The Free Online Survival Guide

[gunslinger1911]

Gunslinger 1911: This one is for you.

This setup does not include your clothing that should ideally consist of Hiking Boots, Merino wool socks, Heavy Duty Pants (bdu's), A Base Layer Shirt from merino wool, Gloves, A Hat or Watch Cap, A Sweater and Shell Jacket/poncho.

Light Weight Setup - Bug Out Bag

Backpack and Drypacks 2,355kg
Backpack kelty yukon 2300g
Drypack for socks and long underwear from Exped M (liter) 55g

Clothing Inside the Bag 0,254kg
Change of Underwear 100g
2 Pair of Socks 100g
Merino Wool long underwear 54g


Shelter 0,9kg
henessey hammock ultralite backpacker 0,9kg

Light
Fenix LD-10 and one extra AA battery (54g + 23g + 23g) 100g

Equipment to Build a Fire - 0,014kg
BIC Lighter 14g
Fire Steel included in xtreme survival kit

Survival Knives 0,115kg
bark river highland special

Pocket Survival Kit 0,8kg
minimalistkits xtreme survival kit

Water 0,25kg
Water Bottle - 1 Liter stainless steel single layer bottle wide mouth 0,17kg
Water Purification Filter – Aquamira Frontier 30g
Water Purification Tablets – Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Tablets 50g


Map and Navigation etc 0,16kg
Map in Waterproof Case 100g
Compass - included in xtreme survival kit
Rite in the Rain Notebook and Pen 60g (11105)

Hygiene etc 0,120kg
[ ] Hand Disinfection – BCB Stridex 20g
[ ] First Aid Kit: included in xtreme survival kit
[ ] 550 Paracord 50 feet – 100g


The total weight of the Setup = 5.068kg (11.14 pounds) or with .22 rifle = 6.537kg (14.38lbs)

now you can carry a .22 rifle - 1,47kg, and some rounds

I would argue that this is a weight that most people can carry without difficulty even if they are not extremely well trained.

fixed that for ya! half the weight and much better...my gift to you

 

[Westfalia]

Hmm, there is no pleasing some people. I’m not criticizing your setup, just tried to show that it’s possible to put a comprehensive BOB together without making to heavy.

So if the first one was not heavy enough, maybe you will like this suggestion better:
Sibi Totique: Bug Out Bag – Example of a Setups

Setup 2: Comprehensive BOB / I’m Never Coming Home (INCH) / Cold Weather BOB
Total Weight including Water: 58 Pounds

Backpack and Drypacks 4,2kg
[ ] Backpack –Norona Para Ranger (120l) 4100g
[ ] Drypacks from Exped M (8 liter), L (13liter) and XL (22liter): 55g+66g+82g

Clothing Inside the Bag 1,344kg
[ ] Long Sleeve Base Layer 300g
[ ] Change of Underwear 100g
[ ] 2 Pair of Socks 100g
[ ] Buff, Merino Wool 54g
[ ] Klättermusen LIV 290g
[ ] Hilleberg Bivanorak 500g

Shelter 5,34kg
[ ] Hilleberg Soulo 1 Person Tent 2200g
[ ] Sleeping Bag – Carinthia Defence 4 1850g
[ ] Sleeping Mattress – Exped Downmat 9 LW 1290g

Light 0,484kg
[ ] Headlight: Fenix HP-20 230g. 10 AA batteries 230g
[ ] Flashlight: Fenix LD-10 54g

Equipment to Build a Fire - 0,083kg
[ ] 2 BIC Lighters 28g
[ ] Matches in Waterproof Bag 15g
[ ] Swedish Fire Steel Army 40g

Survival Knives 1,585kg
[ ] Fixed Blade Knife: Fällkniven A1 305g
[ ] Multi Tool: Leatherman Charge TTi 232g
[ ] Sharpener: Dianova Lapstone Mini 50g
[ ] Axe: Gränsfors Small Forest Axe 1000g

Pocket Survival Kit 0,29kg
[ ] BCB Ultimate Survival Kit 290g

Water 4,305kg
[ ] Water Bottle - 1 Liter Nalgene (160g+1000g) 1160g
[ ] 2 Liter Bladder Nalgene (545+2000g) 2545g
[ ] Water Purification Filter – Katadyn Pocket 550g
[ ] Water Purification Tablets – Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Tablets 50g

Food – 1,665kg
[ ] 9 DryTech Freeze Dried Rations 1500g
[ ] Salt and Pepper (From Restaurants) 15g
[ ] 10 Tea Bags, Sugar, Powdered Milk 50g
[ ] 3 Powerbars and 3 Chocolate Bars: 600g

Stove, Fuel and Cup – 0,902 kg
[ ] Esbit Cookset 985ml (Stove, Wind Shield and Cooking Vessel) 417g
[ ] 24 Esbit Tablets 370g (8 per day) 370g
[ ] Spork – Optimus Titan 17g
[ ] Folding Cup (2,5 dl) 28g
[ ] Steel Wool, Washing Up Liquid 50ml, Half Mop 70g

Map and Navigation etc 0.263kg
[ ] Map in Waterproof Case 100g
[ ] Compass - Silva Ranger SL – 23g
[ ] Passport and Immunization Card 50g
[ ] Rite in the Rain Notebook and Pen 60g

Hygiene etc 0,715kg
[ ] Roll of toilet paper in plastic bag 200g
[ ] Half a bar of Soap 25g
[ ] Tooth brush travel, small tube of tooth paste 50g
[ ] Razor 20g
[ ] Hand Disinfection – BCB Stridex 20g
[ ] First Aid Kit: Lifesystems Pocket + Blister Plasters (200g)
[ ] 550 Paracord 100 feet – 200g

Other Items 0,50kg
[ ] KwikPoint Translator 60g
[ ] Secondary pair of shoes: Merell Barefoot Trail Glove – Ultra light Trail Running Shoes 350g
[ ] Speedy Stitcher 90g

The total weight of the Setup lands on 21,619 kg (48 pounds)

Analysis
This Setup is considerably heavier than the first setup that was presented. The Setup includes a sturdier backpack with a larger storage capacity, A high quality four season one man tent, Cold Weather Sleeping bag and an Inflatable Sleeping Mattress with down loft. The Setup also includes some sturdier tools like the Fällkniven A1 Fixed Blade Knife, The Leatherman TTi Multi Tool and A Medium Sized Axe from Gränsfors. The Setup also includes additional food, fuel tablets, a high quality headlamp and the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter. This setup may be a more attractive alternative if you have to deal with a cold climate or travel longer distances with the access to vehicle. The setup also includes a larger stove that can use alcohol as fuel in addition to fuel tabs.

Since the weight of the pack is considerable you must be a well trained individual if you are going to be able to carry it longer distances. Another option is to load the content of the bag into bike bags and onto a bike trailer and use a bike as a Bug Out Vehicle (BOV). If you have the access to a motor vehicle the weight of the bag does not present a very big obstacle.

The Two Suggested Setups
The two setups represent a Mini and Maxi approach to a comprehensive Bug Out Bag. The items suggestion could easily be exchanged or replaced with other items from different companies; this is just an attempt to give the reader an idea of possible setups. Exactly what that should be packed in an emergency pack depends on a number of factors like your local climate, terrain and season. Your personal fitness and skills is also an important factor for deciding what should be packed and not.

How much can an individual carry? This is a very individual trait. Physical fitness, training, age, training and individual characteristics all come into play. People can have an overweight that well excides these packs but still be able to move around with any great difficulty. But the more you pack the harder a march will be. Experts disagree upon this topic but some suggest that 1/3 of the body weight as a maximum for men and ¼ of the body weight for women.

There are no easy answers that fit every climate, setting, terrain and person. You must find a concept that works for you, these list are simply suggestions intended to give you some inspiration and ideas for your own setup. One Size does not fit all.

 

[gunslinger1911]

Hmm, there is no pleasing some people. I'm not criticizing your setup, just tried to show that it's possible to put a comprehensive BOB together without making to heavy.

So if the first one was not heavy enough, maybe you will like this suggestion better:
Sibi Totique: Bug Out Bag – Example of a Setups

Setup 2: Comprehensive BOB / I'm Never Coming Home (INCH) / Cold Weather BOB
Total Weight including Water: 58 Pounds

Backpack and Drypacks 4,2kg
[ ] Backpack –Norona Para Ranger (120l) 4100g
[ ] Drypacks from Exped M (8 liter), L (13liter) and XL (22liter): 55g+66g+82g

Clothing Inside the Bag 1,344kg
[ ] Long Sleeve Base Layer 300g
[ ] Change of Underwear 100g
[ ] 2 Pair of Socks 100g
[ ] Buff, Merino Wool 54g
[ ] Klättermusen LIV 290g
[ ] Hilleberg Bivanorak 500g

Shelter 5,34kg
[ ] Hilleberg Soulo 1 Person Tent 2200g
[ ] Sleeping Bag – Carinthia Defence 4 1850g
[ ] Sleeping Mattress – Exped Downmat 9 LW 1290g

Light 0,484kg
[ ] Headlight: Fenix HP-20 230g. 10 AA batteries 230g
[ ] Flashlight: Fenix LD-10 54g

Equipment to Build a Fire - 0,083kg
[ ] 2 BIC Lighters 28g
[ ] Matches in Waterproof Bag 15g
[ ] Swedish Fire Steel Army 40g

Survival Knives 1,585kg
[ ] Fixed Blade Knife: Fällkniven A1 305g
[ ] Multi Tool: Leatherman Charge TTi 232g
[ ] Sharpener: Dianova Lapstone Mini 50g
[ ] Axe: Gränsfors Small Forest Axe 1000g

Pocket Survival Kit 0,29kg
[ ] BCB Ultimate Survival Kit 290g

Water 4,305kg
[ ] Water Bottle - 1 Liter Nalgene (160g+1000g) 1160g
[ ] 2 Liter Bladder Nalgene (545+2000g) 2545g
[ ] Water Purification Filter – Katadyn Pocket 550g
[ ] Water Purification Tablets – Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Tablets 50g

Food – 1,665kg
[ ] 9 DryTech Freeze Dried Rations 1500g
[ ] Salt and Pepper (From Restaurants) 15g
[ ] 10 Tea Bags, Sugar, Powdered Milk 50g
[ ] 3 Powerbars and 3 Chocolate Bars: 600g

Stove, Fuel and Cup – 0,902 kg
[ ] Esbit Cookset 985ml (Stove, Wind Shield and Cooking Vessel) 417g
[ ] 24 Esbit Tablets 370g (8 per day) 370g
[ ] Spork – Optimus Titan 17g
[ ] Folding Cup (2,5 dl) 28g
[ ] Steel Wool, Washing Up Liquid 50ml, Half Mop 70g

Map and Navigation etc 0.263kg
[ ] Map in Waterproof Case 100g
[ ] Compass - Silva Ranger SL – 23g
[ ] Passport and Immunization Card 50g
[ ] Rite in the Rain Notebook and Pen 60g

Hygiene etc 0,715kg
[ ] Roll of toilet paper in plastic bag 200g
[ ] Half a bar of Soap 25g
[ ] Tooth brush travel, small tube of tooth paste 50g
[ ] Razor 20g
[ ] Hand Disinfection – BCB Stridex 20g
[ ] First Aid Kit: Lifesystems Pocket + Blister Plasters (200g)
[ ] 550 Paracord 100 feet – 200g

Other Items 0,50kg
[ ] KwikPoint Translator 60g
[ ] Secondary pair of shoes: Merell Barefoot Trail Glove – Ultra light Trail Running Shoes 350g
[ ] Speedy Stitcher 90g

The total weight of the Setup lands on 21,619 kg (48 pounds)

Analysis
This Setup is considerably heavier than the first setup that was presented. The Setup includes a sturdier backpack with a larger storage capacity, A high quality four season one man tent, Cold Weather Sleeping bag and an Inflatable Sleeping Mattress with down loft. The Setup also includes some sturdier tools like the Fällkniven A1 Fixed Blade Knife, The Leatherman TTi Multi Tool and A Medium Sized Axe from Gränsfors. The Setup also includes additional food, fuel tablets, a high quality headlamp and the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter. This setup may be a more attractive alternative if you have to deal with a cold climate or travel longer distances with the access to vehicle. The setup also includes a larger stove that can use alcohol as fuel in addition to fuel tabs.

Since the weight of the pack is considerable you must be a well trained individual if you are going to be able to carry it longer distances. Another option is to load the content of the bag into bike bags and onto a bike trailer and use a bike as a Bug Out Vehicle (BOV). If you have the access to a motor vehicle the weight of the bag does not present a very big obstacle.

The Two Suggested Setups
The two setups represent a Mini and Maxi approach to a comprehensive Bug Out Bag. The items suggestion could easily be exchanged or replaced with other items from different companies; this is just an attempt to give the reader an idea of possible setups. Exactly what that should be packed in an emergency pack depends on a number of factors like your local climate, terrain and season. Your personal fitness and skills is also an important factor for deciding what should be packed and not.

How much can an individual carry? This is a very individual trait. Physical fitness, training, age, training and individual characteristics all come into play. People can have an overweight that well excides these packs but still be able to move around with any great difficulty. But the more you pack the harder a march will be. Experts disagree upon this topic but some suggest that 1/3 of the body weight as a maximum for men and ¼ of the body weight for women.

There are no easy answers that fit every climate, setting, terrain and person. You must find a concept that works for you, these list are simply suggestions intended to give you some inspiration and ideas for your own setup. One Size does not fit all.

Don't know why you would suggest a heavier setup when I cut the weight of your first one in HALF and added a rifle... just trimming the fat...

 

[FreakyStylie]

I appreciate the link. I have just scanned through it rather quickly, but didn't see one thing that I've been looking for. Bug Out: Plans A, B, C. I would really like to see more good examples of starting off with an optimum set-up, then how to drop weight/hassle as necessary. For example, Plan C's pack is in Plan B's pack separately, for quick removal if the trip necessitates it, and the entire lot is in Plan A (Most likely the whole BOV).

If anybody has links to a good site or books that contain such plans, I would be very thankful to see those.

 

[Westfalia]

Because one size does not fit all. Some people will go for an ultra light setup; other will go for a more comprehensive approach. One sized does not fit all and this was a suggestion for those how go with the alternative approach.

I will put some suggestion together for Light Weight Bug Out Bag Setups as well.

 

[gunslinger1911]

all im trying to say is that after a long time of carrying the stuff that's on your list there, you will refine your skills, and reevaluate whats important...i have been backpacking for many, many years and have put thousands of miles beneath my boots and have found, over time of course, that you really don't need half of that junk...but you go ahead, carry that 80lb bag around, and one day you will liberate yourself as well. i showed you what i carry, all 12lbs worth, its all i NEED...sure there might be a day when i think "it would be easier to split wood with an axe", but i have found that i'd rather not carry that S.O.B. and ill make do with my knife and a baton...i also know how hard it is to learn from others' mistakes...we all want to learn for our selves...good luck to you

 

[Westfalia]

Like I wrote: One Size does not fit all. Every situation is unique and every setting is unique. I'm not trying to say that there is only one way – just to present different solutions.

A Hennessey Hammock is not a bad idea – but it's not all settings that have trees. In the setting where I normally hike, up in the mountain there are not trees everywhere, and the ones you can find are very small, more like shrubbery.

Here we have a saying – If you canoe tip over in the wilderness – let the rifle go and save the axe. In my setting it is one of the best tools you can have to cut fire wood and construct shelter. During a summer hike here you might feel very differently about insect repellent. And even if it's not a must, I still like to have toilet paper with me on my hikes.

 

[gunslinger1911]

hike = survival situation?!? if you canoe and dont lash down the axe and rifle you deserve to lose both...

 

[Westfalia]

My guess is that I live in very different setting compared to you. We have long distances and weather varies extremely over the different seasons from quite warm summer days with daylight 24/7 to winter when temperatures can drop down to even minus 35-40 degrees Celsius and the suns barely comes up over the horizon. The summers are short and the winters are long.

If I would take a BOB with during an evacuation it would contain everything I need to survive. In this climate during the winter it is not enough to bring an emergency blanket or Hennessey Hammock with a light weight sleeping bag and hope that you will make it. You won't. During the hikes and hunting trips there are long distances even to small communities. You have to make it with what you got. Help is nowhere near if you would need it. During a large scale emergency I would recommend people to think in the same way: You have to be as self-reliant as possible.

What do I want a BOB to do for me?
• Provide me with what I need to make it for a few days without any external assistance
• Act as a resource even if help or extra resources can't be found after a few days.

We all have different settings to work in. This is mine. I don't expect it to be the perfect setup for everyone, everywhere. I encourage everyone to find equipment and methods that works for you situation, in your setting.

What I referred to here was a saying that we have here. The point: The Axe is one of the most important tools you can have in the wild, even more important than the rifle. Do you have to agree? Absolutely not. If you feel that a Baton is a more useful survival tool that is your choice.

I do not think that we are progressing anywhere; If you want to continue the discussion please feel free to send me a PM, or even better write an article on subject and argue for what type of items that you feel a BOB should have and why. That would benefit the member of the forum the most.

 

[Westfalia]

Sibi Totique: Light Weight Bug Out Bag – Examples of Setups

This is two examples of suggestions for Setups based on the articles Light Weight Bug Out Bags. This is simply suggestions what kind of items and kits that you can use build your own kit; there are thousands of different items to choose from on the market. The idea is simply to give the reader some ideas that can be helpful when you put your own kit together.

Setup 1: Minimum Weight Light Weight Bug Out Bag
Backpack 1,355kg
[ ] Maxpedition Condor 2 – 1355g

Shelter 0,29kg
[ ] Lifesystems Survival Bag 290g

Survival Knife 0,13kg
[ ] Swiss Army Knife: Victorinox Forester One Hand 130g

Fire 0,064kg
[ ] BIC Lighter 14g
[ ] BCB Survival Matches 23g
[ ] 6 Cubes of WetFire (4,5g per Cube) 27g 1889

Light 0,048kg
[ ] Headlamp: Petzl e+LITE 48g

Pocket Survival Kit 0,12kg
[ ] Izula Gear Wallet E&E / Mini Survival Kit 120g

Water 1,487kg
[ ] Water Bottle: Klean Kanteen 1200ml (199g +1200g )1399g
[ ] Collapsible Water Bottle: Source Liquatainer 2 liter 38g
[ ] Water Purification Tablets – Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Tablets 50g

Food 0,31kg
[ ] 2 Mahlzeiten Treeking Kex 200g
[ ] 2 Protein Bar 55g+55g 110g

Navigation 0,1kg
[ ] Citymap, Roadmap or Terrain Map 100g

Other Equipment 0,05kg
[ ] 25 feet Paracord 50g

Total Weight 4,004kg = 8,8 pounds

Summary
This represents an example of a minimum weight approach to a Light Weight Bug Out Bag. Emergency blankets can provide some protection against wind, rain and cold but cannot be compared to the combination of a tent, sleeping mattress and sleeping bag that both provide great protection against the elements, provides insulation from the ground and a warm sleeping bag. A survival bag is basically a sturdy bag in similar materials as an emergency blanket. Swiss Army Knives provides a number of different tools that can be useful during emergency situations and are relatively cheap as well. The Swiss Army knife in this setup; The Victorinox Forester is a larger Swiss Army Knife with locking blade, a saw, can opener, bottle opener, screwdriver and some additional tools. This setup only contains one Water Bottle with a capacity of 1,2 liter but contains one extra bottle that can add 2 extra liter of water to the pack if necessary in order to keep the weight down but still the option of increasing the capacity to carry more water. The compact survival kit from ESEE contains two extra cutting tools, some basic medical supplies, cord, a fishing kit, button compass and an extra fire starter. For fire this setup contains one BIC lighter and some storm proof matches from BCB in combination with some WetFire Tinder from UST.

This Setup provides a very light weight setup with many of the tools that can be needed during a survival situation but lacks the ability to prepare warm meals and a comprehensive shelter. The Setup is very Light Weight and can be a useful model for those how don’t have to cope with a cold weather climate and want to keep the weight of the kit to an absolute minimum.

Setup 2: Comprehensive Light Weight Bug Out Bag
Backpack 1,655kg
Lundhag ARX 34 – 1655g

Shelter and Clothing 1,025kg
[ ] Fjellduk Pro 775g
[ ] Short Sleeve Merino Wool Base Layer 200g
[ ] Extra Pair of Socks 50g

Survival Knives 0,359kg
[ ] Fixed Blade Knife: ESEE-3 260g
[ ] Back-Up Knife: Wenger Evogrip S17 Swiss Army Knife 99g

Fire 0,111kg
[ ] BIC Lighter 14g
[ ] BCB Survival Matches 23g
[ ] Fire Steel: ESEE Firekit 40g
[ ] 8 Cubes of WetFire (4,5g per Cube) 34g

Light 0.108kg
Headlamp: ZebraLight H51Fw AA with Headband and one extra AA Battery (62g+23g+23g) 108g

Pocket Survival Kit 0,17kg
[ ] BCB Combat Survival Kit 170g – Modified: Exclude the cheap Fire Steel and Knife and include some Plasters, Disinfection Wipes, Pain Killers and Anti Diarrheal Tablets.

Water 3,501kg
[ ] Water Bottle: SIGG Wide Mouth 1 liter (145g+1000g) 1145g
[ ] Water Bladder: Camelback Antidote Reservoir 1,5 liter (400g+1500g) 1900g
[ ] Water Purification Filter: MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter 456g

Food 1,011kg
[ ] 3 Mountain House Freeze Dried Rations 330g
[ ] 1 Complete Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) 681g

Stove 0,124kg
[ ] Cooking Vessel: Esbit PT750TI 750ml Titanium Pot 106g
[ ] Optimus Titanium Folding Spork 18g

Navigation 0,1kg
[ ] City or Roadmap 100g

Hygiene 0,165kg
[ ] 50 ml Washing Up-Liquid in Small Bottle 65g
[ ] Half a roll of toilet paper in plastic bag 100g

Other Items 0,1kg
[ ] Paracord, 50 feet 100g

Total Weight: 8,429 kg = 18,3 pounds

Summary
This Setup provides a more comprehensive approach to the Light Weight Bug Out Bag with the Fjellduk combination shelter that can be used both as a Poncho and Bivi-Bag and an extra pair of socks plus a short sleeve base layer shirt giving some options to change wet clothing during an emergency. The Fixed Blade Knife from ESEE in combination with the Swiss Army Knife from Wenger gives multiple options for constructing shelter and performing other tasks, the kit also contains multiple fire starts, a titanium cooking vessel, folding titanium spork, 3 freeze dried meals, one MRE, some washing up liquid that can be used both as soap and to clean cooking vessels and a comprehensive solution for hydration containing one water bottle, a small Water Bladder and a Water Purification Filter.

This Light Weight Setup is very close to the Light Weight Comprehensive Setup but without a Tarp, Sleeping bag, Sleeping Mattress, First Aid Kit, less clothing and items for hygiene.

Conclusion
When you put your Bug Out Bag together there are many factors that you have to take into consideration. What Equipment that you should choose for your setup depends on Multiple Factors like your physical fitness and how much you can carry, your terrain, your climate, your skills and experience and how long you may have to travel to reach safety. There is no setup that is perfect for all settings and all situations; there are pros and cons to every piece of equipment and setup and this must be balanced depending on what you want you’re BOB to perform.

 

[ricsha]

Good info offered here. Not for everyone, but thought provoking, so it's still worth looking at and maybe thinking about.

 

[Westfalia]

Ricsha: I agree! Take what you find useful and leave the rest!

 

[Wheeler44]

Westfalia.......Good for you...Helping others instead of criticizing...What a novel concept.

I too have hiked around in the sub-arctic, sub-alpine.... During the summer months the insects can be maddening. Around here we have a plant called yarrow that make a passably good insect repellent. I too carry toilet paper, it's very light, has many uses and beats all of the alternatives that I have tried, hands down. I too carry a small hatchet..They are very handy for many tasks. My packs are old and heavy, yet they've lasted for decades with little repair. My fire kit is smaller and simpler and I have never had a water purifying kit other than a pot to boil water in. Where I grew up fast moving water is usually above any pollution, It's hard to contaminate what was ice just a couple of minutes ago.

Thanks for your insight, unfortunately one size doesn't fit all, but you certainly do provide some good starting points. And some of your gentle readers will be unable to see beyond their own perceptions and misconceptions. You can lead a lead a horse to water, but he might just defecate in the drinking fountain.

Keep on with your project, it has merit.

W44

 

[gunslinger1911]

Good job westie...like I said in an earlier post, i was just ribbing you, while trying to offer some insight...you would have to be no sharper than a beachball to know that one setup will not work for all situations or people...what our good friend wheeler means to say but is too gracious to is that he thinks im an a-hole...but really, keep fighting the good fight...cheers mate

 

[Westfalia]

Wheeler44: Thank you! I try to make it one step at a time, better with an ok Guide today then a perfect Guide tomorrow. I have a quite good experience with an old 70 liter army surplus pack; the main disadvantage is that it feels almost as heavy full as it does empty. But for that price and durability it's hard to beat.

 

[Westfalia]

Sibi Totique: Building The Right Bug Out Bag for You

We spend an enormous amount of time debating what equipment that makes up the Perfect Bug Out Bag. We often see threads with questions about: Is this a good BOB? What should I bring in my BOB? What should I add to my setup? Do you need a tent? How long does the BOB have to support you?

As I see it there is no Bug Out Bag that is perfect for every situation, every terrain, every setting, every climate, every person or every season. Context matters – One size does not fit all when it comes to Bug Out Bags. So instead of discussing what items that are the perfect items I think it would be interesting to discuss what factors that should affect a setup.

In previous articles I have presented some suggestions for how you can build your own Bug Out Bag and what kind of items that you can use for bag. I have presented a maximalist approach in the article Bug Out Guide and Checklist and a minimalist approach in the article Light Weight Bug Out Bags. These Guides are intended to provide some inspiration and suggestions for what type of equipment that you can use, but building a Bug Out Bag that will truly work for you is more complicated than just following a checklist. This article will discuss some of the factors that will affect what type of setup that is most appropriate for you and the process of building it.

Factors When Building a Bug Out Bag
Factor 1: You
As I see it the most important aspect of making it through a Survival Situation is You. It’s your effort, your Skills, your Knowledge, your Experience and your Will to Survive that will ultimately make biggest difference if you make it or not. The Bug Out Bag is important, but this is only a tool that will help you get the job done. It’s still you that will have to get the job done. It’s easy to discuss equipment, what items to store and other physical aspect of crisis preparedness and survivalism. But it’s important to not lose track of your prioritize and to continue to work on yourself as much as you work on your gear. Your Physical Fitness and Health are also crucial factors that will determine how much you can carry and how long distances you can carry it.

Factor 2: Going At It Alone Or As A Group?
The next important factor is if you are creating a kit just for you or for a group or family. This will affect your setup in many ways. I suggest that you build your setup so that you can cover your own basic needs if you would be unable to meet up with your group or get separated from them. For more advice on this subject check out the article Bugging Out As a Group.

Factor 3: Climate and Terrain
Your climate and terrain will affect the choice for Shelter, Clothing, how much water you have to carry, what food that is most appropriate and what type of source for light you should bring. Some people may have to travel through different types of terrains so solution for clothing and shelter must work for all this types of terrains.

Factor 4: Season
In many parts of the world the temperature, rain and wind vary over the seasons and the setup must be adjusted depending if it’s spring, summer, autumn or winter. This can affect factors like:
• Clothing and Footwear
• Shelter
• What type of Stove and Food you should bring
• The access to Water

Factor 5: Your Every Day Carry and Pocket Survival Kit
Most Survivalists will most likely have some form of a Every Day Carry or even a Pocket Survival Kit that they carry on an Every Day Basis. You should build your Bug Out Bag so that it complements your EDC and Pocket Survival Kit. Examples can be:
• Trying to find products that use the same type of batteries for Flashlight, Headlamps, Radios, GPS units and other electronics.
• Use different types of Equipment to Build a Fire in your Bug Out Bag, Pocket Survival Kit and in your Every Day Carry.

Factor 6: Do You Use Your Bug Out Bag For Other Activities?
Building a fully equipped Bug Out Bag can be a very costly process especially if high quality equipment is preferred. The equipment in your Bug Out Bag can also be used for a number of other activities like hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. If you engage in this type of activities I suggest that you try to find solutions and equipment that will the same functions both during this type of activities and during an evacuation. Using the same gear for different activities also give you the chance to get familiar with your equipment, learn how to use properly and see what works well and not. But most importantly it gives you the opportunity to enjoy the investment that you have made.

Factor 7: What Kind Of Scenarios Do You Prepare For?
What types of situations that you are trying to prepare for is also a critical aspect for what type of Bug Out Bag that you should put together. There is big difference if you are putting together a kit to assist for hurricane evacuation or to function as tool during a total breakdown of modern society. I suggest that you make a comprehensive Risk Assessment before you make up your mind about what type of situations that you base your BOB upon.

Factor 8: Budget
For most people the economical aspect will also limit what kind of setup that they can build. If one has an almost unlimited budget this is of little concern but for most people this will be a factor when deciding what setup they will build. I recommend that you try to prioritize the items that you will use often and try to build a basic well functioning setup that you can upgrade as you go. For the budget it can also be important that you get the right equipment the first time, it’s even more expensive to have to buy a completely new solution if you get a cheap piece of equipment that does not work.

The Process of Building a Bug Out Bag
Step1: Determining what you want the Bug Out Bag to Perform for YouAfter you have taken these factors into consideration you will face the process of putting the Bug Out Bag together. Taking a look at the different factors presented above can give you a basic idea of what you want the bag to do for you and what functions you want it to have.

Step 2: Research
From this perspective you will first have to make some research in order to find items that can allow you to perform these tasks. Picking the tools that can provide you with shelter, water and water purification, help you to build a fire, light, food and ability to prepare food, hygiene, first aid, navigation, a survival knife and other tools can be quite a long process. Here you also have to take factors like price, weight, quality and function into consideration. You should also consider how the different items that you have complement the other items that you choose and how they can help to reinforce your skills. I suggest that you try to check out equipment like clothing, tents, knives and other gear in a physical store before you purchase them, or check out what equipment, friends, family or professionals that work in your area use.

Step 3: Acquire the Equipment
After you decided what items you want to get you still have process of finding the items and buying them. You might already have some of the equipment needed in your possession or you might have to buy the equipment. Make sure that you check with your family, friends, at E-Bay and the second hand market and multiple sources before you buy a piece of equipment, you can often save allot of money by doing some research.

Step 4: Test the Bug Out Bag
After you have put the kit together you still have to test the kit so that you actually know if it performs as intended. Taking the Bag for a longer hike in your local terrain can give you the chance to practice skills but also to see what items that you really need and what items that you don’t need.

Step 5: Adjust the Setup
After you have tested the Bug Out Bag you normally make adjustments to the setup and question comes back again: What do you want your Bag to perform?

One Size Does Not Fit All
This article is written to give you some ideas of what factors that you have to take into consideration when building a Bug Out Bag. There can of course be more factors that have to be taken into consideration than the ones that have been mentioned above, every person has specific consideration that must govern what a specific setup should contain. The important aspect is that your BOB will reflect what you need and be designed for your particular situation. One Size does not fit all; this is something that applies to all kinds of crisis preparedness and survival situations. Others can often provide good suggestions and feedback but in the end you have to make the decisions for yourself.

 

[Westfalia]

Sibi Totique: Natural Disasters - Hurricanes

Part 1 of 2

There are many names for tropical costal storms. In the US they are known as Hurricanes, in other places as Typhoons, Tropical Depressions and Cyclones. These are all the same name for the same event, but the name varies between different regions. A Hurricane is a powerful storm that starts in the Tropics and may the travel from where they gain there in energy in form of heat. Hurricanes contain an incredible amount of energy. A hurricane can generate 100-400 times more energy than the worldwide production of electricity. This energy is comparable to the energy released from small nuclear weapons. This gives Hurricanes a capacity to inflict an enormous amount of damage.

A Hurricane gathers energy from the warmth of the ocean water and can continue to gather energy until it reaches a coastline. When a Hurricane reaches a coastline it can no longer draw energy from the warm water of the ocean and will lose its momentum and energy. Its however possible to travel over land and then travel over an area of sea and start to regain its force once again. Hurricanes are most frequent from July to October in the North Atlantic but have occurred from May to December as well, this is from the need of warm water in the ocean from witch a Hurricane can draw its energy.

A Hurricane rotates around the center of storm which is normally referred to as the Eye. When the strong Hurricane winds rotate the build up a mass of water in the center of the storm that can reach a height of several meters, when the hurricane hits a coastal area it's not a normal wave but a enormous mountain of water in addition to high waves that can flood large areas. The wind and water from the Hurricane can cause massive damage to housing, infrastructure and communications; it can take a region several years to rebuild the damaged infrastructure. A hurricane can destroy businesses, workplaces and lead to severe economical consequences in addition to direct loses for individuals in form of housing and other belongings. The Strength of Hurricanes is often measured in the Saffir-Simpson Scale ranging from 1-5 where 1 is a relatively weak hurricane and 5 represents and catastrophic hurricane.

Timeline
1780 The Hurricane San Calixto killed around 20.000-24.000 people in the Caribbean.

1900 the low lying community Galveston in Texas was hit by a Category 4 Hurricane that destroyed most of the wood and brick buildings in the community. Many escaped but for those how where 6000 among those how where unable leave died in the disaster. After the disaster the community was isolated when the bridges to the main land were destroyed and there was little access to water, food and medical supplies.

1969 over 70cm of rainfall during less than eight hours from Hurricane Camille caused mudflows that killed 150 people and destroyed over a hundred homes, farmland and infrastructure in Virginia.

1970 The Bhola Cyclone hit Bangladesh, flooding much of the country killing somewhere between 300.000-700.000 people. This is one the deadliest natural disasters in modern time. The Cyclone also caused massive damage to infrastructure destroying almost half a million homes.

1982 The Hurricane Iwa hits the Hawaiian Island Kauai causing widespread damage and killing one person.

1989 April 12th the Hurricane Hugo killed somewhere between 50-60 people and destroyed around 100.000 homes and resulting in billions of dollars worth of damage.

1991 A massive Cyclone hit Bangladesh killing 130.000-150.000 people and leaving up to 10 million people homeless.

1992 The Category 4 Hurricane Andrew destroyed 30.000 homes and damaged a 100.000 more. In Dade County the hurricane destroyed almost all of the 10.000 mobile homes in area and caused around 25-30 billion dollar worth of damage in total.

1992 Hurricane Iniki hit the Hawaiian Island of Kauai devastating the local economy and killing two.

1997 Hurricane Pauline released an massive amount of rain over Acapulco resulting in debris flows and flood that killed 230 People.

1998 Hurricane Mitch brings massive damage to Central America, The Caribbean and Southern Florida killing 11.000 people, causing massive damage to housing, infrastructure and communications.

1999 The Category 5 Cyclone Orissa hit India killing around 10.000 and leaving several millions homeless.

2005 Hurricane Katrina killed over 1800 people and leaving several hundred still missing. A large area was affected but the most devastation took place in New Orleans where the barriers protecting the city failed resulting a severe flooding of the city. Many towns at the coastline in Missisippi also suffered massive damage to housing and infrastructure. Around 2 million people were displaced and many have been unable to return to their homes even today.

 

[Westfalia]

Part 2 of 2

Early Warning
With modern satellites it's possible to see how hurricanes form and how they progress. This means that it's possible to issue early warning when hurricanes form so that people may get out of the destructive path of the storm. This is however a complicated process for several reasons. One reason is that it is hard to predict exactly how much energy a hurricane will gather when travels over the sea and how much energy it will have when it hits a coastal line. The other major problem is that it is hard to predict exactly where a hurricane will hit and predict its exact path. These two factors mean that there will always be some uncertainty both when it comes to the exact strength a hurricane will have and when or where it will hit. It may be weaker or stronger than anticipated and may change direction and hit an area that was not predicted.

Survival and Preparedness
Insurance and Emergency Budget
A Hurricane can easily destroy house, infrastructure, vehicles, businesses, farmland and many more economical and personal values. I suggest that you try to reduce your vulnerability by reviewing the setting of your home and the strength of structure – what can be done to minimize the impact if the worst would happen and how what are the likely consequences for you? If you have comprehensive food storage and other preparations for disasters they may prove to be of little use if your house will be flooded during a worst case scenario – your setting is very important.

The other step is to make sure that you have the proper Insurance so in order to minimize the economical consequences if your home would be affected. Some personal belongings and values may never be replaced but this can help to minimize the impact of such an event. During large scale hurricanes it's common that insurance companies can go bankrupt so getting coverage may still be a hard and long process. Having an Emergency Budget may also prove to be crucial in this types of events; a hurricane can destroy businesses and livelihoods leaving individuals with no or little income. Even if property is insured it may take a long time before you see any compensation and you may have to make until then so having savings may become very important.

Setting
If you live in an area that may be affected by hurricanes your setting is one of the most critical aspects of preparedness. Having a house close to the shoreline is a setting with a beautiful view but can be devastating if a hurricane hits. Remember that a hurricane can bring a mountain of water several meters high that can flood large areas, having a house on the low lands can be devastating if a hurricane hits. Some areas may be located under sea level and protected by barriers, these areas are especially vulnerable if a hurricane breaches these barriers. The indirect effect of enormous rainfall can also cause landslides in regions located a quite long distance from the coast. Areas like canyons and hills with loose soils are especially vulnerable.

The other important aspect of your setting is the building that you live in. Hurricane winds can cause massive damage to structures. Light structures and especially mobile homes are very vulnerable and a hurricane can cause almost total damage if areas with these types of housing are affected. Roofs is one of the most crucial parts of a structure, if hurricane winds can tear a roof from a building the rest of structures will be severely weekend and vulnerable to winds. You may find some advice for guidelines in your local building codes.

Evacuation
Evacuating a large city or region is a complicated process. To evacuate an entire community normally takes from 30-72 hours. Normally the most vulnerable are those that are old, disabled or those how lack the access to vehicles or resources to get out of the area on their own. During large scale evacuations its common the highways get stuck with heavy traffic and that the progress of the traffic can be very slow. In 1999 a massive gridlock occurred when a hurricane warning was given in North Carolina, the hurricane did not however hit the area, but changed direction and hit North Carolina instead. Had the Hurricane hit North Carolina many could have been killed trying to escape.

Your Vehicles is one of the most critical aspects during an evacuation. Regularly check your tiers, check your breaks and maintain your vehicle in order to make sure that it will work properly if you would need it. Also try to
• Keep your tank as full as possible
• Store some extra Gasoline in cans
• Keep Bug Out Bags and the most Important belonging easy accessible
• Stay Updated
• Find the plan for Hurricane Evacuation from your local agencies.
• Make a Plan for Your Family
• Make a review of your situation before the beginning of every Hurricane Season

Gas Stations can easily be overwhelmed during evacuations if everyone tries to get access to gas at the same time, try to keep your vehicles tank as full as possible at all times and store some extra gasoline in metal containers in your home if possible. Gas can't be stored for an unlimited period of time so make sure that you rotate it regularly. For advice concerning equipping vehicles for emergencies see the article Travelling With Vehicles During Crisis and Survival Situations.

Home Preparedness
A hurricane can also cause indirect consequences for people how are not directly affected by damaging infrastructure and communication. You find yourself without electricity and running water for and its common that supermarkets sells out their stock of supplies, water and generator quickly if a hurricane is about to hit. A hurricane can also result in other dangers like the spread of disease.

Having a basic food storage, the ability to prepare food, water, the means of sterilizing or filter water, light, medical supplies, emergency sanitation and a generator can spare you much trouble in such a scenario. For more suggestions on Home Preparedness see the articles Get The Ability To Cope With A Crisis and Equipment For Your Home – Checklist.

Analysis
The less resources people have the harder they are generally hit by all types of natural disasters. This is a result from multiple factors like the ability to construct strong buildings, that poor people often live in most vulnerable areas, they may lack the resources to evacuate and the resources to cope with the disaster. In rich countries its relatively few people that die in hurricanes compared to the situation in poor countries with a high population density like Bangladesh. The economical loses in rich countries tend to be very high even if the number of dead often is quite low in compared to countries with less resources. Hurricanes also present an increasing challenge from both the urbanization process that concentrate more and more people into cities and the continuing increase in world population. Today around half of the world population lives in coastal areas. Hurricanes present a large threat to the people living in areas that may be affected by hurricanes and it's important to plan and prepare for this type of scenario if you may be affected.

 

[Westfalia]

Sibi Totique: It’s Not Over Till It’s Over

The World is Coming to an End. Things are getting darker and darker every day and soon something is going to happen. It will be swift and it will be hard. This is the basic story presented by most people in the Survivalist and Prepper movement. Everyone that is involved in the movement see this type of threads and post about all the time. Predictions made about specific dates, events and forecast. It’s happening soon – It is time to step up your efforts before it’s too late.

In this article I will challenges some of the perceptions within the movement and discuss what we can do broaden our perspectives. It will take you around two hours to look through the material presented in this article but it will most likely increase your understanding of the world and give you some new perspectives.

The Survivalist Narrative
Like I wrote before the story that is most often presented within the Prepper and Survivalist Movement is the story of the Sudden collapse. The World As We Know It will fall apart basically over night and only the well prepared or lucky will make it through. This is the scenario presented in two of the most popular fictional books often recommended; “Patriots” by James Wesley Rawles and “One Second After” by William R Forstchen. In the first book the US economy breaks down, violence, collapse and a foreign invasion follows. In the second book the US gets hit by a High Altitude Electro Magnetic Pulse (HEMP) that takes out all modern electronics from computer, to cell phones, modern cars and the electrical grid resulting in the death of a majority of the US population and a following invasion.

Our Perception of the World and Cognitive Bias
Richard Heuer is Psychologist that used to work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In the book Psychology of Intelligence Analysis Heuer discuss many of the challenges the people working within the Intelligence Community face and why the often make incorrect analysis. One of the things that affect people the most is that we see what we expect to see and that different situations also affect how we perceive the world. During nighttime people are more likely to hear foot steps behind them when walking home compared to during daytime. Another critical aspect identified by Heuer is that when we have created mindset about something it resists change, no matter if there is strong evidence that suggests otherwise, new information that does not fit our first impression is changed so that it fits the original analysis or disregarded. This is something that every person does even if it is not a conscious process.

Two Stories about The World
A Good Story
So how does one change an incorrect assumption about the world? This is not an easy task. One method that can be used is to research facts, if the fact does not support our perception we might simply be incorrect. But to collect and display statistics in a way that makes it possible to understand and put in relation to other facts is not easy.

One person that has done is Hans Rosling. Rosling is a professor in public health and have been working as a doctor in countries that does not have many of the resources that hospitals in rich countries have. Rosling have the help of other created a graphical interface that allows statically information to be used to show the change within different countries over time when it comes to field like life expectancy, income, fertility rate and child mortality. This may not sound very interesting at first but I suggest that check out the video "New Insights Poverty". Its 20 min long, it will blow your mind and shake the perspective that you have of the world. Most people may assume that politicians and other top people within the business world has a good understanding of the world around them, but many of the leading people in the world has approached Rosling after he’s talks and said that they had no idea about facts the that he just showed them.

A Troubling Story
If you have watched the video with Rosling you might be in quite a good mood. In 2009 the French filmmaker Yann Arthus-Bertrand made one of the most troubling movies about the contemporary world. In the movie “Home” multiple questions like the Population Explosion, Peak Oil, The Depletion of Non Renewable Resources and Environmental Destruction is discussed. The movie was not made to generate profit and can be seen by anyone for free on YouTube. This is a movie that I really recommend for everyone.

Home is not a unique movie, many similar productions have been made the last years like the National Geographic Documentary “2210 The Collapse” based on the book by Jared Diamond, “Blind Spot” and “The End Of Suburbia” just to name a few. The stories are not identical but the message that they present are very similar; The world is facing an unprecedented crisis and we are not even aware of what’s coming.

So Where Does These Two Stories Leave Us?
After seeing these two videos you have been presented with two versions of the world both based upon facts. They are radically different, so is does any of these two perspectives present a correct perspective of the world today? My answer would be that both perspectives are correct. Both stories are grounded in fact. The message of the two perspectives are almost the exact opposite from the other and this is a good example of why it is so difficult to understand the complexity of the world even if one has some of the facts available.

What Should You Take With You From This Article?
So what would I like the reader to take with them from this article? First of all that the world is not only a set of facts, how we perceive these facts shapes our perception of the world. As Preppers and Survivalist the stories that we are told within the movement makes it easy to disregard information that does not support these stories. Many also take the information presented when a major crisis occurs as a sign that the “Big One” is here. This is something that takes place every time a new threat is presented, no matter if it is the swine flu, an economic crisis or most recently the events surrounding the tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan. Positive information is disregarded and negative information reinforced by many.

Most people that are not Survivalist and Preppers on the other hand often totally disregards information suggesting that major disasters or accidents may occur no matter what information that is presented to them. This can make it a very frustrating process discussing crisis preparedness, prepping or survivalism with anyone that does not share this perspective since the two people do not share the same perception of the world and will not easily change this perception no matter what facts they are shown.

So why did I write this article? I share many of the concerns that the can be found within the Prepper and Survivalist Movement, but I believe that it is important to always look at the entire picture and not just look for information that supports the conclusions that one has already made. An analysis based upon only positive or negative information will not be as accurate analysis than an analysis that also incorporates contradicting information. The other aspect is hope. Many discuss potential coming problems like they have already happened, like there is no possibility that we can overcome the problems that we face. People that give up on hope in a survival situation often die as a result. With skills, health, knowledge and the will to survive people have made it through situations that have been more or less hopeless. I believe that it is critical that one train too not only see the bad in every situations but also the positive sides and possibilities presented. This can also allow one to find solutions for problems before they manifest, instead of just sitting around and waiting for them to manifest.

 

[sadiesassy]

Westfalia
Great suggestions

You are right ther eis a difference between hiking or going out and playing survival and being prepared for longer term survival.
That and every area is different - How much water is available, etc.

I added a couple small snares and added a book of edible plants of the region.

I have an escalation package
Small one I take on trips in case I break down, then a Smaller addition for short term and then a larger longer term package. What I take depends on ths ituation