Bug out bag thread links.

MedOpsPogue · Mar 5, 2008

I was hoping someone could link me to a few good threads on Bug-out-bag packing suggestions. I have one for myself but want to put one together for the kids.

Thanks in advance.

Trent Rock · Mar 5, 2008

Try the Wilderness and Survival forum

Here is one thread====>
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=536350

Cougar Allen · Mar 5, 2008

Lets see if we can find the right forum

555 · Mar 5, 2008

Did someone see a Cat around here?

MedOpsPogue · Mar 7, 2008

Cougar Allen said:
Let’s see if we can find the right forum …

Yeah, ok.

I haven't spent much time here in the last couple years and alot has changed.

Thanks for the redirect.

Brian Jones · Mar 7, 2008

MedOpsPogue, I'll do a search and have some links for you shortly. sorry we missed this one - things move fast here!

ROCK6 · Mar 8, 2008

MedOpsPogue said:
I was hoping someone could link me to a few good threads on Bug-out-bag packing suggestions. I have one for myself but want to put one together for the kids.

Thanks in advance.

I posted my kids’ kit a while ago, but I have since updated both of them and my son will be revalidating his next week on our little camping/backpacking trip. My son is 8 and my daughter just turned 12… both have been camping/backpacking several times and are pretty experienced at making fires, using knives, procuring and purifying/filtering water and knowing what to do when lost. My intent was/is to give them a kit for a 72/96 hour wilderness survival situation…along with the knowledge of what to do. Additionally, it gets them in the habit of carrying a pack (albeit small) as a basis to build up to larger packs for extended backpacking trips. Biggest piece of advice is don't just throw stuff in a small pack and say "here you go"...make sure they know what everything is used for and that they practice it. Both my kids loved making fires, filtering water, building a simple debris hut shelter, using the space blanket (properly), etc.

Here's Sheath Mechanics piggy-backed sheath that both kids now have:

I need to dummy-cord the firesteel, but it's a great sheath/combo system. My kids love the little Swedish firesteel. I was reluctant at first with the Mora, but there's a couple of great advantages: First, it's cheap and I have a few around in case the kids lose it. Second, it has a good grip to keep my son and daughter from having their hands slide forward and cutting themselves. Lastly, it's a high-carbon blade and will be a great teaching tool for how to maintain your essential tools. My son already learned the hard way and I'll be keeping a close eye on him for our trip next week.

For my son's "first line", I'm keeping it simple. Small LED and whistle on a break-away neck lanyard, and Benchmade Mini Griptilian along with a Pelican mini strobe. I think I'm going to have my son try out the beaded necklace since it's less bulky. He's used the older one, but I'd like to make it more comfortable for him:

Of course, depending on the environment, the kids will keep their Mora on their pack or on their belt (what I prefer). Here's my son's load-out:

Here's the contents:

Camelback w/ bladder
Mora Clipper w/ Sheath Mechanic's sheath and Swedish firesteel
55-gallon garbage bag for emergency shelter
Space blanket
Ziploc bags (1 gallon and 1 qt)
Potable Aqua tablets
Frontier Survival Straw (new addition)
Extra pair of hiking socks
Small Nalgene water bottle (16oz)
Small nesting cup (Snow Peak’s 300, single wall)
Clif Bar
Peanut Butter
Individual drink flavor packets
Water tube (about 20” of Camelback tubing)
About 50 feet of 550 paracord
Cigarette lighter
Survival matches
Large Tea-light candle wrapped in tinfoil
Cravat
PAL LED light/strobe
Petzle 3AAA headlight
Silva compass
SAK – it’ll be an engraved Farmer for Christmas
Small Role of TP
Extra whistle and firesteel striker
Small fishing kit* (just something I added out of habit)

Here's the contents of the first aid (plus) kit:

Small IFAK w/ some extras
- Band-Aids
- Large bandages
- Large gauze bandages
- Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin
- Antibiotic/burn cream
- Providone iodine wipes
- Sting-eze wipes
- Needles, Spiderwire spool
- Dental floss
- Medical tape
- Moleskin
- Sliver Gripper tweezers
- Safety pins
- Large paperclips
- Pencil wrapped w/ 12” of duct tape
- Razor blade
- Rain-rite paper, 2 sheets
- 6 feet of surveyor’s tape wrapped on paperclip

My son's water bladder is the smaller 50 fluid oz version and with both that and the 14 fluid ounce Nalgene water bottle, it adds up to just over 4 pounds, so their entire kit come in at about 9.5 lbs...not bad for a 72-96 hour survival kit that they have when hiking. Both my kids do just fine with the weight.

Here's the weight without the ~4 pounds of water weight:

ROCK6

I couldn't find the original post, but had it saved in a Word Document with links to the pictures. A few things have changed since this was a couple years old, but it'll hopefully give you a few things to think about and a few ideas you can used for your kids. This was originally more directed for outdoor activities, but would easily work for a grab and go (Bug Out Bag) bag for your basic essentials. You could easily build on a little larger pack with an extra set of cloths, a little more food and a book (something to keep the mind occupied). Hope this helps,

ROCK6

Brian Jones · Mar 8, 2008

Rock6, thanks. I am way behind between work and all the amazing discussions here lately!

MedOpsPogue, by Monday latest, I'll do the search.

Unless, of course, one of the members here who has search capability feels like helping out in that dept! (hint, hint, hint)

ROCK6 · Mar 8, 2008

Brian Jones said:
Rock6, thanks. I am way behind between work and all the amazing discussions here lately!

I know how you feel! I'll try to search a few tonight if somebody hasn't done so before than...off to my son's last soccer game

ROCK6

MedOpsPogue · Mar 8, 2008

Brian,

Thanks in advance for any links provided and or assistance. I do appreciate it.

Rock6,

Thanks for the post. I plan to look it over and 'borrow' many of your ideas. My kids just happen to be 8 and 12 as well. Both girls but both more than capable of handling themselves.
I've been trying to teach them some basic skills without overdoing it.

portagee slim · Mar 8, 2008

Brian Jones said:
Unless, of course, one of the members here who has search capability feels like helping out in that dept! (hint, hint, hint)

1) WtF don't basic members have a search function?

2) I'll give a shot with the old manual cut and paste, Mk.I Mod. 0 eyeball through the pages.

Here ya go, with the first:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538429
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535753
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=536350
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535879
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533383

I'll dredge up more and edit them into this post as I find them.
HTH

Drew

portagee slim · Mar 10, 2008

BTTT

Drew

Brian Jones · Mar 10, 2008

NO F-Bdy Bs · Mar 11, 2008

Where are you guys getting that Peanut Butter that I keep seeing?

Also, how does it keep in the hot summer months? Say, in my truck bag which gets hot in the summer.

MedOpsPogue · Mar 11, 2008

Brian Jones said:
These should get you started! Sorry I'm behind - Drew, thanks for kicking me in the butt!

<snip>

Thanks Brian. I'll give these a look when I get some free time.

Brian Jones · Mar 11, 2008

You're very welcome. You can also search Bladeforums via google. Enter this: searchterm site:bladeforums.com, with no space between the colon and the words "site" and "bladeforums.com".

ROCK6 · Mar 11, 2008

NO F-Bdy Bs said:
Where are you guys getting that Peanut Butter that I keep seeing?

Also, how does it keep in the hot summer months? Say, in my truck bag which gets hot in the summer.

Hah! It's MRE peanut butter. It is extremely stable...I had a few packets make it through several months in Iraq. Just knead it and it's good to go...I don't know if it goes bad but it'll plug you up fresh or after a lengthy storage

There are several sites that will sell individual MRE packages, just do a search for MRE's.

ROCK6

portagee slim · Mar 12, 2008

Brian Jones said:
You're very welcome. You can also search Bladeforums via google. Enter this: searchterm site:bladeforums.com, with no space between the colon and the words "site" and "bladeforums.com".

Thanks, Brian for the tip.:thumbup: I appreciate it.

Drew

Brian Jones · Mar 12, 2008

You're welcome, Drew. I just learned it recently myself!

MedOpsPogue · Mar 12, 2008

Brian Jones said:
You're very welcome. You can also search Bladeforums via google. Enter this: searchterm site:bladeforums.com, with no space between the colon and the words "site" and "bladeforums.com".

That's good to know. Thanks so much for your help.

Bug out bag thread links.

Buccaneer (ret.)