Your Go bag

[bteague2]

I highly recommend shopping around for a Snugpak. While not cheap, they are EXTREMELY compact. I splurged for one because it was so easy to toss in a pack or my saddle bags when I go camping, backpacking, or bike tripping. This is a random pic of one I found on the web. Their size goes up and down with the temperature rating, as well as the price. Plus, fleece liners are pretty affordable too.

Are they good for putting straight on the ground or do you need a buffer?

[Guest Jcochran88]

Man you guys have really thought about this. I need to get off my butt and get one ready for me and my wife.

[poak]

Are they good for putting straight on the ground or do you need a buffer?

I usually use a pretty thin and packable inflatable sleeping pad, similar to this.

My brother just used a mexican blanket between his and the ground

[Guest bkelm18]

I should put something together as well. Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever practiced living off of their "go" bag for whatever amount of time? I think a practice run would be good to see what works and what doesn't, as well as what you need to add.

[poak]

I should put something together as well. Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever practiced living off of their "go" bag for whatever amount of time? I think a practice run would be good to see what works and what doesn't, as well as what you need to add.

I've camped and traveled off of minimal gear before but, I've never actually tested my go bag. I suppose I probably should.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I have taken my BOB and lived out of it for four days. Treat it like backpacking, but without all the bells and whistles. Start taking weekend backpacking trips and start subtracting the amount of stuff you take/need from your first trip, since most people normally pack way too much stuff the first time out. Its good practice to see what you need and what you don't. It is about survival, and not total comfort while camping. That is one of the reasons I keep a Rite in the Rain pad and pen with me, to note what I need and don't need. Your welcome to go backpacking with Kat and I.

[bteague2]

I should put something together as well. Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever practiced living off of their "go" bag for whatever amount of time? I think a practice run would be good to see what works and what doesn't, as well as what you need to add.

I've taken mine camping but nothing too serious. A few weeks ago I took it on the Mountain Man March that I posted here about, 26 miles was a long way and I had a long time to think about the contents of my pack. I'll probably add a list of things I took out/added after that day some time soon.

[Fadex]

Most of the stuff in my bag I have used while camping...but never a survival type situation.

[Punisher84]

I should put something together as well. Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever practiced living off of their "go" bag for whatever amount of time? I think a practice run would be good to see what works and what doesn't, as well as what you need to add.

I'm going on a weekend trip here in May and I'm planning on using my go bag to do alot of things. I want to test the simple skills under optimal conditions, if I can't get a fire started and simple jazz like that with what's in my kit under 70 degrees and sunny I'm gonna re-configure.

[Guest justme]

ok, so what I have not seen--and perhaps I have just overlooked it in the lists people have made and posted is: emergency currency, cash/change and so on. So you have a go bag, but if the time comes and you go--you won't get far without money for gas and so on...

this assumes of course that your normal means of access to your money--the bank is not a viable option for whatever reason.

I'm also working on my go bag--but I am including currency as a necessary part of the kit.

[Guest bkelm18]

I have taken my BOB and lived out of it for four days. Treat it like backpacking, but without all the bells and whistles. Start taking weekend backpacking trips and start subtracting the amount of stuff you take/need from your first trip, since most people normally pack way too much stuff the first time out. Its good practice to see what you need and what you don't. It is about survival, and not total comfort while camping. That is one of the reasons I keep a Rite in the Rain pad and pen with me, to note what I need and don't need. Your welcome to go backpacking with Kat and I.

Where do you guys go backpacking? I assume GSMNP?

[bteague2]

ok, so what I have not seen--and perhaps I have just overlooked it in the lists people have made and posted is: emergency currency, cash/change and so on. So you have a go bag, but if the time comes and you go--you won't get far without money for gas and so on...

this assumes of course that your normal means of access to your money--the bank is not a viable option for whatever reason.

I'm also working on my go bag--but I am including currency as a necessary part of the kit.

I'm thinking Katrina type situations, if money still works I probably won't be using my pack.

[Guest bkelm18]

I agree, if you are able to still use money, chances are the S has not completely HTF, survival items may not be a necessity. However clothes and stuff like that would still be a good thing to have.

[Guest justme]

I agree, if you are able to still use money, chances are the S has not completely HTF, survival items may not be a necessity. However clothes and stuff like that would still be a good thing to have.

I slightly disagree--you could still have a SHTF type situation where you need to bug out without the money being completely useless--for example, a riot occurs which spreads through an entire city, or a major earthquake which forces you to bug out and hit the road--but not necessarily the mountains, or swamp, and force you to retreat to a safe house type situation in another city and wait it out--but still have enough time to get necessities such as gasoline and so on before problems possibly spread to other areas...

I can think of many situations where money could still be somewhat useful--riot, earthquake, tornado, and somewhat of a normal breakdown in civil order where you would bug out to another area instead of trying to move into the mountains--this assumes that we are not talking about a civil war type situation where there is street to street fighting--similar to kosovo or possibly Iraq.

NOW if a total or near total breakdown in civil order occurred, then I agree--money isn't going to do us any good because people will take what they need, when they need it--so money won't do any good.

A go bag must be versatile for several different type situations...where you may prepare for a total breakdown in social order where money will do you no good--you may only find that a major earthquake has occurred, or something has happened and a riot starts and you might want to at least try and leave the area of conflict and you have to have money in a hurry...see why I say this? At the very least--you could in theory use money to help start a camp fire...assuming a total breakdown in normalcy of course.

[bteague2]

I slightly disagree--you could still have a SHTF type situation where you need to bug out without the money being completely useless--for example, a riot occurs which spreads through an entire city, or a major earthquake which forces you to bug out and hit the road--but not necessarily the mountains, or swamp, and force you to retreat to a safe house type situation in another city and wait it out--but still have enough time to get necessities such as gasoline and so on before problems possibly spread to other areas...

I can think of many situations where money could still be somewhat useful--riot, earthquake, tornado, and somewhat of a normal breakdown in civil order where you would bug out to another area instead of trying to move into the mountains--this assumes that we are not talking about a civil war type situation where there is street to street fighting--similar to kosovo or possibly Iraq.

NOW if a total or near total breakdown in civil order occurred, then I agree--money isn't going to do us any good because people will take what they need, when they need it--so money won't do any good.

A go bag must be versatile for several different type situations...where you may prepare for a total breakdown in social order where money will do you no good--you may only find that a major earthquake has occurred, or something has happened and a riot starts and you might want to at least try and leave the area of conflict and you have to have money in a hurry...see why I say this? At the very least--you could in theory use money to help start a camp fire...assuming a total breakdown in normalcy of course.

Then use what's in your wallet? I don't see a need to keep extra money specifically in my bag. And if you can make it to a city that is unaffected ATM/debit/credit cards will work.

[Guest SUNTZU]

We go mostly to GSMNP, but sometimes Frozenhead. I want to backpack in Cherokee National Forest, as I've only car camped there. As far as the money goes, you can keep some small bills folded up in your wallet as an emergency fund. Make copies of insurance records, have it on a flash drive, copies in a deposit box, etc. I think that was brought up before.

Here's an idea of what to expect from a Katrina survivor.

Thoughts On Disasters

[Guest Wiggy]

I use a modular pack system - I like bags.

Must've been a cross-dresser in a past life. Not this life, though, except perhaps when I wear my lycra bike shorts (on my bicycle, of course, not to the bars) I do get some odd comments from the rodeo crowd in chaps and those gay dudes cruising around in their big pickup trucks. Or is it the gay dudes who are wearing the chaps and the rodeo guys who are in the trucks? I get them so confused... They all have those colored handkerchiefs, you know. Hard to tell 'em apart..

That is the funniest thing I've read in a while!

As for my go bag, I've been using a pack I bought a few years ago. It says "Bug out gear" right on it so you know it has to be a good BOB,lol. It's big, but not like an ALICE pack or anything, and it's constructed well without looking too "tacti-cool". I have two changes of clothes in it, a small first aid kit, towel, stuff to stay clean, laptop (so when I get somewhere I can tell ya'll how I'm doing), important documents, rain jacket, and snacks. There's lots of other small stuff in there, like a leatherman tool, super glue, orange vest and reflective belt, 10 in 1 screwdriver, spare glasses and an eyeglass repair kit, gloves, and probably some other stuff I missed too.

[MacGyver]

So I've been a reader, but not a member for a long while. But tonight I came across this post and it struck close to my heart. So hello all - here I am - with a enormous first post.

Work carries me around the world to some pretty rough spots - usually without much in the way of backup. In more than one case, I know that I am here today because of what I've had in my pockets or on my person and used that to survive.

Survival gear is just like your carry weapon. If it's sitting at home - it won't do you any good when it comes down to needing it. Man has an incredible capacity to survive - but a little gear goes a long way. If you are going to stare down the reaper and send him packing, you have to be prepared.

My kits are broken down on a graduated basis as opposed to just a bugout bag - what if I'm not at home when it all heads south. I need to have some gear on me as appropriate for any occasion.

These kits are broken down into levels pocket, I, II and III and are fully 'stackable' That is, if I've got Level III, then I also have Level II and I.

Here they are:

Pocket kit - this stuff goes everywhere - everyday - to church, the grocery store, wherever - this is what goes in my pockets:

Multitool (currently Leatherman Skeletool CX), Knife with locking blade (backup is good - currently a Benchmade axis folder - a big knife can do a little knife job, but not vice versa), small lighter, small flashlight (Streamlight Nano is AMAZING), lip balm, space pen, phone, wallet, carry weapon - usually IWB

Level I kit - this should fit into a cargo pocket comfortably - some people like an Otter box or something like that. If you are old school, this is your tobacco tin kit. Both are too bulky for me, so I fit it in one of those wallets for kayakers that looks like two heavy ziploc bags and folds in half. Contents:

·

Flint Rod and Scraper – 1 ea.

·

Butane Lighter – 1 ea.

·

Betadine – 10% solution ½ Fluid Ounce Bottle -1 ea.

·

Signal Mirror – 1 ea.

·

24 Fish Hooks & Split Shot

·

Large Fish Hook – 2 ea.

·

Spool of Tripwire – 1 ea.

·

Sewing Needles (Large Eye)– 3 ea.

·

Fishing Line (10-12 lbs.) – 40 ft.

·

550 Para Cord – 20 ft. 2 ea.

·

Eze-Lap Diamond Sharpener – 1 ea.

·

Space Blanket – 1 ea.

·

First Aid Kit – Personal

·

Button Compass – 1 ea.

·

Fuel Tabs (Hexamine)– 2 ea.

·

Freezer Bags – 2 ea.

If I'm actually in the field then my other cargo pocket usually has a MS2000 rescue strobe, a MSR steripen, a better compass and a Garmin Etrex loaded up with the maps of the operating area. If I am in a more civilized area, the Level I kit goes on the inside pocket of my suit coat and the extra gear in my briefcase along with a bigger light and some extra AAs. Both make it through magnetometers at the airport fine - the kit is so crowded it just shows up a one mass - that or the fine folks manning it just don't get paid to care.

Level II kit - carried in a small (500 cu. inch) ruck or buttpack - Always in the car. I'm always stuffing things in here. Thus, there are always some extra goodies, but the contents always include:

·

Insect Repellent

·

550 Para Cord – 50 ft. - (You really can't have enough)

·

Ranger Sighting Compass

·

Flashlight (larger LED light plus LED Headlamp)

·

Dehydrated Sponges

·

Mini Cable Ties – 50-75 ea.

·

Commercial Game Snares – (4 ea. Small, 1 ea. Medium)

·

Animal Scent Lures

·

Fishing Kit

·

Small Frog Gig

·

Sun Screen

·

Hygiene Kit (Campsuds, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Dental Floss, Small Roll AP Paper)

·

Clear Plastic Trash Bags

·

9 Hour Candle – 1 ea.

·

Medium Fixed Blade Knife

·

Notepad (Waterproof) with Pencil

·

Tubular Webbing – 1 Inch, 15 ft.

·

Carabineer (Locking)

·

Sling Rope – 15 ft.

·

Mini Chain Saw

·

Emergency Bivy (AMK makes a great one that's cheap)

· T

rioxane Fuel Tabs – 4-5 ea.

·

Emergency Strobe

·

Global Positioning System

·

VHF Radio with Weather Bands

·

Extra Batteries – 6 ea. AA, 3 ea AAA

·

Leather Gloves with Liners

·

Watch Cap

·

Rations – 2 Day (3 High Protein Myoplex bars, 3 Gatorade, Peanut Butter, Bullion Cubes, Tea Bags, Sugar)

·

Nalgene Canteen (1 Liter) – 2 ea.

·

First Aid Kit (Rapid Deployment Kit)

Level III kit - carried in a small assault ruck (~1500 cu. inch) - this one is for when you know that you might be stuck out for a while - I guess this one qualifies as the 'bugout bag' - and for me, it's truly that - by the time we get here, things have seriously headed south

·

Water Purifier

·

Game Snares – (3 small, 2 medium, 2 Large)

·

Utility Pot

·

Military Fuel Tabs – 5 ea.

·

Gortex Pants and Jacket

·

Nalgene Canteen – Large

·

Sling Rope – 50 ft.

·

Hydration System

·

Large Fixed Blade Knife

·

Small Shovel

·

Whetstone

·

Gortex Bivy

·

Poncho Liner

·

Stove with Fuel

·

One pair clothes - matched to mission, environment, season

·

Extra Socks

·

LRP First Aid Kit

·

Pistol with Extra Magazine

·

Ammunition (matched to objective, but typically 40 ea. Hollow Point, 10 ea. Shotshell)

·

Rations – 3 Day (5 High Protein Myoplex bars, 5 Gatorade, Peanut Butter, Tea Bags, Sugar, Bullion Cubes)

Beside the Level III kit is a Sabre Defence M5 with an EOTECH 552 - I occasionally think that I need to swap this out for something that draws less attention, but keep coming back here. It's fast, light, and if it really heats up, I know it won't let me down.

Parting notes -

Unless you have a specific mission need, ditch the military surplus gear and go commercial. It's generally lighter, faster and a lot more comfortable. That said, some of the companies selling new military, tactical gear make great stuff - BlackHawk, Tactical Tailor, etc...

Wife and kids add some extra considerations, but suprisingly not that many - you only need a little extra gear, and kids have an innate sense of adventure.

Important note - work out a phrase only known to your family, a rendevous point and meet time- this sounds silly, but how often are you really all together. Text message, voicemail, whatever, you all know where to go and when to be there. Last one out of the house grabs the Level III and other required items.

At some point I'll post the first aid kit contents.

Luck favors the prepared.

[Fadex]

Nice setup. Lots of good information.

[poak]

Excellent post, Mac

I don't suppose your going to let us in on what this job of yours is, are you?

[MacGyver]

I don't suppose your going to let us in on what this job of yours is, are you?

I'm a forensic specialist dealing in information crimes (identity theft, intellectual property theft, industrial espionage, child protection, etc...). Grew up heading up a team for a security agency. Got tired of travelling 51 weeks a year, so I started my own firm here in Middle Tennessee. These days I don't find myself getting shot at nearly as regularly, but it's always good to be prepared. I'm more likely to come face to face with an angry suspect than find myself stranded in some third world garden spot - but you never know when the reaper is going to show his face. A little bit of gear and some preparation turns the table in your favor.

[poak]

I'm a forensic specialist dealing in information crimes (identity theft, intellectual property theft, industrial espionage, child protection, etc...). Grew up heading up a team for a security agency. Got tired of travelling 51 weeks a year, so I started my own firm here in Middle Tennessee. These days I don't find myself getting shot at nearly as regularly, but it's always good to be prepared. I'm more likely to come face to face with an angry suspect than find myself stranded in some third world garden spot - but you never know when the reaper is going to show his face. A little bit of gear and some preparation turns the table in your favor.

That sounds absolutely awesome

[Guest Big C]

In any case if your wanting to keep a "go bag". You should make it lite has posible. In the most extream possiblities in our area, you should be prepared for a day up to 3 days. After about 2 days on limited food and water a 50lb bag can become like 100lb bag. The things you need should be at least on bottle of water wish can be spread out to last you a few hard days, some thing simple to eat, crackers and spam. A good knife, compass, waterproof matches, first aid (should always have any how), I cary an emergentcy tent in mine, rope and twin, these are just a few things that are very useful. Remember the best tool to have in any Emergentcy is you brian. Everyone should learn first aid, and basic survival skills, such has, how to build a shelter, gather food, what roots and berrys in our area you can eat, and most impotaintly how to get drinkable water.

Most people in a crisses will pull togther and help others, thru the confussion this can take a day or two. Good book " Be Prepared" by Justin Case.

[bteague2]

Remember the best tool to have in any Emergentcy is you brian.

[Guest Astra900]

Remember the best tool to have in any Emergentcy is you brian. :

Don't ask, Don't tell.