Discussion on B.O.B.'s and G.H.B.'s.

[Cali-Shooter]

I am quite new to getting a B.O.B. and a G.H.B. (Get Home Bag) for myself, but I've been accumulating materials for them little by little and am getting ready to put them together.

The scenario for all these items is for a G.H.B. to an urban/suburban setting, and B.O.B. from an urban/suburban setting to urban or wilderness destination.

Experienced backpackers, hikers, campers, and general prep folks, chime in, your opinions and advice is valuable.

It seems to me the basic breakdown of items to have in a G.H.B. is:

• -Food
• -Water
• -Small durable drinking water container (refillable)
• -Gun(s)
• -Ammo
• -magazines/clips
• -tac folder or fixed blade knife or utility knife
• -Tactical light/flashlight (with batteries)
• -portable radio
• -Small amount of basic medical supplies (bandages, advil, tweezers, sterile sports tape, gauze, cotton pads, maxi pads, small bottle of alcohol, antibiotics, potassium iodide pills)
• -Roll of TP
• -Small entrenching tool
• -plastic ziplock bags
• -plastic grocery bags
• -x1 plastic trashbag (new)
• -small roll of Duct Tape
• -allen wrench set
• -PicQuic multi-head screwdriver
• -AK-47 bayonet w/ wire cutter
• -other?
  
• -The backpack used for G.H.B., a large camping/hiking style backpack which looks like any ordinary civilian backpack (my opinion is, no need to stand out with a camo/military looking pack).

Things to have in car:

• -Digital camera (with battery)
• -USB memory stick
• -Zippo or Bic lighter
• -Warm coat or jacket
• -Extra pair of shoes or boots
• -Extra pair of socks
• -a wool or thermal blanket
• -spare empty gasoline can or two
• -Extra car battery
• -Extra tire (in trunk)
• -car jack
• -tool set to remove and replace a tire
• -Long shelf life food (MRE's, granola bars, trail mix, crackers, chips, snacks)
• -Bottles of drinking water
• -1 gallon of non-drinking water
• -gardening gloves
• -toilet paper
• -Jumper cables
• -Small fire extinguisher

Estimated necessary basic breakdown of items for B.O.B. (from urban to urban or wilderness):

• -Food
• -Water
• -Small to medium sized durable drinking water container (refillable)
• -Gun(s)
• -Ammo
• magazines/clips
• -tac folder or fixed blade knife or utility knife
• -Tactical light/flashlight (with batteries)
• -portable radio
• -Medium amount of basic medical supplies (bandages, advil, tweezers, sterile sports tape, gauze, cotton pads, maxi pads, small bottle of alcohol, antibiotics, potassium iodide pills)
• -roll of TP
• -entrenching tool
• -extra shirt
• -extra pants (lightweight, NOT jeans)
• -extra pairs of socks
• -extra underwear?
• -fire starting kit and or matches
• -gloves (to keep hands warm)
• -plastic ziplock bags
• -plastic grocery bags
• -plastic trash bags (new)
• -plastic disposable gloves
• -sleeping bag
• -Duct tape
• -allen wrench set
• -PicQuic multi-head screwdriver
• -Wire/fence cutter
• -tent?
• -other?

Discuss.

[jmsenk]

yep. definitely seems like a good start. of course anyone's BOB is in constant evolution and there is the constant ebb and flow of using and updating supplies. There is a HUGE thread specifically on BOB's just a few threads down from this one that I have posted to several times, and have gotten a lot of good info and inspiration from. Little things that someone has in theirs that others might never have considered had they not read about it. Check it out if you havn't already.

I am not as preperation minded as some here, but I do have this gnawing sensation that I need more. Also, remember that Software is more important than Hardware. Just having a fire starter kit does you no good if you don't know how to make a fire, and having a med kit is useless without knowing how to suture, bandage, or properly disinfect a wound.

Look into a kindle or something that can carry literally thousands of manuals and how-to books (many of them for free) they weigh next to nothing, their battery lasts forever, and you will have a handy dandy resource in any survival situation. Great for waiting in line at the DMV or wherever too... use it as prep time!

[Cali-Shooter]

Oh yeah, I forgot to add, it's always handy to have a 2+ gb USB memory stick as part of your EDC (to from white-collar work or school) or at least having one in the car at all times, chances are that if you're an urban/suburban dweller, you will definitely benefit from not forgetting it at home when the off chance comes that you'll need it.

Also, MOST importantly, having a decent digital camera and video recorder (in car or B.O.B./G.H.B.) is worth many times it's weight in gold. Documentation is key in this age of even routine police encounters possibly going sideways illegally and unconstitutionally.

[223556]

Pretty good list!
A good item you may want to look into is Mainstay Water rations.
Much easier to carry and store with a 5 year sheld life! I bought a case on eBay.
Love these threads also since I always see things that I may have forgot or new products that can be better!

[Got Stuff?]

Mainstay products are good.

Good list! I have some PDF files somewhere on this kind of stuff. Each family member having their own bag is also a good idea.

[Cali-Shooter]

Pretty good list!
A good item you may want to look into is Mainstay Water rations.
Much easier to carry and store with a 5 year sheld life! I bought a case on eBay.
Love these threads also since I always see things that I may have forgot or new products that can be better!

Mainstay products are good.

Good list! I have some PDF files somewhere on this kind of stuff. Each family member having their own bag is also a good idea.

Thanks fellas!

I just think about what practically one might need to have, if not in a GBH or a BOB, then just simply in your car in case it breaks down and you are far from help or something.

Also forgot to add, road flares could also be useful if you can find them to keep in the trunk/back of a car.

I'm always interested to hear what others pack in their BOB's/GHB's and the reasoning behind it. I think I will dig up that old BOB thread on here and subscribe, maybe necro bump it too.

[Fishandshoot]

Nice list

[Jel]

Like mentioned before, BOBs and GHBs contents are always changing. I live and work on the SF Penninsula so my GHB is more of an urban setup.

Here are the contents of mine.

Oneil Backpack 1
Emergency Poncho (very thin) 2
1 person mess kit 1
Coleman Biowipes 1
Water Purification Tablet Set 1
Emergency Sleeping Bag 1
Pocket Propane Stove 1
Propane Canister 1
Small Folding Tablet Stove 1
Dust Masks 5
Keychain Compass/Thermometer 1
Magnesium Firestarter 1
Survival Knife 1
Strike Anywhere Matches in cannister 1
Duct Tape (around match cannister) 1
Stainless Steel Cup 1
Thick Emergency Blanket 1
Low Profile Roll of TP 1
Nitrile Gloves 2
Hand Sanitizer 1
First Aid Kit 1
Small Pry Bar 1
LED Flashlight 1
Hand Warmers 2
Pocket Saw 1
Small Ziplock 3
Large Ziplock 2
stainless steel water bottle 1
AAA batteries 3
AA batteries 4
25' 550 Paracord 2
Light Gloves 1
Headlamp 1
Leather Gloves 1
Glow Sticks 2
Bottled Water 4
Mountain House Dinners 1
Pepper Spray 1
Krazy Glue - Tiny one use tube 1
Signal Mirror 1
Rubber Bands 6
Large garbage bag 2
Aquamira Water Filter Straw 1
Small Folding Shovel 1
2400 Cal Food Brick 1
Zip Ties 6

In addition to the GHB, in the trunk I also carry the following:

Boots
Jumper Cables
Cigarette Lighter Air Pump
Tire Repair Kit
Various common tools (screw drivers, wrenches, pliers)
Duct Tape
Electrical Tape
Flashlight
1 quart of oil
Nitrile Gloves
Bottled Water
Rope
Fire Extinguisher
Road Flares

[Cali-Shooter]

Oh shoot - How could I forget, DUCT TAPE.