Help with my BOB

[Pathfinder]

Hi aal,
I am looking for some advise with my BoB. I have most things ready for it now but don't actually have a bag to store it in!! Any specific advise on what type of thing I should get? I am on a tight budget and need to be able to carry quite an amount (I am most likely going to carry the lions share for 2 adults and a child). Should I get a back pack based in size in L (and price)?

Also should I stroe water and food in the BOB or store that seperate with other rations and load up as and when needed?

Any thoughts or help greatly recIieved. (Sorry for any typos trying to do this on a blackberry is very hard!)

[metatron]

Your best bet is to go with army surplus if your on a budget as its well made and cheap, a good condition Bergen goes for as little as £15 around my parts. I would store at least a liter water bottle in a bag and some kind of instant food whether that's some kind of MRE or energy bars its up to you (clif bar's are quite nice).

If you want fast access to food/water just pack it at the top, if you want to keep it apart, ask any good surplus store for a S10 gas mask bag, most have extras, they can be attached to the bergen and their cheap, while storing a good amount of stuff.

[Pathfinder]

Thanks Metatron, thats an awsome help, just found the address of a local army surp store on line, may pay a visit to the this afternoon.

[the-gnole]

A slightly lower profile resp bag is available on Ebay at the moment, being black it is a bit more subtle.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PLCE-BLACK-Ga ... 20c0fa17af

[Pathfinder]

Thanks Gnole, I'll check it out.

[the-gnole]

I picked up a useful kit from ebay last year, managed to get it for £0.99 +P&P for the full kit instead of about £60 +P&P

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ORDER-SYSTEMS-C ... B004OZ033G is just 1 item of the kit. Might need a bit of a search for the rest.

[TomW]

I would suggest keeping food and water in the bag. For me the bob is the one thing you grab I don't want to be thinking to get the food bag too. That said you don't want to be overloaded either so maybe enough food and water.for 24 hrs in the bag with more in a seperate bag to grab if you have time.

My wifes kit is very similar to mine but with lighter weight items. Smaller tarp, no larger tools like an axe etc but still sufficient to keep her alive for 3 days. Our kits would work best when combined but are sufficient seperately. Your limit will more likely be weight than space so going for the lightest weight gear you can find is my reccomendation.

An ex army Bergen will certainly give you the space but don't overload yourself. For reference I think they're 80l with an extra with the side pockets. Speaking of which, get the yoke and straps for these as they make a good day sack or bob within a bob

[the-gnole]

Something else to consider in your pack to either help you survive, and to help pass the time sat in the motel waiting for the all clear.

http://www.campingsurvival.com/surplaycar.html

Survival Playing Cards were developed to help you in an outdoor emergency. Each regular playing card features a safety tip. Card information includes:

3 1/2" x 2 1/2" Cards.

Hearts: Breathing, Bleeding, Shock, Hypothermia, Frostbite.

Diamonds: Fractures, Wounds, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke, Heart Attack, Bites & Stings, Burns.

Clubs: Preparation, Campsites, Shelters, Fire Starting, Signals.

Spades: Water, Food, Becoming Unlost.

Survival Playing Cards will prepare you to think and act safely and to avoid the greatest threat to survival-panic!

campingsurvival_2190_224634434.gif (86.96 KiB) Viewed 2155 times

[TomW]

That's a pretty cool idea! Useful for learning ahead of time, for whiling away time awaiting rescue and as am aide memoirs in the field. 3 in 1, ideal!

[the-gnole]

An ex army Bergen will certainly give you the space but don't overload yourself. For reference I think they're 80l with an extra with the side pockets. Speaking of which, get the yoke and straps for these as they make a good day sack or bob within a bob