When major disasters strike (think earthquakes, floods, tidal waves, hurricane Katrina- but also think major power outages, windstorms, etc), professional fire and rescue teams are often almost instantly overloaded, or for some reason cannot reach all people in need of help. That's where CERT comes in: we're a volunteer org (partly government funded) who receive basic training in search and rescue, triage, basic first aid and small-fire fighting. Our goals are: first take care of ourselves and our families, then go out and help our neighbors and nearby community. It's nice to know that when the fit hits the shan, I'm ready to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem!
Here's my CERT bag:
Here, most items are from PrepareSmart (unless noted otherwise). I live near this company, so I drove over there myself and picked up the stuff I added to my kit. Some of this stuff I had already as a result of putting together a BugOutBag each for my wife and I, along with some stuff for the house. Keith Oratz, the company owner, is a great guy and he gives a discount for CERT members. Here's a hint, though - he really runs a warehouse sort of operation, so you'll save time if you use his website to order your stuff. If you're local and want to pick it up yourself, you can put a comment about that in at the end of the web order process. Then drive over and pick up your stuff once he has it ready!
This is actually my own list, so I've added maintenance dates for some items in red. You can ignore that.
Prices are as of September 2007; I usually round up to the next dollar. Shipping isn't figured in.
Some items are borrowed from my BugOutBag -
- CERT bag. About $17.
- Safety vest. About $11. Provided by my CERT program.
- Dust mask. About $1 (2 masks). Provided by my CERT program.
- Safety goggles. About $3. Provided by my CERT program; I recommend safety glasses instead (same price). If you wear prescription, ask optometrist about safety-hardened lenses.
- Fire escape hood. I could not find the Kaptair type that I have for less than $50 each (I know I paid less, I just don't remember where!); I did locate this very similar one (not Preparesmart link). About $32.
- First aid fanny pack. Contents and ordering info on the MedFannyPack page.
- 2x Heatsheets space blanket (From Amazon) Big enough for 2 people; has many emergency tips printed right on it. About $6 each.
- FreePlay Eyemax Wind-Up AM/FM/Weather Radio and flashlight. (From Amazon) About $60. Note, I looked at a lot of other wind-up survival type radios. Most are not very sturdy; my first one broke the first time I used it (during the Great Seattle Power Outage of 2006). This unit is designed by a company who make similar units for the Third World; it is strong and sturdy. Don't get crappy knockoffs; you'll regret it like I did!
- Garmin Rino 110 GPS/walkietalkie. (From Amazon) About $155. You may be able to find refurbished ones for around $100 - I did. Because we have two bugout bags (one for me, one for wife), I like this device which will help me stay in contact with her, and also help us locate one another if we become separated. It takes 3 AA batteries; I use rechargeables. Discharge/recharge yearly in December.
- Emergency poncho. About $1
- 5 pair Nitrile gloves. About 50 cents each pair.
- 3 pair pigskin gloves. $5/pair
- Water bottle. It comes with the CERT bag (item #1)
- 2 space blankets. $1.50 each
- Hard hat. About $12. CERT program provided mine.
- LED light with hardhat swivel clip. About $32. Change or recharge batteries yearly in December.
- Hand sanitizer - 4 oz. About $2. In a pinch this can be used to sanitize nitrile gloves, right on your hand, if they are in short supply.
- Ambu CPR Barrier Mask. About $11.
- 4-in-1 shutoff tool. $14. Shuts off gas and water. Pries, digs, hits things.
- 8'x10' tarp. About $6. Can do double duty as makeshift stretcher.
- Extra cellphone battery. I paid $12, your mileage will vary. Discharge/recharge (or swap with cellphone) in June and December each year.
- Four-pack lithium AA batteries. (From Amazon) EXPIRATION DATE: December 2017 (lasts 10 years)
- Leatherman classic with clip. I don't think they make these anymore; Amazon has the newer Leatherman Kick which is very similar. About $32
- Energizer mini battery charger. Has a nifty slide-out battery holder that makes the charger nice and small so you can take it with you. I got mine at a drugstore with 4x NiMH batteries, on closeout. NewEgg has the same kit for about $18.
- CERT Field Operation Guide (FOG). About $10. Provided by my CERT program.
- Lanyard with compass/thermometer, P38 canopener, whistle, and Sharpie pen.
- Compass/thermometer from Amazon. About $4
- P-38 can opener. Get from local army-navy store (usually at the counter), or buy 15 of them for $13 from Amazon and give some away as party favors!
- Sharpie mini pen. About $3 from Amazon
- Whistle with lanyard. About $1 from Preparesmart.
- Bump keys from bumpkey.us. About $35 for a full set. I took a flyer on this; many videos make light of how easy it is. So far I cannot get it to work; more detailed reading shows that usually those demonstrations are done with a lock that is 'easy to bump'. I'll keep these in the kit in case they maybe turn up useful sometime.
- Qty 2 Meals, ready to eat (MRE). About $75 for a case of 12 from Amazon. No expiration date! Really! Also see RepackingMRE (to save space).
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- Collapsible camp bucket. About $13
Items not included
- A tyvek coverall might be a good way to keep from getting blood and guck on your own clothes. About $4
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