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03-18-2009, 05:08 PM
Sometimes you need to grab a bag, wave to the cats and get the hell out of Dodge. OK, thats a bit melodramatic, but the reality is having a few well stocked proverbial 'what-if' bags around the home, car, and environment that are catered to a particular need are far past just a good idea. Its a great idea.
A few months ago we showcased a different spin on the standard Bug-Out-Bag, our bag reviewed by forum member Raoul Duke, was aptly and appropriately named a Ready Bag, because it did not just address the things that you'd need to Bug-Out, but addressed instead the things that you would need to be Ready to survive. {{ Download the full article here.}} (http://230grain.com/repository.php?catid=81&linkid=10221)
This month, in a much shorter form, we are sharing the bag that can be used to get to that bag, or the bag that you just need to have with you when hunting, hiking, urban exploring, or shouting that dramatic line to the cats as you scurry out the rear window.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_stockedbag.jpg
- -
The bag we chose came about from a variety of factors, we wanted something that was going to be durable, comfortable, and that gave us the option of compartmentalizing many items. Add to that, since it was a bag to be used on the move, it needed to be something we could carry on our person, yet keep our hands free as needed. We chose the Versipack from Maxpedition (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=4&idproduct=31) because we were aware of the quality of their products, their workmanship, and that its one of the most overbuilt items on the market.
Lets get down to business, with a partial content listing of the get_to_it bag, we have:
First aid supplies
Flashlight
Ham Radio (with weather features)
Knife
Regional Map
Lit Magnifying Glass
Firearm
Accessories purchased:
Firearm holster (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=48)
Radio holster (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=8&idproduct=179)
At first glance the bag appears to be just what it is, a shoulder bag with a radio holster.
Opening it reveals a small pocket, which holds spare batteries for the flashlight, a clip knife, matches and a lighter. The keen eye will notice a firearm magazine in the pocket to the right.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_bagfrontopen.jpg
Behind that pocket is the first compartment which holds a map and a magnifying glass with a built in light.
Map. Essential outdoor tool. Extra credit if you carry a small compass as well. The wise money is on purchasing a laminated map that can survive repeated folding and unfolding and that will withstand water. Magnifying glass. Its hard enough reading some of the highway signs when you are in your car and they are 20 feet wide, a lit magnifying glass is a great tool for your map.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_map.jpg
Above this sits a larger compartment, this compartment also has a drawstring pouch that you can use to seal the compartment further from the elements and to form fit the bag under the snap enclosure. It is in this section that the most of our items are stored.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_pocketpouch.jpg
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_compartment.jpg
The load out inside this compartment holds a reasonably stocked first-aid kit.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_medical_kit.jpg
Ziplock #5
Tongue Depressers – 2
Cotton Balls
Scissors
Tweezers
Q-Tips – 10
Ziplock #3
Ziplock #4
Ziplock #4
Small Bandages – 12
Fingertip Bandages – 10
Large Bandage – 1
Finger Bandage 2
Ziplock #3
Antiseptic Towelettes – 6
Soap Towelettes – 4
Povidone Iodine Prep Pad – 4
Alcohol Swabs – 10
Ziplock #2
Gauze Pads – 3
5 cm Gauze Pads – 4
10 cm Gauze Pads – 2
2x3 in. Gauze Pads – 1
1 Combine Pad
Gauze Roll – 1
Gloves – 2 pair
Tape – 1 roll
Triangle Bandage w/ safety pins
Ziplock #1
Sudafed PE
Benadryl
Antibiotic Cream
Hand Sanitizer
Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen
10 Eye Wash
Misc. - Ice Pack
---
The last compartment on the bag closes with a sturdy zipper. Inside of that compartment the bag is lined with Velcro, which depending on the accessory purchased, will allow you to attach an item to the side wall. We chose the holster attachment which allows you to safely store a firearm in the bag while it is on your person. There is a method to the quick draw from concealment with this bag, but this really is not about drawing it, this is all about having the firearm nearby if you need it.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_concealed.jpg
We also have for the sake of survival and sanity, a Yaesu VX-7R (http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=8D3254BFC69FB172D78647DC56EFB0E9&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0) Handheld Transceiver (HT radio).
A Handheld Transceiver for camping, hiking and for road trips, is a great mental comfort for those times that you still need to be able to make and receive communications while being slightly off the grid. Having a HAM license with these types of radios is required, but not needed in times of emergency -real emergencies, not the I've got a splinter emergencies.
This particular radio, if you are so properly equipped will let you communicate with others who have HAM licenses. Other great features about this model are its being Heavy Duty rating, its height to asphalt drop rate, its presets of a few common weather channels, and it features an internal temperature senor with a barometric function to boot... oh yeah and its waterproof! Long battery life as well.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_radio.jpg
Since this is all about being hands free when we can, we have the holder for it:
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_radio_pouch.jpg
All in all this is what we will carry:
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_contents.jpg
A few of the items not picutured for the bag were: Waterproof matches and a lighter. For the First-aid kit: Smelling salts and a CPR mask. In the end you will decide on the items best suited for your needs and travels.
Remember these bags are about survival, and that may include mental survival with a swap out from the med-kit to the:
Daddy-kit
Sesame street band-aids
Juice boxes
A few toys
A lollipop
Or the:
'I'm not a nerd/tourist' kit...
Cell phone
Camcorder
Camera
Batteries
Or the:
Yes this is a man bag...bag.
Stay safe, shoot straight.
A few months ago we showcased a different spin on the standard Bug-Out-Bag, our bag reviewed by forum member Raoul Duke, was aptly and appropriately named a Ready Bag, because it did not just address the things that you'd need to Bug-Out, but addressed instead the things that you would need to be Ready to survive. {{ Download the full article here.}} (http://230grain.com/repository.php?catid=81&linkid=10221)
This month, in a much shorter form, we are sharing the bag that can be used to get to that bag, or the bag that you just need to have with you when hunting, hiking, urban exploring, or shouting that dramatic line to the cats as you scurry out the rear window.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_stockedbag.jpg
- -
The bag we chose came about from a variety of factors, we wanted something that was going to be durable, comfortable, and that gave us the option of compartmentalizing many items. Add to that, since it was a bag to be used on the move, it needed to be something we could carry on our person, yet keep our hands free as needed. We chose the Versipack from Maxpedition (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=4&idproduct=31) because we were aware of the quality of their products, their workmanship, and that its one of the most overbuilt items on the market.
Lets get down to business, with a partial content listing of the get_to_it bag, we have:
First aid supplies
Flashlight
Ham Radio (with weather features)
Knife
Regional Map
Lit Magnifying Glass
Firearm
Accessories purchased:
Firearm holster (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=48)
Radio holster (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=8&idproduct=179)
At first glance the bag appears to be just what it is, a shoulder bag with a radio holster.
Opening it reveals a small pocket, which holds spare batteries for the flashlight, a clip knife, matches and a lighter. The keen eye will notice a firearm magazine in the pocket to the right.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_bagfrontopen.jpg
Behind that pocket is the first compartment which holds a map and a magnifying glass with a built in light.
Map. Essential outdoor tool. Extra credit if you carry a small compass as well. The wise money is on purchasing a laminated map that can survive repeated folding and unfolding and that will withstand water. Magnifying glass. Its hard enough reading some of the highway signs when you are in your car and they are 20 feet wide, a lit magnifying glass is a great tool for your map.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_map.jpg
Above this sits a larger compartment, this compartment also has a drawstring pouch that you can use to seal the compartment further from the elements and to form fit the bag under the snap enclosure. It is in this section that the most of our items are stored.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_pocketpouch.jpg
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_compartment.jpg
The load out inside this compartment holds a reasonably stocked first-aid kit.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_medical_kit.jpg
Ziplock #5
Tongue Depressers – 2
Cotton Balls
Scissors
Tweezers
Q-Tips – 10
Ziplock #3
Ziplock #4
Ziplock #4
Small Bandages – 12
Fingertip Bandages – 10
Large Bandage – 1
Finger Bandage 2
Ziplock #3
Antiseptic Towelettes – 6
Soap Towelettes – 4
Povidone Iodine Prep Pad – 4
Alcohol Swabs – 10
Ziplock #2
Gauze Pads – 3
5 cm Gauze Pads – 4
10 cm Gauze Pads – 2
2x3 in. Gauze Pads – 1
1 Combine Pad
Gauze Roll – 1
Gloves – 2 pair
Tape – 1 roll
Triangle Bandage w/ safety pins
Ziplock #1
Sudafed PE
Benadryl
Antibiotic Cream
Hand Sanitizer
Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen
10 Eye Wash
Misc. - Ice Pack
---
The last compartment on the bag closes with a sturdy zipper. Inside of that compartment the bag is lined with Velcro, which depending on the accessory purchased, will allow you to attach an item to the side wall. We chose the holster attachment which allows you to safely store a firearm in the bag while it is on your person. There is a method to the quick draw from concealment with this bag, but this really is not about drawing it, this is all about having the firearm nearby if you need it.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_concealed.jpg
We also have for the sake of survival and sanity, a Yaesu VX-7R (http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=8D3254BFC69FB172D78647DC56EFB0E9&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0) Handheld Transceiver (HT radio).
A Handheld Transceiver for camping, hiking and for road trips, is a great mental comfort for those times that you still need to be able to make and receive communications while being slightly off the grid. Having a HAM license with these types of radios is required, but not needed in times of emergency -real emergencies, not the I've got a splinter emergencies.
This particular radio, if you are so properly equipped will let you communicate with others who have HAM licenses. Other great features about this model are its being Heavy Duty rating, its height to asphalt drop rate, its presets of a few common weather channels, and it features an internal temperature senor with a barometric function to boot... oh yeah and its waterproof! Long battery life as well.
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_radio.jpg
Since this is all about being hands free when we can, we have the holder for it:
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_radio_pouch.jpg
All in all this is what we will carry:
http://230grain.com/images/articles/gettoitbag/tn_contents.jpg
A few of the items not picutured for the bag were: Waterproof matches and a lighter. For the First-aid kit: Smelling salts and a CPR mask. In the end you will decide on the items best suited for your needs and travels.
Remember these bags are about survival, and that may include mental survival with a swap out from the med-kit to the:
Daddy-kit
Sesame street band-aids
Juice boxes
A few toys
A lollipop
Or the:
'I'm not a nerd/tourist' kit...
Cell phone
Camcorder
Camera
Batteries
Or the:
Yes this is a man bag...bag.
Stay safe, shoot straight.