{"id":20,"date":"2007-09-13T03:25:08","date_gmt":"2007-09-13T07:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.readyforanything.org\/blog\/?p=20"},"modified":"2014-03-28T16:15:32","modified_gmt":"2014-03-28T20:15:32","slug":"ipn-top-10-must-have-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readyforanything.org\/?p=20","title":{"rendered":"I.P.N. Top 10 Must Have Gear!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
Aton’s Top Ten Banner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There isn\u2019t a day that goes by where someone doesn\u2019t ask me \u201chey Aton, what\u2019s the most important preparedness stuff that I should own?\u201d\u00a0 Then, what usually follows is, \u201cdo you have a list you can give me?\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n

Well \u2026 I actually do.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In this section of our website, I\u2019m going to break down what my <\/i>actual list is featuring what I believe to be the most important must<\/i>–have<\/i> emergency preparedness items.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to stress the word \u201cmust\u201d<\/i> and not \u201cshould\u201d<\/i> because when you don\u2019t have this gear and a disaster or emergency strikes, you will almost certainly find yourself, your family or whomever you co-habit with in an uncomfortable compromising position that depending on the situation or disaster may even be life-threatening.<\/i><\/p>\n

If you have the means to secure these items, I\u2019d suggest that you do STAT.<\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t, I\u2019m adding a section to this for many who have no budget,<\/i> but the will and desire to be ready-for-anything!<\/p>\n

So, without further ado, I present to you my Top Ten List Of Must Have Preparedness Items<\/strong> beginning with #1 —\u00a0<\/strong> the Personal Kit (E-Kit)<\/strong> and its contents.<\/p>\n

The core of your life-defense program begins with the what you know! \u2013the most valuable tool you own is your mind.\u00a0 <\/i>A close second is your personal emergency or E-kit.<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0 Disasters tend to strike when we least expect them and, when they do, you must be able to respond properly.<\/em> The material in an E-kit helps you to do it.<\/i>\u00a0 A good one typically contains a multi-tool, flashlight, lighter, matches,<\/strong> whistle, cordage,<\/strong> mini-prybar<\/strong> and other items that assist you while responding to an emergency. \u00a0All of this must be carried al all times in a sturdy pouch small enough to be comfortably worn on your belt, or placed in your handbag, backpack, or briefcase.<\/p>\n

E-KIT CONTENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Multi Tool.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Multi<\/a>
Leatherman Crunch Multi Tool, one of my favorites!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is your pocket toolbox.\u00a0 A must have device in any emergency, or just for your daily use.\u00a0 I carry one with me at all times!\u00a0 The only time I don\u2019t possess one is when I enter a federal building.\u00a0 Use it to loosen bolts, unscrew screws, cut wire, saw wood, pound, etc.\u00a0 Choose the unit for:\u00a0 1. Durability \u00a02. Functionality.\u00a0 Gimmicky multi-tools look sweet, but usually aren\u2019t for real-world use.\u00a0 You need something you can depend on.<\/i>\u00a0 There isn’t anything worse than when a tool fails \u201cin the field\u201d so make sure to choose something that you know is trustworthy.\u00a0 The prices of a good multi- tool range from $40 \u2013 up to around $140.<\/p>\n

If that’s not in your budget, there are a few well constructed models such as the KutMaster pictured below.<\/p>\n

\"3566_sm\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What are the best multi-tools?<\/b><\/p>\n

Generally speaking, you can\u2019t lose if you choose a Leatherman. \u00a0 <\/b>This company offers a great selection of tools that fit nearly every task. \u00a0 They are extremely durable, highly functional and look great to boot. \u00a0 Prices vary but no matter what you choose, you’ll always be a winner with one. \u00a0Gerber, Victorinox, SOG and Columbia River Knife and Tool\u00a0<\/strong>also make great gear.<\/p>\n

What is my personal choice?<\/b><\/p>\n

I alternate between three multi tools. \u00a0If I had to choose one to be my “Zombie Apocalypse” model, it would be\u00a0the Leatherman Super Tool 300.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Leatherman<\/a>
Leatherman Super Tool – my choice for the “Zombie Apocalypse”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next up is the …<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Microsoft<\/a><\/p>\n

You’ll need a bright unit for your E-kit. \u00a0It must have a long “burn time”\u00a0<\/strong>that is, the amount of time it can operate effectively, and also it should be bright enough to throw a beam at least 30′ or about 8 meters ahead of you in a pitch black environment. \u00a0 Anything over 50 lumens will do it. \u00a0You should also purchase one that is “non-incendive” – this is a light that can’t spark an explosion if you happen to wander into an area with flammable gas or vapor. \u00a0 Any non-metal light that you can submerge is non-incendive. \u00a0If you can find a solar or hand crank\/shake light bright enough to get the job done well, that would be great too as you’ll never need batteries. \u00a0Most aren’t as durable as the other lights but the benefits can sometimes outweigh the drawbacks.<\/p>\n

My choice you ask? \u00a0I carry 2 personal lights but my favorite\u00a0is the Zebralight posted below.<\/strong> \u00a0It burns a long time, is non-incendive, small, uses regular batteries and is as bright as a mini-sun. \u00a0You can also wear it as a headlamp. \u00a0This is another can’t lose item.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Zebralight\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you want a solar\/hand crank light, the Goal Zero<\/strong> is my top pick. (pictured below)<\/p>\n

\"GoalZero\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For shakelights, there is only one choice – the \u00a0NIGHTSTAR, by Applied Innovative Technologies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"nightstar\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Microsoft<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n

In this case, \u00a0if you want to get a good fire going\u00a0fast,\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0you need a something that can do it with a minimum of trouble. \u00a0Boy\/Girl Scout tricks aside, nothing works better than a good lighter, matches or sparking tool. \u00a0I recommend carrying all three.\u00a0\u00a0 Lifeboat NATO matches are great, the Bronton Helios lighter is a wonderful tool that I’ve used in all types of bad weather and it has never failed me. \u00a0I\u2019ve been in many a compromising situation where I\u2019ve needed a firestarting tool and I\u2019ve never seen anything that works better than the Swedish Fire Steel.\u00a0 It lasts for up to 3000 strikes and can be used during a rainstorm.\u00a0 This is a very important feature.<\/p>\n

\"Microsoft<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

A small first-aid kit is an essential item in your personal kit. \u00a0Disasters and injuries often go hand in hand, and you will need the materials to deal with them when emergency room services aren\u2019t available.\u00a0 It must have pain medication and anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, ibuprophin, Tylenol\u00e2, and wound dressings band-aids & medical tape.<\/p>\n

It should also have specialty items that allow you to treat minor eye injuries (eye wash) allergic reactions to insect stings (Epi-pen), burns, sprains, stomach problems and other relatively minor medical emergencies frequently associated with disasters & emergencies.<\/p>\n

Adventure Medical kits make some the best mini -kits specially designed for civilian use.\u00a0 They come with the essentials you need to treat most minor injuries and maladies that you may confront during disasters and emergencies.\u00a0 They also come with really useful booklets that help you to deal with medical emergencies if you have no first-aid training.\u00a0 The prices are also very<\/i> reasonable.<\/p>\n

\"Microsoft<\/a><\/p>\n

Cordage is another item that you must have at all times in your E-kit. \u00a0You never know when you may need to tie something down, or together. \u00a0Strong weather resistant line is needed and 55olb test Paracord is the best you could have in a crisis. \u00a0A tightly wound 20′ or 5 meter section won’t take up much space in your personal kit. \u00a0Carry this and a small trail roll of duct tape and bailing wire. \u00a0 With this combination, you can tie down anything.<\/p>\n

\"Microsoft<\/a><\/p>\n

A mini prybar is one of the most important items in your E-Kit. \u00a0It provides you with the ability to pry open doors, windows, break small locks and when needed, function as a chisel or even a self-defense item. \u00a0They are inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores.<\/p>\n

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION\/SMOKE ESCAPE HOODS\/PARTIAL FACE RESPIRATORS<\/b><\/p>\n

If you are ever caught in a situation where your respiratory system is compromised by dust, toxic vapor, \u00a0or\u00a0smoke from a fire,\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0you need respiratory protection. \u00a0A good respirator or smoke escape hood \u00a0may mean the difference between life and death by suffocation.\u00a0 There are a number of different smoke hoods available on the market ranging in price and function.\u00a0 Some are air filters worn over the face and utilize natural breathing that can provide the user with a 20 to 60 minute supply of breathable air in heavy smoke.<\/p>\n

Others are powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) that do not require effort on part of the user to purify the air.\u00a0 PAPR units also require batteries and are less compact.\u00a0 For the most part, a regular smoke hood can work quite well, and are much easier to store and less expensive.\u00a0 Small toddlers & children 2-7 and infants require PAPR smoke hoods along with people that have respiratory problems.<\/p>\n

Partial face respirators are a must have item<\/i>.\u00a0 They come in the N-R-<\/b>or P<\/b> class.\u00a0 The \u201cN\u201d <\/b>stands for not<\/i> resistant to vapors or gases that may contain oil.\u00a0 \u201cR\u201d<\/b> means partially<\/i> resistant and \u201cP\u201d<\/b> means resistant.\u00a0 The numbers you see next to the letters indicate the level of resistance from 95% to 100%. (99.997)<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>The units shown here are considered to be the most practical, functional and economical.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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