So it’s time to go over what’s in the SuriviveLA compound grab and go bags. These are the backpacks we have for each person here just in case we find ourselves surrounded by zombies and decide its time to run. Conveniently our grab and go bags are the same ones we use for hiking and backpacking. In fact the contents of the bags are based on what the Sierra Club used to call the “Ten Essentials“, which has now been expanded into the “Ten Essential Systems”. We’ll go into each of these systems in greater detail in the next ten posts. To start off here is the Sierra Club’s Ten Essential Systems list with our brief annotations:
1. Navigation
This includes a compass and a map of the area you are traveling to.
2. Sun Protection
It gets hot and sunny here in the Southwest so you’ll need sunglasses and sunscreen.
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
Even though it never gets that cold in Los Angeles it’s important to remember that hypothermia can occur when temperatures are above ten degrees Celsius, (that’s 50 degrees Fahrenheit for you backwards non-metric American types) especially if it’s windy or if your clothes get wet.
4. Illumination
We have multiple headlamps and flashlights with extra batteries.
5. First-aid supplies
We’ll give the full list of the contents of our first aid kit in a subsequent post.
6. Fire
Our fire making kit includes waterproof matches and kindling material made with dryer lint and candle wax
7. Repair kit and tools
We wear a Leatherman multi-tool at all times on our belt.
8. Nutrition
Our grab and go bags contain an array of Cliff bars and other items with a long shelf life.
9. Hydration
We have both extra water and a ceramic water filter.
10. Emergency shelter
We have a very lightweight backpacking tent.
This ain’t about paranoia – while our grab and go bags contain modern tools, we appreciate the ancient, and almost lost art of travel by foot. Remember kids, back in the days before SUVs people used to walk long distances without the benefit of convenience stores and fast food joints.
Stay tuned for a detailed explanation of each of the Ten Essential Systems and some adaptations for urban situations.