anyone have a bail out bag at home and whats in it?

[Backwoods_VT]

Just wondering if in these crazy times i should put together a bail out bag, and keep it in the car or home. also what do i really need in it, Do i include a tent and clothes? any ideas would be helpfull.

 

[Thomason]

This thread may give you some food for thought, (about six pages worth).
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373094&highlight=bail+ba

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Here's a thorough but compact kit by Quiet Storm:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3902250&postcount=5

 

[Tim-Gabz]

Correct me if I am wrong. I carry a tab of painkillers in my BOB yet I have not found them on any BOB list before.

 

[Emanuel]

Correct me if I am wrong. I carry a tab of painkillers in my BOB yet I have not found them on any BOB list before.

I do. I have Ibuprofin, aspirin, and paracetamol in my BOB.

 

[sog]

I keep a backpack packed just in case.

 

[Midget]

yup. although, i keep my BOB in the trunk of my car.

it's in two parts.

one contains equipment (in a pack i got from a national guard recruiter). it mainly contains warm clothes (especially SOCKS) in a wet weather bag, rope, space blanket, fuel, lighter, light sticks, contacts/glasses, gauze bandages, flashlight, facemask, trash bags, net/hammock/rope kit... umm, a few other essentials.

the other part is my LBE. this used to be a part of my basic combat load, but i guess it's surplus now since the army is switching to that ACU digi stuff. in it is a fixed blade, 2 canteens, multitool, lensatic compass, set of BDUs, rope, zip ties, lighter, poncho, electrical tape, red lens flashlight, bandage, whistle... some other stuff i forget.

there's also an axe and a 12" chisel, a machete, my flak jacket, kevlar, a tarp, paper towels, jumper cables, jacket, motor oil + filter, 2 gas cans (empty right now), rope, blanket, maps, boots... in my trunk.

and then i keep about 3-4 weeks worth of food (if you're conservative) in my closet. 5 MREs, still packaged, and then about 14 MRE's broken down into individual food pouches in an ammo can.

here's a good source you might want to check out for ideas.

http://www.bob-oracle.com/

 

[Guntotin_fool]

I have Ibu, aleve, ty-3, percosetts, and vycadin (sp) as well as a Z pack and a course of biaxin in my bag. i also keep a foil strip of imodium, Zantac, and benedryl in my case as well.

I have been forced out by fire, chemical spill and once long ago, tornado, and have worked in places recently hit by hurricane, earthquake and flood, and tornado. After working there and being there, I would not keep a bag that did not have otc drugs in it as well as prescription pain and antibiotics for at least everyone who is expected to be with. This goes on top of all your regularly prescribed meds. In the storm areas, EVERYONE had some sort of bruise, cut, muscle pull etc either from getting thru the storm or in the immediate recovery efforts. Being able to self treat can literally be a life saver.

 

[Tim-Gabz]

Anyone have any figures as to how many people in a population have a contingency, and how much of a contingency?

I have a small one for EDC in a Brief case. This adds to my one in car, one in house and the one in the office. Enough for 72hrs.

SAK, Victorinox multi tool, maglight, spare batteries, medical aid kit, chemical lights. LED lights, sleeping bag, lots of water (it is hot here), additional painkillers, additional anti inflamitories, additional antihistimines, Frost S/S mora, a forged camp knife, paracord, sewing kit, lighter, Duct tape, super glue, a couple of hats ..............

When (often) I travel I take care to find out what I need enroute and at destination. I also cycle the kit so as to ensure that it is fresh.

Inshort I doubt that I would have to do serious walking or camping but knowledge and planning have managed to get me through several incidences without them developing into a crisis or waiting for some one to help.

It is not that expensive as I have more than I need. Sorting out a cock up can be. Late last year we had to medivac a staff member out of Nigeria in a private jet for something avoidable.

When my wife worked at a research station in Namibia, some time back, she came across some tourists that had hired a sedan and gone driving through some backroads in the desert, and broke down. They didn't even have water, comunications, or even hats and were very distressed. She was meant to be the only traveller on that road that week.

 

[Tim-Gabz]

Two staff members had to make a fast (delayed due to optimism) evacuation of Bujumbura during the genocide. They made it out, to Harare, with a Landrover discovery, a visa card, passports, some U$D, a jerry can of diesel, and as no bottled water was avaible a case of beer. Not even clothes.

Morons had no contingencies.

 

[mycroftt]

If you rely on prescription medications you should try to keep at least a couple of weeks worth extra in your BOB. Rotate them so they don't expire.

Most health insurance plans allow you to order refills about a week before you run out, so you can order refills every 23 - 25 days on the standard 30 day prescription and the insurance will cover them. Do this 3 or 4 times and you will have a few weeks extra for your BOB.

 

[Guntotin_fool]

Don;t be afraid to ask your MD for samples when you go in for a checkup/Dr visit. All of the meds in my case except the vycodin, are samples.

Sample meds have an added benefit of being usually fairly fresh, and mine all have 2+ years of shelf life at least.