group b.o.b. considerations

J

j_d

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Jan 14, 2006
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Greetings. The topic of bug out or go bags gets beat to death but I have some different considerations that I would appreciate any ideas or feedback on. First, baring something horrific that would absolutely require fleeing my plan is to shelter my family in place for all the usual reasons. However when we travel and just to be prepared I still have a bag(s) set up. My issue is thus: Most of the advice, posts, lists and pics I have gleaned while very helpful and comprehensive seem basically set up for a single person bugging out. Group or family considerations don't seem to come up much, or if they do it is as a group of single people. When it comes to my wife and four kids I am going to be the mule and its not really practical for the little people to each carry one of everything the family would need. My plan is that all but my youngest son will at minimum carry a bivy, sleeping bag along with a light weight minimal kit with a knife, lighter, fire starter, whistle, headlamp, water bottle, etc. My pack contains the heavier items like the water purifier, stainless coffee pot for heating water, tarp (group shelter/wind break), tools, weapon(s), etc. I end up feeling like I am packing for a Boundry Waters canoe trip. It gets heavy. It would be much easier to just carry the stuff I need but I need to plan for the group. Any ideas about group bug out gear priorities would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Josh
 
if your little guy is young, is it still practical for you to transport a jogging stroller?.... a double wide (twins) stroller would solve part of your problem for you... the rolling platform would greatly increase the load you could carry, and give the adults a break from carrying the young one....I've been in the competition shooting sports for over 30 years, and have used a variety of carts for 3 gun.... the jogging strollers are effortless compared to others I've used...included a pic of my cart for illustrations of modular attachment points....

 
I think to, you need to be realistic about the limitations of your family. Sure, there will always be the threat of the “worse-case” scenario, but you can’t always dedicated resources and planning solely for the worse-case…my recommendation is to start with the most probable.

If all but your youngest are pretty self-sufficient, I would continue to pursue the hobby of backpacking as a family. My 14-year old son could live independently out of his backpack for a week. For us, that is the worse-case scenario…the loss of the house (flood, fire, hurricane/tornado, etc.) where we just grab our backpacking gear and beat feat. We may end up staying in a hotel, but we have the essentials to be comfortable and recover as needed.

The more robust option are the few totes used for more “comfortable” camping that contains larger shelters, cooking gear and food. Of course, these are for vehicle-based bug out plans.

Again, be realistic. Start camping and work towards backpacking; work toward your kids having their own kit, knowledge to use it and capability to carry it.

ROCK6
 
I imagine you can not rely on the kids to be packed and ready to go at the drop of a hat. Even if they have their own kits stuff will be misplaced or used for other things and not there when you need it. I don't have kids but I imagine if I did it would be thinking covered wagon instead of cowboy on a horse. With kids in tow you are just not going to get the kind of mobility you will as a single adult. On the flip side you have more community to fall back on.

With 4 kids you are not realistically going to be able to haul all the gear you need on your back. You will need wheels of some sort. The optimal solution would probably be an enclosed trailer set up in a ready to go configuration, with everything in the trailer set up in a way so you do not need to fully load and unload it to get at the important stuff. Keep your vehicle well maintained and when the time comes you hopefully you just hook up the trailer and go.

The logistics are a problem but as long as you have a plan and work the plan things should turn out ok. Where are you going, how are you getting there, do you have all the personal information you need to take with you and enough money to survive in the interim, how will you collect the flock if you are spread out geographically when the balloon goes up.
 
For pre-age 8 or so, I would think in terms of a daypack with possible lash points. I'd have basically a knife, water bottle, disposable poncho, fire starter, small flashlight, tiny first aid kit, some paracord, hat, jacket/sweatshirt, and room for the 3DS (in a zip lock). Pretty much what I would have them carry on a long day hike if I encouraged them to carry any kind of pack.

With a family or group bug out, I would have certain basics in every pack and then spread around the bigger/bulkier items. But I think only in terms of a car bug out and that is a last resort. I'd use a van or several vehicles and litterally take big tarps, tents, cooking stove, pots and pans, coolers, large water containers.... bulky food items, you name it. But we're probably talking 6 or 8 very large plastic tubs with locking lids. That stuff can stay outside at night as necessary since it is rain resistant.
 
j_d

I like that each has their own kit with real items that are important.

Equipping younger, smaller people with "everything" can be expensive and heavy, more expensive if lighter.

The bivy for each is great. A small, light tarp with cord, stakes, Tyvek ground cloth, bug netting, and some lessons could be added.

An alcohol stove with fuel and a .7-.9L pot with lessons could be added.

First aid kit and lessons should be available to each individual.

A Sawyer Squeeze filter is pretty small, very light, and fairly simple.

Raingear is important for me.

Food.

Compass and a few instructions on where each general direction will take them before and during each trip.

Each carries their own TP.

Yes, it can get expensive very fast.

I don't know how young the youngest is, but I'd probably give him a "kit" that you could carry for him when he gets tired of it.

Just a few ideas.




I always consider the following:

Pack

Shelter - including hat, clothing, and sleeping gear

Food & drink - including food
preparation, water filter/purification, container(s)

First aid, medical, hygiene

Navigation, communication, illumination

Tools useful for utility, fun, and maybe self defense
 
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You might do better to get one big tent for the whole family.... Also be aware that getting junior sized sleeping bags (or anything for that matter) now will cost you in the long run.
 
Younger people look at the world differently than adults. They want to be like their parents and within their abilities should carry something that is important to themselves and the group. While you might carry the primary equipment, the kids should carry their own sleeping gear and possibly redundant equipment as well. That takes some load off of you. During practice trips, teach the kids how to use various pieces of gear and as they learn, reward them by letting them add it to their kit. They build pride and confidence that way.
 
If you plan on getting away in a car then just make sure you got all the basics in plastic boxes and ready to be picked up and thrown in the back of the car. A step down from there are bikes. You can carry 150lb on a full sized bike no problem. Even on the smaller BMX style bike a kid can easy carry 25lb each. Now add a cart to the back of the bike and you are set to travel cross country. Even if you have to put the little one in the rear cart. You could also maintain about 10mph travel speed. Next step down is you take the cart off the bike and start walking with most things in that cart. Having a family and little kids will not make it easy. But people in third world countrys do it all the time.
Use the Craigslist to find a used bike cart.
 
I end up feeling like I am packing for a Boundry Waters canoe trip. It gets heavy
Click to expand...

On a canoe trip, do you just bring 1 pack, or do you have a backpack with bare essentials, and then other bags with your extra food and shelter and other niceties?

I always use a smaller backpack loaded with important stuff (like water collection, first aid and basic shelter) that I absolutely couldn't do without, and everything else goes into duffel bags that I could reluctantly leave behind if I had to.
 
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