Why a BOB?

[gunnut1]

Is it me or am I the only person that thinks a BOB is not necessary? I cannot for the life of me figure out why you guys have have BOBs and several guns ready to go at a moments notice. Is this really necceesary or are you guys just being paraniod? Some of you make it sound like the US is going to be invaded any minute!

[GOVT1911]

Because Shit Happens.


My BOB isn't configured to allow me to run out the door and take on hoards of Evil Russians or Mutant Zombie Bikers. It actually should be called a "GMHB", Get Me Home bag. It has enough in it for me to hopefully be able to get from wherever I may be when something bad happens (earthquake, tornado, riot, hurricaine, etc) back to my home where my family and preps are.


Some people beleive in being prepared for every concievable situation at all times. I just focus on the most likely scenarios and try not to let it interfere with day to day living TOO much. I do, however, refuse to become one of the people stuck in the stadium during Katrina.

I and I alone, are responsible for my family's safety.

[Andy the Aussie]

I am pretty much in the same boat as 1911 (better a boat than a Jeep no doubt ) in that I travel a great deal and on any given day and I 50+ Km from home. No we here in Sydney are pretty well off when it comes to natural disasters and such but not withstanding that I did spend two nights sleeping on the side of a freeway (along with several HUNDRED other people when it was cut in front and behind me by bush fires (New Year 1993/94). I had neither sufficient (read NONE of either) food or water to make it comfortable and being summer I was not in danger of freezing to death, I did see first hand at least a dozen bad cases of heat stroke those couple of days. After that I made the decision that I would NEVER again rely on anyone else to take care of me in like circumstances and now travel prepared to spend a comfortable three days living out of my car. It takes little room really. I also have a decent pair of boots/socks and a small pack that could see me right for a walk home.

The most probable scenario that I would be faced with here would be a melt down (or attack, as was planned for late 2005 by the local Islamonutters) of the power grid that would throw traffic and most of the sheeple into panic.

No guns/ammunition or weapons of course as this is a big no no here.

Andy

[dirtyrice]

Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. A bob and bags setup for multiple situations at the ready full of gear. Will help alot when needed. Plus it just helps you be organized and prepared. Don't want shit to go bad and then be like I have to go to 5 differnt stores right now and buy all this crap and then figure out how i'm gonna put it together and what i'm gonna adjust and blah blah blah. Train like you'd fight.


P.s. I don't even have one yet. It just makes sense. That's like asking why do some people leave a gun loaded in the house. Plus our only fear is not invasion. Natural disaster is the most likely. Because in those cases you might not have alot of time. Especially with flooding and tornadoes. Plus if you go camping alot it'll just double as your main wilderness setup.

[brownknees]

I've stopped referring to mine ads a BOB, just because its pre-disposing people to rush off into the woods, armed to the teeth.

I call it me Emergency Bag, because that's what it is.

I can use it here, use it to leave quickly & prepared, or just delve into it for things needed during some minor emergency.

There have been a couple of occasions during my life where something has happened that has been made easier due to having all my emergency supplies packed neatly & freshly stocked. For example a large gas main running down the main (only) street of a small town, deciding to go *BOOM*

It's whatever you choose to make it, initiative and imagination are a key here. I'm NOT expecting the end of the world, or Mutant Ninja Eskimoes invading Mexico via here, so I don't have any plans for fantazy scenarios.

Meanwhile power outages, floods, wind effects, and other natural problems are covered because I'll be sheltered, watered & fed during them, instead of waiting for FEMA to come by & drop off MRE's.

Why a gun? Because after taking these precautions & spending the time & money, I'm going to get to use this primarily for myself & my family, not others who decide (after the fact) that it was a good idea to have these same supplies.

[goldenspurholderx2]

Even these people know they can't help you.
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/kitlocation.shtm

[BlackCat]

I had a fair to middling BOB in place about the time Katrina hit, and sent it off with some nearby family members who DID leave. To this day, the hurricane can't come up without them singing the praises of the BOB. Now they've all got one.
I never did get my Maxpedition back.

I'm a fair weather BOB'er. I keep boots and a teensy little mountain pack with some essentials in it in my trunk. No AKS's or cases of ammo or any such tomfoolery, just what would be handy to see me home on the hoof.
Now, if you want to see SERIOUS BOB'ery- take a look at the back door of every house in Kosovo. Backpacks for every member of the family- even granny.

[brownknees]

For example a large gas main running down the main (only) street of a small town, deciding to go *BOOM*

Oh No. It can't happen here.
(Err....Umm turn on CNN)

[MtnWulf]

Suppose it depends on your situation, and where you're at. Here in the Appalachians I have been stranded by floods, snows and the occasional rock slide. I work all over the county, up to 50 miles from where I live, and the BOB is a " Get Me Home Bag" more than anything else.

My main bag is a small back pack with extra clothes, food, water, sleeping bag, poncho etc. to last a couple of days. And I have a rifle BOB that has only what is necessary to keep the gun going and to fight with. Mags, ammo, flashlight, matches etc.

Can't imagine not having one, even if it's just the FEMA recommended stuff in my vehicle or home, an emergency here could be the above, or an ice storm, REAL nasty in the mountains, power outage, chemical spill, or gov't inspired emergency.

Cheap insurance, and you know where everything is at if there is an emergency.

[Tuscan Raider]

If you live in a big city,I would say it's important
to have some means, and a way out of the city.
BTW, I consider a big city 100,000+ in population.

I can't remember who said it, or where I saw the article,
it was pre-internet days. But I read that any big city is
realistically 3 meals away from major breakdown.

I believe this to be true now, more than ever before.

My advice: don't live in a city with anything resembling"traffic jams."

[Tsm002]

If you mean a bug out bag?
I'm in prime hurricane area. Whee.
Huntsville was supposed to get hit by Rita before is shifted course post katrina. I hear Orange, TX wasn't so lucky at all...
Plus we got the influx of evacuees, which made life a little bit more interesting.
It takes up a little bit of my toolbox in my truck, and it's fun to play with and test too, so I don't worry too much about it.
I've heard BOB mean other abbreviations, and I assume you are not referring to those, hur hur hur.

[TnHawk-45]

I have a spare tire in my car also. I hope I do not need it or have a flat, but I don't think I am being paranoid by having it or insurance on the car.

When my wife and I had small children she kept a fully loaded diaper bag with her. Why? Because it was better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Fair enough?

[gunnut1]

You guys are really making sense here!

I line near Fort Wrth and about the only thing I have to worry about is tornados! Where I live, I an not even concerned about flooding. There is a lot to be said about living on the top of hill!

I guess the reason the I think a BOB is not necessary is the fact that if a tornado is heading for my house, I will not try and run from it. That is probably the dumbest thing you can do. Winters here are very mild. Summers are HOT HOT HOT.

Keep the reasons coming.

[brownknees]

Maybe you're thinking of a BIB. (Bug IN Bag)?

That's just a container with whatever emergency supplies you feel you'll need to be self sufficient for a reasonable period of time in the event of being isolated from external support for any reason.

Now, just to be confusing, a BOB can double as a BIB, but not vice versa.
Like several have posted, it's just another form of insurance.

[firefuzz]

Just for thought....during our recent flash floods in central OK, a farmer with a rope in his truck saved a man and his 2 y/o daughter before we could get there.

I'm not the only one who's glad he had that rope, truck washed off in the river. Never know when you'll need a rope...or some other small packable item.

Rob

[firefuzz]

Like Govt1911, I have "get me home bags" in every vehicle. Poncho w/liner, water, food, kukri knife, space bags and blanket, first aid kit, flashlight and some other odds and ends.

My "BOB" is a fully loaded Molle Pack with enough various items in it for me to live COMFORTABLY a week or more, or me and a couple of others for at least a few days without re-supply. Throwing it in the truck is no big deal and I can carry it if I have to, not as fast as I used to, but a long way if I have to. Weighs about 120lbs sans weapon(s) and ammo. I have an identical one at my Dad's, along with a goodly portion of my ammo, which if I have to leave here is where I'm going.

Haven't read a lot of the survival threads, got my own ideas about what I need for my area and personal needs. I've lived in the woods for a couple of weeks with a lot less than is in that pack. (I need to lose a few pounds anyway) One thing I carry more of than most people do is tube socks...can be used in more ways than you can imagine.

Rob

[Odd Gibbs Shooter]

I have a BoB room.......I got so much stuff that there is no freaking way I could fit it into one BoB....Maybe a BoB truck..........I will die right here laying on top of my BoB mound!!!


Ok I do keep all my hunting alice pack together and stuffed year round for this instance.....But it would be hard for me to leave my mound of chit behind for the looters.....




OGS

[gunnut1]

Looters.

I have been know to load up one of my rifles during severe weather just in case. My wife thinks I am crazy.

[goldenspurholderx2]

Originally posted by gunnut1
You guys are really making sense here!

I line near Fort Wrth and about the only thing I have to worry about is tornados! Where I live, I an not even concerned about flooding. There is a lot to be said about living on the top of hill!

I guess the reason the I think a BOB is not necessary is the fact that if a tornado is heading for my house, I will not try and run from it. That is probably the dumbest thing you can do. Winters here are very mild. Summers are HOT HOT HOT.

Keep the reasons coming.

If for nothing else then (God forbid) a house fire. In Alaska many houses had a cache on stilts, to keep critters out of the food, with a wood stove so they wouldn't freeze to death. Might be nice to have a change of skivvies and some toiletries while your at the hotel room if your house goes up at 2am.

[SHARPSHOOTER]

We do the same thing in my household. Every vehicle has one and there are a couple of packed ones in the house. There is no harm in being prepared and it could very well save your life. The way I look at it nothing may ever happen and I will never need that BOB. The day I decide to stop carrying it with me all hell will break loose and I will need it and not have it.

Originally posted by BlackCat

if you want to see SERIOUS BOB'ery- take a look at the back door of every house in Kosovo. Backpacks for every member of the family- even granny.

[ACCURRETT]

I usually have 2 bob's in one. One for worst come to worst and i need to get out and the other to get back. I keep a small alice loaded with a shelf and buttpack with a pistol and plenty of ammo. Now if i need to go somewhere i grab it and go, and if i need to get back home i grab it and go. Yeah its not that inconspicous, nor is it that light. But if you take into consideration that if you pack right you can always lighten your load you should never have problems. I think having a bob is a good idea. I figure its pretty much a dog eat dog world, and if neccesary i am prepared to do more than growl.
Anyway once its packed you just forget about it, its always in my truck and ready. I have a date sticker on it that i check from time to time and thats all.
Like someone before me said about the spare tire, i don't want to have to rely on someone to bail me out when sh!t hits the fan.

[gunnut1]

Originally posted by goldenspurholderx2


If for nothing else then (God forbid) a house fire. In Alaska many houses had a cache on stilts, to keep critters out of the food, with a wood stove so they wouldn't freeze to death. Might be nice to have a change of skivvies and some toiletries while your at the hotel room if your house goes up at 2am.

Yep!

Been there done that twice! Fortunatly, we are VERY near family where we live.

In 1969 das's store burned. Our house was attached to the store. it burned also and we lost everything we had. Yjr pn;u tjomg O ca,me put oit with was a shirt, pants, shoes, underware and my brand 1970 Chevelle. For the next several months, we lived out of our garage. It was NOT fun.

So yea, I know about house fires.

[Andy the Aussie]

And it can be useful in day to day situations....a couple of weeks ago I was away bush and ended up spending a night between places. I was on the bank of a creek so plenty of water but a crappy walk down there in the dark and the creek was flowing dirty because of all the rain at the heads. Not having PLANNED to be here I didn't "pack" water etc for the night but it was a simple enough matter to rummage around in the seal plastic tub that I carry all this in and turn up a couple of full 1.5 lite water bottle. Just had to remember to replace them.

It is not something that is reserved for the "end of the world" far from it, just the unexpected. Same as the small folding handle frying pan that lives in the same tub, I last used it probably 15 years ago but having it there (again this night out was not expected) meant I was able to have a decent dinner and even better a great feed of bacon and eggs for breakfast. I could have gotten by just fine without any of it but it made for a more pleasant night.

Andy

[Sentinelofold]

Not just older fellas keep these type of preparations around , hell im only 22 yrs old and ive been buildin my BOB for damn near 10 years now (yes since i was 12 yrs old) Also , mine doubles as things needed to tackle many many complex things most of us simply take for granted(Fire, clean water, ability to get food, and make/provide shelter). I for one do not wish for me or my loved ones to be cold , hungry , or injured if i can help it.However i will also say this. The rig i have been building on can also double as a way for me to better fight to save the ones i love , Which i might add that the things in it , as well as , the weapons it supports have been evolving over the last OH several years . And the weird thing is i dont even know where i started wanting to gather such things unto me for preparations i may never need. But its always been in the back of my mind.And is always a nice form of security.Also , who cares , remember the boy scouts , "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it "


Robert

[Beat Trash]

If you live in the west coast, fires.

If you live in the Gulf coast, or any part of Florida, hurricaines.

If you live within a few miles of trains, chemical spills form derailments.

If you live anywhere else in the USA, because the best laid plans of mice and men...

For me, the idea of becoming a refugee is the LAST thing I would ever want to do with a family of four. If we are forced to leave, then we will have at least one destination.

Our BOB's do not in any way look like BOB's. I am a firm believer in maintaining a low profile, especially during a major SHTF type event.

[ALL FAL]

I will laugh at the unprepared dumb basses that still think the GOV. will save them in a crisis.

[brownknees]

In some ways that's why building an emergency kit is so difficult to do.
There are so many variables that there are no hard & fast rules about what to pack & in what.
I'll bet you that if each member that posted her you'd find many different shopping lists.
What you'd need to pack for a family of four in Southern california will bear very little resemblence to what a single would pack in the Cascade mountains.

Some basic priorities have to be taken (Water, Food, Shelter, first aid), but after that it's very much a "custom" job.

Like most of the others posting here I have no intention of becoming a miserable cold wet refugee at the mercy of whatever comes along.

I think there's a massive mis-understanding of what a BOB is. Like so many things there are those who carry it to extreams, just praying for the end of the world so they can loose all the troubles of modern life & start over, not me, sorry. I LIKE being fat dumb & happy & will do whatever I need to to minimize any discomfort caused by events.

There's also no need to "suffer" to survive. The more comfortable I am the happier I am. This conception of "living off bugs & worms" stuff is for emergencies that go way, way beyond what any BOB will prepare you for.

Can I do it....Yes. Do I WANT to do it HELL NO!

Whatever you decide to do plan it & then test it. After the test replan it & test it again. Above all a BOB (or whatever you choose to call it), has to be practical.

[snowhawk jockey]

Originally posted by brownknees
...Like most of the others posting here I have no intention of becoming a miserable cold wet refugee at the mercy of whatever comes along...
...Whatever you decide to do plan it & then test it. After the test replan it & test it again. Above all a BOB (or whatever you choose to call it), has to be practical.

Our 72hr kits can be construed as a BOB, BIB or GMHB but not a SHTFB(its missing the pintle mount and ammo boxes for the beltfed, lol). I test the rigs at every opportunity. Going traveling, camping or for an afternoon at the lake? I treat it as an "evacuation". If the fam is going camping, I live out of my kit for the weekend(like Andy's bush nite out). It helps rotate the consumable items and if the gear doesn't *really* do its job, I can plan for an upgrade to the kit.
Does everyone need a 72hr kit? Not just NO, but HELL NO!!! How else can FEMA justify their existance unless there are thousands of "poor, stranded and homeless" refugees that require GOV'T AID. And what about all the Darwin awards, how are folks supposed to earn them if they are prepared for an emergency? I think that the fewer that are prepared, the more they will congregate at city centers waiting for a handout while the rest of us are quietly slipping away from the "infected"(or is it affected?) area.

Last weekend I rode a thousand miles(500 in one day!) of paved and dirt roads on an Adventure motorcycle with my kit(now THAT was a lesson on bugging out!). The kit performed as expected and I was satisfied with my provisions, toiletry and shelter. My esbit stove doesnt boil water for tea with only one triox tab, so I'll upgrade it to an MSR type stove that runs for 100mins on one fuel can. Most of my rations are "just add boiling water" and the triox wasn't cutting it!

[gunnut1]

If you live within a few miles of trains, chemical spills form derailments.

Now there is one I didn't think about. We live about 2 miles from a major railroad yard. Good point!

[mosbysmen]

the goverment wants you to have one.
http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/index.html

floods , what if your in town and not on top of the hill ?

bottled gas suppliers going boom

my buddy was trapped for 12 hours on top of a elevated highway due to a 20 car pile up .

train derailment with amonia or other dangerous gases ..

i like hawks spare tire exzample.

bad stuff can and will happen to good people.

when we bug out for hurricanes, the bobs are the last thing to go in the van , if i can only grab one thing from the van , im taking the bob.

[Deltaten]

All good advice..
But then there's the usual..
"IF YA GOTTA ASK" bonus point question LOL!

It's a lifestyle more than just a bag for emergencies!
Live it! Love it! Learn it!
and be prepared to leave (with ) it!
the key phrase being "Be Prepared!"

THat reminds me...
I gotta repack mine. Used it as a weekender at FALfest adn never reconstituted it, post washer/dryer!

Paul

[brownknees]

It's a lifestyle more than just a bag for emergencies!

Yup, the bag's just the hardware component.

[Artful]

Maybe it the BOB, or BIB that's bugging you

Try a MURSE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzRqkYM-TlE

[gunnut1]

Originally posted by Artful
Maybe it the BOB, or BIB that's bugging you

Try a MURSE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzRqkYM-TlE

Got a murse!

[shootist87122]

The moto of the wise is...
Be prepared for surprise is.

The lumbar pack I keep in the truck is small, but has enough gear to get me thru a day or so. The rain gear always stored therein was very handy at Fest I. Less of a GMHB than a "I will never be caught without X Y & Z" bag.

[gunnut1]

OK guys. You have convince me that I need a GMHB. NOW the other big question is this. What kind of "bag" is the best. I am thinking an Alice pack since they are pretty cheap and readily available. Really don't want to spend a lot of money on the carrying device. Is an Alice better than a MOLLE? the Moole is more versital then the Alice but I understand that the military is doing away with it.


I'm SO confused!

[brownknees]

Personally I build from the inside out. First i decide on what I need, and why I need it. Once this is done you need to think about how the bag will be used.

There are a lot of things to be said for an innocuous bag, as opposed to something like an ALICE.

If you're going to be passing thru an urban area this may be the better way to go as you probably won't want to draw attention to yourself in a situation where you're using a BOB for real.

You can use a big sports bag if you're not planning on backpacking, or a camping type ruck if you are. Example, when I flew commercial to the gunner pool event last year I had a fully assembled ALICE meduim pack, and the web gear with pouches. I didn't want to cause a stir on the airline so I just packed the whole thing inside a $15 sports bag & checked that in.

In my case I work in a very PC environment, but still take the ALICE pack only to work if there is a severe weather alert. I've never had anyone comment on the bag, or it's contents, other than to say I'm well prepared for emergencies. Now IF TSHTF I can just add the suspenders and all the non PC hardware in about one minute.

One time the weather alert was for real. we were stuck overnight at work due to high wind & an Ice storm. I was well fed with hot food & curled up asleep in my bag the next morning when we were all told we could go home as the storm was over.

I wasn't concerned for the wife as she was at home & had her own bag. A quick phone call to let her know where I was & to confirm she was OK too was all that was needed. The power went out at both locations, so the stove I had was the ONLY way to make hot food. I work about 1 1/2 miles from the house, so the phone was working, but in case of a communications breakdown we also have FRS/GMRS radios that will allow for communications independantly of anything external.

Before you buy anything try doing a possible event & reaction workup. That & the area you're in will give you a good idea of what you need. then figure out what is the most suitable container for YOU at YOUR location.

There's a lot of help & information available here, but the one thing we can't do for you is to tailor the kit to your exact needs.

[Timber Wolf]

Originally posted by GOVT1911
Because Shit Happens.

Some people beleive in being prepared for every concievable situation at all times. I just focus on the most likely scenarios and try not to let it interfere with day to day living TOO much. I do, however, refuse to become one of the people stuck in the stadium during Katrina.

I and I alone, are responsible for my family's safety.

Well said. Here is a really really, low threat example of being prepared. Got married a few years back and instead of all my people traveling 3000 miles to the wedding the wife and I went out that way for a week soon after the wedding. Wife had never been on a plane before. Started packing and I told her to give me a few things to put in my pack to take on the plane with us. I packed a pair of underwear, socks, gym shorts, t-shirt, and my bathroom stuff. Enough stuff to get by with out my luggage. My wife said "you have been flying out there 20 years, have they ever lost your luggage?". No, I replied they had not but she gave me her stuff anyway. You guessed it, our luggage, while not lost, did not make it when we did and she was dang glad to have her overnight stuff. I have taken her out there twice and BOTH TIMES our luggage did not make it for another day or two. Do you think my wife will now take a few things as carry on if she flies? With a 100% failure rate based on her experience? I don't have to have had a bad experience to make a few sensible, easy preparations.