[youngapprentice]

Hi,

I registered to this forum because after viewing many videos and reading WEB pages I still have what I consider to be (at least for me and for the moment) the most important question. We are 3 in our family (dad, mother and a young son). The question is "Should I prepare 1 bug out bag for the whole family or 1 for each family member?".

If I go with 1 BOB, I suspect this BOB will be pretty big but at least it should be affordable. Although my wife and my son should still have few items of their own. Like fire kit, first aids kit, canteen/water bottle, knife.

If I go with 3 BOBs this will provide good redundancy (One is none, two is one!!!) for few items but it will be more expensive. Like 3 flashlights, 3 multi-tools, 3 compasses, etc.

For 3 BOBs, I suspect I should choose 1 minimal BOB for my son. Both my wife and I should have 1 good size BOB. There's also the possibility for this option that the 2 good size BOBs to not exactly contain ALL the same items (this might give us more options, like 1 small radio in one of the bag).

It's hard to make up my mind. So I would like to know what some of you did.

Thanks in advance

 

[Oldvernie]

IMHO,
every person should his/her own 3 day kit.
Just in case you get separated...

As for duplicity, a kid's flashlight just needs to be "good enough."
A knife needs to be good, but not $150 good.
The kid's bag should have "kid stuff" in it to prevent boredom and kid snacks to prevent starvation,
but I think Mom & Dad should be the mules for the tent & cook kit.

That's not to say that the child can't have their own emergency shelter,
but it should be simple and lightweight, a tube tent for example.
And make sure the young'uns know how to use what they've got.
YMMV

 

[WILL]

I don't understand how one person could carry 3 sleeping bags, three sleeping pads, enough water and food for three people, three flashlights, three mess kits, three sets of rain gear, three people's worth of clothing, a three man tent, ect. Unless we're talking about a baby or toddler, everyone is going to have to pack some weight. Adults need to carry their own load out.

 

[youngapprentice]

Thanks a lot

That's what seems to be the most reasonable thing to do. I was a bit reluctant because of the money but having someone replying to my post helps a lot. Looks like it will take more time to prepare because my budget is limited.

I really appreciate your time for answering my question.

 

[SBK]

Generally each person should have their own, depending on age and ability. Obviously, a fire kit and compass is pointless if the person carrying it doesn't know how to navigate with a compass or start a fire. Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that it's far more important to be in good shape and knowledgeable than it is to have a bunch of crap in a pack that you've never used. There are tons of so called "preppers" out there who have a "bug out bag" or "get home bag" or whatever other cute acronym bag, who have never hiked further than from their door to the truck with it or used any of the tools in it. Don't be one of those. Take whatever you end up with out and try it. Hike 5-10 miles with it over rough terrain and see how you like it. Find out if there's something you should change now, not when you really need to depend on it.

 

[SBK]

I was a bit reluctant because of the money but having someone replying to my post helps a lot.

Have you done any hiking with a pack? This leads me to believe that perhaps you haven't.

 

[Offrink]

I am a single father of two. I keep two packs. One for me and one for the kids. I know i won't be hiking into the woods with a 2 year old. I just have stuff staged and ready to throw into a car at a moments notice (on top of what I already keep in the cars). For me its if I have to evacuate in an emergency (fire, chemical, ect.) Otherwise I'm staying put for good.

 

[TachMed]

For money concerns you do not have to get every single item all at one time. spread things out. Pick up a few things each month, they do add up quick. But don't procrastinate and keep putting things off till later on this. Start slow but keep steady.
One pack for each otherwise you will be trying to carry enough for three people and you can't.

 

[Herd Sniper]

You probably want a couple of bags to spread the load a little bit and a mini-BOB for the kid to have so be can fee a part of the program. Everybody should have a survival tin with stuff to start fires and use for emergencies. But with more bags, you have the ability to carry a little more survival gear or emergency gear. It may not seem like much but every little bit can help later on down the trail.

 

[swamppapa]

How old is your son and what are all of your skill levels ? Remember knowledge weighs nothing.
So....the less skilled , the heavier the bag.

 

[lexicon5]

One for each. Unless you're all tied together 24x7, it'll be impossible for everybody to gather at a single location in order to BO at the same time. Plus a single equipped with enough for everybody in one bag could make it a drag for one person to carry...
Make everyone responsible for their own load unless physically incapable....

 

[Oldvernie]

I think if I were younger and had a younger family that I'd be all over a jogging model stroller.
I'd try to minimize the backpack weight for the younger humans, myself as well, and go for the attack stroller look.
Really, having an all terrain stroller is not a bad idea for old fat guys as well.
As you get farther along the trail, if you don't die, you'll be in better shape and you'll have less to pack because you'll have used up a bit, and the stroller is good trading stock.

 

[catlady12]

Everybody has their own, even small kids. They can't carry everything, but have the ability to carry some things.

 

[boomerweps]

One each. But not all the same gear. You, an extensive First Aid Kit, your wife a personal FAK, your child a boo boo FAK. Everyone has water and food, just you and your wife carry the stuff that needs cooking, the child quick snacks.
I am partial to the SOS bivy bags, fairly inexpensive, super small and light.
Basically, your child would be proud to have his own kit and should be trained to use what he carries.
I really have no Bug Out plan. I'm planning on bugging in and so my focus is also on getting home. Kids are grown and on their own. I keep a decent GHB in my SUV with a lot of augmenting gear. My wife & I both have small GHBs in her vehicle that we use more for travel together.

 

[America's Patriot]

Everyone should have enough basics to survive on their own in case you are split up for one reason or another. This is why it's very important to educate even the young children on how to keep warm and what plants can/can't be eaten. A toddlers brain is a sponge. Make it an enjoyable learning experience and they will take that knowledge to their grave. I started mine at around 6 years old. Started with basic shelters and how to use ground cover as a "blanket" in order to keep warm. Also taught them the basics on what bugs can and can't be eaten. They of course won't eat it now, but if the time comes and they are hungry enough, they'll know how to scavenge for food. So many things you can teach a child and they are so resilient. People underestimate them...

 

[Jimboman]

I have one BOB form wify and me short term. 6+ bob's for long term. It really depends what the BO situation is.

 

[thataway]

I started my kids back packing when they were 4 and 5 years old. It was fun, but they learned a lot, by carrying a minimal load. Consider taking a back packing trip and see how everyone makes out. Sure BOB is a bit different than back packing--but the pack, being self sufficient and learning about nature is all the same.

I am with those who say each person should have basics. No reason a 5 or 6 year old cannot learn basic bushcraft. I was given the book "Wild Wood Wisdom" when I was 9 years old. I had already practiced some of the techniques in the book because of WW II, and we lived where a mountain was in our back yard. Never too young to learn! I can remember starting fires with a magnifying glass when I was in Kindergarten...I had already been taught not to start a wild fire!

 

[NCalHippie]

One main pack with tent, and the bulk of the survival gear, and individual packs for each party member with their own bivy bag, food, water, clothes and whatever else they want to carry.

Some redundancy is alright, but there is no need to go overboard. My 72 hr survival bag weighs under 9 pounds and has everything I need including a hammock, tarp for a tent, bivy bag, cordage, water filter system, food and more. The only thing not included is water, which I have separate in a military molle bag with canteen, cooking cup and fire base for the cup and my EDC which takes care of knife, fire starter (I do have a propane lighter in my bag also), FAK, multi-function flashlight and multi-tool.

 

[Writer's Block]

I personally believe everyone should have their own kit. This allows for a good distribution of weight, redundancy of equipment, covers issues of separation, and all the rest.

On the other hand, I also advocate having a separate family kit in a common area that can be broken out for small scale emergencies (power outage, winter storm, etc) and grabbed to supplement the BOBs if you all have to bug out.

That is the way I do it.

 

[Batty]

We are two parents, a teen and two young ones. Each parent has gear for themselves & one young one, teen has her own and young ones have age appropriate gear & comfort items.

As the little ones get older, I have increased their packs but the petite 5 year really can't carry much yet.