Itstjs
New member
Ok, so Ive seen a few videos on youtube, and got into a discussion with my brother about BOBs. He hasnt started one, and seen a small one I keep in my closet. He happened to mention something about the weight. Him being a former Marine, I thought he was calling me a "sissy" for being an Army guy. He mentioned that it was really light. Mines about 35 to 40lbs, heres why incase some of you are wondering.
My theory has always been to pick up what you need along the way. Some people tend to put WAY too much stuff in their bags, most of the time, you wont use everything you have in there, and alot of people think long term such as traps and snares, which I have always considered to be long term survival gear, do I have a long term bag? No. Why you may ask, well, because again, you can always pick up things along the way. Another thing that seems to bother me is everyone prepares for woodland type scenarios. Honestly, chances of you getting from a township to a woodland area FAR from people is slim and none, especially if SHTF. All that extra weight is going to wear you down, get you killed and make you a target of opportunity. Main things needed are ways to start fire, ways to disinfect water, some light weight food, cold weather gear, first aid gear, self defense equipment and maybe something to set up a small shelter. Nothing more, at least in my opinion.
Look at it this way, 80% of America is populated in one way or another. Small towns, villages, and big cities everywhere. Buildings occupy majority of our American landscape, why fill your bag with tents, shelter building equipment when you already have it in place, all your doing is wasting space. Food, theres supermarkets everywhere, and by the way, I would not recommend going to one in a SHTF scenario, theyre hot beds for looters, gangs and just plain trouble, you, your group, family or whoever you Bug out with is going to put yourself at unnecessary risk. Heres my thought, obvious unoccupied homes where persons have grabbed what they can and left are perfect for grabbing what you need, obviously at night and only after you have exhausted what ever food items you have brought. Canned goods and sometimes raw meat from freezers could be grabbed, IF there are any left, you can also refill water bottles and canteens this way while you make your way either on foot, or by what ever means you are using to get to a less populated area.
Medical supplies should be packed inside your bag. I recommend tourniquets, pressure bandages, super glue, CPR items, stomach medicine, and other major essentials you are trained or qualified to use. Hospitals will be overrun with sick, injured and law figures. Use what youve got, and again, you can always resupply at vacant homes.
Fire related gear is easiest to pack, its not to hard to carry large quantities of lighters, matches or flint sticks in your bag, in my opinion, theyre a must.
Weapons are an obvious, in most SHTF scenarios thugs come out in the thick, bladed objects, firearms and ammunition are a must, obviously follow state and local laws for anything other than a WROL situation which seems to be what most preppers prepare for.
I am not by any means a hardcore prepper. I have a limited amount of ammunition seeing as ammo seemed to disappear after I had alot of fun at my fathers land days before the shortage had hit. I also have a very limited budget to work in, most of the time I pick up what I can at gas stations, or the local walmart.
My bag doesnt hold alot, I know everyone is different, but my brother figured it would way almost as much as I do for some reason, or as much as a normal Army/Marine ruck sack or assault bag.
I keep the following:
My Security Officer duty belt
OC, Baton, Handcuffs, Firearm (M&P 40) 2 spare mags (45 rounds on the belt), multi tool, hand cuffs, and a flashlight.
Bag
striking tool to start fire, lighters, matches, 8 kem lights, thermal blanket, 200 rounds of assorted shotgun ammo, 200 rounds of 40 cal 400 rounds of 9mm. 2 spare pair of socks, 1 pair of ACU pants, 2 shirts, 2 poweraid water bottles, 2 canteens, 1 water bladder, machete, hatchet, 500 feet of 550 cord, small OD Green tarp, multi tool, knife sharpener, 8 in fixed blade knife, 2 folding knives, 1 pair of binos, AA and AAA Batteries, 2 oz can of bleach, water purifying tablets, universal Fosset key (for water spikets on buildings) various over the counter medicines, bandages, Gorilla tape, trenching tool.
Thats the majority of it that I can think of off the top of my head.
I figured this could be at least my 2c to add to the BOB talk. Hope my experience and advice helps in some way, and maybe makes some of you think "sheesh mine MAY be over packed" because you never know, if the wife or oldest child has to lug it around, it may sap his/her strength or maybe your own. Chances are roadways will be grid locked and you may have to go on foot. My unit always said, if you cant hike 20 miles with your pack with small rest periods in between its too heavy. Water and Ammo will be most of your weight, and carry what you can on your body, not in your bag. Most of my gear is around my waist or on my chest, smaller items I can go without in case I have to dump the bag.
Id like your guys in put.
Thanks for reading.
My theory has always been to pick up what you need along the way. Some people tend to put WAY too much stuff in their bags, most of the time, you wont use everything you have in there, and alot of people think long term such as traps and snares, which I have always considered to be long term survival gear, do I have a long term bag? No. Why you may ask, well, because again, you can always pick up things along the way. Another thing that seems to bother me is everyone prepares for woodland type scenarios. Honestly, chances of you getting from a township to a woodland area FAR from people is slim and none, especially if SHTF. All that extra weight is going to wear you down, get you killed and make you a target of opportunity. Main things needed are ways to start fire, ways to disinfect water, some light weight food, cold weather gear, first aid gear, self defense equipment and maybe something to set up a small shelter. Nothing more, at least in my opinion.
Look at it this way, 80% of America is populated in one way or another. Small towns, villages, and big cities everywhere. Buildings occupy majority of our American landscape, why fill your bag with tents, shelter building equipment when you already have it in place, all your doing is wasting space. Food, theres supermarkets everywhere, and by the way, I would not recommend going to one in a SHTF scenario, theyre hot beds for looters, gangs and just plain trouble, you, your group, family or whoever you Bug out with is going to put yourself at unnecessary risk. Heres my thought, obvious unoccupied homes where persons have grabbed what they can and left are perfect for grabbing what you need, obviously at night and only after you have exhausted what ever food items you have brought. Canned goods and sometimes raw meat from freezers could be grabbed, IF there are any left, you can also refill water bottles and canteens this way while you make your way either on foot, or by what ever means you are using to get to a less populated area.
Medical supplies should be packed inside your bag. I recommend tourniquets, pressure bandages, super glue, CPR items, stomach medicine, and other major essentials you are trained or qualified to use. Hospitals will be overrun with sick, injured and law figures. Use what youve got, and again, you can always resupply at vacant homes.
Fire related gear is easiest to pack, its not to hard to carry large quantities of lighters, matches or flint sticks in your bag, in my opinion, theyre a must.
Weapons are an obvious, in most SHTF scenarios thugs come out in the thick, bladed objects, firearms and ammunition are a must, obviously follow state and local laws for anything other than a WROL situation which seems to be what most preppers prepare for.
I am not by any means a hardcore prepper. I have a limited amount of ammunition seeing as ammo seemed to disappear after I had alot of fun at my fathers land days before the shortage had hit. I also have a very limited budget to work in, most of the time I pick up what I can at gas stations, or the local walmart.
My bag doesnt hold alot, I know everyone is different, but my brother figured it would way almost as much as I do for some reason, or as much as a normal Army/Marine ruck sack or assault bag.
I keep the following:
My Security Officer duty belt
OC, Baton, Handcuffs, Firearm (M&P 40) 2 spare mags (45 rounds on the belt), multi tool, hand cuffs, and a flashlight.
Bag
striking tool to start fire, lighters, matches, 8 kem lights, thermal blanket, 200 rounds of assorted shotgun ammo, 200 rounds of 40 cal 400 rounds of 9mm. 2 spare pair of socks, 1 pair of ACU pants, 2 shirts, 2 poweraid water bottles, 2 canteens, 1 water bladder, machete, hatchet, 500 feet of 550 cord, small OD Green tarp, multi tool, knife sharpener, 8 in fixed blade knife, 2 folding knives, 1 pair of binos, AA and AAA Batteries, 2 oz can of bleach, water purifying tablets, universal Fosset key (for water spikets on buildings) various over the counter medicines, bandages, Gorilla tape, trenching tool.
Thats the majority of it that I can think of off the top of my head.
I figured this could be at least my 2c to add to the BOB talk. Hope my experience and advice helps in some way, and maybe makes some of you think "sheesh mine MAY be over packed" because you never know, if the wife or oldest child has to lug it around, it may sap his/her strength or maybe your own. Chances are roadways will be grid locked and you may have to go on foot. My unit always said, if you cant hike 20 miles with your pack with small rest periods in between its too heavy. Water and Ammo will be most of your weight, and carry what you can on your body, not in your bag. Most of my gear is around my waist or on my chest, smaller items I can go without in case I have to dump the bag.
Id like your guys in put.
Thanks for reading.
By then, I'll have tons more or I'll be dead. There will be tons of milsurp gear lying around, waiting to be picked up.
