Emergency bags

[Barbarian]

What do you guys have in your BOB

I have a couple of bail out bags; a small to medium sized backpack and a medium sized duffle bag.

My backpack is filled with the essentials for survival...water, ration bars, medical kit, survival tablets, water tablets, SAK, SOG knife, utensil folder, Inova X5 flashlight, batteries, whistle, tape, matches, candle, toilet paper, tissues, soap, alcohol wipes, emergency blanket, gloves, cap, ziploc bags, trash bags, and coins.

My duffle bag is considered my emergency bag.....Many of the items above are included plus lots of spare clothing, jacket, 1 pair of New Balance shoes, blanket, towel, and radio.

I'm interested in what everyone else is packing. I'm always looking to add or tweak what I have packed. Obviously these 2 bags are very heavy; I'm wondering how I can streamline the contents without losing important items. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[thesurefire]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

I've sorted my stuff into a kind of 3 teir system.

not counted is my EDC which is a light, knife, whatch, cell phone, some cash, and the like.

1st is basically all my hiking stuff good to go. I suppose you could call it a 3 day bag because I could live out of it for 3 days. Contents are basically a change a cloths, some water, a small emergency kit (contact stuff, lighters, compass, aluminum foil, emergency blanket, water purification tabs, small SAK, small FAK, some paracord), some food (beef jerky, a soup mix, some salt and pepper packets, some gateraid mix, and some trail mix), thrown in their is a soild knife, a leatherman, a olive oil stove, and some plastic sheeting. I also keep a sleeping pad with it.

I want to get a good sleeping bag to add but they are costly (looking at western mountaineering) If I start hiking more seriously I'll buy one. All this stuff fits in a Gregory G pack (my hiking pack) and weighs around 15 pounds total

2nd is basically the stuff I could use in an emergency that isn't super bulky, this includes several hundred feet of paracord, a cheap tent, some blankets, detailed maps, extensive fire starting equipment, several means of water purification, some specialized tools (crow bar, pliers, basic screw driver set) This fits in a large backpack and weighs an estimated 30-35 pounds

Finally, I have a massive duffle bag that I put all my none fragile gear in just to store. this has all kinds of junk of in it from flashlights to survival manuals, to cheap pocket knifes I don't use anymore. Probably weights 60+ pounds. It sits in my closet.

To be honest I'm not a big fan of the Ill grab my bob and go live in the wild for 3 months theory. My hiking kit is a good place to start but to grab and go and leave things like canned food behind is silly. I cant think of a single situation where I wouldn't have 5 minutes to get stuff to go, beside a house fire, but then I'd much rather grab my lockbox then my hiking bag.

An excellent read on BOB's from the ar15.com survival board

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=123&t=506065

 

[Barbarian]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Thanks for the reply and the link. I have been looking for a sleeping bag/mat that isn't overly bulky. I also need some kind of cooking device and perhaps some "normal" food. I never considered foil until you mentioned it in your post.

My bags are packed more for the "I gotta go now" theory (earthquake, terrorist attack, etc.).

My EDC is also cash, small thin wallet (for ID and credit cards only....carry in front left pocket), phone, Luminox watch, knives (SAK on keychain, Kershaw Chive or Syperco Cricket in coin pocket), flashlights (Fenix on keychain and Surefire or Amilite on belt or in pocket).

 

[thesurefire]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Heres some of stuff that people might forget to pack that might be useful:
Kleenex, toilet paper, toothbrush/paste, glasses/contact stuff, soap, maps, extra cash in small bills, quarters, sunscreen, bug repellent, a tarp or plastic sheeting, superglue, duct tape, needle and thread, multitool, rope, lock and extra key, extra house or car keys, copies of passport, birth certificate, house deeds, drivers license ect, zip ties, paper and pen, and drink mixes.

I have a titanium mug and it's about perfect for cooking for 1 person. If I expected to cook for a group I would go with a large titanium pot. Some argue about the heat transfer and I concur that cast iron is better, it just weights to much.

 

[Atomic_Chicken]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Greetings!

This is what I keep in mine:

Basics
=====
Shelter (Rugged Exposure tent)
3 liters pure water, water purifier (MSR)
5 Days food (rice, instant potatoes, tuna, power bars, etc.)
Chris Reeve Aviator Knife with some stuff in handle

Luxuries
======
Sig P228 with 100 rounds of ammo
40 rounds ammo for Swiss K31 battle rifle
100 feet 550 parachute cord, gray color
6'x8' poly tarp
50 ziplock sandwich baggies
25 garbage bags
Dr. Bronners soap in leak-proof container, toothbrush, washcloth
3 rolls Scott tissue (the densely rolled thin stuff... lasts forever!) smashed flat
2 changes of clothes and 3 extra pair of socks

I keep it all in a large gym-bag type canvas bag, with a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon daypack containing more miscellaneous items that I keep next to it ALL THE TIME, NO EXCEPTIONS - so I can grab both out the door if needed. I keep the K31 rifle next to it as well, for the same reason.

I don't have flashlights, folding knives, multi-tool, watch, etc. in my BOB, as those are items I EDC all the time anyway, and place in my upside-down hat at night so I can grab at a second's notice if I need to head out the door.

Best wishes,
Bawko

 

[Barbarian]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Thanks for your list AC... How do you store your food (vacuum sealed? or ziploc?) and what kind of shelf life does it have? I need to find some food that has a long shelf life (I don't want to rotate it often) and is easy to store.

I also need to buy some kind of water purifier. Right now, I only have Mainstay emergency water packs in my bag.

Anyone know of the best sites to purchase food and water for longer storage times?

 

[Atomic_Chicken]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Greetings!

Thanks for your list AC... How do you store your food (vacuum sealed? or ziploc?) and what kind of shelf life does it have? I need to find some food that has a long shelf life (I don't want to rotate it often) and is easy to store...

A lot of people like MRE's for food storage, I personally think they taste like $#!7, so I've looked around at other more widely available and palateable options.

Grocery stores are now offering a wide range of vacuum-packed or sealed-pouch food items, including tuna fish, salmon, rice dishes, etc. Idahoan brand instant mashed potatoes in pouches weigh next to nothing, store forever, and fluff up nice and filling by just adding boiling water. Energy and food bars weigh a bit more, as they have some liquid in them... but they have a lot of nutrition in a small space. The only really hard thing to get in with reasonable weight are fruits and vegetables... because of shelf-life I personally tend to go for things like olives, a few cans of baked beans, a can or two of spinach (I know... yuck... but it's VERY high in vitamins/minerals!), canned beets, and pickled artichoke hearts transferred from the metal and glass containers they normally come in to leak-proof plastic containers or triple-layered ziplock baggies. Dry granola, peanut butter and a few ziplocked nuts and some baggies of dried fruits will fill-out the selection for some variety. What you WON'T find in my kit are things like cheese, eggs, any dairy products, anything really high in sugar, butter, chicken, or red meats. It's actually pretty amazing how small you can pack 3-5 days worth of food if you're creative - water is always harder than food to pack a supply of!

All of this can be had for a small fraction of the cost of MRE's, and is widely available in grocery stores without special mail ordering or army/navy surplus stores where you don't know how long it's been in the shelf or what heat conditions it's been exposed to.

Best wishes,
Bawko

 

[carrot]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

I am a huge fan of Clif bars. Good way to pack extra energy.

 

[JKL]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Please, Pictures would be greatly appreciated.:thanks:

 

[Groundhog66]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Damn AC, you are SET.....:tinfoil:

Tim

 

[Barbarian]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Please, Pictures would be greatly appreciated.:thanks:

I don't have a digital camera..... all my spare money goes to purchasing flashlights. Hopefully someone else will post some pics.

 

[PoliceScannerMan]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

A picture is worth a thousand words....

A BOB isnt a BOB w/o a grappling hook IMO. :rock:

 

[JKL]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

:twothumbs:twothumbs

 

[Dynacolt]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

PoliceScannerMan:
1) Nice 'hook
2) What are the 3 tools in that bag? (the 2 pry bars and that other one that looks quite useful)
3) Where can I go shopping for those?

Dave.

 

[JKL]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

3) Where can I go shopping for those?

Dave.

VERY NICE KIT PoliceManScanner

This is the PoliceManScanner set...(edcforums pics)..in the meantime of the PoliceManScanner answer...

County Comm..and TAD GEAR...I suppose...
3)http://www.countycomm.com/Whats%20New.htm

EOD Utility Bag
http://www.countycomm.com/minebag.htm
POCKET GRAPPLING HOOK
http://www.countycomm.com/hook.htm
POCKET PRY BARS
http://www.countycomm.com/PRYBAR.htm

TAD GEAR Titanium Folding Spork ?
http://www.tadgear.com/edged tools/tad_gear_titanium_folding_spork.htm

 

[Dynacolt]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Thanks JKL, I think I'm going shopping

Dave.

 

[cy]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Javier, what I use is a Eagle Creek travel pack. this is the same pack I used on a 3 week trip across China.

have tried other BOB, like from countycomm. but they don't fit my needs.

eaglecreek pack is aprox. 3,000 cubic in. small day pack is 800CI and unzips from main pack. this is where I keep small essentials. my small kit has everything you would need to survive for an extended back packing trip in a remote area.

main pack carries clothing, sleeping pad/bag needed to survive to 10 degree F. supply of survival concentrated foods. a water treatment system is a must.

in short my two bag system is very much like your BOB + duffle. but much more mobile... in a backpack form with full suspension.

my fully loaded travel weight seems to be aprox. 22lbs. this is ready for a trip around the world or for a two week self-contained trip in the mountains or a self-contained bike ride across the US.

 

[JKL]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

Thanks JKL, I think I'm going shopping

Dave.

You are welcome, Dave ! :thumbsup:

 

[Bravo25]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

A gun, a knife, a flashlight, some ammo, some batteries, some cash, some gold coins, list of important data, multitool, monocular, pens, watch, compass, firstaid kit, maps. Thats pretty much it. it is about that time of year to go through it all, and check it. If I find my way back here afterwards I'll post some pics.

 

[thesurefire]

Re: What do you guys have in your BOB

my fully loaded travel weight seems to be aprox. 22lbs. this is ready for a trip around the world or for a two week self-contained trip in the mountains or a self-contained bike ride across the US.

Could you share what foods your packing? How many calories perday are you planning for? What sleeping system do you have? Thanks.