What is a Bug out Bag and why do I need one?

Today we discuss the need for a bug out bag.

What is a Bug out Bag(BOB) ( sometimes known as a 72 hour kit)?

It is a ‘bag’ containing the things you will need to get from spot A to spot B in relative safety.

What Bug out Bag is NOT?  It is not a bag to take you in the wilderness so you can start living there.  We do not head up into the forest or mountains with our bug out bag.

Now we have established what a BOB is and is not.  What do we put in it?

• Food
• Water
• Shelter
• Security
• Sanitation

Do these look familiar?  They are the 5 basic survival items everyone needs.  In our BOB we pair this down so we only have the basics.  Remember when you are packing your BOB, you only need it for 3-5 days not for two weeks.  You are not planning on going on a vacation.  And no we are not running from the zombie hoards.

Food

I like to put storable items in  my pack.  Things like granola bars, energy bars, trail mix, nuts, MRE’s, crackers.  Most anything which stores for an extended period. I like to carry a leatherman for use in opening cans of food or other items.

Water

You will need to put in some water.  I try to carry about one gallon of water.  Along with the water you will need some method of purification.  If you are traveling light you can use iodine tablets.  The taste is not as good, but they are very light and packable.  You can also use a mini backpacking filter.  These are more expensive, but they can filter more water than iodine tablets.

Shelter

You will need good shelter.  I use a Gore-tex type jacket and pants.  I have some old ones which I have put in my pack.  Make sure you put in a hat and gloves.  Shelter in the winter becomes trickier.  You may need a lightweight sleeping bag or tent, if you can afford one.  For the minimalist I recommend a shell and using the backpack to cover your feet for sleeping.  I am sure there are various ways for shelter, it will depend on your local conditions.  This part of your bag can become the most expensive part.  Be creative.  Sometimes you have to use what you have.

Security

I recommend carrying a gun if your state allows it.  Otherwise you may have to think of some other ways of self defense.  Realize you may use your BOB during times when the police are not as protective of our second amendment rights.  Keep this in mind when you are planning for security.  You will want a backup form of protection.  Pepper spray, taser, kubaton, knifes are all good alternatives.  Please get proper training on all form of self-defense you plan on using.

Sanitation

Having a means of sanitation is of paramount importance.  Carry a shovel and toilet paper along with hand wipes.

Other Items

• Flashlight
• Map, GPS, compass
• Small tool kit- you never know

Remember you will need one for your car and one for your house.  I travel in my local city daily and need one in my car.  Don’t forget to reevaluate you BOB every six months as the weather is changing.  A BOB is another simple thing every family and individual can do to prepare for life’s uncertainties.

 

Prepping 101

Making Life’s Road a Little Smoother

 

 

Finding Time to Prep- Part 2

Finding Time to Prep- Part 2

In part 1 we discussed

• Making a list and prioritizing
• You will do what you see as most important first
• Stored food is money in the bank
• Prepare in incremental steps
• 2 meals a month out of food storage
• You can’t do it overnight
• Finishing other projects

Today we have more things to discuss.

• Gardening is easy.  If you do it a little at a time.  I know gardening is hard work.  I have 5 raised beds and the perimeter of my backyard.  The thing I have tried to do is cultivate the garden to allow me to do as little work as possible.  I do this by mulching heavily and composting.   I am a lazy gardener.  I do not weed very often, heck weeds are part of nature right?  Try to come home from work and spend 10-15 minutes in the garden.  Pull a few weeds, check on and water the plants.  If you truly love to garden than by all means spend time, but if you are overwhelmed by the amount of preps you have then allow the garden to “grow”.
• Get out and exercise.  Take a walk around the block.  Breathe fresh air and get to know your neighbors.  Think of exercise as community building.  See what your neighbors are planting.  Ask them gardening questions.  Last year by just walking around my neighborhood I was able to trade pears (from my immense pear tree) for other goodies.
• Prepping builds assets while everyone else is building debt.  As you start to prep understand you are building wealth.  Those thing you can touch and feel are true wealth.  Things which hold their value are true wealth. Eliminating your debt is wealth. Food, trees, land, water, guns, knowledge.  These things are assets and wealth.  When everyone else is buying things on credit, sit back and be happy you are accumulating wealth.
• Start building your bug out bags for both home and car.  These are great cheap things to do while in the early stages.  Have a bag for home for each family member and one for each car.  You never know what may happen.  I use my bag in my car at least once a month.  I am thirsty so I get some water or I need a flashlight.
• Think of how long it took you to become unprepared.  It will take time to become prepared.  This has been my number one piece of advice for myself.  I have to realize it took me almost 40 years to become unprepared.  I figure it will take me at least 5-10 years to become prepared.  I know I will never be fully prepared for everything, but I will rest better knowing I am doing what I can.
• Plan, Plan, Plan.  Write a plan and continue to revise it.  A plan allows you to focus on what is important in an objective manner.  You will be able to work as a unit with clear goals.  Along with your plan I recommend you to work on one project at a time.  Working on multiple projects can become distracting, and shows no clear focus on the most important project.  So if you can focus on one thing at a time, do so.
• Educate yourself.  Become informed as possible.  Read the news, find new skills to learn, read opposing opinions, teach a skill to someone.  The part between your two ears is the most valuable survival item you have.  Fill it to the brim with good stuff.

I hope this has been of help to you.  If you have any other suggestions for topics please let me know.

What has helped you find time to prep?

Prepping 101
Making Life’s Road a Little Smoother

72 Hour Kit- BOB

72 hour kit- BOB- Bug out bag-

Cost anywhere from free leftovers to $500

What is it for?

To get from a point of danger to a point of safety. You can leave for 3 days and be totally self contained.

Some examples are:

• You have to leave house because it is on fire.
• Stuck at work and have to walk home.
• Get stuck along the way to a secondary location.
• There is a natural gas leak and you have to leave.

What it is not.

Go into the wilderness and live off the land kit. We are prepping for a disruption in the systems not Rambo type living. Who would want to do that anyway?

What is in it? Please add or subtract according to your needs.

• BAG- able to put on your back with comfortable shoulder straps and waist belt. You will need to have both hands free. If you have kids you might need to be carrying them for a short time.

Food-3 days worth that does not need any prep.

• Granola or energy bars
• Trail mix
• Crackers
• Canned meat. Without can opener
• Soup, which has water
• Anything small, lightweight, without the need for any prep.
• Something for kids just in case
• Powdered Drink.

Water- Carry as much as you can. Put extra in your vehicle.

Water Purification tablets.

2 days worth of clothing.

• One set of short sleeve and one set of long sleeve. This will enable you to be comfortable if it is hot or cool out. You can layer these two together to get some extra warmth.
• One pair of pants. Preferebly a quick dry type.
• Two pairs of undergarments
• 2 pairs of socks, not cotton
• Sturdy shoes you can run in.

Rain gear. Some sort of waterproof jacket. No ponchos. They do not protect adequately.

Blanket or bed sheet or space-blanket for warmth.

Tarp to use as improvised shelter. Can also be used on the ground.

Hammock. Good if ground is wet or if very hot out.

Flashlight. Preferably the windup or shaking kind. The new LEDs are great. Just be sure to change the batteries frequently.

Signal Flares. Not road flares.

Candles, depends on how hot it gets in your car. I live in Salt Lake City and it gets too hot in the summer for candles in the car.

Fire starter-

• Matches
• Lighter, refillable
• Fire starter

Knife-Marine corp issued type knife

Multi-tool- Leatherman

Shovel

Radio-wind up if possible, will need to replace batteries if it has batteries. This good to have to know what is going on. Radio stations are usually integral to getting info out to the public in an emergency.

Pen and paper. Try the waterproof paper if you can.

Paracord

Personal supplies-

• First aid kit-something basic
• Toiletries-can also be used to start a fire or mark a try
• Feminine products
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Comb
• Medications-aspirin, ibuprofen, anti-histamine, prescription meds (carry two weeks)
• Baseball cap

Cash-$300, $100 per day. More if you are carrying for a family

Extra credit card, debit card

Phone #’s

Phone card-cell phone may not work.

Prepaid cell phone. To use if your carrier goes down.

Basic tool kit, small ratchet set, adjustable wrench, screwdriver, wire cutter, small file

Pepper spray or stun gun. Do not put a gun in it. If BOB stolen then you have a stolen gun on the loose. Keep your gun on you.

Duct tape

Aluminum foil-use as mirrors, reflectors, make a cup

Small tent

Maps of the area

Compass

Better to have one bag for each with all these supplies than one large bag with everything for one person.

You will need to pick and choose what each of your children has in their pack depending on their age and ability.