My First BOB what else do I need?

[numberthree]

Less is more. Take this BOB out for 4 or 5 hours over rough terrain and see how fast you're throwing things out of there. Your approach to using this stuff makes a difference too; if you're forced to rely on your BOB, use it like it's the last stuff you'll ever have, and you can stretch it out pretty far. Lose the Sharpmaker and just take one of each of the stones wrapped up in a bandanna or something to keep them from breaking. Lose the extra shoes and just wear good shoes as a matter of course; wet shoes can be dried or endured. Lose the extra lighter fluid; for a 3 day excursion, you won't be needing it, just be conservative with what you have in the lighter, or better yet just get a few mini bics and lose the refillable. A mini bic lasts me about 6 months of daily fire lighting and is small and light. You've already got 2 folding knives as EDCs, so put a sturdy fixed blade in place of the spyderco, or better yet a machete or small axe. Paracord is great, but you'll never use 200' and could use the space and weight. Take 50' and rest assured you'll still have more than you'll ever need for a 3 day BO. Add some sort of water purification setup, whether it be chemical or filter. They make some great water bottles with filter tops, which saves you space and weight. Swap one of the survival blankets for the survival bag, which is the same stuff and packs very nearly as small, but is in a sleeping bag form, allowing for more efficient heat retention. A metal cup is nice for being able to heat or boil water, cook food (a backup method of water purification) or just for comfortably sipping a beverage while you wait out whatever disaster has befallen you. Include a good hat to protect your head from the elements. My luxury item is always a good book of some sort, as it helps pass the time.

 

[RokJok]

Thanks for bringing this thread back up for a re-reading.

frank k says: "...a good hacksaw blade wrapped with duct tape to form a handle"
Since you are in an urban environment, Frank's prybar suggestion is on the mark for building evacuation scenarios. Instead of hacksaw blades, if you can find them for a couple bucks each there are bi-metal reciprocating saw blades that offer greater tooth durability and coarser teeth patterns for wood cutting/grooving than is offered by a hacksaw blade. But if hacksaw blades are what you've got or can find, use them. The brands of recip saw blades that I like are Lenox, but there are certainly other brands of bi-metals that will be good enough for manual use in a bail-out situation. Like the Allway saw that DJ_Wolf pointed out for us, Stanley also makes a folding saw handle that fits jigsaw & recip saw blades.

Quarterstaff says: "The GI [canteens] aren't bad espc if you combine it with the metal cup that packs into the canteen cover. Take a look at Brigade Quartermasters for them. Plastic utensils are good ... carry STAINLESS STEEL SPOON for soups."
For GI canteens & cups check gun/outdoor shows, flea markets, & garage/yard sales. I found extremely lightly used canteen/cup/cover combos for $7 total at a local gun show. I would expect garage sales to be even cheaper. For plastic utensils I recommend the Lexan ones from REI for less than $2 for the set of four (fork, spoon, knife, soup spoon), plus they sell replacements for individual items if you lose just one piece from the set. I've also seen them in local sporting goods stores. One steel/titanium spoon for stirring in a hot pot is a good idea.