My BOB

Long time lurker, first time poster!

I have been working on my BOB for awhile now. It is geared for if there is a need to leave the house/work in a natural or man made disaster and have to fallback to a pre-determined backup location(s) which could be some distance away.

Total weight is 24 lbs including water.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks
SD.

Tools:


Whistle on lanyard
Brass Wire
Space Blanket
Sharpening stone
Buck Knife
Swiss Army knife
Maglite (with LED conversion)
Batteries (AA and AAA)
AM/FM radio
30' of nylon string (extremely strong for the size)
72" boot laces
Multi-tool
Tea candles
SAS Survivial Guide
Note book and paper
Lighter and matches
Compass on lanyard
Map of area



Food:


Power gels
Granola Bars
Instant oatmeal
Sesame crackers (my fav snack)
Tea and sugar sub
Nutri-grain bar
Rolled Fruit snacks

Not shown:
3 packages freeze dried food
4 long sticks dried pepperoni (in smoker at time of photo)
12 oz homemade beef jerky (in smoker at time of photo)
Various dehydrated fruit (in dehydrator at time of photo)
20 oz wide mouth stainless steel cup



Hygiene and First Aid:


Toothbrush (with approx 10' of clear hockey tape wrapped around holder.)
2 packages of wet ones (great substitute for TP.)
2 J-Clothes
Razor
Hand soap
Lip balm
Dental floss
Hand sanitizer
Speed Stick
Toothpaste
Spare eye glasses
6 Gauze pads
Sam splint
Tension bandage
Roll of gauze
Retractable knife
5 garbage bags
Tape
Triangular bandage (x2)
6 pair examination gloves
Tylenol, Advil, Imodium, Anti-Histamines (all packaged separately in bottle)
Topical antibiotic ointment
Safety pins
Various adhesive bandages
Alchol hand wipes
CPR mouth barrier
Not shown:
Katadyn MicroPur MP1 Water Treatment Tablets



Backpack:

35 Lt (approx 2100 cubic inches) backpack
Insulated 1 liter (approx 1 quart)water bottle (x2)
Bungie cords (x2)

Not shown (in bottom of or attached to outside of bag)

Season dependent clothing (subject to change)
One pair nylon hiking pants
One pair nylon shorts
Polyester long sleeve shirt
Two pair non-cotton socks.
Light weight hat in summer, touque in fall and winter.
Water resistant spring jacket or winter coat attaches to bungie
cords and webbing.
4'x6' fleece blanket (plus a light weight sleeping bag can be attached to bungie cords and webbing.)
8x8 plastic ground sheet.

Good looking kit. I like the bit about the wet wipes being used for tp. I think I'll consider changing my tp out for these.

Consider a plastic whistle instead of metal. Metal can freeze to your lips in the cold. Believe me, it blows (sorry for the pun). Also go for one without a pea inside. I don't know if yours has one, but it's something to consider. You can't over blow a whistle without a pea.

What is your experience with those power gels? I was just comparing some today and considering them for my own B.O.B. They seem to have a lot of calories for such a small package, which is very good. But, they seem to have no protein or vitamins.

Do you need both a fork and a spoon? Most foods can be eaten with a spoon. Or if you want both, consider a spork. You could even cut some teeth into that spoon and make a spork out of it.

Instead of toothpaste and stick deodorant consider baking soda.

Maybe you should consider including copies of important information in your B.O.B. You could store them as paper copies or you could store these on a DVD+RW Disk, or both.

In an emergency shorts might put your legs in danger needlessly.

Here are some other things to consider: shelter, spare flashlight, quickclot, latex or nitril gloves, bandanas, duct tape, sewing kit, fishing kit, earbud(s) for the radio to save power, insect repellent or bug netting, sun block, sunglasses, 550 paracord, re-usable zip-ties, heavy duty aluminum foil, pencil (doesn't freeze), money, phone card or just the info on it, emergency contacts list.

maybe a small bottle of eyewash?

Depending on your budget, buy a pair of zip-off/convertible pants. Saves you a few ounces in carrying shorts as well as pants.

Maybe replace tea candles (DR seems to have problems with them melting in heat, though if you're in Canada, I doubt you will). Another thought would be add a relighting "trick" candle to the mix.

Otherwise, looks good! I might have to go through mine and parse it down a bit.

Toss in a pair of nail clippers. Overgrown nails can make walking a nightmare. The clippers have numerous other uses. The space blanket, groundcloth, thermal blanket and lightwieght bag are O.K.The spaceblanket won't last many uses. The best of bags are only half a bag without ground insulation. Is your thermal blanket for this use? Consider a sil tarp and better bag with a pad and ditch the rest. You have two fine, but finite fire sources. I would add a metal match. In resource rich B.C. you seem limited with your two knives. I would add a pocket saw or a few swedish bowsaw blades with field improvised bowhandles.

I would leave behind the SAS survival guide book. Most of the advice in the book is for your hard core military types who enjoy making dead fall traps for squirrels, whilst flint napping some arrow heads for some Lord of the Flies encounter with a wild boar.
Good detailed set of personal hygiene products and FAK items listed though. Its important to keep neat and clean and fresh when bugging out if only for morale, although the synthetic clothing won't help much after a few days especially in hot sweaty conditions. I would also get a proper tent as good lightweight durable ones, which can withstand much more severe weather than any tarp are available and have the added benefit of keeping insects at bay during the night. Even Mr Wiseman would recommend this option for more long term comfort. Get a comfy Thermarest type inflatable mattress and a nice warm cosy down sleeping bag instead of the heavy cold fleece blanket. Get a lightweight gas stove and a lightweight Titanium cooking pot/mug for hot meals and beverages. These items would weigh about the same as the 20oz steel cup. Sometimes it is nice to brew up a nice cup of hot sweet tea inside the tent when there is torrential rain outside. Leave behind either the SAK or the multi-tool especially if your already carrying the buck knife. Bugging out should be as comfortable as possible rather than a SAS SERE survival course. I would be thinking more along the lines of conventional trekking/camping kit list for a BOB.

Hi Sherpadog! Great first post!

The weight of your pack is truly impressive! Are you able to keep this BOB from freezing? Things like power gels turn into solid ice and making eating them challenging in the winter.

Would you consider adding a bear-pepper-spray to the pack? In an emergency, you may need to travel silently and the last time I was in B.C. I remember seeing a few big bears that I wouldn't want to sneak up on. As a plus it can be used for other things like keeping the BOB on your back instead of on someone else's. Also, once those sprays have been discharged I find they are great for spicing up food (may not be healthy but spice-tastic).

All in all that is a great looking pack and it is obvious you've put some thought into it.

-NIM

Here are some thoughts--

replace the space blanket with a heatsheet,
no cell phone or contact numbers?
One of the best tools is cash
add an earpiece for the radio
perhaps add a poncho for rain, tent, groundcloth, etc.
replace your maglight with an LED headlamp
Upgrade to a 'name' multi-tool ( w/ saw?)
moleskin?


Looks like a well thought out kit.

Teacher

Good post ... migration from lurker-only tells me you've gotten really hooked

My two cents:

• Radio looks approx. 5-in. x 2-1/2-in. Consider a smaller, lighter radio, one that uses same AA batteries as flashlight (unlike your current AAA-version). Eliminates need to carry two battery sizes, and allows inter-changeability.

• Consider replacing LED-conversion Mini-Mag with a reliable, two-level (low- and high-beam) AA-powered LED flashlight. Much of your use only requires a low-setting (cooking; map or other reading etc.), and will significantly extend run-time and battery supply.

• Include LED micro-flashlight as backup (two is better). They’re small, light, reliable, and inexpensive, with good run-times. Both Photon X-Light and Inova Microlight are about $6; 12-15 hour run-times with multiple brightness levels.

• A small 2-level AA-powered headlamp might be worthy of consideration as a back-up light.

• Second the recommendations to include duct tape (no disrespect to hockey tape), pea-less plastic whistle, ferro rod/metal match, spork, pencil (shavings double as firestarting tinder) and absolutely, a decent length of paracord.

• Might be better served to eliminate a couple of the five smaller garbage bags, and substitute a single, large 3- or 4-mil garbage bag … makeshift shelter, bivvy, sleeping bag, rain poncho.

• Personal preference, I carry the smaller, lighter DMT Diamond Mini-Sharp rather than a stone.

• Strictly a nit-pick, but saves a little bulk and weight – substitute a travel-size deodorant for your full-size Speed Stick.

• Since they add minuscule bulk/weight, consider including a couple of Tinder Quik Fire Tabs as backup tinder.

• As a substitute for your tea candles, take a look at Nuwick 36-hour candle-in-a-can or similar. Can be used for light, heat, and cooking, with “adjustable” output. Modest increase in bulk/weight over tea candles.

• As mentioned, consider eliminating the bulky/several ounce SAS Survival Guide. I’m sure you know much of the information anyway. Cut-and-paste useful info (knots, signaling, first aid, navigation etc.), and print two-sides on a sheet of 8-1/2 x 11-in. paper. Takes no room/weight, and in a pinch, doubles as tinder. Don’t feel like “reinventing the wheel?” Download and print Doug’s Pocket Survival Pak Survival Instructions in PDF, found here: http://www.dougritter.com/psp_index.htm (near bottom of page).

• A tip for your BIC lighter: after having a couple of BIC lighters completely discharge the butane while in storage because the control button/tab/lever got depressed (you know how it is, trying to stuff that last bit of gear into a bag), I wrap a rubberband or thin cordage around the lighter several times, wedged between the main body and the underside of the control button/tab/lever. Prevents it from being accidentally depressed.

• Notice absence of signal mirror. For those times when you might want to be “found,” I’d include a small mirror, glass or good-quality Lexan, like Rescue Reflectors, Star Flash etc. Also useful when removing foreign objects from the eye.

• Like you (and Les Stroud) I always carry a good multi-tool, but the blade(s) are limited use. Consider a reliable but inexpensive folder to supplement your fixed-blade. Something like one of the four KABAR Dozier folder models at $19.95. A bargain in my opinion.

Good luck with your revised kit (of course, you know it will always be a work-in-progess).

Dan

I agree with adding the headlamp, fire tinder, slimmer survival guide,

How long is this bag supposed to support you? If it's only a few days, why even bother with deodorant?

Leave the SAS book in. It's a very useful source of information on all sorts of subjects. It might have a bit of a mil-spec tone to it but it was written during the cold war. I don't see a head torch? If you do not have one, consider adding one. A cheap one will do. 2xAA battery type preferably. I have lost count of the number of times that I have needed three hands to do a job. Two for the job and one for the torch.

I read a great idea on another site the other day. If you are optimistic about having access to a computer later down the line after an emergency that forces you to use your BOB a good solution (or backup solution) is to scan your important documents, precious pictures, phone tree lists, etc and put all of that important data on a flash drive. Its a light weight, compact and convenient storage solution to all of your important data. They are fairly robust little buggers as well I have discovered after accidentally washing and drying my flash drive several times.

Also you can easily encrypt this data to a password protection if you are ever worried about your BOB being stolen.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Logan.

I agree with Logan about backing up important docs on some form of computer media. Flash drives are cool. Many people use them. I had a bad experience with my last one and it would have been even worse it if had been in my BOB on data backup duty. I chose a rewritable DVD (DVD+RW) because you can add and remove data on the disc nearly 1000 times (if you need to save more than 1000 times it's simple to get another disc because...), they are less expensive than flash drives, they are not subject to EMP (correct me if I'm wrong please), you can also save the data as images that can be viewed on an entertainment dvd player if no computer with a dvd drive is available, you can use the dvd as as signaling or toiletry mirror.

Welcome and nice kit Sherpadog. Two things come to mind.


My suggestions:

Replace the standard note pad and pen with a Rite n' the Rain note pad and Fisher space pen.

Or, if you're on a tight budget, you can buy the Fisher space pen refill for $5(US). Add a pencil as backup.


Replace all, or at least two, of the teacandles with one UCO Lantern candle (or REI brand, etc). They're 8 hour dripless candles and work really well.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I have replied to most of them here as there are too many to respond to!!

- Consider a plastic whistle instead of metal
Good point about the metal whistle. It is something to consider even though where I live it rarely gets cold enough to freeze.


- What is your experience with those power gels?
You are correct about them not having protein or vitamins. However they are carb dense and I use them while long distance cycling and hiking and they provide you with that extra boost of energy right when you need it.

As far as freezing, I keep extras here in the deep freezer. The chocolate flavor stays soft whereas the strawberry banana freeze almost (3/4) solid. Once out of the freezer, they soften up in about /12 hour.


- Do you need both a fork and a spoon?
I like to have both, they weigh next to nothing. My partner uses a spork and she likes it.


- Instead of toothpaste and stick deodorant consider baking soda.
For me, I will use baking soda only if there is nothing else available...otherwise I stick with the toothpaste and deodorant! The deodorant is has only about 1/4 capacity left....good enough for a few days.


- Maybe you should consider including copies of important information in your B.O.B.
In my EDC on a MP3 player/file USB drive, I have encrypted (PGP self extracting) scanned copies of birth certifcate, DL, SIN (Canadian version of SSI), credit cards etc. I also have the same encrypted docs emailed to myself on a few different email accounts ie: yahoo, gmail.


- Buy a pair of zip-off/convertible pants.
These are great until you have zippers fail 10 miles into the bush (thats what the safety pins are for). It has happened more then once....


- Toss in a pair of nail clippers.
Already on the keychain.


- You have two fine, but finite fire sources. I would add a metal match.
Great idea.


- In resource rich B.C. you seem limited with your two knives. I would add a pocket saw or a few swedish bowsaw blades with field improvised bowhandles.
I also carry a swiss army knife and small folding knife in my EDC. I was looking at a heavy duty folding garden saw the other day, the only problem is they don't sell spare blades...I like the suggestion of the bowsaw blades though.


- I would leave behind the SAS survival guide book.
That would be blasphemous!! For the small weight gain in carrying this book, I have used it more times then I can remember over the years. An added benefit, some pages can be used for fire starter if need be.


- I would also get a proper tent as good lightweight durable ones, which can withstand much more severe weather than any tarp are available and have the added benefit of keeping insects at bay during the night.
Good points here....have tent but too heavy and bulky to carry on a backpack

- Would you consider adding a bear-pepper-spray to the pack?
In all the years I have spent outdoors here in bear rich BC., I never have had a close enough encounter with a bear to even think about using pepper-spray. You are correct though, I would more then likely find a human who needed a spray more so then a bear.


- Replace the space blanket with a heatsheet
- Perhaps add a poncho for rain, tent, groundcloth, etc.
Everyone is correct, the space blanket is not adequate, time to upgrade.

- No cell phone or contact numbers?
In my EDC


- One of the best tools is cash
In my wallet and EDC. Keep 1 and 2 dollar, quarters etc in a 35 mm film cannister


Add an earpiece for the radio
In my EDC, I always have my MP3 player/file USB flash drive which has swappable headphones.[/b]


- Replace your maglight with an LED headlamp
- A small 2-level AA-powered headlamp might be worthy of consideration as a back-up light.
- I agree with adding the headlamp. Partner has one...I should also have.


- Consider replacing LED-conversion Mini-Mag with a reliable, two-level (low- and high-beam) AA-powered LED flashlight.
Not sure about the maglight,,brand loyality through the years I guess...still something to consider.


- Upgrade to a 'name' multi-tool
It is branded multi-tool ( w/ small saw blade) , I have had it for 2 years now and has done well.


- Moleskin?
Never had a need, good idea even though my feet are very tough...more on this later.


- Notice absence of signal mirror.
Good point...I have one but did not notice it is missing from the backpack.


If it's only a few days, why even bother with deodorant?
Am_Fear_Liath_Mor has the best response: "Its important to keep neat and clean and fresh when bugging out if only for morale."


How long is this bag supposed to support you?
2-3 days maybe 4 max...food would be the issue here. Also the option of bugging out most times should always be the last option.
As a former firefighter / 1st responder I have (hopefully) the right knowledge and intuiton to make the correct decison(s) if and when needed. That being said, we are of the mindset that we stay in-place as long as our personal well-being and security is not compromised.
Our thoughts on bugging out are not to head to the hills at the first sign of trouble, rather our drawn up plans are based on a series of events and phases occuring that would require us to leave our home and re-locate 6 miles across town, or 30 miles, 90 miles and at the extreme 450 miles away.
Taking this into consideration, a BOB is only a small part of the equation and it's previous and current version, this BOB has seen a fair amount of use via camping, long distance hiking etc so we know its limitations.


- The weight of your pack is truly impressive!
Not anymore...once I add all the above suggestions and will probably need a bigger bag:)
Actually the small weight gains should not make that much of difference. I have no trouble carrying the backpack now. I keep the feet blister free, legs and respiratory system in excellent shape by walking 9 miles round trip to work and back minimum 2 times a week carrying my work stuff (laptop, books, lunch etc) in a backpack which can get quite heavy at times. On the weekends, time permitting, there is a fair size and mostly undeveloped local park situated on the edge of steep ravine which is a tough one to hike.
I am not sure of the elevation gain...it is probably close to 250 feet. The route we take is just a bit over a mile and half around. We try and get 3-4 laps in with our BOB's..it gives us a good workout....and beats the treadmills at the gym.

You might want to think about a set of good walkie-talkies - esp. if there is someone who might be bugging out with you.

What about keeping a sleeping bag nearby - I keep my down bag uncompressed in a storage bag next to my BOB thinking that I will grab it and jam it into its stuff-sack as I head out the door.

Whenever we look at someone's kit I think back to the required food and gear Klondikers had to haul up the Chilcoot pass. I see that famous black and white photo and imagine some ultralight advocate arguing with the NWMP over his titanium cup's superiority to a dutch oven.You've acquired the one most essential bit of kit, a mindset of being prepared. I'd gladly grab your BOB as it now stands and run out the door.X and Y might prove deficient, but Z is enough to compensate and pull you through. Besides all the upgrades mentioned by people that will cost a MILLBANK Bag full of Loonies, I'd suggest buying the smaller and weatherproofed GEM version of Lofty's book. You will free up enough space to add more inspirational reading material ; WHEN BEARS ATTACK! THE MAD TRAPPER OF RAT RIVER a Farley Mowat Anthology or the greatest hits of Anne Murray and Celine Dion. With a small CD player those alone will eliminate any bear encounters.( Envision a black bear running down the trail, knocking over Lesley Nielson who sits up, hears SNOWBIRD and quickly passes bear.)

For those not familiar with Alaskan history, each miner hiking the Chilcoot was required to bring a YEAR worth of food, weighing about a TON (2000 lbs). The Mounties sat at the top with a machine gun (now on display in Whitehorse), just to make sure everyone had all of the goodies. Having hiked a portion of the Chilcoot, and seen some of the rest, I can not even imagine the pain. All for nothing in most cases...

Anne Murray I can take, but Celine, no way...

>>The best of bags are only half a bag without ground >>insulation.

This sounded a sensible idea to me, but when I asked about Big Agnes bags on the forum, people said they had gaps between the down and mat that made it feel like a permanent draught. Are there bottomless bags that avoid this problem?
simon

The Chilkoot trail picture that Chris is referring to can be seen here

Like OldBaldGuy, I have also been up parts of the trail and there is no way I could do what these people did over a hundred years ago.

I have read a couple of books on the Mad Trapper of Rat River and it always amazes me what Albert Johnson and the RCMP went through for 40+ days in the middle of a far north winter.
Some more info here.
There is also an excellent documentry on the Mad Trapper that runs occasionally here in Canada on the History Channel.

My current reading material is a re-read of Farley Mowatt's Tundra. It is a compilation of 10 chronicles and diaries of early explorers and traders who ventured out into the northern wilds of Canada. It is a compelling read and for every person who thinks they can simply get up and go live off the land in the wilderness, this book will soon cloud those illusions...

I've heard of a few units offered that are essentially a ground cloth sans insulation with the sides and top fully filled. Outdoor gear is oftentimes just as much slave to fashion and tradition as clothing. There are always a few potential tradeoffs in overal useability. All I know is, I once rolled down a slight incline in the desert while asleep and woke up with the bottom of the bag now on the top. So I stick with a traditional mummy.

Hi Simplesimon,

There is a good article on this type of bag at http://www.planetfear.com/article_detail.asp?a_id=446

AFAIK, the old Photon X-light only has an ON/OFF switch. Single brightness level.
Now, the new X-light Micro offers multiple levels of brightness.




It IS MORE than worthy of consideration !!

Great idea! I'll add a DVD-RW into by BOB along side my flash drive. :^)

Cheers!

Well said! It's a great book and if nothing else it will give you something to read.

There's actually a "Collins Gem" edition of this book which I have in my BOB. It's rather small, and only weighs about 200g



Also, here's a little ultrarunning trick:

Duct tape works better than moleskin. It sticks well, prevents chafing, and doesn't add much bulk which can actually exaggerate hot spots in a shoe. Preventative duct taping before blisters form is best so get it on there the moment anything starts rubbing, but even if you have to drain a blister before applying - it will patch you up and let you keep going.

In a pinch, those empty energy gel packets are also really good for reducing friction and preventing blisters. Just put them between your sock and shoe.

I didn't realize how much was missing from BOB until I read this thread

BTW for all of you that have little children. Do you just pack extra in your own bag for the kids? Do you create one for them?

I am talking kids under 10 years old.

I am all for raising tough kids etc...but in a pinch, the last thing I want is a kid kicking, screaming, and crying about carry a small pack that is too heavy.


UPDATE:

Doing a little searching, I guess the best way to deal with everything is to just purchase a larger suspension pack and just pack the extra stuff with me. In all reality the only stuff that will be different then what I would pack for me is just extra of most personal items (toiletries, food, first aid) and an extra pair of clothes or two.

Kids clothes don't take up that much room anyway.....I think

They can carry packs if they are five or older. Even if it is just a bottle of water, a change of clothes, and their teddy bear or similiar.

Get a dog. You can load a good retreiver down with nearly 30 lbs of supplies. If you get in a real pinch, you can eat the dog later on as well.

I use a 5,000 cu pack. When I need to go in a hurry, I've no time to pack well -- just dump stuff in and move.