September 19, 2005
What Would You Pack?
Suppose you were headed into the heart of the disaster zone, where Katrina's eye made landfall, to do relief work. You expect that, once in the zone, you will need to be self-reliant, with neither food, water, nor shelter provided you for at least two days. You also expect that you may have to walk at least part of the way to your destination, so you can only bring what you can carry on your back. (Assume you are able-bodied and strong.) What would you pack, and how would you carry it?
You can find one generalized set of answers at Jim MacDonald's Jump Kits page. How would you modify it for the Gulf Coast in September?
Posted by abostick at September 19, 2005 07:17 PMsunscreen and deet.
Posted by: jeanneb at September 19, 2005 08:55 PMPortable hand sanitizer.
Hairties. (You also might want to braid your hair.)
And (being me) I would take a book, or my PDA jammed with books.
Toilet paper.
Jeanne's right about the Deet and sunscreen.
Oh, and I'd get a *good* hiking backpack, the kind designed to carry heavy loads a long way. A tarp to sleep on. Rain poncho. Carry bottled water, high-density foods, EMT shears (I can give you a pair), a small journal and pen, a flashlight and batteries, ID, matches in a waterproof case, a few empty ZipLoc bags, clean undies, toothbrush and other toiletries, clean socks. Maybe a snakebite kit. Certainly some Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment.
Wear comfortable, durable clothes and boots. Will you need waders or hip boots?
Michele adds: a few trash bags, a strong knife, a small sewing kit.
