B.O.B.: Temporary Survival or Self-Sufficiency?

I was wondering, when you are building you BOB (Bug Out Bag), do you pack for a few days or to be self-sufficient for long term?

The reason I ask is, my BOL (Bug Out Location) is approximately 120 miles away. It is my parent's home and they live in the middle of no where. I am anticipating not being able to drive there due to traffic jams like we had during Katrina. This will be a very long hike, but I will try to do it in 4-5 days. I also have to go around a level 4 prison and a National Guard Armory. With these two obstacle, I fear road blocks and check points being setup near them that will take me a few miles out of my way to avoid them.

In the event that the worst case scenario plays out and I am not able to make it to my BOL in a timely manor, I have packed my BOB to enable myself the ability to settle elsewhere. However, this makes my BOB a bit heavier. I have so much in there because I keep looking at things and thinking, "well if this this and this happens, I'll need this".

What are your thoughts? How do you build you BOB? Do you only look at 72 hour survival? Is anyone in the same boat as myself and if so, what types of things do you have that others may not deem important and leave out of their BOBs?

i just took more stuff out of my BOB yesterday. Did a moc run on suiting up and gearing up. Im so over loaded its not even funny. I look bad @ss though. I look like an authority figure with all my multicam on

perhaps get a off road motorbike as you'll be able to snake upto any roadblocks and quickly get through them once they've checked you're not a prisoner and you'll be away and off to your parents in 2-3 hours so all you'd need in your bag is some clothes, fuel and loo roll incase nature calls mid trip and theres nowhere to go and depending on where you live a nice and imposing looking gun which when pointed at someone unlocks the front and back if you get my drift

reply to post by camaro68ss


What did you take out? How long do you plan for when building your bag?

reply to post by Maxatoria


I'm not to worried about being thought of as a prisoner as much as being herded into FEMA camps or detention centers for "national security" purposes.

reply to post by Catalyst317


You pack your bag for the scenario you are in.
If its long term then pack for long term,if its for 72 hours then pack for 72 hours.

1 BOB might not suit your needs if you don't yet know what your needs are.

I have 1 bag but a few different set ups depending on the scenario.

reply to post by DrumsRfun


What setups do you have? I'm afraid that if I pack to light and the worst happens or thing escalate beyond what I anticipated, I will not be in a very favorable position for survival.

Originally posted by Skada
I put up my kit suggestions here.

My list is a little large, and may not fit into your backpack. 30-50 pounds
-------------------------------------
Survival Basics Inventory – quantity could be substituted as 1-2 per person as necessary)
Fold-up Water Bottles
2 tarps
2 Mess Kit
2 travel pack First Aid
Metal items\3 metal cups
2 insect nets
Insect repellant
Weapons (darts, knives, Stars, Spear, Poison, Blow-dart gun, etc) any combo, or add firearm (I don't, too noisy)
Copper wire - trap making
Fire starters (lighters, cotton wax, flint, fuzz from clothes dryer mixed with wax)
Fabric scraps
1 Spice Kit
Bandana x 1-4
Sunscreen (unless you tan easy)
2 rain ponchos
Garbage bags (In case no rain ponchos)
Gardening stuff (Spade, gloves, seed kit-very important for final destination)
Batteries (not really needed if you get cranks or portable solar charging station, but those are a pretty penny)
Fuses - Fire works type not electronics (not really needed, but could come in handy)
Hooks - for fishing - floss or fishing wire (100 lb test or more)
Sewing Kit
Snake Bite Kit (There are better ones then this)
Compass & Map of area
Playing cards
Wind-up flashlight\ mini LED flashlights
Rope or cord 200+ lb test
Water purification items-purification tablets, filters, pressure cooker for distillation

[Makeshift purification-barrel with layers of sand and charcoal (about 2-4 layers of each) some sort of screen at the bottom with holes and a catch basin at the bottom for water reclamation for potable use.]

Medicinal
Bandages, First Aid kits, Ointments, antibiotics, pain relievers, snake bite kit, tourniquets, medical tape, cotton swabs, alcohol, Scissors, sewing kit, thread, Rx Meds, first aid book, med plant book

Food Prep items
Throwing knives, spears, mess kit, fishing hooks, fishing line, Blowdart gun, seed kit, copper goblet, fold-up water bottles, Lighters, cotton wax, matches, work gloves, spice kit, water purification items

Weapons\tools
Throwing knives, Spears, metal items, Throwing stars, poisons, blowdart gun, rope, hammer, vise grips, nails, spade, hooks

Miscellaneous
Tarps, blankets, flashlights, candles, playing cards, fuses, potting soil, sleeping bags, books, copper wire, satchels, backpacks, rain gear

Hygiene kit
Soaps, Brushes\combs, nail file, wet wipes, travel tooth brush, nail clippers, tweezers, towels\rags, shavers


For each backpack:
Mess kit
Flashlight
Matchbook
Rope
First Aid kit
Notebook and pencils
3-4MREs
Weapon\tool kit
Water bottle
Playing cards
Bar of soap
Blanket\sleeping bag
Fishing line
Survival Kit-in-a-can
Leather working gloves

Medical kit should contain:
Couple dozen different sizes of bandages + Ace, Medical tape, Scissors, Ointment and creams,
Alcohol (Everclear) and cotton swabs, Q-tips, Tweezers, Nail clippers, Pain relievers (Tylenol, Aleve),
Pick (Scalpel, needle), snake bite kit, feminine pads (Females), Tourniquet, Insect repellant, Sunscreen , bar of soap (or know how to make it)

Weapon\tool kit should contain:
Vise grip, hammer, 2-3 spear-heads, 2-3 different knives, spade, some rope, multi-purpose tool, flares, glow sticks, sharpening tool, sewing needle and thread, slingshot and ammo\blow-dart gun and ammo, sturdy working gloves, poisons, netting, matches, cotton wax, fuses

Other backpack space should hold:
Mess kit, blanket (flannel or wool), notebooks and pencils (sharpener and erasers), MREs, water bottle, playing cards, flashlight, Survival Kit-in-a-can, Assorted Hard Candy (cinnamon, butterscotch, etc), MREs
-------------------------------------

Now, I know that this kit is not exhaustive, and should be around 30-50 lbs if you pack it right, but I feel that this list could be a base line.

Take out or add in, but if you don't know how to use the items, then you probably shouldn't pack it. Best to pack a few knives, fixed blade as well as multi-tools. Yes, it is heavy, so you may be slow going, or you can combine a few items into one except the fire starters, you will need multiple types as backups.

before planning the bag i'd take a look at the route you'll travel to get to your destination and also how the terrain changes through the year, so you may end up with a 'core' bag and several addons depending on season/actual events

Originally posted by Catalyst317
reply to post by camaro68ss

 

What did you take out? How long do you plan for when building your bag?

I have 7 days worth of food @ 2,000cal a day. I pulled out about 60 rounds of .223 and 20 rounds of .45. (im thinking im going to have all my ammo on my vest anyways, on my tatical vest i have five .223 mags and two- .45 mags. and I have 2 bullet proof plates) I also pulled out some ease start wood tinder and some other things that i just ended up putting in my wifes bag.

I think the 7 days of food is over board so i might even cut that down. I really dont know yet. I have so much because my BOL is 180 miles away from my house and if i walk it, its going to take me 2-3 weeks to get there.

Obviously my BOB is long term. I don't like leaving anything to chance all that much, so I try to cover as many basis as possible. Again, obviously, this payment comes at the weight of the pack. But, when you walk just about everywhere anyway, this is just part and parcel to the package IMO.

reply to post by Skada


That's pretty close to what I have in mine. Minus the pressure cooker. You have given me quite a bit of ideas with what you have included in your bags. Thank you. I love hearing what other people put in there. Also, I did pack sunscreen and am surprised that I don't see that added to more kits. I also packed lotion for dry skin as I think this is a very under rated item for BOBs.

I see that you included seeds. I have about 20 packs of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Very small and lightweight so I keep them in.

reply to post by Catalyst317


Well I will give you an example.

If it is for one night...I bring this.
www.abovetopsecret.com...


I pack accordingly and try to pack as light as possible because i am the schmuck who has to carry that bag.

The longer I go for,the smarter I have to think because the bag gets heavier.

Knowledge and a good attitude are the lightest things to carry.

For me winter is the toughest to pack for because you need warm stuff...my arctic bag alone is around 25 pounds.

I sent you a message.

reply to post by DrumsRfun


One thing I pack for the winter is a sauna suit. Put this under your clothes and you will stay extremely warm. Not to mention it's very small and very light.

get a map and get out of america if shtf.

i have a feeling there will be a million rambos with their ar-15's trying to "restore" order in their image.

it would probably be annoying trying to get thru some rednecks arbitrary check point in the middle of no where that serves absolutely no function.

reply to post by Catalyst317


Seeds are very important. Of course you have to wait for them to mature, but while that is happening, hunt, fish, gather. Get to know your native plants, get a close look at them at different stages in their development.
Of course, my BOB is in different bags and I have more then one person, but we all have a "base bag content" to start with. This is also good if one if the bags gets lost, damaged, or whatever.

If you can't get a few of the items in the list, you will have to educate yourself on creating that which you need (such as the water purifier). Also, if you come across "junk or trash", then rummage through it for usable items along your route. This could also replace anything you may have lost, broke, or just didn't pack. Just remember that at the junk pile, you will have to think like an engineer.

Last, and the most important, is your smarts, wisdom, and knowledge. Learn as much as you can about as many things as you can. You never know when that black willow bark will come in handy for a headache.

reply to post by Catalyst317


Just be careful in winter to not sweat.
Sweat can mess up your body temperature which can promote hypothermia.

reply to post by Skada


Great post. I have been spending a lot of time reading about what plants are good for different ailments. I have also been spending a lot more time hiking and in the woods. I grew up in the country and love to hunt and fish. However, you are correct that one should not rely on gear, but on your wits.

reply to post by randomname


Redneck check points are not huge on my check list because I grew up around rednecks and my father's side of the family are quite "hillbillyish". (I can assure you that when SHTF, they will be out in force) I am worried about over eager people with guns that will shoot at anything that moves. I mean, my brother-in-law, who is one of the biggest rednecks I have ever met, loves to go Corn Bowling. (Jumping from a moving truck into a corn field to see how many corn stalks they can knock down) With mentality like this, I am sure he and his friends will do stupid things if SHTF and I do not want to run into anyone like that on my way. LOL

reply to post by DrumsRfun


In the winter time, do you think a sauna suit's benefits will be less than it's weaknesses? If nothing else, they would make a great impromptu water storage.