Two things....1) I think it was a brave move on Sparky's part to allow you to film it and share, not knowing how it would turn out, and 2) He chose the right person to do it. :-) Another fine training video tool for the rest of us. Billy
Im thinking it was pretty brave. But at least he did admit he was a novice and came to me for help so thats pretty cool. Take care and Thanks for watching Billy
"What are ya... an arsonist??" Priceless! Hahaha :) Seriously... excellent concept for a video brother... and extremely well done as usual. Thumbs up buddy! ATB -John
what he needs is the "dirt time" to use his gear. focus on what's in that pack for an overnight trip. Track the usage of the consumables, make a wishlist of missing items and then afterward, determine the function of this bag. tracking the consumables will help plan toward the quantities needed for the expected duration of the use of this bag.
Very nice of you to evaluate that guys bag. Besides watching 100s of videos on bags having a buddy to get critiques/ideas from is the best way to get a bag together. I like to lay mine out & constantly evaluate the contents & find ways to refine/add/take away items. Great video as always. Thanks Dave.
I think it is good for someone else to see a persons bag. After watching 100s of videos and reading 100s of books I can see how a person can overlook some items.. Thanks for watching.
I realize this is an old video but I loved this video enough to let you know. As for Sparky (lol), this was not horrible for a first attempt at creating a BOB, but definitely needed some adjustments. Your evaluation was polite and encouraging instead of discouraging and degrading like a couple of the comments below. 2 is 1 and 1 is none makes for a good mantra, but in reality - the best tool is the one you have. I like that you try to never discourage a person striving to be prepared.
It's old but quite relevant to see where some start from. I figure its better to help gently than to beat sense into folks. Lol. Take care and thanks for watching
Man ive not laughed so hard on youtube before! Looks like a good starter kit with some better organisation but when you kept puling out matches and then a bag for more lighters and matches i was laughing so hard! Then nick asking if the hygiene kit had matches and you pointing out its a good idea for this guy to carry burn ointment, well that was it. I had to take a break i was laughing so hard! So thanks for the smiles and keep the great content coming! From Sweden, thanks again, Dean
Hi Dave, I'm just wondering what the combined weight of those little "doesn't way much" bits actually is. A few years ago I decided to weigh all of my own "doesn't weight anything, might as well carry it" items, and found that they came to a whopping 4.2kg (around 9lbs). With all those extra lighters, so many flashlights etc... I can see the overall weight of his little extra bits meeting or exceeding the weight of the essentials. Great video as always, catch you in the next one :)
@@moorshound3243 9lbs is about half of that whole bag that was reviewed, even if the flashlights and fire added up to 3lbs that could be an extra mile or so treked, or just make up room for some other needed things
excellent vid guys, have a day pack loaded and i'm gonna take a look at it, I've already seen a few things I need to add. also thanks for your response on my question about Buck knives a while back. And I think Dave Canterbury is one heck of a knowledgeable guy. you two guys are my favorites and I hope you both keepon making vids.
if you take a small can of WD40 and some cotton ball's.spray for about 5 seconds then use a ferro rod.that baby wilk light in any rain storm.i guarantee it mate
here in the frozen north ... carrying paper along with the pens is a requirement to mark your vehicle with when you left your shelter and what direction you are walking in. marking your cell phone number on the note is a bonus requirement if you have a phone with a good battery. A battery pack for your phone is a plus also. If you leave your vehicle (shelter) during a storm the police fire department want to know where to look for your corpse-sicle . If they can call your phone and check to see if you are alive it saves a great deal of ground pounding plus they can GPS search for you if you got run over by a snow plow and are buried under several tons of snow in the roadside ditch. Stay with your car.
Another great educational and fun video Dave, thanks! I learned a few things here. But I will avoid going into a Laundromat, with matches falling from my pockets, while digging feverishly in the dryer lint traps, and mumbling incoherently...LOL!
Sure, Dave you did a good job analyzing your buddy's BO bag there. Fewer matches and dryer lint, a good container, and better organization will help that bag. Thanks for what you do!
I think two major things this person should do. Organize everything for easy access and they should spend a weekend out in the woods with just what is in the bag. If you could go a long to mentor and help them cope through the frustration periods because they don't have the item they need. By the way that building has some good bones to rebuild. I like it.
Sounds great! Money is ok. Never telling when it may come in handy because so many folks will take money no matter what the situation is. Also remember, if you have a heads up youll need money to get gas to get outta town
"This here says, "Matches, lamp wicks and fire starters"... What ARE you? AN ARSONIST?!?!?"... ... OMG! I haven't laughed so hard in weeks!!! =D. 😂 Love your videos! . He's definitely the team man if someone needs a fire!
yes Dave I am trying to get some videos done I don't have much help though. I was involved with S.A.R. for 20+ years in New Mexico going back before cell phones and pagers. We would listen to a radio station and they would announced it if we had a call out. at night we used ring down lists. From the announcement you had 30 min. to check in at operations ready to go for whatever was happening regardless of weather location or time with equipment to get the job done. A lot like bugging out. I learned a lot having done this a few hundred times.
Enjoy the video Dave ! One of the things that was apparent after watching this video was the importance of organizing your gear. If you're in a survival mode and you have to waste time trying to find the item that you need, that's time and energy that you may not be able to recoup. Plus keep those sugary type items in a ziplock so if they spill, they are not leaving a little sugar trail for those ants. Liked the seeds... if you are out longer than expected they can come in handy. All in all a great video. Hey Nick, glad to see you behind the camera again!
Thanks Cheri! Oh I agree, you have to be organized! No reason to have to dig through an entire pack to find stuff. What would this person do with a wide open bleeding cut? That would be horrible to bust them sugar packets and have a pack full o ants. LOL. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching!
I know it's been 5 years and I did watch it all those years ago but decided to re-check it out. The one thing that was missing was..... wait for it..... COFFEE!!! Maybe he was a tea man but even I, as a woman, can't function without my morning COFFEE!!!
Great video Dave & Nick. I watch a lot of you-tube bug out bag videos for ideas and such. I never criticize anyone for what they have in their bags, as I am not a pro-prepper either. One suggestion from my Army days, suggest to your friend to get a P-38 or P-51 can opener, it small, light weight and will definitely open cans. Peace.
Some folding Knives also have a can opener included, along with a saw, scissors, knife - large and maybe a small one - screw driver - philip and regular - cork screw, small file or awl and they don't weigh much at all, he could put it in his pant's pocket.
I really liked your comment. A person like Dave is a good teacher because, he can get a point across without criticizing or belittling people. I’m not a pro preppir either. I noticed that some of the harsh criticisms made were from people who feel like they’re experts. I recognized their theories and terminologies from the ideas from other channels I have seen. Some people feel like they’re experts because think they’ve watched 10 more videos than they think other people have. At least Sparky was trying. Everybody has to start somewhere.
The one thing most people forget to pack that is "VERY" important is if you wear glasses is to go to your dollar store and get a couple of cheap reading glasses and throw them in your bag because if you loose or brake your glasses then you will have something to fall back on. At my dollar store they are under $3.00 each. You can't do anything if you can't see what your doing. And they can also be used to start a fire like a magnifying glass. Yes, he definitely needs a pot, a container to carry water, salt, more knifes, something for chopping or sawing wood, a fishing kit and a few snares and maybe even a couple of rat traps which would be good to catch small game like squirrels ect. Just make sure you tie it down so the animal don't run off with it. Also a couple of big industrial very heavy duty garbage bags would be good for multiple uses. Use as a poncho, cover your BOB to keep it dry, fill with leaves to make a mattress, cut open to make a water proof roof for your lean to if you are using only branches to make it, use to line a hole you dug so you can fill it with water to wash your things or wash yourself, catch rain water, fill it with air to help you cross a river or lake, etc.. many uses.... Take away at least half or your fire starter kit to add a small jar of peanut butter instead. You can eat it if you're starving and you can use it to bait your traps.
Hey! A great video and I learned a lot from this. Condensing your gear to your needs is very important and there's things that I saw that I didn't think of putting in my bug out bag , back pack. Finding your gear is important in a time of need and when I can find a small pouches I build on the size that's available to keep the weight down and to bring more important equipment. A small radio is helpful and some batteries can be stored up to 10 years. You need to put together a book on building a backpack or bug out bag with several options that individuals could use.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. I think its great to learn from others pack and, to actually use a pack for a weekend. I always carry a crank up radio. Thanks for watching Thomas.
He should have bags or pouches for seperating gear, ie: fire kit, cook kit, food bag, med kit, misc pouch. He is kinda goin' overkill on fire starters and flashlights. Canned food is heavy, I suggest dehydrated meals plus a 1 litre pot. Perhaps add a sturdy folding knife or SAK. All in all, a pretty good kit. Needs a ss water botle. That was a good review.
All good ideas Robert. Not too bad a kit for a person that admits to being a novice. I love having all my gear divided into small bags, I hate stuff just all thrown it. Thanks for the comments and Thanks for watching Robert.
I politely disagree. Most of the weight of canned food comes from the content - the food itself. The cans are actually pretty light, and for utility they provide are well worth the weight. So if I was to carry food that already comes in a can (like the aforementioned tuna) I'd prefer cans. Plus, cans have many uses, depending on one's resourcefulness. Just my opinion, of course.
This was very interesting to say the least. A LOT of matches!! I do like matches, but I keep them with my flint and steel. Vids like this really make me think about how I should change something. I think that's what it's all about. Thank you for the great job! Learn something new everyday! I would probably barter away like 50 of those matchboxes..lol. ZIP blocks are awesome too, but if you try to heat your little cup with them, they will turn it totally black. Great show, thanks!!
Oh yes it was interesting to me too! Just goes to show you never know how other people think. The owner of this bag thought they were prepared. They are now tho after asking for help. I havent tried ZIP blocks myself. I need to. Thanks for watching!
Hats off to your mate who gave you the bag and asked you to go thru it on camera with no prep time on the contents, Dave. Excellent video again as usual. Well done gents! :)
Another great video. I would give this novice 30 points for making the effort to put together a BOB. As for the bag; I would give it a hell no...What were you thinking? Ok, maybe 20 points because it’s not completely useless. A BOB is used to get to a BOL. It should not be considered for long term use. An INCH rig should be used if someone doesn’t have a specific BOL. Seeds should be at the BOL or INCH rig along with a basic set of good quality garden tools. I don’t have that many matches in my INCH rig. My GHB has one waterproof container of UCO Stormproof matches, one Jetflame torch/lighter, one large firesteel, one carpenters pencil sharpener (for tinder making), one Fresnel lens, and one Spark-Lite kit. Overall I would say that the pack has enough nutritional value for one or two meals in normal sedentary conditions. The sugar and candy are just empty calories and should be left out. My suggestion would be to add two millennium bars for each can of tuna. A tuna pouch is a good idea but it contains less tuna than a can of tuna. A small jar of peanut butter should make up for that. Instead of the candy, I would put in couple pouches of survival tabs. Coffee, Tea, hot cocoa, and bullion are optional and would be the only things that would need any type of cooking (boiling water). This would be the absolute minimum I would bring for a four day bug-out. A bug-out would burn from 500-700 calories per hour (Mayo Clinic data). I would use a P-38 or P-51 to open the tuna cans or any other cans I may come across. I would replace the cup with something like the Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set 24oz Stainless Steel. A canteen (preferably stainless steel) is a must have item. A metal Spork should be the only eating utensil needed. I would replace the game book with “Edible Wild Plants: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar North American Species (Pocket Naturalist Guide Series)”. All their guides are waterproof. My minimum sleep setup is a hammock, a bivy bag with insect mesh opening, and a hooded space blanket. The space blanket also works real well as a poncho. In cooler weather I will add a sleeping bag and an inflatable foam pad for more insulation. The first aid and toiletries kits were ok. I would add some multivitamins (not the whole bottle) to the toiletries kit. A folding saw or pocket chainsaw and a good quality fixed blade knife need to be added. My current favorite knife is the BK-9 & 13 combo. I would keep the headlamp, add a hand crank or solar power lantern and get rid of the rest. A small AM/FM/NOAA radio should also be included. In a bug-out situation it is absolutely essential to stay informed. This person will need a good pair of walking shoes if they normally wear shoes that are unsuitable for a long trek. I normally wear combat boots but I do carry a lightweight pair of beach shoes in my GHB. The rest of the gear was mostly ok.
TheMaveRickPrepper TheMaveRickPrepper great info. Love the peanut butter idea. As for the bag it could be a plus depending on the situation. Example, if everybody’s bugging out cause some SHTF situation, he looks much more inconspicuous and less likely to attract attention. The candies are empty calories but if shtf a few is fine..great moral boosters along with the crossword book. You have lots of great points. My fire starter kit is in a maxpedition organizer that I hang off my backpack with a carabiner. I hate how unorganized this bag is..all in all I’d rate it a 4.4/10.
Thank you for taking the time to get back to your fans as well. I have a question, out of all of your adventures , have you ever hurt yourself to where you needed a first aide kit. And if you did what do/did you carry?
I carry a basic kit and Ill say this, most of the time nothing happens but one time I had camp set up. I had my machete strapped to a tree along with my pack and some how, some way I unstrapped the sheath and as it fell I guess I instinctively grabbed for it and it sliced a few fingers almost to the bone! I managed to get it to stop bleeding but on the hike out, I had to avoid heavy breathing and blood pressure to keep it from bleeding again. Ever since then I have carried a basic kit plus woundseal and some extra gauze and tape.
Yet another great video. Straight and simple for simple mind like i am. i really enjoy your one hour video. it replace a movie conveniently and above all it is USEFUL. Keep up the good work . Greatings from France
Thanks , I'm glad you liked it Captain! Since this video I have redone my rating system and all the loop holes are gone. I plan on another video on it soon. Thanks for watching
Great vid as always Dave. Your buddy has the right idea and a good start but just needs to tweak it some. I agree with you on overkill of fire start. Should be about 1/3 of the amount he has. Fix him up Dave. Thanks
Thanks Roger. I think for a novice, its a good start. Not a horrible bag but an incomplete one. I gave it back to him with a shovel, a canteen and a S.S. pot.
Wow, where to start with you arson friend's bag. :) David, I think you are being very kind to your friend. Yes, they could survive for a decent while with those contents; certainly wouldn't freeze to death. But they are not optimizing their space and, like you said, are missing some key items. Since I don't know who your friend is, I'll call them "Sam", because it works for males or females. However, I think that I gathered that it is a male. Dear Sam: You made a good start but made some decisions that will cost you in the long run. I believe in giving constructive feedback when requested. I think you knew that David's viewers would be happy to put in their two cents. Here is my three: I really do think David was being too kind to you, but I think that's his nature. He's not wrong, just not being blunt enough. So, please read my words (if you read this) and know that I am only trying to help and not be some arrogant internet jerk. I too have sooo much to learn. I think the point system needs some modification, or at least there should be a ceiling to the maximum points for each category. And I think organization/optimization of space should be a big factor. David, your assessment is pretty thorough and more than fair. So, repeating most of what you say won't be very constructive. I am no expert by any means, and I am not stating my points as absolute facts. Again, there are real positives to Sam's choices, but I'll stick to the issues: Sam, half the stuff in your bag will get ruined by moisture, friction, or a puncture from that loose knife. A loose knife in a bag should be at least -50 points. Being able to find what you need when you need it and not cut your hand in the process is a huge plus. I have to say those loose packets of sugar scratched their fingernails across the chalkboard in my brain. Ziplock ziplock ziplock. However... ...too much sugar. Too many empty calories. For space and weight, Sam needs more proteins and fats. Dehydrated foods are great. Lose the Kool-aid packets. If you want a sugary drink, make sure it has vitamins and minerals like the sport mixes. Those are a good choice. Sugar is a quick fuel, but will not carry you and can play havoc on your metabolism. For one bag, I would would have a max of three sources of fire(or one in each pocket): Ferrocerium rod, a butane lighter, and a liquid fuel lighter like a Zippo. I would never carry a lighter that uses an electric spark. With a flint wheel lighter, you can use the flint wheel once the fuel is gone to start a fire or as a light source. And yes, I have. My dumb butt got caught on a ridge at sunset after high school. I ended up turning my flannel into a torch. When it burned out, I used the flint wheel as a strobing light. It worked. I used up all the flint, and made my thumb raw. BUT it worked. You really can't do that with an electric lighter. If you want more of a back up, then put another fire source in a clothing pocket. The same goes for the tinder. You don't needs 2 year's worth of dryer lint. Keep two or three smaller bags. Compress it too. It's easy enough to fluff, plus you'll fit more in each bag. Personally, I only have one pill fob packed with a cotton-ball-vaseline-tea-tree-oil combo tinder connected to my sheath(with the Ferro rod) for the knife dedicated to fire making. That's around my waist. Another is in my back pack. That's my basic hiking setup. If I was bugging out, I'd have another stashed somewhere else. I'm going to have to disagree with David on one point..the seeds. For me, if this is a short term bug-out bag, your seeds would go into the no-pile. As much as I appreciate your forward thinking, you should be thinking of more immediate and available food before harvesting crops months from now.. Sam, you'll need a basic change of clothes. Two sets of clothes is the minimum for what's needed to survive comfortably. Yes, you can survive with one pair, but what are you going to do when you have to clean the clothes you are wearing? And you have to clean them. If you don't they degrade; losing effective insulating/cooling ability, AND increases your risk of infection or skin irritation. Also, you'll want to get out of sweaty clothes. Your comfort is important. Comfort equals boosted morale which increases your survivability. Plus, even more importantly, sweaty clothes are a hypothermia hazard The containers you have are not optimized for space. Don't carry the whole bottle of pain killer. Get a travel sized bottle and fill it up. The same goes for the cans of fish. David has a good point when he says you can use the can for other things. So, fine, carry one....but not three. Again, the most cringe worthy aspect of this bag is the organization and optimization. I can not imagine just throwing stuff in the bag without everything having a safe dry place OR SHEATH and feeling like "yeah, this is good". Sam, I would give you a 50 out of 100. 50 points for being able to start a fire everyday for the next ten years and having items that will certainly keep you alive, but like David said, you are missing some crucial parts, like a saw or chopping tool, a vessel to carry water, and a real vessel for heating water or food. A good bag should be accessible in the absolute dark with minimal to no fumbling (or injury from that damn knife)and in relative silence. It should provide you with basics or at least the tools to acquire such basics. And it's contents should be protected against the elements, particularly water/humidity. Thanks for giving your bag to David for assessment. Even though you are anonymous, it takes some humility to do that. And David, thanks for sharing the video of you doing it.
Perhaps the seeds were included for bartering, as Dave suggested? Well thought out response to a presentation that allows for much feed back. Thank you for your effort and time.
My personal rating system requires certain things in bulk and penalizes for over use.. For example.. Imop.. You need 3 ways to start a fire, 3 ways to purify water, three ways to carry water, 3 ways to cut things, 3 different ways to create light (solar, battery, flame) etc.. Over 5 ways to start a fire is overkill, over 3 ways to purify water is overkill, over 4 ways to cut things (not counting multi tool) is overkill. Real food unless light weight such as frees dried food is penalized. Food should be mostly snake foods as a small bob doesn't need food at all TBH. You'll die of dehydration or infection way before you starve to death. This type of setup will help reduce too abundant items, keep you light weight, and give you not only 2 is one certification but different ways to do things so you can pick the right tool for each situation..
Now, listen here! That lock just needed a good tube sock to go with it and you've got yourself an Oklahoma Sock Puppet, which is a pretty darn good weapon in a scrap. Don't have a clue why you'd need it in a bug out situation, but you might be like me and have hard-headed teenagers to keep in line.
He can get rid of some of the many multiple duplicates, like the many flashlights and maybe put in two and save the batteries and save space and weight. Invest in better quality flashlights than those cheapo ones and you won't need so many.
One of your most informative, not to mention entertaining, videos yet I'm all for being prepared with how to make fire but goodness, your friend was prepared to set the world on fire, LITERALLY! LOL! Thanks for the info brother.
Pretty good bugout bag. You're friend had the right ideas but he just needs to cutback on some of the excessive redundancies like the fire starters. He also needs to get organized, too many loose items floating around in the pack. Do you have any idea what that structure was at one time? Liked the video Dave, thanks! Also good to hear Nick again.
Its not a bad bag for a start. That structure was part of a dairy farm built back in the 20s or 30s. Theres a lot of old chimneys around theem woods still standing so I think it was a full community
That is a wicked looking building, i could make that a home, with a couple tarps lol. I had one Fero rod on the ALONE Show , altho i made sure it was always put in my pocket and tied to my beltloop. lol I liked your thoughts on what would work and what is not needed. Good choices man, thanks for sharing , dude. I love my fire as well, tho he was well prepared for combustion. lol Well done ATB man.
Man it was a pretty solid building years ago. Great wind stopper now. Good idea on your Ferro rod on alone. A ferro rod is like a life line in my book. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Take care Brother!
This was an interesting video to me because I'm just getting a bug out bag together so it was kinda interesting to see someone elses attempt at it. I felt a bit proud cause I spotted some of the short comings of this guys bag. Having said that he would survive for a few days and would be warm! Maybe he should try going just a little way into the bush and test it out.
I'm happy you liked it Annette. Very good idea you have with "go out and test the gear". I do think its good tho this guy admitted he was a novice and asked for help. Take care and Thanks for watching
I thought I carried too many odd things until now. Thanks David for another great video. It's always nice to get an idea or two from other people and what they carry. Now...I'm going through my bag again to make sure I don't have that many matches:-)
I always say, carry what you feel like you can use no matter how odd. Just cover all the basics at least. It is good to dump out a bag and check it all out. Thanks for watching!
Reallybigmonkey1 I agree. I do dump it out from time to time and usually find something I can feel comfortable about getting rid of and still keep all my basics covered.
Hey, Bud: Great vid. Good to see (actually hear) Nick back too. Sparky's bag seems to be missing a lot of items, but in a pinch, I think it might work. Ya should strt a series where people send ya a list of what they carry in their BOBs and ya make suggestions as to the 'yes', 'no', and 'maybe'. I noticed that one of my biggest probs with my bag (I have 2 actually, one that I keep in my truck that contains the 'bigger items) and I think a lot of other people have the same problem, is the weight and poss the size. My 'mobile' bag has the essentials (shelter, fire, water/food/cooking,,cutting, communication and some tools, while my truck bag carries the extra 'maybe' items. I wish someone could figure out how to keep it light and carry everything one would need in a small kit but as we know...that is almost impossible. I guess it is up to the individual on what they feel is important. Anyway, keep up the great vids, and as that guy on you-yube says, (ya may know him or seen his vids) 'see ya in the next one', LOL! ~ Vinny
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it Vinny. Yes, lots o items missing but it will work to keep a person alive. You mentioned two bags? I have a short term summer bag, a short term winter bag and a long term bag. (Long term contains items for four seasons) As far as a small kit, yes you can have a small kit and live for 3 or 4 days but be pretty hungry and miserable. A small kit only has to insure you stay hydrated and avoid hypothermia and hyperthermia. Thanks for watching.
I think this is the first video of this kind that I have ever watched and really enjoyed it! Excellent, brother and thanks for sharing)) I think the biggest problem your friend has, apart from his fire kit lol, is organisation. Good seeing you again, brother))
I think this is the first of its kind. There needs to be more like it so others eyes can see and give an opinion on bags. Yep, this bag need organized too. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
That seems to be a pretty typical BOB. It is an attempt which is good but I like You question lack of cooking pans or larger pot.and lack of clothing as well as soap and wood cutting implements. In addition I have learned to set up a short term bag in a small bag which will fit into a larger bag with additional items for longer term outings this mid sized bag just drops into my long term bag which is for permanent situations if needed. yes the bags fit into each other so I also don't need. 3 mess kits or 3 canteens etc. I think more people would benefit from a plan like this than getting multiple bags and trying to equip them all. also it eases packing and trying to figure out which one to grab, I have also come across where people planning to bug out have more stuff packed it will not fit in to their vehicle
I think there is way too much redundancy of most everything. I'd replace at least half of that high sugar stuff with more complex carbs for longer lasting energy and no sugar spikes. Regular instant oatmeal packs well and is easy to prepare. There is also an obsession with fire (which you mentioned). A Lighter, Ferro rod, matches and maybe a fire glass should cover the fire department You can even make char punkwood with a fire glass. I'd also replace all that dryer lint with some good charcloth.
Hey Nick. Welcome back. That is a lot of matches for sure. Organization here is primary. This bag is full. Need to put stuff together in bags. Wow. A lot of stuff. I agree with the water carry device.
Nick says Hi brother. Oh yes, lots o stuff and it all needs organizing bad. To me, a water carrying device is a must have. period. Thanks for watching bro!
In my pockets everyday I carry 5 ways to cut, 2 small flash lights, three ways to make fire, a tiny fishing kit, a micro multi tool, large nail clippers, a p38, a p51, magnesium, fat wood, cotton and vaseline. Tylenol and extra meds. triple anti biotic ointment on cotton, a compass, I think that is most of it. My get home bag stays in the truck.
Wow!! What a great job. It was funny, it was informative and extremely well done. Ah, don't forget the key to the lock. Good advice. Thanks for sharing...
Thank you and mr. firebug for sharing. It's great that your coworker wants to be prepared. I hope you were able to help him round out his bag better. God bless and stay safe.
Im happy they wanted to share too. We can all learn from that bag and all the comments on this video. Ive already got this cat spending some money on Amazon. LOL. Thanks for watching Rich.
I've watched this video many times , this is the best bug-out/pyrotechnics bag on UA-cam . Used your rating system on my kit a couple of years ago and scored pretty good . I have made improvements since then , will re-rate the bag someday. I'm shooting for the top . 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Because with each passing day I get a chance to speak truth and put Jesus on the minds of others, just as you have allowed me to do today, I thank you.
People like you have clearly never even spent a *single night* in the bush camping, let alone 'surviving'. What experience do you have, kid? Have fun when the 'SHTF' and you think you can survive with your 'minimalist' survival kit because it's 'lightweight' and 'practical'. Practical in your fantasy land, maybe. You watch too much TV and too many UA-cam videos. Even *trained military survivalists* carry more gear than this, or at least, would choose to if given the choice (in survival situations you do not always have a choice). 50-60 pounds isn't that much unless you're completely out of shape, in which case, you're not 'prepared'. Go exercise fatty. Having the right knowledge and skill-set is important, but so is having the right gear, and so is being in physical shape. Ask anyone with real survival experience or experience in harsh environments and they will tell you the same thing. You might think you're Bear Grylls, but you're not going to survive a full blown epidemic with a bottle of iodine drops an one disposable mask. You can drink all of the piss, and forage all of the edible plants you want. Bear Grylls is a reality TV show. You will die in real life. If you think this is 'too much gear', what on earth do you plan on doing when you get seriously injured? Calling it quits? A single paramedic carries *10 times* as much gear, and that's just for the short trip to the hospital. If you think a 'med kit' the size of a *toiletries bag* is sufficient for 'long term' survival you're an idiot. A tourniquet, some bandages, and some triple antibiotic ointment will get you nowhere with any serious injuries. So you've got a bullet in your leg and you've used your tourniquet... *Then what?* Then you die of gangrene, sepsis, and septic shock within days without proper professional medical treatment. All the penicillin in the world won't save your life lol. It's so funny how delusional and out-of-touch some of you 'preppers' are.
Loved watched mg your show and tell! It was like watching you opening a Christmas stocking! But some useful kit in there for sure . :-) best wishes Vee
I like seeing what other people pack and carry as well..gives me new ideas.. I agree on the addition of a pot to cook and possibly boil water in.. I would recommend an MSR stowaway pot I have three diff sizes in my kit/collection and they are bulletproof.. You can also pack things inside them to save space, and use the lids for a plate to eat off of..I don't have pots with bails on them, so I use an old rack out of an old stove/oven that I cut down to fit in my pack...It's flat and takes up almost no room..And two of my pots fit on it with room to spare..He did have several ziplock bags to carry water in a pinch but that's pretty sketchy..He needs a canteen, or a Nalgene bottle ect.. I have Nalgene bottles witch are ok.. but I'd like to eventually switch to all stainless containers for double duty use..Like you mentioned too he needs to have a little better organization of his kit as well..He'd have to empty the whole thing out to find anything.. It might also save him some space to allow for the pot that he is missing as well as a few other necessary items..
All good points you make. I hate the idea of a pack being so cram packed that you have to dig or dump it all out to find anything. Ive pretty much got him on the right track. Thanks for watching
Hi Dave, it's been years since I've watched this the first time, but still giggled over all the fire starting stuff lol. I'd love it if you checked out my bag, I'm sure it would score high on your rating system, but I'd feel naked without my emergency bag/gear, so that's not going to happen. Rock On!
Collapsible water containers, they are not heavy empty but worth their weight in gold when you find good water. Between my Sawyer and eye dropper of bleach I never had a problem with purifying water for both particulates and virale hazards and no foul taste like iodine. Space blankets are good for allot but if you don't have a sleeping bag consider a Bivy or bag type mylar. Its allot warmer and you can get a pretty durable one that can be used over and over for about $15.00 and its extremely light compared to a sleeping bag. Heavy drum liners! use as: pack cover, poncho, bedding, shelter cover, solar stil, and on and on with hardly any weight. Organization is a big key, if you cant find it when you need it you lugged it around for nothing, categorize your gear with like items together. Plan that ALL the pack contents will all get wet! The following would be soaked: socks, most of the dryer lint, the toilet paper, pad, sugar, etc..Use Ziploc bags or a Seal A Meal. Make sure your socks are wool. Wool socks will keep you warm even if wet. We hikers use hike clothes and camp clothes: hike shirts are man made materials that are sweat wicking, and quick dry pants ( mine also can zipper to shorts ) A pair of Crocs, Sweat pants, and your favorite cotton tee shirt is great for camp while your day clothes air out/ dry out. The Mountain House food may be a little pricey but its good, can cook in the bag, and is light. Worth the cost. It's great to see people thinking about what if's! I learned the above the hard way. Hope this may be helpful - good luck! .... and Dave, I always love your video's!!!!!!!
That was fun! I went through my bag at the end while you scored his, mine has a lot to be desired but I did have a lot of the necessary C's and still some other purchases to make still! After his bag I was lacking in the fire department, lol and still haven't got the chopping tool. Thanks for this, as always, entertaining guys!! You take care now! ;b
Oh it was very fun for me! I think my scoring system doesnt work tho. Too many of the same items makes it pass. Thats a good idea to go through your bag and just look at it carefully. You have to get a chopping tool! Thanks for watching Gev!
Thank your friend for letting you share his bag with us. Thank you for taking time to help him with his kit. Thumbs up for that, my friend. Agree 100% on his container. Not enough! He needs one 32 oz to use with his water purification tablets/drops. A Gatorade bottle would be fine for this. Seeds are a NO for a 2-3 day bag. Use the space for something else, like a bandanna, for example. Imperative that he waterproof the contents of his pack. Line larger compartments with trash compactor bags and/or put everything that must be kept dry in zippered plastic bags (prefer Hefty brand). He can use the extra's that he's stored in his bag for a vehicle get-home bag or perhaps one for a family member. An alternative is to set up a re-supply box that's kept in a closet or similar place. Extra fire starters, first aid items, drink mixes, spoons & forks, etc. Restock his bag, as needed from his box. On another note, he needs a second tarp or some other ground cloth to protect himself from wet ground. He's not setup to create raised beds or use a hammock. Don't know if his tarp is large enough to protect from above & below. A painters drop cloth, hd 55 gal trash bags or even a $ store shower curtain liner would give needed protection. Just a few tips. Again thanks to both of you.
All very good ideas. I love the idea of the re supply box. I have never heard of that one before. This whole video was his idea and I think its a great idea for teaching learning and sharing ideas. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching Lee.
Excellent review...I really enjoy watching your videos. There seems to be a lot of over-kill in what Sparkie carries. I always pack a telescopic fishing rod with tackle, folding saw, hatchet and the needed cooking gear. 500 ft. of paracord and a lightweight sleeping bag plus extra clothes. My BOB's usually weigh between 25 and 45lbs. Looking forward to more vids...You always seem to make them entertaining. Peace brother
Love the video thanks Dave and Nick, my only nit pick would be the seeds. If this pack is a few day pack, I can't see the use of the seeds . But all in all another great video thank you for taking the time and sharing your knowledge.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Yep, the seeds are long term but most everything else can be used. With some additions this will be a good pack. Thanks for watching
Good video Dave.Good idea your friend had to let you rate his bag. Yeah organization is needed but he's learning and has a decent start. When he does an upgrade to it love to see it. atb Opal
great! Just wanted to tell you, I worked for a restaurant years ago, and they never soaked their beans. Just threw them in the pot of water. Great video! You were cracking me up!
Thanks for another great video...Kinda old but hey, I'm playing catch up on your older vids. As for the following items...Just my 2 cents worth. Many will jump on my case for putting this in here, but I believe that ANYONE who says that they know everything... well that is the person that I do not want around when and if you are ever in a "tight" situation... We all can learn... I learn every single day. So, Here goes. (1).That can opener can be extremely handy, Maybe not in a short term bag such as the one on display here, but long term it may be quite helpful. I have, on occasion, used tin cans as a chimney for an indoor shelter stove or fireplace...Long term bag...Yep I'd call that a necessity. (2) Just a personal preference, but as for lighters, Spend the extra few cents and get a Bic, Those cheaper lighters generally run out of flint long before they run out of fuel. A bic will last a good month with 2 to 3 times a day use... That cheapo will last half the time. The cheapo's also have a tendency to "melt" where the thumb roller is when you have them lit for more than a few seconds...then you are left trying to find the parts when the roller, spring and flint shoot of into the brush. The lighter shown,(orange one) at least looks like a Scripto, those would be my second choice. (3). That Oragel, also useful in temporarily relieving pain on burns and those pesky puncture wounds. (4). Tea lights are great, Not only for lighting purposes, but if you light the candle and dip a stick,(tip) into the melted wax, it can be used as a long matchstick. The wax will make the tip burn for much longer than a typical match, just in case you are lighting slightly damp tinder. (5).That solar light is nice, though I would one of the larger ones that use AAA rechargeable batteries...It can always be used for recharging your flashlight batteries...slow but effective. Regular alkaline batteries can be recharged this way several times...they lose a bit of capacity with each charge, but will perform fairly well in those LED flashlights which are low drain to start with. (6). Not there...But I wish it was, Weather radio...depending on location and time of year, a weather radio is a useful tool Not only the forecasting capabilities, but believe it or not, after a while...even the computer generated voice of the forecaster is a welcoming and calming thing. I was surprised to see that there was no defense weaponry...No hunting/trapping weaponry, No snaring materials(mentioned), and no fishing supplies,(also mentioned). All in all, an enjoyable and informative video. Thanks again...and sorry for the unasked for input if it offended anyone...(OK.."sorry" is a bit strong of a word), but when it comes to surviving...not only physically but also mentally, there is no such thing as too much preparation.
I'm happy you liked the video, I was so dumbfounded during unloading and filming that I didn't really know what to say. Thanks for the input, it's always welcome!
Thats a nice colletion of handy stuff. Maybe not bet best setup for my part of the world but still nice. The guy had some plastic bags in there. That got to count as containers that could carry water. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the kit :) - Martin
Its a good start with a lot of handy stuff. Yes, them bags can carry water and you could even collect water and put the iodine in it too. Lots needs to be added to this kit. Take care and Thanks for watching Martin.
Good video very informative. I did notice a couple of things you put in the Yes pile that in a previous video you said were not necessary. In one of your survival vacation videos I believe it was, you said don't take toilet paper and bug repellent. I remember you saying the toilet paper would run out and the bug spray would run out and the bugs would have a feast off you. I'm thankful that most of the things found in his bug out bag are also in mine. Thanks.
Thanks Scott, I'm glad you liked it. Well that other video was probably long term. I would never bring anything that runs out in a long term bag. Short term? Yes, bring bug spray and toilet paper. It should last a short trip and make life easier in that case. Thanks for watching
I always value your opinions, knowledge, cheerful disposition, humor, and choice of words.. I like it when you don't hide your rare mistakes too. We learn from those as well. In your videos, I almost always find myself smiling and attentive within a few seconds after I start them. They instantly put me in a good mood. I never get bored with your presentations and often learn something I didn't know or I confirm what I do know. Sometimes I just agree or even disagree with you but I enjoy your reasoned opinions, either way. I look forward to your videos and often share them (the links) with my friends who might enjoy or learn from them. Thanks for providing your knowledge, experience, and good entertainment, for us all. I laugh when I think of my bags. They are way too heavy. I guess you could call them "Indefinite Stay Bags". I'm old with hip replacements so I won't be hiking very far. I'll probably be bugging in. However, If I'm forced to bug out, I'm only going as far as my vehicle will take me and my overweight bags. Defensive security items will be added according to the situation if and when I have to bug out. Wes
Thanks Wes, I'm glad you like all I do and you enjoy the vids. As far as overweight bags go, to me thats not a huge issue if you have a car truck or boat. As long as the gear is all in one spot and you can find it thats what matters. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching.
Hello, Could you please remind me in which video you mentioned air bed/mattress? What's your viewpoint on carrying an air bed? Are they good for thermal insulation? Thanks.
Kinda hard to say which one because I have mentioned them several times. I have two plain air mattresses but only one that insulated. Heres the link for it and its a dang good one. www.amazon.com/dp/B00IT2X6X4/ref=twister_B01MRT8D5F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This was fun to watch. I don't know that I agree with this bag persay but then again when it comes to survival skills a novice is to me as a master is to a novice so what do I know. Otherwise, enjoyed the video, love your attitude (good ole boy from the south:) ), and look forward to the next one (and admittedly catching up on some of your other vids since I've been lax)!
On a side note, mind you I haven't thought of the logistics behind this, but videos like this are kinda cool. I wonder if there's a way to do something something similar to this for your viewers (rather than a coworker or friend who obviously lives close by). Perhaps shipping bags (though that'd be a bit sketchy I guess since who would really want to ship you a BoB or something like it...) or perhaps having viewers video record themselves going through their own bags without much explanation (everyone can justify everything for anything after all but with little explanation it might give you a chance to give honest feedback) for your critique and sending the video to you so you can review it (similar maybe to reaction videos on YT?).... IDK like I said, a thought. Probably not viable but still thoughts expressed can lead to innovations never dreamed of so what the heck I'll post it here.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it Paul. I think vids like this are good because we can all see how a novice thinks and not make the same choices they make. Thanks for watching
Well actually, several people did mention sending me photos and or filming their bag. It would be easier than shipping the bag but yes you are right, that would make a very interesting set of videos for sure.
Very nice video of your friends stuff. It was very interesting for sure. I think he has got all the matches from the Georgia area in that back pack. he-he.
Do you have any Bushcraft tips for the South West? Here trees are only found in someones front yard or national parks. They be 3 inch or less or 100yards apart and usually 4 feet off the ground. Curious Minds Want to Know! How do ya hammock camp out here?
I honestly can't help out with that. I've been surrounded by trees and forests my entire camping life. Try Arizona Bushman channel. He has experience in that area.
You know, it finally dawned on me today. Out of the many survival, prepping, or Buggin Out videos I have watched, there is one item that I don't remember hearing anyone mention. "Bandanas"... Oh, and please do not let this individual loose, in the woods. There will be no more woods, if he should ever start a fire. :)
Two things....1) I think it was a brave move on Sparky's part to allow you to film it and share, not knowing how it would turn out, and 2) He chose the right person to do it. :-) Another fine training video tool for the rest of us.
Billy
Im thinking it was pretty brave. But at least he did admit he was a novice and came to me for help so thats pretty cool. Take care and Thanks for watching Billy
"What are ya... an arsonist??" Priceless! Hahaha :)
Seriously... excellent concept for a video brother... and extremely well done as usual. Thumbs up buddy!
ATB -John
Hey John, how about some more videos?
LOL, man I couldnt help my self Brother. Always great to hear from ya man, Thanks for watching!
When you called him "sparky" I had to laugh out loud!!!!
LOL, I just couldnt help myself man! Great hearing from you Brother!
Who doesn't love a good rummage through someone else's bag? Thanks for sharing man.
Be safe and be lucky Wol.
LOL, man I LOVE rummaging through someone else pack! Be good brother and Thanks for watching Wol.
what he needs is the "dirt time" to use his gear. focus on what's in that pack for an overnight trip. Track the usage of the consumables, make a wishlist of missing items and then afterward, determine the function of this bag. tracking the consumables will help plan toward the quantities needed for the expected duration of the use of this bag.
Man thats the best suggestion yet! Thats the ole "I can show you easier than I can tell you" trick. Thanks for watching Darryl
Thanks for the video!
If you use your pack, but no one seems to really test them, like ever!
Very nice of you to evaluate that guys bag. Besides watching 100s of videos on bags having a buddy to get critiques/ideas from is the best way to get a bag together. I like to lay mine out & constantly evaluate the contents & find ways to refine/add/take away items. Great video as always. Thanks Dave.
I think it is good for someone else to see a persons bag. After watching 100s of videos and reading 100s of books I can see how a person can overlook some items.. Thanks for watching.
I realize this is an old video but I loved this video enough to let you know.
As for Sparky (lol), this was not horrible for a first attempt at creating a BOB, but definitely needed some adjustments. Your evaluation was polite and encouraging instead of discouraging and degrading like a couple of the comments below. 2 is 1 and 1 is none makes for a good mantra, but in reality - the best tool is the one you have. I like that you try to never discourage a person striving to be prepared.
It's old but quite relevant to see where some start from. I figure its better to help gently than to beat sense into folks. Lol. Take care and thanks for watching
Man ive not laughed so hard on youtube before! Looks like a good starter kit with some better organisation but when you kept puling out matches and then a bag for more lighters and matches i was laughing so hard! Then nick asking if the hygiene kit had matches and you pointing out its a good idea for this guy to carry burn ointment, well that was it. I had to take a break i was laughing so hard! So thanks for the smiles and keep the great content coming! From Sweden, thanks again, Dean
LOL, man believe me, this bag threw me for loop. I started laughing too because of all the matches. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching Dean
Hi Dave, I'm just wondering what the combined weight of those little "doesn't way much" bits actually is. A few years ago I decided to weigh all of my own "doesn't weight anything, might as well carry it" items, and found that they came to a whopping 4.2kg (around 9lbs). With all those extra lighters, so many flashlights etc... I can see the overall weight of his little extra bits meeting or exceeding the weight of the essentials.
Great video as always, catch you in the next one :)
4.2Kg is nothing what are you a smurf?
@@moorshound3243 9lbs is about half of that whole bag that was reviewed, even if the flashlights and fire added up to 3lbs that could be an extra mile or so treked, or just make up room for some other needed things
Gloves are a good idea but those are very weak on the backside.only tough on the rubberized parts
@@moorshound3243 4.2 kilograms is a lot of extra weight to carry over any significant distance. Expecially if you're a smurf.
@@moorshound3243 I see you haven't packed much weight for extended periods of time.
excellent vid guys, have a day pack loaded and i'm gonna take a look at it, I've already seen a few things I need to add. also thanks for your response on my question about Buck knives a while back. And I think Dave Canterbury is one heck of a knowledgeable guy. you two guys are my favorites and I hope you both keepon making vids.
Comic relief was fantastic... You are going to need the burn cream with all these matches.
LOL, Good one man!
if you take a small can of WD40 and some cotton ball's.spray for about 5 seconds then use a ferro rod.that baby wilk light in any rain storm.i guarantee it mate
That's a good survival tip!
+Reallybigmonkey1 I have a tip for a survivor keep seeds in your bag so you could plant them for food V(^_^)V
+Tameem Tameem Apprently you didn't watch the video lol.
Very cool, didnt know that.
small can of white lithium grease will go further and burns 3 times as hot for twice as long.., but I like the way you think :o)
"'what are you, an arsonist ?"'.... Dave, that one really got me ...
LOL, that thought just sorta hit me at the time!
Great video Dave and Nick. You guys made a lot of really great observations.
Thanks! I think its always a great idea to get a second set of eyes on what a person carries. Lots of observations come from that.
here in the frozen north ... carrying paper along with the pens is a requirement to mark your vehicle with when you left your shelter and what direction you are walking in. marking your cell phone number on the note is a bonus requirement if you have a phone with a good battery. A battery pack for your phone is a plus also. If you leave your vehicle (shelter) during a storm the police fire department want to know where to look for your corpse-sicle . If they can call your phone and check to see if you are alive it saves a great deal of ground pounding plus they can GPS search for you if you got run over by a snow plow and are buried under several tons of snow in the roadside ditch. Stay with your car.
All very sound advice Randy! Down south we never have to deal with that kinda snow.
Another great educational and fun video Dave, thanks! I learned a few things here. But I will avoid going into a Laundromat, with matches falling from my pockets, while digging feverishly in the dryer lint traps, and mumbling incoherently...LOL!
Im happy you liked it, Thanks for watching Tracy!
Sure, Dave you did a good job analyzing your buddy's BO bag there. Fewer matches and dryer lint, a good container, and better organization will help that bag. Thanks for what you do!
Two is One, One is None and Thirty or more is . . . .Pyromancy???
LOL! I think youre right!
Thirty is evidence of intent to autocombust
@@uncatila LOL...
I think two major things this person should do. Organize everything for easy access and they should spend a weekend out in the woods with just what is in the bag. If you could go a long to mentor and help them cope through the frustration periods because they don't have the item they need.
By the way that building has some good bones to rebuild. I like it.
Two fantastic ideas. That building was built around 1900 Im told. I bet it could be rebuilt. Thanks for watching man!
This was the first time I watched your video. I was skeptical at first but I really enjoyed watching you go through and rate the bag. Very cool
Thanks Anthony! I'm glad you liked it.
Learned lots, going to look at my bags again...what about some money, biils and change?
Sounds great! Money is ok. Never telling when it may come in handy because so many folks will take money no matter what the situation is. Also remember, if you have a heads up youll need money to get gas to get outta town
money and or something to barter with. thanks for responding.
"This here says, "Matches, lamp wicks and fire starters"... What ARE you? AN ARSONIST?!?!?"... ... OMG! I haven't laughed so hard in weeks!!! =D. 😂 Love your videos! . He's definitely the team man if someone needs a fire!
It's nice you and Nick also have a good sense of humor while sharing your knowledge with us.
Thank you both,and again Have a good new year!
Ah we find humor in dang near everything! Thanks for watching
Now even i can make a small pack to have in a handy spot. Thanks so much for this video. Very learningful. Greetings from Ww2HH
Sounds great! I think everyone needs a small "what if" type pack. Even to be prepared for a car break down. Thanks for watching!
yes Dave I am trying to get some videos done I don't have much help though.
I was involved with S.A.R. for 20+ years in New Mexico going back before cell phones and pagers. We would listen to a radio station and they would announced it if we had a call out. at night we used ring down lists.
From the announcement you had 30 min. to check in at operations ready to go for whatever was happening regardless of weather location or time with equipment to get the job done.
A lot like bugging out. I learned a lot having done this a few hundred times.
Enjoy the video Dave ! One of the things that was apparent after watching this video was the importance of organizing your gear. If you're in a survival mode and you have to waste time trying to find the item that you need, that's time and energy that you may not be able to recoup. Plus keep those sugary type items in a ziplock so if they spill, they are not leaving a little sugar trail for those ants. Liked the seeds... if you are out longer than expected they can come in handy. All in all a great video. Hey Nick, glad to see you behind the camera again!
Thanks Cheri! Oh I agree, you have to be organized! No reason to have to dig through an entire pack to find stuff. What would this person do with a wide open bleeding cut? That would be horrible to bust them sugar packets and have a pack full o ants. LOL. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching!
This video was so entertaining, funny and practicle at the same time. Brill job mate
Thank you Brother! I'm glad you liked it and Thanks for watching
I know it's been 5 years and I did watch it all those years ago but decided to re-check it out. The one thing that was missing was..... wait for it..... COFFEE!!! Maybe he was a tea man but even I, as a woman, can't function without my morning COFFEE!!!
Oh I can understand completely! Hard to actually function without coffee. Thanks for the comments Elaine
Great video Dave & Nick. I watch a lot of you-tube bug out bag videos for ideas and such. I never criticize anyone for what they have in their bags, as I am not a pro-prepper either. One suggestion from my Army days, suggest to your friend to get a P-38 or P-51 can opener, it small, light weight and will definitely open cans. Peace.
I have the same P-38 I got in the Army during basic training. It's been on my key chain since 1980. It still works.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it John. I agree, I have a couple of P-38s and man they do a great job!
Some folding Knives also have a can opener included, along with a saw, scissors, knife - large and maybe a small one - screw driver - philip and regular - cork screw, small file or awl and they don't weigh much at all, he could put it in his pant's pocket.
I really liked your comment. A person like Dave is a good teacher because, he can get a point across without criticizing or belittling people. I’m not a pro preppir either. I noticed that some of the harsh criticisms made were from people who feel like they’re experts. I recognized their theories and terminologies from the ideas from other channels I have seen. Some people feel like they’re experts because think they’ve watched 10 more videos than they think other people have. At least Sparky was trying. Everybody has to start somewhere.
Well done David and Nick. Good info, positive feedback and great little gear commentary. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks Paul! I loved doing this vid, it was very very different for me
The one thing most people forget to pack that is "VERY" important is if you wear glasses is to go to your dollar store and get a couple of cheap reading glasses and throw them in your bag because if you loose or brake your glasses then you will have something to fall back on. At my dollar store they are under $3.00 each. You can't do anything if you can't see what your doing. And they can also be used to start a fire like a magnifying glass. Yes, he definitely needs a pot, a container to carry water, salt, more knifes, something for chopping or sawing wood, a fishing kit and a few snares and maybe even a couple of rat traps which would be good to catch small game like squirrels ect. Just make sure you tie it down so the animal don't run off with it. Also a couple of big industrial very heavy duty garbage bags would be good for multiple uses. Use as a poncho, cover your BOB to keep it dry, fill with leaves to make a mattress, cut open to make a water proof roof for your lean to if you are using only branches to make it, use to line a hole you dug so you can fill it with water to wash your things or wash yourself, catch rain water, fill it with air to help you cross a river or lake, etc.. many uses.... Take away at least half or your fire starter kit to add a small jar of peanut butter instead. You can eat it if you're starving and you can use it to bait your traps.
Good point .. I have brought this up several times .. They are never included
That is an excellent point. Well worth considering.
Fantastic ideas man!
Hey! A great video and I learned a lot from this. Condensing your gear to your needs is very important and there's things that I saw that I didn't think of putting in my bug out bag , back pack. Finding your gear is important in a time of need and when I can find a small pouches I build on the size that's available to keep the weight down and to bring more important equipment. A small radio is helpful and some batteries can be stored up to 10 years. You need to put together a book on building a backpack or bug out bag with several options that individuals could use.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. I think its great to learn from others pack and, to actually use a pack for a weekend. I always carry a crank up radio. Thanks for watching Thomas.
He should have bags or pouches for seperating gear, ie: fire kit, cook kit, food bag, med kit, misc pouch. He is kinda goin' overkill on fire starters and flashlights. Canned food is heavy, I suggest dehydrated meals plus a 1 litre pot. Perhaps add a sturdy folding knife or SAK. All in all, a pretty good kit. Needs a ss water botle. That was a good review.
All good ideas Robert. Not too bad a kit for a person that admits to being a novice. I love having all my gear divided into small bags, I hate stuff just all thrown it. Thanks for the comments and Thanks for watching Robert.
Thats a good idea. No weigh of can openers or the cans.
That being said, those cans make useful containers.
The cans are not needed if he carries a suitable cook pot and a ss water bottle. Cans are unnecessary weight.
I politely disagree. Most of the weight of canned food comes from the content - the food itself. The cans are actually pretty light, and for utility they provide are well worth the weight. So if I was to carry food that already comes in a can (like the aforementioned tuna) I'd prefer cans. Plus, cans have many uses, depending on one's resourcefulness. Just my opinion, of course.
This was very interesting to say the least. A LOT of matches!! I do like matches, but I keep them with my flint and steel. Vids like this really make me think about how I should change something. I think that's what it's all about. Thank you for the great job! Learn something new everyday! I would probably barter away like 50 of those matchboxes..lol. ZIP blocks are awesome too, but if you try to heat your little cup with them, they will turn it totally black. Great show, thanks!!
Oh yes it was interesting to me too! Just goes to show you never know how other people think. The owner of this bag thought they were prepared. They are now tho after asking for help. I havent tried ZIP blocks myself. I need to. Thanks for watching!
This was really awesome to watch and see some feedback on the pack.
TFS C.R.
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching CR!
Hats off to your mate who gave you the bag and asked you to go thru it on camera with no prep time on the contents, Dave.
Excellent video again as usual. Well done gents! :)
I agree Bro. It took a lot for him to come to me and say help me, rate my bag. Ill make sure hes on the right track. Thanks for watching Bro!
"What are you? An arsonist?" I laughed so hard I cried! lol
Im happy you liked it Carla. My friend didnt see the humor in it. LOL. Always great to hear from you, Thanks for watching.
Great Video. I would add some organization as well as your recommendations.
Absolutely! Thanks for watching!
Another great video.
I would give this novice 30 points for making the effort to put
together a BOB. As for the bag; I would give it a hell no...What were you
thinking? Ok, maybe 20 points because it’s not completely useless. A BOB is
used to get to a BOL. It should not be considered for long term use. An INCH
rig should be used if someone doesn’t have a specific BOL. Seeds should be at
the BOL or INCH rig along with a basic set of good quality garden tools. I
don’t have that many matches in my INCH rig. My GHB has one waterproof
container of UCO Stormproof matches, one Jetflame torch/lighter, one large
firesteel, one carpenters pencil sharpener (for tinder making), one Fresnel
lens, and one Spark-Lite kit.
Overall I would say that the pack has enough nutritional value for one or two meals in normal
sedentary conditions. The sugar and candy are just empty calories and should be
left out. My suggestion would be to add two millennium bars for each can of
tuna. A tuna pouch is a good idea but it contains less tuna than a can of tuna.
A small jar of peanut butter should make up for that. Instead of the candy, I
would put in couple pouches of survival tabs. Coffee, Tea, hot cocoa, and bullion
are optional and would be the only things that would need any type of cooking
(boiling water). This would be the absolute minimum I would bring for a four
day bug-out. A bug-out would burn from 500-700 calories per hour (Mayo Clinic
data). I would use a P-38 or P-51 to open the tuna cans or any other cans I may
come across. I would replace the cup with something like the Stanley Adventure
Camp Cook Set 24oz Stainless Steel. A canteen (preferably stainless steel) is a
must have item. A metal Spork should be the only eating utensil needed. I would
replace the game book with “Edible Wild Plants: A Folding Pocket Guide to
Familiar North American Species (Pocket Naturalist Guide Series)”. All their guides
are waterproof.
My minimum sleep setup is a hammock, a bivy bag with insect mesh opening, and a hooded
space blanket. The space blanket also works real well as a poncho. In cooler weather I will add a sleeping bag
and an inflatable foam pad for more insulation.
The first aid and toiletries kits were ok. I would add some multivitamins (not the whole
bottle) to the toiletries kit. A folding saw or pocket chainsaw and a good
quality fixed blade knife need to be added. My current favorite knife is the
BK-9 & 13 combo. I would keep the headlamp, add a hand crank or solar power
lantern and get rid of the rest. A small AM/FM/NOAA radio should also be
included. In a bug-out situation it is absolutely essential to stay informed. This
person will need a good pair of walking shoes if they normally wear shoes that
are unsuitable for a long trek. I normally wear combat boots but I do carry a
lightweight pair of beach shoes in my GHB. The rest of the gear was mostly ok.
TheMaveRickPrepper TheMaveRickPrepper great info. Love the peanut butter idea. As for the bag it could be a plus depending on the situation. Example, if everybody’s bugging out cause some SHTF situation, he looks much more inconspicuous and less likely to attract attention. The candies are empty calories but if shtf a few is fine..great moral boosters along with the crossword book. You have lots of great points. My fire starter kit is in a maxpedition organizer that I hang off my backpack with a carabiner. I hate how unorganized this bag is..all in all I’d rate it a 4.4/10.
kisses
Good one David, everything fine to have. Many congrats on reaching the 70k Subscriber marked. Best to you, Sepp
Thanks Sepp! the 70K thing was a plesant shock. I had no idea I would make it this far. Take care and as always its great to hear from you Sepp!
I guess when in doubt just start a crap ton of fires, burn a forest down and someone will rescue you
LOL, youll get found that way for sure!
Thank you for taking the time to get back to your fans as well. I have a question, out of all of your adventures , have you ever hurt yourself to where you needed a first aide kit. And if you did what do/did you carry?
I carry a basic kit and Ill say this, most of the time nothing happens but one time I had camp set up. I had my machete strapped to a tree along with my pack and some how, some way I unstrapped the sheath and as it fell I guess I instinctively grabbed for it and it sliced a few fingers almost to the bone! I managed to get it to stop bleeding but on the hike out, I had to avoid heavy breathing and blood pressure to keep it from bleeding again. Ever since then I have carried a basic kit plus woundseal and some extra gauze and tape.
Lock and a sock is a very potent weapon.
Oh yes, man would that ever leave a knot!
Yet another great video. Straight and simple for simple mind like i am. i really enjoy your one hour video. it replace a movie conveniently and above all it is USEFUL. Keep up the good work . Greatings from France
Thanks , I'm glad you liked it Captain! Since this video I have redone my rating system and all the loop holes are gone. I plan on another video on it soon. Thanks for watching
Great vid as always Dave. Your buddy has the right idea and a good start but just needs to tweak it some. I agree with you on overkill of fire start. Should be about 1/3 of the amount he has. Fix him up Dave. Thanks
Thanks Roger. I think for a novice, its a good start. Not a horrible bag but an incomplete one. I gave it back to him with a shovel, a canteen and a S.S. pot.
Love your videos, very in-depth, informative, and often humorous. As good as any survival, bug-out, SHTF, camping videos on UA-cam. Thank you!
Thanks, I'm glad you like my vids that much Michael! Thanks for watching.
Wow, where to start with you arson friend's bag. :)
David, I think you are being very kind to your friend. Yes, they could survive for a decent while with those contents; certainly wouldn't freeze to death. But they are not optimizing their space and, like you said, are missing some key items. Since I don't know who your friend is, I'll call them "Sam", because it works for males or females. However, I think that I gathered that it is a male.
Dear Sam: You made a good start but made some decisions that will cost you in the long run. I believe in giving constructive feedback when requested. I think you knew that David's viewers would be happy to put in their two cents. Here is my three:
I really do think David was being too kind to you, but I think that's his nature. He's not wrong, just not being blunt enough. So, please read my words (if you read this) and know that I am only trying to help and not be some arrogant internet jerk. I too have sooo much to learn.
I think the point system needs some modification, or at least there should be a ceiling to the maximum points for each category. And I think organization/optimization of space should be a big factor.
David, your assessment is pretty thorough and more than fair. So, repeating most of what you say won't be very constructive. I am no expert by any means, and I am not stating my points as absolute facts. Again, there are real positives to Sam's choices, but I'll stick to the issues:
Sam, half the stuff in your bag will get ruined by moisture, friction, or a puncture from that loose knife. A loose knife in a bag should be at least -50 points. Being able to find what you need when you need it and not cut your hand in the process is a huge plus.
I have to say those loose packets of sugar scratched their fingernails across the chalkboard in my brain. Ziplock ziplock ziplock. However...
...too much sugar. Too many empty calories. For space and weight, Sam needs more proteins and fats. Dehydrated foods are great. Lose the Kool-aid packets. If you want a sugary drink, make sure it has vitamins and minerals like the sport mixes. Those are a good choice. Sugar is a quick fuel, but will not carry you and can play havoc on your metabolism.
For one bag, I would would have a max of three sources of fire(or one in each pocket): Ferrocerium rod, a butane lighter, and a liquid fuel lighter like a Zippo. I would never carry a lighter that uses an electric spark. With a flint wheel lighter, you can use the flint wheel once the fuel is gone to start a fire or as a light source. And yes, I have. My dumb butt got caught on a ridge at sunset after high school. I ended up turning my flannel into a torch. When it burned out, I used the flint wheel as a strobing light. It worked. I used up all the flint, and made my thumb raw. BUT it worked. You really can't do that with an electric lighter. If you want more of a back up, then put another fire source in a clothing pocket. The same goes for the tinder. You don't needs 2 year's worth of dryer lint. Keep two or three smaller bags. Compress it too. It's easy enough to fluff, plus you'll fit more in each bag. Personally, I only have one pill fob packed with a cotton-ball-vaseline-tea-tree-oil combo tinder connected to my sheath(with the Ferro rod) for the knife dedicated to fire making. That's around my waist. Another is in my back pack. That's my basic hiking setup. If I was bugging out, I'd have another stashed somewhere else.
I'm going to have to disagree with David on one point..the seeds. For me, if this is a short term bug-out bag, your seeds would go into the no-pile. As much as I appreciate your forward thinking, you should be thinking of more immediate and available food before harvesting crops months from now..
Sam, you'll need a basic change of clothes. Two sets of clothes is the minimum for what's needed to survive comfortably. Yes, you can survive with one pair, but what are you going to do when you have to clean the clothes you are wearing? And you have to clean them. If you don't they degrade; losing effective insulating/cooling ability, AND increases your risk of infection or skin irritation. Also, you'll want to get out of sweaty clothes. Your comfort is important. Comfort equals boosted morale which increases your survivability. Plus, even more importantly, sweaty clothes are a hypothermia hazard
The containers you have are not optimized for space. Don't carry the whole bottle of pain killer. Get a travel sized bottle and fill it up. The same goes for the cans of fish. David has a good point when he says you can use the can for other things. So, fine, carry one....but not three.
Again, the most cringe worthy aspect of this bag is the organization and optimization. I can not imagine just throwing stuff in the bag without everything having a safe dry place OR SHEATH and feeling like "yeah, this is good".
Sam, I would give you a 50 out of 100. 50 points for being able to start a fire everyday for the next ten years and having items that will certainly keep you alive, but like David said, you are missing some crucial parts, like a saw or chopping tool, a vessel to carry water, and a real vessel for heating water or food.
A good bag should be accessible in the absolute dark with minimal to no fumbling (or injury from that damn knife)and in relative silence. It should provide you with basics or at least the tools to acquire such basics. And it's contents should be protected against the elements, particularly water/humidity.
Thanks for giving your bag to David for assessment. Even though you are anonymous, it takes some humility to do that. And David, thanks for sharing the video of you doing it.
Perhaps the seeds were included for bartering, as Dave suggested? Well thought out response to a presentation that allows for much feed back. Thank you for your effort and time.
Excellent perspective! Yours is definitely my favorite UA-cam channel. Keep up the excellent work!
My personal rating system requires certain things in bulk and penalizes for over use.. For example.. Imop.. You need 3 ways to start a fire, 3 ways to purify water, three ways to carry water, 3 ways to cut things, 3 different ways to create light (solar, battery, flame) etc.. Over 5 ways to start a fire is overkill, over 3 ways to purify water is overkill, over 4 ways to cut things (not counting multi tool) is overkill. Real food unless light weight such as frees dried food is penalized. Food should be mostly snake foods as a small bob doesn't need food at all TBH. You'll die of dehydration or infection way before you starve to death. This type of setup will help reduce too abundant items, keep you light weight, and give you not only 2 is one certification but different ways to do things so you can pick the right tool for each situation..
Now, listen here! That lock just needed a good tube sock to go with it and you've got yourself an Oklahoma Sock Puppet, which is a pretty darn good weapon in a scrap. Don't have a clue why you'd need it in a bug out situation, but you might be like me and have hard-headed teenagers to keep in line.
Sounds like a good use for it!
That was my first thought! Or, you might trap a zombie in someplace that has a conveniently-placed hasp.
He can get rid of some of the many multiple duplicates, like the many flashlights and maybe put in two and save the batteries and save space and weight. Invest in better quality flashlights than those cheapo ones and you won't need so many.
All good ideas you mentioned. Thanks for watching.
One of your most informative, not to mention entertaining, videos yet I'm all for being prepared with how to make fire but goodness, your friend was prepared to set the world on fire, LITERALLY! LOL! Thanks for the info brother.
LOL, man I was pretty shocked at how this one developed myself! I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching Scott
Pretty good bugout bag. You're friend had the right ideas but he just needs to cutback on some of the excessive redundancies like the fire starters. He also needs to get organized, too many loose items floating around in the pack.
Do you have any idea what that structure was at one time? Liked the video Dave, thanks! Also good to hear Nick again.
Its not a bad bag for a start. That structure was part of a dairy farm built back in the 20s or 30s. Theres a lot of old chimneys around theem woods still standing so I think it was a full community
That is a wicked looking building, i could make that a home, with a couple tarps lol. I had one Fero rod on the ALONE Show , altho i made sure it was always put in my pocket and tied to my beltloop. lol I liked your thoughts on what would work and what is not needed. Good choices man, thanks for sharing , dude. I love my fire as well, tho he was well prepared for combustion. lol Well done ATB man.
Man it was a pretty solid building years ago. Great wind stopper now. Good idea on your Ferro rod on alone. A ferro rod is like a life line in my book. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Take care Brother!
This was an interesting video to me because I'm just getting a bug out bag together so it was kinda interesting to see someone elses attempt at it. I felt a bit proud cause I spotted some of the short comings of this guys bag. Having said that he would survive for a few days and would be warm! Maybe he should try going just a little way into the bush and test it out.
I'm happy you liked it Annette. Very good idea you have with "go out and test the gear". I do think its good tho this guy admitted he was a novice and asked for help. Take care and Thanks for watching
Definately sometimes it's hard to ask for help. I'm sure you will have helped him out and his bag is in much better shape now.
I thought I carried too many odd things until now. Thanks David for another great video. It's always nice to get an idea or two from other people and what they carry. Now...I'm going through my bag again to make sure I don't have that many matches:-)
I always say, carry what you feel like you can use no matter how odd. Just cover all the basics at least. It is good to dump out a bag and check it all out. Thanks for watching!
Reallybigmonkey1 I agree. I do dump it out from time to time and usually find something I can feel comfortable about getting rid of and still keep all my basics covered.
Hey, Bud: Great vid. Good to see (actually hear) Nick back too. Sparky's bag seems to be missing a lot of items, but in a pinch, I think it might work. Ya should strt a series where people send ya a list of what they carry in their BOBs and ya make suggestions as to the 'yes', 'no', and 'maybe'. I noticed that one of my biggest probs with my bag (I have 2 actually, one that I keep in my truck that contains the 'bigger items) and I think a lot of other people have the same problem, is the weight and poss the size. My 'mobile' bag has the essentials (shelter, fire, water/food/cooking,,cutting, communication and some tools, while my truck bag carries the extra 'maybe' items. I wish someone could figure out how to keep it light and carry everything one would need in a small kit but as we know...that is almost impossible. I guess it is up to the individual on what they feel is important. Anyway, keep up the great vids, and as that guy on you-yube says, (ya may know him or seen his vids) 'see ya in the next one', LOL! ~ Vinny
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it Vinny. Yes, lots o items missing but it will work to keep a person alive. You mentioned two bags? I have a short term summer bag, a short term winter bag and a long term bag. (Long term contains items for four seasons) As far as a small kit, yes you can have a small kit and live for 3 or 4 days but be pretty hungry and miserable. A small kit only has to insure you stay hydrated and avoid hypothermia and hyperthermia. Thanks for watching.
I think this is the first video of this kind that I have ever watched and really enjoyed it! Excellent, brother and thanks for sharing)) I think the biggest problem your friend has, apart from his fire kit lol, is organisation. Good seeing you again, brother))
I think this is the first of its kind. There needs to be more like it so others eyes can see and give an opinion on bags. Yep, this bag need organized too. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
That seems to be a pretty typical BOB.
It is an attempt which is good but I like You question lack of cooking pans or larger pot.and lack of clothing as well as soap and wood cutting implements.
In addition I have learned to set up a short term bag in a small bag which will fit into a larger bag with additional items for longer term outings this mid sized bag just drops into my long term bag which is for permanent situations if needed.
yes the bags fit into each other so I also don't need. 3 mess kits or 3 canteens etc. I think more people would benefit from a plan like this than getting multiple bags and trying to equip them all. also it eases packing and trying to figure out which one to grab, I have also come across where people planning to bug out have more stuff packed it will not fit in to their vehicle
All good ideas you mentioned Rusty. I really like the idea of a bag in a bag. I havent thought of that.
It was a fun video that reminded me of my early Prepper days when I made my first BOB. Good stuff buddy. Thanks.
Thanks Antonio, I'm glad you liked it
I think there is way too much redundancy of most everything. I'd replace at least half of that high sugar stuff with more complex carbs for longer lasting energy and no sugar spikes. Regular instant oatmeal packs well and is easy to prepare. There is also an obsession with fire (which you mentioned). A Lighter, Ferro rod, matches and maybe a fire glass should cover the fire department You can even make char punkwood with a fire glass. I'd also replace all that dryer lint with some good charcloth.
All spot on advice brother!
Hey Nick. Welcome back. That is a lot of matches for sure. Organization here is primary. This bag is full. Need to put stuff together in bags. Wow. A lot of stuff. I agree with the water carry device.
Nick says Hi brother. Oh yes, lots o stuff and it all needs organizing bad. To me, a water carrying device is a must have. period. Thanks for watching bro!
That guy is going to be a diabetic arsonist. I am cracking up at his packing skills
Well , he did admit hes a novice so Im trying to cut him a little slack. LOL. Thanks for watching!
Very funny video ,David. Boy,your friend must be real scared of getting cold. Great video.
Thanks man. I guess he was just over prepared for fire. Im gonna make sure his bag is right.
In my pockets everyday I carry 5 ways to cut, 2 small flash lights, three ways to make fire, a tiny fishing kit, a micro multi tool, large nail clippers, a p38, a p51, magnesium, fat wood, cotton and vaseline. Tylenol and extra meds. triple anti biotic ointment on cotton, a compass, I think that is most of it. My get home bag stays in the truck.
Sounds like you are very prepared!
yeah, but my jeans tend to droop!!
LOL!
so get yourself a small belt pouch .
LOL! I would fill it up and still have full pockets!
Wow!! What a great job. It was funny, it was informative and extremely well done. Ah, don't forget the key to the lock. Good advice. Thanks for sharing...
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it Bob! Thanks for watching.
Your scoring system might work out better if you employ "two is one, one is none" in it. So the first occurrence of an item gets zero points.
Good thinking. I came up with that rating before I say the contents of the bag. Im honestly going to totally redo my rating system.
Thank you and mr. firebug for sharing. It's great that your coworker wants to be prepared. I hope you were able to help him round out his bag better. God bless and stay safe.
Im happy they wanted to share too. We can all learn from that bag and all the comments on this video. Ive already got this cat spending some money on Amazon. LOL. Thanks for watching Rich.
hahah I bet the guy is really new to bushcrafting lol
Very new!
Dave.... This makes me realize it is time to look over my BOB that I packed a year ago. This video is a good reminder to check it one a year
Absolutely brother. We change, our knowledge changes and so does our preferences. Bags need to be looked at every year. Thanks for watching.
Good video. But I'm seriously thinking this person is a pyromaniack! LOL
Thanks! And I gotta agree with you! Either a pyromaniac or an arsonist. LOL.
I've watched this video many times , this is the best bug-out/pyrotechnics bag on UA-cam . Used your rating system on my kit a couple of years ago and scored pretty good . I have made improvements since then , will re-rate the bag someday. I'm shooting for the top .
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Fantastic to hear that Mikel!
Find the Gospel while there is still time 1 Cor 15:1-4. - God Bless
Because with each passing day I get a chance to speak truth and put Jesus on the minds of others, just as you have allowed me to do today, I thank you.
I absolutely love your videos. Don't ever stop. Keep 'em coming
Thanks Chuck! I have plenty more in the works brother!
too much crap. make a pile of need to survive items, nice to have items.
People like you have clearly never even spent a *single night* in the bush camping, let alone 'surviving'. What experience do you have, kid?
Have fun when the 'SHTF' and you think you can survive with your 'minimalist' survival kit because it's 'lightweight' and 'practical'. Practical in your fantasy land, maybe. You watch too much TV and too many UA-cam videos.
Even *trained military survivalists* carry more gear than this, or at least, would choose to if given the choice (in survival situations you do not always have a choice). 50-60 pounds isn't that much unless you're completely out of shape, in which case, you're not 'prepared'. Go exercise fatty.
Having the right knowledge and skill-set is important, but so is having the right gear, and so is being in physical shape. Ask anyone with real survival experience or experience in harsh environments and they will tell you the same thing. You might think you're Bear Grylls, but you're not going to survive a full blown epidemic with a bottle of iodine drops an one disposable mask. You can drink all of the piss, and forage all of the edible plants you want. Bear Grylls is a reality TV show. You will die in real life.
If you think this is 'too much gear', what on earth do you plan on doing when you get seriously injured? Calling it quits? A single paramedic carries *10 times* as much gear, and that's just for the short trip to the hospital. If you think a 'med kit' the size of a *toiletries bag* is sufficient for 'long term' survival you're an idiot. A tourniquet, some bandages, and some triple antibiotic ointment will get you nowhere with any serious injuries. So you've got a bullet in your leg and you've used your tourniquet... *Then what?* Then you die of gangrene, sepsis, and septic shock within days without proper professional medical treatment. All the penicillin in the world won't save your life lol.
It's so funny how delusional and out-of-touch some of you 'preppers' are.
I love your videos. With two people you could carry even more stuff. Personally I'd carry a fishing kit too.
Thanks, I'm glad you like them. Oh yes, two people can carry a load! Thanks for watching
Loved watched mg your show and tell! It was like watching you opening a Christmas stocking! But some useful kit in there for sure . :-) best wishes Vee
LOL, it did kinda feel like Christmas digging through the bag! I'm glad you liked it, Thanks for watching Vee!
Happy to see you have made a new video! Where you been? Keep um coming! Love watching you
Always good to be back on here. Ive been busy as usual. My full time job kills me. LOL. Thanks for watching!
If your job is killing you, someone should start an OJST channel: On-the-Job-Survival-Training! ;-)
I like seeing what other people pack and carry as well..gives me new ideas.. I agree on the addition of a pot to cook and possibly boil water in.. I would recommend an MSR stowaway pot I have three diff sizes in my kit/collection and they are bulletproof.. You can also pack things inside them to save space, and use the lids for a plate to eat off of..I don't have pots with bails on them, so I use an old rack out of an old stove/oven that I cut down to fit in my pack...It's flat and takes up almost no room..And two of my pots fit on it with room to spare..He did have several ziplock bags to carry water in a pinch but that's pretty sketchy..He needs a canteen, or a Nalgene bottle ect.. I have Nalgene bottles witch are ok.. but I'd like to eventually switch to all stainless containers for double duty use..Like you mentioned too he needs to have a little better organization of his kit as well..He'd have to empty the whole thing out to find anything.. It might also save him some space to allow for the pot that he is missing as well as a few other necessary items..
All good points you make. I hate the idea of a pack being so cram packed that you have to dig or dump it all out to find anything. Ive pretty much got him on the right track. Thanks for watching
Hi Dave, it's been years since I've watched this the first time, but still giggled over all the fire starting stuff lol. I'd love it if you checked out my bag, I'm sure it would score high on your rating system, but I'd feel naked without my emergency bag/gear, so that's not going to happen. Rock On!
Have you got a video on your bag?
Collapsible water containers, they are not heavy empty but worth their weight in gold when you find good water. Between my Sawyer and eye dropper of bleach I never had a problem with purifying water for both particulates and virale hazards and no foul taste like iodine. Space blankets are good for allot but if you don't have a sleeping bag consider a Bivy or bag type mylar. Its allot warmer and you can get a pretty durable one that can be used over and over for about $15.00 and its extremely light compared to a sleeping bag. Heavy drum liners! use as: pack cover, poncho, bedding, shelter cover, solar stil, and on and on with hardly any weight. Organization is a big key, if you cant find it when you need it you lugged it around for nothing, categorize your gear with like items together. Plan that ALL the pack contents will all get wet! The following would be soaked: socks, most of the dryer lint, the toilet paper, pad, sugar, etc..Use Ziploc bags or a Seal A Meal. Make sure your socks are wool. Wool socks will keep you warm even if wet. We hikers use hike clothes and camp clothes: hike shirts are man made materials that are sweat wicking, and quick dry pants ( mine also can zipper to shorts ) A pair of Crocs, Sweat pants, and your favorite cotton tee shirt is great for camp while your day clothes air out/ dry out. The Mountain House food may be a little pricey but its good, can cook in the bag, and is light. Worth the cost. It's great to see people thinking about what if's! I learned the above the hard way. Hope this may be helpful - good luck! .... and Dave, I always love your video's!!!!!!!
All good ideas you mentioned, great advice! Thanks for your input and Thanks for watching.
That was fun! I went through my bag at the end while you scored his, mine has a lot to be desired but I did have a lot of the necessary C's and still some other purchases to make still! After his bag I was lacking in the fire department, lol and still haven't got the chopping tool. Thanks for this, as always, entertaining guys!! You take care now! ;b
Oh it was very fun for me! I think my scoring system doesnt work tho. Too many of the same items makes it pass. Thats a good idea to go through your bag and just look at it carefully. You have to get a chopping tool! Thanks for watching Gev!
Great way to figure out what you're forgetting! Gotta get ready and go have fun practicing in the woods! Thanks Dave & Nick!
Sounds great! Thats a perfect way to get to know your gear. Thanks for watching.
Thank your friend for letting you share his bag with us. Thank you for taking time to help him with his kit. Thumbs up for that, my friend. Agree 100% on his container. Not enough! He needs one 32 oz to use with his water purification tablets/drops. A Gatorade bottle would be fine for this. Seeds are a NO for a 2-3 day bag. Use the space for something else, like a bandanna, for example. Imperative that he waterproof the contents of his pack. Line larger compartments with trash compactor bags and/or put everything that must be kept dry in zippered plastic bags (prefer Hefty brand).
He can use the extra's that he's stored in his bag for a vehicle get-home bag or perhaps one for a family member. An alternative is to set up a re-supply box that's kept in a closet or similar place. Extra fire starters, first aid items, drink mixes, spoons & forks, etc. Restock his bag, as needed from his box.
On another note, he needs a second tarp or some other ground cloth to protect himself from wet ground. He's not setup to create raised beds or use a hammock. Don't know if his tarp is large enough to protect from above & below. A painters drop cloth, hd 55 gal trash bags or even a $ store shower curtain liner would give needed protection.
Just a few tips. Again thanks to both of you.
All very good ideas. I love the idea of the re supply box. I have never heard of that one before. This whole video was his idea and I think its a great idea for teaching learning and sharing ideas. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching Lee.
Very good video as always bud, your vids are always good to watch!!
Thank you my friend!
Excellent review...I really enjoy watching your videos. There seems to be a lot of over-kill in what Sparkie carries. I always pack a telescopic fishing rod with tackle, folding saw, hatchet and the needed cooking gear. 500 ft. of paracord and a lightweight sleeping bag plus extra clothes. My BOB's usually weigh between 25 and 45lbs.
Looking forward to more vids...You always seem to make them entertaining.
Peace brother
Thanks John, I'm glad you liked it. What all you pack sounds like what I pack. Stay tuned for lots more!
Love the video thanks Dave and Nick, my only nit pick would be the seeds. If this pack is a few day pack, I can't see the use of the seeds . But all in all another great video thank you for taking the time and sharing your knowledge.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Yep, the seeds are long term but most everything else can be used. With some additions this will be a good pack. Thanks for watching
Good video Dave.Good idea your friend had to let you rate his bag. Yeah organization is needed but he's learning and has a decent start. When he does an upgrade to it love to see it. atb Opal
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. I plan on making sure his bag is just what he needs. Thanks for watching.
I laughed so hard several times during this video. Loved it!
Thanks Cris!
great! Just wanted to tell you, I worked for a restaurant years ago, and they never soaked their beans. Just threw them in the pot of water. Great video! You were cracking me up!
Thanks , I'm glad you liked it. Thats interesting to hear, everyone else I know soaks em a day ahead of cooking. Thanks for watching
Fascinating. Loved it! It's great to see what people worry about.
Thanks Kirsten! I'm glad you liked it
Thanks for another great video...Kinda old but hey, I'm playing catch up on your older vids.
As for the following items...Just my 2 cents worth. Many will jump on my case for putting this in here, but I believe that ANYONE who says that they know everything... well that is the person that I do not want around when and if you are ever in a "tight" situation... We all can learn... I learn every single day. So, Here goes.
(1).That can opener can be extremely handy, Maybe not in a short term bag such as the one on display here, but long term it may be quite helpful. I have, on occasion, used tin cans as a chimney for an indoor shelter stove or fireplace...Long term bag...Yep I'd call that a necessity.
(2) Just a personal preference, but as for lighters, Spend the extra few cents and get a Bic, Those cheaper lighters generally run out of flint long before they run out of fuel. A bic will last a good month with 2 to 3 times a day use... That cheapo will last half the time. The cheapo's also have a tendency to "melt" where the thumb roller is when you have them lit for more than a few seconds...then you are left trying to find the parts when the roller, spring and flint shoot of into the brush. The lighter shown,(orange one) at least looks like a Scripto, those would be my second choice.
(3). That Oragel, also useful in temporarily relieving pain on burns and those pesky puncture wounds.
(4). Tea lights are great, Not only for lighting purposes, but if you light the candle and dip a stick,(tip) into the melted wax, it can be used as a long matchstick. The wax will make the tip burn for much longer than a typical match, just in case you are lighting slightly damp tinder.
(5).That solar light is nice, though I would one of the larger ones that use AAA rechargeable batteries...It can always be used for recharging your flashlight batteries...slow but effective. Regular alkaline batteries can be recharged this way several times...they lose a bit of capacity with each charge, but will perform fairly well in those LED flashlights which are low drain to start with.
(6). Not there...But I wish it was, Weather radio...depending on location and time of year, a weather radio is a useful tool Not only the forecasting capabilities, but believe it or not, after a while...even the computer generated voice of the forecaster is a welcoming and calming thing.
I was surprised to see that there was no defense weaponry...No hunting/trapping weaponry, No snaring materials(mentioned), and no fishing supplies,(also mentioned).
All in all, an enjoyable and informative video. Thanks again...and sorry for the unasked for input if it offended anyone...(OK.."sorry" is a bit strong of a word), but when it comes to surviving...not only physically but also mentally, there is no such thing as too much preparation.
I'm happy you liked the video, I was so dumbfounded during unloading and filming that I didn't really know what to say. Thanks for the input, it's always welcome!
Thats a nice colletion of handy stuff. Maybe not bet best setup for my part of the world but still nice. The guy had some plastic bags in there. That got to count as containers that could carry water. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the kit :)
- Martin
Its a good start with a lot of handy stuff. Yes, them bags can carry water and you could even collect water and put the iodine in it too. Lots needs to be added to this kit. Take care and Thanks for watching Martin.
Good video very informative. I did notice a couple of things you put in the Yes pile that in a previous video you said were not necessary. In one of your survival vacation videos I believe it was, you said don't take toilet paper and bug repellent. I remember you saying the toilet paper would run out and the bug spray would run out and the bugs would have a feast off you. I'm thankful that most of the things found in his bug out bag are also in mine. Thanks.
Thanks Scott, I'm glad you liked it. Well that other video was probably long term. I would never bring anything that runs out in a long term bag. Short term? Yes, bring bug spray and toilet paper. It should last a short trip and make life easier in that case. Thanks for watching
I always value your opinions, knowledge, cheerful disposition, humor, and choice of words.. I like it when you don't hide your rare mistakes too. We learn from those as well. In your videos, I almost always find myself smiling and attentive within a few seconds after I start them. They instantly put me in a good mood. I never get bored with your presentations and often learn something I didn't know or I confirm what I do know. Sometimes I just agree or even disagree with you but I enjoy your reasoned opinions, either way.
I look forward to your videos and often share them (the links) with my friends who might enjoy or learn from them. Thanks for providing your knowledge, experience, and good entertainment, for us all.
I laugh when I think of my bags. They are way too heavy. I guess you could call them "Indefinite Stay Bags". I'm old with hip replacements so I won't be hiking very far. I'll probably be bugging in. However, If I'm forced to bug out, I'm only going as far as my vehicle will take me and my overweight bags. Defensive security items will be added according to the situation if and when I have to bug out. Wes
Thanks Wes, I'm glad you like all I do and you enjoy the vids. As far as overweight bags go, to me thats not a huge issue if you have a car truck or boat. As long as the gear is all in one spot and you can find it thats what matters. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching.
Hello, Could you please remind me in which video you mentioned air bed/mattress? What's your viewpoint on carrying an air bed? Are they good for thermal insulation? Thanks.
Kinda hard to say which one because I have mentioned them several times. I have two plain air mattresses but only one that insulated. Heres the link for it and its a dang good one. www.amazon.com/dp/B00IT2X6X4/ref=twister_B01MRT8D5F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This was fun to watch. I don't know that I agree with this bag persay but then again when it comes to survival skills a novice is to me as a master is to a novice so what do I know. Otherwise, enjoyed the video, love your attitude (good ole boy from the south:) ), and look forward to the next one (and admittedly catching up on some of your other vids since I've been lax)!
On a side note, mind you I haven't thought of the logistics behind this, but videos like this are kinda cool. I wonder if there's a way to do something something similar to this for your viewers (rather than a coworker or friend who obviously lives close by). Perhaps shipping bags (though that'd be a bit sketchy I guess since who would really want to ship you a BoB or something like it...) or perhaps having viewers video record themselves going through their own bags without much explanation (everyone can justify everything for anything after all but with little explanation it might give you a chance to give honest feedback) for your critique and sending the video to you so you can review it (similar maybe to reaction videos on YT?).... IDK like I said, a thought. Probably not viable but still thoughts expressed can lead to innovations never dreamed of so what the heck I'll post it here.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it Paul. I think vids like this are good because we can all see how a novice thinks and not make the same choices they make. Thanks for watching
Well actually, several people did mention sending me photos and or filming their bag. It would be easier than shipping the bag but yes you are right, that would make a very interesting set of videos for sure.
Very nice video of your friends stuff. It was very interesting for sure. I think he has got all the matches from the Georgia area in that back pack. he-he.
Thanks Danny. Man it was interesting for sure. It was also an eye opener to see what another person packs to survive on. Thanks for watching!
Allright! Welcome back! Great to see you again!
Ok, I'll watch the video now...lol.
Always great to be back my friend!
Do you have any Bushcraft tips for the South West? Here trees are only found in someones front yard or national parks. They be 3 inch or less or 100yards apart and usually 4 feet off the ground. Curious Minds Want to Know! How do ya hammock camp out here?
I honestly can't help out with that. I've been surrounded by trees and forests my entire camping life. Try Arizona Bushman channel. He has experience in that area.
You know, it finally dawned on me today. Out of the many survival, prepping, or Buggin Out videos I have watched, there is one item that I don't remember hearing anyone mention. "Bandanas"...
Oh, and please do not let this individual loose, in the woods. There will be no more woods, if he should ever start a fire. :)
Honestly this helps the more "mature" bug out baggers too - it prompted me to go back through my bag and clean it out a bit.
Amazing how much we can learn from other peoples bags. Advanced or beginners. Thanks for watching brother