Bare Essential BOB?

[WillBrink]

Not sure if this has been covered, but what would you place in your bare essentials bug out bag?

Every time I put one together, it's weighs almost as much as I do. So, I wondering what those with far more experience/knowledge of such things would consider bare essentials in a BOB.

For this BOB, I'm using the "72 hour rule" which is it should be able to sustain you for at least 72 hours.

[Grizzly16]

What kind of terrain, temps etc are you expecting? I can "survive" off some water and the clothes on my back when the lows are 72 at night and I don't have to deal with much terrain problems.

That said, a lighter, some duct tape, a few emergency blankets, paracord and water purification tabs and I can live pretty good in most conditions. I'd be a little hungry depending on the season and trapping but 72 hours without food isn't too terrible.

[dash1]

Going for three days without food is not fun, but it can be done. I'd go light on food, but not without. The good news about the weight of food is that as you eat, it gets lighter.

[cranky]

Those three days you will be walking a lot with a destination in mind, I would focus on

• drinking water (quality filter, 1gal water bag, and good quality 1qt bottle)
• quiet rain coat and pants
• ball cap
• pair of broken-in water proof hiking shoes
• 6 pairs of socks
• KNIPEX CoBolt, you may need to be able to create shortcuts
• ten $20 bills, roll of quarters
• AOI map & compass
• 2x Mainstay 2400

The rest is your EDC that you have with you anyways. Fire tools, knife, gun, reload, etc etc

[WillBrink]

Thanx for the info gents. I have a medium sized pack I want to make a BOB with bare essentials and if extra room exists, a few additional items.

[WillBrink]

Those three days you will be walking a lot with a destination in mind, I would focus on

• drinking water (quality filter, 1gal water bag, and good quality 1qt bottle)
• quiet rain coat and pants
• ball cap
• pair of broken-in water proof hiking shoes
• 6 pairs of socks
• KNIPEX CoBolt, you may need to be able to create shortcuts
• ten $20 bills, roll of quarters
• AOI map & compass
• 2x Mainstay 2400

The rest is your EDC that you have with you anyways. Fire tools, knife, gun, reload, etc etc

Have not seen A small bolt cutter in the BOB, but makes sense.

[just a scout]

What about picks instead of cutters to save the weight? To cut case hardened locks or chain, you need large cutters, not just smaller cable cutters. A good set of picks and shims, like the Alwoods, will get you through most anything, provided you practice and stay proficient of course.

[cranky]

The CoBolt is not for at the gate, it is too small for chain or padlock. A pick set is always nice to have, if you know how to use them effectively.

[WillBrink]

The CoBolt is not for at the gate, it is too small for chain or padlock. A pick set is always nice to have, if you know how to use them effectively.

I don't.

[ra2bach]

Will, what's the purpose of the bag - to really get out of Dodge, or just to get back to the safety of your home?

it seems to me the defined purpose of a BOB is to abandon your homestead with as many supplies as you can and a 72hr pack seems a little small for that. my family and lack of close Bug-out location means I'll be bugging-in unless I have to totally evacuate the area, in which case it will be by car with hard containers full of bug-out supplies.

OTOH, I do keep a "Get-Home-Bag", in the car for whatever event may occur if I'm away from home and the size and contents of your bag seem more appropriate to this. I agree with the suggestions so far and I'm especially happy to see people recommending carrying some emergency cash...