One of the most basic tenets of emergency response is to protect yourself first. Whether we’re talking about strapping on the oxygen mask from the airplane ceiling or pulling on gloves before treating someone’s injuries, it helps nobody if you expose yourself to unnecessary risk.
As you put together your bug-out bag, get-home bag, or similar sort of kit, don’t overlook the personal protective equipment (PPE). An image I’ll never forget from the 9/11 attack was how the billowing clouds of dirt, dust, and debris quickly enveloped people on the street. They were instantly covered, with visibility cut to near zero. Air quality wasn’t much better.
So, what sorts of PPE do you need in your BOB?
Masks
Start with some type of good quality particulate mask. It isn’t going to do anything about poisonous gasses, but it should filter out most of the dust that may be floating around in the air. It may also help to a degree against smoke. The goal is simply to keep as much stuff out of our lungs as possible.
Eye Protection
Next on the PPE list is eye protection. An eye injury will negatively impact your bug-out or evacuation scenario with a quickness. It’s pretty hard to get to where you’re going if you can’t see. It’s also a terrifying prospect to find yourself miles from home and suddenly be blinded.
Look for goggles that will wrap around your eyes and protect them from all sides. If you wear prescription glasses, look for ones that will fit over your glasses. Anti-fogging lenses and UV protection are good bonuses.
Foot Protection
Many types of disasters will result in broken glass and other debris littering walkways. Uneven terrain isn’t uncommon. This isn’t a situation where you’ll want to be gallivanting around in bare feet, sandals, or dress shoes. Instead, PPE for your feet would be lightweight hiking boots or at least rugged shoes.
When I worked outside the home, I kept two bags in my trunk. One was my trusty get-home bag, and the other had a full change of clothes, including trail shoes. The plan was to change into hiking clothes and shoes before hitting the road in an emergency. My current favorite trail shoe is the Toskana Trail Walker.
Gloves
The last item on our PPE list is a pair of gloves. If you end up in a situation where you’re dealing with downed branches, broken bricks, and the like, you’ll want to avoid cuts and scrapes to your hands. A robust pair of leather work gloves is great, but you might want something with a little more comfort and dexterity.
Personally, I’ve found that Mechanix brand gloves are perfect. They have a wide range of models, and I own several of them. In addition to work gloves, you may want to stash a few extra pairs of nitrile gloves for providing medical care. They weigh nearly nothing.
A disaster is bad enough without adding avoidable injuries to the mix. PPE will help keep you safe from harm as you make your way through the situation.
