Show off your BOBs

Deoderants also come in half size sticks in the trial size/travel bins. Great size for BOB's - takes up half the space.

garnetgirl

How much time would it take you to put together more packs CFI? How much is available OTC in your area? What kind of $ not counting the guns and ammo have you invested?
I am slowly stocking up a cab over camper for a BOV since my options of walking are slim and none considering my neck/back injury. I have canned goods and MRE's as many of the basics but I am nowhere as ready as I thought I was. Since I haven't had an income in 6 months other than what I sell off it has become very hard to prep.

Consider this scenario if you will,, walking thru a dollar store with $50.00: What would you be sure to buy?

phil, i have TP and extra clothes in there, but a lot of clothing takes up lots of room and, frankly, i expect what i'm wearing at the time will probably last through the emergency just fine (if a little stinky ).

FT, good ideas.

SD, good list. personally i'd add a couple 3 day lifeboat rations and a good water filter to extend the time you could live out of your BOB to a week or more.

L.A.B., i knew you all were kidding. sounds like you're pretty close to nevada, do you ever get out this way? if so, stop by sometime, we could go shooting or just get some coffee or something.

garnetgirl, yeah, i know, but i had the regular size in my preps and more than enough room in the pack. besides, i actually use that one item more than all the rest of the stuff in the pack, so the larger size is more appropriate for me.

45nut, i've added to that kit off and on for several years now, so i don't really have a total price to give you, but i DID put together one for my parents recently, designed as a vehicle BOB for 2. it cost around $450. i'll list the contents at the bottom of this post. as for putting together more, if i ordered everything today and it was all in stock, it'd probably take a week to assemble them all. but the truth is, it'd be less expensive for you if i simply made the suggestions and let you do the ordering and packing. that way you could personalize the bag for your particular situation.

it's hard to say what i'd recommend getting from the local dollar store as i don't really know what you already have. i will say that i shop there quite a bit myself though. some of the things i've found at ours that i've added are: shower curtain liner (6x6 foot tarp), emergency ponchos, the infamous deodorant stick, personal hygeine, first aid and OTC med supplies, drywall screws, duct tape, the ziplock sandwich bags most of the small stuff is packed in, raman noodles, and so on.

the best way to approach packing a kit is, first make a list of everything you think you'll need. make sure to cover all the bases including food, clean water, shelter, heat, signaling, defense/hunting, tools, utility items (wire, rope, nails, etc), and so on. next, do a thorough inventory of what you have and compare it to the list. this way you'll see which areas are already covered and be able to focus your attention on filling in the gaps.

if you want more comprehensive help, pm me and we can go over things in greater detail.

here's the list of the $450 pack i gave my parents:

2 person/7 day BOB - est. cost - $450


FOOD:

8-MRE entrees (4 per day)

4-2 serving mountain house entrees (2 per day)

2-3600 calorie lifeboat rations (1200 cal per day/per person)

15-teabags

15-bullion packs

7-seasoning packs (salt and pepper)

1-pack wild food ID cards

snare wire and instructions


WATER:

2-bottles purification tablets

1-katadyn backpacker water filter

2-canteens with covers

1-2 liter bottle carrier

1-pack coffee filters (pre-filter)

instructions for solar still


COOKING/EATING:

1-backpackers mess kit

1-tommy stove

1-canteen stove

2-boxes hexamine fuel

2-canteen cups

1-measuring cup

1-NATO style utensil set


FIRE:

1-cigarette lighter

4-books paper matches

2-boxes waterproof matches

1-magnesium fire starter

1-2x3 fresnel lens

2 packs tinder quik tabs (20 total)

1-pack wax/sawdust fire starters


TOOLS:

1-cold steel bushman knife/spear/axe

1-multi-tool

1-pocket chainsaw


SHELTER:

1-2 man tent

2-6'x6' plastic tarps (shower curtain liners)

2-mylar sleeping bags

3-mylar blankets (use one for signaling)


FIRST AID KIT:

assorted bandages

assorted band aids

8-antibiotic ointment packs

8-burn gel packs

20-aspirin

20-aleve

2-gauze rolls

6-splinter removers


MISC:

1-hand crank radio/flashlight

1-lensatic compass

2-P 38 can openers

1-felt tip marker

1-pen and note paper

1-knife sharpener

2-bottles waterless hand cleaner

1-sewing kit

3-body warmers

assorted drywall screws

600 feet snare/utility wire

50 feet 550 cord

1-emergency whistle

1-signal mirror

3-road flares

survival instructions

1-roll of duct tape

3-rolls toilet paper (camping type)


COMFORT KIT:

3-bars soap

4-disposable razors

2-toothbrushes/paste

2-deodorant sticks

1-campers towel

1-pack wild food ID cards

Click to expand...

Are those regional? I live in the High Desert like you do and certainly our region has nothing in common with PA or Nebraska.
I was looking to stretch my real meager food budget with local flora but google searches are,, pardon the pun here.. "fruitless".

the cards were from a pilot survival kit site are are pretty generic. they list edible wild food from all over the country so hopefully you can find a few that grow in your area. my parents travel the continent in a motorhome and have a habit of going exploring in the off season, when few if any other people are around to help if they have a breakdown. i put the kit together to try and give them a chance of surviving such a situation until help finally arrives and, as they could literally be anywhere when disaster hits, they needed stuff that would work anywhere.

here's a site you might find useful for finding wild edible food in your area: http://www.wildfoodadventures.com/newsletter.html

here's another one: http://forage.homestead.com/

Fred said:

Someone should resubmit this thread with another "O" in the title, for us pervs.

Click to expand...

Fred, the really perverted don't need the extra "O." We know that B.O.B. stands for "battery operated boyfriend."

ok, i finally got my DW's BOG (bug out gear) done also. now, if i can go to all the trouble to tear apart BOTH our kits and photo-document them, surely some of the rest of you can do so as well.



from the top left:

DW's fanny pack (it's her purse as well) and her first aid kit

her main bag

her M1 carbine with 3-30 rd mags and 8-15 rd mags (primary combat rifle)

her Taurus .357 magnum and two speed loaders (primary carry weapon)



on her all the time:

ear plugs (we BOTH go shooting a lot...)

sharpie marker

ink pen

liquid paper pen

lighter

chap stick

money

cell phone with case

pocket knife

pocket pack (sealed pack containing P-38, 20ft of nylon string, tinder quik tab, pack of matches, 5 silver dimes, 1-1/10th oz gold round, $20 bill)

keys

carry weapon



contents of the fanny pack:

first aid kit

checkbook, notepad, calculator (as i said, it's her purse)

purell

LED flashlight

batteries for the camera (the camera is in there too but i couldn't show it for obvious reasons )

bottle of no doz

pill pack with aspirin and naproxin

feminine napkin

altoids tin with important cards (DL, visa, SS card, etc)

8x21 binoculars with case

can opener

Q-tips

ink pen

slim jims

sewing kit

tide pen

keys (on the key ring are a magnesium fire starter, emergency whistle, CPR shield kit, pocket knife)

OMG - It's preppers gone wild.

in the first aid kit:

triangle bandage

gauze pads

first aid cream

ipecac

gauze rolls

cloth tape

tweezers

two different micro multi-tools

hand warmers

splinter removers

syringe needle

burn ointment

band aids

gloves

anti-biotic ointment

2x3 pads

mole skin

CPR barriers

suture tape

hydrocortizone

safety pins

more band aids

alcohol wipes



main bag:

pants and shirt

hygeine kit (deodorant stick, razors, soap, hand lotion, feminine pads)

utensils

camping TP (3 rolls)

4 wax/sawdust fire starters

2 trauma dressings

rubber gloves

pocket chainsaw

2 liter bottle carrier

2 - 3 day lifeboat rations

lensatic compass

multi-tool

hand crank flashlight

strike anywhere matches

lighter

mylar tarp

wool socks

stroganoff meal pack

shower liner tarp and poncho

2 - light sticks

wet wipes

12 packs of instant oatmeal

4 packs of hot cocoa

6 energy bars

3 instant mashed potato meals

1 pack of link's pre-cooked hamburger

bottle of ibuprofin

4 raman noodle packs

mess kit (same as mine)


my wife's bag is not complete yet. i hope to finish it soon.

I didn't see these listed, but a few more for consideration. I have a difficult time keeping things to a minimum!

moleskin to avoid blisters or limit the damage from blisters I already have
tent stakes
water socks
machete and/or hatchet
list of emergency contact info
spare important keys in case I lose my main keyring
commando-style wire cutters
Immodium AD pills
sleep mask
50-hour candle
mini FM radio with ear bud

check the post above yours, we posted at the same time. it's got the mole skin. i listed my bushman knife which is also decent as a machete in my list, along with my important info on the thumb drive. of your suggestions, the immodium, wire cutters and spare keys, at least, are things i will add. i tried the candle idea but temps where the bag stays are too high and it melts.

FloridaGirl said:

My problem is that by the time I got everything I needed in my BOB, I couldn't pick it up. Guess I need to invest in a little red wagon. My makeup alone takes up a lot of space. I want to look good when I am bugging out you know.

Click to expand...

A little red wagon is fine, but don't forget to upgrade to ALL TERRAIN TIRES AND INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION WITH UPGRADED SPRINGS!



Or, to borrow another idea from a net legend, how about a bug-out wheelbarrow?


P.S.: CFI, how's that Taurus working out?

I would add a couple of plain gray bandannas(No need to appear as a gang member). Great for mopping that perspiring brow as you tote your gear about the countryside.

Click to expand...

If you have access to enough water (even non-drinkable water), bandanas are also good for keeping cool during extreme heat. Wet a bandana and hang or tie it around your neck. Makes an amazing difference. Something about cooling the blood that goes through the major veins in your neck??

Fans of Survivorman know that he often makes a point of talking about wetting his bandana and wrapping it around his neck as a survival tool. It's to cool the carotid arteries that are the primary blood flow to the brain. I hadn't thought of the significance of color as it pertains to gangs, though.

Glad I was able to contribute something to the discussion with the anti-diarrhea pills (few things are so bad that diarrhea can't make it even worse), moleskin (as I like to say, if your feet aren't happy then the rest of you probably won't be happy) and wire cutters (me, I'm going to try to avoid the open areas and the high places, and I'm sorry if that means cutting through someone's fence at ground level).

I'm one of those that regularly bring up a wheelbarrow as an often overlooked prep item, but I was trying to focus on BOBs and what you reasonably carry. But I do believe that no matter how much you plan and prep, you could still end up on the road with a crowd of refugees, and you always see some of them with pushcarts. I do happen to have a yard wagon that I got on sale at Lowe's. It was advertised to have a 1,200 payload capacity, so I'm in no danger of overloading it. But I'm not too happy with the fact that the tires need air. I'm thinking about buying a folding cart designed to haul deer out of the deep words as an alternative.

Speaking of long lines of refugees, every time I listen to Jeff Wayne's musical version of "The War of the Worlds," the "Forever Autumn" part always gives me chills. I think it's one of the best short descriptions of mass disaster ever written, and Richard Burton is brilliant in his narration. This section comes after the Martians have landed and are sweeping aside the best defenses the English can put in their way:

"As I hastened through Covent Garden, Blackfriars and Billingsgate, more and more people joined the painful exodus. Sad, weary women, their children stumbling and streaked with tears, their men bitter and angry, the rich rubbing shoulders with beggars and outcasts. Dogs snarled and whined, the horses' bits were covered with foam ... and here and there were wounded soldiers, as helpless as the rest. Never before in the history of the world had such a mass of human beings moved and suffered together. This was no disciplined march -- it was a stampede -- without order and without a goal, six million people unarmed and unprovisioned, driving headlong. It was the beginning of the rout of civilization, of the massacre of mankind."

tanstaafl, your suggestions are greatly appreciated, i was serious about taking some of your suggestions to heart. what i'm looking for though is others willing to do what i did and post pics and lists of their BOBs so others can learn how to build one and we all can get ideas from each other. your point of the wet bandanna around the neck is well taken...i'll see about getting some of those as well. i'm not too sure about the cart though...my pack's already too heavy as it is.

tristan, the taurus is doing ok. i had my gunsmith do a trigger job on it and now it shoots like an older S&W in single action. the cylinder pin had a burr on it causing it to drag in double action, but i've polished it and now it works fine. overall the jury's still out on long term durability but, so far, i'm satisfied with it.

some others mentioned them but i thought it worth highlighting them:

a straw, brimmed hat for summer (for shade, and flying insects normally don't like to come in under the brim and the brim catches spider webs and falling ticks),
a knit cap for winter, 2 actually, one for cold, and the other to cover the first when really cold/windy.

i use a machete often in my fieldwork. it makes fast work of clearing a trail, blazing trees to mark your line, digging up dirt when searching for buried control points or monuments (if a shovel or claw hammer is not available), and dealing with aggressive dogs when necessary. a good bastard file is all that is necessary to keep a good edge. a military machete will help cut down 4-6" trees faster than a civilian version, but it takes time to develop the arm and wrist muscles to control it as well. i never go off on recon without my machete in its leather holster.

also worth highlighting again are the led-headlamps (hands-free) and small but powerful xenon flashlights. good thread!

I don't really have a single BOB, so I'll yield to those who can best respond to the purpose of the thread. Instead I have multiple BOB-like solutions (that is, multiple duffles for multiple scenarios), ranging from my standard hiking backpack gear all the way up to a pre-packed utility trailer that even includes a Folbot Greenland II folding boat.

tanstaafl said:

I don't really have a single BOB, so I'll yield to those who can best respond to the purpose of the thread. Instead I have multiple BOB-like solutions (that is, multiple duffles for multiple scenarios), ranging from my standard hiking backpack gear all the way up to a pre-packed utility trailer that even includes a Folbot Greenland II folding boat.

Click to expand...

i'd still love to see them. if you'll notice, both lists i posted included items not necessarily a part of the actual pack...we also believe in multiple pack systems.

CFI: Instead of the 50-hour candle, try a "liquid parafin" candle - available at any craft shop, or on-line. I've got a bunch of them in plastic cases. They are already liquid, and don't freeze easily. A piece of duct tape seals the lid on solidly.

Fleataxi

marsh said:

OMG - It's preppers gone wild.

Click to expand...

Oh, you meant 'bug out bags'!


I'm getting some ideas of things to add to mine, can't think of everything. One good thing I got last week was one of those LED lights from C. Crane that snaps onto a nine volt battery. It's got a low and high setting. On low it with a good battery it will light forever. Takes up hardly any room.

+1
on the pocket chain saw/folding saw

Twice that I can remember I've heard people come out of real survivor situations in the woods and attribute the saw blade on their Swiss Army Knife as particularly helpful in downing small branches to make an insulated bed or tree shelter.

Since somebody mentioned Survivorman, if you read the FAQ's on Les' site you'll see the reason why he always takes a multi-tool is for the sawblade.

So...where are all of the pictures of topless women?

Ohhhhhhh...It's B.O.B.s...not B.O.O.B.S. OK. Never mind.

Please forgive my confusion.

FT, i'd consider it, but my pack's already too heavy and i do have a hand crank light so i shouldn't need a candle. the car is a different situation and i have a good candle in it already.

double A, i find those saws on multi-tools to be pretty good for notching sticks when building snares and such, but too small for limbs much over 1" in diameter. for those the pocket chainsaw or even a simple folding camp saw would work much better imho.

moon, those lights are nice, especially if you have rechargable 9v batts to go with them as well as a solar charger for them.

Maybe I get more practice because I can saw limbs almost a big as the blade is long. You just take shorter strokes. But I do have two of the folding saws 6-9in blades)in my truck. I make walking sticks and you never know when a nice straight sapling is going to sprout along a roadside. I often find them where the highway crew has cut down a tree and out sprouts a bunch of one and half inch diameter saplngs that are often six or even seven feet long.

I have a machete, but I find it less efficient on saplings and VERY dangerous if you miss. Whereas the sawblade doesn't cut by wacking at a bending branch.

oh, i'm not saying they're not good, just that having BOTH would be a good idea. for instance, if notching a stick, the pocket chainsaw would be a poor choice. use the right tool for the job, ya know?

Christian for Israel said:

oh, i'm not saying they're not good, just that having BOTH would be a good idea. for instance, if notching a stick, the pocket chainsaw would be a poor choice. use the right tool for the job, ya know?

Click to expand...

Yes of course, which is why I said +1 pocket chainsaw / folding saw. I know you pack the pocket chainsaw, my post was a thumbs up for it! Many people just have no idea how valuable a small sawblade (or any saw) is in the woods. Light, thin, cleaner cutting, cuts fast and often safer.

Natural deodorant stick.

These crystal deodorant lumps or sticks are often advertized in Natural Health type magazine. A few years ago as a joke I was given one for Christmas. They work EXTREMELY well and a single $5 stick will last a full 15-18 months.

However they are not antipersperants, just anti-stink.

As for stinking during a bug-out situation, might it not make it easier for people to track you? Didn't I read somewhere that one of the many reasons the Military is using silver in underwear is to reduce tracking by smell?

Double_A said:

I have a machete, but I find it less efficient on saplings and VERY dangerous if you miss. Whereas the sawblade doesn't cut by wacking at a bending branch.

Click to expand...

a few things that will help with that:

keep your blade sharp.

use your other hand to bend the sapling a bit away from the direction that the machete is coming from.

strike as low to the ground as you can without risking getting the blade in the dirt or hitting rocks. the lower to the ground, the more solid the resistance to the blade, which means the blade will slide more quickly into the wood. cut at a 45° angle. cutting low to the ground also means that you're not leaving a trail of obvious and dangerous "punji-stick" type stumps to trip up the next passer-by.

jed turtle said:

a few things that will help with that:

keep your blade sharp.

use your other hand to bend the sapling a bit away from the direction that the machete is coming from.

strike as low to the ground as you can without risking getting the blade in the dirt or hitting rocks. the lower to the ground, the more solid the resistance to the blade, which means the blade will slide more quickly into the wood. cut at a 45° angle. cutting low to the ground also means that you're not leaving a trail of obvious and dangerous "punji-stick" type stumps to trip up the next passer-by.

Click to expand...

Cutting at a 45 is probably one thing I"m not doing. But how do you cut low to the greound at a 45 and not hit soil that will dull the blade quickly?

\Sorry I just realized this may now be drifting off topic.

aim for about 6" above the ground. it'll still give a good cut but keeps you clear of the ground. actually, the bushman i listed does a good job of cutting down saplings.

double A, i've seen the mineral rock deodorant in the past and have meant to order one...it keeps the stink down by killing bacteria but doesn't have a scent so you don't have to worry about others locating you. you're right about people being able to track you by smell...a great reason to keep it in your kit as we have no idea just what a real SHTF situation might entail.

ok, back on topic, i'm still waiting for you folks to show off your BOBs. come on guys...you're famous for talking about 'em...now it's time to show them off.

bump one more time, then, if there are no more responses i'll move it to prep.

Firearms in the BOB

I've noticed that at least some of you include "weapons" in the BOB...how do you get away with that? Are you all in the West where it's an accepted practise? I'm in New England (CT) where, if found at a traffic stop would get you thrown over the car hood and "victimized".

Even though I have a CCW...I'd be reluctent to carry a firearm in a BOB. (as much as I'd like to) So, are you all in a state where the 2nd is still alive and well or are you just taking your chances?

Appreciate your responses...

Jax

yakjax said:

I've noticed that at least some of you include "weapons" in the BOB...how do you get away with that? Are you all in the West where it's an accepted practise? I'm in New England (CT) where, if found at a traffic stop would get you thrown over the car hood and "victimized".

Even though I have a CCW...I'd be reluctent to carry a firearm in a BOB. (as much as I'd like to) So, are you all in a state where the 2nd is still alive and well or are you just taking your chances?

Appreciate your responses...

Jax

Click to expand...

If you have a CCW, what does it matter? If it is a pistol, it's concealed and in a "case" (definitions vary by state...) A BOB could be defined as a case in most states. so it shouldn't matter even if you don't have a CCW. Why would the cops search you to begin with? What probable cause?

If it's a rifle, then by all means, put it in a case or at lest a gunsock.

My main BOB (pics and description to follow maybe this weekend) is at home, my truck is stocked to get me home (with a get me home bag and gear). If I have grabbed the home BOB then TSHTF and local laws become less relevant.

I'm not sure I see what you are asking here.

BTW, doesn't everyone have a rifle and pistol in their car?

yakjax, come out to sunny nevada, where freedom is the greatest fringe benefit. seriously, this is a gun friendly, machinegun friendly even, state. here open carry is legal and a pistol isn't considered 'concealed' unless it's hidden on your body...in a backpack or even a purse doesn't count. i personally carry my 1911 openly everywhere i go. i'm getting my CCW simply because i want to carry in the wintertime and open carry is difficult with a coat on. my wife carries her .357 openly as well and neither of us even get a funny look. even the cops around here fail to notice, though several of my friends who are cops tell me they wish everyone would carry as it'd deter what little crime we have around here.

besides, how many thousand yard ranges do you have in CT to practice medium range shooting at? here we have one 5 miles from where i live (i live in the middle of a town of 30,000 btw). and that's not mentioning that we have vast areas where shooting is legal and where no one lives for miles in any direction.

CFI:

From http://www.nsrpa.us/legal/nevlocal.html

Open Carry
In Nevada, you may carry a loaded or unloaded firearm on your person without a permit so long as the firearm is fully exposed (known as "open carry"). An example of open carry is when a handgun is carried in an "outside the pants" hip holster. Full or partial concealment (such as a purse, jacket, etc.) is considered "concealed carry" and is discussed below.

Can I Carry a Concealed Firearm?
It is illegal for a person to carry a concealed firearm on his person, loaded or unloaded, unless he has a valid concealed weapon permit, or is legally entitled to do so otherwise.
Can I Conceal a Firearm Without a Permit?
Without a CCW permit, a firearm may be concealed in your home or vehicle as long as it is not on your person, concealed by your person, or in a personal item (such as a purse, backpack, briefcase) carried by you. "

From my reading, purses, book bags, fanny packs, and other items that are normally carried on the body if they contain a gun, it's considered concealed carry regardless of whether you were actually carrying said item at the time as long as it's in close proximity (passenger area of car, etc.)

Fleataxi

from my talking to the CCW instructor (marty shaw) and the lander county sheriff, guns carried in bags do not constitute 'concealed' carry. now, it IS a gray area. for instance, carrying a gun in a fanny pack that is being worn is considered concealed carry. but, take it off your waist and carry it in your hand or over your shoulder and it becomes a packaged gun, not a concealed firearm. just like carrying a pistol in a box to mail it or a range bag. the thing is, the same law applies to both.

CFI: Thanks for elaborating, the laws can be confusing.

Fleataxi

CFI - been out of town, just coming around to reading this. What a great idea - pictures! Some of us are visual people and need to SEE what we will need. I have a BOB, but always afraid I'm missing something or short on something. Your pictures helped a great deal! Thanks!!

What a great thread - very helpful!

glad i could help. why don't you post pics and list of yours and lets see if we can help each other?

Pics and descriptions of BOB

Here is mine. THis bag is designed to be used in the midwest. Water is available nearly everywhere, so only purification is an issue.

Temps run from -25 to +100
Shelter is an issue shade andor protection from wind.

This bag is designed for 6 days.

Not shown are main firearms. Ak rifle with spare mag (60 rounds) and a .45 ACP pistol.

helpful comments are welcome.
(hope the pics turn out!)

Main pack pics w/web belt
(pic1)


Web Belt:
(pic3)

1 tanto style knife (K-bar brand) w/sheath
2 canteens
1 folding shovel
1 lensatic compass w neck line (on suspender strap)