James,
I have to take issue with the last post concerning the contents of a persons B.O.B. The writers experience of humping large loads up mountains under fire notwithstanding, I have to say that the majority of bags and packs being prepared today aren’t for natural disasters,even though they certainly would suffice for that situation.
I live in a Hurricane Zone and survived Katrina, although without having to relocate. And I agree with the writer that I didn’t know of anyone starving to death .I also have read the latest figures showing FEMA is broke and aid to impacted areas could be slowed or otherwise affected.
Having said all that,why not have TWO BOBs for each family member? The first would be a smaller one with the required 72 hrs subsistence–although I’d substitute the water with a good quality purifier and use that extra weight penalty for a sleeping bag and tent. Granola bars,other types of cereal bars and the so-called “Lifeboat” bars fit in nicely with this sort of situation,allowing for one freeze dried meal per day for variety.
Then for those who wish to prepare for some other sort of G.O.O.D. situation, the second pack would be a nice 6,000 cubic inch pack with all the trimmings can be right alongside. Since my family’s Gore-Tex rain suits are rolled on the outside of the big pack,they can easily be transferred to the smaller pack if I think its a needed thing to take one and not the other.
Just an idea for those who are on the fence about how to prepare. – Ed S. in Mississippi
James,
Thanks for your blog, I read daily and it has changed my overall perspective by no small measure. I am sure that you will get flooded with an incredible amount of emails pertaining to the BOB article. Apologies, but I just must add my 2 Centavos.
Prioritizing the contents of a BOB and abandoning some items is indeed crucial for all who would have one. However, the author jumps right into paramilitary gear as if AR-15s and thousands of rounds are weighing down all our BOBs. I know most preppers have more gear than they ever plan to carry, which can make the situation that much worse when trying to choose. Of course fitness and individual ability to carry weight are key factors as well, which means that maintaining or improving fitness to carry what you need is also very important. However, let’s look at the author’s example: 160 lb fit male with 25% load in the BOB (40 lbs). I myself happen to be a fit male of around that build and I feel that 40 lbs is far too short for the intended purpose. I don’t walk out my front door to work without a 40lb day pack, much less bug out! Let’s take the authors whole entire bag of food, water, medical, and fill in that last 5 lbs with your camp, a small metal pot filled with a camp tarp / knife / firesteel / compass / map / water tabs or filter, just what you need to set up camp and sleep outdoors during those initial days and maybe make your way in the woods. Now I am “maxed out” at 40lbs. Next, how many of us will beat feet with no form of self defense in the bag? I am not talking about any form of rifle, but even the handgun with a few clips will add some heft to the pack. In fact, a .45 ACP with 200 rounds easily hits 40lbs, doubling the bug out weight total right there.
If I were a minimalist, I would stop there and just deal with carrying 50% of my body weight just like any other camping trip. That is the absolute bare minimum for me personally. But that’s not good enough yet. By the time we add an emergency radio to keep up with what’s happening out there, some rope or paracord, a little cash and junk silver, a couple pieces of spare or layer clothing for night time or weather changes, and the ebook reader we are quickly approaching 100 lbs in my BOB.
Now one could argue that the whole last paragraph is all optional stuff, and they would be right, but all also potentially life saving and well worth the few pounds to me. Now I am sure there would be many suggestions on the firearm / protection configuration that keeps weight lower. Sure, one could take a smaller caliber or (gasp!) less ammo but the bottom line is that anything chosen will add a significant amount of heft to your overall setup. Grabbing this bag would require (obviously) a real bug out scenario where we would potentially be abandoning everything we have and know. With no guarantee that my home / supplies will be there when I return, or that I would even return at all, I plan on carrying everything I can and then some! – Nate V.