CSM’s B.O.B/Survival-bag

First off you need to understand that there is a bug out bag (BOB), and a survival-bag. It may not be called a “survival-bag”, but that is what I think of it as. So what is the “survival-bag”? It is a lightweight bag, some sort of carry bag (like a backpack). This bag will carry the things you need at every moment whether you’re bugging out or fighting a massive horde.!  Since BanditJack has listed his B.O.B I’ll list mine also, then I’ll talk about my survival-bag.

• Long Rifles
• A type of Cal.22 rifle (there are so many different types of .22’s). This rifle will be for hunting small game and long range zombie cappin’.
• A second rifle that will have a larger sized bullet for taking out big game or locks or the vast other reasons for why you would want a big caliber rifle.
• ——-  The reason for having the two rifles is that the .22 you can carry alot of ammo and you can still penetrate a human’s skull with it (and everyone can shoot one).                      ——-  The other rifle isn’t a necessity, mainly because carrying  the ammo and rifle may be more of a burden then having it with you.
• Reasons for larger Cal rifle (in terms of what you want to kill/penetrate, Giggity)
  
• Bears (courtesy Stephen Colbert)
• Car windshields
• propane tanks/other metal tanks
• pad locks/door locks
• This is a special purpose rifle and is only needed if you find yourself needing it for a special purpose
• Shotgun
• either a auto shotgun (Auto Assault – 12), or a Benelli M1. In either case a 12 gauge is the way to go because ammo is abundant
• Knives
• Multi-tool knife (to cover everyday tasks) This could be a swiss army knife or something. Just don’t bring the one with the USB flash drive.
• Any other knife you carry is personal preference for a situation you might face. Like if you’re in thick woods bring a hacking knife like a machete
• If you’re going to fight raiders (or some group of thugs) bring a lapel knife or another stealthy knife. Anyways it is up to you on how you want to survive in the apocolypse
• Medical
• Rubbing alcohol
• Needle/thread
• aspirin
• sugar (for making I.V. Fluid)
• Food
• If you’re a survivor you shouldn’t  need to bring food along. But if you must bring protein bars
• Other tools
• LED flashlight/spotlight
• neon glow sticks
• flares (they have gunpowder)
• watch
• map
• radio

So that is my B.O.B. I would like to mention that I believe depending on the situation you could have alot more then that if you have an efficient way to carry the weight. A person can only carry 150lbs + for so long. The opposite scenario is also true. You could be in a situation that makes it unable to carry around a heavy supply bag. But that is fine. Your first task is to survive not make a camp. If you have a suvival-bag you’ll be all set.

CSM’s Survival-Bag

Around the office we call this bag FRANK. FRANK and BOB  are best friends not brothers. So they can be separated and not worry about having the other right next to them. FRANK is more athletic and older then BOB. So the purpose of FRANK the survival-bag is provide the user the ability to get through tight situations and get to safety, maybe a place where they can find BOB. The survival-bag will cary a gun, ammo, and some other utitlities. The bag needs to be light and used on the run.

CSM’s Survival-Bag

• Glock 22c with 2 10rnd magazines and a 20 round magazine.
• ammo for two full clips of each
• Knife, my choice would be a short slashing knife with a baseball bat or night club
• bandages
• water
• flashlight
• socks (incase of wet feet and can be a quick turnecate)
• matches/lighter
• if you dont have a multi-tool bring a flat head screwdriver, I’ll have a multi-tool hopefully

There are many things that are up for discussion so I’ll leave it that up to you guys. The point is that this survival-bag is a last resort carry at all times kind of thing. You can creatively think of many things for many reasons to bring them. So what’s in your survival bag?

Shotguns & Ammunition

I really only have experience with one brand of shotgun (Mossberg Maverick), which I think is fantastic. Some of the other brands of shotguns include: Remington, Benelli, Ithaca, Browning, Beretta, Ruger, etc. What brand of shotgun you purchase is a question I don’t feel qualified to answer yet, so you’re on your own with that kiddos.

However, I can provide some information on gauge and choke. Shotgun gauges typically come in .410 shotshell (which would technically be around a 67 ga), 20 ga, 16ga, 12ga, and occasionally 10ga. There used to be more, but the are either exceptionally rare, or have been banned/phased out completely. My personal favorite, and what I recommend for almost all operational purposes is the 12ga. Ammunition is widely available, there’s an assortment of ammo types (slugs, buckshot, bird shot, specialty rounds), and there is good power behind it.

Barrel choke has to do with the internal bore near the end of the barrel. Generally, choke is designated as Cylinder Bore, Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full Choke. (Taken from Stan Baker Co. via Chuckhawks) Cylinder Bore is completely level internally, has no rifling, and no choke. This gives the widest possible pattern distribution. This means the shot (e.g. birdshot) will be distributed across a very wide area. A Full Choke barrel is the most constrictive, and gives you the tightest shot pattern. The other chokes vary the pattern accordingly, but I don’t really feel like going through that right now. (If you have questions Google it and/or comment)

BanditJack’s Bug Out Bag

This is what is in my BOB, and should help facilitate the thought process for those of you who may be just starting to construct or even consider a BOB. (Note: My full BOB is designed around the idea that I am forced to evacuate my home or base of operations with uncertainty about what lies ahead and possible hostile intent towards me.)

BanditJack’s Bug Out Bag is as follows*:

• Mossberg Maverick 88 12ga pump-action shotgun (with ammo)
• 1 x 9in. Survival Knife (contains fish hooks, fishing line, needles, snare wire, and matches in the hilt)(Rambo-style)
• 1 x Fairbairn&Sykes Style fighting knife (actually a knock-off, but decent)
• 3 x Folding knives (from 1″ to 3″)
• 4 x multitools
• 2 x lapel knives
• Tactical vest/LBE
• Notebook w/ writing utensils
• A pack of waterproof matches
• Flint & Magnesium bar (fire starter)
• Chemical Flares (Chemlights)
• Bandanas
• 5 pairs of latex gloves
• Gerber Recon 4-filter light
• Maglite Mini
• Maglite Solitaire
• Extra batteries
• 2 x Poncho
• Boonie hat (MARPAT)
• 2 liter water bladder
• 3 x 1-liter wide-mouthed bottles
• A 10 x 25 Monocular
• Hand axe (which I wish to one day replace w/Tactical Tomahawk)
• Crowbar
• Zip ties
• Medium First Aid Kit
• 100ft 2000lb test rope
• 100ft Paracord
• Surefire EP3 Sonic Defenders (noise canceling above 85dBs)
• Long term stored food (MREs/canned goods/dried foods)
• 6 x pairs of socks
• 3 x shirts
• 1 spare pair of light working pants

Since I live relatively close to a nuclear facility, I will very shortly incorporate some potassium iodide tablets (potassium iodide blocks your thyroid from absorbing radiation).

*Note: One should consider their environment(s), personal needs, accessibilty to caches, destination, and the number of people you have to support, among other things, while selecting the optimal gear loadout in his/her B.O.B. List is incomplete, and should be regarded as basic loadout (minus shotgun). All bug out bags are a work in progress, as there are always ways to improve and upgrade your pack.

What’s a Bug Out Bag?

Emergency Survival Bag (a.k.a. Bug Out Bag) – Bag (duffel bag, backpack, rucksack) containing the essential supplies (which can vary depending upon situation, geography, physical traits) needed to sustain a person in an emergency (invasion, massive earthquake, tornado/hurricane) without modern conveniences for an extended period of time (at least 72 hours).