My non-specific bag(s)

[Big Orange]

My first post here, I thought I’d share what I have in my NSB (non-specific bag). I call it an NSB because it’s neither a BOB or a GHB, it’s more a bag of stuff that could be adapted to different situations. When I say my bag I actually have 3 identical bags, one at home, one in my car, and one in my secure storage unit which is very close to my workplace.
I don’t intend yomping any distance so I haven’t used a backpack, I’ve used a 35 litre holdall. I’m a single bloke with no kids but I’ve built the bag to cater for two people, including some female specific items. The bags are a hefty 15kg (estimated) which isn’t an issue for me for the intended short distance transfer between vehicle and building. It should also be manageable for two less able relatives (or close friends) to carry between them. The main intention for the bag is for a shelter in place scenario or for an evacuation by vehicle grab bag. But if necessary it could be split up between two people to make carrying over distance manageable, or the excess items and gear that may be inappropriate for whatever the situation is can be removed.
I’m sure this will we be seen as overkill by some and woefully inadequate by others, but is what I deem appropriate for my own personal circumstances and family dynamics. It is not a suggestion of what anyone else should do, purely showing what I do.

The contents:

Pair of mess tins
Folding stove (with 3 gel fuel blocks)
3 x 6 packs of gel fuel blocks
12 x flameless ration heaters
2 x cutlery sets (knife, fork, & spoon)
Can opener
2 x plastic bowls
2 x plastic mugs
One litre stainless steel flask (filled with water)
2 x 500ml bottles of water
12 x “mre” main meals
6 x cold drinks powder sachets
2 x hot chocolate sachets
6 x tea bags
6 x coffee sachets
12 x creamer sachets
8 x sugar sachets
2 x Lifestraws
Three litre Lifestraw gravity water filter
Milbank bag
Water purification tablets (enough for 30 litres)
Folding water bowl
Comprehensive first aid kit
Tick removal tools
Box of paracetamol
Box of ibuprofen
Box of Imodium
Potassium iodide tablets (you never know)
Large pack of 72 baby wipes
6 x pack of ten tissues
2 x small pack of antibacterial hand wipes
100ml bottle of hand sanitiser gel
50ml pot of Vaseline
Box of 18 tampons
Shewee
2 x travel toothbrush & toothpaste kits
Foot care kit
2 x FFP3/N99 face masks
2 x thermal beanie hats (vacuum sealed to save space)
Large pair of thermal gloves (vacuum sealed to save space)
Small/medium pair of thermal gloves (vacuum sealed to save space)
2 x mosquito head nets (vacuum sealed to save space)
10 x 60cm zip ties
10 x 30cm zip ties
20 x 20cm zip ties
Small roll of Gorilla tape
33m of paracord
Multi tool
2 x head torches with batteries + spare batteries
2 x LED clip-on “runners” lights
2 x white glow sticks
Baseplate compass
Stainless steel mirror
8x21 monocular
Folding magnifying glass
Permanent marker pen
2 x pencils
Weather proof notebook
2 x emergency survival bags (mylar)
2 x emergency ponchos (mylar)
2 x emergency shelters (mylar)
2 x foil blankets
2 x whistles
Fire starting kit (ferro rod, various tinder, bellows, 2 Bic lighters, & 15 waterproof matches)
“Survival” guide
First aid booklet


Seeing it written down looks a bit ridiculous but it works for me

[Arzosah]

Morning! Looking good! You're going to be very comfy, with a choice of hot choccy, tea or coffee, I like it I like your concept of the NSB too, that's a very good idea. The only exception to that, I think, is a hospital bag, i.e. in case you need to be admitted to hospital as an urgent measure.

Couple of things to think about - you've got very few pieces of clothing in there, just beanies, gloves and ponchos - not even a couple of spare pairs of socks? And I'm really, really glad to see you including some FFP3 masks in there - though I don't think 2 is enough, I'd do at least half a dozen, stored in 2 separate places.

All told, though, that's a brilliant mix of stuff, good for you.

[Big Orange]

Morning Arzosah, no matter what the situation you can always make time for a brew
I’ve not included clothing other than the hats and gloves for a couple of reasons, firstly because I want to be able to give a bag when needed to family or friends and clothes sizing would be awkward. Secondly I have clothes of some sort in the locations I keep the bags, it may be just waterproofs but it’s something I can wear. I’m not someone that would get caught out in flip flops and shorts, I wear hiking boots to the beach Socks though I will add, they’re pretty much one size fits all and a pair of dry socks could be much needed, good call.

[aldhelm]

Love the idea of vac packing hats and gloves, if you don't mind i'll borrow that for the car bag.

[Big Orange]

Love the idea of vac packing hats and gloves, if you don't mind i'll borrow that for the car bag.

Not at all, I’m all for sharing ideas.

[ForgeCorvus]

You could always add one (or two) of those small fleece blankets and vac seal them

[Frnc]

Hi, Big Orange, are you the Manc? Good first post. Seems pretty thorough. You absolutely should write it all down. I use a spreadsheet and have categories, eg shelter, and weights.

As Arzosah said, it's a bit light on clothing. Spare socks would be a start, yes. One way or another, a warm jacket is essential, especially in winter, but even in summer if you are outside at night. It doesn't have to be in the bag, as long as it is handy. Fleeces are good, but only in conjunction with a windshell. Puffys are good, and decent ones will pack small.

I'm not sure about long term compression (for a few hours it's fine). For some things it might be ok. You should research this, and/or inspect the item, say once a year. You don't want to ruin the insulation. Lightly stuffed is safer.

You might want to add a plastic trowel.

You mentioned a compass, but do you have maps?

[Big Orange]

Hi, Big Orange, are you the Manc? Good first post. Seems pretty thorough. You absolutely should write it all down. I use a spreadsheet and have categories, eg shelter, and weights.

As Arzosah said, it's a bit light on clothing. Spare socks would be a start, yes. One way or another, a warm jacket is essential, especially in winter, but even in summer if you are outside at night. It doesn't have to be in the bag, as long as it is handy. Fleeces are good, but only in conjunction with a windshell. Puffys are good, and decent ones will pack small.

I'm not sure about long term compression (for a few hours it's fine). For some things it might be ok. You should research this, and/or inspect the item, say once a year. You don't want to ruin the insulation. Lightly stuffed is safer.

You might want to add a plastic trowel.

You mentioned a compass, but do you have maps?

Hi Frnc, I’m not a genuine Manc, it’s just my nearest city.
My thinking is that extra clothing is too bulky for these bags and I can’t cater for others that may find themselves using them. I have clothing as part of my car preps and storage unit preps and obviously at home there will be clothes.
The compass isn’t something I really envisage being used tbh. I have paper OS maps in the car and digital versions at home covering everywhere I would go by choice, It’s extremely rare that I go anywhere that I don’t know. I also have a general road atlas in the car. If I found myself somewhere I don’t know a map of some description shouldn’t be too hard to come by if I really needed one.

[GillyBee]

I would add a shemagh. Use as an extra scarf, shawl, face covering, hat, sling, carry bag, first stage water filter ............

[grenfell]

Can't really fault what you've put together except perhaps to add some spare socks but either way it's more than I regularly carry or have instantly to hand. I must be a bit of a prepping lightweight..