Ask HN: In an emergency what tools and technology would you take? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: In an emergency what tools and technology would you take?

5 pointsemson5 comments

I recently came across the Serval project where you can use Android phones to create ad-hoc telephone networks. That got me thinking if there was a natural disaster what tools, technology and software would you ensure you had with you.

Here were a few ideas I would probably have in my emergency bag:

Energy: Solar cooker: http://www.gosunstove.com/ USB charger powered by fire: http://www.flamestower.com/ Battery: http://zendure.myshopify.com/

Communication: Android phone: Samsung Galaxy S4 Active or something tough Serval project: http://www.servalproject.org/ Network scanner: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlook.android.fing&hl=en

Technology: RaspberryPi wether station: http://airpi.es/ assortment of chargers and cables Walkie talkies Radio scanner USB drives 3G MiFi Dongle e.g. http://store.three.co.uk/view/plan/MBBD12062013T160817?manufacturer=Huawei&deviceType=MBB_DONGLE&id=1189

Books: Ray Mears books: http://www.raymears.com/Ray_Mears/Ray_Mears_Books.cfm Wild edible foods: http://sergeiboutenko.com/my-book-is-out/

Sleep and shelter: Nube hammock: http://sierramadreresearch.com/shop/nube/

Tools: Bush craft knife Flint and steel Para cord Tarpaulin: http://bushcraftandsurvivalskills.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-is-best-tarp-setup-steps-to-take.html Torch

Take? Take where? Where are you going? What's going on? Must you go? Why are you going? Do you have children with you?

Generally speaking though:

0. Leatherman Wave. I always, always carry this with me on my pocket.

1. Water

2. Food

3. Warmth/shelter (Always a bic lighter, but also tarps, blankets, jackets, garbage bags, etc)

4. Firearm(s)

5. Wind-up fm/am/wx radio

6. My amateur HT

7. First aid kit (customized, and common needed meds added per the books in #8)

8. Resource Books (US Army Special Forces Medic manual, Where There Is No Doctor, the edible plants guide for my region). I own and I've of course already spent time studying these, so it's somewhat practiced and easier to perform under stress.

9. Sanity books. Something long and stoic that would normally be too long for my ADD. A book of buddhist quotes, for personal psyops.

...

...

97. Tablet or phone with cellular data, to monitor local tweets.

In that order.

You really carry a Wave everywhere? I love mine, but it's so heavy.

Get the $5 pocket clip from leatherman.com.

Don't forget entertainment. If you are going lightweight go with a harmonica. And as many books(fiction) as you can carry. Don't underestimate fiction when there is no TV and your cell phone battery has died.

If mobility is not a concern and we are talking long term collapse learn how to make a Still. Or stockpile booze. Booze will be more valuable than gold. And if we are only taking about a short term disaster will make you the most popular person on the block and you will have more friends than ever before.

I like that hammock shelter. To make a little "base" or home or whatever, you could put your stuff inside and have the ropes over higher branches, then lift it and tie down the ropes to keep out animals. If the emergency is of the apocalyptic or state-ending variety, a bunch of looted cable locks could chain together and even make it locking, making people climb to steal your stuff.

Then again, if this is in a go-bag, I suppose it all fits in the bag, doesn't it?

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