This is not at all off topic. My custom BOBs include a deck of "survival-tips" playing cards, Survival Instruction Playing Cards paper and pencils. This way my wife can continue to beat me up at progressive rummy, (and keep score to prove it). There are mini scrabble, cribbage and other games available for travel too. Travel Games

For the longest time I carried a SAS survival guide in my BOB for the purpose of entertainment, then in a fit of "load lightening" frenzy during a repack at home, I discarded it.

I may have to rethink that option. Entertainment is valuable for morale and as my old age creeps up <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> it wouldn't be a bad idea to have the info contained in such a book at my fingertips.

Scott

That seems a prudent addition even without the entertainment factor. It could help a companion if you are incapacitated.

If you are with kids, entertainment is survival equipment.

I keep a copy of Lucifer's Hammer in my car kit.

And I can always sketch a go or checker board from memory, if I can find a bunch of light and dark pebbles.

And I have some 5mm dice. Toss in three of those for a group BOB...

After the recent hurricanes, we can tell you that entertainment IS part of a kit.......don't believe me.....you sit with 2 kids and no power.......

I tend to get "antsy" when I'm bored. So, in my 72 hr kit, I have the usual things. But, I do have a few non usual things for my wife and I (and yes, I am a gaming geek)

A cigar box with:
1) a mini set (really small print) of 1st edition AD&D books with mini dice
2) deck of regular cards
3) 3 Magic Decks (mostly commons)
4) Mini magnetic chess/checker/backgammon set (pieces are in a altoids gum tin)

I also have 2 or 3 paperbacks (from when I worked at TSR) that I haven't read, a transistor radio, and a travel version of Settlers of Catan in the BOB.

So, my wife and I are set for entertainment should we have to bug out.

Man, that reminds me, I got about $4k worth of magic cards sitting around and haven't played in lik 5 years. I think it's time to sell (and get some survival stuff?). Nah... probably blow it on computer gear.

Nothing wrong with entetainment in the kit.

You might even thing of some of the smaller musical insterments. A Harmonica springs to mind at the top of the list. What you don't play? You can always learn. It might drive others crazy but learning to play would kill a lot of time. Playing a tune might pass a lot of waiting time. It might even get you found by the sound.

The old joke with a deck of cards is if you get lost. Sit down a start playing solitair. Soon someone will show up and tell you to play the black ten on the red jack.

Thanks. I was just about to impulse buy them. $2.50 for the cards (no problem), shipping $5.50.

I'll have to look for them at an actual EMS store.