New twist on bug out bag........

[don heath]

The things that kill in the bush...lack of water, a blister, a splinter, (and for me personally,a migraine). Lack of water is obvious- but a blister in the shoe will stop a tough man from walking, so will a splinter. A splinter in a finger basically takes one hand out of operation. I now carry- extra strong glasses (so I can see what I am doing), a couple of endocet tabs, a (sealed hypodermic 23g) needle and tweezers and a suitable supply of plasters. I also always buy a few of those 6hr energy shots when I am in the states.
 
Yes, we are prepared to fix broken limbs, gun shot wounds, and treat typhoid - but it is surprisingly small things that cripple, and a crippled man cannot function well enough to 'make a plan'. I haven't had to plug a gunshot wound since 1998, It is nearly as long since I had to carry somebody with a broken limb, but blisters, splinters, headache...thats almost weekly.
 
I agree- it is fun to prepare for the worst in the areas you are interested in - firearms and medical for me' but a broader plan to cover more areas, abet at a shallower deapth, is probably wiser in the long run - You will probably never need a whole field hospital- but you WILL need a simple first aid kit. You will not need a whole truck full of spares, but you will need a spare radiator hose, fan belt and a few bits of wire (and if you own a landrover a 1/4" whitworth and a no 8 spanner). You will not need 30 guns and a truck load of ammo- but you will always find good use for a 12g, a .22 and a decent handgun...etc

[SHOOTALL]

DH all good thoughts. Here in the US for those who travel a BOB with such items is a great idea. Meds , water and food are good is a change of clothes (layers) a coat etc.

[rio grande]

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.

Some Mormon pioneers crossed the country with this...


http://www.customwagonwheels.com/mormon-hand-cart.html

But some didn't make it.
The ones w/ the covered wagons did better, but I can imagine they were wishing they had one of the handcarts when it came to crossing streams or when their oxen got stolen by hostiles.

Nowadays, I'd go with something like this... attaches to bicycle.

  One wheel singletrack means dirt trails are easier.

http://www.biketrailershop.com/single-wheel-bike-trailers-e-158.html

[Ranger99]

i'm glad to see all the folks here that
don't cling to the www.rambo.com-type
theory like the rest of the web
commandos you see.
 
someone skulking down main
street in their new tactical
outfit with their gear all
on display will surely attract
more attention than a guy in
his old work clothes quietly
passing through.


i dislike the word "prepper" because
so many looney tunes on the web
use this term and they most likely
never have had to cope with anything
more serious than computer server problems.


"survivalist' was a good term until the media-
types twisted it to mean some nut job that
died in a police shoot-out or the like.


survival is a lifestyle of readiness,
not a web video

[SHOOTALL]

I always include a few heavy weight trash bags . They can keep you and stuff dry and they can be used to como your pack when it might be better to look homeless with a bag of picked up junk than a well appointed back pack.
Depending on where you are in a crisis walking around with a gun may draw unwanted attention where a walking staff might not . Better to keep gun hidden maybe.

[Dixie Dude]

Large trash bags can be made into a poncho of sorts.  Cut out for head and arms.  Can be used to collect rainwater or dew for drinking.  I know a girl once, at Halloween, who put on a black trash bag bunched up around her legs, arms and neck.  Put on dark stockings, and was a California raisin. 

[bilmac]

Ranger   I guess some would call me a prepper. I prefer to think of myself as a really old boy scout.

[Ranger99]

no. . . .


being prepared is one thing.
these folks i speak of are
strictly "prepping" to
"out-youtube" each other.


prepared folks know who they
are and aren't out to prove how
their gadget works best, etc.


i'm not trying to gig anyone here. . .

[SHOOTALL]

I think most Americans were prepared in the past but the invention of chain stores and convience stores changed that . I feel more old fashion than any thing else 

[mattmillerrx]

I am wanting to put together a car bag that can be used now, but would also double as a get home bag or bug out bag.  This thread has given me a lot of good idea's.  The bag I put together will include many of the items listed here.


In addition the bag will include items such as those below that I will need on a regular basis:
(1) a first aid kit
     -complete with Hello Kitty and Princess Band-Aids my kids seem to use daily
(2) a change of cloths for each family member
    -This will have to be cycled out depending on the season and the size cloths the kids are wearing.  They spill stuff on themselves often enough this should not be an issue
(3) Toiletries for the family
(4) Back ups for all of my EDC gear that is carried on my person
    -I have had pocket knives, flashlights, and other gear slip out of my pocket.  It always seems to be the day you need it most.


I like the idea of a small cart and will look for something that is folding of collapsable.  The bag will likely get somewhat large and I may split the items up into two bags so I can fit them more easily in my car.  If we need to leave the car we can sort down the items and/or use the cart and hike out.

[keith44]

I have never liked the terms "prepper", survivalist, or "bug out"


The first two have already been discussed (media portrayal) but "bug out" implies a retreat...bivouac bag is my preferred term.  A temporary situation or outing from which I will return to what is mine 

[SHOOTALL]

possibles bag 

[mattmillerrx]

I have never liked the terms "prepper", survivalist, or "bug out"


Me either

possibles bag 

I like this...I think this will be how I refer to my bag when it is complete.

[Bugflipper]

I didn't see it mentioned. I like to carry a little flat pry bar. Stanley calls it a wonder bar. Guessing they weigh about a pound or so. There is a smaller model if a fellow didn't want to waste that much weight. He better be strong though because it gives up a lot of leverage. But anyhow it can get you in places that may have food, water, warmth, shelter or security. It's quieter than breaking out a window or kicking in a door. New cars usually have accessibility from the trunk to the occupant portion. An abandoned car would make a good shelter on a rainy night. It doesn't take much effort to pry a trunk or back hatch. It also doesn't take much effort to pry a house door lock and deadbolt away from the casing and open it.
 Also a lock pick kit and practice with it on your locks. Even your normal set of keys and look up jiggling and bump lock methods on youtube. There's also info on how to defeat master locks with a shim made from an aluminum can. Or how to crack a bicycle chain style lock. The criminals already know all of these tricks. We may as well legally learn them and save for a rainy day if the worst were to happen. I wouldn't be prying on anything for practice though. That could get expensive.