BOB Essentials

[Marine Cpl]

@meketrefe had a good idea for a thread so here it goes.

What essentials should your Bug Out Bag at home contain for when you just have to grab and go for unforeseen circumstances?

Post your item to the thread with a reason why.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Here's my contribution. A Multicam or Marpat milspec poncho.

Here's why...

-Rain
-Can be used as camo in the woods thrown over your regular clothes.
-can be used as a lean to tent
-can be used as a tarp
-can be used as a stretcher
-can be used as a wind breaker

 

[carpediem]

Detailed contour maps and a compass.
Here's why;
Because.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Survival Straw



LifeStraw Personal Water Filter - Survival Frog

Why? To drink water from streams and other questionable sources.

 

[carpediem]

How big is the average bug out bag?
I would say some simple first aid supplies.
The why should be pretty self explanatory.

 

[Marine Cpl]

How big is the average bug out bag?
I would say some simple first aid supplies.
The why should be pretty self explanatory.

Mine is the size of a regular backpackers back pack. This is the exact one I have. It has a compartment for a rifle although the rifle will be separated upper from lower so as to not be that obvious.

 

[FCG LLC]

It depends on where on the surface of the earth you are.

Also typing from my rotary dial 1200 baud phone.

 

[Magnus]

Rope!

Why?

You always find a use for rope.

 

[Uzi]

Balaclava or a bandanna.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Here are very basics to start with.

Lifestraw. You need clean safe drinking water. This takes up next to no space and weight.

Food. Obvious

Raingear/ protection from elements.

Guns/ammo. Obvious

A kinife

firestarter/lighter.

Binnoculars or rifle scope and or radio. Important to have situational awareness and comms to what's going on around you. If there is a roadblock ahead are they just protecting their town and friendly, or outright hostile and will kill or Rob you.

Depends what else you need on who is with you or if your lone wolfing it

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Rope!

Why?

You always find a use for rope.

Reminds me of a scene from boondock saints

 

[MoMan]

Paracord.
Many uses in life/death situation

Extra socks.
Sounds crazy, but takes up very little room, and can make total difference on how you feel after a tough day.

 

[FCG LLC]

Your mileage, and opinions may vary.


My first consideration: Am I on land, or at sea? What are my odds for ending up on a vast body of water where I cannot reasonably expect to swim to land?

aside from that,

• The most important consideration any of us have for what to put in a survival kit - (yeah, that bag is to allow you to survive)

is the climate, the topography and the weather. Humans are completely fragile, and cannot independently survive "the elements" except for a very narrow slice of the earth's latitude. If you are in that very narrow slice (typically the low altitude tropics, and second what is called the Mediterranean band; 30 -45 degrees N & S of the equator, on the western side of continents), at low altitude, you might be able to wing it Tarzan style. Other than that you're gonna need some shit.

• Outside of the climate as was mentioned in a previous thread what kills us is defective water and food sources. The next most important thing in my kit would be the means for me to harvest water and protein.

• if I get too hot or too cold my brain is going to go nuts trying to stabilize my systems, and I won't have the ability to focus and concentrate like I need to.

If I drink some bad water that makes me vomit until I am weak and gives me the runs where I get dehydrated - same issue; I may compromise my ability to find shelter, to navigate, etc.

So in my go bag for this area I would need to prep to ensure I can stay warm, pink (hydrated) and dry. If it's hot I need to stay cool, pink and moist (I am perfusing, which means I have water in me and my cooling systems are working).

• If I am in an area where I am low on the predatory food chain (say somewhere in the wild with large / fast carnivores) I want a gun. If I am in an area with venomous, poisonous or infectious fauna (or flora), I likewise want to have protection against that.

So...the answer is, it depends. Where am I? Equatorial Africa (did that a few short weeks ago), on a mountain 9900 ft above sea level in Chile, middle of July? (dead of winter); backwoods of NY in November? On a leaky ship in the middle of the Atlantic in the middle of hurricane season in August? Driving across Stuart Highway in Australia (look it up) any time of year?


...and I haven't even factored for the potential 2-legged vermin yet.

 

[meketrefe]

there are so many lists online everywhere... In the car I have a few extra things. anyway...

follow the x3 rule some of the basics.

3 ways to get protection from the elements (including having a parka or poncho that will double as rain coat but also a roof if needed )
3 ways to make fire
3 ways to treat water (fire is one)
3 ways to get nourishment.
3 ways to treat small wounds, sickness...

Have some form of them in 3 different places .

Here some examples:

Tools.
- Pocket/utility knife, larger knife, a razor (can be in your wallet).
Optional you might have other like a small ax or machete.
Get 2 small rugged flashlights that use AA batteries. Get one for head light
to travel at night. 2-3 packs off AA lithium x8 batteries. One light will
go in your pants pocket.

Protection (Aside from a change of clothes)
- A poncho, a small tarp and some rain gear or wool, wool hat, wool socks.(I like wood items)
3 pair of socks, 3 underwear (long leg tights), 1 insulated glives, 1 mechanic gloves.
2 glasses 1 clear 1 sunglasses.

Fire
- A small lighter or two, some sealed matches and a magnesium bar (necklace).

Water treatment / fire also good for other things.
- A small tube with Magnesium Permanganate, and small filter straw.

Nourishment
- A few energy bars, walnuts or almonds (high calory), some rice, beans, dry meat, dry fruits and
tiny tube with spices and a few tea bags.
you can buy bulk and put in zip bags and rotate every year as needed. put a small portion of
vitamins.

Medical / care
- Small kit include some bandages, gauze, 3-4oz of salt, glycerine, superglue, a few antibiotics, blood clotting powder
burn salve, epi or whatever you need in emergency ration of whatever medications you take. a few aspiring, serum,
burn, some soap, etc.. you get the picture.

All purpose
- 100ft-200ft paracord, small roll of duck tape collapsed, 10ft wire. 3 hooks. 3 cut pieces of
inner tube large and strong. a 3 small titanium 500lb carbiners
- Small items might include needles and thread,

Calculate weight. The backpack has to be the lightest ever other option is to have
a 2nd tarp and go yukon pack style with modern straps.

 

[meketrefe]

just in case someone wants to learn how to put a yukon pack. I think this guy is
over doing it but anyway... all I found.. Let your backpack be your life saving shelter
and viceversa.

 

[Acer-m14]

Every BOB should have this in it .. Many uses ..

I need a Drink
Cleaning cuts
Flushing out deep wounds.
I need another Drink

 

[Marine Cpl]

I can't stress enough for the need for a portable Ham Radio to listen to public safety frequencies or a scanner at the very minimum to get news from the source. You cannot trust AM or FM broadcast news.

 

[freddy]

Baofeng!

 

[freddy]

(better still a few VX-6R)

 

[MoMan]

Compass!
AND, know how to navigate with it!

Topographical map of your area!
AND, know how to use it!

 

[dsdmmat]

I can't stress enough for the need for a portable Ham Radio to listen to public safety frequencies or a scanner at the very minimum to get news from the source. You cannot trust AM or FM broadcast news.

You don't think HAM radio is going to have untrustworthy or compromised broadcasters?

 

[dsdmmat]

Plastic garbage bags 3-5 mill thick construction bags and some clear Gallon or quart ziplock type bags.

Waterproof storage

Prevent insects from getting into food

Can carry stuff in them

Can use to catch water

Can use to purify or strain water

Can use as a weapon if need be.

Can be used to start fires

 

[Marine Cpl]

You don't think HAM radio is going to have untrustworthy or compromised broadcasters?

My radio has all the police, fire, and ems frequencies of my county. Maybe they would compromise the transmissions but it's less likely compared to CBS news on AM radio.

 

[freddy]

Baofeng might be the iPhone of the future.

 

[Bananabandit]

Nailclippers...because dirt.

 

[4excal]

@meketrefe's dissertation..the end

 

[Criticalt]

Fire
Water
Food
Shelter

Have ways to get these and you have time to figure out the rest.

 

[4excal]

whoops I forgot to add my own tidbit.. I keep my .32 and a few boxes of ammo in my BOB. Different than my guns/ammo shoulder bag that has my real stock. Should the two get separated or in need to hastily run off. And my Guns bag also has fire,mres,lifestraw and cordage for the same reason of separation.

 

[Frankly]

Dental Floss and Booze

 

[Depick]

For me I'd go with a map and a compass, a zippo and fluid, a decent sized knife, food, water filtration device, a complete change of clothing and a handgun with some spare ammo.