Survival Instructor Explains Flaws of Get Home/Bug Out Bag Mentality: Set Up a Proper Kit

[@KingTesticus]

Safety glasses are very handy. Walking in the woods when it's dark (or getting dark) those twigs and branches are not cooperative.

[@JosephAllen-d2e]

@KingTesticus is that a random thought, or do you practice that? I've never done or known anyone who does. Furthermore, it has never occurred to me to do. But then I don't go running around in the woods when it's dark without a flashlight.

[@yogibro6442]

I've caught a twig in the face in the dark before. I just found +and- power swim googles online and figured I could throw some in. I figure they'd be good for safety, dust, water, and correct vision some. And sticks to the eye in the dark I guess lol

[@JefCollier]

I have to defend this as well! I wear some low-light amber lenses when I walk my dog around dusk. We walk on a well tread path with trees and such on both sides, but I've absolutely caught a stray branch in the face and was happy I hadn't taken then glasses off yet. Yes, I've got a great flashlight with me, but I only pop it on when I really need to see something.

[@Katesharpandvoice]

Yes. You can even get photochromic Oakley sunglasses which can serve as sun protection, ultralight eye protection from branches and bluelight protection.

[@JefCollier]

I just came back to comment that I was walking my dog again and there was decent light through the trees. But I walked right through a spiderweb and wished I'd kept my glasses on.

[@tatankat5839]

You are doing a great service to our country. Thank you brother! Boys, let us get off the couch and go do!

[@derealovesurvival7549]

No dily dalying ATB

[@naglemonster679]

Thanks Dan for covering all that in 15 min. or less. Most of these on KZbin spend way too long taking at us like we don't understand basic survival

[@nickprague1481]

Thanks for another great video. I use my vacuum sealer for my extra socks and gloves to keep them waterproof, and they take up less room.

[@waynehendrix4806]

@kennethrhodes7143 Money, statistics, weight. And some think they can just steal the air out of you lungs if they need it.

[@waynehendrix4806]

I like the vacuum sealer for those things myself. Why be soggy?

[@jamomeara1894]

Great idea!

[@kengarland2181]

Great job with the video as usual ! I'm 77 yrs old and still learning. Keep up the good work 👍

[@unitedwestand126]

Not too many bushcrafters talk about 2A but I'm glad you mentioned it. Way to go for the personal protection side of things

[@TexasNationalist1836]

Corporals corner doesn’t 🙄 “I’ll be throttled”

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

Somethings just need to be left unsaid for ones own personal safety. If folks know you are carrying one you become a target therefore somethings are best kept undercover.

[@PaEMT_FF9]

Great information. I keep a dedicated sub-compact/compact bag-gun and 2 mags. Lives in my bag as back-up.

[@kenberry1850]

I don’t know how you rate this video within your 10 year collection but having followed for most of that time I rate it ‘top of the heap’.very well done. Thank you

[@phild8095]

Why and I writing this next paragraph? Personal experience. I used to walk serious distances in my youth. In my 20's I'd walk across the city, into the suburbs just to visit someone. Walked 3 miles each way back and forth to work. So when it was time to throw on a pack and go into the hills for a weekend I was ready. I stopped doing that years ago. Then I retired. PArt of retirement is walking the dog daily. I've gotten over a thousand miles a year walking year round in rural Iowa. It took a while to get the legs and back up to the task again. I now daily ruck 20-27 pounds year round. The thing is, if you aren't used to lugging a pack it is going to suck if you have to do it in an emergency. Even rucking distances requires some practice. Find out if the pack fits well, what else you need to carry, how good are your current shoes for rucking.

[@StephenSendall]

I am glad to hear someone else carries a backpack just for "practice". I have an old Alice pack and a 12lt pack that I quite often carry around our 5 acre block while just doing odd jobs. It may look weird to others, but I enjoy it, it keeps me fit and makes boring job more of a challenge.

[@phild8095]

@@StephenSendall Weird is right. The first year on four separate occasions local women thought I was homeless offered me things like a backpack with clothes and dog, water, money and more money. I'm retired, the mortgage, car, truck and boat are all paid off, the dog alone cost me $1,500, the concealed carry, $400.

[@DonineH]

Super helpful. Straight forward & to the point. Much appreciated.

[@jonmueller2117]

Some hard candy for comfort and calories, cheap and it doesn't expire.

[@tcranger85]

Get you some magazines and hardy candy. Something to keep you busy at night.

[@user-bd5md5cm2j]

Amen. The runt gummy clusters are so fricken good. Nothing with nuts or peanut butter in them unless you can keep them frozen

[@user-bd5md5cm2j]

​@@tcranger85what kind of magazines were you thinking

[@65flashlight]

Good ol' Charms

[@downtownlife]

It's got to be high quality candy .. because I found out the hardway that dollar tree hard candy gets extremely sticky and loss of flavor ...the grandma's house mixed bag candy. I thought it would last 3 years...not even close.

[@ericc.7000]

Love the channel and a long time subscriber. Noted 3 items skipped or lacking 1) a big knife for chopping, batoning or defence, 2) a smaller knife for general purpose, finer work, slicing and dicing, and 3) maybe a multi-tool? Great video, great info, tweak your mix of stuff as you see fit!

[@petemarkle1083]

Love your Videos and all the work you put into them.. I've set up my wife and all my kids with automobiles kits and they all have a firearm except my oldest daughter, so I got her a Co2 pepperball gun and it's truly worth carrying for personal protection for those that don't believe in go bang type guns!.... Enjoy your knowledge and can't wait to get time to visit and have you torture me through my ignorance!!..🤙

[@kd8309]

Yours is the BEST presentation I have seen yet. Practical common sense - Thank you sir!!

[@xavieriemangum7050]

Well made video. Clear explanations for what to carry and why. Thank you.

[@rogueraven7603]

Excellent video. I’m currently enjoy a traditional kukri. Good for defense but they also used them as farm tools. They’re not everybody’s cup of tea but they’re worth a look.

[@asmith7876]

LOVE my Cold Steel kukri.

[@Xeno-M.]

I have them as well !! Better than a machete as they are far more multi purpose, (chopping wood, cutting brush, digging, self defence). And I just think they look cool too !!

[@Mouse357]

Awesome video, thank you Dan!!!

[@xforce708]

I like this video. I’m 27 miles to work. My wife’s work is 20 miles from home and while not in the opposite direction it would cause me an extra 8 miles though. So 35 miles to home. If it’s so bad that I have to walk to her it’s gonna be tricky and long. We are now in suburbia. It was country when I grew up here.

[@billalumni9142]

Great video. The only thing that you may want to consider adding is an N-95 mask. You may have to stay in a place that is dusty from little critters or mold.

[@davidlee9299]

Basically my.kit.... I did add a tarp also. I also have bit more for sleeping.. Which up here in Minnesota winters get a bit colder.. and some extra clothing layers for winter...

[@Xeno-M.]

Very good point. What he shows you here is a base kit, not an analog for what everyone should have Exactly. If you live in a colder area, and you don’t have wood to make a fire, (say a desert at night), or you live in a wet climate where you can’t dry out the wood you have, or Everything is covered in ice/snow, you can’t rely on fire to augment that summer sleeping bag. Clothes will help a bit, but even where he is in Pennsy I would bring a liner with the bag, or a warmer one just in case. I get that you don’t want too much weight. But what is that worth when you wake up shivering from hypothermia?? Besides having a fire can be impractical due to how much wood you have to collect just to Stay warm all night. For a few hours, maybe. All night?? Better to heat water in a bottle and tuck it under your arm or between your legs. Much more practical

[@Maurice419]

WHAT...NO TOILET PAPER!!! THAT STUFF IS LIKE GOLD!!!

[@Yamaha38XCRacer]

Haha, you will be dragging your butt across the leaves in the woods…

[@ARAW-__-]

Use pine cones, moss, small round rocks, or a reusable bandana (you wash it between use.............)

[@paulamcclure3402]

Tip - An alternative to TP 🧻 Could add a CuloClean bidet attachment to a squeezable water bottle; or makeshift a bidet out of a plastic water bottle by poking a hole in the top of the plastic screw-top cap.

[@ARAW-__-]

@paulamcclure3402 good one !

[@paulamcclure3402]

​@@ARAW-__- You too! Gotta have alternatives. 🙂👍

[@stacyhazelwood4033]

Good video, Dan. We hope and pray that life is mostly fun and games, but we must be prepared for times when it could become life or death. Thank you for covering all our bases. Keep up the good work. God Bless.

[@Xeno-M.]

AMEN.

[@EvanK2EJT]

It's funny.....I just did a video like this with my Summits On The Air kit for when I'm in the middle of nowhere in the mountains, and your kit looks VERY similar to mine. As always, the more knowledge and skills you have the less crap you have to take with you, but just because I CAN start a fire with a bow drill doesn't mean I want to lol.

[@Xeno-M.]

+1 On NO BOW DRILL !! Only as a last resort!! Takes too much effort and too looong!!

[@Tator83]

Thanks brother.Honesty was refreshing.Stay safe.peace and blessings.

[@JAD1DAD]

Good stuff. Our kits are almost identical. I have 5 freeze dried meals in mine because of distance from work to home. It's 40 miles. If things are bad enough that I've had to leave work on foot, that 40 will take much longer than what I could walk it when things are good. I would be avoiding people as much as possible, passing near very large subdivisions for the first 16 miles. After that, things should get better but by then the zombies could have arrived.

[@outdoorslifesurvivecraft5078]

Great video! Sometimes keeping up with what one may need to carry, can be a pain. Because of changes in my job, I've gone from a couple edc's to a few more edc's to a sling bag for it all, to a bigger sling bag get home bag and now that I might be as far as 200 miles from home at any given time, my ghb has turned into a survival bag. In the winter, the darn thing weighs about 35 lbs. About 10 lbs. of that is food, so it will weigh less as I go. It's just crazy to think how it has changed over the years.

[@JB-eg1tb]

I appreciate you separating "mentality" from a "proper kit" based on my goals and what I want to do with each category you mentioned. Too many times, what I see on others channel are not really practical or applicable to my surroundings. But highlighting the categories and the questions you asked allow for personalization. As a side thought-- I asked this at another channel. It would be interesting to learn about hygiene and managing waste in an urban setting during a disaster/survival mode.

[@LAWLESSXX88]

I don't have a bug out bag, I just take my kit with me everywhere I go. My truck is my office and I spend most of my days in the truck. I carry my standard bushcraft kit (covers the basics) and I try to stay light weight. I also keep a couple days worth of rations packed in truck and if my truck goes down I will add what I need to my pack. If I trek it anywhere and it's also a survival or shtf situation I keep my 300blk suppressed Sbr with me (a benefit of basically living out of my truck 5 or 6 days a week). Coalcracker, canterbury, corp Kelly, dirty civilian, and many other channels along with practice, training, repetitive work, and growing up a poor country boy has contributed to my skills. Hopefully I don't need all this but I will be glad if I do lol.... awesome video Coalcracker

[@justinbailey3165]

Great video Dan! Nicely put together kit. Many are familiar with the five C's of survival, I like Bear Independent's 12 C's to make it easy to pack up a kit. Cover Combustion Cordage Container Cutting tool Compass Candle Commo Casualty care Combat Calories Conditioning And yes toilet paper is always a good addition 🐼

[@pepawg2281]

Charmin

[@tg1cent765]

Thank you for a different perspective on this topic!

[@timlacy2284]

Dan , Thank You Sir, For Sharing Your Time, Wisdom, Experience, Knowledge and Great Information on what gear to have and take with you. I still use my Medium ALICE Pack and Frame WEB / LBE Gear. Thanks Again.

[@MikeClavetteSr]

My Bug-out bag is the same bag/pack I carry into the woods...... There is 3 days of Freeze dried food (3 meals a day) in there all needed shelter/water/fire/Navigation (paper Topi maps and compass) in there and a few other things for comfort and PP..I keep a small duffel bag with dry cloths and outerwear in it that is changed up by the season.....It stays in my truck so its always on the ready whether its a recreation/hunting trip or an all out emergency.........Been an outdoorsman & Tradesman my whole life and have always done it this way.....I'm 65 now and live very Rural in New England ,guess its to late to change now !!!...... LOL

[@curtiscrow8997]

@@MikeClavetteSr I have the same mentality. My bug out bag, is the same kit I backpack with. Keeps it nice and simple, and because it gets so much use, I know everything works and I have experience with everything in it.

[@JosephAllen-d2e]

Check the calorie count on those freeze dried meals.

[@MikeClavetteSr]

@@JosephAllen-d2e there all mountain house 2 serving packets....plenty of calories

[@MikeFoley-w1z]

this is the way...

[@Phearsum]

Where is the best place to get topo maps for my region? I can't seem to find any. NEPA if that helps narrow it down.

[@mallyredfearn6834]

Nice and light. Stick some handwarmers and Curaheat pads (if they're available over there) or similar in the pack. Wouldn't add much. I did a test night over the winter just gone with them. -6C Urban, so no fire and also no sleep system save for half of a cheap roll mat. I also wore Softie trousers of a greater size than needed. I had several layers on and then a gillet with a handwarmer in each top pocket. I had two curaheat pads stuck on the inside of the left front panel. The layers under me stopped the heat reaching my body. I had a bison Bushcraft wool shirt over the gillet to trap the heat. It created a layer of warm air around my body, and aided the heart pumping warm blood. I remained sitting, using the half roll mat to give insulation, but I was warm and toasty.

[@farstrider79]

Instant icepacks are nice in the summer, you can swap them back and forth by season. Heat exhaustion can kill you quicker than hypothermia.

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

You need moleskin in every pack.

[@Xeno-M.]

Very good idea!!

[@DonineH]

ThermaCare heated back wraps would be excellent for a survival kit. Individually wrapped, super light, won’t burn your skin. Boot & hand warmers for skiers are great, too. Great comment, thanks.

[@mallyredfearn6834]

@DonineH The Curaheat pads that I used are similar, though these particular ones had to be placed on clothing next to the skin (when used for the intended purpose). For the purpose described above, the insulated layers that separated me from the direct heat worked great as they absorbed that heat without me getting uncomfortable if that makes sense. It was also easier to vent if I needed to, or even to remove a heat pad if it got too warm, without removing excess clothing and having a massive heat dump. I didn't explain the softie trousers properly. These had full length zips so were easy to put on over what were normal work trousers, which were also over baselayer bottoms. The insulation in the trousers was vital to stop the heat from that warmed blood escaping through poorly insulated legs, which would lead to cold feet and the heart struggling more to pump cooler blood back to the heart. Think of hot water pipes without insulation. 🙂

[@leesummers9352]

Test how waterproof "waterproof" is beforehand. If you want something to stay 100% dry make an effort sealing clothes/sleeping bag in advance, otherwise expect it all to be wet when you need it the most. Wet = cold, impedes sleep/rest, leaves you demoralised, and slows progress.

[@jcar1417]

You can freeze to death before you die of thirst, you can die of thirst before you starve, but water keeps the brain functioning and food gives you the energy to carry on. So for me, proper clothing comes first, water , fire, food. And fire is for warmth or drying out before food prep. The problem is most people are uncomfortable being uncomfortable, sounds silly but it’s true. We have been conditioned to having what we need a few steps away.

[@Timeren2010]

Think clothing should be considered the first part of a shelter-system.

[@michaellee6167]

Very good video...thanks

[@Xeno-M.]

Jcar1417 I totally agree. And to the first commenter that questioned about tp, I would say wet wipes or Whizzy wipes instead of tp. More durable and have antibacterial qualities (wet wipes) not offered w/tp. And didn’t I see a knife on the outside of his pack that he did not mention or is it just me??

[@Peaches-i2i]

Food isn't even really an absolute necessary for a short use get-home bag. It's nice to have, keeps you from being distracted, but if you need to be out so long that you are in danger of starving then the bag has failed its purpose and a few meal bars aren't going to help. Shelter, water, and certain tools are what you need.

[@Timeren2010]

@@Peaches-i2i I've put some emergency ration bars in mine. Those very high caloric ones, vacuum sealed, lasts for decades. They are just short of 500 calories for 100 grams. A nice to have regardless. Got 4 bars each at 137 grams, so thats what, 660 calories times 4....2600+ calories, and they do not expire until i'm dead, most likely :)

[@SM-up3mx]

Dan, you're a stud. Thank you for all the great information.

[@muskett4108]

Being British, then the only thing I would improve on is having a Brew kit. Most things in life can be solved over a cup of Tea, even SHTF. Minimum is enough to get through a long night. Nice one.

[@paulamcclure3402]

What's in your Brew Kit? Do you pack tea bags, loose leaf, or both? Oolong would be a great addition. However, Pu'erh (esp. pressed cakes or Tuo Cha) travel & age well when stored properly and you can get numerous steepings. Cheers & Happy Trails! 🇺🇸 🏕 🌲

[@muskett4108]

@@paulamcclure3402 Tea Bags, Typhoo or Yorkshire. Powdered milk, because.. Sugar, because it's survival. Hot chocolate sachets, and a couple of OXO cubes. No coffee, because you can smell coffee 500m away in the woods. Deluxe, includes snacks which are nuts and raisons, chocolate bar be it a Snickers or Mars. A ration meal or at least some noodles. It's not a picnic. Enough for 48hrs of working, at a push 72. Getting home is a weight thing, and you can't do swift and stealthy with a weighty bergen with kitchen sink. Double or triple the distance if you have to avoid people.

[@AldoSchmedack]

Yeah, it reminds me you never take tobacco, chew, or coffee on treks. Keep the tea, the sugar, the powdered milk stuff, and ditch the strong stuff. And yes, almost anything improves when you sit and think, and talk in a group, it all out. A parlé.

[@Dreoilin]

Barrys or Lyons fer me! ​@@muskett4108

[@paulamcclure3402]

​@muskett4108 You've got a nice rounded sustenance kit there. Haven't tried Typhoo, but have enjoyed Yorkshire Gold. Thanks for sharing your kit contents & all of your helpful tips. 🙂👍

[@redbeard1775]

This video definitely helped me narrow my focus when thinking about these things. Thank you for the info!

[@dribrom]

Packing an old school compass is always a good idea. Preferable a compass used in orienteering as it also has some other neat features to read the a map with. That way you don't have to rely on electronics that can easily get damaged or stop working for one or the other reason.

[@Otis010707]

Another great video Dan! BTW- LOVE the new Yucca pack! I have very fond memories of the one I inherited from my cousin when I was a scout several decades ago!

[@leesummers9352]

Clear safety goggles - hot ash, branches/foliage, bugs, grit... You always need your eyes, especially when traveling through a forrest at night. Your compass and torch are useless without your sight.

[@jonmueller2117]

Yes! Best $5 investment of all time.

[@choule90]

Tinted safety glasses are more durable and cheapest form of sunglasses

[@jorgergonzalezvisualartist8925]

Great video! I would add that Apple I phone has added satellite texting as part of the newer update, 18 I believe. Someone actually used it in North Carolina after the storm. No extra charge and no phone service required because it works directly from satellites.

[@pnyarrow]

Hi Dan. Thank you so much for that realistic and well explained presentation. Stay safe.ATB. Nigel

[@pB-vp3mo]

Great kit and great information. I would like to say that this kit is for 72 hours, 3 days, or 5 days on the outside. Think fires and floods not SHTF. Longer needs are a different kit with a different mindset. Keep the great videos and information coming

[@stoneysdead689]

LOL- I thought I was paranoid because I throw like some good hiking boots and an extra change of clothes in my truck whenever I go somewhere. I just figure if the truck breakdown and I end up walking on the side of the interstate- what would I want to have on, what would I want to have with me. Never had to use any of it, but it's better to have and not need, than to need and not have. But yeah, my friends think I'm paranoid and I was starting to think maybe they're right- but this video changes my mind. I don't bring shelter and all that stuff because I'm just preparing for a truck breakdown- not a shtf scenario. If the proverbial sh1t hits the fan- I'm screwed anyway- I'm in my late fifties and on all kinds of meds that I can't live or operate without. I'd make it maybe a couple months and then- I'm in trouble. And by the time I could get to a pharmacy- it would be trashed and mostly empty. They're not going to just take the stuff that gets them high- they're going to take everything. The stuff they don't need, they can sell or trade to ppl who do need it. Shame- I live on a 40-acre farm and have raised livestock and crops my whole life, if I didn't have to have the damned meds- I'd be in a much better place than most ppl. I still have a freshwater spring on my property- and a 3000 gallon catch tank that it keeps overflowing at all times. I don't even have to have a pump- it's gravity fed. I don't get great pressure- but if I ever needed to- I can switch over from city water to my spring- takes about 2 hours to bleed the lines and get water running here at the house. And I've already got a freezer full of meat, and plenty of healthy stock in the pasture. I have 5 bee hives working right now as well- and hope to geta few more going. I can even make ethanol- when on one is looking ; ) We used to make molasses in the open pan, over a hardwood fire- but my dad passed, and he was the cook. It's something that takes years of experience to get good at and unfortunately- I didn't take advantage of the opportunity when I had it and never learned. It's a hard process to explain but you have a long pan divided into 5 different sections- and as the cane juice runs through each section cooking, it changes a little- by the time it reaches the last section- just before it reaches the spout and pours out of the pan- it turns to molasses and gets caught in a glass jug. You push the juice through the pan by releasing more juice from the barrel- which pushes the juice in the pan forward- but you have to know when to do this, when to release more, when to stop- because if it turns to molasses before it reaches that spout- it will burn. If it doesn't turn to molasses then, you're catching worthless cane juice that's partially cooked down. So you have to know how to time it perfectly- and you know that by watching the bubbles when it's boiling, watching how it pours out of a dipper. And the whole time this green foam is coming to the top and has to be skimmed off and thrown away or it will make everything bitter. Also- he's telling you when to add more wood to the fire and where to put it- the pan is over 10 feet long and about 5 feet wide. That same cane juice, sorghum cane- can make rum instead of molasses. But that's a different post- tune in next week when we discover how grandma makes her "medicinal" stump water.

[@JackyHeijmans]

Hi Stoney, you are not paranoid, you are wise. It is the people that don't prepare for anything and trust on others to be saved, that will have the biggest problem. As for your medical conditions, I of course don't know what is with you, but have you looked into what the people used in the old days? Herbs, treebark, all kinds of things in nature have medicinal uses, and people used it for thousands of years. Big Pharma is often giving people stuff they don't need, and then people often even need other medications to take care of the side effects of the medication they "need". I know nature can not take care of everything, we have to die one day, but maybe you find something that would help keep you more comfortable. Raincountry is one channel that gives a lot of information about it, but you really have to do your own research, (as she says too), for everybody has a different body and needs. There are many that make videos about it, that heard something and sell it as absolute truth, without doing any more research, what can be utterly dangerous. You know, nature has stuff strong enough to kill us too. You may find something that helps you though! I did, middle of the city, growing my own herbs! Good luck and have a wonderful time! Much love from the Netherlands! 🤗❤ (Ps. I am not paranoid either, there is a lot happening around the world. You can check Sott Media News if you like, their series Earth Changes, one video every month.. And it is not humans taking too long showers causing that. Nor is it "like it has always been, we now only have internet, so we see it more", as some seem to think. I've been following something for years, it is going worse.)

[@Xeno-M.]

You are only paranoid until something happens and then you become the Smartest Guy on Your Block. I experienced this phenomenon when hurricane Sandy hit in the US several years ago. Some lady that was checking out my cans of soup and water said something to me like, What are you having some sort of soup party or something? (clearly joking). I said no I am getting this “just in case” we get hit. I also bought led lanterns for each room in my Apt, and a gas stove. When it hit I was the ONLY place on my block that had their place lit at night. Many only had candles and were not prepared. I don’t think if I saw that cashier after the fact that she would think I was silly for doing what I did. So WHO CARES how people view you. It won’t matter when the disaster hits. Only survival does.

[@DonineH]

You’ve got way better skills than most people! You could ask your doctor to give you 4 RXs in a year, for a 90-day supply of each critical med, in addition to your regular monthly. You’ll have to pay cash, but explain it’s for a 1-year emergency survival supply. Use GoodRx coupons for the best cash price. If your doc won’t do it, a concierge doctor from the Wellness Co (Peter McCollough’s group) probably will. You may also be able to buy from Mexico w/ no Rx, depending on the drugs. That’s how I get ivermectin. Good luck & don’t be so hard on yourself. We all get older. All the best.

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. This is a great "gear list" for a survive/bug-out/bug-in bag. Looks like you have all the bases covered!

[@rickysand1900]

Great logic used in composing your kit. Specific to your needs.

[@tc1uscg65]

Great video. Couple things I'd suggest. Urban exposure. Go Grey Man.. Loose the "military style/tactical" backpack. Find something that doesn't make you stand out, less likely you will have to fight someone trying to take it. The other thing, a multi-facet key. Lots of faucets on city buildings that require a special wrench to turn on. But for the most part, everything you had in your bag works in the woods and the city.

[@TUKByV1]

1). Suburban myth. There's milsurp and faux military stuff everywhere. Walmart has MOLLE. There's "tacticool" as well as milsurp in the thrift store bins and even homeless people with camo packs. There's at least 2 different guys who jog past my house with plate carriers. And I live in a Blue county. Anyone can buy Temu stuff, and they do. If someone is REALLY concerned about people looking for camo and/or MOLLE, they can buy or make a pack cover. 2). It's called a Sillcock Key. If you're going to tell everyone to run out and buy it, tell them the actual name, then tell them to only buy a reputable brand AND test it ASAP. There's been a LOT of Sillcock Keys sold in the last few years which are so out of spec, they're useless.

[@tc1uscg65]

​​​@@TUKByV1anyone who buys and wears "milsurp" in public are dumbsh1ts. Go ahead, draw attention. Make yourself a target. And if you have to spell it out, the make and model, your just indulging posers. Thats how people learn. Look it up for yourself. Maybe they will learn the dif from a silcok wrench and a faucet wrench or a plumbers wrench. Maybe even a hydrant wrench. 😮 Js

[@area.man.]

I'll second using a different type of backpack just to keep any interest off of me. I have a backpack I got free from work that has far more pockets and better pocket placement than any tacpack I have purchased. In that innocent looking pack I have an AR-7, ham/GMRS radio and a Ka-Bar in addition to most of Dan's items. No matter who is wearing it I take notice when someone is wearing a tactical backpack or clothing of any sort. When someone has a generic pack I don't give them a second look.

[@richerich853]

Meshtastic works well locally without cell service. There's several people nearby, I have a large external antenna I can reach 40 miles on one hop. The cool part is you may not need a big antenna because it hops between stations. The best part is it can be encrypted.

[@OzExpeditions]

IMHO nothing is more important than water in warm or hot weather. I had an experience for the first time with heat exhaustion out in the backcountry this year and it was really an eye opening experience.

[@paulamcclure3402]

Great Preparedness Kit video, Dan. Usually EDCing a SAK or multi-tool, however I would add a backup multi-tool to the pack. Happy Trails! 🇺🇸 🏕 🌲

[@AldoSchmedack]

Too much weight. 1 is enough there.

[@paulamcclure3402]

Wow...a SAK Huntsman is only 3.4 oz. (as an example). (You can always gut the pack if needing to minimize the weight before heading out.) I'd rather have the backup option ("one is none..." and all that). 🇺🇸 ✌️🙂

[@benterwellen]

Dan, ty for this..😊

[@jefflarson4982]

Can use sun glasses too for PPE or clear safety glasses. Light weight

[@arenawoodworks]

Finally he throws his 2 cents! Thank you for reasoning about this subject from expecience.

[@danielwesterfield7088]

Would definitely recommend a pack of wet wipes! Super light and inexpensive, yet can really come in handy if you anticipate having to travel for more than a couple hours! Hygiene is super important so if you can spare some room in your kit, it wouldn’t hurt to add some creature comforts. Floss, chapstick, toothbrush/toothpaste, wet wipes, even baby powder! All can be combined in a small med/admin pouch that takes up little room.

[@dustinmoseley8863]

Great video looking JACKKEEDDDDD

[@LAWLESSXX88]

I think I got unsuscribed , I wasn't getting any coal crac in my feed or any notifications. Well I'm back. Awesome video

[@outinthewoods5652]

Thanks dan its good to see your kit. I've seen so many of these on here and people are loading up with axes, saws, and items that the average joe probably wouldn't even need if they are in a city for example and so few point out that their viewers needs might be different and to take items they would need and not go about it with a this is what i carry and you should too mentality, ive been wanting to ask you if you had to build one of these what you would carry but it seems you beat me to the asking, thanks alot and keep up the awesome job you do ! 😊

[@BIGMINION502]

Nice. I like the set up. Keep it coming.

[@damiensumner1432]

I’ve got two recommendations for additions to your pack 1) couple of glue gun sticks…if you’ve got a lighter or a fire going it’s good for some repairs and you don’t need to harvest pine sap in an emergency 2) this might be more U.K. based, our milk jugs are a thermoplastic. 6pint bottles can be cut to exclude the top, handle, and bottom and several can be rolled up tightly. Can be used like a hot glue but stronger or can be used as a mouldable fabric for larger repairs or making things. Very light additions taking up very little space. But if you need it…

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

I use duct tape for repairs.

[@trueword247]

huh. noteworthy

[@Deano_K5MPG]

Dan wasn’t asking for suggestions

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

@@Deano_K5MPG Dan can speak for himself. Frankly put unless you have been or are Homeless you are not going to survive anything serious.

[@damiensumner1432]

@@LisaTurner-d1b I like duck tape, I wrap 1 inch gorilla tape around a tooth pick until I have an inch thick roll for the emergency tin, pack out the rounded void by warming the “hot” glue so in moulds in to smaller space. Bit more rigidity and works well in combo with duck tape

[@Justintime8510]

Really liked this video! Glad to know that you are a 2A supporter and can't wait to see more along this line!

[@buzz5969]

Give him a Participation trophy 🏆

[@TexasNationalist1836]

@@buzz5969most don’t

[@nonenonner4343]

This is great the only thing that I thought about when you were talking protection would be safety glasses/shooting glasses for twigs or kick back of anything I noticed that eye protection gets overlooked a lot

[@ellenj8896]

For first aid kit, Advil combined with Tylenol makes for good pain relief in case of illness or injury. I was nauseated by a migraine today, and I thought, “I’d hate to be forced to go anywhere right now”. The Advil/Tylenol combo did the trick. Docs use that combo too.

[@thesergeantschoice9451]

Great Informative video - Short, Simple and to the Point!

[@doubled473]

Everyone talks about the bag and almost nothing about the fact that your daily driver is one of the best storage ‘containers’ for your preparedness items. Load it up! Also, one of the best take aways I ever got from these type of videos was the suggestion to have a small empty bag in your vehicle that you can load the situation specific items from your vehicle into the bag and clip on to your get home bag.

[@ianadams5348]

Good stuff dude. Honest, every day advice

[@HuntCreekBushcraft]

Thank you for posting this video. It’s good, sound and sensible advice. You couldn’t have been more clear about the need for each to customize their own kit based on their personal preferences and environment. But of course any advice is fodder for the negative nellie’s, and I knew the mention of an AR-15 would light that fuse.😆 Sometimes I play a game where I try to guess how many comments I can read in succession before I get to one where someone flies off their nut and gets unnecessarily critical…. Well, thank God (yes, GOD) that we live in a country where as citizens we have the legal right to choose how to protect ourselves (within the law) and which firearm we prefer to carry for that very purpose. We are a blessed and privileged nation indeed. But perhaps so much so that we’ve forgotten what it took to get us here.

[@BeefT-Sq]

" Man's mind is his basic means of survival, his only means of getting knowledge. " -Ayn Rand- "To posit God as the creator of the universe is only to push the problem back one step farther : Who then, created God ?" -Nathaniel Branden- "Religion means orienting one’s existence around faith, God, and a life of service - and correspondingly downgrading or condemning four key elements: reason, nature, the self, and man." -Leonard Peikoff-1986

[@WEREWOLFUSMC]

Forgot WYSI Wipes and folding saw! Pretty great otherwise Dan! Good job!👍

[@sierrasukalski2133]

If you anticipate doing road walking, I can't speak highly enough about having a hand cart, or hiking trailer for your bag, and an umbrella. I realize if you have to go off road, you're going to make tracks, but this is important, only if you can't pick up your rig, and carry it. If you're not in a human versus human centered conflict, ease of carry could mean better range, and more supplies, even ones not perfectly fitting the rest of your kit, and fit to purpose. I'd definitely go for bigger wheels, though, and something you don't need a puncture or repair kit for. At least, that's my personal preference. As for the umbrella... It helps with exposure, while allowing ventilation. It can help manage sun and rain. It can be part of your camouflage, and there's at least one umbrella maker out there that has an umbrella you can use for self defense. It can also obscure your face to passerby in a non-obvious way, and create a privacy bubble of sorts, that you don't need to stop to rig up. Umbrellas can also be used with tarps, and natural features, to create a pretty nice shelter. Plus, with a little forethought, there are many umbrella holder solutions out there for some reasonable hands free use. Obviously, not all umbrellas suit all holders, and some are a packaged deal. Finally, sometimes you can get a bit of shelter from drafts of car exhaust. It's not perfect or anything, but it's significant enough that I actively appreciate it. The big thing is the sun. Sorry, not sorry, sunscreen while hiking is the worst of all worlds. I'd even go so far as to say hell. Gloves, a sunshirt, cool enough bottoms, and shoes that can take the heat, topped with a hat, is what people do most often, but there's nothing quite like stopping the sun's rays before they reach clothing, and also having a way to throw shade at your feet, while you stand. I keep going on, in this post, but one more thing. Fingerless gloves, or some variation on the theme of cool, sun protecting, and rugged, just make things better. I have a pair made for fishermen. I don't wear them to baby them. I wear them so my hands are not fatigued, damp, and sunburnt after a day out, using them. I need to wash my hands, and the things I touch less, in that objective way, you try to turn your mind away from when things get chronically messy. The gloves are there to absorb the wear I don't want to happen to my hands.

[@sierrasukalski2133]

Something else the hand truck/hiking trailer set up is good for, is carrying enough liquid/water. It's attractive to think you will always have a water source more, or less available, with a bit of ingenuity. When you go off trail, places people don't expect you'll be doing a long hike, that availability simply isn't there. And yes, there are noisy little machines that let you continually harvest little sips water from the air, if you have the power, and a place for it. You can also carry such things as the hilico banana leaf-like rain harvester, in rainy conditions. But on a balmy day in the 70's, with sunny weather, you're going to experience first hand how to a person driving, one, two, three extra miles, is unnoticeable, and to someone walking without the water, it's everything. And a lot of places? You're looking at more miles than that, especially if you don't want to bother anyone, or throw up some warning flags. Especially in the US, with our sprawling planning, I'd take a closer look at what kind of distance, and difficulty your unplanned walk will probably really look like. As a kid, I didn't drink much, when I lived in New Mexico, in the high desert, and I spent a lot of time playing outside. It didn't bother me. Now, I'm a fish, who needs tea, or adulterated water to breathe. I live in a mediterranean climate. I have my theories, but ultimately, what this has taught me is that the water you need is a variable, that can turn on a dime, and you don't have conscious control over when, or how. All you can do, is try to be prepared. And on that note, if you notice that eating dried trail food, and drinking just water, results in the liquid going straight through you, and the food sitting heavy, and practically indigestible inside, you're not crazy, or wrong, or bad, or broken. The less dried and rehydrated food, the better, in my experience, unless it's a little fruit, or it's a grain. But the thing that really starts helping, is to put something in the water you drink, the more nutrition, the better. Everyone has their powdered little friend for this, like LMNT, or mushroom cocoa, etc... Or, you could take some flavored vinegar with, and make some shrubs. Or maybe you make up some tiger nut milk, and add that to your cocoa, mushroom, water, mix.😉 If it wouldn't be satisfying to sip at all day, at home, it's not going to be adequate out exercising, in my experience. Needs must, but you should know that a commonality of indigenous food systems is that people rarely drank straight water, and they developed drinks that were packed with as much nutrition, and even personally tailored and targeted medicine, as possible, the world over. I highly doubt the requirements of the well functioning human animal have moved on since.

[@JAB671]

I enjoyed the video. I did keep waiting for you to talk about the knife on the outside of your pack, though.

[@WIZ-IN-PA]

Another great video Dan!

[@Pocket_EDC]

Dry cool knives. That George Washington knife has like a Bowie style blade. Very generous of Jesse. Very nice hat as well. Have a great day!

[@brad6054]

Love it from appearing on towensen in 1800 dress to ar 15. Ok I'm coming to a class next t summer

[@Swearengen1980]

I have 2 KUIU packs, a 60L that's still under 5 lbs (the size/weight ratio is great) for backpacking and a Divide 3000 for hunting/bushcraft trips. Hiking gear I've chosen is picked from both durable companies, but also very lightweight (ie, kinda expensive). Both are packed and mostly ready to go for spontaneous trips, minus food. SHTF, I could easily have a full hiking/survival kit in short order and keep my base weight under 25 lbs. I don't consider my pistol folder, or fixed blade knife as weight since I've carried these on me for 20 years. When hiking I have a 10mm in a Kenai chest holster already. I may have spent a lot of money on my setup, but it covers all my hobbies and most importantly, I can carry a lot of gear at a minimum weight. And I practice with it, I live around nature trails, state/national parks. I'll grab my hunting pack sitting around 25 lbs and go hit the trail for a few hours miles on a Saturday morning. In my experience, many preppers are out of shape and neglect the #1 prep - Their body. If you can't carry your pack or are really out of shape, it does you no good.

[@airford13]

Good info, thanks Dan.

[@Moffit366]

Skeeter / midge netting for your face, bug spray.

[@ManInTheWoods76]

@@Moffit366 yes yes!

[@VernonWallace]

Excellent. Thank you Dan.

[@americantopgunner5102]

Cleaning kit for the gun is great

[@Pines_Druid]

6 years…. 6 years after the Q&A on firearms and finally you did the video. I feel so silly now. I thought you had forgotten.

[@BentlyBerstler]

kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the kislux book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations

[@Lftlnegngster]

Small set of bolt cutters you should add to your kit as well. Thanks for the vid.

[@backwoodstrails]

Categories is certainly a better way to teach as opposed to giving a list of gear to take. Each person should put into their kit the items they are personally comfortable using and are familiar with to address each category. You also learn more by having to address each category and really thinking what you might like to carry. Giving someone a list of gear really teaches them very little. It's like the old saying "if you give a man a fire, he will be warm for one night, if you set a man on fire, he will be warm the rest of his life" ...or it goes something like that, you get the idea!!

[@damonharrington2948]

Urban survival is my reality. I do not live in a big inner city. I am in what I call a suburban sprawl. Grid like, east/west & north/south roads, freeways mixed in, large retail & businesses, single family homes from older subdivisions to new developments, condos, apartments, parks. Distance to Detroit 18 miles, downtown 27 miles. Bug out location is rural 33 miles west. Bugging in is priority one due to my 9 year old son with Autism & two adult step-children of special needs as well. 🙏🏽

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

It's my belief that bugging in in place is always the right idea 99.999% of the time. Once you walk out that door you are extremely vulnerable especially with family members.

[@josephbrown-ut9ty]

In this election season of our Country, we NEED to look at our bags and see whats needed to be replaced and or updated. Getting ready for winter in a month or 3, revisit your vehicle kits.

[@deeboo1122]

Great Vid.. A battery bank and a quick instant brew kit would be the only thing I would add.

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

Ya going to brew up some beer in the woods or something harder?

[@diceman2004]

On point with your fire kit . buy a 3 pack if bic's leave them in the blister package . this will prevent the gas button being pressed in if it gets packed too tight with other stuff .

[@CM-ve1bz]

I got a tip from a guy that puts a small zip tie around the top of the lighter that runs under the button so it can’t be depressed.

[@TUKByV1]

​@@CM-ve1bzI use a rubber band. Each has pros and cons.

[@Squambiblio]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@royharrell1760]

How did I just see this. We did a similar video about 3 months ago. Great stuff on here.

[@alancalkins2656]

A charged power backup and cable is a must, and i do a sawyer mini instead of the grayl for space and cost reasons.

[@leonardcontarino7940]

hi Dan, great perspective

[@paul7754]

Solid and simple kit - yet another gear dump by a rural living outdoorsman/bushcrafter. I'm a city/suburban dweller in the southwest and obviously the specific survival needs are quite different than this. I'd opt for a handgun I could conceal in this kind of scenario but that's assuming it's not already EDC. Water is so vital here due to heat - #1 priority.

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

Then you are going to want a Silcock Key for urban survival

[@Taterbug18]

Thanks Dan. Real good video

[@A5JDZK]

A Silcok Key is very handy if you find yourself needing water in an urban environment. Another useful piece of kit is cash. $100 in small denominations is very useful.

[@TexasNationalist1836]

Glad you talk about 2A and don’t think “I’ll be throttled”

[@TheRoamingPrepper]

Can’t believe I hadn’t seen your channel before 😮. Subscribing. Thanks for your thoughts

[@ChesapeakeWahido]

Would add a hat as well for weather/sunburn protection. Glad you mentioned batteries

[@dfreak01]

The scarf works

[@Xeno-M.]

I would do the hat vs buff as well. Buff is able be used as a hat, but a hat is easier and the buff redundant if you have a scarf/shemaug.

[@edwardcnnell2853]

Add maps of any area you travel through. I have a GPS, but that is dependent on an electric supply, a working vehicle electric system or battery. So in my truck I have actual maps. As a matter of routine when I travel interstate, I stop at the state line welcome rest stop and get a free map. So add a map to your kit. A solar storm could wipe out the power grid and the GPS satellite system. I also keep a simple compass in my vehicle. If overcast, especially if you are in the woods, finding the cardinal directions can be difficult or impossible. If you are forced to move at night, you need one. There are cell phone apps that can read GPS. If you are in an area with cell phone reception, it will show you where you are on a map. Lacking cell phone connection, it will give you latitude and longitude. So if you have a map that shows latitude and longitude on the sides of the map, you can tell exactly where you are. My cell phone does not have one feature my next one will have. It does not have an internal ability to read magnetic north. There are cell phone apps that show a compass on the screen as long as the phone can read magnetic north. A good backup to a simple compass that you may have lost. Or if you need a compass reading in the dark. You can't make a route to where you want to be if you don't know where you are.

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

My personal opinion is water and your firearm and knife. You can obtain everything else. Great video

[@DF4Trap]

Excellent, thanks for sharing.

[@scottengh1175]

Don't remember seeing much about you discussing firearms before. Interesting. My memory is not great and my focus was on your bushcraft.