I recently found this site EXTREMLY helpful in finally getting my BOB’s packed up. (the stuff was here SOMEWHERE, now I’m working on getting them packed up and ready) http://outdoors-maga…
It talks of different degrees of BOB’s.
The first being what you can carry in your pockets (or in my case purse) and keep with you at all times.
The second is what you can carry in a small pack for the car that stays there at all times.
The third, is what most of us consider a “bug out bag” in a back pack.
There is also a forth and fifth which consist mostly of clothing and extra camping gear. These are the things most of us wouldn’t have room for in a pack, but would take with us if we had time to pack the vehical before we left.
It’s a very good list, and even has pictures. Thought that might help someone else.
whoops, the link
I use a modular method.
Modules for shelter, food in graduated degrees, water, firemaking, cooking.
Start with a basic butt pack, then a daypack, then a rucksack.
ALL components have the same basic elements, so when you combine them into one unit, you have redundancy.
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I’m somewhere in there in the graded packs too. I used huge floursecent luggage tags from Academy Sports to label my bags 1–4. Bag #1 is obviously the first one we pull if we have a fire & we’ve gotten the cats out safely & can still go back in for our stuff-it has the bulk of our stuff & the broadest variety of supplies in it.
Bag #2 is the cat’s bag.
Bag #3 is extra linen.
Bag #4 is the food bag. I know it seems strange for the food to be in the last bag, but there IS food in #1 & #2, just not full of food.
Bags #3 & #4 are for situations where we have a little time to prepare if we had to evacuate due to water or gas line breakage in the neighborhood and had time to pack the vehicle up with more supplies.
I’m curious to explore the link given above — thanks for posting that — we can always improve on what we have, even if we’ve been ‘packed’ for years. I’m always tweaking something! :-)
And my ultimate BOB is a trailer.
Fully self-contained and stocked.
Takes 7 minutes to fill water (optional) and hook up and go.
Always kept ready, since I am after all, in California Wildfire country.
This is what I keep in the car at all times in the winter. Remember that we are a family of 6. Hubby, myself, DD 14, DD 9, DS 7, and DS 3.
Sweatpants and sweatshirts for everyone Stocking caps for everyone Gloves for everyone 24 protein bars 24 granola bars 5 60 hour emergency candles(for light, but mostly for heat) small bottles or bags of water that can be thawed inside your clothes Flare gun and flares Small first aid kit (bandages, ointment, tyenol, advil) Cell phone charger knife lighter fire starter packs (small celphane packs full of wax and other stuff that burn hot and fast, for lighting campfires) matches Big Maglite and extra batteries 2 decks of cards books
Also I NEVER leave the house without a thermos of water, my purse (first stage BOB) and my cell phone.
There is also 4 qts of oil, a gallon of half antifreeze and water, and tools that hubby could use to fix simple things on the van, but I don’t know what they are, much less how to use them. (something I need to work on)
While driving, I ALWAYS know where I am, so if we break down, and I can call for help, its simple enough to say I’m on this interstate, at this mile marker.