Some Thoughts on BOB (1 Viewer)

[RobRed]

It's been a year - I've updated the bag a lot and added many photos

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the BOB – The Ultimate Go Bag

 

[73fj40lc]

Just out of curiosity doesn't anybody carry candles or a 72 hour candle in your bob? Candles are light and can be used for so many different uses. Saves fire starters from a lot of use, used to supplement tinder/ fire starting, light, heat, aid in sewing, lubricant, waterproofing, and so many other uses. Remember the wax in a candle can be used for different purposes. Candles are one of the cheapest multi use item you can carry.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Just out of curiosity doesn't anybody carry candles or a 72 hour candle in your bob? Candles are light and can be used for so many different uses. Saves fire starters from a lot of use, used to supplement tinder/ fire starting, light, heat, aid in sewing, lubricant, waterproofing, and so many other uses. Remember the wax in a candle can be used for different purposes. Candles are one of the cheapest multi use item you can carry.

Yep... I buy these at the Nellis AFB Exchange https://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-761...=1469459199&sr=8-9&keywords=emergency+candles

 

[Helipilot]

Good write up, thanks.

 

[73fj40lc]

Yep... I buy these at the Nellis AFB Exchange Amazon.com: Coghlan's Candles-Pack of 5: Sports & Outdoors

I have some like those that are citronella that fit in a small collapsible candle lantern. Great for all the above uses I mentioned with the added bonus of keeping some mosquitos away. The smell from the candles isn't overwhelming but does it's job pretty well.

 

[RobRed]

Candles are a great idea and as pointed out, versatile. I'd think on a 72hour plan not needed but for longer stay could be very handy.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Just out of curiosity doesn't anybody carry candles or a 72 hour candle in your bob? Candles are light and can be used for so many different uses. Saves fire starters from a lot of use, used to supplement tinder/ fire starting, light, heat, aid in sewing, lubricant, waterproofing, and so many other uses. Remember the wax in a candle can be used for different purposes. Candles are one of the cheapest multi use item you can carry.

I include a tea light in my 10 essential kit for all of the above reasons.

 

[SmoothLC]

Love your attention to detail @RobRed. You've set the bar high and if there are some of us that never attain to your standard of excellence, you've at least made a very comprehensive BoB that we can all draw upon. Kudos.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Alternative definition for BOB:
Bag Of Bags..
I store like type things in smaller ditty bags inside my day pack.
One bag is a small fanny pack, if I need to ditch the main bag I can pull the fanny pack out and know it has all the core of items.
Inside the fanny pack is a small tin with, tea light, Bic lighter, Magnesium fire steel, sun block, Opinel knife and a few other essential items

This is the type of tin I use. Slightly bigger than an Altoids tin with a air tight seal. It fits in my back pocket. If for some reason I need to ditch the fanny pack I can grab the tin, a disposable poncho, and a hank of para-cord. That covers my ten essentials.

 

[RobRed]

Love your attention to detail @RobRed. You've set the bar high and if there are some of us that never attain to your standard of excellence, you've at least made a very comprehensive BoB that we can all draw upon. Kudos.

Haha I dont think its a standard of excellence as much as it is an OCD, but thanks. I think the gear category is the value in the lists. I wasn't sure where to start a year ago so I hope the takeaway isnt about the specific items i have but the problem it/they solve. I've taken a lot of crap from people about the costs involved on this project and I'm hoping that doesnt discourage folks.

As @rusty_tlc points out these can be as simple or complex as the need requires.

 

[Patineto]

Two weeks trying to survive in the Darien Gap (Panama) with teach you that your best most efficient tool is what you carry in your head, well and spider/snake/frog anti venom.

Ps: If I was to chose a BOB vehicle, I will take a bicycle (each day a different bicycle if you feel like it and can find them) anyday..

 

[Patineto]

Actually a vehicle run on Veggie oil will not be so bad, NO BioDiesel but Veggie oil, a.k.a. any kind of used cooking grease, animal fat, hemp oils, cultivated oil source..

Then if you really want to play the "Boy scout maximuss" game to the extreme, this is maybe the best example you can find on video, the guy is so resourceful, totally off the grid autonomy, very low to no foodprint, stationary Non nomadic needs and shelter..

Primitive Technology

 

[Tapage]

Two weeks trying to survive in the Darien Gap (Panama) with teach you that your best most efficient tool is what you carry in your head, well and spider/snake/frog anti venom.

For Darien Gap you would need an army to .. so you can keep safe from FARCs and drug cartels down there ..

 

[Patineto]

For Darien Gap you would need an army to .. so you can keep safe from FARCs and drug cartels down there ..

I grow up in Colombia, I'm very well used to the sound of the narco toyota's (Funny I end up with one) but believe me the guerrillas and much less the narcos son tan estupidos..

El darien is empty, well besides malaria and bugs is just nothing there (it was in the 80'-90's at least) tal vez some special forces/mercenaries on survival training duty (from all factions, from all over the world) in the middle of it no nativos at all, because is Hell.

Oh Panameno, mucho gusto..

 

[Patineto]

You will never run out of "Bullets" unless you run out of Rivers..

 

[Patineto]

 

[Patineto]

The funniest part is that the very best people at this game, don't ever talk about it.. (the last thing you need are the hoards of hungry mongers coming at your house first..)

Is just another segment of a lucrative market, here in Utah you see the Hummers selling for under $8000-$10.000 when one of the outfitter companies modified them and charge you triple (To be more RV's) to complete the uniform, The whole H-1, the "Cow killer front grill" all matt finish and hot as hell at the gas station filling to the top with gold treasury bonds, sincerely a little sad, no matter how much and/or what you carry will never be enough or the right stuff.

Not nomadic, sedentary (as in stable), autonomous, defendable flanks, supplies and resources are you basic building blocks and in Community even better.

 

[rusty_tlc]

One can never prepare for every eventuality. However you can asses the likely scenarios and prepare for them.
72 hours worth of food and water at home plus alternate heat and cooking source.
A good pair of shoes in the car and enough gear to walk home.
24 hours worth of supplies in the car.
Most of the people on this board can just go to their camping supplies and be covered.

 

[Tapage]

I grow up in Colombia, I'm very well used to the sound of the narco toyota's (Funny I end up with one) but believe me the guerrillas and much less the narcos son tan estupidos..

El darien is empty, well besides malaria and bugs is just nothing there (it was in the 80'-90's at least) tal vez some special forces/mercenaries on survival training duty (from all factions, from all over the world) in the middle of it no nativos at all, because is Hell.

Oh Panameno, mucho gusto..

Now it's not empty at all .. dunno by the time you where around there, but now ( and have not been since I remember, and I'm 40 ).

Actually if you reach Yaviza ( last real police station ) they advice you to not go further coz they ain't gonna be able to protect you .. this it's ( sounds ) alarming for the reality, but it's not empty ..

you can be lucky and walk away with no problems .. or not that lucky and face those problems ( they walk and have faces )

 

[RobRed]

i dont plan to be in columbia anytime soon.

I think in any case there needs to be the philosophy of use - my POU was really thunking about having to ditch the land cruiser and hike out of somewhere. That morphed into essentially a bag that can extend you beyond 72 hours. I live in urban earthquake country.

I have no delusions about living off the land fighting house to house to survive in the zombie apocalypse or when the economy collapses.