Build an Everyday Survival Bag

In order to build an everyday survival bag, or as I’m going to start calling it, the Breakout Bag. Why? Because I’m breaking it out in an emergency. You have to prioritize how you may you use it. My plan is to always get home. In the event we do have to evacuate, I want my gear mobile. This is a double edged sword, as you have to think through various needs/wants/scenarios, and so on and so on.

For me, this particular breakout bag is in my vehicle all the time so that if I need to get home and for whatever reason I have to go on foot or spend a night or two out because the drive is too far. I need to be able to take care of myself and or my family if they are with me. I will do an article on what’s in my vehicle at a later date.

So do we need a Breakout bag? The perspective I look at this from, one extra layer of my vehicle kit that can go with me when I need to leave my vehicle (think modular). In theory, I could go on an overnight camping trip and not pack anything at all. I should be able to take that pack out of my vehicle and have everything I need. Does that sound crazy or practical? What does it hurt to have extra gear in the vehicle? I’m not carrying everything everyday, it’s stored for emergency use or if I choose to break it out for use.

WHAT ABOUT WEIGHT?

Right now this pack weighs out at 23 lbs, and that is with 4 S.O.S water bags, two bags of survival tabs and all other contents. 23 lbs with a quart of water and more than enough rations is a pretty good set up in my opinion. The best part is, the bag is not completely full, and that weight is with our Survival Master Class Survival Kit.

I did choose the LL Bean model simply for Gray Man type purposes, I wanted a very normal looking inconspicuous pack. So what’s in the bag?

Below are photos of the items (color may vary) that I used to put this Go Bag together. From left to right:

Row 1: LL Bean Continental Ruck, S.O.S. Emergency Water, CampCraft Accessory Tote, ORION 15 Minute Flares.

Row 2: CampCraft tin pouch, CampCraft folding saw pouch, Survival Tabs (food), and Tact Bivy.

Row 3: Brass match case/tube with compass, Emergency Radio/Charger, Silcock Key, and the Maxpedition Gear Beefy Pocket Organizer.

#getdirty #havelockchamber #outdoors #OWA #gobag #oldworldalliance #BOB #campfirestories #bugout #campcraftoutdoors #thesurvivalmasterclass #bugoutbag

CELL PHONE EMERGENCY FEATURES

In the last year or so, there has been a lot of discussion on phone emergency features and use. There are some great ideas and some bad ideas when it comes to phones particularly cell phones. I will argue that they are useful tools, however; they are not the end all be all and have various shortcomings. With any tool there are pros/cons, especially one that requires signal, batteries or power.

Everyone carries a phone with them daily. This is where the basis for argument is for me. It is an essential tool in your everyday life, therefore; if it has the capabilities, what do you have to lose in learning about effectively using what is at your disposal?

This is important for many reasons, mostly daily use if you are in a vehicle crash or some other type of emergency. Additionally if you are an outdoors person and head out of cell phone range, and have a situation, the emergency satellite feature is a game changer.

For the purposes of this article, the iPhone will be discussed. Androids have the same capabilities typically to include the Satellite feature. iPhones and most androids have the following functions:

EMERGENCY FEATURES ON IPHONES

                                      

All Images on this page were retrieved from Apple’s Support Website: https://support.apple.com/

As you can see above, the phone has two main options called Medical ID, and Emergency Call (SOS). The Medical ID is a great tool, similar to our OWA Contact Card in that it has pertinent medical information if you or someone is incapacitated, this information can be relayed to Medical Services, and it is automatically sent to Emergency Services if an emergency call is activated from your device. Elements that you can enter are Medical Conditions, Allergies and Reactions, Medications, blood type, height/weight etc. What about lock screen? You do not need to enter a password, just hold the top volume and power button for a few seconds, or press the power button 5 times.

The emergency call features, allow you to choose who additionally you want contacted along with emergency services, and various other options such as a feature of calling after a vehicle crash, an option that should be on if your phone has that feature.

   

Another new feature is Crash/Fall Detection. After a severe car crash or a hard fall and you’re unresponsive, an automatic Crash Detection or Fall Detection notification to emergency services may be communicated by your Apple Watch, iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro using Emergency SOS.  That is amazing that it does it on it's own!

PHONE EMERGENCY FEATURE SATELLITE

                                        

When you’re in a place with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, you can still use your iPhone to call or text emergency services via satellite connection. How amazing is that??? Once you’re connected, your iPhone starts a text conversation with emergency responders by sharing critical information like your Medical ID and emergency contact information. You can also share your location.

                                            

LIMITATIONS TO BE AWARE OF

-You need iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro with iOS 16.1 or later.

-All Satellite messages sent are encrypted.

-Emergency SOS via satellite is available in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and the U.K.

-Satellite connection might not work in places above 62° latitude, such as northern parts of Canada and Alaska.

-Emergency SOS via satellite is free for two years after the activation of iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro.

-If your emergency contacts have a non-Apple device or don’t have iOS 16.1 or later, they receive a text message that alerts them about your emergency. In the U.S. and Canada, this message comes from the number 767911. In Europe, this message comes from 767112.

If you are worried about any information Apple may be collecting from your phone, here is a link to Apple’s Privacy Policy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO SET UP THE PHONE EMERGENCY FEATURES:

Set up your Medical ID and add emergency contacts in the Health app

Share your location in Find My

Learn how to share your location via satellite

WORKS CITED

Apple. (2023). Use Emergency SOS on your iPhone. Retrieved from Apple Support: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208076

Apple. (2022). Use Crash Detection on iPhone or Apple Watch to call for help in an accident. Retrieved from Apple Support: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213225

Apple. (2022). Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone 14. Retrieved from Apple Support: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213426

Apple. (2022). Emergency SOS via satellite available today on the iPhone 14 lineup in the US and Canada.  Retrieved from Apple Support:  https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/11/emergency-sos-via-satellite-available-today-on-iphone-14-lineup/

#Emergency #Technology #havelockchamber #SOS #Medicalinformation #tools #prepared #survival #everydaysurvival