[Bearack]

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot and if so, please don't hesitate to move to the appropriate section.

I went through all my gear, again, and put together the most complete BoB that I've ever put together. I also put 3 others together (for my family) with similar components but not as much so this one. This one is the primary BoB and would allow us all to survive using just this one, if needed but lacks the additional food and clothing I added to the other kits.

I started with replacement clothing.

This contains a rugged pair of trousers, socks, insulated thermals and a thermal shirt. It also has a wool skull cap. Included is rain parka and pants

I added a gas mask because this is a BoB and you just don't know what you'll run into if your trying to exit the suburbs.

Because I'm not sure how long I need to be out, I included a small, but extremely effective mess kit.

I also added a mini lantern (brighter them most Colman lanterns) and one fuel tank along with a mini stove for cooking. Each BoB will have 1 fuel tank but mine will just have the stove and lantern.

Next follows a bunch of tools.

Mini shovel that also can be used as a pick axe.

Next is a bunch of tools starting with a Multi tool that has a axe and hammer and also works as pliers and wire cutters. The innards have the basic stuff like a serrated blade, flat tip and phillips head screw driver. Next is a thermo blanket, 2 fire starters, a spoon/knife/fork multi tool and a Cree 350 Lums A123 flash light (bright bugger that can run 72 hours straight so I've been told).

Next is knife that also contains emergency matches and fishing line and hooks. The handle head also has a compass but I have one that I use more often for navigation which I will show later. There is also a sharpening tool and a temp gauge.

Next is the previously referred compass and a bone saw.

Lastly which I consider tools is a wind up radio/flash light and a can opener multi tool that also has a cork screw.

For first aid, I bought a little pack that had standard items (first image) which I them completed myself (second image) with Ibuprofen, aspirin, finger splint, more larger bandages, disinfectant ointment, throat medicine and extra AA batteries. I made sure to have sun screen wipes and DEET wipes (last image).

Each bag will have 2 dinners with seasoning, toilet paper, instant coffee, sugar, creamer and Kleenex.

Can't forget twin

On the exterior of the pack, both my wife and myself will have 2 man tents and one mat each. The kids will share if we need to go that route. We'll both have one sleeping bag. I figure we can put them together to get us all if needed but I also don't want to over bear the kids packs.

Both my wife and my pack will have a Machete and a sling shot (I'll more then likely have a weapon or 2 but a sling shot could sustain us with food for a very long time).

Each pack will have a filtered water bottle so we can filter stream water as needed in case we do not have the time nor luxury of boiling water.

And lastly, it all fits into here which is about 65 pounds (wife's about 55 pounds). Kids packs are about 25 pounds at most.

Please give me your thoughts and where I might be able to improve or if maybe what is over kill and thanks in advance.

 

[Bearack]

Missed the stove due to space issues on each post.

 

[Kipper]

Whats sort of area are you planning to use this is?

you probably wont need a machete AND a tomahawk. Jungle take the machete, other areas... some may say take tomahawk, i would still pack the machete though.

Those hollow handled knives arent known for their durability. You may wish to replace it at some stage with something like a Ka-Bar.

In the mean time, you probably want another, but smaller, knife. You can pick up a Mora Clipper for under $10 (or you used to be able to, they seem to be around $20 now) thats a good size.

Smaller knife is better/easier/safer for 99% of jobs than a big knife.

 

[Cogburn]

How many squirrels have you bagged with the slingshot? (not easy!)

Have you considered snares for small game? (set the trap line and go to bed)

I don't know where you live, but these might be worth considering.

R/
Cogburn

 

[stevil]

in each pack i would put a can of sterno and sos coast guard ration bars the give a week supply of food and dont weigh much get a cross bow there good for small game and every one needs a head lamp

 

[haha49]

How many squirrels have you bagged with the slingshot? (not easy!)

Have you considered snares for small game? (set the trap line and go to bed)

I don't know where you live, but these might be worth considering.

R/
Cogburn

also hooks and fishing line works well on birds as well as fish.. set them then just wait.. I dont see anything to insulate you off the ground some cheapo blue foam would work well you lose most of your heat through the ground.. Add a cheap tarp and put them over the tents it helps to keep you dry and gives you an area to work under if the weather is bad..

the real question is can you carry that type of load.. if your wife is only 55lbs that pack is way to heavy..

add some needles and thread and saftey pins nothing worse then a pack strap breaking while your out zip ties help allot..

 

[dtcepl]

U may be carrying too much weight!

I would suggest that u pack your BOB in modular form. A primary BOB which hold most of the survival gear and minimum food and water. A secondary BOB which holds more food, tent, clothings, water filters, gas stove and gas etc.

The primary BOB can supply enough for 24 hours (food and water) and most of your survival gear to get to the secondary BOB and balanced of the stored supplies. I also store my Body Armour, Kelvar Helmet etc. together with my secondary BOB.

I suggest increasing your first aid pack to include hemostatic agent, pressure dressing, medical charcoal pills, warmer heating pads (for cold weather), burn dressing, wound irrigation fluid etc.

I also suggest u carry some form of signalling gear e.g whistle, mirror, flares, lifesmoke, Satphone, SPOT, Beacon etc.

Maybe a swiss army tool/knife.

Lastly, do consider carrying a set of mini rapelling gear, 6mm rapelling rope (use only in emergency, good for 600kg) x 30m length - very small pack, a Figure 8, 2 carabiners, a harness or improvished harness, a Ascender, a pair of glove.

For your consideration, Cheers!

 

[Bearack]

Whats sort of area are you planning to use this is?

you probably wont need a machete AND a tomahawk. Jungle take the machete, other areas... some may say take tomahawk, i would still pack the machete though.

Those hollow handled knives arent known for their durability. You may wish to replace it at some stage with something like a Ka-Bar.

In the mean time, you probably want another, but smaller, knife. You can pick up a Mora Clipper for under $10 (or you used to be able to, they seem to be around $20 now) thats a good size.

Smaller knife is better/easier/safer for 99% of jobs than a big knife.

Thanks for the response and suggestions. The machete would mainly be used for shelter building if and or when I were make it to the foothills or at least out of the city. It would also be used as a deturent against raiders if I were unable to bring my firearm.

Regarding the knife, I'll surely replace that with a more compact and durable one. I've got plenty

 

[Bearack]

How many squirrels have you bagged with the slingshot? (not easy!)

Have you considered snares for small game? (set the trap line and go to bed)

I don't know where you live, but these might be worth considering.

R/
Cogburn

Before I had my 4/10 over under I used to hunt squrells in Oklahoma with a sling shot. Was fairly accurate. I'd say I hit dead on maybe 60% of the time. Faily good ratio considering the distance I was at.

 

[Smudge]

Before I had my 4/10 over under I used to hunt squrells in Oklahoma with a sling shot. Was fairly accurate. I'd say I hit dead on maybe 60% of the time. Faily good ratio considering the distance I was at.

I'd have to agree on the snares, also a few rat traps nailed/attached to the side of a tree will bag you squirrel (they weigh next to nothing).

Huntings fun and should be practiced as and when, but trapping's smarter imho.

 

[BigDudeGeorge]

Where did you get that "knife with the emergency hatchet"?

 

[MikeK]

I'd consider trying to reduce the weight. Get out and actually spend some time carrying and living out of the bag. That's the best way to learn which items you aren't going to need, and which items you wish you had brought.

You might increase your water carrying capacity. This is one reason a lighter bag would be helpful. You'll be going through more of it than you might think, and not being able to carry enough means you are forced to travel near a stream.

Possibly more food too, unless you're in an area where you know for a fact that you can harvest enough wild food to keep the family fed. Knowing for a fact means actually having done it, in different seasons, rather than assuming you can because food is available.

 

[MarksInnerDemon]

I am gonna suggest adding a metal canteen cup, metal nalgene style bottle, or the nalgene style canteen cup. Your filter.... is ok, but boiling works faster, and its hard to boil in plastic.

Also the hammer axe thing, probably not so useful. Take it out and try it. I also suggest instead of the shovel you have upgrade to a spetsnaz shovel. This will give you a near axe chopper, works better then most machetes in my experience, and will replace the little axe. Cold Steel sells them for a decent price. Because they aren't a folder they are a little bigger then you may want but they work well and seem to be a better choice then the 3 components you have that it could work as.

 

[chickenfriedchicken]

At least carry a pistol for security if not carry something bigger. This stuff wont be of any use if you cant defend it

 

[riorust]

I would try that hammer / hatchet / plier /knife thing out before relying on it, I played with one in a Big Lots store and broke it in the store, the machete and knife should handle and cutting that hatchet is intended for. As another poster mentioned a good (Guyot or Kleen Canteen) 32 oz water bottle will allow you to boil water easily while being harder to break. I would suggest some water purification tablets and maybe some coffee filters as a pre-filter (let them work while sleep or are moving) .

Mainstay bars ! yes!, Maybe a better compass and some decent maps.

It looks like you have a really good start that can be refined as time and finances allow.

Never mind, it looks like you have the compass covered if that one was what it looks like, still need maps and snare wire, or traps.

 

[toolman]

U may be carrying too much weight!

I would suggest that u pack your BOB in modular form. A primary BOB which hold most of the survival gear and minimum food and water. A secondary BOB which holds more food, tent, clothings, water filters, gas stove and gas etc.

The primary BOB can supply enough for 24 hours (food and water) and most of your survival gear to get to the secondary BOB and balanced of the stored supplies. I also store my Body Armour, Kelvar Helmet etc. together with my secondary BOB.

I suggest increasing your first aid pack to include hemostatic agent, pressure dressing, medical charcoal pills, warmer heating pads (for cold weather), burn dressing, wound irrigation fluid etc.

I also suggest u carry some form of signalling gear e.g whistle, mirror, flares, lifesmoke, Satphone, SPOT, Beacon etc.

Maybe a swiss army tool/knife.

Lastly, do consider carrying a set of mini rapelling gear, 6mm rapelling rope (use only in emergency, good for 600kg) x 30m length - very small pack, a Figure 8, 2 carabiners, a harness or improvished harness, a Ascender, a pair of glove.

For your consideration, Cheers!

I like this thought but have set mine up in what I can carry on me, then a fannie pack, then a urban and a wilderness BOB. Nothing helps that you do not have.

 

[medicineball]

Good start - Lee at bugoutbagquest.blogspot.com specifically addresses several of the items you've listed, and suggested better alternatives. Take a look - it's my BOB bible.

 

[survivalist101]

Id recommend a better knife, but thats all.
Pretty good though.

 

[Ellen]

The best BoB is one that you can pack.

I would go out with your wife and pack your BoB's a few miles. Seriously, I am nearly 6' tall female weighing about 180. I don't know how far I would get with a pack that size. It would be a bummer to decide that you have to leave many valuable items behind because your pack gets too heavy.

Here is a chart for kids backpack weight recommendations.

 

[iflylowrn]

Looks good. Makes me want to go through mine and see if there is anything I can't live without.