Bug Out Bag Essentials for Van Life
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Bug out bags give you all of the resources you need to survive for hours, weeks or more if your access to power, food, and other necessities is cut off. This may be a circumstance that is hard to imagine, but there are plenty of crisis situations that can leave you without the ability to meet your basic needs.
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Thanks for watching!
You mentioned the flashlight as a daytime signaling device for search and rescue. I highly encourage folks to consder a signal mirror. I’ve been on the receiving end as a search and rescue pilot and was amazed how well it worked to get my attention.
Great idea, I’m doing this.
They are ignored in northern AZ.
Thank you Dan
I'm an ATP flying for a part 135 operator. I've always been very skeptical of signal mirrors because I've always considered the chances of one attracting my attention to be practically zero. Are you saying that if you are on an S&R mission flying at low altitude and a crew member is looking down in an area where someone is known to be missing that you could see it? Ok, maybe. I've just seen too many "preppers" thinking they are going to signal airliners.
I wish I could actually test this. But the logistics of setting up the test sound like a real PITA. I could rent a plane, send a buddy out into the bush, etc.
Also good for first aid. Being able to see a wound goes a long way in treating it.
these videos are very helpful, although I would encourage people to have a mini version of the bag to take along every time they leave their rig, when they are out in nature, even if they are just going for a short hike. And, if they are really alone out there they should keep the beacon in their pocket so that if they accidentally fall and can’t walk back to their rig they can call for help. Another important item to keep in your bag is an extra pair of glasses, if you need them on a regular basis…
Good point. I keep a mini emergency kit and repair kit when I mountain bike in the trails.
That is an excellent reminder about a backup pair of glasses. I am near-sighted and need prescription lenses to see more than just blurry blobs after several yards. I keep my old glasses all around the house, in our vehicle, and in my purse. An outdated frame or prescription is sure good enough in a pinch!
Very good tips
Excellent point about the beacon keep the beacon on your purse and not in your backpack. What if you trip fall in your backpack goes over a cliff now you’re stranded with a broken leg and you don’t even have the ability to get to your beacon I take my beacon and loop it through my belt loop. I’ve seen people out hiking who have them attached to their backpack thinking they’re doing just great again if you lose that pack, you lose the bacon and it’s useless great point thank you.
I'm a bushcraft/survival/prepper minded guy and I've thought long and hard about the perfect BOB, but I continue to struggle with the right balance of need, want, weight, and whatnot. There are just too many variables. The pack you e created covers all the bases but it's extremely impractical to expect someone to carry that load on their backs in the wilderness. Instead, I suggest that create THREE BOBs. One for on the run. One for shelter in place. And one for cold weather survival. The biggest help in determining what you really need is to physically test your BOB on a long weekend. Don't bring any food. One Nalgene of water is good. Think necessities. Shelter, fire, cordage, knife. See what you can do with that.
Instead of several pounds of candy, choose freeze dried/dehydrated fruits, veggies, meats, fish. That candy weighs a couple pounds and for that same weight in freeze dried/dehydrated foods you can pack a lot more nutrition. I would also take a jar of PB Fit powder instead of peanut butter. PB Fit can be reconstituted into peanut butter with a tbsp. of water; much lighter weight, delicious, & doesn’t go rancid like peanut butter can..
Those are great ideas, providing one has access to enough potable water. I'd add Butler soy curls to your list; they're light-weight dehydrated soy that when hydrated, plump up into chewy morsels, similar to cooked chicken. You can eat them as-is in a pinch, or re-hydrate them and add seasoning for a filling and tasty meal. Definitely my go-to staple food for traveling!
@@witchywoman4139 I like Butler's Soy Curls for emergency food, too, but only during the colder months unless I will be able to refrigerate or freeze them. I find that they tend to go rancid fairly quickly if stored in a hot place.
H2O weighs 8 lbs/ gal. Candy weighs next to nothing.
Everyone needs a bug out bag, no matter what or where. Personally, I would be one of those follow-the-sun folks. I would never willingly go into a cold climate for boondocking or be surrounded by snow. Of course I'm a super senior and at this age that's not using good sense to put myself in rugged or iffy situations.
Bob, I really appreciate your episodes on the bug out bag. Few people seem to realize just how incredibly valuable such a thing is.
If you ever leave your home you need a bug out bag stashed in your vehicle.
I recently had to spend multiple nights at a hospital when an unforeseen and very frightening family emergency occurred.
The room would accommodate my brother's wife but there was no good way for me to sleep inside and not interfere with her few minutes of rest.
Fortunately I always have a bug out bag in my vehicle and I was able to open a sleeping bag slip into a warm suit for sleeping and actually get some rest in the parking lot.
I have always thought of this as girl scout mentality :-)
Condiments! Amazing how things like small sachets of curry, chilli etc, can brighten up a meal, depending on taste. They don't take up much room, and especially if you have a budget chow-bag, they can be worth including. Rice is fantastic, because it goes with anything, and weighs nothing. It takes longer than noodles to cook, but can be used as a savoury or sweet base. [For rice pudding, some powdered milk, and some raisins , and you are good to go.
Remember that if you are hungry in the bush something pretty ordinary at home can taste much better in the bush. This includes, tea bags, instant coffee, or hot chocolate.
The big thing in a survival situation is not to panic, and think it out. Sit down, make yourself a hot brew, perhaps with some sugar or honey, and powdered milk, an energy/health bar/choc, some jerky, or whatever floats your boat.
It is not good having an excellent bug-out bag if you make panicked/nervous/bad decisions. Psychology is a big part of survival. So know how to use all your kit, and practice with it.
Try to keep reasonably fit, [at any age].
I think a video on what to carry to get your vehicle unstuck would be great. In winter, I always carry a bag of non clumping cat litter or sand and a trenching tool, usually I don't go camping in the winter. In the summer I actually carry some broken down Amazon boxes, has come in handy getting out of mud. The biggest thing though is to always have three locations planned, try to remain flexible and when you come across an obstacle change course to one of the other locations. Also use the buddy system -- let someone know where you are going and how long you plan to be gone.
Thank goodness for Bob Wells
HI Bob, Thanks for the video. My favorite item you mentioned was the peanut M&M's but I would be replacing them every week.
😝👍
😅
Great stuff, thank you.
Most people forget to keep enough space (and/or bottles) in their rucksack for water, if they plan for a bugout bag. But if you are in a desert area and don't know exactly where and how soon you can get water, you definitely have to carry quite some amount of water with you. And that water should be as ready as the bag - if your vehicle catches fire and you have to evacuate, there is just time enough to grab the bugout bag and maybe a gallon or two of water standing right next to that rucksack, but there's maybe not time enough to search and fill bottles ... What's also a must is a med kit which also contains your personal medication (including prescriptions etc). Don't forget what ever keeps you alive ... ah, and btw., don't forget to put your spare goggles there in.
Else, a bugout bag is already great but I would highly recommend to have always additionally (!) some essential items like safety pins, a little sewing kit, a small ferrorod, a Swiss Army Knive (even if it is only such a small and light one like the Victorinox Walker), a little bit of superglue, some bandaids, some feet of paracord and a simple survival/rescue blanket with you in a separate bag, maybe in something like a waist bag / bum bag thing in which you can carry also other stuff which is not necessarily dedicated to survival (e.g. your most important medicaments, your id card, your smartphone and beacon and so on). The survival items can be also in a small tin (e.g. altoid tin) in your pocket. But you should always carry such essential items when you bug out additionally to the bug out bag and right on your body, if possible even during sleep. Because if anything happens to your bugout bag, for whatever reason, your chances of survival are much higher if you have at least some essential items always with you. And else, redundancy isn't bad in an emergency situation.
Looking over some of your older clips today. Always enlightening!! You reminded me that flares do more than warn oncoming traffic of a road mishap or stalled vehicle. Starting a fire was one that's real important especially in a wet environment. Thank you for all of your tips!
Add a roll of survayers tape. $5 a roll at Home Depot. Highly visible from all directions including the air. Big long stringers of blaze orange blowing in the wind.
After your first survival video I bought the radio. Knowing the weather is essential to me.
Dang. I need to buy a new weather radio. I love this yellow one.
Wonderful video! I would try camping for a few days in a non-remote area with your rig near by using your Bugout Bag as only means to test to see if you can survive with it. I have been in charge if disaster recovery for computer systems. One of the most important tools is testing regularly.
During the pandemic, while everyone else purchased TV's and household upgrades, I purchased bug out bags for my disabled mother, disabled brother and myself. It's not if, it's when. That's what they got last Christmas.
I've spent the last 3 summers taking my daughter camping and I got a pt cruiser. I've been in Pennsylvania my entire life. I love it, but I don't love being here while struggling to afford a lower rent. All I can do is try to stay in this apartment but also plan to be able to survive in my vehicle. I'm considering a van. Thank you for these videos! The insight is inspiring. I've always felt I had to have a ton of money to travel but I can travel to make a ton of money too. Or something like that.
To get the lost part over, I think the personal locator is a great idea. Just call "home". Of course that's the lazy way and it takes some of the fun out of being lost. I kind of resent the fact that people can be as silly as they want because someone will come looking for them, but there's a lot to be said for a device that can save your life.
Keep in mind you still need to be prepared. Even with one of those devices it could be 24 to 48 hours till they get to you so all the preparation needs to stay in effect. Also, I would argue that usually those kind of people that are silly, lackadaisical, and unprepared, or not gonna even have a beacon but your point is well taken. Thank you for your comment.
Wool and more wool. 🐑
Not everyone can have wool. I'm allergic to it as a child and I can't wear anything with wool or even a blanket
Cindy try alpaca wool, as it doesn't have the lanolin in like sheep. Apparently the lanolin is what causes most allergies and also alpaca is alot warmer than sheep's wool.
Using wool as an outer layer works well for those with wool allergies. Wool socks pretty much tear up my feet. However, if i first don cotton or polypro socks and then wear wool socks over them...no problems at all.
@@janetwalker3541
Thank you.
I now have 8 or 10 Luci Lights and they are wonderful. My favorite though is the one that I can recharge not only by solar but by its USB port. VERY convenient. I use it almost every night as a night light on the lowest setting. Then I just charge it up in an hour or two each day.
A good tarp.
What about instant mashed potatoes and instant oatmeal in your food bag. As well as hot chocolate mix and tea.
Snow suit and water straw. Plus the tarp
Interesting. Thank you for sharing all of this information.
I have big solar pane in my trunk also i have a swing way can-opener
The Luce light
You are my hero!
Rey Scott makes a good point about having different BOBs. For me, I decided that my biggest BOB is my vehicle or RV. For us, that is a truck camper or trailer. If we go off in just the truck then our BOB is a backpack (30 liters?) plus whatever we may be carrying in the truck, like the air compressor or tool bag. My smallest BOB is the everyday carry purse that I tried to include the 10 essentials in. These are the smallest, lightest, most minimal of essentials but still pretty complete. It is modest for a lady's purse, about 8 x 8 x 3. It doesn't have water but I did include some purification tabs. I figure this way I have redundancy and the best chance of having something with my person if I need it. Someday we might need a Garmin inReach or similar, but so far have not adventured that remotely. If people are overwhelmed or confused after watching parts one and two, I suggest they watch the videos about 'not dying out here'. I purchased some pepper gel spray after watching those and your bear spray video. They were all helpful.
The light weight solar panels
Seaweed is also light and a great source……mix it with your Top Ramen
The only healthy use for shortening.
Hi Bob, I was wondering if you could build an ambulance to look like the campbulance man's rig? If so, could you give just a very ballpark number? I absolutely wouldn't hold you to it. Just looking at his with all his bells & whistles with a composting toilet & shower. If it's not within your area of expertise, I understand. I saw his rig & it's just about the best I've seen & is the only one I've seen that made me actually think I could do this! Anyway, If you see this comment, please give me a reply; even if it's "sorry" can't do that. I love your videos and will miss you not being on here as much! Thanks so much for all your shared knowledge!! MANY Blessings during the holidays & stay warm & safe!! God bless you & yours most abundantly!!
Bob, add a PLB, compass, USGS maps and signal mirror. Just don't accidentally fire the PLB, you can be charged for the rescue cost.
Per request, I add information on the PLB below.
Doc Wil
NOLS Alumni, WMI
Wilderness EMT
Whatsa PLB?
My sincere apologies. I normally spellout what an item is when I use an acronym.
PLB is a Personal Locator Beacon. It is a one directional, one use device. That will ping the satellite net in your location with a morse code SOS.
This is going to alert Forest Service and any WSAR (Wilderness Search and Rescue Teams) in your area. They are going to mount a full rapid response centered on the ping of that Beacon. So once you fire it shelter in place if possible or near by. This is a full asset response and if you activate it for a non-emergency you will be billed for the response. Note: helicopters are a very expensive resource. Add in ground teams, K9's vehicles. You get the picture. You use a PLB if you have broken a bone, are hopelessly lost, been bitten by a snake or mauled by a wild animal or are severely ill and cannot extract.
I can't post a link to REI, but you can look the product up there or on your favorite outdoor supplier.
Y'all stay safe.
Doc
@Angela H PLB I just posted an explanation. USGS is the United States Geological Survey. They provide highly accurate topographical maps for purchase. To use them effectively you will need a compass and protractor.
Both of these are easily purchase and there are many, many videos out on their use. Its is not a steep learning curve, it just takes practice. I had my kids out doing orienteering when they were 8.
The most important thing in selecting a compass is to spend the extra money to get a lensatic compass that is adjustable for the grid magnetic angle.
There is a big difference between true north and magnetic north. This varies by location. The GM Angle is very conveniently printed in the key on the map.
There are also tons of maps. So be sure you pick up the one(s) for the area you will be in. A map of Joshua Tree will do you no good on BLM land in AZ.
If you don't know how to read a topo, at first. It will be intimidating. Don't worry, after several good videos all those squiggly lines will make perfect sense.
I do hope this helps. If you have a question please DM me and reference our talk. I usually don't respond to DM's
Stay safe.
Doc
@@lesley643 I just posted a single answer in this thread. Thank you for reminding me I was being forgetful.
Doc
heading to digi key soon! thanks for the lead!
I’d love to hear from anyone who needed to use a bug out kit. Was it money well spent? For people with not much money is it worth spending money on survival gear or servicing your vehicle to prevent breakdowns? Why would you take a risky drive in the first place? How did you get into a life threatening situation? It all sounds a bit of a reach to me especially for people on $800 a month social security. I can’t see myself signaling Morse code with a mirror or laying SOS messages in orange for planes to see.
Snowmobile suit!
!
Lots of great ideas. I really liked the durable mylar blanket. It can be a tarp-ceiling, or wall, or blanket. One might even make booties or leg warmers from it as well. I'd probably want a few, at least 2. One thing missing was paracord or some cordage, to tie down those tarps, bind wounds or splints, lift or climb with. That backpack is pretty sweet, too.
A reflective paracord was mentioned and shown with a carabiner. It is very easy to find cordage at many stores. Carry some in a high-contrast color and another in camo I suppose.
Your pt 1 & pt 2 videos were great! I'm from norcal where people end up stuck, missing, and bad off quick. From cold & heat.
Watch your flares in our neck of the Dried Out woods!
My faves are LifeStraw, the everyday oil-based Vaseline & crisco products for fire, and peanut butter & hard candies for calories.
"We're all familiar with luci lights", never heard of them until now
Great gear list! More important than having the right gear is knowing how to use it. Can you make videos demonstrating the use of these items? Alternately, link to demonstrating the use of each item.
I'll be getting that good reflective blanket and flares
I've got that exact radio and Lucci light😊
Excellent.... Thanks!!!!!!!
Always very interesting
Long time subscriber Bob, another great video and information. I’d add First Aid/CPR training, and know how to use & practice using all this stuff. Old AOL CD’s are a cheap signal mirror. Did I miss a good first aid kit?
The crisco and candle thin
it all made sense to me :)
A way to keep warm without electricity or fuel, a way to contact emergency services and ideally more ways but at least one, and a way to filter water are kind of non negotiables if your gonna be dispeared camping alone and far from towns. I'd add in a signalling mirror and learn sos in morse code. I've also heard a single long candle can heat a car enough to survive in so the shortening and candles might be a better option for riding out bad weather instead of walking out if its an option.
Excellent video and information Bob!
All of it.
There was a girl who lived in the canyon (near where I live) with just a tent and a coat through winter. She said she used grass and leaves to keep herself warm and ate mainly grass for sustenance. I'm not sure if that's true, certainly not advisable, but she really had been missing for quite some time (about a year). I think a bugout bag would have made her life a lot better. It is wise to always be prepared for a worst case scenario and to think ahead. It's not fun to break down in the middle of nowhere with little to eat or drink! Of course, her ordeal was self-imposed...she might be out there still for all I know. I think this story is more common than we think, I know there are long-term cave dwellers in my state (and likely others).
The shortening/candle thing is new to me. Can the candles be stored in the can with the shortening? Maybe it would help keep them from melting in hot climates.
I really appreciated this video😊
It isn't so much the type of equipment that you purchase, but that you use it, know it, find out what the limitations and benefits are and then customize to suit your needs. You also need training on a number of techniques - just having a bag of equipment that you are only vaguely familiar with won't help you all that much. A First aid kit is useless if the only thing you know is how to apply band-aids. An axe if not used correctly can be more dangerous than using a saw. Even a pot is useless unless you've practised using it in a variety of ways (not just for cooking either!) Equipment chosen should always have multiple purposes - ALWAYS.
Put food that you WILL eat in the chow bag.
Hey, I want to see you stuff all of that in the bag! Really, even the three pound can of shortening? As I mentioned in #1 - do we have to keep this totally packed, or can we use some of it so we don't have to have duplicates, and then pack it when needed? I had never heard of the Vaseline soaked cotton balls. Do they have to be cotton, or can they me the synthetic cotton balls? I also didn't realize my tiny emergency blanket was not enough. I liked the flashlights with the pull out beams. I didn't see all of these in the Amazon link. Is there a snowsuit recommended for women? How do you go to the bathroom wearing one of the snow suits? Thank you!
Pstyle for women to pee is the best invention ever, in my opinion. Amazon.
You are a meat eater so, do you through in a breakdown .22 rifle?
Hi bob,i have all of that stuff but what if i don't want anyone to find me
Just a couple of things: The rule of 3. #3 of anything is a universal distress signal. There are very few places so remote that there are no planes. Also vaseline works as an insulator for your feet before you put your socks on if you have to hike through water.
Vaseline on the feet!!! Genius! Thanks for this, I've never heard it before. Being diabetic, I'm extra grateful for your tip!!!
I understand the first woman to swim the English Channel coated herself in vaseline for insulation.
Thanks for the vasaline information Thats GREAT to know
Great use💞
Also add a couple of plastic store bags. You put them over socks and inside your shoes to keep your feet dry when you have to wade through puddles.
If you are a coffee drinker you will have caffeine withdrawal. Add some no doze type caffeine pills. Also having some bouillon or packets of instant soup can give you a morale boost when it's cold.
Those caffeine pills can make difference! Being stuck in mud somewhere with a raging headache & puking is not fun! Took some time but officially caffeine free☕️
Easy to throw some tea bags or instant coffee into your food bag/canister. Maybe some dry milk too. I don't think my body could handle that jolt of caffeine from a pill on an empty stomach. Either way having caffeine in your go bag is a good suggestion especially if you are likely to experience withdrawal.
If you have water I would take some instant coffee too💞
Thanks, Bob. I'm a part-time van dweller. who also likes to hike. I carry with me a modified essential 10 "just in case." I wanted to mention that if you are in a dangerous situation you always should try to dial 911 even if you don't have a cell signal. In those cases, your phone will latch on to any carrier, even if it is not the service that you use. Also, if someone is buying a new phone they may want to consider the new iPhone 14 which can use satellites in an emergency situation. So far this functionality is available in all of the US and Canada.
I bought this one for the SOS feature. As I understand it, though, you have to be in a fairly open spot for it to identify a satellite and then follow that or another one the phone picks up. Not ideal if you hurt yourself in thick woods.
@@brendabraham599 you make a very good point it’s definitely better than nothing but it ain’t no way should replace a personal locator beacon cell phones don’t have near the power a personal locator beacon like one made by ACR it’s bright green and Bob has featured. It has 5 Watts of power. Most cell phones have 1/10 of 1 W. Big difference I currently have an iPhone 12 Pro. My next one will certainly be a 14 just for that reason but I also carry a personal locator beacon
I will be adding a folding utility saw and warm clothes kit to my BOB. Things I have that weren’t mentioned: First aid kit/sewing kit, work gloves, bandana, whistle, soap, toilet paper, trowel.
I would go a step further than a sewing kit and say repair kit. Things like gaff tape and supa glue can repair a lot (and also be used in first aid at a pinch) - good to have if in survival mode
It is really important if the shortening comes in a plastic container, to transfer it to a metal or glass jar. PLACTIC WILL BURN
Combustion will only take place at the wick. As long as you place the candle in the middle, you should be ok. :)
@@bradchoi9679interesting
Been carrying military mobility deployment bags since 1982. Kept bugout bags in my vehicles 19+ years since retirement. Definitely a lifesaver. You never know until you need it. If you don't have one, You NEED it.
Thank you for your service 🙏 ❤️
And sharing your wisdom
You only need them when you dont have them.. or so it seems . Best way to avoid emergencies is to be prepared. That alone seems to thwart the nasty vibes which try to mess you up.
RIBBON! a spool of high vis unique colored ribbon can direct help, be more visible, or mark you way so you don't get turned around. Also use marker for messages. Also tie several in long stick for signaling
There are companies that make reflective ribbon that is used to discourage birds & other animals from entering areas you don't want them in. I would think that ribbon would work well.
Yep, I've been using neon pink and dayglow yellow surveyor tape/ribbon for many years when bug out "camping" best thing is I can see it through 30-50 feet of choking underbrush I'm pretty sure someone looking for a signal would spot a banner of 5' lengths of pink or yellow flapping in a wintery environment
Always remember: Prepping is the solution, NOT the problem. Excellent video Bob.
Thanks... oh him Bob ... oh well
So you mean don't gather so much stuff you don't have a place for it ,it becomes a problem?what else could it be?thanks for that comment ...have a nice day
iPhone 14 has Emergency SOS via satellite
@Angela H Great point.
However, the iPhone will eventually become not the "latest and greatest thing", and people will demand something even "better"; which will lower the cost on the original iPhone 14.
Best safety tip ever given to me, carry a $2 whistle. If you're lost, injured and weak, your voice will not carry far. Know the universal distress signal, three blows.
As a woman everyone wants to ask how you are going to protect yourself. I’m not afraid of people, I’m afraid of breaking down in the Outback. This is such a great video.
The Vaseline and cotton balls are something that I haven't heard of before. Will need to give them a try. Couple of things that I carry that you didn't mention are a glass signal mirror and a high quality plastic whistle.
Found a lost Boy Scout because he knew to do 3 whistle blasts. Could not hear him yell, but the whistle was loud and clear.
Been doing the cotton ball and Vaseline for 40 years. Keep a few dry ones. My 10 yo was able to start a fire with the ferrite stick, dry cotton and Vaseline covered cotton in 6 seconds. One large ball will burn over 5 minutes.
@@kimberlyrappo5846 blowing the whistle uses less energy than yelling
also you do not get dehydrated as quick or get a sore throat
Some people use dryer lint too.
@@Stella2U Definitely. Save your toilet paper rolls, the cardboard, and stuff the rolls with dryer lint... GREAT firestarter.... hence why people who don't clean their dryer vents and lint traps usually end up losing their home.
OH another thing you can do is use egg cartons, put bits of dryer lint into each egg slot, melt wax over it and let it harden. Break off a section to start a fire.
My useful tip from this vid was: Using a reflecting survival blanket to reflect heat from the fire. Since i cook on a camp fire generally, the heat reflector would be very useful in cold weather.
Good information, and some good suggestions such as signal mirror added here. It might be useful to seperate into 2 categories; 1. if you stay with vehicle and 2. If you decided to hike out. With the 2nd option, size and weight are crucial. And as some have suggested there may be circumstances where you have to abandon the vehicle quickly, so having it all in one place and ready without warning would be desirable. I took a Sierra Club Mountaineering class 40 some years ago and remember a list of 10 essentials to always carry when entering the backcountry. Back then a topographic map of the area and a compass would have been on the list. I believe now there is software available to have maps downloaded to your phone you can use even when offline. But knowing your location relative to potential resources for survival and rescue should be primary information you would want in an emergency.
The snowmobile suit is a great suggestion to stay warm.
(Continued) 1) Survival blanket 2) can of shortening & candle 3) flashlights, solar-panel recharger. emergency radio. 4) 9'x 9' GOOD tarpaulin & paracord. 5) Bear-jell. 6) 10K chow- bag. Beef jerky, Vienna sausage, butterscotch disks peanut butter. 5 lb trail mix. Ramen noodles. Raisins. (1K- 500 calories a day).
Renew chow bag every 6 months. This is a great list.
Bob I keep a running list of what I have in my bag. For all food I write down the best by date. I can just look at my list to see what I have in the bag. I double check when I have doubts on do I have this or that. The raisins were a plus for me. Thank you
I've left chocolate in my semi truck over the weekend in the summer only to return to a melted mass of goo, js.
Water could be the most important thing in your bug out bag. Bob throw in some treats for Cody. 👍
The survival blanket, the orange and silver one, yeah you're right that is a great survival blanket and there is one trick that you can do when you're sitting there like the man on the front. If you light a candle, a single candle, under that blanket it will honestly keep you warm to almost running you out of there once the heat bills up. Try it. Since I never could remember what the other thing was I wanted to say this is all I needed to say about this one the rest of the stuff that you showed was excellent. Oh wait there is one more thing I wanted to say. When it comes to the survival foods you can get this stuff called Lifeboat food, there's all different types but the type that I have is little squares 3 across and 4 down and if I'm not mistaken 3 a day will give you 1200 calories although it could be 4. The ones I have are kind of heavy but you won't be hungry for a while that's a fact. You can keep them in your vehicle, Heat doesn't bother them nor does cold and they'll last forever or until you open them. Anyway you covered things pretty good. I was impressed with the way you covered it. Y'all think about it now. Stay vigilant!
The most important thing, and which I had never heard of, is the ' personal locator device.' Well worth the money.
The next most important items would be for maintaining warmth/body heat, and water. As Bob indicated, you can die from hypothermia in as little as 3 hrs. Even if you set off the personal locator, you could die before the 24 hrs it would take them to reach you.
And yes, water is more important than
food. Your kidneys could start to shut down as well as you would become dehydrated....which besides killing you it will first render you absolutely weak and to exhausted to do anything.
Also, years ago my Mom bought us each an English Bobby police whistle
and they were metal, stainless steel.
I wouldn't keep a plastic one because in a fall it could easily crack and become useless. So, suggest you carry a metal
whistle.
@cheapRvliving/Bob
And, I just wanted to thank you so very much Bob, for giving us your life saving information. I'm sure this invaluable
info will save some lives. Several years ago I was thinking of going nomad in an RV or van and I was following a utube prepper channel. The guy talked alot about bugout bags and I was mentally preparing my list of items I would have in my bugout bag. Since then, I became less and less focused on it's importance. I have about a 10 hr road trip coming up from NJ but not on back roads but it's to a part of the country I have never driven to......rural Tennessee. Made a service appointment for my car and will start preparing a buyout bag for my 2 chronically ill dogs, as well as a buyout bag for me. Again, thanks so much. and I'm going to start working on the bags this week and will leave home much more prepared than if I
hadn't seen your valuable videos.
❤😊 Take good care.
Thanks Bob,
As a disabled US Army combat Veteran and Artic Survival instructor I enjoyed your videos. First a serious caution; NEVER SHAKE, THROW OR WAVE ANY FLARES! WP White Phosphorus is the standard for flares and burns intensely, getting any on you will cause serious injury or death. Standard road flares are by far the most dangerous. So please add warnings with flares to never shake or throw them.
Personal Hygiene! Wet ones or biodegradable soaps and rags with a wring out towel. TP-Toilet Paper not only for wiping but for fire starter. I pack the tube with Vaseline soaked cotton balls.
Airing out clothing and bedding! A daily chore in the survival situation is to dry your bedding or base layers. A clean body with dry cloths is so much more efficient and survivable than being dirty and wet. Socks and underwear can be strapped to the outside of your back pack to dry and air out as you move.
Staying in one place is key but performing hygiene should be done a short distance away. A cat hole trench is best dug no more than 6 inches deep. Your waste will decompose in shallow holes where air can still work the process.
TAKE A BASIC FIRST AID CLASS! Just knowing the basics are a huge advantage than guess work when the You Tube university cannot be had. Marking blood type, allergies, medical precautions readily available for first responders guarantees accurate medical care.
You mention building a tarp shelter- learn wind conditions and placement! Learning different construction techniques and modes can be very useful.
Good luck out there everyone, read the comments there are quite a few good ones!
With Respect, you are in my prayers
Hoka Hey
SUPER good comment! Thank you 🙏
Thank you for your service in sacrifices your family made
LEARN the tools. My dumb ass spent an hour to light a fire in a situation only to remember there were matches inside my survival whistle
I liked the snowmobile suit. That was a first. Water is probably the biggest deal- so purifiers of some sort are super important. I’d ad some sort of “survival” type book. Can double as fuel for fire and entertainment as well as knowledge. Does it really all fit in that bag?
Lol..love Survival book uses
That's what I came here to ask - does it all fit in one bag, including the snow suit?
A definite yes on the snowmobile suit, or even just a windproof/waterproof ski jacket & snow pants from a thrift store. I found a great small survival book at my local thrift store one day that for 50 cents could definitely come in handy one day.
I think a bug-out bag is a great idea...that is, for those who are fit enough to (1) walk-out of a situation and (2) can carry the bag's weight ANY distance. Some of us can't do either (mobility/oxygen issues), so we best not try hiking-out ANYWHERE. Instead, it's best we "fitness challenged" (!) individuals just STAY with the vehicle. Hold the fort, if you will. ;-)
However, I'd have an "Emergency Kit" like this in my vehicle (or house, apt) for sure.
-- BR
Then it’s a “Bug-in” kit. That’s what I keep in my house/car as it’s my most likely scenario. I keep a much smaller version when I hike/bike. Most circumstances, it’s better to bug in, except for fires or storm surge. In those scenarios, there are typically emergency services within driving distance, so what you actually need to bug out with is a lot less.
For those challenged, think about getting a fold- up wagon or cart of some kind. That you could carry more than the healthy person.
I'd like to see you pack the bag! These are great suggestions. I would substitute #36 bank line for paracord. Smaller, lighter, and strong enough for rigging. You're not going to hang a lot of weight on it but it should be good for ~300 lbs. I once used 100' of it at Quartzsite helping neighbors rig guy lines when their tents/tarps were failing. If that bag is too heavy you might be able to rig a travois to pull it behind you. YMMV. Also, you can add heavy duty contractor bags as emergency ponchos. Cut a head hole and arm holes, voila, instant poncho. You can also use them to gather dead leaves and pine needles for a cushion on top of your ground tarp (the second space blanket you packed) and under the insulating sleeping pad. The hard candies are a great comfort item. I would also add a deck of cards to help pass the time. Maxpedition makes a plastic set. Get a good compass (SUUNTU MC2 Navigator) and you have signaling mirror and navigation covered. Learn how to use it.
Beofeng HAM radio 8watt is useful
Around $40 USD, but also make sure to pickup a cable so it can be charged via USB cable (USB cable doesn't come with the basic radio).
Happy Thanksgiving Bob! I hope everyone had a great one and was blessed with plenty good food 😊 Bob I’m so Loving these New videos you’ve been putting out for us. I’m Not out on the road but these are helpful videos because I live in such a rural area, I started carrying a survival bag in my car years ago when my girls were little because one time we had went across the mountain to get to town 45 minutes away and the weather suddenly changed while we were shopping, getting our groceries and it turned fast into ice and snow, people were wrecking, sliding off the road, they actually shut the road down and Thank God, I had just bought two new blankets in town because I had to wrap my little girls up in them, we had to get out of the vehicle and started walking because it was too dangerous to sit in the vehicle at the time because of where we were stuck at because so many other drivers were sliding into parked cars, my husband and his boss left work to come Rescue us and get us back across the mountain so we could get back home. I learned You just Never know when a situation can change, it wasn’t even giving chances of snow that day, that’s why we went out, though it would be safe. You are so Helpful and Awesome Bob… You are Awesome sauce! I’ve learned from your wisdom for years now 😊❤ Thank you.
I spent Thanksgiving ordering my first bugout bag items: personal locator, portable aqua, life straw, headlamp, and Luci light
You don't really need the candles for the shortening, just get some real wicks, and push them down with a stick.
Correction on the Top Ramen:. It has 190 calories PER SERVING, & they have 2 servings per pkg, so for 1 person, that's 380 calories. Better than you thought!
The thing that surprised me the most was the shortening. Once I thought about it it made sense but I had just never thought about it. Keep the good stuff coming Bob.
Don't make one in a paper container, please research how to make them safely.
I think ppl should own most of these items anyway no matter where or how they live cos you never know what might happen
Fritos corn chips burn like a torch and can be used to start a fire. Thank you to my friend who shall remain anonymous.
I live in the mountains - we have cold snowy winters and hot firey summers - I have a stuffed 50 litre pack in my SUV at all times that will keep me warm, dry and fed for several days should I be stranded in the winter or have to escape a fire in the summer. My tank is never less than a quarter full. I also carry snow shovel, tow straps, sand for winter and chair, beach umbrella in summer. I like a used laundry detergent with the spigot full of water and a roll of paper towels for washing up and a gallon or two milk jugs for drinking water, another pack for the dog and his paraphenalia and blankets galore - lol. I like the idea of the snowmobile suit -- since I already have a down parka I think some snow pants for me would be a nice addition to my emergency stash.
Metal traction devices (they look like a ladder) are a great thing to keep in your vehicle.
The good ones have teeth in the bottom so they will work on ice. I bought mine at Labonville many years ago. I put a set in each of our vehicles when winter arrives. They have saved me from many a call to a tow truck to come out and get me unstuck.
Pepper spray/gel will only go so far. If, for example, you run into a pack of wolves, you might deter 2 or maybe 3 of them, but that would be it before you run out. I wouldn't be out amongst the critters without some kind of firearm (legally owned/carried/used, AND with the excellent training I've already had), myself. The noise alone may scare some critters away. Otherwise it's hard to beat a 10mm pistol with double-stack magazines for size, weight, capacity and effectivity, especially if you're in an area with larger/more aggressive bears. Seriously. But again, only legally for whatever region you're in, and with the proper training.
Wasp spray, a metal spoon and a copper pan!!! Squirt n bang method.
I have some experience with pepper spray and that experience is that a short spritz making a "cloud" stops critters and people very quickly. I have had to empty canisters to dispose and it takes a LONG time. Now, I do NOT have firearm experience at all. A consideration for the spray/gel is that while you need to be aware of wind direction and possibly make a decision on direction (PRACTICE!!!) in the heat of the moment ... but it takes a LOT less training than knowing when to fire a gun and where (plus ability to hit the spot in moments) to hit a bear/lion/coyote/wolf with a kill shot that stops them in their tracks. It is part of the reason rangers (I'm in NW MT) carry pepper spray (yes, they carry guns also). The other consideration is in the case of say a pack of dogs or a person ... I can stop them without killing them which is my preference. Bottomline, unless a person is highly trained and carrying significant firearm, I believe pepper spray/gel to be the best for most of us. It is still a tool that needs some training and practice, though ... don't wait until you need it to figure out how to "draw", remove the safety and decide on direction.
In my bug out bag, I've got everything you mentioned along with a compass {with mirror} and ranger beads, fire starters, {wet wood}, Sawyer mini, water bag small cook set, fish set, extra socks & underwear, small saw, paperback book about food foraging, freeze dried foods, comprehensive IFAK, 2 VERY good knives and a small axe. My gun belt allows me to wear some of this, but my pack is under 30lbs. Practicing walking distance with it is very important. We've seen everything from folks freezing in their car on a highway, to losing their way and running out of gas. If for safety reasons you NEED to leave, and DON'T want anyone to find you, buy camo or desert gear. Extra mags, and Ammo is important as well. Rain ponchos are lightweight, but offer warmth. I'm glad to see this channel migrate towards the "prepared" mindset, as I think we are all going to need it. Oh, I forgot, I've also got a silcock key...
All of it, Bob. Every single thing you listed in Part I and II were great suggestions and could save lives. The difference between being prepared and not could be life and death. Thank you!
Snow suit great idea never thought of that.
oh i NEED HELP with solar and seen lots of vids but its all latin and I know enough make fire so any guidance WOULD HELP...Lola
Hi Bob I've been watching your videos love them very impressive love the fire starter kit with Vaseline I use it for dry skin always have a big jar thanks for your help 💞💞💞💞💞
The two things that surprised me for my buyout bag was the vasalien and shorting for fires. Thanks
Ok. I watched part 1-2 of the bug out bay. Question, how much does your bug out bag weigh. You said you were going to spend the night with the snow machine suit, in the hat video why don’t you take your bag and spend a week . You go over your scenario ( riding along car accident vehicle on fire, you grab your bag and pretend it takes you a week tobe found. My guess it will be your 2nd most popular video . Everything has to o fit in that bag. And you tell all your veiwers it’s a shake down scenario. BTW you are the man. This is just my suggestion, good luck
Disposable cigarette lighter's is always a good idea, they ate cheep and they don't take up any room.
I like your videos man, but this is way too much stuff for a bugout bag. It should be portable. This is great advice for stocking your rv or car.
Next you can do a video on affordable rooftop carriers and how to jam pack all this life-saving gear into it.
P.S, It's not really a bug out bag, it's a bug out table full of stuff. Xo