10 Essentials (for BOB), revised - feedback?

[NWmountaineer]

Great thread.

This seems to be the nearly universal original 10 Essentials list:

1. Map
2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra food and water
5. Extra clothes
6. Headlamp/flashlight
7. First aid kit
8. Fire starter
9. Matches
10. Knife

IMHO;

1. Map, good to have, but that could be anything from Mapquest/Google directions to an actual map. Times have changed. In a bug out situation, you want to get from point A to B. Basically, you need to know where you're at and where you're going. When camping/hiking, you want to have an actual USGS approved topo map of the area. Reason for this is...

2. Compasses are great tools. But you have to know how to use them. GPS is probably the greatest user-friendly navigation tool known to man. It's also accurate. Geo-caching is based around it and is a lot of fun. But, GPS can go down and does go down depending on your location. Learning to use a compass is important.

3. Sunglasses and sunscreen. Important in a desert climate, but what the core of this is about is not exposing yourself to the elements. That's going to depend on your area and location. For me, I'd substitute Rain Gear or waterproofing if necessary. I carry sunglasses, but also a foldeable waterproof poncho, but that's where I'm at. Basically I'd call this one "protection from inclement weather."

4. Extra food and water. - Extremely important. I really like Mountain House stuff. To me, it tastes better than MRE's, holds just as long, is extremely light and works great in a BOB.

5. Extra clothes. Also extremely important. 2 pairs of everything. 2 is 1, 1 is none.

6. Headlamp/Flashlight. - This used to be "flashlight, extra batteries and bulb" - Remember that one, not the other. Carry extra batteries and a spare bulb for your rig. The batteries WILL run out at some time. Kind of bothers me they don't teach that in the new stuff. - Extra set of batteries and an extra bulb if you break it.

7. FAK. Definitely. Or make your own. Most of the people I've talked to have said to include more bandages than band-aids. If you're in trouble, a boo-boo isn't going to kill you, but you want something to save a life and stop bleeding. I'd reccomend some of ZS's FAK threads, there are some darned good ones on here. Serious.

8. Fire starter. Waterproof matches suck. Get a cheap bic or zippo. And yes, that dryer lint stuff is true. BTW, as someone who lives in a wet climate, carry candles. Not only are they a back up fire starter, they will work to keep you warm and get a campfire going even in the worst situations.

9. See above.

10. Knife. I carry a Ka-Bar, but I prefer to carry a hatchet. It's much better for moving trees and getting kindling.

My humble two cents. Hope that helps.

Great thread.

[Dak Kovar]

Y.T. I like your The 10(ish) Essentials (for a BOB) list. I agree that it is a good place to start. Good thread.

DK

[Y.T.]

thanks for all the feedback. I've updated the original post to include some things I had overlooked.

Some good news: a friend came over the other day and asked about my bf's pack. When we said it was a BOB he was like, "what's that?", so we briefly explained. He said "that's neat. I like to be prepared, how do I make one of those?" And I was all, "funny you should ask, I happen to have a list!" weeeeeee. So I'm going to forward the list and the ZS brochures to him.

[Browning 35]

1. Map
2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra food and water
5. Extra clothes
6. Headlamp/flashlight
7. First aid kit
8. Fire starter
9. Matches
10. Knife
11. Shelter (mentioned further down in your post, so I added it here).

The only other things that I can really think of that weren't mentioned in your original post fall into three categories.

1) Defense : Hangun, extra mags and ammo and a longun (of some kind/shotgun or folding stock rifle), ammo, solvents and a cleaning kit for both, pepper spray and maybe a slingshot/wrist rocket for hunting small game silently.
2) Tools and Cordage : Screwdrivers, crescent wrench, maybe some bolt cutters, axe and/or machete, rope, 50/50 paracord, strong fishing line etc etc
3) Food Prep : Small wing stove and fuel (candle under an esbit stove, G.I. Trioxane or hexamine fuel tablets), cooking utensils, mess kit, small wire flat grill top to put over a camp fire etc

Other than those the list looks pretty complete to me.

[Y.T.]

The only other things that I can really think of that weren't mentioned in your original post fall into three categories.

1) Defense : Hangun, extra mags and ammo and a longun (of some kind/shotgun or folding stock rifle), ammo, solvents and a cleaning kit for both, pepper spray and maybe a slingshot/wrist rocket for hunting small game silently.
2) Tools and Cordage : Screwdrivers, crescent wrench, maybe some bolt cutters, axe and/or machete, rope, 50/50 paracord, strong fishing line etc etc
3) Food Prep : Small wing stove and fuel (candle under an esbit stove, G.I. Trioxane or hexamine fuel tablets), cooking utensils, mess kit, small wire flat grill top to put over a camp fire etc

Other than those the list looks pretty complete to me.

Thanks for the feedback. Actually cordage and tools are mentioned under Took Kit:

7. Tool Kit
TOOLS: pocket knife, small pliers/multitool
REPAIRS: zip ties, cordage, duct tape, safety pins

since this is just the top level most critical essentials I thought things such as axes and bolt cutters would go in Tier 2 or 3.

and food prep is in under Nutrition:

ADVANCED: (cook/add water food)
– small stove (alcohol, wood, or gas fueled), metal cup or pots (heat water), mess kit (plate/bowl, utensils)

I was going to list the secondary "kitchen" supplies under Tier 2 of the list.

I think weapons will be slated to Tier 2 of the list, under Self Defense and/or Food Gathering:

I'm not sure where to include weapons since people starting out may find that intimidating or off-putting. Perhaps listing those under categories for Self Defense and for Food Gathering (hunting, fishing, trapping) would make sense.

how does that sound?

[Browning 35]

Thanks for the feedback. Actually cordage and tools are mentioned under Took Kit:

7. Tool Kit
TOOLS: pocket knife, small pliers/multitool
REPAIRS: zip ties, cordage, duct tape, safety pins

since this is just the top level most critical essentials I thought things such as axes and bolt cutters would go in Tier 2 or 3. and food prep is in under Nutrition:

ADVANCED: (cook/add water food)
– small stove (alcohol, wood, or gas fueled), metal cup or pots (heat water), mess kit (plate/bowl, utensils)

I was going to list the secondary "kitchen" supplies under Tier 2 of the list.

Ahh yep, they sure are.

I must have glossed over it when I first read it.

I think weapons will be slated to Tier 2 of the list, under Self Defense and/or Food Gathering:

I'm not sure where to include weapons since people starting out may find that intimidating or off-putting. Perhaps listing those under categories for Self Defense and for Food Gathering (hunting, fishing, trapping) would make sense.

how does that sound?

Sounds pretty good to me, I'm not really sure what you mean by 'Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3' and so on.

Do you mean kind of like Modules?

For instance, to my way of thinking about Modules you'd have an...

EDC Module (things you carry on you everyday like car keys, a folding knife and/or a multi-tool, a CHL weapon, extra ammo, maybe a small flashlight and compass on a key chain).



Vehicle Module (tools, fluids, emergency gas, a flashlight, a FAK, entrenching tool or shovel, duct tape, cold weather clothes, maps, maybe an inexpensive shotgun or rifle, rope, jumper cables and/or a quick start unit, rope, tow chains, emergency tabs and a couple MRE's, a couple gallons of water, a tarp and/or a tent, blanket etc).



Regular B.O.B. (backpack, knife, fire making equipment, sleeping and cold weather gear, axe or machete, compass, mess kit, maps etc etc).



Home Bug Out Bag (Titles for your cars and home, educational certs, insurance policies, spare ID's, money in cash and gold coins, lots of food & water, a bigger first aid kit and any meds that are mandatory that a member of your family takes, guns, ammo, family pictures, shot and school records, more than 20 gallons of treated gas etc).

Exactly like the Modules from this site.

http://www.outdoors-magazine.com/spip.php?page=article&id_article=103

Is that what you mean by 'Tiers' and we're just using different terms for the same stuff?

[Y.T.]

Sounds pretty good to me, I'm not really sure what you mean by 'Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3' and so on.

Do you mean kind of like Modules?

I linked to that post in my response to you. see page one, my second post on the page. Breaking the whole BOB list into tiers (sets of 10 or so) from most critical to "good to have". Sort of stepping the process for a newbie so they don't get an overwhelming list from the start, or end up gathering a scattering of supplies that don't cover the critical items. It's a work in progress I'm kicking around.

For instance, to my way of thinking about Modules you'd have an...

EDC Module (things you carry on you everyday like car keys, a folding knife, a CHL weapon, extra ammo, maybe a small flashlight and compass on a key chain).

Daily Vehicle Module (tools, fluids, emergency gas, a flashlight, a FAK, entrenching tool or shovel, duct tape, cold weather clothes, maps, maybe an inexpensive shotgun or rifle, rope, jumper cables and/or a quick start unit, rope, tow chains, emergency tabs and a couple MRE's, a couple gallons of water, a tarp and/or a tent, blanket etc).

Home Bug Out Bag (Titles for your cars and home, educational certs, insurance policies, spare ID's, money in cash and gold coins, lots of food & water, a bigger first aid kit and any meds that are mandatory that a member of your family takes, guns, ammo, family pictures, shot and school records, more than 20 gallons of treated gas etc).

what you're suggesting is different than what I had in mind, but I think it works very well. thanks for the info. I think I've heard members refer to that as "layering", such as anEDC + a BOB + an INCH bag. I'm more addressing just a BOB specifically and trying to breakdown the list into digestible chunks. I don't know if there's a proper term for that, "tier" just seemed to make sense to me.

[Browning 35]

Okay, I gotcha now.

[Woods Walker]

I think shelter/raingear/clothing should be the top essentials for any BOB/GHB/INCH system. Just scaled to the size of the bag. Exposure to the elemants is the greatest risk. Next would be dehydration. Both exposure and dehydration can kill in a day. Everything else is secondary.

Just for fun I will list my 10 most disliked BOB essentials. Stuff that seems to get posted but never really used by anyone to the best of my knowledge. So here is my most hated top ten list. If anyone wants to add more items or dispute this please key in. This should not be taken too seriously.

1. Chemical light sticks.
2. Gas mask.
3. Large heavy tools like big pry bars or shovels.
4. 1,000,000 calories of food.
5. Excessive hygiene products.
6. Playing cards and other games of chance.
7. Computers and other complex electronics.
8. Excessive FAK.
9. All things mall ninja. The feared Katana.
10. 1,000,000 rounds of rifle/pistol ammunition.

Ok here is my logic.

1. Chemical sticks are just outdated and prone to failure. Plus exactly what is someone using 50 chemical sticks for in the first place? One person told me that these could be used to toss into a cave for illumination. Not sure why I would do this. Maybe he saw that on the science fiction channel.

2. Gas mask. I don’t even know where to start. Best to just leave this one alone.

3. The weight to reward ratio just does not add up for a 24 inch crow bar etc.

4. Sure food is good but does anyone expect to starve to death in a few days? Some packs seem to be 99% food by volume. I pack food but in moderation.

5. Camp soap or other liquid soap is all that is needed in my view to wash up. TP/baby wipes/toothpaste are nice and should be packed. But holly cow some BOBs have more hygiene stuff than my bathroom.

6. Playing cards are great to pass the time after work or for drinking games at parties. But survival provides its own entertainment.

7. Complex electronics like computers etc. Ok a GPS is nice but learn to use a map and compass. A cell phone is nice and I pack mine but don’t expect them to work. Mass data storage devices? Ok but so what? If you are worried about your phone numbers and bank account info than I really don’t think the ER situation is all that serious.

8. Some FAKs would take up more room than an INCH bag if actually packed. Worse yet is packing medical gear without the knowledge to actually use it.

9. Mall ninja stuff. Not going to comment on this.

10. The walking arsenal. Guns are nice but there are limits to what some can reasonable expect to carry on their backs.

[SilentVectorX]

The concept I use is very close; the only exception is that I organize mine by 'type/use/catagory' rather than a single specific item. I then 'layer' my gear, starting with small multiuse items as close to my body as possible.

1. Blade/tools (anything and everything from a leatherman Squirt to a 16" kukri or FatMax tool)
2. Signal device (anything from a Fox40 whistle to a PLB or flare gun)
3. Shelter (contractor garbage bag < tent)
4. Water Container (1 liter ziplock < camelbak)
5. Cooking Container (aluminum foil < pot set)
6. Purification (chlorine dioxide tabs < filter)
7. Lights (squeeze LED < 500lumen taclight)
8. Navigation (button compass, map < GPS) <Suunto x9i or Garmin foretrex 101 GPSr's are EDC'd>
9. Hygiene (baby wipes, sanitizer)
/Medication (Imodium, Ibuprofen, etc.)
/Trauma (bandanna/tourney, quikclot ACS, SAM splint, etc) <yes I'm trained!>
10. Cordage (duct tape, 550 cord, zipties)
11. Firestarter (MFS, Firesteel/vaseline tinder, etc)

My priority is REDUNDANCY. Even just walking around the house, I have my dogtags (squeeze light, leatherman Squirt) and keychain (laser lighter). Add any pair of pants with a belt, and I get my Leatherman Wave and 2-AA Rayovac Sportsman. If those pants have a cargo pocket (always), then I get my PSK. After that is the Claymore/EOD go-bag/manpurse, and then the urban-BOB or outdoors-INCH.

Anyway, that's probably all been said plenty of times before. Just throwing in my 2 cents since you asked so nicely .

[mtaylor0001]

Hi Y.T.

Just on the food section. I have used the foil packaged tuna and found them prone to tearing easily, which would do wonders for the inside of your pack :)

Whilst slightly heavier, if you want fish I'd go for the canned tuna.

Cheers,
mtaylor0001

[bonanacrom]

[Kingofnearlynothing]

Thanks, extremely useful stuff. As far as food goes, I suppose I could Chris McCandless it - Have the means to get more food, i.e. a small game gun & a sack of rice to fall back on.

[eugene]

I kind of like the OP's list of 10 categories rather than 10 individual items.

[TMedina]

Whoa, necro post!

Anyway, REI also has a copy of the original "10 essentials" and an updated "10 essential systems".

Which reflects a more open-ended list for people to customize specific gear to fit a general need.

-Trevor

[Katica]

First off - my gear isn't nearly as awesome as most of what you guys have...

That being said, if I had to unpack my BOB and pick only ten things to stuff back into it, I think I'd pick;

1. Water purification tablets
2. Socks & underwear
3. My hand-crank radio that has a flashlight in it
4. The food
5. Matches
6. Lighters
7. Blanket
8. Tarp
9. Knife
10. Hand sanitiser gel

I decided to count the socks and underwear as one item because I really didn't want to ditch my radio flashlight.