"Bugout bag"

[gnatshooter]

I have, and still have, someone who's the brother of my ex-wife, whatever sort of relation that's called, but it seems to make him a member of the family though I would like it better if he wasn't. He has two PhDs from Stanford, one in Computer Engineering, and the other in Robotics.

 

Well, about 22 years ago, he gets convinced that the USA is about to collapse into mayhem, anarchy, starvation, people with 'bad' opinions shooting guns, etc. So his solution was to move himself and his French wife to Brazil, where he taught at a university. Well, then he found out about how the locals had a major local industry involving the kidnapping of white people from the US and collecting the ransom cashola. And also, he found out that Brazilian food was basically rice and red beans, which he didn't like.

 

So he and his French wife move to France, where he taught PhD things. Well, he found out, like many people from the USA, that the French are really nasty people. He figured he could teach them if they were willing to listen, but they didn't, so it was a waste of time and the pay was crap. And then he figured, Western Europe will collapse into total anarchy, etc..

 

Fleeing the imminent collapse of Europe, about 17 years ago or so, they returned to the USA, where both of them are uber-Liberal progressive "post-modern deconstructionists who both teach at their local university. Between the two of them, and this was a good few years ago, they raked in about $180K annually in salaries. 

 

At a marriage event, I introduced this brother of my ex-wife to my real wife, and he objected to me doing that.

 

"Names are arbitrary things, they are words without real meaning", he said. "We don't do that thing."

 

Well so okay, long story short, he did an actual bugout -- twice. In the process, he became more leftist/liberal/progressive than he had ever been before. Even so, having done the bugout twice, he has no guns, no preparedness, nothing like that at all.

 

With a French wife, though, he has of course a well-stocked wine cellar. His house is made of brick, and is very sturdy. Even so, when SHTF, looters who are tired from a long hard day of looting (suburb of Milwaukee) and want to relax and enjoy, will totally loot his house and empty the wine cellar.

 

There's probably a lesson to be learned from this guy's worries and travels, but it isn't totally obvious.

[gnatshooter]

Of course thats if your pak is not water proof already .

 

Rust Oleum has a new product that just might fix that -- it's time to wait for reviews, but the RustOleum waterproofing spray could make lots of BO bags a lot nicer for what you have packed in there. They even show it on TV making boots waterproof.

 

Could be an excellent addition to a BO bag, or during preparations for SHTF, or, heck, for anyone who wants to keep their feet dry.

[.308LiteHunter]

I have, and still have, someone who's the brother of my ex-wife, whatever sort of relation that's called, but it seems to make him a member of the family though I would like it better if he wasn't. He has two PhDs from Stanford, one in Computer Engineering, and the other in Robotics.

 

Well, about 22 years ago, he gets convinced that the USA is about to collapse into mayhem, anarchy, starvation, people with 'bad' opinions shooting guns, etc. So his solution was to move himself and his French wife to Brazil, where he taught at a university. Well, then he found out about how the locals had a major local industry involving the kidnapping of white people from the US and collecting the ransom cashola. And also, he found out that Brazilian food was basically rice and red beans, which he didn't like.

 

So he and his French wife move to France, where he taught PhD things. Well, he found out, like many people from the USA, that the French are really nasty people. He figured he could teach them if they were willing to listen, but they didn't, so it was a waste of time and the pay was crap. And then he figured, Western Europe will collapse into total anarchy, etc..

 

Fleeing the imminent collapse of Europe, about 17 years ago or so, they returned to the USA, where both of them are uber-Liberal progressive "post-modern deconstructionists who both teach at their local university. Between the two of them, and this was a good few years ago, they raked in about $180K annually in salaries. 

 

At a marriage event, I introduced this brother of my ex-wife to my real wife, and he objected to me doing that.

 

"Names are arbitrary things, they are words without real meaning", he said. "We don't do that thing."

 

Well so okay, long story short, he did an actual bugout -- twice. In the process, he became more leftist/liberal/progressive than he had ever been before. Even so, having done the bugout twice, he has no guns, no preparedness, nothing like that at all.

 

With a French wife, though, he has of course a well-stocked wine cellar. His house is made of brick, and is very sturdy. Even so, when SHTF, looters who are tired from a long hard day of looting (suburb of Milwaukee) and want to relax and enjoy, will totally loot his house and empty the wine cellar.

 

There's probably a lesson to be learned from this guy's worries and travels, but it isn't totally obvious.

I gotta be honest man. I now feel dumber for having read that.

[gnatshooter]

I gotta be honest man. I now feel dumber for having read that.

 

Don't feel bad, brother. Just remember it as a Liberal screwed up 2x.

[Magwa]

BOB's and bugging out a subject dear to my heart,

 

1st everyone should be prepared for a bug out and also practice doing it you may find it is much different than you suspect it to be, also practice in all 4 seasons not just a sunny weekend. a sleeping bag is a MUST in the wrong weather you will die without it. FIRE and Water are your two biggest and most precious commodities. have several different ways to make fire again your life or a loved ones may depend on fire on demand. and if you do not practice it in all weather conditions you will fail...... small votive candles will burn longer than a match light one when building your fire if you loose the fire in the beginning you can use the candle. animal fat is like fuel it will make a lamp or start a fire learn how to render it.

  A cooking pot can melt snow, collect water off the tarp or cook your porcupine stew, a good pot is a must but it must be light. cord, first aid,a good knife one of three, one on the body at all times one on the vest, and one in the pack,spread things out. led flashlight and batteries, they are a luxury but a heaven send when you need light now.

 

  firearms, a long gun, a break down 22 and a pistol of your choice, you will have to figure out how much ammo you want as opposed to food a brick of 22 is your friend and can feed you for years , a can on that 22 makes it 2 friends. stealth is your friend, not taking risks larger than the reward, learning not to be afraid in the woods at night and learning that you are the dominate predator.

 

  teamwork is awesome but you are only as fast as your slowest person all tactics are geared towards the slowest not the fastest.

 

   I would go now where without a good tomahawk one with a flat poll on the other end and a good blade on the front a wood handle is better than steel both in weight and easy to replace,

  the mind is your best tool learn how to use it and you will do fine a BOB is as personnel as each individual they all will be different but yet have some of the same things in them learn what works for you...

 

I could write about this stuff all day..... luck to all

[.308LiteHunter]

BOB's and bugging out a subject dear to my heart,

 

1st everyone should be prepared for a bug out and also practice doing it you may find it is much different than you suspect it to be, also practice in all 4 seasons not just a sunny weekend. a sleeping bag is a MUST in the wrong weather you will die without it. FIRE and Water are your two biggest and most precious commodities. have several different ways to make fire again your life or a loved ones may depend on fire on demand. and if you do not practice it in all weather conditions you will fail...... small votive candles will burn longer than a match light one when building your fire if you loose the fire in the beginning you can use the candle. animal fat is like fuel it will make a lamp or start a fire learn how to render it.

  A cooking pot can melt snow, collect water off the tarp or cook your porcupine stew, a good pot is a must but it must be light. cord, first aid,a good knife one of three, one on the body at all times one on the vest, and one in the pack,spread things out. led flashlight and batteries, they are a luxury but a heaven send when you need light now.

 

  firearms, a long gun, a break down 22 and a pistol of your choice, you will have to figure out how much ammo you want as opposed to food a brick of 22 is your friend and can feed you for years , a can on that 22 makes it 2 friends. stealth is your friend, not taking risks larger than the reward, learning not to be afraid in the woods at night and learning that you are the dominate predator.

 

  teamwork is awesome but you are only as fast as your slowest person all tactics are geared towards the slowest not the fastest.

 

   I would go now where without a good tomahawk one with a flat poll on the other end and a good blade on the front a wood handle is better than steel both in weight and easy to replace,

  the mind is your best tool learn how to use it and you will do fine a BOB is as personnel as each individual they all will be different but yet have some of the same things in them learn what works for you...

 

I could write about this stuff all day..... luck to all

A lot of good advice there.  Especially about practicing. 

[survivalshop]

I have been looking at combat Tomahawks & a new folding shovel , just haven't made my mind up yet .

[planeflyer21]

The SOG tomahawks look well made.  Lots of people like the Cold Steel shovel, even though it doesn't fold.

 

There also seems to be a general consensus that the "tri-fold" shovels SUCK.  Get a rigid handle at a minimum.

[Chaser]

Also, if medical supplies are desired, I have access to a large number of medical components.  With a couple of people, I am the only one with medical training and extensive experience in that field.....as a result, I have helped a few setting up a simplified aid bag and explained basic principles.  I've got a few manuals and things, and a VERY large number of supplies. 

 

I will be putting together a couple of bugout bags, first being a "survivalist" bag, but second being a "trauma kit bag". 

 

+1 on the tri fold shovels sucking.  They are virtually worthless.  A rigid handle shovel with sharpened edges can do a LOT of damage as a weapon as well.  I know of a paratrooper in WW2 that split a mans skull with a sharpened e-tool. The tri-fold shovels could potentially do that ONCE, although I have no faith in them as either a reliable weapon or an entrenching tool...lol

Jon 

Edited July 5, 2014 by Chaser

[.308LiteHunter]

^^^^^ let me know what you come up with for the trauma bag. I'm looking for something that can fit in a 6x6 molle bag. 

[Chaser]

For those without extensive medical training, I'd start with some of the following:

 

Israeli Battle Dressing (2-3 of them)

CAT Tourniquet (2-4 of them)

Trauma Shears

Asherman Chest Seal (or other form of occlusive dressing for sucking chest wounds, 2-4)

6 pairs of latex gloves

 

A combat pill pack rendition wouldn't be bad either for those that don't have allergies.  Tylenol, Avelox (or other broad spectrum antibiotic), and Mobic (or other NSAID like Naproxen). 

 

Any space left over I'd fill with the IBDs.

-------------

Jon

[unforgiven]

I use this : https://dsgarms.com/cavitk w/2 CAT tourniquets.My wife is a CC nurse and sucking chest wounds require some training as to not make someone dead that isn't dead yet.But if you have an upper throax wound you'r in serious trouble anyway.First aid course at the Red Cross is a good idea.I pick my wifes brain for the what if's.The key with serious wounds is the "golden hour" to seek professional help.

[Sisco]

A B.O.B. will only work if you have a plan. You need a fluid plan, that is constantly updated. You won't be able to do it all alone, so make sure you have the appropriate people listed in your plan as well.

I live in the outskirts suburb of a metropolis, home to about 2.5mil people. While making my way to the hills sounds good in theory, I realized my locale is actually better than I first imagined. I live less than a 1/4 mile from two major waterways, on the edge of miles of rice fields and walking distance to several other resources. I have already recon'd a few locations and have a small plan prepared. I think I'm safer if I stay right where I am. Better to be a lion surrounded by lamb, than a lion surrounded by other lions.

Excellent advice. Inventory the environment that you currently know, and choose your allies well. It is almost impossible to carry enough to live on, and if you depend on your weapons to take what you need, statistics are against you. Eventually you will come up against an adversary at least as capable as you. Maybe only 10% of the time, but the accumulative odds are against you over time.

[Chaser]

Very true about the Golden Hour.  One of my medics wanted to sell emergency kits with IV access stuff and Hetastarch for volume expansion....but there's a reason that the Army doesn't issue CLS those kinds of things, and unless you do IVs there is really not a lot you can do for definitive care.  Likewise, some of the medical kits that issue pulse oximeters and other things are great....you can watch your patient decompensate.

Bandages, tourniquets (you need to make sure that you know when to apply them, otherwise you can do more harm than good), and other things.  Primary care should focus on Circulation, Airway, and Bleeding....and most serious injuries will not advance beyond that primary assessment for a long time. 

Jon

[unforgiven]

Thier was a first hand account of a person surveing the Bosnia war.The things you take for granted toilet paper,femine products,water gained alot of importance.He also credited his survival to being with a group of people instead of a lone wolf,which was eventually preyed upon.You got to sleep sometime.Having somethinbg to trade or a service/skill to provide were also important.

[unforgiven]

You are right about the A,B,C's brother Jon.Airway,breathing,and circulation.

[Chaser]

Unforgiven, the American Heart Association has started revamping...they are talking now "Circulation Airway Breathing"...we are old ("I remember when they taught it as ABCs")....lol. 

 

Completely agree about the trade/skills.  That is part of the intent with networking now, establishing my own for medical care (as definitively as possible), as well as learning to shoot better (and with larger calibers).  Threaten my patients or my family, and I should be able to defend myself as well or better than my adversaries.

 

Also I'd recommend having something for rainwater COLLECTION, not just bottled water.  When you are moving, you will need larger amounts of water....and carrying 20L of water is not a viable solution.  Salt rehydration tablets and purification tablets can be beneficial.  If you live in an area with large amounts of vegetation, having a plant and animal identification book could be beneficial as well, to help you more easily recognize poisonous/dangerous animals (obviously more for snakes and berries than bears.....few people would say "Is this a friendly bear?"). 

Jon

[Chaser]

I can't edit....so I apologize for the double posting. Don't want others to read my "derp" moment and get wrong info. I was half asleep when I wrote the morning post. "CAB" is for cardiac issues. .... trauma remains ABC(D) as a primary assessment.

I was tarded when I wrote that. .... add I normally work with heart surgery patients and apparently didn't flip my brain back into trauma med this morning. ...

Jon

[Robocop1051]

I mentioned earlier about "staying put" and some took that as I was staying in my house... Quite on the contrary.

I have picked out several locations within a short walk or driving distance, that can be quickly occupied and fortified. The facilities will accommodate all the people I need and then some.

Most residences don't have the capability to be "fortified". I'm talking about limited roadway access, fences, and controlled entry amongst. Then you have to take into account living arrangements for however many people you include... you can't do it alone.

Places like hotels and churches are great. The older the better. The really old ones likely have facilities that won't rely on modern technology. Just think of how many people you will need to keep and control the larger facilities. Size and population are a delicate balance.

Being that I live in a fairly old city (nothing compared to the east coast guys) I've picked out some prime locations. They can be fortified. They are centrally located to resources. They can withstand an extended occupation.

Just my $0.02

[unforgiven]

You are right brother Jon,wife reminded me it was A,B.C.[D] after I hit send.Old is good.You'r either old or dead,I'll take old.

[gnatshooter]

'Staying put' is my SHTF plan. Part of that plan is for another family to join us. Another part of that plan -- I'm saving up cash for it -- is getting kerosene for lanterns, and the lanterns themselves.

 

I've located a good supplier of kerosene lanterns, and already have one of their products. I'm looking to get 4 of these critters.

 

Out here in the woods, we've often had to suffer extended electric power outages, including one that lasted a week and a half. We had the creek for water and bathing, the wood stove for heat and cooking, and the kerosene lantern for light.

 

So the plan is to get 4 more of these lanterns, and a good bunch of gallons of kerosene to keep 'em running.

[.308LiteHunter]

Kerosene lamps are great but why not get some solar powered path lights? You could pickup a couple dozen for under $30 and have enough for a couple in every room in the house if needed. Set them out the next day and your good to go. 

[survivalshop]

The have portable solar panels now a days also . They fold or roll up , some pretty small to charge cell phones & Lap tops & Tablets or rechargeable batteries .

Edited July 6, 2014 by survivalshop

[.308LiteHunter]

The have portable solar panels now a days also . They fold or roll up , some pretty small to charge cell phones & Lap tops & Tablets or rechargeable batteries .

Yep, goalzero makes several options

[Robocop1051]

My father in law has one that drapes over the top of his pack while backpacking. It charges his phone and spare battery all day, which he listens to music on all night, while sucking down a 5th of Jack and a half box of cigars... lol