If you have tactical gear or plan to get some, you will need a place to keep it. You may not have given much thought as to where it would go, but it should be thought out. If something happens to require you to throw on some tactical gear, there probably won’t be much time. For example, some gear may need to go by your bed for use in the middle of the night. Other gear can be kept in a vehicle or office. After working in law enforcement for years, I have found the best place to keep tactical gear is in a bag. A tactical bag, large enough to keep all your gear, makes it easy to keep your gear close to you. If I’m at home, I can carry the bag inside so it’s accessible should I need to throw it on quickly. If I’m heading out, I can throw my tactical bag in the car.
Ballistic gear
I keep some type of vest, helmet, and glasses in my tactical bag. My work vest is much too large to fit in my bag, but I have a compact vest that will work in emergencies. Contrary to what Hollywood movies portray, a vest does not have to be loaded down with everything you own. Place the most vital items needed on your vest and adjust from there. If you need other gear for a specific purpose, then add it.
The next thing I keep with my vest is a ballistic helmet. This is an item that most people think belongs to military and law enforcement only. But again, I disagree. Sure, you will stand out wearing one, but if things go bad and you’re trying to make it home safe, who cares what you look like? A helmet protects your head and that is a vital area to protect. The last piece of ballistic gear in my bag are my clear fog-free glasses. Depending on the environment around you, protecting your eyes may be needed.
Gas Mask and Gloves
The next thing that goes in my bag is my gas mask and gloves. A gas mask is something you may not need most of the time, but they come in handy when you least expect it. During large-scale riots or other events, tear gas, or some other types of irritants could be released.
Of course, a mask should not be used to remain in the areas where the gas is intended to disperse people. But there have been times when people were exposed because they lived nearby or were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Other disasters could also create the need for a gas mask. Natural disasters can cause leaks to gas lines, and domestic and foreign terrorist attacks could also present a need for a gas mask.
If you plan to purchase a gas mask, make sure it is a certified mask with approved filters for the use intended.
Gloves are a must-have with any tactical gear, so find a pair of those. I like Viktos, 5.11, and First Tactical gloves. But Mechanix also makes some great gloves for the price.
Tactical Belt and Mags
The tactical/combat/duty belt is the base of all your gear. Just like the vest, make sure you only put the necessary items on your belt. Too much stuff will make it hard to move and it gets in the way. It can also strain your back so keep it simple. I use a Safariland holster with a quick-release system so I can change out holsters if needed.
Even though my vest has mag holders for my handgun and rifle, I also place mag holders for an AR-15 and pistol on my belt. When I’m wearing both, I have plenty of ammo. If I take my vest off to rest, drive, or sleep, I can keep my belt on and still have a weapon and ammo on me.
Other Items To Throw in the Bag
Other items I keep in my tac bag include the Vortex monocular (because it’s slim and has a clip), a flashlight, and medical kit. I place extra batteries for my flashlight and weapon light in the side pockets. I have a knife with a quick-release sheath that can attach to my belt or vest depending on where I want it when I put stuff on. A pair of combat-style boots is something you want to remember too. If you end up 100 miles from home and things go bad, walking home in a pair of flip-flops would not be ideal. I also keep a water bottle and protein bar in my tac bag.
If you’re not careful when you set up your bag, it can become a survival or bug-out bag. If that’s how you want it, that’s fine. I prefer to have a backpack set up for that purpose and my tac bag contains items that I will put on before I discard it if necessary. In a worst-case scenario, I can throw on my tactical gear and survival backpack and grab my guns in a matter of minutes. It doesn’t matter if I’m at home or in my vehicle.
Summary
Setting up a tac-bag can be fun, and if there is ever an emergency, it can be helpful. If you aren’t sure what you want in your bag yet, take it slow and add things as you go. Do some training on the range and use anything you buy to make sure it works as it should. Just wearing a vest around the house can help break it in and make it fit better.
It can be a chore tugging it around. But get in the habit of keeping it in your car or somewhere that will keep it close to you no matter where you go. In the event you need it, you will be glad you put in the effort to have everything ready in one place. When someone cries for help, you can grab your bag, walk into a telephone booth, and come out looking like Rambo. Okay, maybe it won’t go down like that, but you will be ready to gear up in that self-defense emergency.
