Fishing for sport and fishing for food are two different things. If you're looking at a survival situation (which we're preparing for), you're looking for quantity over a set amount of time. I'd recommend using something like this: Amazon.com: 6 X 23 Ft Fish Nets, Fishing Nets, Netting, for Hockey, La Crosse, Cage, Golf, Sports, Decor,: Sports & Outdoors Weight one side and don't forget the collection lines so you can haul your catch in. Remember, this isn't about 'being fair' or observing conservation laws but about getting food into your belly!
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I had a realtor over today because we are thinking about moving to a smaller house. As we were in the bar area, he noticed my pack and asked what it was and I told him the whole SHTF plan. He was looking at the pack and tried to move it and commented that it was heavy. I told him I had it over packed just in case and we started talking about how much time a person would have to prepare once we heard things were bad.
I told him that where we live, planning for a rural bug out situation, I felt we had more time once we heard SHTF and we didnt have to move as quickly. He lives in Chattanooga and is more in the urban area and asked if I thought it would be good for his use. I said the idea is the same, but I would definitely change some of the items I carried.
Heres whats I came up with so far:
1. Replace the survival shovel with a crowbar- You will need to break into buildings more than you will need to dig a hole.
2. Remove the tent and sleeping bags- the majority of the bulk and weight come from the tent/sleeping bags. Finding a place to stay will be much easier in an urban area vs the woods.
3. Get a smaller pack- obviously less to carry means a smaller pack to hold it.
4. Eliminate the mess kit and just use the canteen stove. The stove is plenty to cook with and to eventually boil water. The extra weight of the mess kit is not needed as you can find plenty of abandoned houses with plenty of cookware.
5. Change your main weapons over to handguns- easier to conceal. If you want an assault weapon, look at possibly getting a Keltec PLR-16 Kel Tec CNC I believe it uses the same magazines as a full size AR15, but being smaller, its easier to conceal. Forget the 22, as you will be defending yourself and your stuff from a lot of people. The 22 is great for a survival gun in the woods, not so much when you need stopping power against lots of people.
6. Food will become your most sought after commodity. Have extra room in your pack to load it down if you come across a good supply.
Your pack should be smaller and lighter. The items you carry should be well thought out. City folk wont have the luxury of extra time to be able to carry lots of extras.
If you ever needed a reason to carry a day pack loaded with food and water, read this: Woman Survives For 49 Days In US Wilderness On Snow, Trail Mix
I told him that where we live, planning for a rural bug out situation, I felt we had more time once we heard SHTF and we didnt have to move as quickly. He lives in Chattanooga and is more in the urban area and asked if I thought it would be good for his use. I said the idea is the same, but I would definitely change some of the items I carried.
Heres whats I came up with so far:
1. Replace the survival shovel with a crowbar- You will need to break into buildings more than you will need to dig a hole.
2. Remove the tent and sleeping bags- the majority of the bulk and weight come from the tent/sleeping bags. Finding a place to stay will be much easier in an urban area vs the woods.
3. Get a smaller pack- obviously less to carry means a smaller pack to hold it.
4. Eliminate the mess kit and just use the canteen stove. The stove is plenty to cook with and to eventually boil water. The extra weight of the mess kit is not needed as you can find plenty of abandoned houses with plenty of cookware.
5. Change your main weapons over to handguns- easier to conceal. If you want an assault weapon, look at possibly getting a Keltec PLR-16 Kel Tec CNC I believe it uses the same magazines as a full size AR15, but being smaller, its easier to conceal. Forget the 22, as you will be defending yourself and your stuff from a lot of people. The 22 is great for a survival gun in the woods, not so much when you need stopping power against lots of people.
6. Food will become your most sought after commodity. Have extra room in your pack to load it down if you come across a good supply.
Your pack should be smaller and lighter. The items you carry should be well thought out. City folk wont have the luxury of extra time to be able to carry lots of extras.
If you ever needed a reason to carry a day pack loaded with food and water, read this: Woman Survives For 49 Days In US Wilderness On Snow, Trail Mix
Tornado rips through Joplin, MO. One of those 'other' times you could really use a BOB. Even if you're not bugging out, all the items in the bag would come in handy while you wait for a rescue team to bolster the first aid and rations. First reports are claiming almost 90 people dead! Right now it's looking like #21 on the overall list but certainly the most devastating one in over 50 years. The average is 60 deaths related to tornados per year.
Sorry to hear about that. You're right though . . . excellent example of when a BOB would come in handy. People often get relocated in disaster situations too, then it would come in extremely handy.
Final number is 122 fatalities. 8th place as highest number of tornado related deaths on record. Guess they won't be playing the wizard of oz on tv there for awhile. Number of additional injured is more than 750. Joplin isn't exactly a huge metropolis either at 50,150.
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Truly sad news. Hopefully the rest of the bad weather to go through there will have a little grace.
My daughter just got married last year and moved in with her husband. She was living in Joplin, thank god she moved.
On another note, my neighbor's nephew just got back from a tour in Iran. He temporarily moved in with them until he can find work. He had purchased a disposable e-cig but of course it was junk and they told him to come over and talk to me about e-cigs. While he was here, we were talking about BOB's and the whole Zombie Apocalypse and I showed him the SHTF bag I have. He's a smaller guy and put the bag on and said it was about 30 pounds heavier than what he carried, but not as heavy as some of the other guys ruck sacks. He was telling me about some of his military gear he had to purchase (not issued gear) and I might end up with a couple kevlar vests. He says he has a bunch of gear, and is planning on a trip to his hometown of Tallahassee, FL to get it all. He says I can go through it, but like I said, hes a smaller guy so most probably wont fit.
And finally, I have sold the War Wagon. I am actively looking for a new rig to play with.
On another note, my neighbor's nephew just got back from a tour in Iran. He temporarily moved in with them until he can find work. He had purchased a disposable e-cig but of course it was junk and they told him to come over and talk to me about e-cigs. While he was here, we were talking about BOB's and the whole Zombie Apocalypse and I showed him the SHTF bag I have. He's a smaller guy and put the bag on and said it was about 30 pounds heavier than what he carried, but not as heavy as some of the other guys ruck sacks. He was telling me about some of his military gear he had to purchase (not issued gear) and I might end up with a couple kevlar vests. He says he has a bunch of gear, and is planning on a trip to his hometown of Tallahassee, FL to get it all. He says I can go through it, but like I said, hes a smaller guy so most probably wont fit.
And finally, I have sold the War Wagon. I am actively looking for a new rig to play with.
Glad to hear the family is safe and you're helping another guy choose an e-cig (maybe the GL survival one in trade?). The biggest thing to worry about on any Kevlar vest besides fit is the issue date since they're only 'rated' for 5 years. I've owned flak jackets before, mainly for range time and 'just in case' since something beats nothing every time. If the price is right, you might want to look at buying a new carrier and using the inserts from his provided they're close enough in size. Might save more than a few bucks that way.
Cheaperthandirt.com is having a 3 day sale, may 27-29. Personal survival kits for $15. Dont have one so can not say if the stuff included is good quality or not, but for $15, you cant go wrong. CAMP-349 - Premium Emergency Kit In A Bottle Knife Whistle Compass Matches Mirror Saw Fishing Filled With Survival Supplies
Wow! Most fire starters cost about that much. I was gifted something similar years ago but it didn't have half the equipment but did include an emergency blanket. I think that's one heck of a deal that only needs some food and water purification along with a shelter to be a minimalist survival kit. Not a bad thing to keep in the glove box or locker/desk at work.
Thanks Mutt! What whynot said . . . it's kinda like buying a firestarter and getting the rest for free. 
heres an emergency tent/blanket: CAMP-232 - Disposable Emergency Tent Silver Reflective Material, Tube, Tent, 7' Long , 2 Person
emergency straw: CAMP-174 - Aquamira Frontier Filter Emergency Straw Filter Filters up to 20 Gallons 99.9% Effective
So total about $35
emergency straw: CAMP-174 - Aquamira Frontier Filter Emergency Straw Filter Filters up to 20 Gallons 99.9% Effective
So total about $35
I like the straw a lot - seems like a very simple and lightweight item to have, simplify the whole clean water issue immensely. Any idea on the total collapsed length? Would need to be in a protective case of some kind since reviews say it cracks easy. 2 of these, one in the main part of my alice and one in the back pouch would be a good, cheap addition.
Not sure of the dimesions of the straw, but maybe one of those plastic cigar cases would be big enough to hold and protect the straw? The very least, you could get a small piece of PVC pipe with some end caps to make a holder for it
Good idea. I have a lot of atypical cases in my b.o.b. for things. I have two specimen jars filled with petroleum jelly cotton balls in my kit and have a hollowed out eye glass case with a set of lockpicks and my backup gerber, I have a few film canisters and will be putting together a super small fishing kit soon. My non-trauma aid kit/meds is in a white plastic box. My trauma kit is in a ziplock right now until I figure out my ideal storage system for it. Cheap shave kit bags also work well for compartmentalizing. My next big change is my fixed blade knife. Right now I have a kabar ww2 fighting/utility knife and it's a bit big. I do like the idea of pvc piping a lot. Glue a standard end cap on one end and a male adapter on the other, then just screw in a top to that. Cheap and easily customizable to the perfect length.
My next project is a quality alcohol stove that's cheap, compact, light, reliable.
My next project is a quality alcohol stove that's cheap, compact, light, reliable.
I'd recommend storing it in an aluminum bottle or canteen since that's the likely use for it. Remember your average daily intake of water is higher in a stressed environment and the 20 gallons of use really isn't that much! I still think purification tablets are a must have for long term, especially for those that don't plan on staying put in one place long enough to set up a distillery.
Lifesaver Systems says they're reducing their water systems to smaller bottles too. There current bottle is still big and pricey as sin.
And +1 on iodine and mixed tablets. -Magnus
And +1 on iodine and mixed tablets. -Magnus
FYI: harbor freight has their magnesium fire starters on sale for $2 again. I like having a few of these in different compartments of my alice pack and the hf ones work just as well as the more expensive ones at the army/navy stores.
Well finally got most of the house settled in. Time to go through the BOB and convert it back to a hunting pack, Squirrel season opens in 6 days. Have a month before deer season opens with archery. Getting close fellas, time to take those bows and guns out of the gun cabinet, get em sighted in and get ready.
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