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Greetings, All. I would like to pick the collective brain power, especially of the younger generation.
Grandson number one is going off to college in another state in the fall. He is not a prepper. The college is six driving hours away in a very cold (possible -20 with high snowfall) state. There is a lot of open, non-residential space on the road. My question is:
What are the items that you would consider essential for a college student to have to survive in the dorm.
Main Scenario: power outage – therefore no heat and food. Stuck in the dorm.
Second Scenario: Walking or hitching a ride back home. In this scenario, I am not too concerned about the trip since he was a Boy Scout, but he will not have his backpack with him. So I figure that whatever I give him for the dorm room will also help him get home.
I can see: a multi-tool.
First Aid Kit.
Empty gallon jug for water storage. Filtering water bottle.
Flashlight, Headlamp
ON THE ROAD:
laminated maps with pre-determined route
phone numbers on a laminated card; preset contact time.
He will have freezing weather gear.
Single burner butane stove and freeze-dried meals and instant beverages.
What other essentials can you think of for the dorm room?
Thank you.
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>Space blanket tarp, extra batteries, marker, bolt cutter with aluminum handles, winter foot wear and atleast 4 pairs of socks. Multi ways of starting fires along with tinder boyscout or not fast fire in cold is life saver. Compass, paracord some silver oz coins a hand cuff key or escape stick. A set of mini binoculars or more depending on budget. Roll of duct tape, extra wool hat bear GEL spray. E tool,a good back pack. Sanitary wipes and tp, soap, hand sanitizer. Broken in good boots for winter and summer. Activated charcoal, some pain killers above asprin, bug repellant, sun glasses no reflective, sturdy gloves, shemagh, travel hygene kit. Sewing thread and needle. Myco shield spray some n100 masks extra nitrile gloves depending on how many in first aid kit. Good socks atleast 4 pair.</p>
If in a treed area a hammock like a Hennessey would.be better and lighter than a tent and way warmer.
Have him design a mark or tag for signs as he enters or leaves town to tag back of a sign so if you go looking you have idea where to look and where he has been.
If having to walk back get locker near them to store a bike motor or pedal and a fire arm with ammo. Failing this a hidden buried tube with more food and weapon.
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Will he have a vehicle ….especially to store things in?
What is LEGAL in the dorm rooms……probably not the multitool nor the butane stove.
I’d think he would need some things that are not quite what they seem….or could be constructed if the scenario ever comes up.
For instance: One of those little stoves made from soda cans with holes all around the rim.
The fuel would have to be in cache somewhere he could reach. Multitool could be pre-positioned there too. Must be able to find/access in all seasons.
Definitely good hiking boots for very cold conditions and for better weather. Same with outerwear…rain, terrible cold [as you mentioned] and for traveling with heat.
Rolling backpack? [ I always advise: not brand new; not neon orange ]
The problem with food….young men will eat everything. LOL He’d have to leave it alone until/if he NEEDS it. 😉
OldMtWoman …off the top of my head. Wish him the best!
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Instead of a water jug, get a water bladder. When not in use, they can collapse taking up less space.
And, in the winter, you can place it inside your coat, use your body heat to keep the water warm.Food would be a big deal. Keep it light as possible.
Toss in some jerky, GORP, other calorie dense food that is light. -
Thank you, All.
Sounds as if you are all referring to standard bug-out stuff. I had not thought about not having butane in the dorm or that a multi-tool would not be allowed.
I did just get an advertisement for an LED light bulb that stores several hours of charge in its base to be used in a power outage. Perhaps one of those for him.
Some of the items you suggest would be best, as you said, stored off campus. He does not drive – no car or license. He would need to be on foot or with someone he trusts.
Yesterday, I looked at items suggested for dorm rooms. If he can get risers for his bed many of the items can be stored in a pack there.
Old Mt. Woman: As a capable boy scout, I am sure he could light a fire and make a stove as you suggested – if I give him the tools.
Crow Bar: I keep forgetting about water bladders. It has been decades since I did that kind of hiking. What you are suggesting makes sense – as long as the water is running. Plus a filter of some kind.
Food: he has done long distance hikes (Philmont Scout Ranch) so I know he can do freeze dried foods, and GORP.
Namelus: I really like the idea of a personal tag for identification. Can you tell me more about what you are thinking? His name, in a code, plus his next destination? Being a gamer, he made up his own alphabet so we can use that.
For the map, I was thinking about a story I read on a Survival Blog. They had maps and hand held radios. The group decided they would meet at point “1 C”, then the leader decided whether to go on to “1 D” or “2 D” depending on conditions. But, how would you mark the signs? Mile markers or Hwy junctions with his initials and his destination?
His grandfather’s home is midway, but it is not on a direct path. That would most likely be his destination since by then that Grandpa will be retired. I wish I knew someone else in between for a stash.
He is working at a camp 8 miles from us this summer and I think we will see more of him. I’ll have an opportunity to help him think about what to take.
Great ideas. Thank you, Everyone.
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We pick the back first speed sign in or out of the city on oposite side of rescue incomming so the rescuers can see the markings when driving.
You mark your sign and direction number of lines under represent group size and threat lvl once through town. Since pre planed routes there are already mainly set parameters. Knowing if someone has been passed saves time on searching. The marks go on every stop you make overnight or if no signs tree bark marking or stone pile with tiny flagging tape to get attention. Once you see sign you know you have to back track or if on other side thier entry point you know they are In town. Depending on hostility you can choose to wait outside and leave your own mark so when they see yours they know you are near and go by preset directions of mostly likely places you would camp waiting for them.
As you go towards them you do same markings so you don’t pass each other by much of at all.
It looks like graphiti so no one pays attention.
If in heavy snow area you might want to consider a mode of over snow transport ie snow shoes or x country skis. Waist deep snow is impossible to walk through for long distance. My university has a shooting team and we had a storage onsite for weapons for this purpose. I don’t know if this is even a thing offered any more. Training for winter biathlon?
On a side note I just got a thank you from a friend’s daughter who is finishing her first year in regards to the instapot electric pressure cooker I gave her with recipe book. Easy quick cheap meals, boils water for tea and coffee. The favorite was pop corn and french fries.
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SAS Handbook, Boy Scout Handbook, Wilderness Medicine, First Aid book, Daisy’s water book. Make sure he knows how to handle a gun and is not afraid to use if (when) necessary. Vitamins and OTC meds and ointment and soap. He needs to know how to drive. Remember old cars will still run after an EMP. 6 hours drive translates into 400 miles to me. Will take weeks or months!
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The oldest heads off to college this fall.
From every other parent, the advice is as follows:
Load up the commissary card, they will drink more coffee than one can imagine.
If you are sending an emergency bag, carry on size is it. Limited time and space in the dorms, and the ever present threat of theft.
Pre-loaded cash cards and such to pay for airfare home.
Membership in the campus “camping club” not just to justify that loaded backpack but to keep everything in practice and have some fun outside of class.
I would like to send my eldest off with 100 pounds of gear and more. Not gonna happen for a number of reasons, some mentioned.
Hard hearted? Unrealistic? No, all too realistic. Having friends that are campus cops, who have or have had kids in school, most of the threats to students are either trivial (petty theft), personal (date rape) and the unrealistic (EMP, etc).
The biggest threat our kids face are the teachers, with their liberal agenda. Teaching a doctrine rather than facts.
I hear monthly shipments of Ramen and such are surprisingly popular. YMMV.
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