Overhauled & inventoried my BOB

I did some house cleaning, & re-organizing of my BOB today. Thought I'd share so I could get help with spotting my short-comings:

Bug Out Bag (BOB)-ALICE pack

Main Compartment
Messkit
6 ea-Triox tablets
1 bt-strike anywhere matches
3 ea-SOS pads
1 ea-metal spoon
Combo-knife,corkscrew, bottle opener

Sterno Stove

1 rl-duct tape
2 ea-space blankets
1 pkg-baby wipes

paracord
1 ea-spare halogen bulb
2 pk-strike anywhere matches
1 ea-Magnesium Fire Starter
1 ea-pocket knife
Bic lighters (1-5ea)
Soap stone
1 ea-Eyeglass repair kit

Zip ties
Survival knife
5 pk-Raman Noodles (assorted)
4 pk-MRE’s (assorted)
Baja jacket
1 ea-55 gal polypropylene garbage bag
1 cn-Mosquito repellant (spray)

1 ea-Zippo lighter
1 ea-Signal Mirror (large)
1 rl-Electrical tape
1 ea-Coughlin Survival Kit in a Can
1 ea-Magnetic Compass
1 ea-Signal Whistle
P-38 & handcuff key
2 ea-Red Flashlight Lens
Pigeon string

Exterior Pockets

Left Pocket
First Aid Kit (FAK)
1 pkg-Aleve pain reliever
1 pkg-assorted Bandaids
10 ea-moist towelettes
18 doses-Amodium A-D
6 doses-Tylenol Sinus
2 pkg-Theraflu
1 pkg-Q-Tips
6 tablets-Bayer Aspirin
24 tablets-Water Purification
1 ea-Ace Bandage
2 ea-OB pads
1 bt-Tylenol & Tylenol PM (mixed)
1 bt-Prescription-Augmentin (1,000mg)

Center Pocket
2 cn-Sterno (small)
1 bt-Lighter Fluid
1 ea-deck/playing cards
1 pr-Binoculars/camara w/belt pouch
Medicine Pouch (Native American tradition)
“Roamer” (teddy bear & this is another story)

Right Pocket
Toilet Paper
Coins ($)
3 ea-bandannas
13 & 35 gal trashbags
12vdc cell phone charger
clip on hat brim light

Interior Radio Pouch
Written Bug Out Plan
BOB inventory
Maps
Ziplock bags
Bottled water

4”pvc Food Tube
6 pkg-Swiss Miss Instant Chocolate
1 pkg-Mixed Nuts
7 pks-Instant Grits
5 bx-Raisins
8 ea-Slim Jims
½ lb-Buffalo Jerky
5 ea-Beef Bouillion cubes
5 ea-Chicken Bouillion cubes
20 ea-dark chocolate mini’s
10 ea-Tea Bags
3 ea-Granola Bars
2 ea-Chocolate Brownies

ALICE pack exterior
Left side-Survival Hatchet
Front-60ft-3/8th” nylon line
Top-Army poncho
Bottom-4” x 2’ pvc Food Tube (see inventory)
Space Reserved For: Top & Sides: pillow, blanket, and 3 sheets

Front Hangers

Shaving kit in bag

Brown Shaving Kit
1 bx-Tylenol Cold Medicine
1 bx-Amodium A-D
1 bt-Vitamin C
1 pkg-Assorted Bandaids
1 bt-Prescription Clarinex
1 bt-Prescription Alegra
1 bt-Multi Vitamins
2 pkg-Ear Plugs
1 bt-Desinex Foot Powder
1 bt-Fish Oil Capsules (1000mg)
1 bt-Glucosomine Chondroitin
1 bt-Baby Aspirin

Black Shaving Kit Bag
1 pk-AAA batteries
1 ea-Croakie
1 ea-Lanyard
2 ea-ink pens
2 ea-spare Halogen Bulbs
2 spools-brown/white thread
1 pk-sewing needles
1 pk-eyeglass repair kit
1 ea-spare button
pigeon string
1 ea-combo tool
1 ea-paint pen-yellow
Space Reserved for: 8 hard-boiled eggs & 8 biscuits

Gas Mask Bag
Gas Mask
4 pr-Gas Mask Filters
1 pr-rubber gloves
1 set-slicker suit

Items to be transferred from Life Jacket to BOB
Leather Gloves w/clip
Signal Mirror (large)
2 ea-35gal trashbag
2 ea-13gal trashbag
1 ea-55gal trashbag
1 ea-Signal Whistle
6 ea-6” Zip ties
1 ea-6” Crescent Wrench
1 ea-8” Crescent Wrench

Radio Pouch
1 ea-3 “C” cell flashlight
1 ea-shoulder strap for pouch
1 pk-“C” batteries
1 pk-“AA” batteries
1 pk-“AAA” batteries

Messenger Bag
1 ea-Computer (alternative comms)
1 ea-Computer Internet Access card
Log book
Professional Licenses
5 bt-Water
2 ea-Bic lighters
1 ea-memory stick in case
1 ea-110vac cell phone charger
1 ea-110vac computer battery charger
1 ea-photo transfer cable for binocular camara
1 ea-FM radio receiver
1 ea-Magic Marker
1 bt-Aleve
1 pr-Eyeglasses
1 pr-Sunglasses
1 ea-Computer Internet Access card
Ziplock Bags
Tx & La Road Maps


Note: Duplicative items may be used as barter items

Are you using this on the ALICE frame?

BTW, what is "pigeon string"? I've got this horrible image of a spinning wheel that eats pigeons.

yeah, it's on an ALICE fame.

Pigeon string is usually leather lace like what is used as boot lace. I will save old shoelaces, nylon cord, leather lacing, etc, and refer to that as "pigeon string" as well. It is an old term from the wild west days, to the best of my knowledge.

It's very handy stuff to have around. I have used pigeon string to tie the tops of saplings together when making an Apache Wickiup. Tying things to my backpack. Basically, it is the old name for what we use paracord for today.

That's exactly the stuff and purposes that I was remembering, historically speaking; Senility sucks!!!

Ah.

When I used the issue ALICE frame, I would wrap it with paracord. That cord took a beating, but it would have worked for most things and got rid of "clank" every time a tree branch wacked me or I leaned against a large rock.

Also, have you looked at the SpecOps HUMP or the HSGI AliPad? One or the other of those might interest you.

How much does this all weigh?

I see you have SOS pads, how about adding 0000 Steel Wool so you can use it for fire starting ?

If you don't use baby wipes regularly, I would check them. Unscented ones can go rancid and stink. Believe me, we have two kids in diapers and purchased a million baby wipes and relatively quickly (several months) they smelled foul. I am sure that scented ones would not smell bad like the unscented ones, but I would recommend rotating them if you have not.

Sounds like it weighs alot.

I would try to standardize the battery. C's, AA's and AAA's may be alot to keep track of, and depending on the situation, one electronic device might get more use than others, so in a bind, they could just be taken out on one device.

Those are my initial thoughts, butt it looks vvery good and practical...

Almost had a Darwin Award winner from the young guys in my troop due to 0000 steel wool... they had their Klondike Derby sled packed with everything for the day, and one of the events is fire starting. Among other things, they had steel wool, fatwood, and, yeah, you guessed it, a 9V battery in close proximity in the sled... at some point, while dragging the sled around camp, they hit a bump that must have shifted some things around, and the battery and steel wool, which were supposed to be in separate containers, were now in contact... fortunately, this firebuilding kit was all in an old #10 can, which contained the flames before they spread to the wooden sled filled with wool blankets spare clothing, etc. Fun Fun Fun!

Wildman800:

A few observations I would suggest.
1. ditch the sterno stove and extra fuel cans, repace with an alcohole stove and small bottle of alcohole.

2. Gas Mask ? Who is going to tell you that you are under a gas attack, the Gov. has sensesors(sp) to tell them. By the time you smelled the problem it's to late. I think you might rethink carrying that, unless you have other reasons, like to much beans in the food bag.

3. Internet access card ? Please tell me where you will use it if it is so bad you have to bug out. ?

4. Why 3 "C" cell flash light ?

5. Do you need any white shage.?

I still want to know how much all that stuff weighs.

I dont think I could carry it all.

This seems a bit excessive. Thorough, but excessive. I think you could pare this down to half what you listed and still make out fairly well.

If you are willing to pack it all, then more power to ya. I'd need a wheelbarrow, or a horse, I think.

I think all of the comments are valid and that's why I asked for input. I haven't weighed it all but yes, it is a load! I'll weigh it in the day or two and post that.

I'll also start looking at what I can pare down, like the sterno fuel, and some other things because yes, it is a load.

Wildman,

I know this is going to sound personal and some may consider me creepy for asking, but...

If this is a BOB for the family (wife included) you might want to include some feminine hygene goodies (or does she have her own BOB?).

I keep tampons and panty shields in my EDC backpack (hey, I have a wife and a daughter and I'm a tad over-protective), and there are a couple of women that I work with that are eternally grateful for my doing so.

I saw the OB pads in the list of FAK contents and presumed they were there for make-shift trauma bandages since there were only two. BTW tampons are pretty handy for severe nose-bleeds.

Also, I know that you would be bugging out with two little ones and under stress so romance is low on the priority list but we humans tend to get closer emotionally with our mate when under stress. Have you considered adding some condoms to the BOB?

A pregnancy under bug-out conditons would seriously complicate things.

Again, I know this is personal and I appologise if I have offended but "blizzard-babies" happen.

1) No Offense taken!!!!

2) Some excellent points but, this bag is for me to leave work, march for 7 - 10 days to get home with. The OB pads are to be used as medium battle dressings, if needed.

3) I have been "neutered" (and so has the wife) so condoms aren't needed. A very good point in a normal situation.

4) Blast made a good point on another thread about how most of us tend to carry too much food. I'm trying to avoid that because I have done that about every hikeing and camping trip I have embarked upon.

5) I will shed the first 4 bottles of water as I drink them. They are to get me through populated, partially civilized areas that I will have to move through as fast and quietly as I can.

6) A large roll of duct tape will be used to silence every little jingle and jangle on my equipment before I leave my boat.

I weighed my gear and it comes to.........59 pounds,,,,,
Backpack=40lbs
4"x2'Food Tube=9lbs
Messenger Bag, gas mask bag, radio bag, shaving kit, shaving kit with supplementals, shaving kit w/misc=10lbs

Yes it is a load for my 196 pound; out of shape body

I'm reminded that it's what's in my heart and mind that matters most; AND it will get lighter everyday that I am on the road!!!!!

Still, as many have already stated, there is a lot of duplicative items that can be left behind (on the boat) if I have to Bug Out. Extra batteries, Bic lighters, most of my life jacket items, and other things that I will cut out of my plans.

I will also shed the first 4 bottles of water as I use them going through inhabited, partially civilized areas. This is water that will allow me to keep moving quickly and quietly through potentially hostile areas. Once I'm through those, I can stop to replenish my water bottles (5), gather additional food, and perhaps-other resources (a bicycle? weapons?)

That's quite a load, particularly if you're not regularly practicing humping that kind of weight for any length of time. Well, I'm not sure how far you're planning on needing to walk with your BOB.

Just a thought--I know space is at a premium on a boat, but perhaps you could consider some sort of cart? As far as something folding goes, something like those tall folding laundry/grocery carts, like this , could take the weight off you. Keep the most essential stuff on your person in case you needed to drop everything and sprint away, but you should be able to last a lot longer without having to actually carry all of that weight the whole time.

When I lived in NYC, it's typical for people to have to haul their laundry up and down many flights of stairs (I lived in a 5th floor "walk-up" apartment) and a few blocks away to the nearest coin laundry. Many carts are small and cheaply made, but I had a large, really sturdy folding cart that seemed like it should hold 50 pounds securely. If the handles are tall enough, you should be able to push the cart in front of you comfortably, almost like a supermarket shopping cart, otherwise you'd have to hunch over some or else improvise some higher handles. You could pull it behind you one-handed, but that's awkward over long distances. You could set up some straps to pull it behind you, but the balance of the cart would be tricky.

And this is not to say that you couldn't have a cart and an ALICE pack, too. Anyway, just an idea.

Instead of a full roll of duct tape you could make a flat pack (or two) of duct tape, wrapping 20 feet or so around an old credit-type card.

a little editing.

59# is way too heavy and you have too much duplication.

"...Senility sucks!!!..."

Gettin' old ain't much fun either. What did I have for breakfast???