Bug Out Bag's (BOB's)

[mitunnelrat]

Today I'm into part 3 of my gear, our BOB's. If you've been following my threads, you can see there's a steady increase in what and why. The Stig posted an informative link in this thread (http://www.shtfready.com/equipment-basic-supplies/46-72-hour-kit-checklist.html), which is a basic list of FEMA's/ ready.gov 72 hour checklist. That gives a solid basis for a pack, as does John D. McCann's book, "Build the Perfect Survival Kit". Yes, I've plugged it already. I'll likely do so again. That book has been more than worth its purchase price to me.

Fortunately for you, and unfortunately for me, my BOB isn't complete. This is good for you because we'll be able to discuss its progression. Bad for me because I'd hate to need it right now.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/001-2.jpg

I'm currently using a MOLLE II rucksack with sleep system carrier. On the sleep carrier is a Mosin Nagant ammunition pouch. I'm using it as a fire kit
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/005-3.jpg
One side is loaded with PJ cotton balls I made last night; the other has a bic, lifeboat matches, an MFS, and a reflective emergency blanket that can be used to reflect heat.

The pack has the older frame, which I hear is more prone to breakage. We'll see. If it is, I'll be one to find out. I have a Coleman self-inflating mat strapped to the top, and my USGI poncho easily accessible from right there as well.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/002-3.jpg

The 2 quart canteen is attached to the side compression straps, and supported by the (empty) sustainment pouch's vertical strap. It has two Micropur tablets in its small pocket. The opposite side of the ruck mirrors that setup. I have on the waist belt the original pouch to my USGI IFAK. It now contains a more basic first aid kit and some MRE snack foods, as well as some caffeine pills.

In the FAK is :
alcohol pads, 3 ea.; antibiotic ointment; assorted bandaids; exam gloves/ N95 mask; assorted gauze pads and rolls; a battle dressing; folding scissors; and a triangular bandage. I also just got some Motrin, Benadry, and Immodium for this kit. However, its only meant to augment my Maxpedition FRS - which I'll be attaching on the opposite side of the waist pack when needed.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/009-2.jpg

On the bottom front of the main pack is a MOLLE buttpack I painted deep forest green. That color fits my summertime AO very well, and matches an SDS assault pack I have, which can also attach to the front of the main ruck. Getting back on track though, the butt pack is currently empty, reserved for my Eureka Solitaire, which is at the manufacturer getting warranty repair work done on it. I love the weight and warmth of that little tent, but one of the poles broke on my first outing with it. That's a common problem with it, and Eureka is good about modifying the pole sleeves to rectify the issue.

[mitunnelrat]

In the main compartment I have my e-tool hanging on a strap from the radio pouch attachment points, so its weight is high and tight to my back. At the bottom of my pack is a set of BDU's, a set of polypro thermals, a wool cap and gloves, some wool socks and thinner inner socks, a t-shirt and belt, my poncho liner, a towel and washcloth, a 6' x 8' tarp, my Gerber back paxe (their small hatchet if I just got the name wrong), a hygiene kit in a katadyn pullout bag that once held a repair kit, and a USGI mess kit containing a Sea to Summit spork, 10 Micropur tablets, and 3 instant oatmeal packets.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/004-4.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/003-3.jpg

The sanitation kit is comprised of wet wipes, pre-pasted mini toothbrushes, deodorant, foot powder, and some anti-fungal foot cream. I need to find some multi-purpose camp soap I have somewhere, and might add a shave kit. That's still up in the air.

Finally, there's the front pocket:
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/007-2.jpg
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In that I have a combination crank light/ radio/ siren. Spare batteries for it are in the pill bottle, along with some dry cottonballs and a tube of chapstick. The item on the bottom is a Smith diamond sharpener. I was going to use something smaller, but decided the extra width would be nice for my machete and hatchet. I also have my Katadyn Hiker in there. Not pictured is a length of bike tire tube, 4 zip ties, and a one gallon ziplock bag I put the loose items in. The knife is a CRKT Falcon, and is there as a backup to my Morris. Its not very large, and I'll be getting a Morris Watchman 10.5 (http://www.michaelmorrisknives.com/current.php) for larger jobs, but its withstood a massive amount of punishment from me and takes an edge well, so it made the cut...

As I mentioned above, filling this is still in progress. The items I don't currently have, but plan on getting are:
a battery operate chem light; spare batteries for all electronics/ lights; a signal mirror; SPOT GPS unit; MS 2000 strobe; Fox 40 whistle; VZ 17 panel; MGRS maps for my county; a map protractor; a handheld GPS; portable HAM radio (its license too); binoculars; pace beads; a Henry Survival rifle or M6 Scout; an MSR stove; a shemagh (http://soldiersystems.net/2009/01/04/skull-bones-shemagh-from-tad/); bungee cords; and a rite in the rain notepad.

Items I have, but are currently stored, are my:
lensatic compass; conibear trap; fishing kit, with collapsible pole; 1 pound propane tank, stove burner, and heater; and camp (water) shoes.

The most notable absence in my kit though, is food. I've been kicking around ideas on this because I'll either need to feed just myself, or as many as 3 people from my bag. One of the best solutions I've read is to get the 2 person Mountain House meals and a food thermos. The description of this stated the cooked food was put in the thermos, but won't keep too long in winter, so my thought is to split the dried food before I ever cook it. Eat half from the bag, and hydrate the other half in the thermos later.

I think that about covers it. I'll likely be placing the tarp in my assault pack once my tent gets back to me. I think if i set the BOB and the assault pack up as independent 72 hour kits, and then factor in my GHB, I'll have a workable INCH system in place. There's a reason I'd prefer to optimize a whole community for emergency management though. Especially now that I'm looking at providing for a family, and not just myself.

[mitunnelrat]

I just weighed it. I'm currently at 46.8 pounds without water (8.35 pounds), food (1.6 pounds), and all the gear I mentioned. I'll venture a guess my pack won't weigh more than 75 pounds with a full winter load. When I add the assault pack and a combat load + of ammo though, I'm at 52.6 pounds right now. With that I'm getting closer to an expected 80 pounds total weight. That's a lot of weight. We're talking almost 50% of a healthy weight range for a fella my height.

I forgot to add my GHB into this, and a firearm... so... 100+ pounds total for the entire package, and I still need to adjust for 2 dependents. That game cart and pulk is looking much, much sweeter.

[The Stig]

Thanks for sharing this. I need to go back and rework my kit once the move is over.

The BOB's/emergency load outs for me and the Mrs need updated and frankly I haven't done one for the kid yet.

I've been spending too much time on a "fighting" setup and need to go back and rework the survival kits. And getting ready for the move has shown me how inefficient my setup's are. I've got a kit for this, and a kit for that and a different kit for the other thing. I've got to totally reorganize them into something more cohesive.

Thanks for the inspiration!