Bug out bag...for women

[MedGrl]

Alright...I kow that the subject of BOBs has pritty much been beaten to death; but I did a search on them and I think this is a new angle to come at them from.

I am slowly getting a BOB put together that I can keep in the trunk of my car. And my question is for the other women here on THR. (Though if the guys have suggestions I'll gladly listen. )

What would you put in your BOB if it was only for you and was intended for between 24-72 hours.

 

[Dave R]

Same thing I would put in a backpack for an overnight campout, plus an extra 2 days of food.

Hmmm, that doesn't help if you're not an experienced backpacker, does it?

Going from memory, and in priority order, more or less...and remembering that the things that will kill you in the outdoors are 1. Hypothermia, 2. Dehydration 3. Starvation 4. Critters, and mostly human ones.

1. Backpack. One that fits you comfortably, and has enough space for a 3-day. If you need help, and if there's an REI near you, that's the place to get "fitted".

2. Sleeping bag. Rated for the worst temperature you are likely to encounter. A 0 degree bag should be good for most places. Lower if you're in cold country, higher if your in warm country.

3. A backpacker's tent. There's always a tradeoff between space and weight. And cost and weight. Make it big enough to fit you and your gear. A 2-person tent, probably. A cheap one will run 7-8lbs. A good one will run $200+ and weigh 5lbs or less.

4. Water storage container, and a backpackers water "pump" (filter.) That'll let you purify water from a mud puddle. (But the cleaner the water is when ytou start, the better it'll taste and the longer the filter will last.)

5. Emergency clothes. Something light and warm. Thermal long johns, fleece sweater, nylon shell (rain gear will double for this.) And something to wear on your head. Rain gear is essential. Spare sox.

6. Food. Freeze dried backpackers meals are fine. Ramn Noodles and Cuppa Noodles are also great things. Granola and Gorp or whatever tickles your fancy.

7. Toiletries.

8. First aid kit.

9. A light firearm.

I'm sure I forgot something, bot someone will chime in...

 

[english kanigit]

A compact?


Now that I'm done with my chauvanistic comment of the day...
To be honest pack light and stay with the basics.

 

[riverdog]

What do you expect to do with this BOB? Being in your car's trunk will this really be a Bug-Out-Bag or a 3 day emergency kit? Big difference in that a BOB is something you grab on the way to your car or out-the-door so that you don't need to take time packing. It's a complete stand-alone kit that you can carry.

A kit you keep in your car doesn't necessarily need to be carried, it can have much more in it. I keep a lot of stuff under the tonneau cover on my truck -- I use a Rubbermaid container -- call it a 7 day kit. From that, depending on the weather I can make a smaller kit tailored for current weather. A small Camelback Mule pack if I need to leave the truck can be used for a long walk home. You need a place to bug-out to.

 

[MedGrl]

My family lives near Washington DC and as such after 9-11 we came up with a bug out plan. Our safe house is my grandmothers and she has 9 acres on top of a mountain. I was planning to assemble the BOB to keep in my trunk incase I have to leave University and head for Grandmas. I have my backpacking pack that I don't get to use very often (read: not in the last 2 years) so I planned to use that as the bag itself. I have a sleeping bag and basic backpacking gear. I wanted to keep the BOB in my car so that I have it incase something goes wrong with my car (ie. it breaks down or I can't get gas from stations along the way) I have calculated the distance and rout I would take if I were requiered to walk and If I had to walk from my University to my grandmother's I could do it in 4 days or less.

The reason I would be keeping it in my car rather than in my residence is because as every single thread about BOB's has noted there will be a fire arm and ammo in it and I live in a dormitory...Guns are frowned uppon in the residence halls.

I was just wondering if, since there are different needs for men and women, what modifications to the copius suggested lists in the other threads you all could suggest.

 

[sm]

Syphon

Auto Parts store has these small, lightweight clear hosed syphons with sqeeze bulb.

Not only for syphoning gas, works well to syphon water , say from a well, rain bbl, or somesuch.

---

Emergency tire chains. The ones than run thru holes in wheels. I have used these in summer months / non winter time. If one gets /has to go off the beaten path...aids in traction and braking.

I have used mine while hunting/fishing , or farms rds after a heavy rain...in the summer on 2 wheel drive , rear wheel drive vehicles.

Been known to use the aforemention syphon to get water out of a creek for a radiator, busted hoses occur at the worst times, usually at the most remote places. We had a "universal" or "flex" hose (hoses that fit most anything) - just needed water.

HTH

Steve

 

[ctdonath]

Being about to make one for my wife, I'm interested.

My approach to BOBs is preping it as a 3-day lightweight backpacking sack. 1-person tent (the 2-person tent is in the car), lightweight sleeping bag, space blanket, change of clothes, MREs, water filtration, firestarters, poncho, etc. - but keep it SIMPLE. Any notable feminine must-haves beyond pads, suitable clothes, and ...?

The key to a good BOB is use. Go camping on short notice, see what you actually use - and wish you had.

 

[MedGrl]

The key to a good BOB is use. Go camping on short notice, see what you actually use - and wish you had.

now that is a good diea...I will most definetly give that a try after i have it assembled for the most part.

 

[borrowedtime69]

Medgrl, i have some specific items for women...

Some things i would suggest specifically for women would include:

- Iron Suplements to keep up your strength and energy incase you are having your period. a SHTF situation is not the best time to run low on energy.

- I would suggest a Travel Mate Urinary device for women, it allows a woman to urinate without removing clothing or sitting down. See link here:
http://www.travelmateinfo.com/page002.html
It will make it safer to take care of business when you need to without taking off your pack and gear, etc. Along with the device pack with it some alcohol sterilization packs like they use to clean injection sites. that will allow you to keep the device clean to avoid infection. sorry that this suggestion was a bit over the top, but it could mean the difference of a few seconds in an emergency.

- a reliable handgun that you can fire well and accuratly and extra ammo and mags. i hate to say it, but women have more reason to protect themselves if the law isnt around.

- a decent pair of small sized binoculars so you can glass the surrounding areas so no-one can surprise you.

- Hair scrunchies to keep long hair out of your face when working or in windy weather to give you the best vision around you.

- For hygiene out in the feild, you can find 1. a shampoo cap that lets you wash your hair without water & 2. a bath in a pouch. both items can be found at Brigade Quartermaster. http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/index.tam

- Red chemical light sticks for low level emergency lighting. red light lets you keep your life saving night vision intact while giving you enough light to do tasks at camp.

Best of luck! -Eric

 

[hso]

Other than the reproductive issues what would you consider the differences between men and women in such a situation?

 

[Kaylee]

well... there is the um.... chocolate issue.

(Seriously -- the little luxuries of life make a world of difference in the backwoods. Though I've not been in serious-bad-need-a-BOB type situation, I imagine it ain't much different)

 

[borrowedtime69]

addressing the diffences of men and women

hso Other than the reproductive issues what would you consider the differences between men and women in such a situation?

Well, women have some advantages and some disadvantages...

Advantages:
-Women see shapes and subtle shades of colors better than men which can help them hunt and can make them more aware of approaching danger.

- women, on average, have more reserves to call upon for long term endurance of long term hardships. Women have, on the average 10 percentage points more body fat than an average man that will supply them with needed energy as needed.

Disadvantages:
- Women are smaller on average, lighter, less lung capacity, smaller heart to pump blood, and have their reproductive system concerns to deal with.

The above disadvantages can be over come with "Force Multipliers". in effect, a techneique or device that helps someone over come a deficiency or a weakness. An example of this can be seen where a smaller person can lift a great load using a block and tackle where a stronger person could lift it without assistance.

A force multiplier for a woman can include having a bug out buddy, either male or female that is well prepared to share the load and tasks with; having a shotgun to increase your firepower rather than having just a handgun; having a cache of supplys hidden in an area you can bug out to so you dont have to carry as much on your back; or using a small, fold up bicycle to allow you to cover more distance faster, using less energy than walking.

 

[CalamityJane]

Hey MedGrl,

I put a BOB together a few months ago; it was harder than I thought it would be. I kept adding things to it (trying to plan for EVERY situation that I MIGHT face,) and the bag was too heavy in the end. So I just focused on what I decided would be ESSENTIAL. Water, fire, warmth, food, protection. Without listing every item my bag has water purifier stuff, jerky and gorp, a Swiss Army tool, a small hatchet, a 6-inch non-folding knife, some cash, a sheet of plastic large enough to shelter under, fire starting stuff, flashlights. For the flashlights I just put several of those really little ones that fit on keychains that last for years, also one headlamp. I had a bigger nicer one packed but took it out for space and weight.

There's also basic first aid stuff. Actually, as I write this I realize that there is nothing in my bag that is gender specific. I didn't even think of that at the time. I can't think of anything at the moment that I would need/not need that would be different from a man.

Now that I am a "gun person" I do plan on adding some ammo. Now that will make it heavy again.

I keep mine in the car too, although it is not my "car emergency kit"; I have one of those too, and also keep several liters of water in my car. I keep my BOB in the car in case something happens and I am too far from home or can't return home.

Good luck.

 

[JamisJockey]

Just like a man's BOB, you just need to go light.
Food
water, or a way to get water fast (Ie, filter and some water containers)
sleeping arrangements
change of clothes, warm clothes, way to stay dry (milspec poncho would be a good choice, and doubles as an improvised shelter)
Basic essential tolietries (include femine hyg.)

• Food. You don't need much. 1 MRE a day is enough, supplement with snacks like granola bars. A complete MRE averages around 2500 calories, by the way.
• Water. Keep some in the bag, rotate yearly, and get a compact filter.
• Clothing. Really all you need is some dry socks, preferably some good hiking socks made from something other-than-cotton, some longjohns (Again, cotton kills), gloves, hat, headwear (balaclava or beanie).
• Sleep. A bag rated for the conditions you'll face, usually a 15* bag will cut it. A milspec poncho can be used as a poncho and as an improvised shelter. Get the liner, too.
• Tolietries. Duh. Brush your teeth, take some baby wipes to clean up, and any female neccessities.

From there, add to it as you see fit. Ways to make fire, ways to defend yourself, things that facilitate travel (like flashlights), tools (multitool, duct-tape) and so forth.

Also, if you've got some hiking boots, keep them with the kit. If not, go buy a pair (check clearance sales, etc), and get a pair. Break them in, then keep them with your kit.
Since you're going to go with a car kit, with the option of travelling on foot, you should have two kits. One grab-and-go with the essentials, and one with a little bit more that you can abandon in the car if need be.
If you can, have a firearm for defense. Remember, you might be walking for days with it, through checkpoints and with other refugees. Hide it in your vehicle if you feel comfortable doing so. If not, at least have a pepper spray, baton, and a large knife (Kbar, etc) in your kit.
You should also carry some vehicular essentials in your car. Jumper cables, empty 1 gallon gas can, oil, antifreeze, and fuses, hose, and duct-tape. Learn how to do some vehicle-repairs your self, or at least know where things like the oil and antifreeze go, as well as how to change a flat (vehiclular ignorance is not confined to women).
Cheers,

 

[griz]

I was looking at some preparedness sites after a local hurricane and stumbled upon this excellent information:

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/prepare/bug-out.html

I guess you could say it is written from a woman’s point of view, whatever that would mean, but what struck me was how she pared the load down to useful and required things instead of preparing for war. For instance she has cat food and extra socks, but nothing for defense. That may bother some people on this board, but many consider defensive items separate from emergency supplies. Anyway, I thought it was a good list even if I would have packed more water.

 

[Nitrogen]

One thing I see missing from lots of Bug Out Bags:
A small GPS device.
For instance, if you're caught in a hurricane, earthquake, or other disaster that levels streetsigns, the GPS device can help you do 2 things:
1) if you have coordinates for where you need to go, the device can help you find it if there are no street signs, or no illumination to see where you're going
2) if you manage to get communication to the outside world, you can give them your GPS coordinates, making it easier for them to find you if your'e in a remote area, or in an area with no signs or illuminations.

 

[riverdog]

There's nothing that says a BOB can't be part of a car emergency kit. In fact I would recommend it. When we're home our car is in the garage or maybe on the street out front. When we go to work or to the store our car is in the parking lot. A trunk is an excellent place to store stuff as long as that stuff can take the heat and/or cold. If you do decide to store a firearm with your BOB, get something secure to store it in. Cars are broken into and stolen every day.

I keep a small GPS in my EDC backpack along with fresh batteries. For getting found, a cell phone and GPS are great if you can find cell coverage. That said, my cell phone is GPS enabled.

Garmin GPS units such as my GPS V and Geko 301 can use lithium batteries. Longer usage life and much longer shelf life, both good things for a BOB.

 

[JamisJockey]

A GPS is expensive and impractical to stick in a BOB. If you have one, keep it on your checklist of "grab and go" items. Instead, a map, compass, and knoweldege of how to use both should be kept in your bag.

 

[riverdog]

I keep spare lithium batteries in the kit. The flashlights and GPS (and more batteries) come from my EDC backpack.

 

[hso]

I thank MedGrl for brining this up.

My wife looked at the thread and she said that the menstrual sanitary needs, nutritional supplements and urination aids all sound like the only essential additional needs women have in addition to men. She argues that the peeing issue is more a question of squeamishness than necessity. Having hiked and backpacked and kayaked and climbed with a bunch of women boaters and climbers I gotta say that none of them brought any peeing aids along, but if it makes a big difference to the individual it makes more sense than other "comfort" items.

More gun? Maybe, but anything that slows you down from getting to your cache of supplies for longer term survival has to be carefully weighed against being able to carry essential water and shelter. Stay hydrated, prevent exposure, care for wounds, stay moving. A female buddy of mine that is an Air Force pilot and she only adds a few tampons to her survival vest, but she's a vitamin junky anyway and always has these little packets of supplements with her regardless.

 

[RevDisk]

Whatever you pack, be sure you can carry it. Take it out to a park and do at least a 5 mile hike. Preferably spend at least a couple miles off trails.

Something you might want to consider is playing to your own strengths. I'm a commo geek. I include some communication equipment in my BOB, because it'd be handy. If you have advanced medical training, bringing extra medical supplies might be handy

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I'm not sure why a kit assembled for a woman needs to be different from a kit packed for a man. Most outdoor gear is sized and fit for a man, so make sure your clothes, rain gear, boots, and such fit you well. But otherwise, the goals are the same for a woman as for a man.

Stay warm, stay hydrated, stay rested, stay calm. Beyond this, anything you pack will be an item of convenience, comfort or luxury. Pack whatever you think might come in handy, but don't lose sight of your priorities.

 

[tellner]

An added extra - those menstrual supplies make great emergency field dressings.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Kaylee,

Chocolate is actually a very important item that should be included in every survival pack. When suffuring from hypothermia (sp?) chocolate give you a quick (if temporary) boost in bloodsugar and metabolism. This boost can buy you enough time to pitch a tent, build a fire, or cook some food. Get some hard chocolate that will keep for a long time and throw it in your pack. Let it sit for a few months, then you will be less tempted to eat it as a snack.

 

[Bob F.]

Good pair of broken-in hiking boots & socks!! 9/11 left alot of people stranded on foot in the Big Apple. On foot only way to get home. Think 12 miles in heels or even men's dress shoes! Med Girl: 4 days hike from Morganhole is goona be up&down. Med student might get caught in tennis shoe but will they do a 4 day hike?

I have a little S&W 422 that's very light and accurate w/ the right ammo. It and a couple hundred rounds wouldn't add a lot. First choice for self defense, definitely not; but not many BG's are gonna stick around to find out how many .22's it takes for a stop!

Stay safe.
Bob