Bug Out Bag (BOB)

The BOB or "Go" bag is a bag or pack that is ready to go at any time, and would take what you need to stay on the move for 72hrs. This might be because of natural disasters or other problems that make it impractical to shelter-in-place.

BOB vs 72hr kit

Although it is possible to set up your 72hr kit in BOB configuration (like a backpack) often the BOB and 72hr kit are separate preps. The fact that the BOB is intended for use when you are away from your normal resources means there is more focus on general preparedness and not just food/water. Some preppers use a 10-point checklist to help organize a BOB:

 1. Navigation - map, compass, and GPSr
 2. Personal Attire - 
 3. Illumination - flashlight, headlamp
 4. First aid kit
 5. Fire / cooking 
 6. Repair kit and tools
 7. Nutrition
 8. Hydration
 9. Emergency shelter
10. Communication 
11. Hygiene

There is a philosophical difference in the prep community between those that use military surplus packs vs. civilian packs for the BOB. The pro-surplus crowd point out that ALICE or MOLLE surplus is highly practical and frequently cheaper. The pro-civilian crowd point out that their gear is more low-key and less likely to attract unwanted attention.

My current implementation

My wife and I have Vietnam-era ALICE packs on LC1 frames. Both packs on frames were $40 shipped from eBay.

Food in the BOB is substantially different than in the 72hr kit; the kit relies heavily on canned foods and the BOB has more traditional dehydrated hiking foods. The weight difference demands it. Yes, this interferes with my desire to rotate aggressively, but this is somewhat mitigated by the 4-5 year long shelf lives.

I carry a Coleman multifuel stove that burns coleman fuel, unleaded, and kerosene. It fits easily in a plastic 2# coffee can with room left over for lighters, spare generator, etc. I carry an aluminum mess kit and both our canteens (mine is US Army surplus, hers is Swiss Army surplus) have metal cups. Since they are shockingly cheap and light there is also an esbit stove ($2 in a surplus store) with trioxane fuel ($1 for three) in each pack.

We carry grommeted ponchos and a plain blue walmart 10'x10' grommeted tarp, lightweight stakes, and paracord pre-rigged with tautline hitches for easy field adjustability. Ponchos and tarps can make decent emergency shelters.

Thoughts for the future

I'd like to mark the areas in the pack and the pockets, and inventory everything showing where it is in the pack. Right now I know what is in each pack but not necessarily what is in it.
As always, water is a sore point.

Tips for beginners

Familiarize yourself with the use of everything in your BOB before you need those skills.
A decent poncho has several functions. It can keep you dry, of course. But it can also make an emergency shelter. It can be inverted and used as a rain catcher, etc.

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