ZS Presents: How to Build Your Bug Out Bag (B.O.B.)

Gunny · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 6:50 pm

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Table of Contents:

Introduction
Choosing Your Bag
Components Primer
Food
Water Containers
Water Treatment
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Table of Contents: Alternative Resources

BOB Essentials Series
BOB Essentials Series: Business Card Duct Tape Wrap (Picture Intense)
BOB Essentials Series: Blastmatch (Pics Video and Win)
BOB Essentials Series: Paracord Lightstick Wrap (Picture intense)
BOB Essentials Series: Nalgene Polycarbonite Bottles (Pics and Video)
BOB Essentials Series: MSR Dromedary Bag

Other Resources
The Original Thread Build Your BOB Thread
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Gunny · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 6:53 pm

INTRODUCTION:

Hey everyone and welcome to Zombie Squad’s Bug Out Gear Section!

This thread will serve as your starting point to building a solid Bug Out Bag. Within this thread you’ll find information on how to pick your Bug Out Bag, what components are necessary, and where you can purchase them.

First off, a lot of the questions/ideas you may want to ask have been covered before. Before asking, feel free to do a little research on our forums. If your question still wasn't answered, or you want to make a new post, feel free, we like new post/information

Here's how to use the search function:

You’ll also find links to discussion threads/member posts where you can see discussions of particular Bug Out Bag concepts, or see how others have employed said concepts into the building of their own bug out bags.

Enjoy.

Gunny · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:00 pm

Building Your Bug Out Bag: Step 1, The Bag

I simply cannot stress this point enough, THERE IS NO SINGLE BEST BUG OUT BAG! The perfect bag will depend on the personal preferences of the person using said bag. The bag does not need to be super expensive, ultra light weight or high speed military, it just has to WORK FOR YOU!

Below you’ll find several examples of bags that our members here at Zombie Squad have utilized as the main component of their Bug Out Bags.

The A.L.I.C.E. pack

Wikipedia’s Definition of the ALICE Pack wrote:

Field Pack [medium] - The field pack is made of water repellent treated nylon duck and webbing, spacer fabric, and metal hardware. The main compartment closes by means of a drawstring secured by a plastic cord clamp. A radio pocket is located against the back on the inside. Three pockets on the outside with strap and buckle adjustable closures and with snap fasteners for quick access are provided for miscellaneous items. The top flap has a pocket with a hook and pile fastener tape sealed closure. Equipment hangers are located above each outside pocket and on each side. Drainage eyelets are provided in the bottom of the main compartment and the outside pockets. An envelope pocket is located at the top, back of the pack and padded with spacer cloth, into which the field pack frame is inserted when the field pack is used on the field pack frame. Buckles and straps at each side near the bottom are used for anchoring the field pack to the field pack frame. Two rectangular wire loops located at the top back of the field pack and D rings on each side at the bottom of the field pack are used to provide shoulder strap attachment when the field pack is carried without the field pack frame. A waterproof bag is located in the main compartment and each of the three outside pockets for keeping the equipment dry.

Essentially the ALICE pack is a widely produced (read easy to find/buy) military style circa the 1970’s that’s adaptable, durable and relatively cheap. It comes in a few different sizes, configurations and camouflage colors which goes a long way to personalizing the pack for the individual survivalist.

Ninty’s ALICE Bug Out Bag

Jeepinbandtrider’s ALICE Bug Out Bag

TBear0574’s ALICE Bug Out Bag

Where to buy
EBAY
AMAZON
BRIGADE QUARTERMASTERS
SUPERTROOPER
Google Product Search

Spec-Ops T.H.E. Pack

Spec-Op’s Website wrote:

Made from super durable 1000D. Cordura® Nylon fabric (by far the toughest 1000D nylon fabric on the market today).
• Huge YKK #10 zippers on main compartment and large outer pockets.
• Double Layer Pack Top eliminates stress failure associated with excessive use of carry/drag handle.
• Dual Compression Straps with integrated load loops on pocket faces.
• Removable 2" waist belt with "Endless" adjustment - no flapping straps!
• Dual External Access port covers.
• Compatible with Spec-Ops® Brand X-SYSTEM and incorporates our MTX SHOULDER HARNESS SYSTEM
• PACK DIMENSIONS: 19" high, 13" wide, 12" thick at bottom tapering to 9" at top. MAIN COMPARTMENT: 19"high x 13" wide x 7" thick
• @ 1730 cubic inches. TOP POCKET: 8" high x 10" wide x 2.5" thick @ 250 cubic inches. BOTTOM POCKET: 10" high x 12" wide x
• 3.5" thick @ 570 cubic inches. TOTAL CAPACITY: 2550 cubic inches.
• Backed by Spec.-Ops. Brand’s unique lifetime guarantee.

This bag is certainly a step up from the ALICE pack on the military side of the BOB spectrum. At 2500 cubic inches, it’ll pack quite a bit of gear away though you do get what you pay for. Expect to pay between $150 and $200 for this pack.

Cerebus’s T.H.E. Bug Out Bag

Nick’s T.H.E. Bug Out Bag

GlennB261's T.H.E. Bug Out Bag

Where to buy
SPEC-OPS Website
EBAY
BRIGADE QUARTERMASTERS
LA POLICE GEAR
RSTACTICALGEAR

KIFARU EMR

This is pretty much the top of the line when it comes to Bug Out Bags. Kifaru is known for their attention to detail, lifetime warranty and custom fitted packs. This being said, they’re very expensive, too expensive for most to afford for a BOB project. But, for the sake of showing what one can do with a relaxes sense of frugality, here’s the E.M.R. (Extended Mission Rucksack) system.
Depending on the options you pick, expect to pay between $600-1500.

Kifaru's Website Writes wrote:

Bag Expansion & Compression.
Your pack bag has a wide latitude of load control.
(click here for more on our Expansion & Compression System)
Modularity at its best. Not only will our other packs and pockets "dock" to the EMR, it accepts any MOLLE compatible pocket on the market.
Big, but not heavy.
A creative use of state-of-art materials allow these packs to weigh in at about half that of a comparable competitor's pack.
Comfort: all operators who tested the EMR declare it the most comfortable large capacity ruck they've ever used, civilian or military - period.
A Custom Fit: Individuals and small unit orders will get the EMR or MMR fit to their physical specifications. When you order, just let us know your height, inseam length and waist size.
Larger unit orders will come with fitting instructions sewn into the top Chamber Pocket.
These instructions need only be done once, and allow you to maximize your performance with a tailored fit.

Grifter’s Kifaru EMR Bug Out Bag

Agent Jaw’s Kifaru MMR Bug Out Bag

Gunny’s Kifaru EMR Bug Out Bag

Woods Walker’s Excellent BOB Review (as good as it gets)

Where to Buy
Kifaru’s Website
Ebay will carry them occasionally

THE CIVILIAN SIDE OF THE BOB LIFE

I started out showing military style Bug Out Bag’s simply because most people prefer them to the civilian style bags. This being said, lots of people use civilian style bags to great success and more often than not, for less money than select military style bags.

For example:

Gunny’s Northface Bug Out Bag

Shiner86’s Civilian/Military Hybrid Bug Out Bag

JIM’s Bug Out Bag

airballrad’s Outdoor Products Bug Out Bag

-Jason-‘s Bug Out Bag

As you can see, there’s no need to go military. These above ZS’ers have made civilian bags into very successful Bug Out Bags. Like I said before, it all depends on your area of operations, your budget and what fits your personally; the best Bug Out Bag is the bag that fits YOUR needs.

Gunny · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:06 pm

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COMPONENTS PRIMER
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Now that you understand the main concept of the Bug Out Bag, it becomes readily important to know what goes IN your bug out bag.
Any good survivalist will realize that there are 5 main components necessary for your survival:
1. Food
2. Water
3. Warmth
4. Shelter
5. Rescue

This next section will cover each of these 5 main components and provide pictures, links and where to buy for all of these necessary components.

Gunny · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:19 pm

Food

Mainstay Emergency Rations

Mainstay rations are what I consider to be one of the ‘perfect’ bug out foods. These rations are impervious to heat and cold, have a 5 year shelf life and don’t make you thirsty while eating them. Each bar, which is roughly the size of a standard paperback book, contains 3600 calories which is enough to sustain an adult at a moderate level of activity for 3 days.

Mainstay’s Manufacturer’s Website Writes wrote:

• 5 year Shelf Life
• Non-Thirst Provoking
• Withstands Temperatures of -40°F to 300°F (-40°C to 149°C)
• Ready to Eat: Each package contains 9 pre-measured 400 calorie meals.
• Individualized Portions eliminate the messy breaking-up that occurs with other bars.
• Allows for on-land emergency consumption in a high-stress active situation.
• Contains no cholesterol or tropical oils.
• Meets the US Coast Guard standards (160.046/23/0). It's new modern packaging even meets the stringent guidelines set by the Department of Defense (SOLAS 74/83).
• Enriched with vitamins and minerals exceeding the RDA requirements.
• Pleasant lemon flavor which appeals to old and young alike.

I personally carry 4 mainstay bricks in my main bug out bag and tend to stash one or two away in every Bug Out Bag/Get Home Bag/Truck Bag I own.

Here's an excellent review by JRod of the Mainstay Ration
Discussion of Mainstay vs Mayday Ration Bars
Iridellamas's BOB containing mainstay rations

WHERE TO BUY
SURVIVAL UNLIMITED
EBAY
AMAZON
BRIGADE QUARTERMASTERS
SURVIVOR INDUSTRIES

Datrex Emergency Food Rations

Some individuals don't like the lemony flavor of the Mainstay rations and would prefer something more palatable. For them, a good option might be the Datrex Emergency Food Ration.

Datrex's Manufacturer's Website Writes wrote:

Datrex Food Ration Bar Specs:

* Provides 3600 Calories (18 - 200 calories per bar)
* High Energy Value
* Made to be Non-Thirst provoking
* Pleasant cookie taste
* Small and lightweight
* Non affected by high heat or freezing cold (think,
car trunk emergency kit or cruise ship lifeboat in Alaska)
* All natural ingredients
* Vacuume sealed packaging locks in flavor
* Tabletized bars make for
easier rationing and dispersing
* No cooking or heating needed
Eat straight from the package
* Minimum 5 year shelf-life
* U.S. Coast Guard Approved
* Canadian Coat Guard Approved
* EC World Coast Guard Lifeboat Approved

Nutritional Information: Each bar contains 200 calories, 3gm of protein, 21gm of carbohydrate, and .75mg of sodium. Total fat is 10gm, saturated fat is 2gm, mono-unsaturated fat is 7gm, and poly-unsaturated fat is 1gm. Cholesterol is .378mg. Additionally, each bar contains Vitamin A and C, plus Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin.

Red Cross/Home Depot Pre-Made BOB featuring Datrex rations

(Placeholder for more links/pics of datrex on ZS in action)

General Food Bar Discussion

WHERE TO BUY
Nitro-pak.com
CampingSurvival.com
Preptek.com
Google Product Search

Meals Ready To Eat (MRE’s)

MRE’s are also a very good bug out food. They usually constitute an entire meal in one bag (most will include an entre, a side meal, a snack, several beverages, a desert and a condiment packet to include a book of matches, gum and toilet paper.
The downside is they are big and it typically takes two MRE’s per person per day to keep them active. This being said, they represent ‘complete nutrition’ in that a typical MRE has 100% of your FDA’s recommended daily nutritional intake.

Additionally MRE’s have an official shelf life of 3 years, but this designation is very subjective. I’ve personally eaten MRE’s that were older than I was with no ill effects.

www.mreinfo.com writes wrote:

What's in an MRE?
You can find a listing of the exact components of each MRE on the MRE Menus page . The military makes a few changes to the menus every year so you will find a different menu listing for each year. In general, though, each MRE contains the following:
• Entree - the main course, such as Spaghetti or Beef Stew
• Side dish - rice, corn, fruit, or mashed potatoes, etc.
• Cracker or Bread
• Spread - peanut butter, jelly, or cheese spread
• Dessert - cookies or pound cakes
• Candy - M&Ms, Skittles, or Tootsie Rolls
• Beverages - Gatorade-like drink mixes, cocoa, dairy shakes, coffee, tea
• Hot sauce or seasoning - in some MREs
• Flameless Ration Heater - to heat up the entree
• Accessories - spoon, matches, creamer, sugar, salt, chewing gum, toilet paper, etc.
Each MRE provides an average of 1,250 calories (13% protein, 36% fat, and 51% carbohydrates) and 1/3 of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. A full day's worth of meals would consist of three MREs.

MRE’s come in many shapes and sizes. For example:

Info on US Military Meals Ready to Eat

French RCIR information page

British 24 Hour Ration Pack Information Page

Info page on Civilian MRE’s

911 Bones Bug Out Bag with Civilian MRE

SharkChild's BOB featuring a US military MRE

Dana B's BOB featuring US Military MRE's

Source for most of the information on this page, great website!

WHERE TO BUY
EBAY
AMAZON
BRIGADE QUARTERMASTERS
READYMEAL
GOOGLE PRODUCT SEARCH

Mountain House Meals

Mountain House Meals have been a staple of the survival/camping community for several years now. They’re small, fairly damn tasty and have a long shelf life. The downside of them is that they take water to cook, which can get taxing on your water supplies should you be bugging out.

To prepare, simply open the pouch and add boiling water and stir occasionally. In a few minutes your meal will rehydrate and you’ll have a warm and tasty meal on hand.

Each meal will range between 400-1100 calories depending on the amount of people it intends to serve (1, 2 or 4 people typically).

I personally carry a few mountain house meals in my BOB. Here’s a little bit about them:

Mountain House’s Website
Mountain House Nutritional Information

GlennB261’s BOB With a Mountain House Pro-Pack

MCJ’s BOB with lots of Mountain House fare

Jetsiphon’s BOB with Mountain House meals

WHERE TO BUY
THEREADYSTORE
NITRO-PAK
EBAY
SURVIVAL UNLIMITED
AMAZON HAS A GREAT SELECTION

Here’s a pictorial representation of some other BOB foods you could pack along

Gunny · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:24 pm

WATER CONTAINERS

For the next section of this BOB mega-thread, we need to focus on water. A human can go in upwards of a week without food before expiring but only a few days without water. An active survivalist will require in upwards of 1.5-2 GALLONS of water daily for washing, drinking, bathing and sanitation. As such, lets dive right in.

Containers
Before we go about collecting/filtering water, we need to make sure you have something to put your life saving H20 in.

Nalgene Polycarbonite Bottles

Q: Why do you need a Nalgene bottle for your BOB?
A: Simple: They simply do not break/rupture.

Nalgene’s Website Writes wrote:

Polycarbonate (PC)
High impact resistance
Resistant to staining
Won't retain odors
Withstands sub-freezing to boiling temperatures
Dishwasher safe away from the heating element
Max temperature: 135°C/275°F
Min temperature: -135°C/-211°F

Nalgene’s Main Website

Nalgene Wide Mouth Bottle

Nalgene Narrow Mouth Bottle

Nalgene bottles also come with a very wide range of products that are tailored around their design. For example, there are several types of filters (which we’ll discuss later) that attach directly to the bottle, allowing you to more easily collect water.

Or other attachments such as:

Carrying attachments

Firefly LED Lantern Lid

Hell you can even buy a French coffee press for them

MrClark’s Bug Out Bag with Nalgene Bottles

KaceCoyote’s BOB with 2 Nalgene Bottles

SharkChild’s BOB with MSR Microworks EX (which will attach directly to the Nalgene pictured)

WHERE TO BUY
GOOGLE PRODUCT SEARCH
AMAZON
REI
EMS
EBAY

MSR DROMERDY BAGS

MSR's Dromedary Website

Mountain Safety Research's Website Writes: wrote:

These bomber bags, made of 500- and 1,000-denier Cordura® and laminated with food-grade polyurethane, can withstand temperatures from freezing to boiling. They feature a new low-profile handle for no-hassle filling, an easy-drink/pour 3-in-1 cap, and perimeter webbing that allows for convenient pack attachment and hanging.

* Heavy-Duty: Abrasion-resistant Cordura, laminated with food-grade polyurethane, can handle everything from freezing to boiling.
* Versatile: 3-in-1 cap lets you fill, drink, and pour with ease.
* Easy to Fill: Ergonomic handle makes filling bags easier than ever.
* No-Hassle Attachment: Perimeter webbing allows for convenient pack attachment and hanging.
* BPA-Free

These bags are simply amazing. They fold up to right about the size of a few sheets of paper and are practically indestructible. Check out my review by clicking here. I'm a big fan of bulletproofing my vital systems (ie fire, water, food gathering, protection) so this is just another step you can take to survive and all for $20ish Google Shopping Link.

So far Zombie Squad has been very slow to adopt this technology though the prudent survivalist will recognize the benefits of having a near indestructible manner in which to keep their precious water supply.

WHERE TO BUY
CAMPMOR
BASEGEAR
BACKCOUNTRY
EBAY (Start here)
GOOGLE SHOPPING

Platypus Collapsible Bags + Nalgene Collapsible Canteens

Platypus Website

Platypus's Website Writes wrote:

* New film is tougher, quieter and easier to handle.
* New SlimeGuard™ anti-microbial treatment keeps your water fresh and taste-free.
* Collapsible design allows you to roll bottle up for easy, compact storage.
* Gusseted bottom keeps bottle upright for easier filling.
* Taste-free, non-leeching and BPA-Free.
* Can be customize with a wide array of Platy accessories.

Nalgene Website

Nalgene's Website Writes wrote:

Fill our flexible CANTENES with 16-, 32-, 48-, or 96 ounces of your favorite drink. Our Wide-Mouth flexible containers can be easily packed with ice cubes and will accommodate all major filters and purifiers. Available with the loop-top cap or the ATB cap. When finished, collapse the container for easy storage.
Made with Multi-Layer Film

* Sturdy and reliable
* Collapsible and flexible
* Shouldn't be exposed to sharp objects
* Dishwasher Safe (top rack only)
* Withstands temperatures from -29ºC (-20ºF) to 104ºC (220ºF)

Both of these water bottles offer a very economical solution to water storage. While most of these bags aren't as temperature resistant as their manufacturer's would lead you to believe, they do well in adverse conditions if properly taken care of. Better yet, they're cheap, easy to store and do a damn fine job of holding your camp water. Google Shopping Prices for Nalgene Bottles and Google Shopping Prices for Platypus Bottles When used in conjunction with a water filter (see below) these bottles will help round out your water container needs. Follow the lead of some of our members here at Zombie Squad:

IRideLlams's BOB with Platypus Bottle

KaceCoyote's BOB with Platypus Bottle

WoodsWalker's Mini-BOB Contest Entry featuring a Platypus Bottle

WHERE TO BUY
PROLITE
CAMPSAVER
CAMPMOR
EBAY
GOOGLE SHOPPING

WoodsWalker's BOB with Nalgene Collapsible Canteen

WHERE TO BUY
PREPAREDNESS
EVEREST GEAR
MOUNTAIN SPORTS
GOOGLE SHOPPING
EBAY

Gunny · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:30 pm

WATER TREATMENT

Now that we've established a proper carrying vessel for your hydration/fluids, we're going to move on to how to properly treat your potable water for consumption. Even the clearest trickling creek can be filled with all manners of waterborne bad guys who want nothing more than to create a tornado in your bowels. Kind of like what happened to this jerk (on the left) during a recent camping expedition:

Some of the possible nasties you may run into when drinking unfiltered/untreated water are:

Giardia

Cryptosporidium

Bacteria

Protozoa

Microbial Cysts

Now that we understand the necessity of filtering ALL of our water for human consumption when bugging out, let's move on to how to go about avoiding dysentery while in search of a refreshing drink of creek water.

FILTERS:

Most all portable hand pump operated filters work through a combination of chemicals and force. Simply stated, the pump forces water through a series of screens or filters (albeit charcoal, ceramic or mesh) to strain out the impurities within the water. Note that these filters do nothing to remove chemicals from the water, and can only trap specific sizes of nasties, so it's always important to treat your water after you filter (more on that later).

Some of the filters you'll see in common use are:

The MSR Miniworks EX:

MSR MiniWorks EX

Mountain Safety Research writes of their MSR Miniworks EX wrote:

The MiniWorks EX is the best-selling filter on the market, delivering long-lasting, fully field-maintainable water filtration. Its durable ceramic element ensures protection, pumps water for years, and can be cleaned repeatedly for full recovery, with no tools required for complete disassembly. The MiniWorks is also lightweight, compact, and, thanks to its innovative AirSpring Accumulator™, capable of pumping one liter of water per minute.

* Long-lasting: Durable ceramic element ensures protection and will pump water for years.
* Field-maintainable: Can be cleaned repeatedly for full filter recovery; no tools required for complete disassembly.
* Fast Flow: AirSpring Accumulator increases filtration speed; up to 1 liter/minute.
* Effective Protection: Removes bacteria, protozoa (including crypto and giardia), and particulate.
* Better-tasting Water: Carbon core removes unpleasant tastes and odors caused by chemicals, such as iodine, chlorine, and pesticides.

This filter is a favorite among the survivalist community as it is relatively inexpensive Google Shopping Pricing at around $70-$80 for the entire kit. The filter is also easy to use, attaches to a variety of containers (see above) and does a damn good job of filtering even the dirtiest water. I like it so much, that it's my main filter.

Cerberus's BOB Using a MSR MicroWorks EX

WoodsWalker's BOB (One of the best examples of a good Bug Out Bag you'll ever see)

WHERE TO BUY
REI
DICKS
CAMPMOR
EBAY
GOOGLE PRODUCT SEARCH

KATADYN HIKER/HIKER PRO

Katadyn's Hiker Website

Katadyn's Website Writes about the Katadyn Hiker wrote:

Katadyn Hiker

The convenient and effective microfilter

The Katadyn Hiker is the best selling microfilter in the US Outdoor Market. Lightweight and easy to use design is the best choice for all around use. Unique, pleated cartridge design provides fast and easy pumping. Convenient and handy for 1–2 persons (e.g. while hiking or trekking). Compatible with hydration bladders.
Includes: Prefilter, bottle adapter and carry bag

Technology
* AntiClog Technology with 0,3 micron glassfiber (no cleaning needed)
* Activated carbon granulate

Output
~1 quart
~1 l/min

Capacity (depending on water quality)
200 gal
750 l

Weight
11 oz
310 g

Dimensions
3 x 6.5 x 2.4 ''
7.6 x 16.5 x 6.1 cm

The Katadyn Hiker/Hiker Pro series are popular among Zombie Squaders because they're simple to operate, very effective and are easy on the wallet. A typical price for one of these models is between $50-$60 Google Shopping Link. Below are a few Zombie Squader's kits that include this filter:

Paulie771's BOB with Katadyn Hiker

KillerRN's Budding BOB with Katadyn Pocket Filter

WHERE TO BUY
CAMPMOR
CAMPSAVER
REI
EBAY
GOOGLE PRODUCT SEARCH

MSR MIOX CHEMICAL TREATMENT

MSR Miox Website

Mountain Safety Research writes about their MIOX filter wrote:

The MIOX Purifier represents a revolution in water treatment. It's ultralight, compact, and easy to use—with no pumping, maintenance, or iodine required.

Developed in conjunction with the U.S. military, the MIOX Purifier offers unrivaled ease of use and reliability for purifying large volumes of water, making it ideal for outdoor recreation, travel, and disaster-preparedness. It works by creating a powerful dose of mixed oxidants (MIOX), which is then added to untreated water, inactivating all viruses, bacteria, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium (which even iodine doesn't kill). And since the MIOX Purifier needs only common camera batteries and salt to operate, it's maintenance-free, delivering more water, more easily than any purifier ever before.

* No pumping required: Just add water, shake, and press a button.
* Purifies water without iodine: No health risk or unpleasant iodine taste.
* Great for large volumes of water: Perfect for groups or extended trips.
* Ultralight and compact: Fits in your pocket to go anywhere.
* Reliable purification: Inactivates all viruses, bacteria, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium.

Kit includes MIOX Purifier, salt, batteries, safety-indicator strips, instructions, quick-reference card, and storage sack.

The MIOX purifier is a concept that is slowly catching on in the survivalist community. Essentially the filter uses a series of mixed oxidants which can be added to unfiltered water to kill all viruses and bacteria. The MIOX is an excellent addition to ANY survival kit as it can easily purify large quantities of water using only the filter, salt and 2 batteries. This filter is also VERY small (think the size of a carpenter's Sharpie Marker) and can easily find room in even the most space conscious BOB's. The filter is a bit more pricey, though a prudent shopper can score one of these purifiers for around $100 Google Product Search. A few ZS'ers are utilizing this technology already:

KillerRN's BOB with MIOX Filter (it's in there somewhere)

GhostFace's SpecOps Packrat with MIOX

WHERE TO BUY
BOTACHTACTICAL
DICKS
PROLITE
EBAY
GOOGLE PRODUCT SEARCH

Katadyn MicroPur Tablets

Katadyn's MicroPur Website

Katadyn's Website Writes about the MicroPur system wrote:

The simplest and healthiest way to conserve water

Use in clear water. Ideal for vacations and travelling. Micropur Classic inactivates bacteria in water tanks and containers. It is ecologically friendly and keeps water free from germs, algae and odours. Silver ions preserve water for up to 6 months.

Technology: Silver ions
Contact Time: 2 hours
Form: Tablets
Shelf-life: 10 years
Application: For smaller amounts of water (e.g. water bottles)

These tablets are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to backup your filter. By simply adding one or two tablets to a container of water to be treated, you can rest assured that any viruses and bacteria that may have inhabited your drinking water are now deader than disco. Depending on if you pick the liquid or the tablet form, you can expect to pay at or around $15 for these backup pills Google Shopping Link. Here's a few examples of the various MicroPur systems in Zombie Squad kits:

WoodsWalker's BOB featuring MicroPur tablet (his bob's so good, I had to post it twice)

Murph's BOB

WHERE TO BUY
REI
CAMPSAVER
BASEGEAR
EBAY
GOOGLE PRODUCT SEARCH

Blasphemous · **Posted:** Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:42 pm

I just read through this whole thing, Kudos Gunny!

Nick · **Posted:** Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:14 am

Nice page gunny!

When I get back to the states Ill build a new and improved BOB.

I have been working on one for over here but the essentials are a bit harder to get your hands on. So far I have a VS17 Panel and a Pen Flare kit. It's a start I guess.

Drew23 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:29 pm

From this post, only thing I got was...Best addition to a BOB, a little mini WoodsWalker.

Thanks for the post, lots of useful info.

[EDIT]Please add the Eagle Industries 3-Day Assault Pack to the list of BOB's.

I'd prefer to buy American, yet still be able to make my car payment.

[/EDIT]

Axelrod · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:34 pm

Micropur MP 1 seems to be available everywhere .I got a pack of 30 here for $4.99 . I cant find anything on their website about them . Maybe they are discontinued in favour of the silver type MC series ?

Max21 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:28 pm

AWESOME guide.

Eric Draven · **Posted:** Fri May 08, 2009 6:25 am

REALLLLLLY great guide. I am seriously floored by how much info is here in this one thread. Right on.

wozzy123 · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 2:03 pm

Helpful Guide. Lot of good info.

Dom · **Posted:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:53 pm

realy great guide, cant wait to build a bob for myself

but you might add that you can, if no filter is aviable, desinfect your water with sun.

tacmed25 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:17 am

Hello,
if I can make a suggestion, for me, the best bug out bags have been old medic backpacks. they have organized compartments with lots of elastic bands for holding tools and survival equip nice and snug (eg. London Bridge Trading's Field Medic Bag, LBT-1562a or lbt-1562b) Other similar models work nice as well (lbt-1468 if u carefully cut out the threads, you can remove the med panel and it will make a nice butt pack style fanny/belly bag)

Recondo · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:21 pm

B.O.B. Power (part 1)

A helpful tip is to buy equipment that uses the same battery size. Planning for the power issue prior to buying your equipment can save money and valuable space in your BOB.

A much needed, and sometimes overlooked, item in any survival situation is extra batteries. Having a solar rechargeable battery source is very useful item. “iSun Batt Pack” makes a rechargeable battery pack that charges both “AA” and "AAA" size batteries. The pack can be used as an independent power source to charge your cell phone or remove the “AA” batteries for you equipment (flashlight, GPS, Night Vision Googles, 2-way or AM/FM/SW radios). Use the “iSun Batt Pack” in conjunction with a “Sunlinq” 12 volt folding solar panel.

This is the setup that I have been using for the past couple of years for my longrange longterm BOB. I also carry a small inverter which plugs into the Batt Pack for any small 110 volt items. My kit also has the hookups for charging a car battery. This entire kit is stored and carried in a waterproof Pelican case. I carry enough batteries to have one set in use and one set being charged. This setup provides me with an unlimited power supply for all my equipment.

iSun;

http://21st-century-goods.com/page/21st/PROD/iSunBP

Sunlinq;

http://www.altestore.com/store/Portable-Power-Systems/Sunlinq-12Watt-12V-Portable-Power-Pack/p572/

Recondo · **Posted:** Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:31 pm

B.O.B. Building

There is a lot of great information regarding the contents of BOB’s in this forum. I come across this very important thread which deals with “How to build your BOB”. There are many people who don’t know how to get started or the reasoning behind selecting certain items.

I’ll try to help and give me two cents;

In order to get started putting together a BOB, you have to decide where to begin and what type of items to select. If you take a look at the US Military “Special Operations” Units and their make-up, you will see certain specialty fields. If you break down the unit you will see; medical, weapons, intelligence, communications, as well as small unit tactics. Additionally each member is trained in wilderness survival, reconnaissance, foreign language for the area of operation and escape and evasion. These units are tasked with long distance and long term survival missions without resupply. Using a system similar to this may assist you in assembling a BOB. It should cover most of what you need from the basic to the advanced.

When choosing your BOB items, don’t rely to heavily on only high-tec items. While these items are great, they have their weaknesses. If the high-tec item breaks and you don’t have a low-tec back-up item you will be in a bad situation.

“For an example; While I do recommend having a GPS in your BOB, if it breaks or you don’t have extra batteries, you need to have a good map and compass to use in its place. And just as important, you must know how to use a map and compass.”

Something else to keep in mind when selecting items are; insure the items are waterproof, lightweight, durable or crush proof, they float, look at battery replacement issues (find items with the same size battery, for easier carrying), EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) protected. Purchase quality items for your BOB, don’t purchase the cheap gimmick items.

This is the technique I used for my BOB, my BOB is constantly changing and evolving to adapt to modern technology, the changing weather conditions and area of operation.

Sworbeyegib · **Posted:** Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:01 pm

Great thread, I need to remeber to send this to a few people I know.

Recondo · **Posted:** Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:02 pm

B.O.B. Mulit-Use Items

Something to think about when selecting items is the selection of "multi-use" items. Think about what types of uses an item has. For example; "an orange poncho" it can be used of course as a poncho, but also as a shelter from the rain, snow or sun, a hammock, a poncho raft, a water collection sheet, a brush raft, a signal device, ect..... You need to look at each item in this way. This will save space and weight in your BOB.

There are a lot of lists and pictures of BOB items on the web, but many times there are no explanations about why a certain item was chosen over another item.

Paladin1q · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:46 am

Thank you for this guide. I'm relatively new in creating my own BOB and this is definately a great post to point me in the right direction.

Recondo · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:21 am

B.O.B. Site Perimeter Security

Another very important area not often covered is securing your perimeter "your 360" when you stop or sleep. If you are in a group, you can take turns on a "watch", but if alone it's a different story. I always carry, in my BOB, a battery powered motion alarm. You can pick one up at your local Radio Shack for around $20. Some people will use tripwire type of alarms, while these are ok, I like the motion type. If you set up your hold-up or camp site properly and use this type of alarm you can get a good nights sleep. Paint it a subdued color, range of 30 feet, covers 80 degrees, requires three "AA" batteries, measurements are 4 1/4" x 2 1/2" x1 1/2".

http://www.survivormall.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=330

Recondo · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:43 pm

B.O.B. Overall Plan

Building and having a BOB is only one step in your overall BOB Plan;

As a part of the BOB Plan there are different levels of preparedness. There are Everyday Carry items, Get Home Items and Bug Out Bag items. Some items usage overlap and some don’t. Additionally there are steps included for routes of travel and locations of safety. You can make you BOB as simple or as advanced as you want. You can always add to your BOB through the years, I have been working on my BOB for over 20 years.

I know some of you have seen this before, but this is for those who haven't seen it yet.

EDC – Every Day Carry; this is a few item that you carry with you at all times to aid with basic survival. These items should be selected for immediate use and get you through a situation until you get to your GHB or BOB. Carry these items while at work, while shopping or on vacation.

GHB and GHR - Get Home Bag and Get Home Route; a GHB is a bag of more advanced items along with food and water for a couple days, these items are to aid with survival and items to get you for where your at to home. A BOR is a primary and secondary route of travel from where you are at to home in a car or by foot.

BOB, BOR, BOL and overall BOP – Bug Out Bag, Bug Out Route, Bug Out Location and overall Bug Out Plan; a Bug Out Bag is a complete long term survival pack. The bag is usually stored in your home, packed and ready to go. A Bug Out Route is a predetermined route of travel, and means, away from your home, depending on the situation. Bug Out Location is a predetermined location deemed to be safe for the length of the Bug Out. Your Bug Out Plan encompasses all the aspects of long term survival.

CACHE – Planned or unplanned location for the storage of supplies. These items are stored at the time of your Bug Out or ahead of time. Ideas for Bug Out Caches are bus or train station lockers, buried plastic storage drums, etc......

Recondo · **Posted:** Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:20 am

B.O.B. Training and Fitness (part 1)

As other people have said before, there is no prefect BOB. A BOB is built for each individual based on their own levels of training, experience and purpose for the BOB. Of course you want to cover all the basics of survival (medical, shelter, fire, water and food). Just as a BOB helps you prepare for the unknown, training does also. I have taken opportunities throughout my career to take different types of training to help me prepare for the unknown. I have taken different Law Enforcement, Medical, Wilderness/Urban Survival, SWAT, Orienteering and Escape and Evasion classes and training. I have also, in my away from work time, learned other topics including; vehicle repair, plumbing, electrical, construction and similar subjects. My point, in all this rambling, is to point out that while a well prepared BOB is great, you also need a well rounded and prepared mind as well as a physically fit body to get you through the unknown situations you may face. Having regular Doctor and Dentist visits as well as needed or anticipated immunizations will put you ahead of the situation when it happens.

Think about it this way; for example, what training or practice do you have with a map and compass? Some only use a compass to tell what direction is North. Some only use the map for knowing which road to travel in a car. But in the hands of a person skilled in orientation, you can travel through thick and difficult terrain to a destination with close to pinpoint accuracy. If you don't have the necessary training or knowledge, get it. This same type of philosophy is true in every piece of equipment in your BOB.

Zombie Squad

ZS Presents: How to Build Your Bug Out Bag (B.O.B.)

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