Like others have posted, you don't always know how much time you'll have, if any, when a disaster or emergency occurs.

I myself would have a hard time remembering exactly what to pack at 2 a.m. in the morning, whether I had 30 seconds or 30 minutes to complete the task.

Having the basics already prepared -- some water, food, warm clothing, flashlight, knife, etc. -- it sure can't hurt.

I'm sure there are forum members here who carry very minimal EDC all the way to those with distant bug-out locations picked and gear caches buried.

Besides, being prepared is a great way to sleep better at night. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Well, I don't have a BOB, per say. However, I keep a change of clothes, toiletries, a poncho and heavy boots in my car (ever wake up someplavce you didn't plan on? I have). My EDC stays in my jeans, which sit on a chair next to my sneakers at night. I have my jacket on a peg next to the door.

I'm good on gear, ok on water, and set on calories *pokes jiggly belly* if I have to run out the door in the middle of the night.

If I know I'm looking at a storm, the BOB get's put together. The rest of the time, most of the BOB-ish stuff lives in a milk crate in the closet that has my jacket and the backpack that really should be dedicated to BOB but usually has school books in it. Realistically, I can evac with it in 15 minutes, if I bother to put everything in BOB properly, rather than just tossing my pack on my back, grabbing the milk crate, and going. Grabbing the milk crate, my better boots, and the bag of my camping socks (next to the better boots) takes about a minute.

And if it is an ordered evactuation for something moving slow, I take ten minutes and pull my harddrive. For me to leave my computer (or at least his soul) behind is like leaving a pet behind. I could do it, but when I had time to mourn Lazarus, I would. (Yes, I'm emotionally attached to my computer. I'm a geek.)

Oh, and Bee, for point of reference, I'm about 1.5 degrees south of you, and maybe a degree east. So we are largely in the same boat, you just get an hour or two before I do.

At the risk of beating a horse (dead or otherwise), I tend to agree with the above opinions. I fancy myself as a "Practical" person. So breaking it down:

>>Don't be so worried and keep on living.

Nobody is worried, a) they have already made all resonable precautions, or b) they don't think it can happen to them. Either way no one is worring.

>>If there was a real emergency that would require immediate
>>evacuation, I could easily throw a bunch of clothing items, my
>>PSK and some food in a large bag and then leave.

Possibly yes, always no. Not in every emergency is it totally clear what is going on. And not every emergency lends itself to last minute preparations. Generally, emergencies are unpredictable, if they were predictable, they would just be events, and there would be folks drinking beer and eating hotdogs outside the venue.

Finally, just as I stated under another thread. The value is not that you will have to use your BOB. The value is if you choose to use it, it will be ready. I personally think it is a mistake to think you can be just as effective/complete in assembling a BOB in 30 seconds as in 30 minutes (especially considering you could be living out of it for 30 hours or days). The quality of the kit will suffer. Last, while your assembling your Bag, the guy down the road is Bailing.

No offense intended, just my observations. I too wrestle with what events are practical to prepare for, so I just focus on the conditions I would like to avoid.

Marc

I'll offer up my reasons. In my case, I don't have the funds to keep a fully stocked BOB. In many cases I only have one of a particular item and while I would like to have it in my BOB..putting it there and having to rumage everytime I need it is not for me..I choose to leave it in it's standard place and then if I need to pack in a hurry mark it off the list. A good example for me is a tool kit, you know, basic screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches...but I don't purchase duplicates, it's just on my list to grab. Works for me, but as funds come available, I purchase an extra item or two. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That, and it's a very good justification for almost any toy. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I would most likely have bought a lot this stuff (/me looks around) anyway, but now I'm "prepared".

Listen here buddy. Let's get this straight: my essential survival gear are not toys. They are serious life-saving devices that have no play value whatsoever. They are absolutely necessary to the welfare of myself and others for miles around. They are totally non-frivolous and have no entertainment value. For example, that new Prybaby I'm ordering needs the high-voltage titanium snakeskin finish to make it, um, more visible in dim light, see? It's an absolute necessity, totally guided by logic and a mature approach to being prepared. Just cause I'm going to cradle it like a baby and sleep with it under my pillow does not make it a toy in any way. I know all you fine gentlemen agree with me.

P.S. Did I mention that my wife sometimes like to browse through this forum?

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I figure, if I've got the stuff lying around somewhere I'm ok. I can fish it out, pack it and bug out. The point is to have the gear in the first place. I like camping, so I have all the stoves, lanterns sleeping bags, cookware etc? I?ll ever need.
It?s all packed in plastic tubs & labelled. I just need to grab the containers and run.

Yes, if this ever happens, I know I?ll be missing some gear and saying: ? I shoulda, coulda, woulda? ? and kicking myself in the rear.

But that?s life and that?s human nature ?
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Fitzoid, you are absolutely correct. These are not toys. I posted in the wrong window. Thought I was on a completely different forum. Totally unconnected with this one. Silly me. Shouldn't try to do so many different things at once. Anyone reading your post will recognize the truth and sagely wisdom contained therein. Honestly, I'd rather not spend so much money on preparedness equipment, but my family's well being is my primary concern, and therefore money is no object.

j00 0w3 /\/\3, n00b. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I figured you meant to post on a forum about Lego or something. Just a simple mistake. It's hard to work these darn computers!

7h4nk5 br07h3r! 1 0w3 y0u b1g 71m3! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

So what do you camp in? Why not just keep your camper stocked and ready to go?

Mike...