While reading the various threads pertaining to the features, components, and characteristics if the Ultimate Reality Bug Out Bag (URBOB), I thought, "I've been through this before!"

And I had, while participating in search and rescue. We all developed a personal pack, loaded with the goodies we would need to go out into the neighboring countryside (Tucson, Arizona) and help others in distress. While everyone adjusted the contents of their BOB to the changing seasons, we had to be prepared for mountains, deserts, caves and mines, and floods. We routinely operated at night. We were called unpredictably, and launched into the field at illogical times - high noon on a hot June day, into the face of a gathering storm at night - Just the kind of circumstances in which you might have to activate your BOB procedures. We particularly needed to respond quickly, just as one might in BOB situations.

We found it wise to be self sufficient for at least forty-eight hours, if not longer, for every operation. We needed vertical gear, a robust FAK, the ability to sleep comfortably, communicate, and travel through rugged terrain - just as you might in a BOB situation. Speed and mobility were often (but not always!)premium qualities - just like BOB. Always searching for lighter, more versatile gear, it not only had to light, but, most importantly, right... Total weight had to balanced against gear suitability and environmental conditions - sounds like BOB, right? Our winter pack was usually lighter than the summer pack (which in essence was a giant water bottle).

As we did more and more operations, we examined gear critically as it performed (or didn't) in the crucible of SAR ops. Perfecting the load was a never ending process.

I achieved a pack that fit my needs perfectly - and then it was stolen. I submitted a claim under my homeowner's insurance policy and duly received a check. A few months later, I learned that the adjuster had visited the local mountain shop, asking the management there (who knew me well as a regular customer) if I could possibly have been carrying all that stuff in one pack. They grinned and said, "Actually, this is rather thin. He often has more."

So, if you would like to perfect your BOB, volunteer for your local SAR unit. You will gain valuable, realistic real world experience that will serve you well. You will find out how you perform when tired, stressed, and sleep deprived, and what works for you in those conditions. You will be doing some good in the world and, if you are really weird, you might just like it.

good stuff...I'd like to see your list of contents!

The criteria for quality SAR gear is high, and expensive. How much do the members have to buy, try and discard before they find what works and what suits them? A lot, I'll bet. And the good stuff is expensive.

Being a member of SAR is not a cheap endeavor. And most of the SAR people are paying for all of it themselves.

Maybe a donation to your local Search & Rescue would be an appropriate holiday gift to someone you hope you'll never have to meet.

Sue

Absolutely not true. Most personal gear is off the shelf standard outdoor gear - REI, Cabelas, Campmor, etc.

There is the issue of specialized items - Stokes and SKED litters, extra long (600') ropes, radios, pagers - those are typically purchased and owned by the organization, not by the individual members. YMMV

You raise an interesting question. How much did I, or the typical member, spend on SAR, beyond what would have been spent on outdoor goodies anyway?

Not very much, in my experience. I did have three kids to educate and put through college, so I did not have unlimited funds, but I don't recall any inordinate strain. I did buy a rather expensive Marmot down bag, light and warm, which could be configured as a double bag if necessary. I carried it on some operations, but I have used it on many more personal trips. Twenty-five years after I purchased it, it is still in service (Real quality gear has a very long service life.)

My most useful stove was a light, cheap Trangia (still available today). I recall fondly a cheap acrylic zippered sweatshirt from Sears that cost, like, $13 - a versatile, useful item.

One of the issues back in the day (70s and 80s) was finding decent, dependable lights. Today, I am amazed at the proliferation of dependable,light, bright LEDs that outshine anything available back then.

One other thing. If I wiped out something significant on an operation, in my setup at least, I could always submit a bill to the Sheriff's Office for reimbursement. This was rarely necessary.

I agree that a donation to your SAR unit would be highly appropriate at this holiday time. Even better, both for you and the unit, would be to also donate yourself.

Do you get any tax breaks like VFD?

I built my BOB a little different than most and I use it every overnight trip and take it if were drive out of the area. Wikihow had an article not too along ago on how to make a permanent toiletry bag for frequent travelers so they could always have it ready for the next trip. I started doing the same years ago and just this summer added a purpose made toiletry bag to my bob rather than the big ziplock I was using.
If I ever did have to evac, I see more of a NOLA situation happening where I'd need to relocate to another house/apartment/hotel rather than a tent in the woods so I prepare more for that. My BOB consists of that toiletry bag which also has my FAK supplies in it and then the rest of my BOB which has some outdoor type gear but also other gear like my netbook which would be useful for living out of a hotel for a while and assist with restarting my life.

Hikermor, expense is in the eye of the beholder. The prices at Cabelas and REI make me cringe. I could no more afford a $95 backpack or a $300 sleeping back than I could fly to the moon by flapping my arms.

But overall, I still maintain that SAR people have a lot invested in their equipment.

Sue

Since I travel so much, I keep my shaving kit intact always. I restock it (as needed) before I leave on each trip.

I've got a large carabiner on it's handle and on the handles of my FAK (with my prescriptions and vitamins), and on my "Possibles Bag". These can all be quickly attached to my GHB if I have to get off of the boat and walk, or to my BoB when needed and when I go camping.

Having worked for a large outdoor chain in the past (similar to REI without the co-op), I can tell you that the items "cost so much" because the retail price is typically around 100% markup from the cost to the company. Even when stuff is marked at 70% clearance price the company is still making some kind of money off it. If you don't want to pay the full retail price, everything in the store is on sale at some point, and will go on clearance at the end of the season. You can often find the same stuff online at reduced prices, as mentioned above, because the online guys buy up over runs, unsold stock, etc and don't have to charge so much to make their money. As also mentioned, most of the large store chains make most of their money off customers that will never use the products they buy for their intended use, or to the their full potential of use.

When I did SAR, I carried the heaviest-duty versions of my usual hiking gear (i.e. Leatherman over a tiny SAK, Cordura rucksack rather than a sil-nylon backpack). Tough clothes were a must, since bashing through briers and brush was part of every search around here. The only additional expense (thing I didn't have in the closet) was for a few minor required items like leather gloves, 20' of nylon webbing, and 2 locking 'biners.

I became an REI member in 1981, when there was only one and you could always find a bargain. I still buy at REI, now that there is on near me in Michigan, but usually clearance, sale and unique items. They do stand behind their products. They replaced, no questions asked, the REI branded messenger bag I'd carried almost a year when one of the carry loops started unraveling. And I've been wearing the same REI brand fleece jacket for over 6 years, with little sign of wear even though it gets hard use. Cabela's too, I've gotten some great bargains on shirts, shoes....