How to Pack an Emergency Kit Like a Spy Plane Pilot

The SR-71 Blackbird is one of history's most celebrated spyplanes, and for good reason. When Blackbird pilots took off however, they had to be ready to eject and land in some pretty harsh, desolate environments. Here's a little detail on what they packed in their emergency kits, and what you should include in yours.

Not long ago I visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (terrific place to visit if you're in the DC area) and front and center as soon as you walk in is a record-setting SR-71 Blackbird, parked right in the middle of the hangar floor for you to admire. Also just off to the side of the Blackbird is the display below, of some of the items that Blackbird pilots carried in their emergency kits to survive if they had to eject and survive in a desolate place.

Here are a few things in that kit, and some analogues you might consider packing into your own emergency kit or "bug out bag."

• An emergency water supply (canned), and a resealable drinking water storage bladder: You can use sealed, distilled water from the grocery store. You can also use emergency water containers and fill from your own supply, as long as you treat it. The benefit of water in cans or packs is that it's been sanitized and won't need to be treated or replaced frequently. Store plenty of water and a bottle to reuse. You may also want water purification tablets or a portable filter to purify questionable water sources if you can't boil or distill on the go.


• A full first-aid kit, complete with bandages, gauze, shears, etc: The Red Cross has guidelines on what makes a good first aid kit, whether you build one yourself or go out and buy one off the shelf. Make sure you include multiple sizes of adhesive and roll bandages, absorbent compresses, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, a cold compress, non-latex gloves, scissors, thread, and a few other things. If you have any prescription medications, include those too. Make sure to check the kit regularly and replace items that may have expired.


• Day and night flares: A good automobile emergency kit will include flares, but there's good reason to have them in your bug out bag as well. These signal flares are $38 at Amazon and double as fire starters, you'll likely find more options at your local camping or surplus store.


• An emergency radio with spare batteries: An emergency radio is critical in a disaster situation, and often overlooked. Emergency broadcasts and NOAA weather alerts all fall back to radio when the power is out, so your best bet is to get a radio that's battery operated (with extra batteries) and hand-crank powered, just in case. This $30 model has a flashlight and can charge your phone if it has to, while this $60 model has all of those things and a two-way radio.


• A thermal blanket: Simple mylar thermal blankets will do the trick here ($7 for a pack of 10.) I like to keep several in my car, and they fold up small enough to fit into a pocket. If you're packing a vehicle kit, consider a heavier blanket in the trunk as well.


• Fishing gear: You don't necessarily have to pack a fishing kit in your bug out bag (although they are small and cheap) the way SR-71 pilots did, but you should keep non-perishable food items inside. Canned fruits and vegetables, pickles, nut butters and spreads, things like that. About three days of food per person is a good starting point. If that's too much math, consider meals-ready-to-eat (MREs.) They work for the armed forces, they'll work for you too. They're good for at least five years, and you can get them at Amazon.


• A hunting knife: A good knife is an essential tool in just about every situation, not just emergencies. It's a prying tool, a cutting tool, and a weapon in one. This guide from our friends at The Art of Manliness will help you pick the perfect survial knife for you.


• Protective goggles: You may or may not need protective goggles depending on your climate, but the reason Blackbird pilots carried them was to protect their eyes and face from exposure. This one's up to you, but you can find decent goggles at your local camping or surplus store.


• A survival manual: All of the survival tools in the world won't help you if you don't know what to do in an emergency. Some swear by the US Army Survival Field Manual 21-76, and it's a good read. You can buy it at Amazon, or head over to The Survivalist's list of free downloadable survival resources and download it (along with other great survival books) for free.


• Local maps: Getting around is harder with no GPS, and it can be even worse if you need to travel significant distances on foot. Keep some local paper maps in your emergency kit in case you have to go analog and still find your way around.

These are just a few items that Blackbird pilots carried in their onboard emergency kits. The kit also included an inflatable life raft, a portable oxygen supply, and a few other goodies that pilots specifically would need to descend safely from extreme altitudes. We imagine there were a few other things in the real kits not included in the museum displays as well.

This shouldn't be the end of your kit, though. You should aim for portability, but you should also consider some other useful items that a spy plane pilot may not have had the limited space to carry:

• An LED flashlight and spare batteries


• An extra set or two of clothing—especially outerwear


• Some denomination of cash (small bills are fine, you just want to be able to make purchases if power is out or credit card systems are unavailable)


• Important personal documents (passports, birth certificates, any proof of identity)


• Any other portable personal items (Hygeine items, personal effects, anything that will make an emergency less stressful)


• A firearm and ammunition, assuming you're trained in its use (useful for hunting and defense)

If you have pets, make sure to pack away food, water, and any medications they need (so they're not sharing a stash with you.) For children, a few toys or games go a long way towards keeping them happy in any situation. For more suggestions, check out SF72's list of emergency kit supplies, or Creek Stewart's Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit , a book which outlines much of what we've said here.

Blackbird pilots may not have had the benefit of loading up the trunk of a vehicle with emergency gear, or carrying a duffel bag packed with everything you'd need to survive for 72+ hours, but you probably do. Take a little time to plan, and in the best case, you'll be grateful you never need the stuff. If you do however, you'll be glad you have it.