GET ME HOME! –Emergency Kit from Echo-Sigma

[su_heading size=”30″]Kit From Echo-Sigma Provides Wealth Of Emergency Options In Midsized Nylon Bag[/su_heading]

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICK ROSS

[su_dropcap style=”flat” size=”5″]A[/su_dropcap]lthough I don’t consider myself a prepper, I do like to be prepared, so it may simply be an issue of semantics. Many of us, perhaps you included, have spent a boatload of time and money on building our own disaster bags, but there are also many premade bags on the market. Some are very cheap and wouldn’t last 10 minutes in the real world, but Echo-Sigma bags are at the other end of the spectrum. Their GHB, or Get Home Bag (reviewed here), is a medium-sized bug-out bag. This well-crafted kit seems perfect for one to three days’ duration, or simply to get you out of a sticky situation and safely home, hence the name.

As I unpacked the bag, I was immediately impressed and wished I had found it years ago. It is stored in a nice nylon sack, which should work great to keep it out of sight. No one needs to know that you have something hidden away for an emergency. The pack is midsized, but has plenty of room to add personal items and additional supplies if you wish. Pockets and compartments abound on this bag, all with heavy-duty zippers or elastic tops to help keep things organized.

Another great thing about this bag is that it comes loaded and ready to go. All the items – and they are plentiful– are neatly stowed and organized. No bulky packaging here.

THE BASIC KIT INCLUDES:

1 compact backpack

1 2.5-liter hydration system by Condor Outdoor

1 Echo-Sigma 1-3 Day Provision Pack (arid, with a five-year storage life in a warmer environment)

1 Echo-Sigma Compact Survival Kit that includes:

1 compass

1 emergency whistle

1 emergency blanket by Coghlan’s

1 BIC-brand butane disposable lighter

1 magnesium fire starter with flint striker

40 waterproof matches by Coghlan’s

1 Live Fire Sport Emergency Fire Starter

50 inches of duct tape

1 bottle of water purification tablets by Coghlan’s

2 chemical light sticks by Coghlan’s

2 BIC-brand ballpoint pens

1 pad of paper

1 set of earplugs

1 Echo-Sigma Compact First Aid Kit with:

1 4-inch scissor

1 3-inch tweezer

1 first aid card

20 plastic bandages

12 alcohol swabs

10 wet wipes

10 antiseptic swabs

3 sting relief swabs

4 pain relief tablets

2 3-inch by 3-inch sterile gauze pads

1 2-inch by 5-yard gauze roll

1 5-inch by 9-inch sterile abdominal dressing

1 0.5-inch by 2.5-yard roll of tape

Access to 14 exclusive online training videos

1 SOG Reactor multitool

1 waterproof LED flashlight by Fenix (187 lumen)

50 feet of military-grade 550 paracord

10 extra large zip ties

1 Coghlan’s Emergency Tube Tent

1 emergency poncho

1 plexiglass mirror for signaling help

1 Cocoon thermal sleeping bag by Survival Industries

6 premium AA alkaline batteries (guaranteed fresh for seven years)

1 pair leather work gloves

2 N95-rated respirator masks

1 pair of protective goggles

2 hand warmers by Coghlan’s

But this bag is not simply a “one size fits all” solution. You’ll find a wealth of customizable options based on your personal needs and preferences on the company website.

First among these are three bag color choices: red, black and coyote brown. Want a more powerful flashlight? No problem, as even a headlamp is an option. Would you like more food? Add an MRE to boost calorie count and time in flight.

How about a different multi-tool? Four are offered at different price points.

Further website research reveals the availability of knives, axes, a folding shovel (entrenching tool) and more goodies, including a multi-powered radio.

LifeStraw and other water-purification items are available as well, and did I mention the Geigerrig Pressurized Hydration System with inline filter? There, I did. The instructions for each item in the bag are also included in a small waterproof pouch. After all, depending on the scenario, you might just need something to read.

But wait, there is still more! Want to step it up another notch? Echo-Sigma offers a SOG special edition Get Home Bag loaded with lots of gear.

Feel as if you don’t need all the items listed above? Opt for the Runner bag, a slimmed-down bag geared for lighter weight and faster travel, although it is also available with plenty of options and upgrades.

Desire something even larger? They have many fullsized bug-out bags with plenty of options and upgrades, plus a monstrous Emergency Roll Away for Two (ER2) kit that is packed with two bug-out bags and more gear. (Quick pause to drool – I do want one of these.)

What if you are already working on your own bag and just need a few more elements? No sweat. EchoSigma can provide a wide variety of pieces and parts to top off your kit, including food and water, trauma kits, compact survival kit, knives, tools – you name it. I ordered an Echo-Sigma Provision Pack to supplement my own ever-changing pack, an addition that will provide three to 10 days of food and water, depending on my activity.

This great company offers several other products, and among those are three I would consider “special” bags. First, a Range bag that includes magazine pouches, a first aid kit and a trauma kit (which I review elsewhere in this issue), and two Active Shooter Response System bags of different sizes. These are designed in conjunction with federal law enforcement officers to help keep them supplied in that type of situation.

All Echo-Sigma offerings are very well thought out, packed in heavy-duty packs and bags, correctly stowed and ready to use, so kudos to this fine company for doing much of the hard work for us.

To start your research, or to continue planning and building a personalized kit for yourself or a loved one, visit echo-sigma.com. ASJ