Wednesday, February 25, 2009

What's in your BOB ??

I have been reworking my BOB, I do that often. Take out this and put in that, ya know. Always thinking about what I would really use and what is just taking up valuable space and adding useless weight. The thing that has been in and out of my BOB many times is a small camp stove. I keep asking myself this question and I would love your input on this. Do I really need to cook if I am in a situation where my BOB is in use?? I mean, this thing is just to sustain me for 3 days max, getting me from point A to point B right? If in this Bug Out situation do I really need to cook a hot meal? Would energy bars and snacks not be enough to keep me in pretty good shape for just 3 days max? Would I really want to stop everything and cook a meal if I'm bugging out? I feel like I may be in a bit of a hurry to get to point B if I am on the run. Hell, I go more than 3 days all the time without a home cooked meal, just a PB&J on the go keeps me sustained and healthy. I know that it may not be a great idea to do this for an extended amount of time but I think I can make it just fine for 3 days with energy bars and a few snacks. Keep in mind bugging out is not just a camping trip. If you REALLY have to Bug Out there is some pretty serious shit going down somewhere close to you or where you have just been. I would think getting to your Plan B destination as quickly as possible with few stops along the way is the best plan.
OK, now, do you have a stove in your BOB?? Have you really thought about where, why and how you would use it in a SHTF scenario?? Do you really think you will have time to stop and cook on the way to your destination?? I am asking because I'm just not sure if a stove has a place in my BOB anymore. I may be looking at this thing all wrong. I would love to hear from all of you on this subject. Do you have a stove in your BOB?? Should I keep one in mine?? And do you think going 3 days max without a hot meal is going to, in some way, hurt your chances of survival or making it to Point B?? Well, I got questions, any answers out there?? Love to hear from everyone so maybe we can all decide once and for all the answer to this mystifying question.
This is Bullseye...OUT !!!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well you bring up some good questions Chris. I can only speak for myself but as far as my bug out bag is concerned, it is more of a get home bag. All my supplies are at home so I plan on digging in and defending what I've got. If I'm out I would need a means to get home, and like you said I usually don't go further than what I could hike in 3 days, so if I was caught out I would be high-tailin it home. So I agree, a stove would be a waste of space, a food bar would be lighter, smaller, and easier. Between running/walking grab a food bar and keep hoofing it. The goal is to make it home as fast as possible. I keep a stove in my kit just because, but if I was going for lightweight, I would ditch it.

HermitJim said...

I really don't think that it's necessary to have a small stove, unless you just want it. One thing that might take it's place would be an extra heater from an MRE...gives you the heat without taling a lot of space. I have several extras, and you can get them by themselves.

Just another option...

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

Bullseye, cygnus here.

Good question.
My answer?
No. Keep a can or three of Sterno (or..) and some waterproof matches.
You're on the go for three days.
firewood is readily available; if not deadfall then a few pieces of any timber-- an old pallet, a picket fence stake or so... you jive.

Maybe a one-gallon ziplock of self-starting charcoal. Myriad uses.

As you say, ..."on the fly, "WHY?"

OK,I paraphrase. Tu comprehends...

My BOB has some Ike-issued MRE's (with haeating thingie-- and I've stashed a few xtra of them just bekuz...); a spare pair of hiking shoes (since replaced with daywear, so what to do besides throw away a perfectly functional if odiferous pair? BAG 'EM!!!), an extra set of clothing, a couple/few more foodstuffs, an old-school can opener or two(WWII issue-- e.g. functional. Very.), a large towel (multi-functional, for warmth, cleaning, bounding a la cloth strips... your guess...), a(nother) good knife [two, now, in fact, since you made me grab BOB from Molly,s trunk where he sleeps with a mobile force of readiness--tools, cookwear, fluids..]
Miscellania like clothespins, twine, duct tape, paper clips...
they're there.
Because they fit, along with everything else, in a JanSport backpack-- an old rock-climbing garner small enough to put on the back and haul more than comfortably for days on end.

Which is what the point is, eh?
Love ya, Brother Bulls...
Great reminder.

TEAM HALL said...

Okay now for the female portion of the comments...lol
I can't think about "just me" and bugging out...there are 2 little people who depend on me. And one of those little people will still want a hot milk on demand. Until I can come up with a different solution I have to pack extra gear like that.

riverwalker said...

Everything but the kitchen sink! Mrs.RW says she still needs it.

RW

BTW, BOB in my case stands for Bug Out Box! Oh, hopefully I can find a good used kitchen sink while I'm visiting Canada!Saskatchewan and Manitoba being the most recent.

Anonymous said...

Make an alcohol penny stove. Weighs much less than half an ounce, takes up almost no space, and you can get fuel for it at any gas station. (No, not gasoline.) You could carry three, if you wanted to.

riverwalker said...

I actually have a folding grate for cooking in my Bug Out Box...should be able to find something to burn and cook a meal.

RW

Ken said...

...no stove in mine,couple fire starters tho,matches and lighters,geared more to gettin home,as others have mentioned...knife,socks,space blanket,small firstaid kit,various small foodstuffs,water purfication tabs,and a couple of those 5-hour power energy drinks...x-tra pistol mags too,this bag prettymuch goes where i do...

...i got a couple BOBs' i guess it depends on the sitiation...the one here at the house is more 'traditional'...lots more stuff,but still no stove...

Bullseye said...

Matt, thank you for your input. A stove seems to be a guestion for most of us. I guess BOB's are different for all of us, depening on the intended use.

Bullseye said...

Hermit Jim, thank you friend. I had never thought about using an MRE heater, good idea. May look into that option. Thank you for your input.

Bullseye said...

Cygnus, thanks my brother. "on the fly" you just never know what may come our way. One could very well find yourself making a fast get away in the middle of the night. That is my meaning of on the fly, gotta be ready for anything. Sorry I made ya go aout and rob Molly of her goods. lol Sounds like your BOB has all the goodies as I knew it would. A lot of my left overs in up in the BOB too. Love back at ya Brother.

Bullseye said...

Team Hall, thank you for making a very good point. If infants or very small children are involved their needs far out way all others. Next week's Pick of the Week will feature a childrens BOB. Be watching for it. Children are the most important part of our lives and their needs must come FIRST. Thank ya much my dear friend. Take care and stay in touch.

Bullseye said...

RW, man I would love to take a look inside that box !!! I think mine to death sometimes, always asking myself questions about it's contents.

BTW, I think Canada has adopted you as their long lost son. Great job up there buddy.

Bullseye said...

Brass, thanks, I will be looking into that as well. I am happy to see so many options. Thank you for your input and please come back often.

Bullseye said...

Ken, I have and always will carry matches and lighter. Hell, I carry them everyday anyway. I have many of the same items in my BOB as many of you. Once I get mine to the point I am happy with it (again) I may post a few pics of the contents.


Thank you all for your comments and input. I think it's good for us all to see what others carry and why. Thanks a bunch.