B.O.B

[Sol Invictus]

I'm talking Bug out Bags (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug-out_bag). Do you have one, and what kind do you have? What sort of stuff do you carry in it? Doesn't take much to get one put together, it's just a matter of doing it. Would like some tips and and share ideas.

http://www.survivalistboards.com Has some great info on this as well.

[Gwynyvyr]

If you go to survivalistboards (SB, as it is known by many online), please take along MANY *grains of salt* with you. I quit going because of inaccurate and oft-times dangerous advice I saw being posted to newbies, also quit the board because of admin and mods behavior (oooh, you hurt a mods feelings! That's loss of posting privileges for two weeks!).
Also sort of made me laugh when a friend of mine (that I know well in real life) was told something he posted on the firearms thread was wrongWrongWRONG and he should keep his mouth shut until he learned something. He was told this by Dwind---the epitome of internet mall ninja types.:rolleyes2: My friend is a former military sniper and works as a consultant to several fire arm manufacturers. If you watch Sons of a Gun (new show about Redjacket Arms down in Louisiana), you'll occasionally see him on there. He's a consultant and tester (and a friend of Will's) for them, too. So, SB lost him as a member, too.

If you are SERIOUS about prepping, I suggest www.zombiehunters.org (home of Zombie Squad) Mainly professionals there...EMT's, LEO, Military, several survivalist-type writers, Physicians, Firefighters, etc. No mall ninjas need apply, lol!

As for BoB's, I have a fairly basic one:
Here is my backpack:
http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=162907&storeId=207&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=24451&variationId=GW9
I like it as it has a hydration port and I can get 2 to 3 liters of water into it, in addition to carrying extra water bottles on the side.
It also has pretty roomy compartments in general.
Comfy to strap on for longer distances, too!
Inside, I carry:
a loaded Glock C-36 with 2 extra loaded mags and extra ammo (bottom of bag)
Space Blanket
8 x 10 tarp
50 ft of paracord
Swiss Army Knife
Change of clothes
Pair of lightweight sneakers
2 pair extra socks
2 pair extra underwear
Hygiene kit (travel size soap, shampoo, body wash, conditioner & body lotion)
15 Chem Lite sticks
Magnesium fire starter
2 MREs (take them out of boxes, you can fit them in)
5 granola/protein bars
Small first aid kit (home made--gauze, surgical tape, combat bandage,band-aids, sutures & needles, Epi-pen, tube of neosporin and small bottles of alcohol, iodine and peroxide)
Fishing line & hooks
Matches (in ziplock bag)
Compass and local topo map
2 water bottles (one with filter)
Water purification tablets
Small notebook, pencil and pen
Small Mag-lite flashlight and 4 extra batteries
Lightweight rain poncho
Small mess kit (actually just clips on to outside of backpack) It's an old mess kit, the kind you can actually use for cooking as well as eating out of.
Army Ranger Survival Handbook

When it is completely packed, it is still comfy to carry as it is so well-balanced.
I am old (54) and female and a bit out of shape, but I can hike 10 to 15 miles at a stretch carrying this without undue discomfort.

[Soul System]

There are plenty of BOB lists and philosophies out there, to each his own. Some points that I learnt to get across :

- have a digital copy of administrative papers (insurance, bank accounts etc.). Nowadays USB sticks are litteraly poststamp-sized, so that shouldn't be a problem. This is the one thing that is not often mentionned. As a bonus, you can also scan pictures of your family - this is often what people miss from home).

- Most of the weight is going to be water.

Personaly I don't believe in bugging out for a second. If you don't live there already you're a stranger. Chances are, your preps or even your place will be taken. Chances are of that happening are HIGH. The one thing you need is the trust of people you know, and who can help them. But if you're into survivalism, it is highly probable that you are going to be the one who helps them.

Now a twist on an old story : try to imagine a Bugging Back Bag (BBB). For instance, you're 80 kilometers away from home when the S hits TF. What can you gather around you in about five minutes that can help you for the journey home ?

It's a great exercise in frugality. Do it a couple of times, in different situations (at the movies, or in a near unknown neighbourhood) and you'll see you don't need that many things in the first place.

[Albion]

I'm talking Bug out Bags. Do you have one, and what kind do you have?

No, I just have my brain - Big Ol' Brain.

[Mary]

This:

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And a cup.