(no subject)

[learnedax]

Huh, that snuck up on me. I'm leaving for a week of rebuilding New Orleans tomorrow. I really don't know what to expect of this experience, except that I think it will be a Good Thing. I will try to do some phone posts (not having actual internet on my cell), but they will probably be sporadic. It's not like I post that much when I'm sitting in front of a computer all day, after all.

I have decided to try to do NaNoWriMo 11/15-12/15, we'll see how that goes.

So far my packing list (not counting things I always have on me) is

Clothes
First-aid kit
Maps
Toiletries

It seems like I ought to be taking more than that...

Comments

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Take something to read.

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

A small packet or two of laundry soap, some spare toilet paper.

On occasions like this, even when married, I always brought condoms. The life you save probably won't be your own, but I didn't mind giving them away.

Make sure that your first aid kit is prepped for athletes foot and/or dysentary. Waterless hand cleaner and/or wipes would be an excellent investment. It's a humid environment - baby powder.

Even though the water has receded - bug spray.

Will you need to bring your own sleeping bag or other essentials?

My personal concern would be whether your personal property can be secured while you are working. So, on the one hand, bring what you must have. On the other, bring only what you can afford to lose.

Call herooftheage, since he was just there.

[dsrtao]

A good multitool, preferably one with a locking blade. If it doesn't have a locking blade, bring a good locking folder. Do you want to borrow one of mine?

[jtdiii.livejournal.com]

As I suddenly remember that I am flying today and I have to leave behind one of my usual items of clothing, the jack knife...

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

Have you never seen the gay Leatherman? That falls under "Stuff (he) alwasy has on (him)."

[learnedax.livejournal.com]

Hmm, my Leatherman doesn't have a locking blade, so I might want to borrow one... going to be around tonight?

[dsrtao]

Yup. You can borrow the Spyderco Endura or the Benchmade Ascent -- they're both lightweight, good steel, and lock up nicely. Please put them in checked luggage if you're flying anywhere -- for some reason the nice TSA people don't like them.

Stuff.

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

I would not expect tremendously much in the way of civilization down there, given reports we've been having. I'm not sure if you were planning on sleeping in your car, a shelter, or what. I really don't know what level of organization you're planning on arriving to -- i.e. who you're meeting up with, or whether this is part of a larger organization as herooftheage's efforts were.

If you're going to be self-sufficient, and want to avoid adding to the refuge burden, it means you'll want food, water, warmth, dry, and utility. For this last one dsr's multitool idea is a good one, as is a decent knife (useful for a billion tasks). I recommend bringing some of your own water, too -- like a 10 gal bottle that stays in the trunk. If you do have a local supply you can top up the bottle so you don't have to make so many trips to the water source. If there's municipal water, then it's useful for the car ride itself. Snack bars and other dense food are just always useful. A stowable sleeping bag, or whatever you'll need to be comfortable sleeping at night in 50-60° weather? If you don't get enough sleep, you're not going to be useful to other people.

A decent coat that doesn't look expensive and that you don't mind getting crap on...I'd recommend against the leather one! Perhaps a cheapo jacket, though as it looks like it's 80° every day down there right now it might not be necessary.

Soap/etc. is a great idea. Toilet paper, if you're attached to using it. I'm sure some of that is covered under your "toiletries". Plastic bags are generically useful. So are zipties, and rope. A fanny pack to carry stuff. Extra socks. Even more socks than that.

And, of course, tea. You really can't have too much tea.

[jtdiii.livejournal.com]

Work Gloves -Buy a few pair of well fitting but inexpensive ones
Surgical gloves. There may be jobs where you will want to wear both types.
Workboots
Twice as many socks as you think you need. Change them twice a day. Do it...
Toolbelt
Hat
Favorite (But disposable) hammer
Dust mask(s)
Long sleeve shirts. Lots of fiberglass and other skin irritants out there.
Duct tape

Energy bars, gum, hard candies just in case.

[herooftheage.livejournal.com]

My guess is that you will not be roughing it, if I understand your tasks correctly. However, here's a list of things I'd feel comfortable about adding to your list, just in case:

1) Powerbars or other light-weight food, water.
2) Waterproof boots.
3) Snake kit. (These are not standard in first aid kits.)
4) Air mattress & battery pump.
5) Flashlight & batteries.
6) Cell phone chargers.

The best buy we ended up making for my trip was an internal frame backpack, which we got at REI, which I used instead of a suitcase. I highly recommend the Coyote 4750. I think I'm not likely to use a suitcase as my first choice for traveling ever again.

One of the things about disaster relief in the area is that you will be able to get what you need, so long as you're in a vehicle that is still functioning. Unless you're in the area of complete devastation, you'll still be within a half an hour of a Walmart.

At the end of October, the temperature in Baton Rouge was pretty variable - 90 in the day to 40 at night. So bring summer and fall clothing, and an extra blanket, if you have the room.

Doh!

[herooftheage.livejournal.com]

Cargo pants is disaster relief chic. Really, you can't have too many pockets.

[doozer4200.livejournal.com]

I don't have much to add, except, good luck! (bonne chance!) power bars and cargo pants seem like a good idea.

will be interested to hear of your experiences down there... it's great that you're going!

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

Pack some more socks.

[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

Um... what everyone else said. Especially the socks.

Sunscreen? Hats or bandanas? I prefer bandanas as they keep the hair out of the way and absorb sweat.

I still have a 12 pack of 20 oz. Gatorades and 3 jars of pickles left over from Pennsic if you want them. I've been trying to give them away for... well, since Pennsic.

Oh, and a deck of cards.

[43duckies.livejournal.com]

Well, I would bring knitting, of course, but I imagine that's less likely to be on your list.

More socks. And a hat or visor that will shade your face.

Maybe some kind of hard case/container than can be affixed to your car with a cablelock, for any small but more valuble items? Or, better yet, don't bring anything you can't afford to lose, as noted above.

Don't know what the power situation is, but they make emergency cellphone chargers (and radios) that work with a hand crank. Might come in handy if you're not in a position to leave your cellphone plugged in for a few minutes to charge.

Earplugs.