Today I had to use my Oh Fuck Ruck Sack

[TressiliansStone]

Took me quite a while to remember it, as I went round scooping up laptop and handbag and a clutch of mobile phones after hearing my neighbours fire alarm.

Everyone got out safely.

I'm quite pleased with the OFRS.

Now that I'm safely back in (thank you lovely fire service; my poor neighbour though), I've now put in a phone charger which was unaccountably missing, and a dongle.

Insurance phone numbers were in there already, and I think I'll add a printout of everyone's contact numbers.

Nothing like a live drill to make you coldly assess your prep.

Really glad your neighbour is fine. I've never heard of this, I may add this to my husbands 'to do' list. It may well turn into something boring he goes on about but that's ok.

What's in there please?

Yes can we have a list please. Hope your neighbour is ok.

Never head of this.

Could you let us know what’s in it? Sounds like an amazing idean

In the US, it's called an "Oh Shit Bag", a "Go Bag" (as in grab it and go) or a "Bug Out Bag".

Here are some examples: www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/iohps/reddit_do_you_have_an_oh_shit_emergency_kit_just/.

Sorry, fire service still in and out.

I'll find a link to some previous excellent threads in a moment.

I didn't have a "clothing and 2-day-supplies" version –must sort out one of those.

Current OFRS is metal box containing:
– birth certificate plus other ID (suggest: passports, marriage cert)
– copy of insurance letter with phone number to call and number of policy
– all my education certs
– copy of will + contact nos for solicitor
– back-up hard drive (not all of my stuff is on cloud)
– should have had printout of all tel numbers from my various phones
– should have had a bit of cash, and all bank account numbers (in case I'd lost my laptop and all its autofill log ins...)

Where do you keep this ruck sack?

When I think about how DH has his paperwork in his file, I have my paperwork in my file (different rooms) Passports are in a drawer...... if we went up in smoke we’d be stuffed!

Wondering, if we managed this, where the best place would be.

Poor people who are flooded would lose stuff stored low level, a fire in the hallway would cut off our coat/bag cupboard....if it was upstairs we might not be able to grab it.

The too many options are overwhelming!

Mine was handily in a bedroom by the front door, so where I would be sleeping and also easy to grab while exiting.

When I lived on two floors I could have chucked it out of the bedroom window if necessary.

Plan B is it stays in the property but survives the fire AND the water because metal.

Here's a listing from NYC's government and covers multiple situations: www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/get-prepared.page

Go Bag

Everyone in your household should have a Go Bag — a collection of things you would want if you have to leave in a hurry. Your Go Bag should be sturdy and easy to carry, like a backpack or a small suitcase on wheels. You'll need to customize your Go Bag for your personal needs, but some of the important things you need in your Go Bag include:

• Bottled water and nonperishable food, such as granola bars
• Copies of your important documents in a waterproof container (e.g., insurance cards, Medicare/Medicaid cards, photo IDs, proof of address, marriage and birth certificates, copies of credit and ATM cards)
• Flashlight, hand-crank or battery-operated AM/FM radio, and extra batteries
• List of the medications you take, why you take them, and their dosages
• Contact information for your household and members of your support network
• Cash, in small bills
• Notepad and pen
• Back-up medical equipment (e.g., glasses, batteries) and chargers
• Aerosol tire repair kits and/or tire inflator to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires Doctors' names and phone numbers
• First-aid kit
• Toiletries
• Child care, pet care, and other special items
• Supplies for your service animal or pet (e.g., food, extra water, bowl, leash, cleaning items, vaccination records, and medications)
• Portable cell phone chargers
• If you have children, pack child care supplies as well as games and small toys.

If you're older or have any special medical needs, consider including these items:

• Instructions and extra batteries for any devices you use
• Aerosol tire repair kits and/or tire inflator to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires
• Back-up medical equipment
• Items to comfort you in a stressful situation

If you have a pet or service animal, you need to pack a Go Bag for them:

• A current color photograph of you and your pet/service animal together (in case you are separated)
• Copies of medical records that indicate dates of vaccinations and a list of medications your pet/service animal takes and why he or she takes them
• Proof of identification and ownership, including copies of registration information, adoption papers, proof of purchase, and microchip information
• Physical description of your pet/service animal, including species, breed, age, sex, color, distinguishing traits, and any other vital information about characteristics and behavior
• Animal first aid kit, including flea and tick treatment and other items recommended by your veterinarian
• Food and water for at least three days
• Food and water dishes
• Collapsible cage or carrier
• Muzzle and sturdy leash (Note: Nylon muzzles should only be used temporarily as they can restrict a dog’s ability to pant)
• Cotton sheet to place over the carrier to help keep your pet/service animal calm
• Comforting toys or treats
• Litter, litter pan, and litter scoop
• Plastic bags for clean-up

Further down the web page they go into emergency supplies for the home and car.

Can't find one of the MN threads (thanks for Reddit link), so how about we make a list here?

I'm sure the Preppers will help.

– ID, driving licence, passport
– birth & marriage certs
– copy of insurance letter with phone number to call and number of policy
– contact numbers for any solicitor
– printout of important tel numbers (will have to deal with insurance, work, school, utilities as well as friends/family)
– cash
– bank account numbers and enough info you can log in to your accounts from anywhere (but not enough for burglar to understand if the box is stolen)
– education certs
– hard drive of back-ups
– phone charger
– essential medication (rotate supply so doesn't expire)
– large bottle of water
– two days' clean underwear
– change of outer clothing

What else?

Much better one from Jings!

– spare keys for outbuildings, vehicles, anything that might be locked and not on your main keyring

It's worth having bug out bags ready anyway in case you have to leave the house in a hurry. Each family member should have one really.

Plus it's an easy way to lay your hands on important documents quickly. Just put them back again.

Interesting. I always carry a GO (Get Out) bag overseas, but don't have one in the UK.
Most of the places I go for work aren't holiday destinations, and I have had to evacuate straight across a border or to an airport, leaving most of my clothes etc behind more than once over the years.
I suppose I assume that I'll have forewarning of TEOTWAWKI if I am in the UK

Looks my poor neighbour's place is trashed. Unlikely to be back in this side of the New Year.

There but for the grace of the fire brigade...

Thank you to all MNers and their families who work in emergency services.