Main pack (BOB continued) (first post HERE)

My primary BOB as discussed in the prior post, contains nearly everything I might need for 3 days. Food, water, shelter, defense, etc. I prepare assuming that the “authorities” will be less than competent in their preparations (see also: Katrina) for their immediate response to any issues which might require that they feed and shelter people for any length of time. How you package your BOB is up to you. What you put in that BOB is a personal decision, but hopefully, this will give you some hints. My BOB assumes that shelters are not available. If there are shelters, I may use them. I also have other supplies in totes so that I can pile them into a vehicle and bug out with more than 3 days worth of food and water.  But the main BOB assumes that I am walking with no outside help.

The list of what is in my BOB is long, and large, and takes many pages if listed in its entirety for each compartment of the pack, so I will just hit the highlights.

As I said in the earlier post, I have boots, jacket, and web gear to carry much of my supplies, and so that if I take the pack off, I still have the essentials on my person at all times. Firearm, knife and canteens are on my web gear, as well as a flashlight and a compass. Also on the gear is a folding shovel.

 The pack itself is a multi compartment internal frame pack sized to fit me. If you are large statured, you will most likely have more room. If slighter in stature, then you will have to deal with less room in a smaller pack. My pack has 2 main compartments and several smaller ones, as well as tie points for a bunch of stuff. I wish that I could carry more, but as it is I have 54 lbs. plus water, and that is a lot of weight for someone who doesn’t hike with a full pack several times a week.

As shown here, this is my complete 3 day setup. I plan on just tossing the whole thing into the car/truck and leaving, but the pack allows me the option of hoofing it if I need to. You may choose another package for toting your BOB, but find what works for you. Having all the stuff in one place is the first step, figuring out how to transport it is another decision. Don’t let this example keep you from deciding what works for you.

On the outside of the pack itself are tools. Rope  (50 ft w/3 carabiners)….(may not need it, but having it allows me the option of using it or tossing it as I see fit …if and when), a mess kit  for heating food and water, either on the cookstove or over a fire, a Cold Steel brand Bushman knife (inexpensive, but durable and can be used for chopping as well as cutting), a boonie hat (might be walking in the summer sun) , a collapsible water bowl for the dog,  and a hatchet. (never know….it can be a hammer as well as a chopping device),  and a 25X monocular for distance viewing . Some of these things may never be needed, but “ ‘tis better to have and not need , than need and not have”.

The compartments of the pack contain, in a distributed fashion, the following:

24 Mountain House meals: These are small, light and store forever, yet are easy to make edible with just  hot water. In a pinch, you can eat them dry and sip water.  In addition there are 16 Power bar type snack bars for energy, and 2 MRE’s  with heater.

3 flashlights:  one primary and 2 spares. Plus spare batteries (change them yearly!)

Sleeping bag, medium weight: this is a small bag, but is good for as low as zero degrees F. Lightweight, but warm and dry come just after water and before food when surviving. If I can be warm and dry in some shelter or motel room, great, if not, I am carrying 4.7 lbs of comfort.

Assorted tools: Leatherman tool, wire saw, pliers with wire cutter, and, as stated above, the hatchet. In addition, a sewing kit. Plus 2 small can openers. And a length of hose to siphon. 6 way screwdriver…

2 water filters by Katadyn. These are light, cleanable, and can filter 2ooo gallons of water each. (but remember the mantra:  2 is one, one is none).  Where I live, water can be found nearly everywhere. Clean water, however, may be an issue, so these can be invaluable.

Several mylar ponchos and emergency sleeping bags. While these are no substitute for the real thing, they can save lives in emergencies or when used to cover injured people. They are light and effective.

1 roll TP with the center removed to make it collapsible, in a Ziploc bag. (I am a guy, this will last me 3 weeks!)

Several means of firestarting/tinder. Hopefully I will not need to have a fire to keep me warm or cook, but they take up very little space and weight less than 2 lbs combined.

Spare pair of glasses: I need glasses to see farther than 30 feet. If you don’t have a spare pair,  but need glasses, you can get them from Zennioptical.com for less than $20.

A first aid kit w sutures: (and yes, I can suture a wound, but you’ll have a really big scar) contents of first aid kit are a post in itself……

Ibuprofen and aspirin, as well as Anti-diarrheal medication.

Mosquito repellent (100% Deet), Sunscreen.

Gloves, and a winter hat.

Clothing: 1 pr jeans, 2 long sleeve shirts, 2 tee shirts, 4 pr socks, and 3 pr underwear. Remember, I already have the boots too.

Tent: 2 person,

Small single burner cookstove, fully fueled. (4 hour burn time on low)

Soap and washrag. Toothbrush.

$300 in small bills. Copies of ID’s and such.  

And finally, a deck of cards:  If things get really, really bad, and you need help, take out the cards, deal a deck of solitare….within 3 minutes SOMEONE will come up and tell you how to play the next card. Knock him over the head and take his car or horse and go towards town…..