DISASTER BOBs / Inch Bags etc...why so little food?

[Groucho]

A very long time ago, I used to wander around the jungles of Indo China under the employ of Uncle Sam. Along with the other guys, I was young and in really good shape. My pack weighed maybe 40 pounds, but I also carried my H harness with canteens and ammunition. The butt pack carried more ammunition. All in all I carried about 50 -60 lbs of stuff. The newbies carried more. They learned fast.

Anyhow, the main weight was in ammunition and food. Granted, we had C-rations which were in cans so yes, they were heavy. But we carried a 4-day supply of food. We broke the boxes down and only carried cans. Mainly we carried cans of peanut butter, crackers, fruit (fruit cocktail was the primo), and high fat "entrees" like pork with gravy. The high fat stuff kept us from being hungry. Turns out that fat turns off the hunger switch in us. We were resupplied every 3-4 days while in the bush, so it was easier than looking at a bug out into God knows what.

The thing is, You've got to get the lightest load you can. Depending on season, geographical area, etc., load what you absolutely need. Remember, I did this when I wasn't a key board commando, but the real thing. At the end of even a 5-day mission in the bush, I was exhausted. It's tough sledding out there.

Unless you know where your bugging out TO, don't. I know that right now, I couldn't even do one 'easy' 3-day job from back in the day. Thing is, most of the people reading this couldn't do an "easy" combat patrol either.

You're much better off getting to know a few neighbors who are of like mind and make plans to hunker down in place.

If you have to bug out due to floods, hurricanes, and the like, that's one thing. Get in the car and go to a predetermined place. Anything else, stay in the area you know well. Stay where you have your supplies and friends/family.

Just my 2-cents worth.

 

[Groucho]

By the way, the guys we were fighting carried about 1-pound of rice, a rifle and 100 rounds of ammunition. They whopped our well supplied asses.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Before deciding what needs to GO in the BOB/INCH I suggest folks practice what they Pack. Spend a weekend in the woods living just off what you have in your bag. Take notes of what you used and what you didn't need, some gear has more than one use. Then plan off that first weekend in the woods for the next and the next. you will find the weight falling off as you fine tune your gear.
I spend a lot of time in the forest on average 30 weekends a year. 4 of those weekends (weekend each season) are planned with a large group of like minded folks we all learn from the others lessons, the rest are spent solo or in small groups
Take backup food but spend each day trying to feed yourself just one meal a day off the fat of the land. Its a hard way to live trust me and I pray I never have to put to use all the skills I have learned over the years . You'll soon discover why the native American's spent a good deal of their time wandering from camp to camp as food sources deplete. A group of adult men can delete a small section of a stream in a weekend of fish.
Practice , train and spend time hiking hauling the gear you plan to use.

Me I plan on sticking it out here at home till a time comes that I have to fight over every meal. As a added bonus I get too pick thru all the gear of the now dead of starvation first wave of folks who bugged out at the very first sign of real trouble, unprepared and lacking in the skills it takes to stay alive.

Pray your flight not be in the winter!

 

[Milk-maid]

Bugging out in winter...fresh WATER

I've thought about this a lot in the last week. With this extreme cold, everything from here to there is frozen solid. I don't see any streams, creeks, ponds or even a puddle that isn't frozen.

My life straw and Katadyn filter wouldn't do me a lick of good unless I built a fire first and melted some ice first. So the obvious thing would be having water in some sort of container to drink from while hiking to your resting spot. And hopefully it doesn't freeze in the BOB on the way.

Those metal drink canisters that can keep cold water cold for 24 hours and hot beverages hot for 12 hours would do, but they are weighty.

Anyone know of something else?

 

[L.A.B.]

In regards to preparing for dogs as a solo hiker. Unless your very accomplished with a handgun, by that I mean like a hands on SF Combat type person, I still like the 12 gauge until it’s empty. After that you will require a machete type blade like the Cold Steel brand Kurkuri that incorporates a strong belly for slashing dismembering, with a strong point for stabbing thrust.

If you think I’m being Rambo’ish your just not familiar with how fast and vicious dogs can be. Like a knife fight, you will bleed. But you may bleed to give an accounting.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Bugging out in winter...fresh WATER

I've thought about this a lot in the last week. With this extreme cold, everything from here to there is frozen solid. I don't see any streams, creeks, ponds or even a puddle that isn't frozen.

My life straw and Katadyn filter wouldn't do me a lick of good unless I built a fire first and melted some ice first. So the obvious thing would be having water in some sort of container to drink from while hiking to your resting spot. And hopefully it doesn't freeze in the BOB on the way.

Those metal drink canisters that can keep cold water cold for 24 hours and hot beverages hot for 12 hours would do, but they are weighty.

Anyone know of something else?

Keep your water bottle close to your body under a coat it will prevent it from freezing, if you do have to make a fire to boil water you can fill a canteen with hot water just before bedding down and place it in your sleep system Bag/blanket for added warmth and it will keep it from freezing as well.

 

[Blizzard]

Our’s is a modular system with some modifications. We keep a 6-8 pack of bottled water in each vehicle (the dogs are always needing water). Since my wife is a diabetic, we keep at least two energy bars in the glove compartments. Each vehicle has a 3-day bag of clothing, toiletries and food. It also contains a day pack. Separately, we have a 3 day camping bag for more outdoors living (shelter, sleeping bag, woobie, clothing, MREs, water filter, stove, ect.). Our 10-day bag is designed for quick deployments anywhere in the world. It includes clothing, toiletries, 90-day supply of medications, water filter and job related equipment, but no food. Our Comms bag contains anything you would ever need to communicate and all our ID cards (it stays with each person at all times when away from home). Then there is our Tac bag in case we are being deployed into a less-than-friendly environment.

We keep a “Winter Tote” to add to each truck that has “extra layers” including additional hats, gloves, balaclavas, ski pants and jacket, poly-pro long underwear, wool socks and chemical hand warmers. I also throw in a -0 rated sleeping bag per vehicle.

Yes, yes, doggies. I won’t forget to tell them about the doggie pack (food, water, collapsible bowls, medicine including tranquilizers for flying, treats, coats, harnesses, leashes, toys, poop bags and records in a small shoulder throw). Remember, the dogs will hog the warmest sleeping surface and refuse to share. You are the Alpha. Make them at least go to the bottom of the sleeping bag…

We’ve been providing medical care and “disaster assistance” since 1996. During that time, the bag that been utilized the most is the Comms bag (headlamps, Tac light, batteries, battery chargers including solar, all-frequency radios, GPS, pens, Leatherman Wave, weatherproof lighter, IR strobes for remote LZs and emergency cash – in that order), closely followed by the 3-day bag in the vehicles (hats, jackets, gloves, garbage bag rain jackets, 12v cup heater and peanut butter). Since we blow through an 8-pack of bottled water in 3 months, I guess you could add that to the list as well.

A couple of notes: When operating in a group, expect to have to “share” your goodies. I’ve burned through two 12v cup warmers during my time. I hate the taste of someone else’s coffee mixed in with my soup, tea or hot chocolate. Then there is the solar charger. I get very frustrated leaving my charger out, only to return and see my stuff unplugged and TWO other peoples cell phones plugged in. People get really upset when their cell phones aren’t where they left them… My nurses and techs know to ask. Others just assume…

Anyway, don’t put your egg all in one basket. Life is full of surprises.

Blizzard, MD, FACEP

 

[tanstaafl]

Bugging out in winter ... Anyone know of something else?

You can buy Arctic canteens. They have double walls and that dead airspace in between helps keep the water inside from freezing so quickly. The ones for sale at Sportsman's Guide also have non-metal tops so that your lips don't stick to super-cold metal when you drink out of them.

 

[Luddite]

Why so little food? Most doing the youtube videos have never been more than "New Years Resolution Diet" hungry. The thought of eating grubs and gigging frogs seems to appeal to some people.

We keep a generic 3 day bag in each vehicle. I rotate a summer bag out with a winter bag. As I get older, I know that my pack must get lighter. Water is not an issue in our area so I rely on a good filter and plan for most water along the way. Everyone in my family gives me the eye-roll because I repeat at least once a week "never leave home without shoes to walk home in".

Each trip to wally world means I get 2 of the packaged freeze-dried meals. It adds up quickly. DW doesn't even question them anymore. (I've told her that's my 2 packs of cigs per day alternative )

Realistically, my bag is still too heavy. I figure after the first 10 miles I'll know what to keep and what to bury. I slow jog/ fast speed walk with mine on for at least 30 minutes every few months. Heavier items get replaced with the freeze-dried pouches.

Longer trips away from home are another matter. We usually have more than one vehicle going so I keep an empty backpack in the rare chance we are all walking.

I could fill an INCH bag within 30 minutes. Primarily FD pouches, med kit in a duffle bag with shoulder strap. I keep a couple of new food grade buckets with lids handy.
Family situation means I doubt this option will work for us. I think we're more suited to "die in place".

 

[Watchman2]

My BOB pack is my GHP, because on any given day I can be 600 or even 1000 miles from home.

In it is two weeks worth of food, (but it has to be rationed) snare material and fishing line and such, and a canteen hangs on the back. I also have basic survival gear on my load out, to include a canteen, firestarter, water filter first aid, etc......

I have a friend that makes pemmican bars, and he says that each small bar can fuel a grown man of 200lbs for a day, so if you can make bars like that and put a bunch of them into your bag that would be great. I really need to do this myself.

ALSO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ALLERGIC NEEDS, GLUTEN, NUTS, ETC........... which will limit you food selection for your BOB which will also affect your calorie count.

W2

 

[Jerry799]

My BOB primary is a Kawasaki KLR650 on road/off road motorcycle with hard bags. 6 gallon tank with 60mpg. Already packed with military tent, military pancho with liner insert, .22 AR7, .22 pistol and holster, water purification, canteen, 12 MRE's with heating bags. Room on the bike for myself and my wife. Roughly same loadout carried in the rear of my SUV, but a folding stock AK47 substitutes for the AR7.

 

[20Gauge]

Why so little food? Most doing the youtube videos have never been more than "New Years Resolution Diet" hungry. The thought of eating grubs and gigging frogs seems to appeal to some people.

We keep a generic 3 day bag in each vehicle. I rotate a summer bag out with a winter bag. As I get older, I know that my pack must get lighter. Water is not an issue in our area so I rely on a good filter and plan for most water along the way. Everyone in my family gives me the eye-roll because I repeat at least once a week "never leave home without shoes to walk home in".

Each trip to wally world means I get 2 of the packaged freeze-dried meals. It adds up quickly. DW doesn't even question them anymore. (I've told her that's my 2 packs of cigs per day alternative )

Realistically, my bag is still too heavy. I figure after the first 10 miles I'll know what to keep and what to bury. I slow jog/ fast speed walk with mine on for at least 30 minutes every few months. Heavier items get replaced with the freeze-dried pouches.

Longer trips away from home are another matter. We usually have more than one vehicle going so I keep an empty backpack in the rare chance we are all walking.

I could fill an INCH bag within 30 minutes. Primarily FD pouches, med kit in a duffle bag with shoulder strap. I keep a couple of new food grade buckets with lids handy.
Family situation means I doubt this option will work for us. I think we're more suited to "die in place".

Okay, it seems everyone is a bit more prepared than we are. I do believe I understand why the lack of food.

As far as walking long distances, etc. Not in the plan. We are a small county of 75kish and the issue is that if we have to leave it will be to an area that cannot support our county plus those arriving from Florida. They just will not have enough. Experience, (friends not ours), has shown us that even if you move 300+ miles away, the ability to support the numbers of people moving to the area on a temp basis is not good. There was a definite lack of the basics or comfort of most kinds.

Yes, a decent percentage was well fed and comfortable, but they left days before anyone else and as a family, ( 3 groups in the area ), we are not the type to leave until it is a immediate or near so need. Many did not enjoy the experience, did not each much and were wet and cold, while living out of their car.

Having said that, we will not need to hike long distances, we plan on bugging in first, leave in a truck 2nd, and dumping the truck to walk a short distance to camp out for a few days. The longest distance we will travel will be 35 miles from home and most likely not even that.

Thanks for all the great feedback. It gave me a number of different views on how to handle things. Now I just need to adapt it to our situation.

 

[20Gauge]

My BOB primary is a Kawasaki KLR650 on road/off road motorcycle with hard bags. 6 gallon tank with 60mpg. Already packed with military tent, military pancho with liner insert, .22 AR7, .22 pistol and holster, water purification, canteen, 12 MRE's with heating bags. Room on the bike for myself and my wife. Roughly same setup carried in the rear of my SUV, but a folding stock AK47 substitutes for the AR7.

Question, as we are both in GA, which direction would you go?

 

[Jerry799]

Question, as we are both in GA, which direction would you go?

I have a family friend in the foothills of the Appalachians in North Western South Carolina. We already have a Conex prepositioned on his property (60 acres) that has all our preps and bugout gear, enough to last multiple years. He is a 2 hour drive away if going by Interstate, or 3 hours going back roads. He has a small lake on his property, as well as a well, septic system, and pole barn with wood burning stove and Ham radio equipment. He is also firmly integrated into the local community which is largely self sufficient. We are currently 30 miles Northeast of downtown Atlanta. My daughter and her husband are within 20 miles West of my friends property in the mountains of North Carolina.

 

[20Gauge]

I have a family friend in the foothills of the Appalachians in North Western South Carolina. We already have a Conex prepositioned on his property (60 acres) that has all our preps and bugout gear, enough to last multiple years. He is currently a 2 hour drive away if going by Interstate, or 3 hours going back roads. He has a small lake on his property, as well as a well, septic system, and pole barn with wood burning stove and Ham radio equipment. We are currently 30 miles Northeast of downtown Atlanta.

You have better options than we do. All we can do is go N/S into large cities which would end badly or west. West gives us a small city, nothing for a long ways, anther decent sized city, and nothing until nearly Atlanta.

That's why our 1st plan is to stay put. We are too close to the coast and main routes of travel to really but out and expect anything here when we return.

Thanks!

 

[ainitfunny]

Bugging out in winter...fresh WATER

I've thought about this a lot in the last week. With this extreme cold, everything from here to there is frozen solid. I don't see any streams, creeks, ponds or even a puddle that isn't frozen.

My life straw and Katadyn filter wouldn't do me a lick of good unless I built a fire first and melted some ice first. So the obvious thing would be having water in some sort of container to drink from while hiking to your resting spot. And hopefully it doesn't freeze in the BOB on the way.

Those metal drink canisters that can keep cold water cold for 24 hours and hot beverages hot for 12 hours would do, but they are weighty.

Anyone know of something else?

TIP:
Granny sez-
If you “bug out” in a vehicle then toss in an electric, foot long, Immersion, 5 gallon BUCKET WATER HEATER. (search on Amazon)
Granny bought one for Y2K.

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Pr...sr=8-1&keywords=immersion+bucket+water+heater


Here is what I bought: There are TWO TYPES: One that will ONLY keep water from freezing, and one that will just keep heating the water up! (I bought the one that just keeps on heating.)
To make a big bucket of warm water to bathe etc. when you can find a working electric outlet along your travels! Why suffer if you don’t HAVE to?

 

[mrrk1562]

my bag is just about 42 pounds and that includes all my food tent and sleep system . food is freeze dried mtn house or wise .a bag or 2 of lifesaver hard candy .protein bars .instant coffee in single serve pacts .tea bags. trail mix .peanut butter .small fishing pole .a fishing yo-yo .3 snares 2 water filters .a pact knee high panty hose helps prevent blisters on your feet put them on under your reg socks .moleskin and nail clippers to help keep your feet in good shape .microfiber towel and soap tooth paste tp baby wipes gold bond body powder 1 pair of jeans 1 tea shirt 1 flannel shirt .3 pair of underware and 3 pair of socks firstaid kit,lighters,waterproof stick matches.wet fire .5 qrt waterbag .salt and season salt .flint and steel .maps of the area .100 ft of 550 cord.sewing kit with a spool of high test upolstrey thread .that and knowing i can walk 10 miles

 

[20Gauge]

my bag is just about 42 pounds and that includes all my food tent and sleep system . food is freeze dried mtn house or wise .a bag or 2 of lifesaver hard candy .protein bars .instant coffee in single serve pacts .tea bags. trail mix .peanut butter .small fishing pole .a fishing yo-yo .3 snares 2 water filters .a pact knee high panty hose helps prevent blisters on your feet put them on under your reg socks .moleskin and nail clippers to help keep your feet in good shape .microfiber towel and soap tooth paste tp baby wipes gold bond body powder 1 pair of jeans 1 tea shirt 1 flannel shirt .3 pair of underware and 3 pair of socks firstaid kit,lighters,waterproof stick matches.wet fire .5 qrt waterbag .salt and season salt .flint and steel .maps of the area .100 ft of 550 cord.sewing kit with a spool of high test upolstrey thread .that and knowing i can walk 10 miles

Ok.... I forgot to include towels..... had the soap, but no towels.....

 

[Coulter]

A very long time ago, I used to wander around the jungles of Indo China under the employ of Uncle Sam. Along with the other guys, I was young and in really good shape. My pack weighed maybe 40 pounds, but I also carried my H harness with canteens and ammunition. The butt pack carried more ammunition. All in all I carried about 50 -60 lbs of stuff. The newbies carried more. They learned fast.

Anyhow, the main weight was in ammunition and food. Granted, we had C-rations which were in cans so yes, they were heavy. But we carried a 4-day supply of food. We broke the boxes down and only carried cans. Mainly we carried cans of peanut butter, crackers, fruit (fruit cocktail was the primo), and high fat "entrees" like pork with gravy. The high fat stuff kept us from being hungry. Turns out that fat turns off the hunger switch in us. We were resupplied every 3-4 days while in the bush, so it was easier than looking at a bug out into God knows what.

The thing is, You've got to get the lightest load you can. Depending on season, geographical area, etc., load what you absolutely need. Remember, I did this when I wasn't a key board commando, but the real thing. At the end of even a 5-day mission in the bush, I was exhausted. It's tough sledding out there.

Unless you know where your bugging out TO, don't. I know that right now, I couldn't even do one 'easy' 3-day job from back in the day. Thing is, most of the people reading this couldn't do an "easy" combat patrol either.

You're much better off getting to know a few neighbors who are of like mind and make plans to hunker down in place.

If you have to bug out due to floods, hurricanes, and the like, that's one thing. Get in the car and go to a predetermined place. Anything else, stay in the area you know well. Stay where you have your supplies and friends/family.

Just my 2-cents worth.

Nice post.

 

[ainitfunny]

A very long time ago, I used to wander around the jungles of Indo China under the employ of Uncle Sam. Along with the other guys, I was young and in really good shape. My pack weighed maybe 40 pounds, but I also carried my H harness with canteens and ammunition. The butt pack carried more ammunition. All in all I carried about 50 -60 lbs of stuff. The newbies carried more. They learned fast.

Anyhow, the main weight was in ammunition and food. Granted, we had C-rations which were in cans so yes, they were heavy. But we carried a 4-day supply of food. We broke the boxes down and only carried cans. Mainly we carried cans of peanut butter, crackers, fruit (fruit cocktail was the primo), and high fat "entrees" like pork with gravy. The high fat stuff kept us from being hungry. Turns out that fat turns off the hunger switch in us. We were resupplied every 3-4 days while in the bush, so it was easier than looking at a bug out into God knows what.

The thing is, You've got to get the lightest load you can. Depending on season, geographical area, etc., load what you absolutely need. Remember, I did this when I wasn't a key board commando, but the real thing. At the end of even a 5-day mission in the bush, I was exhausted. It's tough sledding out there.

Unless you know where your bugging out TO, don't. I know that right now, I couldn't even do one 'easy' 3-day job from back in the day. Thing is, most of the people reading this couldn't do an "easy" combat patrol either.

You're much better off getting to know a few neighbors who are of like mind and make plans to hunker down in place.

If you have to bug out due to floods, hurricanes, and the like, that's one thing. Get in the car and go to a predetermined place. Anything else, stay in the area you know well. Stay where you have your supplies and friends/family.

Just my 2-cents worth.

Good advice, which I at 73, plan to follow.
I know my limits, but.....
The first, worst handicap I have is a (thinks it is) 20 years old brain in a 73 year old body and my brain keeps writing checks for adventures which my body can’t cash.

 

[tanstaafl]

5 qrt waterbag

Is your water bag already filled? If not, that 42 pounds becomes 52 pounds the second you fill it up. Fifty-two pounds is a heavy pack for anyone not already in great trail hiking shape and even more so for anyone over 50 and not in great shape.

 

[Illini Warrior]

Question, as we are both in GA, which direction would you go?

it's a NEVER EVER when in comes to the coastlines - and in Atlanta's case you don't want to run into the northern flood of sheple coming from Florida ....

 

[tanstaafl]

Since very cold weather is on everyone's mind right now, it might be worth mentioning that food = body heat. Something like three-fourths of what you eat is converted into heat, with a lot of that going towards regulating your body temperature and especially keeping your brain warm (and a lot more going towards turning you into a glowing beacon in the infrared light range). I know that if I go just 24 hours without eating in the winter, I feel the cold a lot more than if I'm eating regularly. It's something to consider before thinking about bugging out in the winter and counting on just your body's fat to keep you warm and on the move.

 

[Thinwater]

it's a NEVER EVER when in comes to the coastlines - and in Atlanta's case you don't want to run into the northern flood of sheple coming from Florida ....

Bugging out from FL is a no go. There are basically three highways that drain FL. Being the third most populated state, it would just turn to gridlock. I have driven from Jacksonville to the middle of SC in stop and go traffic, averaging 15-20 mph the entire way. This was just from the end of the snow bird season and all of the yankees heading back up noith.

For most people bugging out = refugee.

 

[dogmanan]

I have separate BOB and INCH bags as well as box's for the BOV. All of them have freeze dries as well as rice and beans. If I'm just down the BOB's on foot I have seriously messed up...

Yep rice , beans, oat meal, and nuts is me main food for bug out.

 

[Stanb999]

You actually can go for quite a while without eating. How many are less than ten pounds over ideal? 20 pounds? An average american has a BMI of 28.6.
This means they could safely lose 25% of their 195 pound average. So lets take them down to a healthy 150? So you can lose 45 pounds. Fat has 3500 kcals per pound. A little math is in order. 45x3500= 157,500 calories before your getting thin. Your just where you should be.

Simply living will use about 2000 cals a day.
Hiking burns 100 calories per mile and you plan to walk 20 miles a day.

How long will your belly larder last? At 4000 calories a day and how far did you go?
39 days and nearly 800 miles.

What you can't live without is water and salt.

p.s. After this you would still have nearly 80,000 calories to burn before you were "thin".

 

[Publius]

You can buy foods from the supermarket that are quite suitable for the task and depending on what you like to eat you may need water to prepare it.
There is tuna, chicken even spam that is vacuum packed in fixable packages and has a three year shelf life.
There is also various rice mixes and pasta's you can repack to your needs and later fix it up or even add some of the tuna or chicken to it.

As one member pointed out that living in an area thats subject to freezing you may want to seek out all metal canteen's and you want one you can put next to a fire or on a camp stove to thaw out should become frozen, so it cannot have double wall and needs a cap that can be completely remove so it does not get burned up.

 

[MinnesotaSmith]

The water in understandable. We are working on a couple of ways to handle that.

My concern was that these guys/gals are popping off with under an "emergency" you need to be able to survive 3 days..etc. Yet, it seems they are more gear orientated that actually getting somewhere. None of these guys could function under 3 days without food....ie: carrying a 40 pound pack and walking upteen miles

I have run out of food while hiking. I twice went over 18 hours with nothing to eat while still hiking over 10 miles a day (was already in decent shape at that point). I do not recommend it, although it is doable, especially in above-freezing weather.

 

[Illini Warrior]

Bugging out from FL is a no go. There are basically three highways that drain FL. Being the third most populated state, it would just turn to gridlock. I have driven from Jacksonville to the middle of SC in stop and go traffic, averaging 15-20 mph the entire way. This was just from the end of the snow bird season and all of the yankees heading back up noith.

For most people bugging out = refugee.

same exact interstate conditions exist in various other areas of the country as well - won't stop the ''trying'' - the smart ones will hook left but the majority will continue strait north ....