BOB all packed yet?

reply to post by sonofliberty1776


I often hear all the plans for last minute "Shopping". This of course is really only going to work if the area is evacuated in which case the remnants of LEO will be shooting or rounding up any looters or peoplein the empty streets.

I don't know about anyone else but when the general mentality turns to "Nothing matters except survival" it is best to avoid anything that makes you look like a threat to anyone's survival. You may be awesome but one stray bullet will put a stop to any level of awesome...

Originally posted by Jinglelord
reply to post by sonofliberty1776

 

I often hear all the plans for last minute "Shopping". This of course is really only going to work if the area is evacuated in which case the remnants of LEO will be shooting or rounding up any looters or peoplein the empty streets.

I don't know about anyone else but when the general mentality turns to "Nothing matters except survival" it is best to avoid anything that makes you look like a threat to anyone's survival. You may be awesome but one stray bullet will put a stop to any level of awesome...

Absolutely true. If the situation looks too dangerous I would not do it, on the other hand. No reason to leave that stuff laying around if I can safely pick it up, is there?

Small as possible.

Changes of clothing. Detergent to clean them. Cleanliness is next to staying healthy.

Sturdy, waterproof boots. Well broken in.

Firestarting kit.

Energy bars.

Cooking kit, I used to have a wonderfully small kit of aluminum pans, complete with skewers/forks. Not sure where it got to. Need to replace it.

Paracord. Lots of paracord.

Tent, and tarp. Whatever size is most suitable. Mine is small, and folds into a rather neatly sized package.

Sleeping bag. Another something I need to replace...

Knives (3) w/sharpening stone. A kukri. A small utility knife. ...and because I can't help myself, my big ol' Arkansas toothpick. The kukri is so unbelievably useful, I'm not sure I even need other knives.

Camp Axe. Another unbelievably useful tool.

Multitool. I love mine.

My Smith and Wesson .38 revolver w/extra ammunition. ...and a .22 rimfire/20 guage combo (though I don't have this one yet...). Why? 'cause not everyone is going to be prepared.

I'm sure there's something, or several somethings I'm forgetting...

Yep...

Radio w/lots of batteries. ...and pain relievers with a bit of codiene for those inevitable aches and pains.

That's my barebones BOB.

reply to post by sonofliberty1776


No reason at all, and in your case "shopping" for luxury items to improve position is better than waiting and relying on that tactic for survival items.

I would definitely be opportunistic and grab anything that would improve my position when the fan finally gets cleaned off and everything starts over.

In the meantime I have a strategy that will work for any survival situation. I am hardworking, polite, and intelligent and live in an agricultural area that can easily support it's residents. Everything in my BOB is aimed at making me a valuable resource rather than a formidable fighting machine. This includes work gloves, boots, basic tool set, and a worn out well read bible. I'm not a Christian but most in my community are and are more likely to trust and work with someone who is. That beat up old bible I bought at a thrift store for a buck is what I consider the most important part of my kit for that very reason.

reply to post by darrman


when i say shopping i mean pilledge,steal and looting..all that good stuff...i know money wont be any good,guns will be my credit card

reply to post by gdaub23


That isn't a survival tactic, thats a good way to get killed.

I know you're not that good or experienced because those that truly are know how quick and easy even the best of the best can be killed...

Just sayin.

Not only that but odds are you have everything you need around the house already.

Need a fancy $200 survival knife? Visit the kitchen and visit the knives you have there. While there grab a small pot and grab a spoon or 2 as well as a fork. Next go to the bedroom. Grab your sheet and a blanket as well as an empty pillowcase. Fold up the sheet and blanket into a bedroll. You can scavenge some shoe laces to us as cordage to tie it up if you have nothing better like some 10 foot pieces of rope. Grab a belt or 2 while rummaging around here. If you have a bic lighter and anything that has some nylon straps. Cut them and burn the ends. That pillowcase is to be your pack if you have nothing else.

Got some cardboard and tape? Those can be made into sheaths for your knives. As far as shoes. The most comfortable for walking with the best ankle support is what you are after. Grab 2-3 pairs of socks. If all you have is dress socks wear 2 pairs. Grab as many lighter/matches as you have.

Hand tools: a file of some sort. A decent sized flat head screwdriver. Grab a Phillips head if you have it as well. Any sort of hand saw if have it. If not save up $11 and buy a Fiskars folding saw from the garden section at walmart. Grab a good jacket and a hoodie. Those can be rolled up in the bedroll along with and extra shirt and pair of pants. Grab an empty plastic drink bottle and anything else you canthink of and manage to carry that will be handy on a nearly daily basis.

Bust the most important thing is knowledge gained from experience. Best way is to practice camping in the woods or some sort of park that allows it. Bottom line here is that $10000 worht of the best of the best gear will be next to useless if you don't have the knowledge of how to use it.

Making a raid on a store while the masses are looting is a death sentence. Look at how people have had near riots over a Tickle Me Elmo doll a few years ago. Think they will be calm and orderly at any store when the time comes? Think there will be much left after a couple days? Around here if the they call for 3-6 inches of snow to fall you can forget about a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. You will be lucky to buy some soap and crackers to be honest if they say 6-10 inches of snow.

Preparation has little to do with what you have so much as how to use what you have. And as I opened the thread. Your feet are the transportation and your hands are the tools. But it takes your head in order to figure out what to do with them. The only looting that I would be doing in a SHTF situation is abandoned cars for needs tools and materials. And the dead that I run across for any handy supplies that they might still have.

Major forms of currency in such situation will be knives, cloth, hand tools and food items. Bread, eggs, vegetables will be some prime currency. You have no idea how good a raw carrot tastes when all you have had is nuts, fish, and red meat for months on end.

reply to post by Ahabstar

Excellent points all. However, most kitchen knives are very flimsy and will not stand up to field use. A $200 knife? No need for that, but a used $20 K-Bar at a flea market or swap meet or something is an excellent value imo.

Originally posted by doom27
One of the most important things in my BOB is a bag full of about 300 lighters. I think all bob need a surplus of lighters, you won't see me rubbing sticks together!

Man.. I don't want to be standing next to you if a stray bullet nails your backpack!

Seriously though, I think most people won't have a clue how to make a fire without matches or a lighter; I see those little cheap lighters being a good bartering tool.

Originally posted by mydarkpassenger

Originally posted by doom27
One of the most important things in my BOB is a bag full of about 300 lighters. I think all bob need a surplus of lighters, you won't see me rubbing sticks together!

Man.. I don't want to be standing next to you if a stray bullet nails your backpack!

Seriously though, I think most people won't have a clue how to make a fire without matches or a lighter; I see those little cheap lighters being a good bartering tool.

Which is really too bad. There are so many ways to make fire. From a firebow, to a parabolic lense, to steel wool and a battery. There are probably at least 50 ways to start a fire that don't involve matches or lighters. That being said, I have water proof matches and a couple elcheapo lighters in my BOB.

reply to post by sonofliberty1776


It is a shame. But I think we can safely assume a lot of people will be clueless.

reply to post by mydarkpassenger
Maybe we should start a class in fire making?

reply to post by sonofliberty1776


Very true. How ever if used carefully a kitchen knife is better than nothing when it comes down to it. And believe it or not many of the old time explorers, trappers and mountainmen used just that. Their best kitchen knives that they had. Of course quality has gone down over the years as far as construction. But even the really cheap knife sets of today will hold an edge for a long time at the expense of being a bit more brittle and prone to chipping under a heavy task. Hence I said to grab several.

reply to post by sonofliberty1776


Easiest way to start a fire, at least on a sunny day, a small magnifying mirror, or an old fashioned glass magnifyer. You can find the mirrors pretty cheap in the cosmetics section in almost any store.

Originally posted by TKDRL
reply to post by sonofliberty1776

 

Easiest way to start a fire, at least on a sunny day, a small magnifying mirror, or an old fashioned glass magnifyer. You can find the mirrors pretty cheap in the cosmetics section in almost any store.

That is an easy way, but not the easiest. It actually requires a steady hand and enough knowledge to prepare your kindling correctly. The easiest way I know, even in the rain is with an old fashioned rail road flare.

reply to post by sonofliberty1776

Haha touche, yeah that will get er done if you got some flairs in your pack. As for kindling, I got a huge jar of 100% cotton coated in petrolium jelly, that is really handy to get fire going when it is all wet out.

Originally posted by TKDRL
reply to post by sonofliberty1776

 

Haha touche, yeah that will get er done if you got some flairs in your pack. As for kindling, I got a huge jar of 100% cotton coated in petrolium jelly, that is really handy to get fire going when it is all wet out.

Yeah, I keep some in my pack also. Great stuff for getting that fire going.

reply to post by sonofliberty1776


Apparently a Coke can and bar of chocolate works just as well to get a fire going too...

www.wildwoodsurvival.com...

There are a million ways to start a fire. I used to carry a block of flint I purchased for stone knapping, (another useful skill) which really is tough to use but after a little practice you can use that to start a fire with less effort than firebow.

reply to post by Jinglelord


Oh man that is awesome! Really cheap parabolic mirror there, I just love this kind of thinking outside the box.

reply to post by Jinglelord

Outstanding. I never would have thought of that. A star for you sir.