I have a day pack built out for a single day, but now I’m starting to gather materials for an extended length of time. Looking to build a bag for 3-4 days.
Some items I’ve gathered:
-Lifestraw
-Lighter & water proof matches & magnesium flint
-Glowsticks
-Ducktape
-Fishing tackle (couple of hooks, egg sinkers and some mono filament & some 40lb braid)
-Flashlight
-Hunting knife
Some items I’m considering:
-Sterno
-Hatchet
I guess you can say I’m hitting a road block in thought with this. Anything else you guys suggest?
I would also recommend throwing in a pistol with a few extra loaded mags in case you have to grab and go. I could list all the stuff in one of my bug out bags but its so dependant of so many variable that only you know. Whats your AO, whats your distance to resupply, what’s your bug out plan, who else is in your party ect…
My main thought process would be fast and lightweight and be based around the 10 C’s of survivability:
Dave Canterbury’s 10 C’s of Survivability
1. Cutting tool – the most difficult thing to reproduce in an outdoor situation
2. Combustion – you need something that will start a fire no matter if it is wet or dry
3. Cordage – para cord, rope, straps, etc
4. Container – something that you can carry, boil, and purify water in
5. Cargo – a pack that you can put your items into
6. Compass – some sort of item that you can determine accurate coordinates for
7. Cover – you need to have some sort of shelter to protect you from the elements
8. Candle or light – 100% bees was candle or a flashlight
9. Combination tool – which is actually more of a comfort item SAK, multi tool or saw
10. Cloth or bandana – used for filtering water etc
-ESEE 4 knife and sheath
-M&P 9 FS w/4 extra loaded 17 rounders
-life straw
-10’X10’ UV protective tarp
-150’ 550 para cord
-magnesium fire starter stick
-72 hours of energy meal replacement bars
-sure fire light
-hand chain saw
-multi tool
-4 glow sticks
-small first aid kit with additional pain killers, antibiotics, bandages and gauze
-Chapstick
-tampons
-duct tape
-compass
-extra pair socks, pants, shirt and underwear
-6 oz bottle potassium permanganate
-mess kit
-1 sterno
-deck of playing cards
-region specific survival book
-region specific edible plant and remedy plant book
-flask of whiskey
-small bottle Hand sanitizing gel
-package of wet wipes
-2 rolls toilet paper
-back up batteries
-hand crank flashlight
-solar powered weather radio and AM/FM radio
-40oz stainless steel kleen canteen
-1 bottle juice plus vitamins
-fishing kit
-2 solar blankets
I have a few other items that I cannot recall at the moment.
I also have a smaller version of this bag in every car our family has. Truck survival bags make good Christmas gifts.
My suggestion is to make sure to have multiple fire and water purification equipment. In my bag I have for fire
Stormproof matches in a watertight tube with an extra flint
Bic lighter
And magnesium bar
For water I have
Sawyer filter with pouch
Lifestraw
Water purification tablets
And coffee filters incase of heavy sediment
At first inspection, this seems like a lot! Though, its all completely reasonable. What bag are you using? Can you get all of this into a backpack? Perhaps not the change of clothes…
If I may add headlamp in addition to or in place of a flashlight. Most tasks are easier to accomplish when one hand isn’t holding a flashlight. Petzl and black diamond have plenty of good options, and most will have a red light setting.
For my personal bag I use a Camelback Maxpedition with a large Fanny pack (I forget the name) style bag attached to the molle on the outsidde of the max. I can fit everything I listed into these 2 bags and separate them if necessary; it is bulky and tight fitting and I have to play Tetris to get it all in but it works. The change of clothes is placed into a vacuum seal bag and compressed/sealed to help kill dead space. I do this with many of the items in the bag to help save space and keep air/water tight.
For my truck bags I found some medium sized tool bags on sale at Ace Hardware- I can fit about 1/3-1/2 of the stuff in my list in this bag. They make great Christmas presents for family and friends who would appreciate them.
My wifes set up is a different bag with the 90% same items and some different ones specifically for her, I forget exactly what type, an older medium-smallish backpacking bag we got at REI years ago that got replaced with a larger bag a few years ago for backpacking needs.
Additional items I have in my bag (I checked this morning):
-Headlamp
-Small Dental emergency kit
-(2) bic lighters
-(2) small beeswax candles
-Flask everclear
-poncho
-Large 55 gallon Black Trash bag
-(5) Coffee filters
-3 days of Emergency dog food
-Eye lubricating drops
-Floss
As to the weight, I didn’t have time to check after repacking it this morning, I’ll try and weigh it this weekend and post it up. I would guess its around 35-45-ish pounds.
I’d like to get a small .22 LR rifle- the kind that can stow away in the stock of the rifle- Henry survival rifle I think and throw those in as well; just haven’t gotten around to it. Anyone have experience with those rifles- are they worth it? Are they crap?
My wife is always having use go vist her college friend that lives two hours away. I always bring a backpack with one form or another of the items listed here. I do not bring a rifle as uh think they are heavy and draw attention. I just makes sure to have my g17 with several loaded mags and a good OWB holster.
The sawyer mini is great and you can mix and match several of there products to make a more complete filter system.
Lots of high carb food! Find something that Will cook/boil for you.
A good headlamp is something that I lack and wish I had!
If there’s a need severe enough to bug out, where are you going that’s better?
If I lived in the city, I’d want to bug out too if riots broke out, or a dirty bomb is possibly going to go off, or fill in some other horrible scenario situation, but for me, I live in the country and don’t see any benefit in leaving to go to where and do what and compete with everyone else who bugged out…?
If many others are bugging out, won’t they be in each others way and all want the same resources?
Perhaps, it’s been mentioned, but if I was going to bug out, I’d stock up on cases of booze and cigarettes as bartering material.
A bottle of booze/cigarettes might save your life if you can trade them for food and water…
Those extra NRA or cable cards that come in the mail can be easily wrapped with a few meters of gorrilla tape to carry around. I have them stashed in vehicles, camping packs, FAKs, etc.
People who live in rural areas might have to get the hell out of Dodge in the event of a wildfire, flood, EF-0 through EF-5 tornado, down wind of a hazardous waste train derailment, etc.
If you take any medications you should be sure to have some packed away with your emergency kit. You never know if or when you’ll have a chance to do so once a disaster strikes.
Look at the area you live in and analyze the most likely events that would cause you to utilize your bag(s). Think about possible challenges created by the event(s) itself, weather/environmental challenges, people challenges, known challenges you already may have (physical?), etc… Then assemble the contents of your bag to address them. Be sure to consider, in advance, where you might go, how you would get there and have multiple routes to do so… This approach helps you keep your pack manageable in size/weight, and minimizes items that aren’t necessary. Once you have it assembled, go carry it and ensure you vet the equipment you put in it. IMHO, be ready for your BOB to never be finalized/complete.