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When people think of preparedness, it's common to think of the Go Bag. I myself started preparing by building a Bug Out Bag (BOB). Over the years, I've moved away from having one big bag to rush out with, and instead use a layered system composed of three kits: Everyday Carry (EDC), an On-The-Go Bag (OTG Bag), and a 48+ Hour Extension Kit. My EDC and OTG Bag have served me so well in daily life that an earthquake-oriented kit is more about extending those two.
Everyday Carry (EDC) - Preparedness on you, in your pockets, or your mini bag
Everyday Carry (EDC) - Preparedness on you, in your pockets, or your mini bag
EDC is a common term in the prepping world, though there are different understandings of it: 1) EDC is what you carry on your person, and 2) EDC includes what you have in the bag that you carry daily. My EDC combines both because I have my mini bag on me all the time, including at home. I rarely have anything in my pockets because, as a woman, my clothes tend to be pocket-deprived.
You think it's weird to go around the house with a bag? I agree! But, I've built this bag around what I commonly need so I do use it a lot, even at home. I embrace the weirdness for the sake of practicality. If you frequently have pockets like my husband does, you might prefer to put your EDC in them.
These are what drive me to include an item in my mini bag:
I need to be able to get it quickly, even when I'm moving around and taking public transport.
It's valuable so it should be in front of me while I stand in a crowded train.
It's a small, basic, survival item.
The bag is a "chest bag" with three pockets. Here's an overview of what it contains:
Strap: whistle and flashlight
Front pocket: alcohol, tissue, wipes, lip balm, small comb, cloth mask, folding scissors, Rosary
Middle compartment: keys, ID, wallet, electronics (phone, power bank, charger, cables), mini med kit (bandage strips, painkiller, antimotility agent, medical mask), floss toothpicks, White Flower Oil, barf bag, deodorant sachet, mini survival kit (lighter, fresnel lens, Aquatabs, ziplock bags, P-51 can opener, plier multitool, sewing kit, duct tape)
Rear pocket: content phone (books, audio), earphones, mini notebook
On-The-Go Bag (OTG Bag) - 24-hour preparedness for when you go out
On-The-Go Bag (OTG Bag) - 24-hour preparedness for when you go out
My OTG Bag is for all-around preparedness when I'm not home. In addition to my EDC, my OTG Bag allows me to survive outside my home for 24 hours. This kit is extremely useful when I get stranded after work. It's happened to me a few times over the years, either because of flooding or plain ol' carmageddon. Once, I had to sleep at the mall (thank you to mall admin for letting us take shelter), and another time, I just went back to the office and slept there. This same kit has also allowed me to quickly run to take care of a relative at a hospital, as well as to take a shift at a relative's wake. It also has items for more extreme situations, like if an earthquake were to happen while I'm not home.
In the prepping world, this bag would be called a Get Home Bag (GHB), but I don't use that term because my OTG Bag for more than getting home.
My backpack has padded, ventilated back panel and straps. It also has handles at the top where I strap my 48+ Hour Extension Kit. Here are the contents of my OTG Bag:
Shelter: full change of clothes in a ziplock bag, travel slippers, umbrella, poncho/tent, tent stakes and cordage, picnic mat (for sitting or sleeping), fleece blanket, plastic sheet
Food and drink: bottle of water for the trip, folding water bottle for additional water, metal cup and container (could be used to boil water over a fire), pot grip, eating utensils, ready-to-eat food (peanuts, gummies, Hunt's pork and beans pouches), can opener with puncher, Sawyer Mini water filter, electrolyte powder, alcohol stove, travel kettle, bouillon cubes (for soup)
Grooming and hygiene: regular comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, wipes, towel, deodorant sachet, sanitary pads (menstrual panties), pee funnel, emergency mini toilet
Medical kit: bandages, balm for cuts and burns, mosquito repellent, Katinko stick, digital thermometer, rubber tourniquet, N95 respirator
Communications: AM/FM radio, crank charger
Documents and passport in a waterproof bag
Flotation device (salbabida)
Mini fan (worn around my neck while commuting)
48+ Hour Extension Kit - Turns the OTG Bag into a 72-hour Kit
48+ Hour Extension Kit - Turns the OTG Bag into a 72-hour Kit
With a well-equipped EDC and OTG Bag, I only need to add provisions to turn the entire thing into an earthquake-oriented kit. I also include here blades and sharp objects that cannot be legally carried in the Philippines without justification.
More food: emergency rations/biscuits, canned meat
Fixed-blade knife, sharpener
Shovel/saw
Paracord
Cleaning plunger for Sawyer filter
Note: I will create a page for each kit in this mobile preparedness system. These dedicated pages will have more explanations about the survival items and links to online stores.
Where is the (fill in survival item here)???
Where is the (fill in survival item here)???
An experienced prepper might look for the compass, potassium iodide, hemostatic gauze, solar charger, HAM radio, or whatnot. I have those things, yes, but I've tweaked the above kits to be understandable to beginning preppers. We can geek out on those things after I have the basics covered.
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