How to start? The big question.

[karlsgunbunker]

We all know Rome wasn't built in a day, the same goes for your BOB,
and Disaster Preps.
A BOB is a Bug Out Bag also known as a 72 hour Kit, Get Home Bag (Car Kit).

I would suggest starting with your 72 hour kits.
This is a big and daunting task.
I can testify from personal experience, I've been gathering things for my families BOB's for 6+ years and I'm not finished.

I have stuff all over my garage and I desperately need to get organized. (stuff everything in the bags).

some people never finish their BOB, they keep switching out for better or lighter equipment.
Some guys have a hundred different flashlights and are still looking for the perfect one.

I'm disabled and on a short budget so I'm preping on the cheap.
I'm not planning on "the end of the world as we know it", but I am trying to be ready for the disasters that can happen when you least expect it.

Most of my Preps are not easily portable, food, water, etc are bulky.

A BOB is for when you absolutly, positively, have to leave your home.
chemical spill, tornado, wildfire, there must be a hundred.
A basic bob would have food, water, and a change of clothes.
You can start adding from there.

Some people think of a BOb as a long term survival pack and plan to live off the land. this requires a different mind set and training than I have. To me a BOB is a short term survival kit with a few long term items added Just In Case.

How to Start?
Put together the minimum food, water, supplies for your family for 3 days. (If you have small children this may be difficult but is even more necessary.)
Find Bags or BackPacks to hold these supplies.

I have a bag with shoulder strap for each family member.
6 - water boxes (like Juice boxes)
1 - 2 qt USGI Canteen & bleach for water purification.
2 - ER 3600 cal Ration bars (6 days of food total)
3 - MRE meals
1 - Mess kit & Alcohol stove, firestarter kit, matches, trioxane.
1 - change of clothes
1 - Poncho Military style
1 - Wool Blanket
1 - 6x8 tarp (a piece of Tyvec is lighter).
1 - Hygene Kit (Toothbrush, soap,etc)

That's just the basics also include a good knife & multitool.

That doesn't include guns and ammo.

I also have provisions for loading many of my preps in the truck in a hurry. all my MRE's are packed in large bags with handles for easy loading.

I don't plan to bug out on foot, so my preps are based on using a vehicle. Your plans may differ.

I hope this is coherient enough to help someone get started.

[abnk]

Sir, thank you for posting, but I disagree with your food emphasis for a 72hr pack. Without taking into consideration small children and people with special needs, three MREs, mess kit, and alcohol stove for each family member is wasted space and unnecessary weight.

[karlsgunbunker]

Originally Posted by abnk

Sir, thank you for posting, but I disagree with your food emphasis for a 72hr pack. Without taking into consideration small children and people with special needs, three MREs, mess kit, and alcohol stove for each family member is wasted space and unnecessary weight.

What you carry in your BOB is as personal as what car you drive or what gun you carry.
My boys are teenagers and I prefer some redundancy in case of separation.
I think having several ways to start a fire is a must and a way to boil water.
I have a family BOB with more food and even a portable toilet, shower, and privacy shelter, but that assumes I have the use of my truck.

I'd rather pack some extra food in case 72 hrs turns into more.

Feel free to chime in with your ideas, I started this thread to help others find a starting point. I didn't even cover First Aid and we both know how important that is.

I don't disagree with you, and I don't claim to be an expert, I just think it's a personal decision.

[pmpmstrb]

Ri22o and I compiled a list a few months ago of what we thought should go into a BOB. By no means am I saying we're experts, this is just what we came up with. The list was compiled from other lists we found on the web and things that we thought could go in. You don't need all the items in your bag, but it is a place to start and work from for people that aren't in the know like we were.

http://indyhpmedia.com/index.php?dir...outbagingo.xls

[indyninja]

can you post that as text on here.. I'm having trouble opening that link

[SouthernIndy]

you need microsoft excel to see the copy.

[pmpmstrb]

It looks a lot better in Excel. Like I said this is just a list that we compiled from other lists. It should help you to kind of get an idea of what you might want in your BOB.

Light
Candles
Led Flashlights
Extra Batteries
Glow Sticks
Knives
Folding
Fixed
Multitool
Sharpening Stone
Defense
Gun
Extra Ammo
Extra Magazines
Pepper Spray
Flexi-Cuffs
Fire
Lighter
Flint Stick
Matches
Tender
Cotton Balls in Vaseline
Trioxane Tabs
Clothes
Socks
Underwear
Undershirt
Pants
Shoes
Gloves
Hoody
Hat/Beanie
Poncho
Hygiene
Bar Soap
Deodorant
Shampoo
Hand Sanitizer
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Mouth Rinse
Toilet Paper
Baby Wipes
Feminine Products
Food/Water
1L Water Per Person Per Day
Water Filtration or Water Purification Tabs
Sealed Power Bars
2 Mre's Per Person Per Day or 2 Dehydrated Camp Food
Coffee Filters
Food Accessories
Small Stove
Mess Kit
Bowl
Plate
Cup
Utensils
First Aid Kit
Assorted Band-Aids
Turnicet
Tylenol
Ibuprofen
Immodium
Hydrogen Peroxide
Medical Tape
Neosporin
Saline
Glasses/Contacts
Prescription Medication
Bug Spray
Attention Getters
Whistle
Flare Gun
Fireworks/Noisemakers
Smoke Grenades
Identification (copies of)
Driver's License or State Issued ID
Social Security Card
Birth Certificate
Passport
Other Tools
Lock Picks
Small Shovel
Small Saw
Duct Tape
Cable Ties
4x8 Tarp
Paracord-100'
Compass
Maps of Local Area
Self Winding Radio
Garbage Bags
Binoculars
3x5 Fleece Blanket
Space Blanket
SAS Pocket Survival Guide

[abnk]

Originally Posted by karlsgunbunker

What you carry in your BOB is as personal as what car you drive or what gun you carry.
My boys are teenagers and I prefer some redundancy in case of separation.
I think having several ways to start a fire is a must and a way to boil water.
I have a family BOB with more food and even a portable toilet, shower, and privacy shelter, but that assumes I have the use of my truck.

I'd rather pack some extra food in case 72 hrs turns into more.

Feel free to chime in with your ideas, I started this thread to help others find a starting point. I didn't even cover First Aid and we both know how important that is.

I don't disagree with you, and I don't claim to be an expert, I just think it's a personal decision.

I'm glad you didn't my disagreement personal. You're right, what you pack is a personal preference, but the fundamental principles never change so we need to be objective and pack based on personal needs.

Based on geographical latitude, terrain, ecosystem, and season I would say that the fundamentals are either water and shelter or shelter and water. Remember the "rule of three's": one can live approximately three minutes without oxygen, three days without water, and three weeks without food. Food would always be almost the last thing in my mind. Here, in Indiana, season is probably the only factor which would dictate whether it is shelter or water that come first.

Secondly, people need to determine their needs and be realistic. Do they live in an urban or rural environment? How far is their work from their residence? What is in between? Are they most likely to need a bug-out bag or get-home bag (they're entirely different)? What destructive phenomenon is likely for this area, whether natural or human-caused (tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, civil unrest)? The kit or bag of a person in California will be completely different from that of one in New Orleans or Colorado.

Here's my case as an example, I live in an urban environment and my work is about ten miles from my residence. If something were to happen, I would most likely be able to drive home. If I could not drive, all I would need is a pair of running shoes and I would be home in no time. A get-home bag for me would be a burden. Regardless of the time of the year, I am not going to dehydrate nor freeze to death in the time that it takes me to cover ten miles, even if natural or man-made obstacles are thrown in the mix.

As far as a bug-out bag, if things ever get so bad that I'll have to leave the safety of my home, it's going to be much more than 72 hours so I'm going to pack heavy (from basics to kids toys) and definitely drive.

There is no cookie cutter asnwer for preparedness. Your mind is the most important thing that you need to prepare.

[karlsgunbunker]

Great list pmpmstrb! I hadn't thought of making an Excel file.
I need to do an inventory.

abnk,
You are right, shelter is higher on my list. I was just trying to start a dialog on where to start.
I have a bout 10 times the gear I listed, including Mylar emergency blankets in multiples.
I also believe in multiple redundancy.
For instance: Pepsi Can Stove, Swedish Trangia Stove, Canteen Cup Stove, I got all of the above at bargain basement prices and haven't decided which I would carry.
I also have plenty of Wool Blankets and tents for shelter.
But which is better for a family of 5? 2 - 3 man tents or 1 - 6 man tent?
Currently my plans are to Bug In or Bug Out using a vehicle, so weight is not a major consideration.

I think this should be a discussion with all Opinions and viewpoints welcome.
I always learn so much more from someone who disagrees with me.

[jeremy]

karlsgunbunker- great thread, thanks

abnk- Valid point, is this BOB an Oh Sh*t the powers out I'm staying home kit or is it an Oh Sh*t we need to run for the hills kinda BOB, or is this an Oh Sh*t I ain't got time but the basics BOB?

pmpmstrb- Great list very well thought out.

One thing that also should be considered in putting your BOB together is that you need to consolidate a part of it into an I dont have time to grab anything else bag. Ask anyone who spent time in the Infantry you can not carry on your back everything that is desired. Beans, Bulltes, and needed survival items are what needs to be in Ruck.