Author Topic: New twist on bug out bag........ (Read 3656 times)

SHOOTALL · « **on:** May 01, 2012, 05:52:55 AM »

We always say what in it then discuss tools . Lets instead say what will we need .
First is water , then food ,medicine, shelter , potection , then infomation as what is going on - where to find food , water , shelter , areas to avoid , what might be comming your way. There might be a need for clothing , health care , tolit items, fire starting , first aid , good boots, ammo etc.
What would be a good list of needs ? Its not important which item its important to have some item to cover your needs and the needs must be IDed first .

GrassLakeRon · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2012, 12:30:27 AM »

Basic human needs are water, food, and shelter, assuming you are in top health. Medicine is key especially when you have a medical issue or you have small children. Then protection depending on how bad the situation is. If there is an earthquake and it takes your house, if you have good neighbors then no protection is really needed, just the 4 basics. If it is armed revolt, different story. Also the size is an issue here. If you where to put everything you might need in a bag, the bag might weigh 40 pounds and be the size of a lazy-boy chair. I have been looking at the way to carry them in Altoids containers. My current bag is less then 5 pounds and about the size of a lunch box.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2012, 01:35:08 AM »

The thing about a BOB is you really don't know the extent of your needs and have to assume the worst or could be cutting yourself short.

GrassLakeRon · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2012, 04:40:22 AM »

Maybe a module design would be better. Have you ever seen the websites that promote a bug out vehicle. Most have a list of spare parts to carry as extensive as just having a whole spare vehicle. Think of it this way:

Nuclear issue: Most water and fish will be toxic or dead so why pack things to fish?
Armed revolt/attack/zombie groups etc..: Get of dodge as fast as possible or defend what you have.
Weather/planetary issue: Basic needs to get over the first 2 weeks of issues. If looting is an issue then a firearm maybe needed.

Now after being a boy scout, it is hard for me not to be ready for almost anything, but there is a need to keep it simple and always ready. Would you rather want to have a 5 pounds basic needs+ BOB or a 70 pound can live forever in the bush BOB that doesn't fit in your car?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2012, 04:58:19 AM »

I would construct a bag with tools to aid survival along with food meds and water . I could not carry alot far. As for the vehicle , I do carry stuff like food, meds , clothes ammo etc . and yes some parts , jacks , tow straps , jumper cables , etc.
As for fishing a few hooks , cork ,split shot and 20 ft of line is not a lot to have but may be a life saver or just something to do one afternoon . I also carry a small bag of commerical bait maybe an ounce more. The truck has rod , reel and tackle box .
In reality I would expect a weather event crisis over all others , maybe a riot here or there. Nuke maybe something small like a plant problem. Food shortages would be a consideration.
9-11 showed that anyone of us could get stranded . I would fear something like the DC snipers or a truckers strike like back in the 80's . In both cases there were people shooting people on the roads . What would happen if some group posted snipers around the country taking pot shots at trucks and cars . Food delivery could come to a stop. Raw materials would stop , heating oil and coal would stop . It might be more to over come than 9-11 in many respects. What would happen if security like in the air ports was extended to the interstate system ? Or it was closed to all but nessary travel. And you had to make it home from another state ? Lots of folks were stranded in cities they were only in to change planes or the plane they were on was forced to land at.

GrassLakeRon · « **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2012, 05:21:12 AM »

I would agree with the threats you bring up. What I keep in the car all the time is a small german haversack about 11"x6"x8" with a strap. Inside it is blue 10'x10' tarp, 4 space blankets, 4 water filtration straws, 2 days supply of datrex bars for 4 people and 3 Altoids boxes containing fishing, medical,fire starting materials. I can provide a list of internal stuff, but all of that fits in the small bag.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2012, 05:27:47 AM »

sounds good , I have a change of clothes as I may need them at work. I like a (2)poncho with liner also for a leanto and sleeping bag sorta of.

GrassLakeRon · « **Reply #7 on:** May 02, 2012, 05:38:29 AM »

Have you given any thought to using a folding chair carrying bag for a BOB?

Big enough to carry enough stuff for several days and maybe even a pump shotgun and most folks would not even know what was inside other then a chair. I have thought about these for some time now. The best bag is one that can be carried in plan site and no one suspects what it really is.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #8 on:** May 02, 2012, 05:51:21 AM »

In most of the film footage of war ravaged countries what do you see? People with all their stuff in a goat cart! Now these people are living it, not envisioning it, they are living it.

Laugh it up if you want but man did not invent the wheel simply to entertain themselves on sundays watching races. You don't shovel a pack full of dirt and move it across the yard you get a WHEELbarrow. Personally I have a bicycle trailer, as well as a VERY solid two wheel dolly. I work with a dolly all day at work and I can assure you I use it to move anything over about 5# on up to 450# (well balanced ). Think about including a folding shopping cart or one of those folding luggage dollies.

You start walking with all the canned goods etc., as you empty the wagon you may well abandon it or trade for something else. In the mean time you have been saving your back, knees, hips, and ankles, from a task they are not used to. Having a good pack as part of that kit is just good sense and having it pre loaded is smart as well.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** May 02, 2012, 07:00:40 AM »

Quote from: Empty Quiver on May 02, 2012, 05:51:21 AM

In most of the film footage of war ravaged countries what do you see? People with all their stuff in a goat cart! Now these people are living it, not envisioning it, they are living it.

Laugh it up if you want but man did not invent the wheel simply to entertain themselves on sundays watching races. You don't shovel a pack full of dirt and move it across the yard you get a WHEELbarrow. Personally I have a bicycle trailer, as well as a VERY solid two wheel dolly. I work with a dolly all day at work and I can assure you I use it to move anything over about 5# on up to 450# (well balanced ). Think about including a folding shopping cart or one of those folding luggage dollies.

You start walking with all the canned goods etc., as you empty the wagon you may well abandon it or trade for something else. In the mean time you have been saving your back, knees, hips, and ankles, from a task they are not used to. Having a good pack as part of that kit is just good sense and having it pre loaded is smart as well.

great idea ! I also have one , with the tires that look like ones you fill with air but are solid, mine are blue .

the lawn chair bag looks good also. What ever you use in some areas it might be best to cover with a trash bag so as to not draw attention. But what should we equipe to get thru. ?

Couger · « **Reply #10 on:** May 02, 2012, 10:02:07 AM »

Luggage cart is an excellent idea ..... provided a fellow can find one with LARGE WHEELS bigger than those on most luggage racks for going only from the airport curb to the boarding gate (all on smooth asphalt if not a clean waxed floor through the airport!

A luggage rack with big enough wheels that wouldn't hang-up on smallish or fist-sized rocks that could go placesin the country side would be probably quite handy if moving a "load!"

But, I would also pack such a tool so that I could (with some difficulty) hoist it onto my back if I had to abandon it!

When bugging out, the best way to go will be to a preplanned location where most supplies are already stored! AND SECURED. The kind of places that come to mind are the summer/deer camp cabin one's relatives and clan might have tucked away, if not grandpa's/grandma's old farm not close nor too far from the city.

Those folks who have done NO PREPPING before a disaster who think they can wing-it .....

How many of them are already going to turn into zombies? When bugging out one huge precaution I hope to take with my family is NOT getting caught in a listless, non-thinking "mob" of other folks fleeing whatever, whether on foot or even in a car. If possible I would try to lay low and hope most "zombies" move right on by! (by staying at home veeerry quietly for the first week or ten days after a crisis, if I didn't bug out before).

Best way to bug out is to a previously prepared RETREAT! Then part of the mystery of "knowing what to have" will already be met.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2012, 02:30:42 AM »

A place to go is great but still one has to consider the fact that it might be in the direstion the crisis is comming from. Or the route(s) may be blocked because the crisis is between you and the retreat. I wanted to list the needs in an effort to make sure none were missed. When you list tools you might have alot but still miss an important need.

Victor3 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2012, 02:32:02 AM »

I've been thinking mainly about reducing weight and redundancy. Miniaturization and 'double-duty' items are good.

There are 50 ways to start a fire, but I've never found it impossible to start one with my two preferred methods.

I've never really needed a pile of cutting tools; a few basic ones will do 95% of tasks.

I like flashlights, but have found that a single AAA batt one on my keychain is more useful than most others combined.

A good spork, small knife and stainless steel cup are all I needs to eat most foods.

I need reading glasses and a magnifying glass is useful, but a binocular is a luxury I'd probably leave at home to save weight/space.

Dental floss and a needle can do most things a small sewing kit can.

A multi-tool (Leatherman, etc.) can take the place of many separate tools.

The more small items you can carry on your person rather than in a bag the better IMO. You can carry more food/water in your bag/pack that way. Also, it's harder to lose stuff in pockets or on a belt. It's easier for someone to snatch your bag, and everything you might have been counting on could be lost.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2012, 02:54:36 AM »

yep a bag can be lost . also a pack full of stuff makes you a target . Depending on location there may be a wealth of tools laying around.

billythekid55 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2012, 04:45:02 AM »

Preparing for the environment. You are driving home and your car quits. You have light clothing on. It is 20 miles home. There are no houses or shelters along the way.
It is 40 degrees and raining.
-Stay "in the car" needs (12-24 hours):
-Sleeping bag or blanket.
-Water (bottled water, bucket to catch rain water)
-Water filter
-Food (high energy bars)
-Leave car and walk needs:
-Waterproof outerwear, footwear, hat
-Water
-Water filter
-Food
It is 10 degrees and snowing.
-Stay "in the car" needs (12-24 hours):
-Sleeping bag or heavy blanket.
-Water (metal container to melt snow in)
-Water filter
-Fire (to melt the water - shovel to dig pit - saw to cut wood - boots,hat,jacket to get wood)
-Food (high energy bars)
-Leave car and walk needs:
-Winter clothing - coat, hat, boots, gloves
-Water (metal container to melt snow in, bottle to carry water)
-Food (high energy bars)
It is 80 degrees and humid.
-Stay "by the car" needs (12-24 hours)
-Tarp to create shade (bright colored tarp?)
-Para cord to tie tarp
-Water (bottled water)
-Food (high energy bars)
-Leave car and walk needs
-Good footwear
-Container to carry water
-Water filter
-Food
Needs for all cases (daypack stuff)
-Whistle, flashlight, signal mirror, first aid kit.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** May 03, 2012, 08:41:15 AM »

would toilet papaer ever come in handy ?

Victor3 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2012, 12:12:17 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on May 03, 2012, 08:41:15 AM

would toilet papaer ever come in handy ?

Sure would be better than using my spork.

One item I've found to be really usefull for everything from personal grooming to various repairs are the small scissors on my Leatherman Micra. Over the years I've probably used them 10x more than the pliers on my larger Leatherman.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2012, 12:56:54 AM »

spork OUCH ! Yep to the scissors .

kynardsj · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2012, 05:38:41 AM »

I guess if I lived in the city I would entertain all ideas of a bugout bag as if it was a SHTF situation I would not want to be in the city. As it is I'm blessed to live out in the country and have some good friends within walking distance. In a bad situation we will group up and if necessary defend our little part of the world.

bilmac · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2012, 06:11:14 AM »

Going back to the wheels. A deer cart is a really good way to move things. Most of them can be folded small enough to fot in a trunk of a big car.

I have receintly bought one of the grown up versions of the little red wagon. Now that is a real delux way to haul your stuff. Might not work so well going cross country as a deer cart though. A nice thing about the cart is it leaves one hand free. A small one could maybe broken down small enough to fit in a trunk.

In any case if I were using wheels I would keep essentials packed up in a pack that I could pick up if I had to abandon the cart.

Couger · « **Reply #20 on:** May 04, 2012, 06:18:32 AM »

Quote from: bilmac

Going back to the wheels. A deer cart is a really good way to move things. Most of them can be folded small enough to fot in a trunk of a big car.

I have receintly bought one of the grown up versions of the little red wagon. Now that is a real delux way to haul your stuff. Might not work so well going cross country as a deer cart though. A nice thing about the cart is it leaves one hand free. A small one could maybe broken down small enough to fit in a trunk.

In any case if I were using wheels I would keep essentials packed up in a pack that I could pick up if I had to abandon the cart.

Any chance to post any pics? I certainly like the idea of a deer cart more than a luggage-wheeler!

BTW, do deer carts usually have solid tires? Versus inflated ones?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #21 on:** May 04, 2012, 06:19:29 AM »

I really liked what I saw here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_OLFDyXcRM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sent from my iPhone

bilmac · « **Reply #22 on:** May 04, 2012, 01:29:48 PM »

I have Cabela's Magnum deer cart. It folds and if you take the wheels off it gets down to 44" X 22' X 9". The wheels are solid rubber. If I would have known how great these things are for packing deer, I almost should have got one before I got a rifle. Didn't discover them till I got to be an old wiser guy.

Couger · « **Reply #23 on:** May 04, 2012, 10:41:49 PM »

Quote from: bilmac

..... Didn't discover them till I got to be an old wiser guy.

Never anything wrong with that!

Thanks for the info.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** May 07, 2012, 01:10:03 AM »

Quote from: kynardsj on May 04, 2012, 05:38:41 AM

I guess if I lived in the city I would entertain all ideas of a bugout bag as if it was a SHTF situation I would not want to be in the city. As it is I'm blessed to live out in the country and have some good friends within walking distance. In a bad situation we will group up and if necessary defend our little part of the world.

sounds good until a forest fire or other weather crisis visits your area, In a true emergency it might be nice to have at least a change of clothes and a few snacks . I was glad to have a bag with me sat. while planting food plots. Pants ripped and it was nice to have extra pants with me. So its not always a EOTWAWKI situation where a bob comes handy.

Swift One · « **Reply #25 on:** August 09, 2012, 11:48:36 AM »

A wheeled cart is a great idea.

I tend to think alot about situations like what is being discussed here. My conclusions are that every situation is different and you are going to have accordingly to what is going on. You will need to do different things in a goverment collapse vs. a large meteor impact on earth.

What you can think about is the basics of survival. immediate food, self protection, shelter and water. You can store a lot more when digging in vs. bugging out. I would assume that alot of the real bad situations would require a bug out for long term survival. And to me- that means traveling light, fast, and un-noticed. A vehicle is great to get quickly away from the situation and to a final destination. But, in the immediate hours and days when all the chaos is still ensuing- you will need to fill that vehicle back up with gas and you may no longer have a final destination to go to. People could very well still be running amuck doing bad things to others and I dont want to be around them if at all possible. I absolutely believe that Americans WILL NOT behave as well as the Japanese did post earthquake and reactor issue.

I just think that there are too many unknown variables in all the different situations to have some do-it-all bag. Remember the basics when packing and let situation and terrain dictate your tactics.

scotsman · « **Reply #26 on:** August 09, 2012, 04:30:23 PM »

If things get so bad that you need to carry food, water, weapons, ammo, etc by hand or in a cart where is it you would go?

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #27 on:** August 09, 2012, 09:12:48 PM »

To the FEMA camp nearest you.

Seriously though. High ground if you are in a low lying area during flooding. As unlikely as it sounds, to a nearby community that is not being shelled. You aren't always going to be at the center of some mayhem, perhaps a few miles is enough to get out of harms way. If vehicular travel is forbidden it might be nice to take a wagon down to the store ( it might just be on the list of things that will work), or relief center. I'm not going to want to carry 5 gallons of water on my back if I don't have to.

Ask all those Bosnians where they went, or how about the refugees fleeing the Weirmacht. The Europeans have a knack of throwing a war every few decades. They have that refugees chit down pat. As I said before, the photos I see are full of two wheel carts. Those living it probably aren't pushing them for the excersize.

Simply my observation.

pab1 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 10, 2012, 03:08:02 AM »

Quote from: Swift One on August 09, 2012, 11:48:36 AM

And to me- that means traveling light, fast, and un-noticed. A vehicle is great to get quickly away from the situation and to a final destination. But, in the immediate hours and days when all the chaos is still ensuing- you will need to fill that vehicle back up with gas and you may no longer have a final destination to go to. People could very well still be running amuck doing bad things to others and I dont want to be around them if at all possible. I absolutely believe that Americans WILL NOT behave as well as the Japanese did post earthquake and reactor issue.

I agree. If you travel along roads with a cart you will look like a walking grocery store to anyone you come across. To paraphrase a character from James Wesley Rawles excellent book Patriots "Roads and trails are for people who like to get ambushed". If you follow either you will not be able to avoid walking right into traps whether you are on foot or in a vehicle. Its the same reason why its so effective to set a tree stand along major deer trails. Why waste energy going out looking for your prey when it will come right to you at a spot that gives you the advantage. Spend the money on a quality backpack that fits you. You'll find packing a heavy load in a quality pack is easier than packing a moderate load in a poorly designed backpack.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #29 on:** August 10, 2012, 04:12:41 AM »

At one time I had a link to an Austrailian guy who built a cart using a golf cart and put a 30 gallon plastic drum on it. He mounted the wheels on the top of the drum and rolled the drum upside down with all his stuff in the drum. He could roll it through the woods. He attached a long handle to it to end at his waist. He placed the wheels so the drum would lean slightly towards him. He then attached it to his waist with a buckle strap. He was able to pull it behind him and leave his hands free. He only had to turn around and pull it over logs and such. He went into the eastern part of the Australian "outback". His biggest enemy was poisonous snakes and crocks near the rivers.

That being said, having a foldable deer hauler with a 30 gallon drum to pack stuff in, allows you to still carry a backpack and say a camelback for water, and pull the cart behind you. Depending on where you live, a machette or some type of chopping tool to clear a path if necessary through the woods. Having a good BOV is nice to carry your stuff, but if you run out of fuel, etc, you might need to walk or ride a mountain bike with airfree tires and a trailer behind. The North Vietnamese pushed bikes loaded with about 200 lbs of supplies and ammo down the Ho Chi Min trail to South Vietnam and rode them back empty.

Us older guys might just want to Bug In or have a retreat to go to.