B.O.B.

[CQC-7]

I was just reading one of the posts written by MacTech.  He mentions a "Bugout Bag."  I thought that I was one of the few out there that actually have such a thing.  In case you dont know, a Bugout Bag is a Bag, Box, or Pack that you carry almost everywhere and or have ready at your residence.  It contains the necessary tools and stuff that if the need arises you can take the bag and manage to "get lost" for a few days or weeks until you reach a more friendly location or the situation blows over.  A Situation such as New Orleans before, during, and especially after hurricane Katrina would be a good time to have a bugout bag ready.  I carried a bugout bag for a few years when I was an archaeologist.  If things went bad in the area where I was at I could make due and even make my way home with my gear that I had in that bag.  I am not really paranoid but, the possibility does exist that somthing bad could happen anywhere and it is better to be prepared than clueless.

Here is what I have at the ready in my bugout bag.

Glock 21 .45acp (sometimes on my person.)
2 spare magazines.
extra ammo .22lr and .45acp
Walther P-22 .22lr with 2 spare mags.
Benchmade Nimravus fixed blade with cord wrapped handles (remove grips and wrap with paracord)  Carries about 2 feet of cord and serves as a handle.
SAK fieldmaster.
SOG Powerlock.
screwdrivers ratchet, and wrenches standard automotive tools, hammer, a few nails, and a tomahawk.
Folding Remgrit saw
Fishing line, hooks and sinkers.  Take a film canister fill with hooks and sinkers wrap the line around the canister and wrap with duct tape to keep line on. 
Rope and paracord.
Water purification tablets, asprin, spare meds, chemical corks, benedryl, antiacids, anti-radiation absorbtion tablets.   
Sugar packets, salt packets.
1st aid kit.
Flashlight, radio, cellular phone, walkie talkie, spare batteries.
lighter and matches.
Hand sanitizer.
toilet paper.
sharpies, and pencils, pens.
Cash
2 Large bottles of water and some energy bars.
In addition to this if I needed to leave from my residence I also have a remington 870 12 gauge and or a scout rifle if needed.

Wow, That was long.  Does anyone out there carry a bugout bag and if so, what is in it.

[Anthony]

I don't have one made up (yet), but over the past year or so I've been accumulating various items for such a bag.  It's mainly all in my room and could be thrown in my German Alpine backpack in about 5 minutes.  But then again, I might now be home when a time to bugout occours  

My car trunk has lots of tools, clothes, cordage, flashlights, mylar sheet, lighter, and a knife or two, but no food, water, or major first aid kit. 

On my person I always have a multitool, lighter, mini prybar with about a foot of paracord on it, folder.

I've also been carryong a County Comm organizer with a Leatherman old wave, Neosporin, bandaids, Advil, Sharpie, precision screwdriver from County Comm, small LED, gum...

So instead of going out and spending a lot of money on filling a BOB, I'm kind of peace mealing it over time.

[Anthony]

And where could I get some anti-radiation absorbtion tablets?

[CQC-7]

I believe that the chemical name is Potassium Iodide.  You get them at Rite aid, CVS, Walgreens, etc.  I have those on hand being only about 30mi as the crow flies from a nuclear power plant. 

[Sparkey]

Cool. I've been working on a BOB as well as some larger kits for my car and truck as well as some stuff to keep on hand for an extended sheltering at home. Cold weather is coming and I figure its a good time to update my stuff and prepare for inclement conditions. Here's what I've got now, I'll let you guys look it over and offer your $.02...FYI, we live in the city, and our "bug out" plan is to head for the country...which is only about 30 minutes away by car.

1. Important documents on disk or flash drive
2. Medications
3. First Aid Kit
4. Cash
5. Cellphone and charger
6. Matches/Lighter with vaseline and cotton balls
7. Flashlight (mini-mag or hand-crank LED)
8. Whistle
9. Light Sticks
10. Weather Radio (hand crank)
11. Can Food or MREs/ Plastic cutlery
12. Baby food/ Formula/ Bottles
13. Bottled water
14. Water Purification Tablets
15. Warm Clothes (if cold weather)
16. Ponchos
17. Space Blankets/ regular blanket
18. Leatherman Super Tool
19. Folding Knife with combo Blade
20. Rope and 550 Cord
21.Toys for my son
22. Diapers and baby wipes and powder
23. Toothpaste and toothbrushes
24. A good book to keep myself occupied.
25. Winchester bolt-action .22LR and ammunition.
26. Fishing Line, hooks, sinkers, etc...
27. Tarp (not too sure about this one for a BOB)
28. Tent (also not too sure, as space might be an issue)
29. Potassium Iodide tablets (I also live close to a nuclear plant and facilities that use radioactive materials)
30. Pens, Pencils, paper
31. Toilet Paper
32. Duct Tape


This is a lot of stuff, so it may have to be spread out to 2 bags, but I do have a ranger vest that has enough pockets to carry the smaller items, and the larger ones can be packed into a larger backpack or duffel. I wonder if I need to add more camping gear to prepare for staying outdoors overnight. Our initial plan is to not stay outdoors overnight, but to meet up with family in the country, but you never know...

[Grant Lamontagne]

In case anyone needs a hand putting their BOB together, here's a great article from Spudley:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=89&Itemid=35

Def

[CQC-7]

That is a useful bugout bag in a really small package.  It is good to see that there are others out there that are as paranoid as I am.   I have yet to get any of the hand crank stuff yet.  I havent had the time to go to the flea market in a while.  Next time that I go there I will get a hand crank radio and flashlight.

[nezza33]

Well i havent really got a big bag (yet) im working on it.
Here it is..
LM charge tti
Benchmade griptillian
Cell phone
LM micra on keys
Photon freedom
Inova light
Pocket organizer from CC
Stanley Technichians screwdriver
 
Thats all i can think of off the top of my head.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well i havent really got a big bag (yet) im working on it.
Here it is..
LM charge tti
Benchmade griptillian
Cell phone
LM micra on keys
Photon freedom
Inova light
Pocket organizer from CC
Stanley Technichians screwdriver
 
Thats all i can think of off the top of my head.

Thats a pretty comprehensive list mate, and welcome to the forum

[Pacu]

I think a firearm would be tops on the list for any BOB. With a firearm you could " aquire" anything you need should a major event happen.


unless someone else has a firearm in their bag too

[WhichDawg]

I have several, main car one, smaller carry one, winter one, food one, and a fire b.o.b.
so much stuff in them, I'll list them later.

but the only thing I want that I don't have is Celox, for stopping bleeding. quik clot is okay but many say it burns like
hell, and Celox is better. and maybe a couple more first-aid pamphlets for assistance and in case I'm out and somebodies
working on me!

[bobofish]

At first when I read this I thought "oh why bother." I figured you'd only need it if you get in trouble with the law, etc.

But the example of Katrina was a good one; in OR we've been waiting for a big earthquake for a long time, and in CA any number of things can happen, up to and including the water grid finally breaking down.

I'll have to pay a little more attention to this thread!

[I'm Still Bison]

 I'd suppose one thing to consider;would be to inspect your BOB on a seasonal basis,and  change out some of the contents according to the season

[WhichDawg]

I'd suppose one thing to consider;would be to inspect your BOB on a seasonal basis,and  change out some of the contents according to the season

I totally agree. I'd also suggest a list of the items stored someplace easy to get at in it.
before my list I was always like; "what do I have in here ?

[WhichDawg]

here's some of my stuff on the "big b.o.b."


I have changed some things in it, so that's an old picture.

now this is a problem I have and have heard others with the same problem.
how do you store "safely" things in your b.o.b. in your car and not worry
about it getting stolen?!

now understand it is not as bad as it used to be here in Oregon,
in the rural area I am now, but back in the more populated area's it wasn't so easy/safe.

I want my best stuff with me in case I need it but I don't want to lose it!
one of the reasons I have several b.o.b.s.

I've read of hiding your stuff under seats and things from prying eyes.
Spreading it out so it can't be taken all at once (not hard to get in your car fast)
Using less expensive stuff but that bothers me, I want my best in case I need it!

[I'm Still Bison]

 Odd how this topic popped up when it did. this just proves that a person always needs to keep in the back of their mind,a plan,and the ways and means. As far as I know,no reports of injuries or serious damage.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080418/ap_on_re_us/midwest_earthquake

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Odd how this topic popped up when it did. this just proves that a person always needs to keep in the back of their mind,a plan,and the ways and means. As far as I know,no reports of injuries or serious damage.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080418/ap_on_re_us/midwest_earthquake

It always to be prepared these days, as I don't think it'll take much for the emergency services to become overwhealmed in theses days off cut backs

[I'm Still Bison]

 The best and biggest part of any BOB,is the mental part.Personally I encourage everyone to take a good first aid course.All the medical supplies,and manuals in the world won't do a lick of good,if you don't know how to use them right,and able to cope with the stress and urgency of a medical emergency.I don't say I speak with the voice of an expert,but I have over 20 years experience in EMS.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I want to do a first aid course, but employers are really loath to pay for them these days

And there not cheap for the main off the street to do

[I'm Still Bison]

Pay my airfare,and I'll certify you...no charge Have you contacted the local Red Cross,or St. John's Ambulance chapters to see what's offered? Also it pays to keep an eye on the local community center's offerings..plus it makes for a neat way to meet women.

A personal observation here...with all the hubbub about homeland security,it's a disgrace that individual civilian preparedness is almost completely neglected.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Pay my airfare,and I'll certify you...no charge Have you contacted the local Red Cross,or St. John's Ambulance chapters to see what's offered? Also it pays to keep an eye on the local community center's offerings..plus it makes for a neat way to meet women.

A personal observation here...with all the hubbub about homeland security,it's a disgrace that individual civilian preparedness is almost completely neglected.

Whats your paypal addy

Well it's £80 + travel expenses to do a St Johns course, not a fortune I'll grant you, but when you've not got it...

As for the civilian unpreparedness, well at best it doesn't exsist over here and at worst it's positively discouraged

[I'm Still Bison]

  That much for a first aid course,AND travel?! I could almost fly to the UK in the off season for that price. I think I smell an oppurtunity in an online first aid course.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

  That much for a first aid course,AND travel?! I could almost fly to the UK in the off season for that price. I think I smell an oppurtunity in an online first aid course.

Well when you consider it's only a day course, and there are no meals thrown in, the price is pretty savage

[Roadie]

I'm quite lucky, i've had 3 free first aid courses. 2 at school as part of DofE and 1 that was much better when i worked at an outdoor bounds centre a couple of years ago. The trouble is (for me anyway) that even a couple of months after the course i just about forgot everything i'd learnt as I didn't have to practice any of it. They are good but only if you keep on top of your learning, which then gets expensive.

[I'm Still Bison]

WARNING: thread drift involved.
            What you say about staying in prcatice is so true.When I was active in EMS,it was mandatory to take a 36 hour refresher course every 3 years to renew a license,no matter how active you were.

Back to BOBs...does anyone keep vital documents downloaded onto flash drives for retrieval if necessary?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have heard of the flash drive practice becoming more and more common, and I think it makes great sense.  There is even a dog collar available nowadays with a built in flash drive so if your pet is lost he/she can be returned easier, or even looked after better (medications, diet etc) until until they can be returned.

It's also a good use for older flash drives that are somewhat outmoded by more modern, higher capacity drives.  Not too many folks likely still use a 64 meg drive, but it's more than ample for personal document storage.

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I've got my details stored on a right in the rain pad that Calvin gave me, does that count

[I'm Still Bison]

I have heard of the flash drive practice becoming more and more common, and I think it makes great sense.  There is even a dog collar available nowadays with a built in flash drive so if your pet is lost he/she can be returned easier, or even looked after better (medications, diet etc) until until they can be returned.

It's also a good use for older flash drives that are somewhat outmoded by more modern, higher capacity drives.  Not too many folks likely still use a 64 meg drive, but it's more than ample for personal document storage.

Def

               The outdated thing brings up another point. You can't just fill a BOB,and sit it in a corner,ready to grab and go,it's necessary to check on it periodically,and keep the contents,fresh and current.

[Benner]

Drifting back again  , I did a full 1st aid course at work due to my high risk environment and we have to refresh this every 2 years.  We also, in addition to this, have to do regular EFA (epilepsy first aid) training which is refreshed annually and is only passed after successful completion of a test paper.  This keeps stuff fresh in your mind and does make you feel more confident that you would do the right thing if you were ever required to perform any first aid.

[WhichDawg]

I like the flash drive idea, good one! they had a 4 gig flash for 16 usd last week but it sold out fast (grrr)
but we have a few other ones, I'll remember that.