INCH Bag

[TheChief]

Not a BOB but an INCH. Let me explain my stance/thinking...

BOB (Bug Out Bag)
Small bag with important documents (insurance, living wills, POA, prescriptions, copies of vehicle registration, DL, CC, etc), spare keys, cash, change of undies and socks, small digital still/video camera, snacks, etc. It is indented for quick but temporary evacuation say in the event of a house fire, or other such temporary local calamity like a chemical cloud from a derailed and burning tanker car/truck in the neighborhood or a forest fire. Not a supply bag.

INCH Bag (I'm Never Coming Home)
Large ruck with supplies and gear to allow my family to survive for a week on internal food as well as means to hunt, fish, build a shelter, defense, etc. It will be heavy but somewhat comprehensive. This will be for SHTF situations where bugging in is not tenable anymore.

This is a picture of it as I am getting ready to pack it into the backpack. The specifics of the contents are posted in the BOB Thread.



My wife has Kelty Child Carrier that would be used to carry our child and her supplies. In addition she would carry a water bladder, canteen, and other items for her specific use (rain gear, TP, etc).

Post your gear and thoughts on INCH Bags.

[OHOD]

You and I shop in the same place! I'll post my gear at a later date. Nice bag and good spin on the BOB.

[Ripon83]

LOL....here's my INCH and BOB
------------------------------

http://www.automotivetodays.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/honda-element-2.jpg

[echo1]

I've come to the conclusion, that if it comes down to hoofing it after you've run out of fuel for your rig, you really need a game cart or something similar. Not to be cruel or anything but you've got stuff you won't need. Like that hatchet and nail puller, there's 5 or 6 pounds for what? An ax and crow bar substitute? Many things will be able to be scrounged. If that's your bag its a poor load hauler and about 3000 cu. in. too small. You need something along the lines of a Dana Designs Terraplane or NorthFace Renegade, something monsterous and made for expedition work. It dosen't look like you backpack at all. Try some backpacking, it'll help you dial in your gear. Also, a well made old school external frame backpack, in general, load carries better than internal frame, they're just not as stylish. A top end 3 wheeled trail stroller (often found at thrift stores for dirt) beefed up to carry some gear and your kid, loads your wife up with another 40+ lbs. of stuff. I use a folding golf cart to haul out dead deer ($1 with my senior discount), my crew uses it as a dolly to get their kayaks down to the water, and haul buckets of gear, beer, and bait to the end of the pier. Don't go it alone if you can help it. PAX

[TheChief]

Hey Echo, thanks for your opinions. Now post your stuff so I can share mine

I used to use external framepacks when I was in the scouts and the Army. They both moved to internal packs as did I. The Marmot Terraplane is a nice rig, but I am happy with mine.

Rather than making judgemental statements, suggest some changes and justify them. I enjoy backpacking quite frequently thank you very much. If you have suggestions on gear changes let us know...you never know when some socially inept yahoo will have a good idea.

I thought about the golf cart before but could not find one that had much load capacity beyond 30lbs. Which one are you using? How does it handle the trail or brush? Air or plastic tires? Push or pull? What would you change on it?

This is my INCH, not my trail hiker. I have a Gregory 90 that I decided not to use for a number of reasons to include color, reflectors, durability, top loader, and capacity. This bag is what I have chosen until the one that is being designed for me by Granite Gear comes in. When it does, you all will see it cause it's gonna be sweet and you all will be so jealous!

My hope is after the vehicle is no longer of use we will pull down the bikes and trailers and go on bike. There is about a months worth of FD-food and MREs, as well as many gallons of water, gravity filters, shelter, ammo, and other supplies. Once the bikes are out of use then we will be hoofing it. One of the bike trailers actually has a commercial hiking kit to let you pull the trailer like a mule. One trailer would hold both our packs and the other the additional supplies. Our child would ride on the bike with my Wife.

The 17oz Stanley Wonder Bar is for popping doors for scavenging. The 24oz Gransfors Bruks Camping Axe is because I grew up with one and am very capable with it. The nail punch is for trapping, shelter building, popping hinge pins, and punching holes in leather, fabric, and metal.

I have thought through most of these items pretty extensively. I have been doing this for a couple of decades. If you see an item you have a question about, ask it...nicely...like every one else does, and I will be happy to answer it.

I just dont get why people need to be so arrogant to think they know everything about you and your motivations and then make judgemental remarks with no supporting info. It's like high school all over again. Get over yourself and join the adults to have a nice conversation with others about the topic you enjoy. Its called manners and courtesy.

[Junkinthetrunk]

TC great post dont sweat the small stuff or people...I just joined cause I read your posts on bags and the scenarios. wanted to now what that green thing is in the top right corner and what do you suggest someone just starting out should do. echo is just some dude that doesnt now how to talk to people and didnt mean to be rude. dont sweat it

what other posts do you have

[jmsenk]

good stuff. my BOB and GHB are both perpetual works in progress, and occassionally get added to as I get more money, or have good ideas. We've talked about stuff before on the BOB thread, and I don't really have an INCH bag - because in that event, I guess I would use my BOB and load up extras on/in it (MOLLE gear is good for this - strapping stuff to it when you run out of room)

[Taidaisher]

Chief, I have to say, I hate you

Every time I read one of your threads, I realize how short of ready I am. Thank you for the thought provoking idea (at least for me) of an INCH bag. I have been building my families BoB gear with the intention of it being a short term ordeal, yet having enough (or so I thought) gear to be able to tough it out for a longer stretch. Through the gear I have, am still acquiring, and would hopefully scavenge, I thought I would be ok.

[TheChief]

Hello jmsenk,

Yep, remember our chats about dealing with road rash while moving out.

This was my BOB from the BOB thread. I came to the conclusion (all too slowly) that it was not really appropriate for the classic Bug Out for 72/96 hours to your hide-hole. I would not need all the supporting/scavenging tools and what not. Also the first aid kit was too big for that. I could trim off some 20+ pounds if that was what this was for. But since I dont have a hide-hole it was always for an INCH situation I just didnt know it.

These bags are definitely in constant evolution as new ideas from people on the forums strike my fancy, availability of cash, and my Wife's interest increases.

Reading the BOB thread (http://calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=147834) had me adding and removing 30+ items alone and that was only 3-4 months ago.



Hello Taidaisher,

You will never have enough! I remember as a Boy Scout going for the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge, we had to make a survival kit and put it in a case we made bushcraft style. I remember thinking it would be too limiting and not strong enough to carry everything I would put in it. Very frustrating for a budding Prepper!

I am always buying new things for the house I think I will need. It never stops. We are consummate consumers here the U.S.

Even with the bags put together, you never know if someone is just going to take them at gun point a mile down range and be off with them in a flash. Yes, I am armed, yes both my Wife and I can shoot...well. But there is always someone better and you just can't be ready for everything.

What do you have together so far? What do you think is missing?



Hello Junkinthetrunk,

Thanks for your comments and welcome to CalGuns. Pretty neat place huh!

Where to start...thats easy! Write down all your fears of what may happen and then figure out your response plans. Then build your Bag(s)/Cache(s)/Bunker(s)/Island(s)/vehicle(s), body, and mind to support these plans. See easy

On a serious note, sit down and figure out what you are planning for. Start simple, list out just 10 situations. Then whiteboard/scratch pad how you would respond to each of them on day 1, 3, 7, 30, 90, 365. As you finish this excercise you will see patterns developing in how you respond.

All of these responses will have differing packing/prep lists but you will see some patterns and commonality in stuff.

Then do another 10 situations, and another 10, and another 10. And you will see patterns in your responses. Also, thing to note; your responses will be different than mine or just about everyone elses. They are based on you; your beliefs, capabilities, knowledge, relationships, responsibilities, location, resources, etc.

Once you have done this...you will have a feel for how you want to prepare. Your are not preparing for a specific event but rather a situation that requires one of your identified responses. (this needs a bit of work but I hope you get my point)

For example:
-Shelter in place
-Evacuate in a vehicle
-Evacuate on bike
-Evacuate on foot
-Evacuate to a relocation camp
-Evacuate to a location

-Do you prepare hidden caches on the way there?
-Do you have supplies there?
-Can you eke out a living there?
-Is this an intermediate stop while you ride out the chaos and then make your way to a long term spot?

-supplies and caches....etc

Now start researching what you need and go at it. I would suggest starting with a BOB as I explained below. You should be able to throw this together in a day without spending much money and using stuff you already have (except for the cash of course).

Then I suggest focusing on the Shelter in Place supplies as this is what I feel the most common response to situations would be. Start with two weeks of water and food you can eat with no refrigeration or electricity to prepare/cook/store. Then add more. How much more is up to you. I recommend 90 days for each member in your household as that is what makes me feel comfortable. Others will say two weeks is good and others will say two years is a good starting point. Good for THEM. Go with what you are comfortable with and capable of.

After this, pick up some books on preparation and educate yourself before spending big dollars on gear. Review those lists of situations you made and see if they are realistic. Would you survive lets say a meteor impact into the Pacific with little to no warning or the Sun going Super Nova? Not likely. So no need to plan for those. What about the dreaded Hedge Hog Flu with a 99.9999999999999999999% mortality rate. Nope. Knock some of them off with education and reality.

Now start reasearching gear and how to develop the skills to use that gear. Then buy it and use it.

Hope that helps!

Enjoy and happy Prepping

[MaxxZer0]

Chief, I have to say, I hate you

Every time I read one of your threads, I realize how short of ready I am.

Don't worry man, I'm in the same boat as you are. I've only just now become a prepper and man am I behind. I have a pack that would make Echo proud and a pistol, and that's about it.

I would feel better about my situation if I had some like minded friends, but I left all those back home when I moved out here for work. Now I'm just the crazy tin foil hat guy. Finding other people to group up with, for me anyway, has been impossible. Its been my experience that unless your ex military or have your years supply of food no one wants you.

So if it makes you feel any better there are others worse off. And by worse off I mean bugging out alone.

[jmsenk]

Chief,

Yeah, I don't have a set location to bug out to either (i'm not one of these guys who owns a spot in Nevada or Wyoming or whatever that I can try and make it to) my bag is basically a mission bag from when I was 11 series, and like you said above, it is meant to last me the 72-96 hours I might need to overcome whatever chaos or whatever is overtaking Newport Beach at the time (oh the horror!) being as urban as I am, and having the very specific skillset that I have, I am fully confident in my scrounging / scavanging abilities for a decent amount of time, and I am much more inclined for a "Bug In" situation with occassional 12-24 hour forrays out to "Aquire" what I need... if the occassion calls for it, I am ready to live in the hills for a few days before making a decision to either return home, or to say F' it and move out... and if that is the situation, then my BOB is an INCH by default... albeit not a complete one. Hence my skillset and scrounging abilities.

My biggest issue is that while I have no problems sleeping on the ground and eating rattlesnake for a week or more, my significant other would likely have serious problems with it - she is also a nurse, and in the event of a catastrophic event, she would likely be at the local hospital or whatever passes for an aid station and be attempting to lend a hand.

I am honestly more concerned with fighting/working my way through whatever mass hysteria there is in order to get to her, and then bring her home (where we are realitively safe) to hunker down... and THEN get into urban hunter gatherer mode. I totally understand where people are coming from when they badmouth the tactical approach to a BOB, but like you said in your response to someone's critical opinion of your gear, everyone's situation is different. mine, as I see it, is VERY tactical in nature, and so I plan accordingly. I'd trade canned goods any day for a trauma kit or extra ammo, and those disassembled Hi-Cap mags (okay, lets be serious... the disassembled NON-low-cap mags) I brought with me from Free America would be back together in no time flat... damn, now I wanna get a PC for my plates...

[Taidaisher]

MaxxZer0,

Where do you live? If you live anywhere in the Santa Clarita are, hit me up, I would be very interested in creating a group.

Chief,

I have an LAPoliceGear duty bag, loaded with 1st aid supplies, batteries, flashlights, a few knives (both fixed and folding), walkie talkies, a scanner, 2 x 100' paracord, pr24, mixed multi - tools, emergency blankets, bandanas, gloves.
I have the LAPG 3day , for clothes, some food, more supplies (like mentioned above).
I have a tac vest with a cross draw holster, for my .380 and clips.

Water isn't an issue up front, I get Arrowhead delivered and have 11 x 5 gallon jugs on hand atm. Food, in a BI scenario isn't a problem either. With a wife and 2 kids (10y daughter and 6y son) our frig(s) and pantry are stocked, and our food supply rotates all the time.

For BO scenarios, the water would easily fit in the back of my Expedition, as wood some food. I have started to stock up on BO food (jerky primarily).

What I know I need, better BO food, shelter, weapons & ammo. I would like to get my hands on 2 x 9mm (sig 226, G17), a .22 rifle (small game, teach my kids to shoot), tactical style 12g, and at least 1 AR (would prefer 1 for me and the wife, or for all 4 of us, but I don't control the script).

I have spoken with friends from work who live relatively close (approx 7m radius) and we have some very soft plans. Assuming everyone sticks to the plan, my house would accommodate additional guests during BO scenario, with the gear they have and see what we could come up with from there.

[Californio]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-PU9Hj5TYw&feature=player_detailpage

I like these surfboard trailers, more ground clearance and your can customize your solution.

[TheChief]

Santa Clarita

Small World. I went to Canyon Country High...go Cowboys! Uncle Sam thought I would be better suited elsewhere so I left at 18 and have only been back a few times. That place has grown like a weed!

I thought about doing the two ARs but went with one AR and a Tac Shotgun setup. The SG is just so versatile if you have the right ammo and my wife is comfortable shooting it so bonus!

I love the 226's. They just fit so well in my hand. The Glocks never hit me right so I stay away from them. Not a hater, just something about them doesnt work for me...can't tell you more than that. I also like the M&Ps for the feel but would get trigger work done on them.

I am in the market for a pocket pistol in .380. What do you have? Would you buy it again or something else? What ammo are you shooting? I have my eye on the Sig P238 with N/S and rosewood grips. Also an add-on Crimson Trace laser. Pricey yes, but just feels so nice in the hand.

Not ready to commit on a full-on molle tac vest yet. I still have my 5.11 Cotton Vest for the range and some camping but it screams "shoot me first" so not sure if I would wear it. That being said I have a full blown double leg thigh platform setup so I maybe slicing hairs with that thought.

[chris]

Chief,

Yeah, I don't have a set location to bug out to either (i'm not one of these guys who owns a spot in Nevada or Wyoming or whatever that I can try and make it to) my bag is basically a mission bag from when I was 11 series, and like you said above, it is meant to last me the 72-96 hours I might need to overcome whatever chaos or whatever is overtaking Newport Beach at the time (oh the horror!) being as urban as I am, and having the very specific skillset that I have, I am fully confident in my scrounging / scavanging abilities for a decent amount of time, and I am much more inclined for a "Bug In" situation with occassional 12-24 hour forrays out to "Aquire" what I need... if the occassion calls for it, I am ready to live in the hills for a few days before making a decision to either return home, or to say F' it and move out... and if that is the situation, then my BOB is an INCH by default... albeit not a complete one. Hence my skillset and scrounging abilities.

My biggest issue is that while I have no problems sleeping on the ground and eating rattlesnake for a week or more, my significant other would likely have serious problems with it - she is also a nurse, and in the event of a catastrophic event, she would likely be at the local hospital or whatever passes for an aid station and be attempting to lend a hand.

I am honestly more concerned with fighting/working my way through whatever mass hysteria there is in order to get to her, and then bring her home (where we are realitively safe) to hunker down... and THEN get into urban hunter gatherer mode. I totally understand where people are coming from when they badmouth the tactical approach to a BOB, but like you said in your response to someone's critical opinion of your gear, everyone's situation is different. mine, as I see it, is VERY tactical in nature, and so I plan accordingly. I'd trade canned goods any day for a trauma kit or extra ammo, and those disassembled Hi-Cap mags (okay, lets be serious... the disassembled NON-low-cap mags) I brought with me from Free America would be back together in no time flat... damn, now I wanna get a PC for my plates...

this^^^^.

while most of us do not have means to purchase land in other states. most here are going to bug in. and with many of us combat vetson this board and around the state. we can scrounge and survive in an urban enviroment. and when a groups of vets get together we can do many things.