Bag design & Pictures by Freelancer47
Article by Ironhand

Almost Done 1/08/2010 : PFreelancer's ideas for a scramble bag include making it into dual bags - 1) Daily Carry Bag & 2) Scramble Bag.

I call these bags the "Deuce" for short and Freelancer's experience as an Army Scout and Private Security shine through with a REAL LIFE way of carrying your emergency gear for any occasion. If you really want a model of how to be ready at anytime and anywhere, here's the .......Deuce!


Daily Bag:

This is the "satchel" or "carry bag" that is carried EVERYDAY. It contains items used daily, but is devoid of any weaponry due to restrictions either by local politics or company policy. This is important as even though you may have lots of restrictions, you CAN carry usable gear with you.

GEAR CARRIED:

Gloves, Light Wt Sport
Hat, sock
Light, headband LED
Glasses, Sun with full eye coverage
Umbrella
Tums
Local State map, "Tour Book"
Book (Entertainment)
Document Pouch
Utensil Set, Knife-Fork-Spoon
Candy
Notebook
Contact Case & Solution
Coffee Pack
Tea Pack
Snacks (behind notebook)
Pens & Pencils

Comments:

Freelancer's Daily Bag is a good example of what you could (and can) carry each day with you without looking like a "survivalist". In places like schools and offices were it would be "not popular", so this is a nice concealed bag of "goodies" you can carry with you without attracting too much attention. There may even be security check point searches you have to pass through that this bag will make it through without a problem.

Couple of things of interest:

The Umbrella vs Poncho. Why? Most of the time, especially in the business/office world, you cannot wear a poncho over your business clothes in the rain. An umbrella is MUCH more exceptable rain gear in most cases. That's just reality. If you CAN carry a poncho, yes it would be better to use for an emergency shelter, but then would also need some twine or rope too - that MIGHT be a problem. So most of the time, an umbrella will be a better choice. What you CAN do is on rainy days, carry a full-size umbrella. Then in case of emergency you could use it as a small lean to shelter. Doesn't work as well as a tarp or poncho, but does give you some protection if you have to use it.

Flashlight (Headlamp) is a nice "gadget" light that works well. It allows your hands to be free in a dark situation. This can be VERY advantageous for you if you've ever had to climb a ladder or fix something in the dark. Yes, they look goofy when the lights are on, but in the dark - they're great!

Tums! This isn't really a major necessity for everyone, but it does REPRESENT your needs for prescriptions, inhalers, aspirin or other medications that you might need on a daily basis. So you SHOULD carry a couple doses in case of emergency, but make sure they are clearly marked and if possible, in an original prescription pill vial so they are not mistaken for illegal narcotics. If you really want to get creative, you might even use the Tums bottle to disguise a small first aid, but in today's environment - first aid kits are becoming more common, so this may not be necessary.


SCRAMBLE BAG:

Here's a true scramble bag the way it's meant be to be set up in a quick to grab, light weight shoulder bag of "weapons & ammo" that you keep in your vehicle.

GEAR CARRIED:

.45 acp Para Ord. P-14 Pistol
Holster, Tactical Leg Rig
- Pistol Light (2x AA)
- 2x Extra Mags
Belt, Pistol (Hv. Leather)
Gloves, Hv Leather
Mask
Glasses, Safety with Tinted Lens and Plastic carry case.
Ear Plugs
Ammo, 100 rds
8x Extra AA Batteries
2x Additional Pistol Mags
Oil, Breakfree
Screwdriver
Q-Tips
Wetnaps
2x Knives, Folding
Matchcase /w Compass (silver)

Allen Wrench Set
Magazine Loader
D-Rings (side of pack)

Comments:

Now THIS is a Scramble Bag! Pistol with tactical holster, extra mags, weapon light, ammo and support gear. This is a great example of a grab and go bag when you have to ditch your vehicle and run for it!

Pistol Belt - Your average daily wear belt will not hold up to the weight of a pistol and holster. Especially if you normally wear a dress belt. This is a well thought out addition to your scramble bag and something very much overlooked.

Knives - One tactical fighting knife and one general purpose knife. Since Freelancer's job won't allow him ANY weapons on the premises, so having a knife (or two) in your scramble bag is important.

Tools for your Weapon - Screwdriver, Oil, Q-tips, Allen hex wrenches & Wet Naps are all things to keep your Pistol going in the event of fouling while you're on the run. You can use a the screwdriver, pencil or pen as a cleaning rod for a pistol. Wet-naps work for a quick cleaning patch, just make sure you run dry patch through real good and then oil everything. Breakfree Oil is one of the best gun oils available, so it's a great choice to carry.

Matchcase - The waterproof aluminum compass/matchcase are the way to go! These are rugged and are really a good purchase for ANY outdoor activity so you will have DRY matches when you need them.



Thanks to Freelancer for sharing his experience (and pictures) of his version of the Scramble Bag.

Ironhand