I try real hard to never sleep on the ground. I use a hammock whenever possible. I do need to use "spreader sticks", and you need to know to sleep in it somewhat diagonally. I do use sleeping pills, but I need those for sleeping in a bed, too. It's a genetic thing, my brothers can't sleep, either. If you use a ridgeline above your hammock,and wrap your poncho around both, that's all you need. If it's really cold, the poncho has to touch the ground, you have to build up debris around the edges of the cover, and you have to heat rocks and bury them under the hammock, as well as heat water and put the bottles inside of your sleeping bag with you. You simply must have the right clothing, cause you gotta leave that shelter and go get food, water, firewood, etc. What keeps you warm and dry while you do those things, eh?
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Which item for a minimal BOB
- Thread starter Tixx
- Start date
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Has snaps all around, optional hoodie pocket for the front, can add a snap in liner. It is really cool and Perry is great to work with! Highly recommended!
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I use to have a BOB, but decided...where in the heck am I going to go? Its best to shelter in place unless it is more dangerous to do so than becoming a refugee.
Survival gear is only as good as the person carrying it. You need to have a solid skill set, mind set, and physical conditioning. The more time you spend outdoors the less crap you need to carry.
A comprehensive 3-day kit for a relatively fit (physically and mentally) person who has some experience (hiking, camping, firemarking, snaring setting, water purifying, fishing, etc etc) is:
Shelter: USGI Poncho, GoreTex Bivy, Sleeping Bag, 550 Cordage, Ground Cover (can be as light as a space blanket - remember one layer below is better than two above)
Water: USGI Stainless Canteen Cup, Katadyn Filter (Hiker or Pocket), Bandana (to strain debris), (2) 32oz Nalgene
Fire: Bic Lighter, Petrol Tinder Bottle (emergency use only - fill a 35mm film canister with cotton balls soaked in petroljelly), Fire Steel
First Aid: Moleskin, CAT, QuikClot Sponge, H&H Compressed Gauze, Tweezers, Antiseptic, Antibiotic Ointment, Duct Tape, ACE, Adhesive Bandaids
Food: (3) 3600 Calorie Datrex or Equivalent, Salt, Small Fishing Kit (very heavy fishing line works well for snares too), Ruger 10/22 TD (add Tech Sights or a LOW MAGNIFICATION Leupold Scope like a 2-7x33mm VX2) with Ammunition and Cleaning Kit; Spork
Tools: 6-8" Fixed Blade; 3-4" Fixed Blade; Sharpening Stone
Navigation: LED Headlamp with Spare Batteries; Compass & AO Map; Whistle; Chem Light
Outside of "urban" areas with which I would include a HEALTHY compliment of ammunition for my FN SCAR I can't really think of many scenarios where a person couldn't survive in a suburban / rural area for AT LEAST 3 days with the above. Obviously serious injury limits your chances of survival anywhere / anytime. Desert survival is a completely different animal with which I have no experience.
Frankly, I think a person could get by on substantially less if the weather isn't arctic cold and/or constantly wet. A minimalist approach:
Shelter: USGI Poncho, 550 Cordage, Emergency Space Blanket
Water: USGI Stainless Canteen Cup, (1) 32oz Nalgene
Fire: Bic Lighter, Fire Steel
First Aid: CAT, QuikClot Sponge, H&H Compressed Gauze, Tweezers, Antiseptic, Duct Tape
Food: (1) 3600 Calorie Datrex or Equivalent, Basic Fishing Kit (6 hooks and 100ft of line), Ruger 10/22 with Ammunition
Tools: 6-8" Fixed Blade, Sharpening Stone
Navigation: LED Headlamp with Spare Batteries; Compass & AO Map
As long as you're dressed "weather appropriate" in wool or synthetics (NO COTTON) with plenty of layers you'd be fine with a little skill and ingenuity.
Survival gear is only as good as the person carrying it. You need to have a solid skill set, mind set, and physical conditioning. The more time you spend outdoors the less crap you need to carry.
A comprehensive 3-day kit for a relatively fit (physically and mentally) person who has some experience (hiking, camping, firemarking, snaring setting, water purifying, fishing, etc etc) is:
Shelter: USGI Poncho, GoreTex Bivy, Sleeping Bag, 550 Cordage, Ground Cover (can be as light as a space blanket - remember one layer below is better than two above)
Water: USGI Stainless Canteen Cup, Katadyn Filter (Hiker or Pocket), Bandana (to strain debris), (2) 32oz Nalgene
Fire: Bic Lighter, Petrol Tinder Bottle (emergency use only - fill a 35mm film canister with cotton balls soaked in petroljelly), Fire Steel
First Aid: Moleskin, CAT, QuikClot Sponge, H&H Compressed Gauze, Tweezers, Antiseptic, Antibiotic Ointment, Duct Tape, ACE, Adhesive Bandaids
Food: (3) 3600 Calorie Datrex or Equivalent, Salt, Small Fishing Kit (very heavy fishing line works well for snares too), Ruger 10/22 TD (add Tech Sights or a LOW MAGNIFICATION Leupold Scope like a 2-7x33mm VX2) with Ammunition and Cleaning Kit; Spork
Tools: 6-8" Fixed Blade; 3-4" Fixed Blade; Sharpening Stone
Navigation: LED Headlamp with Spare Batteries; Compass & AO Map; Whistle; Chem Light
Outside of "urban" areas with which I would include a HEALTHY compliment of ammunition for my FN SCAR I can't really think of many scenarios where a person couldn't survive in a suburban / rural area for AT LEAST 3 days with the above. Obviously serious injury limits your chances of survival anywhere / anytime. Desert survival is a completely different animal with which I have no experience.
Frankly, I think a person could get by on substantially less if the weather isn't arctic cold and/or constantly wet. A minimalist approach:
Shelter: USGI Poncho, 550 Cordage, Emergency Space Blanket
Water: USGI Stainless Canteen Cup, (1) 32oz Nalgene
Fire: Bic Lighter, Fire Steel
First Aid: CAT, QuikClot Sponge, H&H Compressed Gauze, Tweezers, Antiseptic, Duct Tape
Food: (1) 3600 Calorie Datrex or Equivalent, Basic Fishing Kit (6 hooks and 100ft of line), Ruger 10/22 with Ammunition
Tools: 6-8" Fixed Blade, Sharpening Stone
Navigation: LED Headlamp with Spare Batteries; Compass & AO Map
As long as you're dressed "weather appropriate" in wool or synthetics (NO COTTON) with plenty of layers you'd be fine with a little skill and ingenuity.
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
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- 1,516
If lost in the woods I would go with the bivy cover. However if I had a poncho or tarp would go with the Thermarest (closed cell) ground pad. So much goodness packed into 16 ounces.