The BOBs I'm making are for 2 adults and up to two (Grand) children. The parameters I've set up for these bug-out-bags include being both a manageable size and weight for one person, with enough food and water for 72 hours, and other survival necessities to last a lifetime.

Each BOB includes two military poncho liners that may also be used for blankets. These are polyester batting and liner and they are tough to compress by hand. Also in the BOB is a 1.5 gallon collapsible water container and 4 bottles of treatment (I chose treatment over filtration so it can be done on the move). I decided to compress all these components via vacuum encapsulation and was pleased with the results.

The space saved is at least half and if the packages are opened, the blanket can still be rolled and stowed in the expanded vacuum bag; the water container and treatment bottles can be stowed in an included 4 mil poly zip lock.

The 186 piece first aid kits include added antibacterial wipes and good particulate masks. I will encapsulate these kits as well for long term storage and so the BOBs are absolutely complete when needed.

Our families have always been avid campers so the use of most of these materials will not be foreign to them. During our next family reunion, we'll meet and go over some of the details with which some will not be familiar, including, use of the radios, GPS, cell phone charger options (solar and/or crank), use of the compass, signal mirrors, etc. We'll also discuss situational awareness and decision making for various events in the locations where they live.

We're all having a good time with this project and this forum has helped considerably.

Way to go! I LOVE my vacpacker. About the only thing I don't vac pack is the machine itself!

vacuum pack fiber filled clothing/sleepingbag/blankets has some what the same effect as storing them in a tight stuff bag. They loose there loft, thus will give less insulation. It's a trade of size or insulation.

"vacuum pack fiber filled clothing/sleepingbag/blankets has some what the same effect as storing them in a tight stuff bag. They loose there loft, thus will give less insulation".

You are correct, most will advise storing sleeping bags out of compression sacks, however, this is much more pertinent to down bags and clothing. Unlike down, I believe polyester batting has a greater and longer memory to reloft after it is removed from compression.......... Like we'll see. Like I said....learn as you go. I appreciate your input.

Oh, neat. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I think you are right about the poly foam recovering it's insulation. I've had better warmth out of a poly bag fresh from the stuff sack than a down one.

186 components? Wow. Can we get a list, or maybe just pictures? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here's the website where I purchased the 186 piece First Aid Kit. I would be interested to hear additional input. I have also added to the BOB, additional Ibuprofen, Immodium, Iosat tabs, good respirator masks and more antibacterial wipes.
web page

The kit description:
Clear pocket pages - Quick access - Better organization
Illustrated quick reference pages
Durable, nylon softpack is easy to carry anywhere

Medicine, Antiseptics

4 Ibuprofen tablets
6 Extra-strength non-aspirin tablets
6 Aspirin tablets
12 Antiseptic cleansing wipes (sting free)
15 Alcohol cleansing pads
3 Castile soap towelettes
3 Insect sting relief pads
5 Antibiotic ointment packs
2 First aid/burn cream packs
1 Burn relief pack
Bandages

50 3/4" x 3" Adhesive plastic bandages
20 3/8" x 1-1/2" Junior adhesive plastic bandages
3 Knuckle fabric bandages
3 Fingertip fabric bandages
3 2" x 4" Elbow & knee plastic bandages
Injury Treatment

1 Instant cold compress
2 Sterile Eye Pads
5 Butterfly wound closures
1 Triangular sling/bandage
2 2" x 2" Moleskin Squares
1 6" x 3/4" Finger splint
Dressings
2 5" x 9" Trauma pad
2 4" x 4" Gauze dressing pads
2 3" x 3" Gauze dressing pads
6 2" x 2" Gauze dressing pads
1 2" Conforming gauze roll bandage
2 2" x 3" Non-stick pads
1 1/2" x 5 yd. First aid tape roll
References, Instruments
1 Softpack bag with clear pocket pages
1 American Medical Association First Aid Guide
1 Scissors
1 Tweezers
2 Medium safety pins
10 Cotton tipped applicators
2 Thermometers, one time use
4 Latex free exam quality gloves
Model FAO-452

The Website (try again)........it's www. drugstore.com... Search words "186 piece"

web page

Oh, I thought that count was on the BOB. :P Silly me.

This link will work: drugstore FAK

I think you left in the protocol twice on the UBB insert.

Here is a little gadget that you can use to vacume seal regular zip top bags. That way the bags are reusable. It is small and light enough that you mightr even take it along to repack.

Pump 'N Seal

It has a little straw that you put in the zip bag. You seal the zip except for where the straw goes in. Pump out the air holding your thump over the straw. Pull out the straw and press with the thump to seal the bag. The instruction video says put a tiny drop of salad oil in the seal of the zip bag. It makes a better seal. Sort of a nondrying hydrolic lock.

The onr problem with sealing many zip top bags is that of oer filling them. If there is to much strain on the seal from the stored items the seal will pop open.

I've got one and it does work. While the special bags are stronger and the seal is better. This is cheaper and the bags are reusable. And can be reclose in the field. Also because of the size and the fact it is a manual pump it can come along for complete repacking complete vacume packing.