B.O.B... Time to 'fess up.

[Longstrider]

Without actually realising it I guess I've had a bug-out-bag of sorts for years. Nothing too special, just a few things that I always like to have with me when I get out and about like a couple of fixed blades and a beater lock-knife (My EDC's see to most edge needs other than what the fixed blades cover), folding saw, DMT Diafold, fire kit, simple first aid kit, mess tin, water bottle, compass, cord, and the like. It lives in the boot (trunk) of my car when I'm not carrying it because I reason that I'll have probably got to where I start my foot journey by car anyway.

Seeing many of you mention your B.O.B. on the forum, it's got me wondering just what you keep in them. I'm not looking for anything too specific, just a generalised breakdown of the bags contents. Do you keep rations in yours? Bivvy sheet? Etc. etc.
Do you keep it stocked and buy seperate gear for use elsewhere, or do you raid it for it's contents now and again even though this might mean them not being there if you need to grab the bag in a hurry one day?
How big are you willing to let the bag get before you feel it's weight becomes a hinderance?

 

[numberthree]

I think the biggest thing to think about is not having too much in a BOB. It's easy to get caught up in all the various things that one might 'need', but it's far better to cover only the basics with a BOB. I don't think a pack should be more than about 1/4 of your body weight if that; therefore, my BOB is 25 pounds with water and food on board. I try also to use my BOB for camping as much as possible, allowing for refinements of what's in there, and for testing of components.

 

[pict]

I don't keep a BOB as usually considered because I have no intenton of bugging out. I do keep my kit organized.

I have my "survival pack" always packed with my basic kit. This is more for organizational purposes than to be instantly ready. My basic kit weighs 15 lbs without food and water. I keep lists of what I actually took, what I used, and what I didn't. I'm always refining my lists.

The top shelf of the walk in closet is stacked with the rest of the gear. All the stuff I loan out on the weekend survival course is packed in a large green backpack. The other packs are flattened underneath it.

All of the "car camping" stuff, six person tent, stove etc, I keep packed in a large green dufflebag. I guess if I had to "bug-out" as in set up live as a refugee, that would be the bag. Mac

 

[HK2001]

I lean towards 1/3 of your body weight as the absolute max for a BOB. My main reasoning behind this is: If I need to get the hell out of Dodge, I don't want to struggle to do it by hiking for 8 hours, and spend another 4 collecting food, water, and setting up camp.

An USP, on the other hand, is much lighter.. because long distance is not really an issue.

My BOB consists of these basic contents/catergories.

Fire starting (Under 1lb)
Fishing/snares (under 1lb)
Knives/saws (4lb)
Cooking supplies-alcohol stove, fuel, pot, GI cup, etc. (3lb)
Food, prepackaged, 4lb
First Aid 2lb
clothes,rain gear, sleeping gear 7lb.
Tent / tarp 5lb
carried water 8lb
water treatment (under 1lb)
hunting-Cold Steel Blowgun, doubles as hiking stick (1lb)
Misc stuff, comfort items, utility items, radio etc. 6lb
Bag it gets stored in : Medium ALICE pack w/ frame : 6lb.

which fits my 150lb butt quite perfectly. I did a 20 mile day yesterday just to test it. It Downpoured for 4 hours, and then jumped to 95F with 100% humidity.. I stayed dry, gear stayed dry.. and all in all I'm happy with the way the kit turned out. I spent the night in a campground, and tested the gear to see how it went.. and I think I'm finally almost happy with my bag.

Good Luck

oh, and BTW.. if anyone uses an alice pack.. get the shoulder straps and belt from www.tacticaltailor.com you won't regret it.

 

[cardimon]

I keep my gear in my car, because the weather is the most changeable during the morning and evening commutes.

I've stuffed into it a tablecloth I'd use for a groundcloth, folding camp shovel, storm candle, plenty of camping-style matches, a few lighters, a wire saw, a Spyderco Endura, a bunch of 550 Paracord, old leather gloves, compass, space blanket, sewing kit, and god knows what else.

I don't raid it for supplies.

I keep enough in it to tide me over for a bad night or two. It's heavy, but not heavy enough for me to leave it behind should I have to abandon my car.

 

[rebeltf]

I think the biggest thing to think about is not having too much in a BOB. It's easy to get caught up in all the various things that one might 'need', but it's far better to cover only the basics with a BOB

Excellent statement.
I like to think I would 'stay put' in the event of some sort of ....catastrophe. Depending of course on what that might be. It would down right difficult to try an prepare for every scenario , especially since many folks are on some sort of a budget , day to day living is costly , not to mention the goodies in one or more B.O.B.'s.
At any rate I have simplified mine several times and modified it even more times , good thing though , nice to make sure anything mechanical or edible or chemical is still in working order.
I think in terms of my B.O.B. , KISS comes to mind , although I try to cover most of what I might need/encounter.
Another idea and one I dont see adressed as often as it should be is caching.
Even if it is in your own backyard , caching has plenty of advantages over trying to haul the kitchen sink with you.
In my latest B.O.B. I include the following which does not get raided for goodies.
Food = http://beprepared.com/product.asp?pn=FM R400# Not too bulky if you consider the amount of 'food' it provides.
Basic first aid kit - bandaids of various sizes , triple anti-biotic ointment , needle and thread , alcohol wipes , razor blade , aspirin and Excedrin, No Doze , Visine.
Personal grooming - nail clippers , toothbrush , tin with baking soda/salt mixture.
Fire making - Magnesium and flint combo with small fixed blade skinner on keychain , 2 mini Bic lighters.
Water purification - Potable Aqua tabs and a couple of self purifying straws.
Shelter - 3 of those wonderful "space blankets" and plenty of cordage , most of which is O.D. paracord.
The only thing I constantly rotate is my knife selection , I always carry two folders and my MT so anything added is redundant aside from machete or kukri for wood chores.
I also stuck my little Pheonix Arms 22lr in there with 50 rounds. I plan on having something larger but just in case I know something is there for peace of mind.
A few other added goodies are UV tinted safety glasses , a small am/fm radio ,several tiny LED lights , whistle and chewing gum , pack of smokes and deck of cards for my personal morale.
All of this fits inside a medium sized korean war era shoulder bag of some sort. I cant recall the actual name.

 

[longbow50]

We keep two in our home, a rucksack (mine) and a pack (wifes) that contain the necessary gear that can keep us for an extended period of time.

In the wifes vehicle trunk, I made up a small shoulder bag with fire, shelter, water purification, flashlight, mirror and knife. With it there is a warm coat, blanket, hat, well stocked medical bag, water and food. She can access the trunk from the cabin of her vehicle and can even escape from the vehicle with an inside release for the trunk.

I drive a PU and have a few items in the canopy covered bed, but my main kit is behind the seat and is a Finnish gas mask shoulder bag that contains all I'll need to either make it home or sustain me for a period of time should I have to hike it. There is also my WWII Khukuri and a gallon of water behind the seat, as well as a well equipped medical bag.

In the end, it's what you have with you when you need it. Which is why I carry on my body, a SAK w/saw, BSA Hotspark, tinder, fishing gear and compass in a small belt pouch, cordage and a 55 gallon HD drum liner in my shirt pockets and a pair of gloves in my pocket.

 

[Happy Joe]

I don't keep a BOB per se; but I keep both jeeps stocked with tools, spare parts, mini pick, GI Entrenching tool, Sven saw, tow straps, chain etc, etc. and advanced first aid kits. Ready for a spur of the moment trip off road into the mountains.

My light hiking kit is in the closet:
Canteen (w iodine tabs, spoon, cup and stove), gunbelt, suspenders, light (but extensive) first aid kit, fire starting(Bic), knife assd. survival supplies (bic, space blanket snares, hooks, toiletpaper, 50 ft of 550 etc), munchy bag (Powerbars, jerky and granola),9x9 heavy poly sheet.

My hiking/camping pack is always ready in the closet (ready for instant employment on a weekender):
Sleeping bag, pad, sil/nylon tarp, raingear, dried food for a week, water filter, outdoor clothing, svensaw, stove, fuel and all the stuff that is usefull when hiking/camping.

My extended stay stuff is kept in the back bedroom but ready to load:
4 chairs, 2 end tables, 12x12 outfitter tent, table, propane, stove, cooking supplies, cots, air mattreses and pump, a couple of large 50 cal ammo cans of food, toilet paper, MP3/radio boom box, batteries, solar charger, entry mat, tarps, electric light (works on the same rechargeable system as the boom box) 18,000 btu propane heater, several sleeping bags in military wet weather bags, etc, etc.

Believe it or not, all of this will fit into the back of a CJ-7 jeep. I can leave on an extended 2 week trip in about 45 minutes (less if I don't stop for ice, beer and bread).

Oh, yeah.. I dont plan on leaving, I'll stick close to home (and the reloading equipment) if possible.

Enjoy!