Do you keep a give away BOB?

S

Smash05

Joined
Jul 16, 2007
Messages
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For say a family member or a neighbor if things got rough. I am thinking in the realm of a Katrina or Natural Disaster. I have thought about this at length and I am going to create one. If anything, it can serve as extra kit for my family needs, but I keep thinking that I live close to my Brother in Law and his family, and I would feel compelled to help him if he showed up on my door and needed gear. I certainly have enough random gear around to make it happen without additional investment. I have also thought through what where I would send someone if they needed to buy kit quickly. Discuss.
 
No but that's a great idea. I asked my brother what he would do in an emergency scenario because he has made no preparations at all. His answer was "come to your house." :(
 
I would suggest you follow Raisedby Wolves advice, and help your brother in law put together a kit suitable for his needs.

Although you can keep extra kit for him, it will be no good if he cannot get at it. Also, he needs to be familiar with the contents and be able to use them.
 
I am working on mine now and I am also putting one together for my Father. As I compile everything and test it the things that I am less than happy with I will put in a bag for a "just in case" freebie bag. Thanks for the idea
 
Hey, what does BOB stand for? :o

Must've missed that one, but I'm guessing it's some kind of ready to go survival kit?
 
BryFry said:
Hey, what does BOB stand for? :o

Must've missed that one, but I'm guessing it's some kind of ready to go survival kit?
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Yep, stands for Bug Out Bag.

I don't keep an extra around. I've got some extra gear I could give to family or whoever if needed, but that's about it.
 
Smash05 said:
For say a family member or a neighbor if things got rough.
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That's an intersting idea. When my brothers and I used to live in the same area I used to keep extras in my home emergency stash for them (becuase I knew they did not do it for themselves, and that if a true disaster occured I would not be able to say "no" if they showed up on my doorstep). That was all bulk stuff and weapons for forting up at my place, or loading into our vehicle(s) if necessary. I never thought about doing up BOB for them.

People often talk about what to do if people you don't want to share with show up in a SHTF situation but I don't recall anyone ever bringing up what to do about people you can't, or don't want to, turn away like close friends or family members.
 
It makes sense to me to make up a few small, cheap emergency kits to give away as circumstances indicate, whether to family, neighbors or friends. Many people don't know where to begin in preparing to make it through a short term emergency. A very basic kit can be put together for very little money. With some effort, I think you could make ten kits for $100 or less total. You may well save someone's life. At worst, you'll earn their respect and gratitude.

Oh, and these are also called "GOOD" bags. Get Out Of Dodge.
 
This reminds me of conversations I had with friends whom thought that I was 'over prepared'.

I asked 'em what they'd do if they were to find that the utilities (electricity/ gas/water) were down, and that there had been a run on stores and supplies, water and gear were unavailable.

They said they'd come to me, as I had the knowledge and gear to be fine!

Whenever I'd try to encourage them to think and to prepare for weather or other factors, I'd be told that I'm paranoid, so I just stopped trying.
 
It is exactly as described. My close friends and family know I keep prepared. Some of them are prepared as well, some less so. I was also trying thinking that sometimes, time and circumstances dont' allow you to grab your own kit. Knowing that someone you love is near by - you are going to head towards them, and I might as well be prepared for when they show up. I also take a view towards preparedness that is a bit longer than my own skin. I am prepared so that those that need help can get it. If I can help myself, I do not need to be helped. It is something I have tossed around in the noggin, I might actually follow through at this point.
 
Smash05 said:
It is exactly as described. My close friends and family know I keep prepared.
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Some of my very close friends and family know I keep some emergency supplies on hand, but I never really revealed to any of them how extensive my supplies were. I didn't want word to get around and end up with some unwelcome "friends" showing up in an emergency, thinking I had plenty to share. :rolleyes:
 
AeroNautiCal said:
This reminds me of conversations I had with friends whom thought that I was 'over prepared'.

I asked 'em what they'd do if they were to find that the utilities (electricity/ gas/water) were down, and that there had been a run on stores and supplies, water and gear were unavailable.

They said they'd come to me, as I had the knowledge and gear to be fine!

Whenever I'd try to encourage them to think and to prepare for weather or other factors, I'd be told that I'm paranoid, so I just stopped trying.
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Some years ago I found myself hit dead center by two hurricanes about a month apart. My ex wife had the same opinion of me before the hurricanes. My family stayed in place and we were fine with plenty of warm food, communication, news, water, lights etc. even when the power was out for two weeks and travel was impossible due to all the trees and power lines clogging the streets. Strangly, her opinion of my "parinoid preparations" didn't change after the hurricanes.

This was my home on the Gulf Coast.
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Codger_64 said:
It makes sense to me to make up a few small, cheap emergency kits to give away as circumstances indicate, whether to family, neighbors or friends. Many people don't know where to begin in preparing to make it through a short term emergency. A very basic kit can be put together for very little money. With some effort, I think you could make ten kits for $100 or less total. You may well save someone's life. At worst, you'll earn their respect and gratitude.

Oh, and these are also called "GOOD" bags. Get Out Of Dodge.
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Helping someon make a BOB is probably the best option becaues it gets' THEM thinking about things they've probably never thought about before.

But I also think it's a GREAT idea to do what you mentioned and make up some "GOOD" bag's to help others out if needed. You mentioned you thought you could make 10 bags for about $100. What items would you put in the bags?
 
You mentioned you thought you could make 10 bags for about $100. What items would you put in the bags?
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A tube tent or survival blanket (or A pocket sized cheap poncho or raincoat) ($2-5)
A P-38 can opener (.10-.50 cents)
A water bag of some sort (HD ziploc - very cheap - few cents)
A bottle of water treatment like Potable Aqua
A bic lighter (less than $1 for the generics)
A pack of firestarter (maybe esbit with esbit stove)
A light inexpensive slipjoint or lockback knife
A packet of drink mix
A package of Jello
A package of bullion cubes
A cheap squeeze light
A candle
A whistle
Foil/ TP/Duct tape
A small cookpot and cup
Plastic Spoon
A mini first aid kit
Packet of chicken, tuna or beef.

My idea would be to give them emergency shelter, water treatment, food and comfort items for a couple of days. Nothing would be big, heavy, or get them ejected from a shelter. It should all fit in a small pack like a water bottle pouch. In fact, it could all be placed inside a Nalgene.
 
I made one for my wife only because she could care less about that kind of thing and leaves it up to me to keep her prepared
 
I already suggested to my friends that they get prepared.

When I get the patent response "If something happens, I'll just come to your house" I always give the same response "If you do, the only thing you will get is shot."

Not my responsibility to prepare for someone who didn't do it themselves when they were warned and I offered to help.

Carl-
 
Great discussion!! :thumbup:
I'm always racking my brain for cool gifts for my brother for Christmas. I can start with a small bag and a few goodies, and add to it over time. It will also get him thinking for himself in the right direction!! Thanks..........

Regards,
Ranger325
RP#544
 
I guess it is a generational difference for the most part. "I...me...my...mine" is not how I was taught to think. Of course my mentors were from an even earlier generation. Granpa survived the Great Depression after the Flood Of '27 wiped him out. Dad survived WWII from Overloard thru Tokyo Bay, and "Uncle "D.L. was a survivor of Bataan. Sometimes we help ourselves best by helping others. Or at least that is what I was taught last century.
 
i have a second bob set up , i rotate my older gear back... if some one is in need or i forget it then theres a back up.... and i have a second kit i can change around and special purpose when i have to.
 
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