CERT Bag Group Order

I happened to see this CERT cinch bag online and was going to place an order, but then wanted to see if any local CERTs were interested in adding to the order.   It may come in handy as an overflow bag if your backpack is getting full, or as a backpack alternative for carrying to public CERT events.  It looks like it would be around $11 each after shipping costs.  I plan on placing my order on 10/7/15 so please send a note me: hayman@bsccert.org

CERT Backpacks

I know there have been CERT members who have upgraded their original backpacks.  Some are like myself, continually adding more and more items until you have problems zipping it up.  We all know that the hardhat takes up a lot of room too!  A few years ago I had upgraded to a larger (no-name, no warranty) CERT backpack that I found online.  It had a roomy main compartment and other pockets to help organize the contents.  Unfortunately workmanship was lacking and I was considering a replacement. 

On a recent trip to visit relatives, I was shopping at an Air Force PX and a backpack caught my eye.  This is the Sandpiper of California Bugout Backpack , comes with a lifetime warranty and is also available on Amazon.  This military-style backpack is built more like luggage, yet has a robust shoulder and waist straps which can be hidden away.  The main compartment can be unzipped all the way (a feature I always suggest), has an expansion zipper to increase the depth by a generous three inches, and has the military MOLLE attachments on the front to mount other pouches.  There is also a large strip of velcro to attach whatever you wish.  I purchased a reflective CERT strip from a police supply store to mount on the bag.  Yes, its not CERT green, but I think I’ll be happy with this one for a while (especially since there is still room for more gear!).

CERT Backpack Upgrades

Have you outgrown your original CERT backpack?  I certainly did, and many folks have seen the larger CERT backpack that I upgraded to back in 2008 (and posted on this blog )  I decided to see what the market has to offer nowadays and here are some of what I found:
This is a two piece backpack system where the lower section detaches and becomes a waistpack.  The set is available from The Ops Deck for $65, the items can also be purchased separately.

 Here is another vendor selling what appears to be the same combo but the price is $69.

 This one appears to be is a different design (although photos of the interior layout looks the same as the ones above) that allows for more organization with lots of internal pockets selling for $60 from ProPac. 

  If you’re just looking for a second no-frills CERT backpack, then you can get one of these from CMC Government Supply for only $10.

CERT backpack contents

We were upgrading one of our CERT backpacks to a larger one and this is what was packed into the old one.  Now we’ll have room to add more stuff.
What do you have in yours?

• hardhat w/ headlamp
• CERT cap
• vest
• kneepads
• N95 face masks
• sunglasses
• FRS radio w/earpiece
• whistles
• 3 x flashlights
• pens
• lumber crayon
• napkins & tissues
• iPhone charger (wall and car)
• first aid kit
• SAM splint
• hand sanitizer
• gas/water tool
• Gerber multi-tool
• CERT Field Operation Guide
• CERT Forms book
• several pairs of gloves
• poncho
• goggles
• food
• (not shown) rain pants

Latest Addition to Our Backpacks

As I had mentioned in a previous post, it is a good idea to carry a spare phone charger with you in case an emergency prevents you from returning home for a while.  Thanks to eBay, for less than $6 total, I was able to get two iPhone charger sets for our backpacks.

Go-bag enhancements

I have decided to get a larger backpack for my go-bag, see the Armor CERT link to see the 22″ model that I ordered.  I also decided to get some CERT ponchos to keep us dry during these California winters (see the survival911 link).

What’s next?  I found these Pelican 2620 hardhat lights that should work well, using LED’s to conserve battery but can use the xenon hi-power light for those light search and rescue tasks.  Runs on normal AAA batteries.

UPDATE:  The ponchos from Survival911.org are no longer available with the CERT lettering on the back.  Randal Hecht of Survival911 explained that the lettering did not adhere well and now sells unmarked ponchos.  He does have CERT caps which he suggests for use with or without the ponchos.  Service and emails with Survival911 are very friendly and timely and their prices are competitive, so check out their site.

UPDATE:  I received the new 22″ backpack and have uploaded photos to the Shutterfly album.  It is made well, lots of pockets, has a waist belt and deep enough to hold a fair amount of gear.  I like the way the main compartment opens fully to access everything.  Has an organizer packet for pens and small stuff and the upper pocket has a padded compartment for radio/cell phone.  I give it a thumbs up.

UPDATE (12/31/11)- while the backpack is well laid out and can hold quite a bit of kit, workmanship issues caused one of the cinch straps to rip out last year.  Multiple attempts have been made to contact the vendor to address this as a warranty issue without any response.  Buyer beware!