Bug Out Vest

[SoDak]

The other thread about how many mags one shoul carry if SHTF got me thinking about carrying fewer mags on my FLC vest and what else I could carry instead for a SHTF(sorry to keep using this term, I'm getting sick of it too) on a vest. This resulted in me think about building something along the lines of what one might call a bug out vest(best name I could come up with). My idea is something that carries most of you survival necesities, but would always be with you, versus a pack that can't be worn while driving or may have to be jettisoned for whatever reason. That way you have enough stuff to keep you going for at least a day or two. So far all I can come up with would be a setup with the following.
1. The vest itself
2. A way to carry 3-4 m16 mags
3. A good flashlight
4. A knife and or multitool
5. At least 2 quarts of water(proabably more?)
6. A couple MREs
7. A FAK
8. Other little odds&ends one might need, like a lighter, spare batteries, etc.

Does this sound like a good idea? I was thinking about picking up a few more of those vests so that I could have one for different situations and rifles, but I'm tyring to decide if this is a good idea so I can line up other gear I'll need for this.

I hope this post made sense, I'm probably to tired to be posting complete thougths.

[perna]

The more I read these threads the more I think the people that hate firearms have a reason to hate guns.

Seriously, has anyone used more than a mag in self defense since the civil war?

If you are going to plan anything please make it water/food, and essential things. Im not saying drop your guns but you can spend your ideas and money on other things that will help more than having "500 mags full next to my bed".

[Chooie]

The more I read these threads the more I think the people that hate firearms have a reason to hate guns.

Seriously, has anyone used more than a mag in self defense since the civil war?

If you are going to plan anything please make it water/food, and essential things. Im not saying drop your guns but you can spend your ideas and money on other things that will help more than having "500 mags full next to my bed".

105 shots in 2 minutes.

http://www.afn.org/~guns/ayoob.html

[Jerm]

OP-I have a Maxpedition Versipack set up in a similar manner...

+ full size handgun/mags
- MRE and water

A bigger version(i have the Fatboy) may allow an MRE or two and some water?

spend your ideas and money on other things that will help more than having "500 mags full next to my bed".

I thought the OP wrote "3-4 mags" for a possible disaster scenario?

The more I read these threads the more I think the people that hate firearms have a reason to hate guns.

[Outlander Systems]

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=29482

"The new kit will consist of what I personally feel, for my individual needs, the absolute bare minimum for trying to stay 6' atop soil. This is a test. This is only a test. That being stated, I'm curious to see if I can squeeze shelter/cooking/firemaking/water-procurement into an extremely small, lightweight package, instead of turtle-backing. It will definitely allow for extended ranges, faster speeds, and infinitely more mobility.

The system I'm rigging together may prove interesting, and theoretically, I think it's jam-up, but, I'm going to have to field test it to verify. Should be fun.

For this outing, I'm nixing everything but the utmost minimal of what I see as essentials. "

Kit, Interdiction, Black Bear, MARK 2, MOD 1


It's an older picture, and every piece of mobile "survival stuff" I've got is either stuffed into my CFP-90, or scattered about the house.

I recently moved, and my gear is so disheveled it's disgraceful.

I'll try and sling up some pics of the kit I'm working with now in the near future. The vest is a ratass old Blackhawk Omega.

The kit is nothing more than stuff NOT being used for its designed/intended purpose. The buttpack is attached to the webbing on the back of the vest, only to raise the center of gravity. Since the vest bears the load, it's a lot more comfortable than a standard backpack-based system.

It comes down to mobility or utility. I personally feel that overpacking will be more of a hindrance than a help. It really depends on your personal "worst-case scenario".

The vest-based system allows more mobility than a backpack-based setup. The backpack-based setup allows you to carry a lot more equipment. It depends on what the intended purpose of getting out of Dodge is. If I had an EOD vest laying around, or a MOLLE vest, it would be a better system; however my current MOLLE vest is used for shooting. Truth be told, if things go to hell in a handbasket, I'll have to seriously debate whether I would even think about bringing a long gun. Less is sometimes more, and the avoidance of confrontation is the best course of action. Mobility affords one the opportunity to decrease the odds of getting caught with your ass out, if you're following me.

If you were forced to bug out on foot, and your goal was to set up some sort of base-camp, and you were with a small group, then I would most likely advocate a backpack/larger system.

If you're in it alone, and things are nastier than they've been since 800 A.D., I'm going to go with the vest system.

My reasons are simple:

If you're bugging out on foot, things are probably bad; REAL bad. By lugging 100lbs of kit, you're only going to:

1) Expend more calories
2) Lose more fluids
3) Eventually run out of supplies

I will in no way, shape, fashion, or form, profess to be an expert. This is all experimental/learning stuff for my own steps upward on Maslow's rungs. That being said, we've got to be pragmatic about the situation. If things are bad enough out there, that you're forced to scrape a living off of rocks, a Jetboil, 10 mags, and 24lbs of MREs are only postponing the inevitable:

We either eat dirt literally or figuratively. In that, at some point we have to make do with wild-edibles, primitive fire-making, scavenging/foraging, hunting, etc. or we're quite totally hosed. Rather than kit our way into surviving, we're better served by getting out there, and making the best of a bad situation, when we've got cozy beds to go home to, and a pantry/fridge full of treats.

I'm not attempting to come across as a hard ass, because I am most certainly not a hard ass, but facts is facts.

In an "OMFG, THE Apocalypse is at Hand" situation, tools are about the only thing worth a damn at that point, since all else is merely a short postponement of one's dirtnap.

Now, on the other hand, if your BOB is functioning as a Get-Home-Bag, or a get to your bugout retreat on foot bag, then we're entering totally different turf altogether.

Since that topic will most likely be the more common situation, and one that I'm also incorporating into my contingency planning, its already being discussed in the broader areas of this sub-forum. The vest-option, is something I consider to be the lightest-weight, highest-mobility, most challenging path to take. Especially, if you're working with gear that isn't optimally configured for this sort of loadout.

The biggest benefit, thus far, to me is a comfortable, even displacement of load, making longer distances easier to tackle, with less caloric burn.

If I eventually go with this configuration as my go-to bug-out option, I would probably want to go with a MOLLE vest, so that large portions of the front aren't wasted as mine is now. That being said, it's mildly hypocritical to say that, since the more pockets there are, the more likely I am to fill them with stuff.

A vicious cycle...

[6933]

I'm still trying to figure out the best type/method of fishing gear to take. Fishing, to me, is a viable way to acquire some grub. Snares, small and easy to transport. Rods are another animal. Maybe just some line, hooks, and lure.

[Outlander Systems]

I'm considering a 550-cord net, and a stick to mount it on.

Net + Patience = Dinner

In all seriousness, I've tried to figure out how to put together a compact rod for fishing, short of Stick + Line = Lunch

A frog-gigging trident takes up almost no space, and, again, requires our good friend Mr. Stick to mount it to. It might even be possible to spear fish with it. That's well beyond my ken, but it would be interesting. Frogs are way easier to stab than a fish.

[ColdDeadHands]

OP-I have a Maxpedition Versipack set up in a similar manner...

+ full size handgun/mags
- MRE and water

A bigger version(i have the Fatboy) may allow an MRE or two and some water?






I thought the OP wrote "3-4 mags" for a possible disaster scenario?

I second the Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack. Holds an amazing amount of stuff. In mine I have:
Handgun
2 Spare HG Mags
2 AR Mags
Some Food from the Costco Emergency Food Bucket
1 Liter Nalgene Bottle
Lighter
Magnesium Fire Starter
Vaseline trenched cotton balls
Compass
Swiss Army Knife
Emergency Blanket
Signal Mirror
A few "wet ones"
Light Stick
Surefire 6PL
Water Purification Tabs
N95 Mask


I'm still looking for a small med pouch that fits on the molle attachment point on the Jumbo...
I have the "kit" but no intention bug-out if anything the kit will help me get home where I will Bug-In.

[zushwa]

I have some thoughts on the matter. If anyone cares I was a SERE instructor for almost 4 years for the military, and still teach in certain capacities to this day. I also own a company that sees a shit ton of gear of all descriptions and missions. I also have a job that requires me to remain low profile in a semi and non permissive environment.

I think carrying a bunch of gear in any sort of military fashion is a poor choice. I would much rather look inconspicuous than invite questions from ANYONE, good or bad.

One concept to think about is the ability to escalate or deescalate as the situation dictates. If you look like you're ready to get into a fight, guess what's probably going to happen?? Being prepared for a fight, but avoiding one, seems to me to be a better plan.

I think the vest concept has significant merit, but as a layering system. I wouldn't limit it to just a vest as some jackets or pullovers might work as well or better. It should work in conjunction with, and compliment, the things you have on your person everyday. It should also allow you to layer over it, with a backpack, shoulder bag, or even a vehicle. That's right, your vehicle might assume the role of your "third line" especially if you have a family.

I think with those parameters in mind I wouldn't worry much about water, but maybe water purification. If I were to carry water in a vest it would probably only be a liter or so.

Being so heavy on mags on this particular layer might not be best.

I wouldn't carry much food at all. I would "maybe" have one or two bars, specifically ones that do well in heat or cold.

Everything else you listed looks decent, but I would maybe consider a prepaid phone and/or card, and maybe an inexpensive GPS or compass.

All this talk about traps, snares, and fishing makes me question how realistic some of you are. have you guys actually tried to set snares and get food?? How about fishing with a survival kit?? That shit takes time and training. We're talking about being mobile and getting to somewhere we need to be, right?? **** some fishing and snares. Take a couple Clif bars and carry on. I'm not saying that shit doesn't have a place in survival, just not in the role the vest would fill.

Having a mask on this layer probably isn't necessary either. In the bag or trunk, yes.

I would also consider building multiple vests and having them all set up the same. Leave one in each car, one at work on the back of the chair, etc. Even if it seems redundant it gives you the ability to condense vests to one, or give one to your wife, friend, etc.

I'll throw something together and shoot some pictures to see if it gives anyone any ideas.

[ColdDeadHands]

I agree with being low profile, here in Houston you couldn't layer clothing to hide the vest...way to hot. That's why I chose the Versipack, I have one for me and one for my wife.