#251270 - 09/29/12 05:34 PM
Re-thinking the BOB philosophy
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
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Looking over the contents of many Bug-Out-Bags, I noticed that they are heavy on wilderness survival/ camping items. In my mind most of the time I'll be bugging out to a hotel, shelter or relatives house. Prob 99% of the time.
Requires a whole different set of gear:
-My faveorite pillow - spare work shirts - Sleep mask - robe - Phone charger _ work ID -Contact lens solution - night light
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#251271 - 09/29/12 06:07 PM
Re: Re-thinking the BOB philosophy
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Old Hand
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 831
Loc: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
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This is timely, as I am rethinking my plan based on Martin's post. (need to set up a second BOB).
For me, meds are number 1 on the list, and since the meds include insulin, some (even short term) cooling is needed when I bug out. Mostly I use those freezer packs and a small insulated cooler.
If I can bug out to a hotel, I'm OK. What is the thornier problem, is if I were taken to a "shelter" which might or might not have the facility to refrigerate insulin for a longer term. So I'm wondering about a small 12 volt refrigerator/cooler with a converter so I can set up wherever I can plug in to a wall outlet.
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"Better is the enemy of good enough."
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#251279 - 09/29/12 10:10 PM
Re: Re-thinking the BOB philosophy
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Addict
Registered: 09/03/10
Posts: 640
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I have a "EDC" bag Which is a Portion of my Bug out System for this reason. It contains everyday items and more and gets used for short term trips such as 3-4 hour drives/overnights/unexpected overnights. This is Why I tend to promote a bug out system more then a singular bag. The requirements for each portion of the system is to have bare basics in case only one part is taken along.
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Nope.......
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#251281 - 09/29/12 10:17 PM
Re: Re-thinking the BOB philosophy
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/26/02
Posts: 2995
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Thats why I have two different kits. One is a Camelbak backpack which fits the normal BOB stereotype. I then have a suitcase/travel kit for those kinds of situations. I built that kit based around us doing some traveling ourselves and reading different travel sites where people who travel for a living. I keep a good sized toiletry kit always stocked and rotated which has a small first aid kit. Then when I buy new things like socks or underwear I buy two packs and put one in my dresser and one in my travel kit. So as I buy new stuff it goes in the kit and what was in the kit goes into use. Of course now when we travel I take both kits
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#251289 - 09/30/12 08:03 PM
Re: Re-thinking the BOB philosophy
[Re: Eugene]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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If I am bugging out to a hotel or any reasonably stale urban environment, all I really need is important papers, prescription meds and cash/plastic.
When we have had to prepare to bug out, my wife and I have found a check list to be most invaluable. The first things on it are what I call the four Ps - people, pets, photos, and papers. Perhaps we should throw in Prescriptions, as well.
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Geezer in Chief
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#251297 - 09/30/12 11:48 PM
Re: Re-thinking the BOB philosophy
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 01/21/03
Posts: 2203
Loc: Bucks County PA
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I wish I could give your post more prominence on this site because it's 100% useful and correct. Nobody is going to be living off the land in a wilderness situation if there's a hurricane or a hazmat incident. You'll be indoors, in a big place, or at a friends place or a hotel or a church, and that's what "go" means. If you travel a bunch, you already live with a Go Bag - its called your carry-on bag, and if you don't have what you need for the next few days in there, you're not really ready to travel anyway.
My carry-on bag and briefcase - with a few minor additions - IS my go bag. Its packed with everything I need to do a business meeting, sleep in an airport, make phone calls, eat something, drink something and so on. Its always packed, except for a few moments when I get home from a trip and I change out the spare socks and underwear or refill the consumables I might have used on the trip.
Turning that into a "go" bad for an evacuation entails putting my backup hard drive in there and grabbing a small bag with a sleeping bag, batteries, some books and a few other items that I might like to have. Thats it.
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#251299 - 10/01/12 12:17 AM
Re: Re-thinking the BOB philosophy
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 11/25/08
Posts: 1918
Loc: Washington, DC
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Earplugs.
Hotel, campground or Red Cross Shelter -- someday you're going to wish you had earplugs.
I never travel without them (a few pair are in my car).
Throw some cash in that BOB, too.
.
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#251300 - 10/01/12 12:24 AM
Re: Re-thinking the BOB philosophy
[Re: MartinFocazio]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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Situations vary, but you should always be thinking about worst case,or at least bad case, scenarios and what you would want to have handy to deal with those situations. Right now I am working in the local county elections office - recruiting and training poll workers for the upcoming event. As the election draws closer, job demands could keep me up a great part of the night, or even all night. I keep a supply of food available, both in my desk and in my briefcase, along with a razor, soap, etc (fortunately we have showers available). Pretty soon I will give up bike commuting and drive a car, stocking it with a sleeping bag and at least one change of clothing. It can get pretty crazy and one needs to be able to roll with the punches.
Years ago, when I was making regular trips to the Channel Islands, it was routine to bring at least one extra day's rations. All kinds of events would mess up our schedules and you darn well had to be flexible.
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Geezer in Chief
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