The evolution of the classic "Go Kit"
What should you have in a "go-kit"? Well that really depends because there really is no one right answer to this question. The goal is to be self sufficient no matter what the situation. What we will try to do here is give you some examples of what you may want to include in "your kit".
EOCs
If you are deployed to an EOC or other fixed site that has permanently installed radios you only need to be concerned with providing the following. Many ARES members who are badged at the various permanent EOCs and already know the capabilities and limitations of those facilities and can adjust their kits accordingly
For a short term assignment (24 hours or less)
- All appropriate ID including ARES/RACES and drivers license.
- Field operation manual. what's this?
- Small cooler with drinks and snacks of your choosing.
- Medications including OTC pain relief of your choosing.
- Money, small bills and change especially.
For a medium term assignment (24 - 72 hours). In addition to all of the above you will need to consider bring the following most of which may be able to be left in your vehicle until needed.
- Two or three changes of clothes.
- Personal toiletries and towels.
- Additonal drinks, snacks and food.
- Sleeping bag / pillow.
- Cot / air matress
General deployment
If you are deployed to a shelter, hospital or other facility that does not have installed amateur radios you will need:
For a short term assignment (24 hours or less)
- All appropriate ID including ARES/RACES and drivers license
- Field operation manual. what's this?
- Small cooler with drinks and snacks of your choosing.
- Medications including OTC pain relief of your choosing.
- Radio, or HT with external power amp
- Power supply or battery of adequate capacity.
- Portable antenna with stand with coax.
- SWR meter
- Small multi-meter
- Earphone / headphones (Speaker mic / headset)
- Extra batteries if needed
- Various RF cable adaptors
- Various 12VDC adapters as for Cig lighter and PowerPoles
- Watch
- Portable alarm clock with AM/FM radio.
- Money, small bills and change especially.
- NOAA weather radio, preferably with SAME
- Camera
For a medium term assignment (24 - 72 hours). In addition to all of the above you will need to consider bring the following most of which may be able to be left in your vehicle until needed.
- Two or three changes of clothes.
- Personal toiletries and towels.
- Additonal drinks, snacks and food.
- Sleeping bag / pillow.
- Cot / air matress
Outdoors "in the open"
If your deployment is going to have you outside "in the open" you will need to consider adding the following to your deployment kit. Weather will also dictate what you do and do not need.
Personal items for a short term assignment (24 hours or less)
- Cap, jacket or rain poncho as weather dicates.
- Pocket knife / Multi-tool
- Mini first aid kit
- Sun glasses
- Sun screen / block
- Insect repellent
- Umbrella / canopy / tent
- Small trash bag
- Small table and chair
- Hand cleaner / paper towels
- Small flashlight
- Chapstick
- Kleenex
For a medium term assignment (24 - 72 hours). In addition to all of the above you will need to consider bring the following most of which may be able to be left in your vehicle until needed.
- Two or three changes of clothes.
- Personal toiletries and towels.
- Additonal drinks, snacks and food.
- Sleeping bag / pillow.
- Cot / air matress
More hostile enviroments / situations may require you to consider adding
- More substantial shoes and / or hiking boots
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Pocketed vest
- Compass
- Whistle
- Matches / lighter (even if you don't smoke)
- Earplugs
- Eye protection
- Leather / work gloves
- Camp shovel
- Safety pins
- Water purifier
Extras
Additional carry along items provided you have the space and feel the need.
Admin / office items
- Pens
- Pencils
- Paper clips
- Rubber bands
- Clear tape
- Post it notes
- Ruler
- Envelopes various sizes of manilla
- Stapler & staples
- Calculator
- Clipboard
- Higlighters / markers
- Local maps
Tools are very important to have along with you. A small toolbox with the following is easy to carry along
- Screw drivers, flat and phillips
- Adjustable wrench
- Adjustable pliers
- Adjustable locking pliers (Vice grips)
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Sand paper (for cleaning parts)
- Assortment of allen wrench's
- Electrical tape
- Duct tape
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Assortment of small screws, nuts, bolts & washers
In addition an assortment of spare parts such as;
- Fuses
- Wire
- Jacks
- Plugs
- Other connectors
Some other miscellanious items
- Food that does not require cooking unless you bring the stove and fuel
- Handheld propane torch
- Additonal antennas
- Slingshot / fishing line
- Rope
- 50 Ohm Coax
- Binoculars
- Generator
- Extension Cords
- Power strips
- Bags and baggies
- Hammock
- Jumper cables
- Camp stove with fuel
- Eating utensils
- Large Trash Bag