, .40, etc., ad nauseum, and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. If you can afford it pick up a .22LR and 9mm, because ammunition in these calibers are plentiful and relatively cheap, allowing you to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE without taking out a 2nd mortgage.

Here endeth the lesson.

-voodoo

 

[mj1015]

Well. My stove works or at least the alcohol stove works. Almost too well. Haven't tested the wood or esbit yet. But remember. I just thought of this last night.

Used a hammer w/ an x-acto knife to start the cut around the Armour 3oz. Potted Meat can. (WEAR GOGGLES! The tip of my x-acto knife broke and went flying. It would suck to be in the eye. ) Then used the X-acto knife exclusively to finish cutting the big hole. I drilled 8 holes and tried it outside, and the flame was all over the place. I might try another with fewer vent holes.

I ended up w/ a 25.5oz Chef Boyardee can. A little taller and will give me more burn time with wood. (I thought I had bought lunch too, but that s*** is just nasty. )I measured thirds around the can to properly place the triangular "flaps." I tried the x-acto knife, but it was too tough. Got out an old serrated knife and went to town. Pick one ring around the can to start all your cuts from. This way the inner alcohol stove will be level.

We'll see if the holes around the bottom work or if I should make another with the holes in the bottom and put some legs on.

I ordered the canteen stand last night. Should be here shortly.

Oh yeah. Total weight minus fuel: 3.5oz.
Pic:

And I forgot to mention, I don't have any denatured alcohol for testing. I'm using Everclear in this picture.

You can see the flaps better in pic#2. I also added a ring so I can clip the stove to my pack instead of packing it. Don't want all the black stuff and stench from burning wood getting all over my gear.

How is it working out? This might help, looks similar.

http://www.garlington.biz/Ray/WoodGasStove/

 

[LoveTractor]

How is it working out? This might help, looks similar.

http://www.garlington.biz/Ray/WoodGasStove/

It sort of got put on the back burner(pun ), but not after some developments.
I received the canteen cup holder and realized that it was too big to fit the 25.5oz can I was going to use(pictured above). So I went out and bought a bigger 35.5oz Chef Boyardee can(gross) and proceeded to brainstorm ways to mount the canteen cup holder on top of the can.
Then it hit me. Use the pre-cut opening in the canteen cup and then cut 2 new "slices" into the canteen cup holder so it rests evenly and firmly on the can. The canteen cup sits pretty firmly inside the cup holder right out of the box so once they are joined, it's really hard to seperate them. Hence why I made the holder easy to lift on and off the can. The cup holder and cup are attahced to form one part of the appuratus.
Below is pictured the current prototype. It boiled a cup of water in about 20 minutes using the alcohol burner. Way too slow. The next design calls for the burner to sit higher up so I'll be cutting the side slits higher up.