What should a bug-out kit contain?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I don't have a hacksaw in mine, but that's not a bad idea. I did get one of those cable saws a few years back with two big rings on it. It's a nasty piece of work and I've used it a few times with great success. The problem I had at first was how to put it in my bag (it's in my small fanny pack that goes everywhere with me.) I eventually solved the problem by using one of those thin tin containers that AOL was shipping DVD's and CD's in. It keeps the sharp bits from tearing up everything else (including my fingers). Hold quite a few strike anywhere matches in there too.

Have a good one,
Dave
 
Bo?

I realized something while reviewing this thread a while ago.

P'man referred to a 'bug-out kit'.

In this thread, 'kit' has been interpretted in various ways:

* bag (from backpack to fanny pack)
* truck/car
* trailer

that's quite the range of sizes for kits.

here's a thought, especially relevant to those who aren't watching the results of what Katrina did to NOLA & the gulf coast: many, many people - easily tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, have permanently lost 'home'.

This seems particularly true in NOLA. What ever optimistic picture Pres. W tried to spin on his 'visit' today, i think many realize, and the others need to come to grips with, the fact that many citizens of NOLA and the gulf neighborhood won't be coming home. In most cases, that's because there's nothing left.

That means, what they had with them when they bugged out is all they've got now, and - except for the kindness of strangers - is all they're likely to have for a while. i'm talking months.

in assembling your 'bob', i recommend that you ask yourself, "what would i want to have in that situation? and how big a "kit" do i need to carry it?

if for you, that means 'truck' or 'car trunk', then plan accordingly and practice packing it. make sure it all fits. take into account how many people other than you will be in that vehicle, and take the carrying capacity of the vehicles suspension into account, not to mention those "last minute items" (like family heirlooms & heart medications) that aunt betty just had to bring along in a suitcase that now has to fit in the back seat with her & the kids.

if your 'kit' is a single backpack, let alone a 'fanny pack', ask yourself, how comfortable would i be with just this gear & supplies for a week, or a month?

if the answer is, 'very comfortable', then, you should offer workshops, or at least write a pamphlet, on how you plan to do it.

in either case, attitude must be half of it, but having the right gear & supplies must be the other half.

happy 'labor day', everyone. my sense from here is, the work has only just begun.

2c.
 
One thing to add to your bug out car kit: a chainsaw. If you are forced to travel on smaller roads it is almost 100% possibility that the road are blocked by fallen down trees or telephone poles after a hurricane. Ofcourse 50 men can carry it out of the road, but a chainsaw will make it easyer.
 
A couple random thoughts.
Guns: I have decided that three would be a good number. For me, this would probably be an AR15, a suppressed .22 handgun, and a concealable personal defense handgun also with a suppressor (Glock 17 or 34). It is fine to have all the serious firepower, but you really need something you can conceal for constant carry. Obviously, don't forget holsters and a way to carry extra ammo for something like the .22.
War Belt: I have read numerous times about how military units over the years break down their gear into "layers", similar to what most people on this thread are doing with house, vehicle, backpack..... For example, they have something like web gear that they have on or right next to their person at all times. Then they have their rucksack which they take off and even perform tasks or walk away from the immediate area without their rucksack, but that war belt goes with them everywhere they go. For me, I think this would be a good use for one of those vests like the 5-11 "tactical" vests. It has enough pockets to carry minimal survival gear, water, pisto and rifle magazines, etc. It is something that isn't real uncomfortable to wear and isn't as threatening as military web gear. Obviously, it will also conceal weapons. I think that in most SHTF senarios like the one on the gulf coast, you arn't going to be walking around with the battle rifle in your hands. Something that isn't really obvious like this vest with something underneath is far more practical for most situations other than TEOTWAWKI. You can pretty much wear it all the time or you can take it off when sitting in one place but pick it up and take it anywhere you go (never leave anywhere without it in a SHTF situation). If you get seperated from your campsite, vehicle or whatever, this vest carries the bare essentials of survival. Likewise you need to think about what you carry in your pockets and have some real small and basic tools of survival in case you are seperated from the vest. The vest would also be stored where you can grab it at a moments notice. For example, if you are driving in a vehicle, you might have most of your gear in the trunk or in the bed of a pickup or even a travel trailer. But the vest is right near you in the car in case you need the gear in it or have to make a quick exit: in other words, the vest serves the same purpose as military web gear (TA50 gear, war belt whatever you want to call it).
Hacksaw: Yes, I carry a hacksaw. Actually it is a take-down meat saw designed for cutting up large game animals such as elk prior to packing them out. The saw takes down into small pieces for packing and you can get blades for uses other than cutting meat.
 
this is my bag it is always in reach have much more staged in the vehicl

Here is Mine: My pack is a hydration backpack made by Platupus in un scary blue color Everything is vacuum sealed with one of those food saver thingies

First Aid: Epi-Pen’s x2 Z-pack Antibiotics x2 Bynadrill caplets Acetominimin caplets Super glue Suture kit Various dressings Topical Antibiotic Laminated card of useful med’s Hand Sanitizer

Nutrition/Sanitation: Spare smartwool socks Wet Napkins Water Filter Water Purification chemicals Collapsible cup Tuna pouches PB Bars Sunflower seeds shelled Gum Toothpaste/Brush Insect repellent Sunscreen MRE Backpacking stove +small fuel bottle

Preventative Meds: Pt-92 9mm (similar to m-9) chosen for low cost yet dependable 4 9mm mags in addition to one in pistol 2 30rd 7.62x39 mags (rifle is next to pack) Bayonet for rifle Cleaning kit and spare parts for rifle/pistol Vac Packed 7.62x39 about 50rds

Other Stuff: 5 liters of water in hydration bags GPS Batteries rechargeable all devices use the same size Matches Poncho Small blanket the foil kind 2 frs radios Solar charger for batteries Surefire knockoff led tac light Scanner preprogrammed for local and fed agencies

All this fits in one pack and weighs about 35 lbs. This is my warm weather pack in the winter we have different packs My wife has one similar in the first aid/food/sanitation she doesn’t carry as much ammo and few electronics to keep it light for her
 
i'd think twice before putting suppressors in the bob. in an event like a hurricane where there's a good chance you'll need to leave the state, you're putting yourself at the mercy of an unsympathetic ATF if you cross the line. and on the road, you won't have an option for safely storing it anywhere not on your person. of course, if it's TEOTWAWKI, then that hardly matters
 
What bag is a good question.

I've got a Camelbak HAWG (~$80, IIRC) for one BOB, and don't like it. The bag itself is actually pretty heavy for its size, awkward to fill, and once it's filled you can't shove a water bladder in (despite having its own pocket).

Other BOB is a $5 hunter's waist pack from K-Mart. Lighter, packs well, has 2 outside pockets for included canteens. Theory on picking it (aside from being cheap) is a waist pack leaves the shoulders free for rifle carry & use.

Probably the best option is a full-blown proper framed backpack, relatively lightweight, having plenty of room for everything with easy access and good weight distribution.

Think volume, weight, access, and weight distribution.
 
RE: Suppressors
In my own situation, I would say the chances of a hurricane are remote: I live in the desert. Secondly: states here in the west are huge. I can drive all day at high speed and never leave the state of Nevada. Bordering states are Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and California. California of course is out of the question, but the other three are very gun friendly and remote. Leaving the state with a suppressor is no problem unless it is at the state level and it isn't a problem with those three states. I am not really worried about storage. Most people wouldn't even know what it was. Even if they did, what are they going to do with it ?
I also would have a suppressor for the AR15 assuming this doesn't happen in the next couple months. I have all three of these suppressors paid for, sitting in my dealer's safe waiting on the tax stamps. I don't have any of them at home right now, but do actually own them. I don't see any real big reason to have the suppressors for a SHTF senario, but on the other hand, why not ?
When you are mulling over the possible guns you might want to take for some kind of senario, you are obviously limited by weight and space considerations. This is just another example of where having a modular weapons system comes into play. With my AR15s, I have flat top receivers and rail systems. I can easily have a scope, a red dot optic, a weapons mounted light, and a suppressor and almost instantly configure the weapon any way I want it. I can have a red dot optic on the gun for personal defense. If I want to shoot an animal at longer range, I can remove the red dot and add a magnified Nightforce scope: and switch back in seconds. It allows one gun to take the place of a couple.
Medical: In several previous threads I have downplayed the importance of medical supplies in a way similar to Derek's wife. There is a distinct dividing line between the relatively minor problems easily handled without a hospital and the life threatening problems that require a hospital. In a SHTF senario where no outside help is possible, there is only so much you can do in the field and the rest requires doctors and extensive equipment. IMO, having anything beyond a very basic first aid kit is a waste of space and weight. This is similar to the concept of triage. In a mass casualty situation or a disaster type senario, you only have so many people to work on all the injured and sick. Therefore you have to decide who goes first. Obviously you start with the persons that are the most serious, but also have a legitimate chance of survival. You can't waste time and resources on patients that are almost certainly going to die when there are viable patients waiting for help. This is the same with a SHTF medical kit. If someone is injured badly enough, there is nothing you are going to do about it in the field so there is no point in weighing yourself down with all kinds of gear to treat someone who is going to die anyway without a hospital.
 
Lots of good ideas here. I've nothing to add but suggest that if one is really serious, to do a week or two of backpacking. You'll get experience with your equipment, learn what is superfluous and what should remain in your bugout.
 
More on packs & practice

4v50 Gary said:
I've nothing to add but suggest that if one is really serious, to do a week or two of backpacking. You'll get experience with your equipment, learn what is superfluous and what should remain in your bugout.
Click to expand...
Great suggestion. Until you've actually been "out there" with it, using it day to day, you'll not have a good sense of how it's actually going to work. As I mentioned in my post, er essay (above), my tiered bob system has evolved over decades of wilderness travel with a backpack. I've been down so many equipment roads as to be laughable, paring away the items that didn't work or that I really didn't need. But it mostly works for me now. Of course, everyone will be different, so trying out yours to see if it works for you in the outback is invaluable. You can't do it in your den or garage. It's just not the same.

I also agree strongly with ctdonath:

Probably the best option is a full-blown proper framed backpack, relatively lightweight, having plenty of room for everything with easy access and good weight distribution.

Think volume, weight, access, and weight distribution.
Click to expand...
This is especially relevant for smaller folks (I'm one: tall & thin, even if wirey). Consider the weight that you plan to carry carefully. All that gear may sound good up front - "gee, I'm really glad I'm packing this extra-large can of beef stew" - but once on foot, going up or down, in the dark, weight becomes a factor. Of course, if you've been in the military recently and had to carry a 90# pack (not me), this is less important.

And, having a pack that's designed to carry the weight you wish to carry is important, and learning how to load it to distribute the weight is equally important. Sometimes a minor, seemingly insignificant adjustment can make a HUGE difference, (sez one who regularly redistributes weight on the first two days of a five day trip).

Your pack should fit you like a glove. You should wear it, not carry it. If you don't know how to fit one, go to a backpacking store for instructions. Forget about walmart for this one.

There are some great backpacking "how to" books out there. The one that has been my guide since I started backpacking in 1972 is The Complete Walker by Collin Fletcher. Extremely informative, written by the grandaddy of backpacking skills of the late 20th century, and funny as hell. (He writes of packing for his walking trip through the entire length of the Grand Canyon, carrying a scale with him to the store to weigh underwear to get the lightest possible pair. Yes, again for smaller folks, ounces add up very quickly into pounds.)

Pay attention more to his general suggestions than specific equipment. Even the fourth edition, written in 2002, is now slightly out of date because equipment evolves so fast.

Personally, I'd still stay away from the cheapo canvas bags available from surplus stores, especially the ones without a hip-belt. In backpacking, you do NOT carry weight on your shoulders, but on the hips via the hipbelt. Hipbelt is critical. All the shoulder straps do is to stabilize the load.

I have three packs. One is my fanny pack by Mountainsmith that's nearly the biggest that you can buy. Full-sized padded hip belt like you would find on a backpack. It is my constant companion when I'm not at home. I would no more leave home without it than without my keys. Even in the best of times, it's got water, an extra layer in the cooler times, rainjacket (in the rainy season), and a bit of food. It's going to get updated as a result of reading this thread.

My intermediate sized pack, that I call my day and a half pack (enough gear to do an overnight if necessary, even if not with full gear; e.g., no tent, but bivy sack, extra layers, 2 days food, water, first aid, etc) is an Arcteryx Bora 50 . It has a built in pocket for a hydration system. (My hydration bladder is made by Kelty, but there are many that will fit it.) For a SHTF BOB, I'd want this one loaded and ready as a minimum. Very comfortable carry. I can regularly carry 25#'s with it for 8 mile day hikes and not even know it's on.

My full sized expedition pack, the one I'd want for those TEOTWAWKI times, is an older Gregory Atlas, no longer produced. Here is a similar one. I can't recommend Gregory packs highly enough. Superb design, built to last (mine's been hundreds of very rough miles), very comfortable if you get one that fits you and learn how to adjust it. Note the gregory web site has a section devoted to pack fit.

Of course, gear like this ain't cheap. I elected to buy good wilderness gear instead of taking on a mortgage and raising kids. (I'm semi-nomadic, so it fits me.) If you've got a mortgage to pay and kids to feed, go for the best you can get. Remember, fit is everything, and bigger is not necessarily better.
 
Last edited:
It's worth reading some Ray Jardine as well, to get a feel for his more "minimalist" approach. Probably not something you'd want to use in a SHTF scenario, but it helps balance out your reading. :)
 
Ray Jardine

Very nice, Derek. I like it. Now, in addition to THR, I've got some good reading for the labor day weekend (since fuel prices are too high for a traveling vacation :( )

Really like his minimalist, do it yourself approach to good equipment. Excellent for someone who hasn't already invested thousands in gear like I have ... :rolleyes:
 
Excellent for someone who hasn't already invested thousands in gear like I have
Click to expand...
Well, the good news is that if you want to try his style of packing, you can build your own gear pretty easily. It starts with simple stuff - 2L soda bottles for water, rather than the (heavier and more expensive) Nalgene. A well-designed tarp rather than a tent. Making your own sleeping bag/ground cover that's designed for you to wear more clothes (all of your clothes?) for warmth rather than building a bulkier bag.

Designs are all in the books, if you know how to sew.

Not saying I'm particularly "into" that stype of backpacking; just that it's a nice counterweight to the more traditional Colin Fletcher/Boyscout way of doing it.
 
I have, at times, used a tiered approach: mini kit that would fit unobtrusively on a belt: lighter, knife, beef jerky, space blanket, mini compass, fishhooks & line.

Backpack with water, clothes, footwear, weapon, some food, lights. Tarp or poncho.

Car kit with shoulder arm. Basically, a week's supply of everything except water.

Small water filters are a good idea. A good, large knife never needs reloading, and is very useful.

John
 
Back in my mountain rescue days we also used a tiered approach to everything. The only time we would bring out all our heavy duty gear was when the person was found and we knew what we needed to get the job done.

For individual team members than meant having a "hasty pack" with basically a day's hiking worth of gear and one small med kit per hasty team. Our more specialized positions such as the guy who would go over the edge to assess the victim in a vertical, the medical team or the stay behind group that would carry the necessary gear to the patient would all have differing levels and types of gear for their particular jobs. Every member was also expected to have some form of multi-day pack that would be taken in the vehicles in case we needed to stay out overnight(s). Most of this gear was not going to go with each person during their initial search, but was back a basecamp in case our situation was going to take longer than a day or so. Having different packs to suit different needs is critical in carrying an appropriate amount of gear and not being either overwhelmed and overloaded or underprepared. Both situations can cost you dearly.

I'm working on an Xcel spreadsheet based on the recent number of BOB threads here, I'm expecting to have it done and organized in the next day or so, when it is I will try to put it up here for reference and critique.
 
Since I have not seen anyone else mentioning it, there is the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd line concept.

1st line = stuff on your belt and in your pockets, with you at all times. Includes sidearm and or knife. The absolute miminum to help you escape and make your way to safety.

2nd line = load bearing equipment with ammo and water, primary weapons, other stuff required to accomplish the mission.

3rd line = pack with food, water, other stuff needed for life in the field for the duration of the mission. May also include unit equipment desireable but not absolutely required for mission completion.

This is roughly how current infantry do it, you can modify it as necessary for your needs.
 
That is kind of what I was getting at with my post: using a "tactical" vest as a 2nd Line
 
As far a tactical vest. I use a LLBEAN jacket that has been dixcontinued, it is set up as a hunting vest. has shell holders, bird pockets, all of that but comes in a very non threatening Flax color. I use that as my grab jacket the bob bags are hockey bags.

Additions to the medical kit. sterile surgial staplers are available at a lot of hunting dog suppliers for under twenty bucks. one advantage over sutures is that sutures really need a steril or at least clean environment to use. with staples douse the area in betadine rinse with sterile saline squirt bottles used for contacts, use the sterile gloves to pinch the wound together nad staple away. easy to do... I ahve stapled up a six inch wound on a dogs belly, it is that easy to do.

As for other big cuts and wounds. really good pressure bandages are womens feminine pads. aka Kotexs, The old style pads (no wings etc) that can be stuffed into a wound or used to coverlarge cuts and the second item that clear plastic wrap that the lumber yard uses to bundle up loose stuff is great for first aid wraps. The local EMT's have been using it for a long time. puts pressure on the wound. DOES not stick to the surrounding tissue when you go to remove it at a time when it wise to do so. Also if you get to medical aid, when the DR goes to remove the temp bandage pulling the temp bandage off will not open the wound again. I have two smaller rolles in my bag. I also have a couple hundred feet of 1/8 paracord.

we use a multi fuel camp stove actually each of our bags have one. will burn nearly anything flamible
 
If you are going to layer up don't forget to concept of redundancy.
You may not be able to get to all 3 components when necessary.

You may end up with your unit pack when all you need is you vest and vice versa
 
I've gone from the traditional (humping 40 lbs. for a teenage overnight), to "fast and light" (20 lbs. for a 3 day traverse of Mt. Rainier), back to somewhere in the middle. I think that it is important to try different approaches and find out what works best for you and your family (if applicable).

For example - I know that I can make due with a ridgerest, tarp, and a light summer sleeping bag (supplemented by a down jacket if needed). I also know that my wife will be happier in a tent and that it is worth at least extra 10 degrees, more with windchill (not to mention general happiness...). Pare down, then add back in.
 
Packing; another option is the load-carrying vest or a belt & harness style vest with buttpack, front and side pouches. This spreads the load around the body more evenly reducing potential back ache and less fatigue overall.

And speaking of fatigue; if you are packing the best investment yu can make is a high quality pair of lightweight boots. Something like Browning Kangaroo featherweights or Danners. With foot wear every few ounces count; an extra half pound or more on each foot will induce more fatigue than an extra ten or more pounds on the shoulders.

Prybars have been mentioned IIRC on this thread; I aquired a couple of the handy, light titanium 15" flat-type bars from DutchGuard.com two years ago. For some reason they do not show them anymore - perhaps sold out. They do have the 28" titanium crowbars and an 8" titanium spade:

http://www.dutchguard.com/p-cb.html

Tough bamboo hiking staffs:

http://www.yucatanbamboo.com/pic.php?id=55
----------------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
 
Packing; another option is the load-carrying vest or a belt & harness style vest with buttpack, front and side pouches. This spreads the load around the body more evenly reducing potential back ache and less fatigue overall.
Click to expand...
LAK, that "belt & harness style vest with buttpack"is an interesting idea. Can you throw out any recommended names for a google search?

I did find the following by Airsoft. Is that an example?

http://www.airsoftarms.com/viewproductdetail.php?ProdID=2158
__________

Like LAK, I also recommend a walking staff for packers. Here's one of several on line pages about them: http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html#types

My single oldest possession is a wooden staff that I carved from a dead limb when I was 9 years old. But while I like the feel of wood or bamboo, I like the versatility of metal, extendable "hiking or trekking poles" like these even more:

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/familydetail.cfm/Hiking_Pole

Some use them in pairs as "trekking poles". I use only one as a staff, and keep the second as a spare.

They are metal, usually aluminum, and thus lighter than wood, yet very strong. Best part about them: they are composed of telescoping sections, thus length is adjustable (useful for quickly - in 5 seconds - changing length when going steeply up or downhill) and they collapse to only a meter long (or less) for mounting on a pack when not needed. Most also come with "snow baskets" for use when walking or snowshoeing on deeper snow.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Some thoughts and a question regarding backpacks appropriate for a bug out?
Replies
21
Views
1K
svtruth
S
T
  • Locked
Please critique my bug-out/bug-in system.
2
Replies
48
Views
3K
HammerG26
H
B
  • Locked
Bug Out Boat?
Replies
10
Views
798
Fred Fuller
F
D
  • Locked
Bug-out bag
2 3
Replies
60
Views
5K
Fred Fuller
F
Phaetos
  • Locked
SHTF and Bugging Out
Replies
7
Views
634
VTKFJoe
VTKFJoe
Back
Top