Ok guys... BOB project for my brother in Africa!

[HKTackDriver]

If I were in Africa I wouldn't plan on "bugging out" in the traditional sense. Stateside I've got family and a few locations where I'd be welcome. In Africa if SHTF I'd be trying to get to the airport as quickly as possible and get back to America.

I'd go with a small backpack that doesn't look expensive or touristy. Standard 10 essentials plus few extra bottles of potable water, expanded WEMT medical kit, local maps and the proper compass for that hemisphere and a nice machete. You'd be ready for a night in the bush under civilized conditions and for a quick run to the airport under less than civilized conditions.

Airports are usually the first thing over run. You want THE EMBASSY. When in a foreign country, always know the quickest route to the US embassy!!!!!

Oh, and you're not American, you're Canadian. No one gives a shit about Canucks, but everyone hates Americans when bullets start flying. And no, I'm not joking.

[jehicks87]

If I were in Africa I wouldn't plan on "bugging out" in the traditional sense. Stateside I've got family and a few locations where I'd be welcome. In Africa if SHTF I'd be trying to get to the airport as quickly as possible and get back to America.

I'd go with a small backpack that doesn't look expensive or touristy. Standard 10 essentials plus few extra bottles of potable water, expanded WEMT medical kit, local maps and the proper compass for that hemisphere and a nice machete. You'd be ready for a night in the bush under civilized conditions and for a quick run to the airport under less than civilized conditions.

There is no "traditional sense" when it comes to bugging out, especially in a foreign country. As I said in the OP, this is more of an E&E kit... escape and evade. Not a widerness-heavy kit. This is to get him out of a situation that either already has or could soon turn really bad. He is used to backpacking so I'm trying to find things he would know how to use and hopefully based on his familiarity with the concepts behind the contents be able to adapt them to any other situations he may come across.

Airports are usually the first thing over run. You want THE EMBASSY. When in a foreign country, always know the quickest route to the US embassy!!!!!

Oh, and you're not American, you're Canadian. No one gives a shit about Canucks, but everyone hates Americans when bullets start flying. And no, I'm not joking.

This is true.

So... Let me get this straight... You honestly believe your brother, your "flesh and blood", is going to" the most violent place on earth."

And you limit your purchasing power for this planned E+E kit to ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY American dollars?

-Fenris-

What? When did I ever say he was going to "the most violent place on Earth?" I'd probably say the border of A-stan and Pakistan is quite a bit worse than the Ivory Coast. And yes, I am limiting it to $150 because guess what... the government may pay, but it doesn't pay well. Do you understand the difference between an E&E kit and a full-fledged ZPAW INCH kit? Let me break it down for you: The bare essentials to get you from point A to point B in a potentially hostile environment. Seriously, even at $150... this kit will be better than what I have been issued in the event that I CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN IN AFGHANISTAN. I find your post a tad insulting and elitist. If you'd like to add to the purse, send me a PM and I'll give you my paypal account.

Additionally, I wanted to reiterate my that this is my brother we're talking about to *hopefully* cut down on the mall-ninjary that we all (myself included) are guilty of sometimes. So, yes, MY BROTHER, my own FLESH AND BLOOD is going to AFRICA where the chance of him needing a kit (that we espouse on these forums everyone should have) are increased drastically compared to Ft Smith, Arkansas. Outside of that, it's cool that your from the Natural State. I was Born and Raised in Hot Springs.

Alright guys, so... I'm glad many of you have positive experiences in Africa. That said, just because Ghana is relatively stable doesn't really mean a whole lot to me. If he were going to France I'd stillbe putting a kit together for him. The fact is, it's a foreign country and even if no Ghanians ever gave him grief, I don't know how secure the borders are and any (percieved) affluent American is a target abroad. It really is that simple; I've had to sit through many, many "counter-(insert-whatever-you-want-here)" classes and have, perhaps, a more paranoid and, certainly, more militant outlook on world travel than the average person. I love to travel, but it is always important to have an out. If you don't agree based on your overwhelmingly positive experiences, thank you for sharing them but even 99 times out of 100 leaves that one time. And one time is all you need to turn your world upside-down.

Beyond that, what happened to the ZS mentality of preparing for the worst? If I have a kit that will keep my brother prepared for ak-toting, door-kicking radicals, he will be prepared at the drop of a hat for getting separated from his group when taking a quick outdoors tour. C'mon guys, think PREPAREDNESS.

So here's what I'm getting:

Food, Water, Shelter, First Aid, and a good knife (maybe?). Well... yeah. I had listed those in the OP. Does anybody have a critique on what I posted originally, or are yall pretty much in agreement to what I had envisioned? I am open and seeking any helpful input to accomplish the task I have set forth. I came here for it because one, I love this place, and two, I don't have a lot of experience with civilian gear. Again, any helpful input is much appreciated and thank you to everyone who has chimed in so far!

[jehicks87]

Our eldest daughter spent two years teaching (math&sciences) for an NGO in Ghana, roughly in the center ("Brong Ahafo"). It was mostly an excellent experience, though she did experience considerable "oaf squad" gosse (not as bad as the worst of ZS, nor the worst of USA, just far more than anyone should ever experience).

Do you feel comfortable providing more info about what your brother will be doing, and where? Accra?

What are his interests & habits, outside of his planned work?

What's the background to his NYC mugging?


If it's Accra, that's the major port city, which did have a certain level of government employee non-violent graft (mostly centered around import type activities, at least in our experience). Like all locations, the key is to understand what the local issues are, and what/where to avoid.

Does he really need a weapon like tool?
Our daughter just carried a multitool and SAK, and never had any problems. She did considerable travel (gorgeous parks!), in a falling apart vehicle, so she did do more than a few emergency repairs (yes, her nickname is "Kaylee").
If your brother is doing blue collar type activities, will they be providing the necessary tools? If yes, forget the axe/machete stuff.


More info, please!

This is the best post I read so far, and I am sorry to have overlooked it!

My brother is working on a project for school where he is helping with the Ghanian Banking System. He is by trade and investment banker and this project is part of his Masters program in Public Service. I am super proud of him and hope one day to go to the same school he is currently getting this MPS in. As far as where, I do not know exactly. A large city, which is why this is not intended to be a wilderness-heavy kit. However, he will surely take various trips.

Outside of work he doesn't do much because of his school and work load. He does love backpacking, staying fit, and is one helluva cross country runner. He is also an avid hunter and enjoys fly fishing. Kind of a yuppy, though.

His mugging was he was drunk, thought he was a lot slicker than he really was and allowed himself to be talked into a dark alley by a guy asking for help. Once he realized this was a bad idea, two other guys blocked his exit, they beat him up and took his crap.

No blue collar work, all white collar high-brow stuff. I don't want this to be an overt thing.

[Honeypot]

If he were going to France I'd stillbe putting a kit together for him.

Bravo!!!
Where's the applause emoticon?!?

You nailed it!

We put the exact same thought and concern into #1 daughter's Ghana kit as into the Iraq/Afghanistan kits for our military service offspring.

The difference was she was not going into a war zone, but she also didn't have a massively well equipped support system.

Thanks for the extra info - that puts an entirely different light on things. I'll grok that in fullness, talk to family/friends, and get back to you in a few days.

It does sound like he'll be in Accra.
Has he outgrown the substance abuse gosse?

[roscoe]

I travel regularly to Africa, and here is what I would add:

Money belt, not the cloth thing, but a normal leather belt with a zipper on the inside. I have carried over $2000 and it is does not look like a money belt. Regular cloth money belts get stolen now and again by groups of youth who pull up your shirt and clip off the under-the-clothes strap. Having said that, I ALSO carry my passport under my clothes, but in a neck-type pouch that can be adjusted, and wear it around my neck and one shoulder, pretty high under my armpit.

Belt:


The other thing I had was a plastic envelope, like the thing that holds cards in your wallet, sealed in duct tape and under my insole. Inside left shoe: photocopy of passport and all credit cards and drivers license, etc., plus contact numbers for emergencies. Inside right shoe: $400 in hundreds. You can only carry about one 8.5 x11 piece of paper folded without feeling it (good insoles help). The idea: if you only have your shoes, you have money and all relevant info. I would also have that one page in the leather money belt. Note: US cash will solve many problems, even in an emergency

If he has any medicines, this is the next most important thing, so a 1-week supply of anything should he have to boogie away from his general luggage.

A map of the area where he will be working might be the most important thing if he has to really run like hell. Plus a compass (make sure it is a compass that works in Africa - compasses are balanced for the local variations in the earth's magnetic field). I have a Suunto compass with a "Global Needle" and it works anywhere on earth.

The usual things to have in a BOB: utralight Petzl-type LED headlamp that is so compact it is no bother, full-size Leatherman with leather sheath, 550 cord, water purification tablets, DEET, small FAK, etc. Elements will not be a factor, other than rain, so one of those super-packable rain ponchos might be nice.

A good hat is invaluable in the tropical sun - the sun there is no joke.

Compact shortwave radio, to listen to news in emergencies, but also BBC and VOA. Grundig makes one the size of a deck of cards.

I recommend against any weapon other than a locally-bought machete. In most places in the world, weapons of any kind are heavily restricted. And you are not likely to need it. A beat-up local machete will almost always pass, however. I once brought a Becker Combat 7 and could not find anything to do with it that a machete would not be better for.

Travel in Ghana will most likely be very safe, but in my experience, when things go south, there is not a local authority to appeal to for help in a hurry. Police do not always have cars, and there are often no ambulances, so the most important thing to have would be relevant medical skills like could be had from a WFR course.

[Fenris]

(withdraws prior statement)

I apologise for my earlier misunderstanding, I'm reading these posts on my phone, and thought you had made the Afro-phobic statements, when it was actually ptAltered that said the quote about "most dangerous place on earth."

I also said all this under the presumption that your brother was entering that part of the world as a soldier, so a second scolding on my part.

In my nonprofessional opinion, I'd say earlier posters with ideas towards secret money and cigarettes sounds best. A belt with a zip compartment, or a small bag that can be slipped into the pants, like some on this page:http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/SubCategory___40000000226_200368432 along with a case of smokes sounds ideal. And may run under your suggested allotment.

[vthunter]

OP, if you're still seeking input, may I offer a few suggestions:

1) You or your brother might want to check the US Dept of State website for any country or regional advisories (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1124.html). By golly, they even have an Iphone app. Really? Do wonders ever cease?

2) Have him apply some good google-fu on whether Ghana restricts "camo" into the country for, not only clothes, but luggage or, in this case, your planned "E&E" kit. Not familiar with Africa but I know several countries in Central/South America do not allow camo and they can even be a bit zealous around black & O.D. items, like cargo pants, if they think it screams "military" or "para-military". Stick with subdued: think "beige" (okay, coyote tan) and, not screaming expensive (Northface, Patagonia) - more Kelty & Dickies. Tough, affordable, but might keep him off the radar as a high-roller target.

3) I'm sure he'll touch base with his physician on any advisable pre-trip shots and, as already mentioned, any meds that'd be good to bring along. I went to the Pac-rim awhile back and my doctor prescribed, for emergencies-only, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, an antidiahrreal (stronger than Immodium), a non-narcotic, but stronger than OTC, pain-killer, with instructions on all of them for when & how to use each. Also, any specific meds he may need. Good idea to bring a bit more than he think he'll need in case his departure is delayed for any reason. Also suggest he has his doctor write a paper prescription for each one, as a back-up, and just in case any Customs person asks. Keep the prescription meds in their original containers and store in a carry-on, or in his pockets if feasible. You can reverse-carry a small backpack (pack in front, straps around the back, to avoid chance of loss). Stash a water bottle or two in the side pockets of the pack.

4) A colleague went to Cameroon, I think it was, on a church mission with his teenage son, in the past few months. First, he mentioned the "graft" at the airport (gov, LEO & citizen) & the "assertive begging" they encountered. They quickly learned how their in-country hosts dealt with those "local customs". No prejudice or slight toward anyone intended, just reporting what happened & how dealt with.

Second item to warn on was "rebottled bottled water" and discipline on what other water was ingested 'accidentally' (teeth-brushing, raw but washed fruit (avoid), etc.). It wasn’t that the locals avoided this water, the visitors just didn’t have any resistance to the pathogens. One of them was put out-of-commission with fever & dysentery for several days, so prevention is key and is compounded if out in the bush, running from anything. Again, check on travel restrictions, but a small supply of pre-packaged food items would be good to have (aforementioned Clif bars, tropical chocolate, fruit leather, candy and gum and so on).

Third note was to use extreme caution keeping any real valuables in a hotel 'safe' - only guarantee is the staff's reputation (theirs was shaky at best) so YMMV.

Fourth, sunscreen, lip balm (Chapstick with SPF, Burt's Bees, cheap petro-jelly) were all wicked valuable (& can double as fire starter). Hand sanitizer was worth its weight in gold, as was bug juice.

Lastly, they learned to keep a low profile but also learned not to look like a victim-in-waiting, either.

5) Surely have to second the water purification items (good small filter/purifier/tabs - I find the Katadyn Micropur tabs pretty small & a small expense compared to the peace of mind). Take a look here: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=micropur+mp1&tag=googhydr-20&index=sporting&hvadid=7754797905&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=126908564170989618&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_4hw2ve3b52_b
No chemical is great for long-term consumption but iodine or plain bleach (allowed to work and dissipate before drinking will kill the nasties) will take care in the short-term.

A good bandanna or non-mil shemagh will soak up the sweat, double-duty as a do-rag to cover the noggin, and can pre-filter the big silt or floaters out of natural water sources before disinfection, if needed.

6) EDC the normal stuff. A cheap Bic lighter or two is typical, Leatherman-clone, metal pen - think dual or more uses. Copies of travel docs essential (passport/work visa/photo id/drivers license, credit card & phn #'s to call to cancel them if lost or stolen, map & phone number to Embassy. All laminated if possible. Stash it all into a neck wallet, zipper belt, inside-pants pocket (not the regular pockets), or those pouch-wallets that hang suspended from your belt inside pants. This was mentioned before – recommend to heed that advice. Don't take every card he owns but, on the ones he does, insure the bank knows the one(s) he’ll take will be used in a foreign country & for what date-range. Lanyard or tether keys & tie to belt or belt loop; similar for a blade/multi-tool. A second, cheapo nylon, toss-away wallet (no real identity, few small bills) might be worth the hassle to get away in a tight spot. Think outside the box – what normal stuff can be used in ingenious ways.

7) Understand you asked for feedback on E&E kit suggestions specifically. I'm not associated with or connected to Randall's in any way but you might want to take a look at http://www.eseeknives.com/survivalkit.htm and http://www.eseeknives.com/adventure.htm for ideas. Keep what works, toss what you don’t think will. Most importantly, you mentioned his hiking, so he'll probably know how to use & apply his equipment but, as retold many times, knowledge trumps gear every time. If the admin & mods don't mind, in addition to the WEALTH of info here at ZS, take a look at Doug Ritter's site (apologies & delete this part if this should violate forum rules or present any conflicts). A good SAK & FAK shouldn't raise too many eyebrows and are usually non-threatening but useful in a typical get-outta-dodge scenario. Good civvie boonie for shade, & sunglasses on a Croakies or similar. Tie him up a para-cord belt, or neck strap for his camera; pretty inconspicuous but great if needed & won't stand out like a hank of rope hanging off his bag might.

8) As others have offered, where's he E&E'ing "TO"? If he ventures out into the nether regions, always good to let someone trusted know where & when he plans to return, etc. Good advice most any time. Bug-out destinations or “safe-houses” or “safer” locations are probably good to identify in advance. The less that’s left to chance, or someone’s best guess, is probably the better & smarter option. A library(?), a hospital, a church/synagogue/etc., our embassy, or a friendly embassy, are possibly good locations to know, if in the city. On those “out of the way” journeys, maybe a "safe" pick-up spot already agreed to and pre-identified? Obviously visitors tend to stand-out so hard to hide in plain sight or blend in with locals - food for thought. Some local garb might help. Use his head in all cases. Stay away from politically-charged events and hot-spots and ‘bad’ neighborhoods, if possible.

I know this is a bit off-topic but hope it gives some ideas to pass on.

Stay safe!! And, you know, he should try to enjoy himself along the way. That’s a heck of a trip…

[greenbeetle]

What a great thread.

Water purification is probably a better option than water filtration. Depending on where your brother will be it's possible some water will be feces contaminated and he'll want it treated for viruses as well as the larger stuff.

If he's going to a malaria zone he'll already be prophylaxed. But there's nothing wrong with having a broad spectrum antibiotic around.

[Towanda]

Airports are usually the first thing over run. You want THE EMBASSY. When in a foreign country, always know the quickest route to the US embassy!!!!!

Oh, and you're not American, you're Canadian. No one gives a shit about Canucks, but everyone hates Americans when bullets start flying. And no, I'm not joking.

This. This. A thousand times, this. You might even want to think about getting him a Maple Leaf patch he can slap on a piece of clothing or gear right quick. I know Canadians get irritated when Americans pretend to be them abroad, but if the choice is an ass-kicking (or worse) and impersonating a Canadian, I know which one I'd pick.

[jehicks87]

Airports are usually the first thing over run. You want THE EMBASSY. When in a foreign country, always know the quickest route to the US embassy!!!!!

Oh, and you're not American, you're Canadian. No one gives a shit about Canucks, but everyone hates Americans when bullets start flying. And no, I'm not joking.

This. This. A thousand times, this. You might even want to think about getting him a Maple Leaf patch he can slap on a piece of clothing or gear right quick. I know Canadians get irritated when Americans pretend to be them abroad, but if the choice is an ass-kicking (or worse) and impersonating a Canadian, I know which one I'd pick.

That's actually Somersething I've already considered

[deadcat7382]

3 things: Imodium AD
Sunblock
Really good bug stay off me juice

[greenbeetle]

7) Understand you asked for feedback on E&E kit suggestions specifically. I'm not associated with or connected to Randall's in any way but you might want to take a look at http://www.eseeknives.com/survivalkit.htm and http://www.eseeknives.com/adventure.htm for ideas. Keep what works, toss what you don’t think will.

These kits may be good for inspiration but be careful. Having some of those items is better than nothing but not by much. The fishing kits are usually small, poorly supplied and ineffective. Commando wire saws are junk. So are button compasses. If you're thinking about using a scalpel on yourself I hope you're a doctor (and have a high pain threshold). I would echo others on this thread - a robust first aid kit is a good idea, the one here seems limited.

The disposable handcuff key in that kit looks interesting.

Agree, read up on local vegetation and wildlife.

What about an instant ice pack or two for overheating?

[jehicks87]

What about an instant ice pack or two for overheating?

That's a good idea!

[ajd266]

You should check out the Sawyer Squeeze filter. Super light weight and easy to field maintain (all you have to do is backflush it with the included syringe). It's also guaranteed for 1 million gallons. I got mine the other day and it's awesome.
http://www.rei.com/product/837824/sawye ... ter-filter

[GunnerMax]

I have been to Ghana on both of my last 2 deployments. It is hot, there are lots of bugs, and just overall humid.

Please do not forget body powder/gold bond/buttpaste. Chafing is rampant because its so freaking hot.