My B.O.B. in the works(updated 9/2/07) picture heavy

[TBear574]

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My list...
food/water,
3- 1/2 liter bottles, 2-1 liter bottles
water treatment tabs
1- 1qt bottle in alice bag

I have 10 3600 cal. packs of mainstay on order to replace current food
10- power bars
6- granola bar packs
6- instant oatmeal packs

10- instant coffee singles
12- crystal light singles

Clothing..
1pair cargo pants
2- T-shirts
2- pair socks
2- undies
1- brimmed hat
2- bandana head cover
1 pair work gloves(bought a better pair)


Lighting..
4- glow sticks
1- mini mag light with LED upgrade
1- shakable light
added 1 LED light, bright as big mag light

hygiene kit..
1- bar soap
1-small shampo
1- small tooth paste and brush
1- doederant
2- small towels
4- packs of wet wipes(added 1 more)
1-travel tp
1-large roll of TP rolled inot 4 smaller rolls
30- Q-tips

Fire..
2- boxes of matches
3-small lighter
magnesium fire starter

Misc..
100 feet 550 cord
25yds 2" duct tape wraped on an old card(replaced with better duct tape)
50yds 1" duct tape on card
2- emergency blanket
small sewing kit
sun screan
skeeter repellent
1- note pad
2-pens/2-pencils
2-emergency panchos
hand sanitizer
compas
samll binoculars
8-spare AA batt
8-AAA


swiss army knife

3ft tape measure
cheap walkman for radio(going to replace with crank radio/flash light)
small sharpening stone
hack saw blade
Texas state map
Ruger P-95 w/5 full mage, 70 rounds. (my spare pistol)
30 extra 9mm HP in bag
1-holster
small FAK
Large IFAK in MOLLE trifold bag

1- Large alice pack to hold all this(medium wasnt big enough)

also added,
25 14inch zip ties
25 8 inch zip ties
small travel mirror
small can opener(kinda like a p38)
camp soap
25 degree sleeping bag
5ft x 7.5ft packable tent

since i have a bigger pack im keeping the clothes in there, but i am looking into non cotton clothing.

What i want to add..
crank radio/light
water purrifier bottle
more batteries
more lights


also wanted to include my EDC which i will have when i BO

Taurus PT-1911 holster and 4 spare mags
Kel-Tec .380 with 1 spare mag
Leatherman multi tool
S&W swat knife
Caribiner with knife, keychain LED light
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb157/ke6ogc/DSCN0082.jpg
Whats missing?? any ideas???

[ak474u]

You've got a good start... I added a disposable camera to my BOB just because, if the house blows away, or gets looted before I can get there... I can take photos of damage, or even take a picture of the bad guys so I have evidence (of course the dead looters can have their picture taken by the police, but if they manage to crawl away... ) I also scotchgarded my boonie hat super heavy so It would provide at least some rain resistance. Because it can be 90 degrees in the afternoon and 50 at night here in N. Texas, I got a pair of cargo pants that have zip-off legs so they convert to shorts tried to kill 2 birds with one stone.. I guess if I had to wade across water that would help too. I found a sweet tool at wally world... It's called a HOBO Tool, it has a knife, fork and spoon built into a folding knike, I think it had a can opener and a corkscrew on it as well and it was like 3.99 You have a good start, I would get me a manageable sheet of plastic or a light tarp for expediant shelter, or even just covering up your stuff in nasty weather... Might also want to consider those waterproof stuff sacks to use as a pack liner.


I need ideas for adding to my BOB too... I've just been buying ammo, and food.

[Christian for Israel]

first off, great start. that kit as it stands would likely get you through 99.9% of emergencies. that said, i have a few recommendations. no offense but those shaker flashlights suck. you can shake them for an hour and still won't get more than 5 minutes of decent light. instead, check out this light/radio/cell phone charger: http://www.mypreciouskid.com/led-flashlight.html .

second, i highly recommend dumping most of the clothing. if you wanna keep extra clothes in the car in case you tear the ones you have, great, but in your BOB they take up too much space and weight and, aside from the socks, the clothes you are wearing at the time of the crisis will last the couple of weeks you'll be spending with your BOB.

one thing i swear by is having at LEAST 3 ways to start a fire. matches can get wet and a lighter can be crushed but a [url=http://wj-enterprises.stores.yahoo.net/firstarshipf.html:ee913]magnesium fire starter[/url:ee913] is virtually indestructible. also, consider putting a couple road flares in the kit. they can be used for signaling but, better than that, will start a fire even if your wood is soaking wet. most burn at least 15 minutes and they burn around 1500 degrees.

add a couple [url=http://www.pilotsupply.ca/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,16786311/category_id,280515/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,11/:ee913]lifeboat rations[/url:ee913]. they have a shelf life of 5 years minimum and are the most compact food source you can carry. for water filtration i highly recommend [url=http://products.katadyn.com/brands-and-products/produkte/Ultralight_Series_25/Katadyn_Mini_33.html:ee913]katadyn's mini[/url:ee913]. it filters up to 2000 gallons before you have to replace the element. that's a lot of drinkable water for $90. also it's light weight and compact...important for a BOB.

for a sleeping bag consider a [url=http://www.rei.com/product/750938:ee913]mylar bivy sack[/url:ee913]. like the mylar tarps, these bags are ultra light weight yet reflect back up to 80% of body heat.

[TBear574]

CFI you have some good points there.

As far as the clothing, i understand what you mean about space. So far it all fits, but i will take some out as i need the room.

I do have the magnesium fire starter sitting in my storage unit, i will get it next week when i go there. I never thought about road flares, good idea.

I have been looking into some better food bars and will be adding them soon.

The shake light i keep on a string hanging from the shoulder strap. I figure i already had it, doesnt weigh much and not taking up space, its just an extra light. i will be buying a light like you suggested, and also maybe a surefire or somthing like it.

Im am planning on getting a katadyn sports bottle filter, i dont like the idea of using chemicals to clean my water, but it was in my budget at the time.

AK, good idea about the cammera, could come in realy handy, ill have to get a water proof one for next time we get flooded in Houston

[Christian for Israel]

I need ideas for adding to my BOB too... I've just been buying ammo, and food.
take a look at my list on this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=205&st=0&sk=t&sd=a (http://www.whenshtf.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=205&st=0&sk=t&sd=a)

tbear, when picking out a water filter consider how much water it will process before needing to be replaced. also, you might end up with other people traveling with you (safety in numbers and all that) and being able to fill others' bottles instead of just your own could be beneficial.

for road flares check out the local auto parts stores.

[MOlivo]

No lighters?

[Christian for Israel]

he listed a lighter MO.

[TBear574]

CFI, i took your advice and took out the clothes and put them in a small duffle bag. Gave me more room then i thought. The duffle bag can be strapped under my BOB.

I found my magnesium fire starter and its now in my BOB and ill add a couple more lighters when im at walmart next week.

[MOlivo]

Lol, sorry didnt see it. Tbear, as for clothing, you may want to try what I did. I took a vaccum sealer and packed a couple changes of clothes into a bag then vaccumed the air out. It shrinks everything WAYYYY down.

Matt

[03Shadowbob]

good list. I would add a couple black plastic garbage bags for a quick shelter. Also, at the very bottom of my pack I put a 4x8 blue tarp. Doesn't take up any room hardly. I have about 10 carabiners hanging off my pack. Get a couple surplus canteens to hang from 2 carabiners. I made a couple slings out of twine that Ican easily cinch down my tent and blankets with to hang from bottom of pack.
Get some moleskin if it's not on the list. And get more anit-diarrhea meds. Pack a bottle of multivitamins. Add sunscreen. I also took a couple 35mm film cases and put lint in one and vaseline covered cotton balls in the other. Add nail clippers and tweezers. Latex gloves.
I have 2 BOBs, one for me one for the wife since we have 2 kids. I have the food in one and the rest of the supplies in the other. I do have some common use tools in each one though like firestarters, knifes, water tabs, etc.
For food, instead of cans, I bought the Tyson chicken in the foil which cuts down on weight and space and has a 3.5 year shelflife. I also have tuna packed in foil also. I have plenty of boil in bag rice & beans. Instant coffee and tea. Oatmeal, power bars, breakfast bars, instant potatoes, and some Mountain house packages. Your food list looks good. Add some gum and/or hard candy.
One last thing I added was chewing tobacco. Gotta have it.

[TBear574]

good list. I would add a couple black plastic garbage bags for a quick shelter. Also, at the very bottom of my pack I put a 4x8 blue tarp. Doesn't take up any room hardly. I have about 10 carabiners hanging off my pack. Get a couple surplus canteens to hang from 2 carabiners. I made a couple slings out of twine that Ican easily cinch down my tent and blankets with to hang from bottom of pack.
Get some moleskin if it's not on the list. And get more anit-diarrhea meds. Pack a bottle of multivitamins. Add sunscreen. I also took a couple 35mm film cases and put lint in one and vaseline covered cotton balls in the other. Add nail clippers and tweezers. Latex gloves.
I have 2 BOBs, one for me one for the wife since we have 2 kids. I have the food in one and the rest of the supplies in the other. I do have some common use tools in each one though like firestarters, knifes, water tabs, etc.
For food, instead of cans, I bought the Tyson chicken in the foil which cuts down on weight and space and has a 3.5 year shelflife. I also have tuna packed in foil also. I have plenty of boil in bag rice & beans. Instant coffee and tea. Oatmeal, power bars, breakfast bars, instant potatoes, and some Mountain house packages. Your food list looks good. Add some gum and/or hard candy.
One last thing I added was chewing tobacco. Gotta have it.

I do need to add a tarp and a couple of good trash bags.
As far as first aid, i have most of it covered. I have several over the counter meds and a bag of non latex gloves, Im also an EMT-Intermediate and im putting in my kit what i carry on my ambulance. When im dont with it ( I actualy have 3) im going to start another thread.

The med alice pack realy isnt working for me, im thinking about getting a large MOLLE pack. Any one have any reviews on this one???

All the food will be replaced as soon as i get the mainstay bars i ordered.

Im going to the surplus store this weekend and pick up some 550 cord, maybe a large canteen and chack out the molle bags.

Im also starting a BOBish bag for my 20 year old niece, she is in her last year at college in Maine (getting her bachlors in 3 years!!! ) and she is going to Africa for 3 weeks in december :shock:

[LLOD]

It looks good to me....the one thing I have in my BOB that most don't is a green mesh nylon Laundry bag...it may sound stupid but it as more uses than anything else I carry...Here are a couple I have used mine for.
-Carry wet clothes outside of ruck.
-Makes a great net to use in a funnel trap in a creek.
-Improvised head gear for camo and to keep bugs at bay.
-Store extra food up in the trees away from local wildlife.
-its always good to carry a extra bag to carry any items picked up along the way.

I used this last one on my last trip out to clean up a campsite that some asses had left behind.(beer cans and bottles).

LLOD

P.S Hello to everyone as this is my first post.

[Christian for Israel]

welcome LLOD! great point on the mesh bag as well. :)

[ak474u]

I use a mesh laundry bag when I go bird hunting, might be a good game bag if you had to blast small woodland creatures.

[TBear574]

It looks good to me....the one thing I have in my BOB that most don't is a green mesh nylon Laundry bag...it may sound stupid but it as more uses than anything else I carry...Here are a couple I have used mine for.
-Carry wet clothes outside of ruck.
-Makes a great net to use in a funnel trap in a creek.
-Improvised head gear for camo and to keep bugs at bay.
-Store extra food up in the trees away from local wildlife.
-its always good to carry a extra bag to carry any items picked up along the way.

I used this last one on my last trip out to clean up a campsite that some asses had left behind.(beer cans and bottles).

LLOD

P.S Hello to everyone as this is my first post.

verry good idea, i never would have thought of that. I will add that to my list to buy

[mitunnelrat]

Welcome LLOD

[Lagomorph]

A Question: Why only one small lighter? Lighters are cheap and take up hardly any room. It might be prudent to pack a couple more incase you lose one or need to lendsomeone a lighter.

[TBear574]

I have 3 lighters now, and i am currently rebuilding the BOB. Added a better flash light, paracord and a few other things, Also oredered a large alice pack to replace the medium.

[Christian for Israel]

sounds good tb. remember, try to keep the total weight below 30 lbs. even that is a massive load to carry if you intend to cover any substantial ground over rough terrain.

[TBear574]

sounds good tb. remember, try to keep the total weight below 30 lbs. even that is a massive load to carry if you intend to cover any substantial ground over rough terrain.

I will have to weigh mine after im done with it.

I just ordered a Large alice pack to replace the medium i am using.

Im sure i could handle a bit more than 30 pounds being 6'5" 280# but i do plan on a 7 mile hike in the Huntsville state park just to make sure.

[Christian for Israel]

oh, i'm sure you can carry it 7-10 miles easily enough. i was talking about more like 100-150 miles in a reasonable amount of time. of course, my personal situation may require something like this as my route driver job takes me that far away on a daily basis...your plans may differ greatly.

[TBear574]

My BO plan is to go the my families ranch 100 miles from here, they have about 1k-2k acres. Getting there is the issue for me.

My problem is... last year my mother had a stroke and cant walk verry far, she strugles to push a cart around walmart. My dad is about useless unless its something that relates to a computer, both are in thier mid 60's. I moved back home to help with my mother since i have medical training. My mother also has a bad case of high blood pressure and diabetes.

So, if we were to bug out it would be by mini-van or not to bug out at all. We live in an uper middle class subburban area about 20 miles north of Houston.

This BOB is more going to be used for camping, that way i can justify the cost of buying all this stuff.

I also have a GHB that i carry on my ambulance every day. I carry 2.5 L of water, 6 power bars, rain gear, change of clothes in case i get stuck working over night, lighter, first aid kit(small one) mini mag light, extra knives, compas. I carry it all in a swiss army back pack. I am more likely to use this bag to make the 20mile trip home from work on foot if i have to. I would carry a pistol in this bag, but like i said, i work on an ambulance and i dont think they would like that. In my truck i keep a .38 snub revolver, full spead loader, extra water, and spare pair of Bates boots and socks.

Almost forgot, my leatherman :)

[TBear574]

Just did some updating, what do you guys think so far?

[Christian for Israel]

where are the pics?

[TBear574]

the pics are on the original post, i just changed them.

[kid_couteau]

Hi

Seems like you got a good kit going here.

Couple of questions though.

Are you planning on pretty much staying in a city type environment?

Are you planning on foraging for food or just use what you will be carrying?

I didnt notice much in the food gathering areas such as snare wire, fishing kit or similar.

Also notice that your weapons all appear to be used only for anti personnel only. I suppose you could use the .380 for rabbits but its gonna be touchy.

Oh well just a thought
Take care
Kid

[TBear574]

Hi

Seems like you got a good kit going here.

Couple of questions though.

Are you planning on pretty much staying in a city type environment?

Are you planning on foraging for food or just use what you will be carrying?

I didnt notice much in the food gathering areas such as snare wire, fishing kit or similar.

Also notice that your weapons all appear to be used only for anti personnel only. I suppose you could use the .380 for rabbits but its gonna be touchy.

Oh well just a thought
Take care
Kid

If we BO it will be to my families ranch, they have enough cattle to last for years. The anit personel stuff is for living in Houston which is the 4th largest city in the country.

Im not much of a hunter, only went deer hunting 3 times, but i do love to fish, mostly wade fishing out in the bay. I have a few grand$$$ invested in fishing gear.

Thanks for reminding me to add the fishing kit.!!

[kid_couteau]

Hi

No problem

Glad you didnt think I was downing your kit . It is a nice kit I just didnt know about the BO location having beef :)

Later
Kid

[hiker]

I don't think you will need the cookset. Most of the food you have you just use boiling water and a canteen cup or a coffee can to boil water will work just as well. The food you forage such as fish, game can be cooked over a open fire, and the wild edibles again you can boil in the canteen cup. I am going to assume that everyone will have a military style canteen and cup with them. Also, I would recommend getting some lexan spoons because of the weight factor and they are very durable.

Nice BOB.
And I am always updating and changing mine from the info I get on this site.

Hope everyone has a good Labor Day!

[alpmco]

Don't pack it tight. Leave room in you pack. Strange as it sounds. past experience has taught me it may look good when you start out but the first time you go rummaging it never packs back as neatly as it was.

[TBear574]

I will pull out the cook set this weekend and get that canteen cup. I saw one at the local surplus store. Does the canteen fit into the cup and put both in the canteen holder? If it does i could just put it all on the outside of my alice pack.

All my stuff fit into a medium alice pack but it was tight so i recently got the large pack, much more room.

[Christian for Israel]

the canteen fits inside the cup and they both fit in the holder. in addition, there's a canteen cup stove that fits the canteen, inside the cup as well.

[Cartouche]

Looks like ya got all the stuff covered. Only thing ya need now is a mule or wheelbarrow to carry it in. Looks good, really.

[madsmit]

My bag is too heavy and probably over done. But I expect to start culling items as soon as the situation reveals itself. As was said, it would be nice to be able to provide others with water, and the "safety in numbers" idea. I would hope if my bag was over packed and too heavy, some of my new found dependents would help carry the load.

If I start out with 7 days of Mainstay bars, and when the situation develops, I see I will only need three days, then I have the immediate option of dumping the extra, use them for barter, stuffing as many down the hatch as possible, or use them to enlist and feed new travel companions. But, if I start out with 3 days, and need 5, my plans just got altered. Or, I can use them to feed the slave that is pushing my assault wheelbarrow. :rimshot:

Also, I vacuum sealed 2 rolls of toilet paper. When vacuum sealed, a big roll of paper is a bit smaller than a piece of Texas toast.

[King]

What is that pistol in the second picture? (Sorry if you mentioned it and i missed it)

[mrhog]

Just my 2 cents; but how about some tolit paper?

[TBear574]

What is that pistol in the second picture? (Sorry if you mentioned it and i missed it)
thats a Ruger P-95 9mm, Since i didnt realy have a home for it i put it in my BOB, but i have since them puled it out and decided to look for a compact pistol. I always have a pistol either on me or close by. I keep a .38 snub in my truck at all times, .4" .357 on my night stand, and i also have my 1911 either on my hip or on my desk.

I have rebuilt my BOB again, and now am using a Camelbak BFM instead of an alice pack. I will try to work on getting more pictures of it soon.

And yes, i have plenty of TP and 4 pack of wet-wipes. Somthings i just cant do without in the PAW :)

[Christian for Israel]

among the guns i still need to add to the BOB's are a couple kel-tec P11's (too bad they don't make a .45 pistol :( ) and a kel-tec sub2000 in 9mm. again, i wish they made a folding carbine in a decent round, but since they don't i'd rather keep the BOB arms to the same caliber. still, for all that they use a crappy cartridge, as a light weight and compact survival hunting carbine it's hard to beat them.

[TBear574]

This guy i work with said his mom is selling a few of her late husbands guns, One of them from what im told is a compact 9mm CZ hardy ever fired. not sure on the price yet he is supposed to get me that info soon. Thought that would make a good gun for my BOB.

[Christian for Israel]

my local gunsmith got an AMT .45 backup in today. it's worn and only has the one mag (and more are impossible to get unless you feel like cutting down a 1911 mag to fit) but he only wants $200 for it. it's a palm sized .45 DAO that holds 5+1 and i've wanted one for years. now i just got to get a job so i can buy it. :)

[Gunfixr]

CFI, you don't want it. I had one of those briefly. Biggest POS I have ever owned. It quit working after about one box of ammo, just wouldn't fire. I worked on it, got it working. and about half a box later the problem was back. It was also occaisionally jamming now, FTF. I got both problems resolved, another half box later the failure to fires were back. Fixed it yet again, fired two mags through it and sold it. Haven't looked back. I did make four mags for it, just couldn't pay $35 each for a short 1911 mag. They did work fine, as good as the factory mag. From talking with others who have had these, they are hit or miss. You might get one that works, but the odds aren't that high. The trigger pull is absulutely atrocious. I wish it had worked, it was the smallest .45 I have seen that was an autoloader. If you can find a Semmerling, they are reputed to be quite good. About the same size, magazine fed, but the slide is manually cycled after each shot.

[Christian for Israel]

what was the reason for the FTF? i tried the trigger, while heavy for a semi, it was smooth enough. better than most revolvers.

[Gunfixr]

The failure to feed was in the feedramp, and once I corrected it, it didn't come back. The failure to fire was in the relationship between the hammer spring and the firing pin spring. It had a very light firing pin and a very heavy spring. Apparently the hammer spring was taking a set, which all springs do, but then it wasn't powerful enough to overcome the firing pin spring. I kept lightening it, but the hammer spring apparently keep getting lighter. Also, the firing pin and safety parts were beating themselves up and getting burrs on them. After all that trouble, I just didn't feel that I could trust the pistol with my life, as I didn't know how long I would be chasing that hammer spring before it stopped setting. FWIW, AMT has had problems with some of their other guns as well. It is a known fact that their quality is hit or miss. I don't know what their problem was. I had a longslide 1911 that worked great. But taking it apart and looking at it, the parts fit wasn't that great. The Backup was crap. They had loads of problems with their Automag II that shot .22 Mag. That Backup may work perfectly, but I would be real sure before I put my life on the line with it.

[Christian for Israel]

ok bro, i appreciate the intel. guess it's back to looking for another compact .45 i can live with.

[Shambler]

just a question not meant to be rude , but it seems that alot of people seem to choose military style alice type packs for a BOB. In a SHTF situation where we were invaded by a forgien government or some sort decline of civilizaton, wouldn't looking as though one was affiated with the military be a bad idea. I have always thought that it would be better to try and look non confrontational or atleast try and blend.

[Gunfixr]

In the city this might be so. A lot of people choose these as they have been in the military and are familiar with the system. They are also heavy duty. To get a civilian backpack that is as heavy duty as a military pack, you'd usually spend a lot more money than on the military pack. Also the military packs are part of an integrated system, something not usually found on civilian models. Alice packs are common enough these days in civilian hands that alone it wouldn't do a lot to make you stand out. Now, wearing the pack, in a full set of BDUs, combat boots, and a rifle over your shoulder and you are tagged.

[kid_couteau]

Myself I always prefer to be greyman about stuff

But mil spec stuff works sooooo nice.

Wish some place would make mil type packs in a nice grey color.

Kid

[DocOutlands]

it seems that alot of people seem to choose military style alice type packs for a BOB. In a SHTF situation where we were invaded by a forgien government or some sort decline of civilizaton, wouldn't looking as though one was affiated with the military be a bad idea

Well, don't be seen is the best first step. :shock:

Seriously, as has been said, a lot of folks *are* former military and are familiar with how the gear works. In most cases, the milsurp gear is far sturdier for the price than civvie gear.

Oh - and I'm working hard on getting my team to actually *look* uniform. After all - given a "steady decline" scenario, looking like you have your stuff together marks you as a group that the zombies don't want to mess with. Of course, the fact that we have a fixed place to work from that is several miles out of town influences things...

[ZombieHunter_EKY]

Hell, where I live most people wear camouflage. (Eastern Kentucky) . So being seen in Camo in not a big deal. Most people are use to seeing me in Bdu's anyway in some shape form or fashion. I know alot of people who for the most part only wear camo. Guess it is up to where you live.

[Shambler]

where i live if your gonna where camo it better be 5x too big and red or purple or some other dumb configuration. fo real

[Christian for Israel]

pink? :shock:

[ZombieHunter_EKY]

I never understood why in the world they made funky color camo. Shakes head in disgust :bang:

[kid_couteau]

Its politically correct and still "cool" :bang:

Kid

[ZombieHunter_EKY]

How is the BOB coming Bear?

[Christian for Israel]

http://www.workinggear.com/gc/files/rothco_products/ROT-8987_xl.jpg :bang: :shock: :lol:

[TBear574]

Its politically correct and still "cool" :bang:

Kid
been kinda busy,havnt had time for new pics. The bob is completly redone since i first posted it. I think its about 95% done now, just little things left but im sure it can hold me up for up to 7 days. will give more details later...