Not So Secret Cache Part 3 Even More Stash
Secret Cache Part 3 brings even more stash words and links about first aid, communication, security, and more on the psychology of prepping and stressful situations.
Contents
First Aid, Health, and Wellness
I mentioned vitamins in the previous post, I always do, you have to think holistically at all times, preparing for an emergency does not mean you are in a bare minimum survival mode, it means you thought ahead and made plans for success. For success! A Don’t ever lose sight of that when you’re setting up your secret cache.
Prescription medications are another part of this that you need to keep careful track of, quantities and expiration dates become paramount, they are prescribed for a reason, right?
To use some of your prescribed medication, you may need other supplies, keeping some in your duffel would be prudent.
A first-aid kit is a high-value item in your duffel. You cannot count on your friend to have the required items you might need in case of bodily injury. I made my first-aid kit from separate items, and so should you.
This is where I will stick the PSL Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) link when we are ready to sell them. (I know anti-climactic) until then, check the Ultralight .9 out. It’s from perennial outdoors first aid kit seller Adventure Medics. I had one of these in the past and it was pricey but ok.
If you wear eyeglasses like me, you need a current spare pair in your duffel, there is nothing to elaborate on this one. I had the type which has a sunglasses snap-on piece.
- Keeping
- Vitamins, fiber, and electrolytes
Hygiene
Keeping clean is great for the mind and body. It helps you feel like a (modern) human being! It helps keep diseases away and let’s not avoid talking about the smells that a group of people under stress in an enclosed space can generate.
You can keep a full compliment of:
- Dental Hygiene Kit
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss.
- Body Hygiene Kit
- Soap, washcloth or loofah, shampoo
- Grooming Kit
- Shaving, Nail clippers, etc.
Communications
CB’s, walkies, HAM. Great, great, great. However your first tool for communications is your mobile phone, only you can decide who in your family gets a mobile phone, perhaps at a certain age, etc. Linking a mobile phone here would be silly. iOS, Android, or Microsoft are your software choices. Your hardware choices are legion.
Items:
- Charge plug is the same type across most devices.
- Hardened cases for protection.
- Spare charging cables or wireless charging pads.
- Offline copies of your plans.
Finally, develop a robust communication plan including NATO phonetic alphabet and, perhaps, simple code words for locations and people.
Security
Touchy subject, you want to make yourself and family safe and secure, while at your BOL Local, State, and Federal laws will make this a challenging part of your plan. Maybe you can’t have a specific type of knife at one location, and it’s perfectly legal in another. The same might apply to firearms, pepper spray, or even a slingshot.
Step 1: Resolve any internal questions on the need for any of the above tools. Think hard about having something that can inadvertently harm someone due to your negligence. You are responsible.
Take this time to remember or acquaint yourself with the laws of our land. The 2nd Amendment first.
Step 2: Know your local laws, it’s your responsibility. The following links could help:
- General
- Pepper Spray
- SABRE’s (a pepper spray manufacturer) Pepper Spray Laws
- Stun guns (aka Tasers)
- Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Stun Gun Laws and Permit Requirements
- Knives
- American Knife & Tool Institute’s State Knife Laws
- Knife Up’s US Knife Laws
- Firearms
- NRA Carry Guard’s Gun Laws By State
- NRA-ILA’s State Gun Laws
- Wikipedia’s Gun laws in the United States by state
- The Guardian’s – a UK Newspaper (2013) Gun laws in the US
Step 3: Educate yourself. Whatever you decide to get learn about it and learn to use it. Find a local organization that can offer general safety training or user training.
Local law enforcement may help with information, or you may have clubs around your town that can help, etc. Don’t strictly rely on online sources (even this website) or printed materials. Verify as much as you can. You are responsible.
Step 4: Buy what you can, and have decided on, remember you are responsible for storing, maintenance, and usage once you buy it. Chose wisely these types of purchases don’t tend to be cheap.
Step 5: Obey the law.
Step 6: Come back and read our posts on firearms and other self-defense tools.
Having said all of that, your friend might not want you to have any of it in the duffel, yet he might be fine with it being there when you are there. As I said, it’s a touchy subject, and this whole section might only help in starting a conversation for you or not have helped you at all.
Tools
Illumination
I have a replacement on my list, another Fenix, the LD12 it uses AAs. It is way less powerful though, so though I am linking it here, I am not 100% certain this will be the TK15s replacement.
I spent over 10 years in a third world country, I was a kid, it was fun. Fresh fruit, playing around most of the day, not many chores. Power outages were so common that when power returned it was cause for celebrations. We used candles, many candles during my years there. The candles were cheap four or five-inch tall white paraffin-type candles, I think in the US we call them Taper Candle, I found them at a Discount store (aka Dollar store, though you seldom find any dollar items) at ten four-inch or eight five-inch candles per pack, the packs were the same price a dollar fifty (Saw something very similar on Amazon for five bucks!!!!). Tea light candles will work too. Get some candles.
Oil lamps, propane lamps, etc would be too big for your duffel, great additions otherwise.
Batteries
I spent a little bit of money on these plastic battery organizers which I use very little, they came in handy once during hiking.
Next Week
We continue this series, remember all this stuff can and will fit in a duffel!