Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia

Emergency, Disaster and Survival Preparedness

Short, Medium and Long-Term Bug Out Bags
Joseph Yao, M.D.
Copyright © 2021 by Joseph Yao, M.D.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods,
without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of
brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other
noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests,
write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Request,” at the
address below.

Publisher:

Wagging Tale Books

526 Chickasawba Street, Blytheville, AR 72315, USA

www.WaggingTaleBooks.com

Credits:

Cover photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Table of Contents

Comments from Reviewers of the

Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia

Introduction
How to Navigate Through This Book

General Issues Regarding BOBs

Three Bags to Help You Survive

Short-Term Bag Contents

Medium-Term Bag Contents

Long-Term Bag Contents

Selecting A Bag

Short-Term Bag Examples

Medium-Term Bag Examples

Long-Term Bag Examples

Organizing The Items In Your Bag

How To Pack Your BOB

Choosing Items for Your Bag: Explanation

First Aid Items

Water Items

Fire Items

Food Items

Shelter Items

Sleep Items

Hygiene Items
Clothes

Tools

Survival Knives

Cordage

Navigation Items

Communication Items

Personal Protection Items

Items for Your Pet

Extra Items if You Are Escaping By Vehicle

Closing Remarks

References

Author Bio

Comments from Reviewers of the Bug

Out Bag Encyclopedia
L Jones
:

“When any form of disaster occurs either by nature or mankind, preparation

can make the difference between survival and failure. This is why the Bug
Out Bag, or BOB for short, can be your saving grace when you have to flee
your home quickly. There are three types of BOBs, which can last from
days to months depending on the situation you are facing. But what should
you pack so you are prepared for every eventuality? Are there some items
that have many purposes? From food essentials, tools, and shelter to first
aid advice and everything in between, this guide is the ultimate knowledge
base. Discover the items you need, the best places to purchase them, and
their cost, as well as invaluable survival techniques and advice.
Bug Out
Bag Encyclopedia
by Joseph Yao is not only perfect for anyone who wants
to be prepared for any eventuality but is also an essential read for those who
travel and explore remote places.

”
Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia
by Joseph Yao is such a detailed and
comprehensive guide on survival. I was blown away by the amount of
research it must have taken to compile this encyclopedia. Everything is laid
out so clearly and I loved the bullet points and diagrams. The chapters are
split into sections, making it so much easier to find the information you
need. The section on first aid was incredible, especially the vast amount of
advice given on tourniquets. I loved how the author always suggests items
that have many purposes, such as iodine, alcohol prep pads, and garbage
bags for shelter. I thought the chapter on food items was so helpful; he
covered absolutely everything, from hunting, fishing, and edible plants as
well as the normal food items you can purchase. My favorite chapter was
regarding the use of power banks in conjunction with solar panels. I cannot
stress how much guidance is included in this incredible guide - must-read
for anyone with an interest in survival.”

A. Elmore
:

“Discover how to build, pack, store, and use a bug out bag in the
informational self-help book,
Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia
(Emergency,
Disaster & Survival Preparedness) by Joseph Yao. For many of us, the
recent pandemic was a wake-up call. Within a few weeks, the world
experienced shortages in basic necessities like toilet paper, food, and
cleaners. Stability became a thing of the past as schools and businesses
closed, and people found themselves struggling to provide themselves and
family with the common comforts of a roof over their heads, water, and
heat. Hospitals requested that only the very sick and wounded seek their
assistance. America, along with the rest of the world, was in crisis with very
few truly prepared. Now more than ever, it is vital to be ready for
unprecedented emergencies. A bug out bag may just save your or a loved
one’s life. Building the best bug out bag for your individual needs by
factoring in your health, conditions, and weight will help you stay safe and
ready for anything. Learn how to select, pack, and balance your bag’s load
to prevent injury or fatigue. With links to the items for your bug out bag,
and descriptions explaining why they are important, this book is a go-to
guide for the prepared. Are you ready for a disaster or emergency? Can you
confidently say you are ready to survive without common comforts and
basic necessities?

”
Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia
(Emergency, Disaster & Survival
Preparedness) by Joseph Yao is complete with instructions, examples,
statistics, and suggestions that will help you choose the correct items for
your bag for your unique location and situation. With a chapter dedicated to
the three different bug out bags that everyone should have, to personal
protection items, to a chapter concerning your pets, this book is
inspirational and necessary to have in your library. Beautifully organized,
the author has even included a chapter on first aid that would make the Red
Cross blush. With a chapter dedicated to the different items with which to
stock your first-aid kit and how best to use them, this book has already
become my Bible. Prior to this book, I was unaware that there are three
options for a bug out bag, each bag with a specific purpose. There is a
chapter dedicated to the individual bags, explaining their purpose, how to
build them, and when and how to use them. I appreciated that Mr. Yao goes
above and beyond to present as much information as possible without
overwhelming the reader. I was impressed that he even went as far as
explaining to the reader how best to lift their pack to prevent damage to the
bag and injury to themselves. While I would invest in this book just for the
first-aid content, it is a must-have for anyone interested in protecting
themselves and their loved ones by being prepared.”

S. Sewell
:

“Have the effects of the pandemic gotten you thinking about being more
prepared for unexpected disasters? Would you like to ensure that you have a
way to survive if the unthinkable happens?
Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia
(Emergency, Disaster & Survival Preparedness) by Joseph Yao takes the
stress and hardship out of learning how to be prepared. It is the perfect
guide to help any and everyone to create a bug out bag specific for their
personal needs. With natural disasters on the rise, it is always good to be
ready to go in a pinch. Filled with all the particulars and details you need to
build a bug out bag at your fingertips, you can use the information provided
to create a little survival insurance for you, your loved ones, and your pets.
If nothing else, the year 2020 has taught us that our life can change on a
dime. Are you prepared to meet anything that comes your way?

”
Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia
(Emergency, Disaster & Survival
Preparedness) by Joseph Yao is an exceptional self-help book with
indispensable and essential information that can be lifesaving in a crisis.
Cleverly organized and containing detailed lists that help even the novice
discern what bug out bag works best for them in a crisis situation, it is a
beneficial tool in getting prepared for any unexpected emergency. I most
especially appreciated and was impressed with the first aid section that
concisely describes the product and clearly explains why and how each
product is used and where to purchase it. I highly recommend this book to
everyone who wants to provide a safeguard for their future.”

A. Syed
:

“Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia

: Emergency, Disaster & Survival
Preparedness by Joseph Yao is a comprehensive guide for those who are
thinking of putting together their first survival plan and supplies in
preparation for a catastrophic event or those who may need a refresher to
update plans and supplies they already have. Yao takes a no-nonsense
approach with an authoritative narrative that has been earned through
extensive research and bag-building experience. Nothing is withheld and
the details encompass everything from the type of bag to targeted and
specific guidance on what goes in it, to how many are needed for different
events and stretches of limited resource availability, and the organization of
all of this among many other things.

”In the interest of full disclosure, I had no concept of survival preparation,

aka: 'prepping', until I married an American wife. Born and raised in San
Francisco under the constant threat of the next big earthquake, this woman
knew how to stock a trunk and a pantry. The reason why I share this is that
after I read Joseph Yao's
Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia
, she immediately
removed it from my hands and started taking notes as she read it. Notes!
Two of the many things we did not know are that dryer lint can be used as
kindling and that a long-term bag should include seeds and anything to
assist in the successful cultivation of a farmer's garden. This isn't a book
with a lot of fluff, which nobody expects in an encyclopedia anyway, but
Yao is still able to impart real-world, human advice amidst the massive
amount of guidance provided. Frankly, this is the only book you'll need to
begin or to flesh out your own series of bug out bags.”

Introduction
What if…you had the power to choose life over death?

Disaster can take many forms including those created by nature and those
by man. In addition to preparing for hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and
the like, you need to also be ready for civil unrest. Even former safe havens
like gated, affluent, suburban neighborhoods have been invaded by angry
mobs. People are alarmed and buying firearms in record numbers, including
many first-time buyers. But firearms alone are not enough.

Will you be a survivor? You can take control and choose life by taking the
time now to assemble a Bug Out Bag (also known as a “BOB”) to help you
survive when disaster strikes.

The key is to prepare now. When disaster strikes, it’s time to “grab and go.”
There may be no time to gather things from around your house. And it will
be difficult or impossible to shop for items that others who failed to prepare
are also desperately trying to procure.

This book was written to save you valuable time learning how to put
together your survival bag or BOB. You could research articles, books, and
videos to search out this information. Or you can make it easy on yourself
by reading this entire book or simply thumb through the sections of this
book that address your particular needs. Chapters are organized to make it
quick and easy for you to find the information you need. Those of you who
already have a BOB can use this book to determine if there may be other
items to consider adding to your kit or to perhaps replace existing items.

Some of the information covered in this book includes:

 ●
   
The concept that three BOBs are better than one and why you
should consider setting up bags to help you survive short-, medium-,
and long-term emergencies

●
   
A list of recommended items to include in each of your three bags

●
   
A detailed list of items organized by survival category (e.g., 1st aid,
water, fire, shelter, food, communication, etc) along with the size,
price, and weight of each item. The items are coded to tell you which
of the three bags they are best suited for.

●
   
Specific products are presented as examples of economical and
more premium alternatives to help people with different budgets.

●
   
Learn how item selection within specific survival categories differs
depending upon the anticipated duration of the disaster. For example,
your choice of food items will be different for your short and long-
term BOBs.

●
   
How to organize the survival items inside your BOB for easy
access and recognition

●
   
How your BOB items will differ if you’re on foot versus escaping
by automobile

●
   
Items to include for your pet

●
   
Reference list for additional information

Once you’ve gone through this book, you’ll have accomplished:

●
   
Created your own personalized list of items within each survival
category to put into your three customized BOBs

●
   
You can use the detailed item descriptions to calculate an estimate
of the overall price and weight for each of your BOBs based upon your
item selection. You can then add or subtract items from your BOBs to
optimize price and weight.
For those of you just getting started, do not feel overwhelmed. Start by
putting together your Everyday Carry
(also known as “EDC”) kit. Then,
begin building your first BOB. The Medium-Term BOB is overkill to cover
short-term emergencies and it lacks some capabilities to manage long-term
disasters. But the Medium-term BOB is a good place to start if you are
building your first bag. You’ll be limited in the amount you can carry
whether you escape by vehicle or on foot. So, carefully choose what items
you put into your BOBs. You most likely will not be able to add items once
you begin your escape.

When feasible, you’ll be better off staying in place where you’ll have the
benefit of your network of friends and family. And, you will have access to
shelter and supplies afforded by your home or office. Under dire
circumstances, you may be forced to flee fast. The information in this book
will ensure that you have the critical items necessary for you to survive
whether you’re able to shelter in place or if you’re forced to escape to
another location.

Building a BOB is your survival insurance. Like having car or medical

insurance:

●
   
You hope you never have to use it

●
   
It’s too late to get it when an emergency happens

●
   
And, you’ll be ever so happy you have it when you need it!

Life or death in the face of an emergency? The choice is yours. Empower

yourself. Get started now to help ensure your survival.

How to Navigate Through This Book

Here are some tips on how to navigate through this book in order to
get the most out of it
:

1.
  
First, read sections the following chapters for an overview:

a.
       
General Issues
b.
       
Three Bags to Help You Survive

2.
  
Second, you can learn what to include in your three BOBs by
reading the following chapters:

a.
     
Short-Term Bag Contents

b.
     
Medium-Term Bag Contents

c.
     
Long-Term Bag Contents

d.
      
If you already have a BOB, then you can skip to the specific
survival category chapters (e.g., First Aid Items, Water Items, Fire
Items, Food Items, etc) for ideas of other items to include in your bag

3.
  
Third, you can read details about the items to include in these three
BOBs:

a.
      
Each survival category chapter includes a discussion about
pertinent survival items along with product examples

b.
     
Examples of items include specific product names, price, size,
weight, and comments

c.
      
A hyperlink is included for each item example taking you to a
commercial web page for the item

d.
      
A comment is included for each item example as to which bag it
is most appropriate for (i.e., Short-, Medium-, or Long-Term BOB)

4.
  
Fourth, you can review the item lists to select items to use to
customize your bags

a.
      
Jump to the survival category chapter that interests you (e.g., first
aid, water, food, etc)

b.
     
You can use the item prices and weights to help configure your
bag
 5.
  
Fifth, you can refer to the Reference section if you wish to learn
more

Warning

Lots of items are described in this book. The intention of this book is to
provide you with ideas about the major survival categories to prepare for
and to provide you with examples of items for each category. Hopefully, it
will give you ideas that you may not have already considered.

Keep in mind that everyone’s situation is unique and you must customize
your BOB to suit your needs. Do not interpret this book to mean that you
need to get
everything
mentioned herein. You need to select only those
items that will help ensure your survival while keeping your BOBs to a size
that is manageable and light enough for you to carry.

Note regarding lack of photos or illustrations

:

I made the decision to not include photos or illustrations to limit the number
of pages for this book. I realize that it would be nice to have photos next to
each of the survival item examples, but there are so many items that
including photos would require a huge amount of extra space. I listed
hyperlinks in the descriptions of the survival items mentioned in this book,
so you can view photos on those web pages.

Disclaimer
:

Products, weights, and prices presented herein are current at the time of this
writing but are expected change with time. Products mentioned in this book
are meant to serve as examples for the reader. They are not product
endorsements. The author derives no benefit, financial or otherwise, from
mentioning any product in this book.

There is no “one size fits all” solution and each person must customize their
BOB to suit their individual needs.

The information contained herein reflect the author’s opinion. It is not

meant to provide medical or legal advice. The author cannot be held
responsible for any legal proceedings, injury, loss, damage, or other
problems that the reader or anyone else may experience or arise from using
any of the information presented in this book. Always abide by all laws and
rules and do not violate private property restrictions.

General Issues Regarding BOBs

This chapter covers some general topics regarding BOBs.

Why should I spend the time and money to assemble a BOB?

An emergency or disaster can remove from us many of the protections and

resources that we take for granted. Our survival may depend upon our
knowledge, skills, and the resources we have available.

All of us could be confronted by an emergency or disaster at any time.

Different locales may be more prone to certain disasters such as hurricanes,
flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, volcanoes, or landslides. Any of
these situations could destroy our homes and offices leaving us with only
hours or minutes to grab what we can and escape. Even if there is time to go
to the store, there will be chaos and stores will soon be depleted of critical
supplies and equipment as the multitudes of unprepared people rush out in a
panic to shop. It is crucial that you have essential items packed in a BOB
ahead of time and placed somewhere you can grab it at a moment’s notice.

It is often stated that a person may die if they go:

●
   
3 minutes without oxygen

●
   
3 hours exposed to environmental elements in the absence of
shelter

●
   
3 days without water
 ●
   
3 weeks without food

A person’s mental and physical abilities will decline well before those
limits are reached and the chance of death increases as time passes
particularly under the stress of a survival situation. By putting together a
BOB, you are making a conscious choice to stack the odds in your favor
that you will live instead of die.

Should I buy a ready-made BOB?

One question is whether you should buy a ready-made BOB to save time
and expense. Here are some things to consider:

●
   
What is the quality of the items in the BOB? Often, these ready-
made BOBs are put together with as many items as possible at a
moderate overall price, necessitating the inclusion of lower quality
items.

●
   
Even higher quality ready-made BOBs are assembled to fill the
needs of the broadest number of people, so they may not be suited to
your situation and needs.

●
   
Are essential items included to help me survive? Are certain
important items missing?

●
   
How many extra items will I need to buy to “complete” the pack
and how much will that cost me?

●
   
Are items included that I do not need?

You should read about the individual items included in a ready-made pack
to judge their quality and usefulness to you. You can only assess the quality
of some items once you have them in your hands and give them a trial run.
But do your best to get a feel for the overall level of quality of the bag and
its items. You might consider getting a pre-made bag if you do not have the
time or interest in researching and selecting items on your own to create a
personalized BOB. You can also consider getting a pre-made bag to use as a
starting point and then buy items you need that are missing. You can also
buy items you like better to replace ones that came in the pre-made bag.
You are better off doing the work and assembling your own BOB if you
want it to be customized to your needs and contain the items you like.
Creating BOBs is an evolving process and many people will find that they
will want to get something new or replace something in their kit as they
learn of new technology, techniques, and products to help them survive and
make their kit more functional.

How much will I have to pay for my BOB?

An important issue is cost. How much will it cost for me to make a BOB?
Cost varies widely depending upon a person’s circumstances (e.g., what
type of disasters are most common in their area, what environment do they
live in, etc) and what items they select for their BOB. This book will help
you to formulate an estimated cost to create your custom Short-, Medium-,
and Long-term BOBs. As you work through selecting items for your BOBs,
you can total the costs listed in this book for each so you’ll come up with an
overall estimated cost. The chapter entitled, “Items for Your Bag:
Explanation,” will show you how to do this. In general, buy the best quality
items that you can afford while keeping an eye on value. With most items,
there is a point of diminishing return whereby cost beyond a certain point
buys less incremental increases in quality.

What do I put into my BOB?

Selecting what to put into your BOB requires some thought since each
person’s situation is unique. The chapter entitled, “Choosing Items for Your
Bag: Explanation,” will help you track items for your BOBs including their
cost, size, and weight. Numerous chapters in this book will aid you in
choosing specific items to cover the major survival categories such as first
aid, water, food, and such. But here are some considerations to help you
customize your bag so it best helps you:

●
   
Consider your location. Are you in a big city, in the suburbs, or out
in the countryside? One item that will be discussed in the chapter on
water is a sillcock key with multiple heads. It can be used on water
spigots located on the outside of industrial buildings and businesses.
These spigots often lack valve handles and require the use of a special
wrench to turn. Having a sillcock key could give you access to life-
saving water in the city but would be useless in the woods.

●
   
How long do you expect the emergency or disaster to last? Your
BOB will contain fewer items if you’re preparing for a disaster that
occurs while you’re in the office and you just need to get to your home
that’s located close by. You’ll need to outfit your BOB with a much
more comprehensive inventory of items if you expect it to help you
survive through a long-term disaster. We’ll discuss this issue in detail
in an upcoming chapter.

●
   
How many people are you preparing to help survive? This book is
focused on preparing BOBs for you alone. BOBs you prepare when
there are multiple people involved will look different since some items
can be shared (e.g., high volume water filter, fire-starting tools, etc)
while other items may need to be included that are unique to a
particular individual (e.g., medical equipment, etc).

●
   
Your body size and physical condition will influence how much
you can carry on your person.

●
   
Address the conflict between “More is good” and “Less is lighter.”
There is merit to packing less since it will make your BOB lighter and
easier to carry. The trade-off is that you will generally be limiting
yourself to the bare essentials and lack some items that make surviving
more convenient. You can only take your best guess as to what type of
disaster may befall you. Say that you live in a big city and you prepare
an urban BOB. But what if circumstances arise where you can’t hunker
down in the city and you must urgently escape to the countryside?
Your lightweight urban BOB will definitely be helpful, but it will lack
some items that may help you survive in the countryside or the woods.
There may be little time to customize a BOB when disaster strikes. So,
one strategy is to pack a broader array of items in your BOB. You can
grab that BOB and run with it even though it is heavier. You can
discard items from this BOB once you have a chance to get to safety
and better assess your needs.
 ●
   
Redundancy. Pack multiple items to help you manage essential
survival functions. For example, pack items that permit you different
ways to start a fire (e.g., wind and waterproof matches, lighter, ferro
rod, etc).

●
   
There are extra considerations if your preparations include the
possibility of escaping in a vehicle when disaster hits. A vehicle allows
you to bring additional items. This will be covered in a subsequent
chapter.

●
   
Don’t forget about your pet(s). It’s important to plan ahead and
prepare a BOB for them or include their survival items in your BOB.
See the chapter, “Items for Your Pet.”

How much can I carry?

Here are some rules-of-thumb from a couple of sources regarding how

much weight a person can carry when hiking with a backpack:

●
   
From REI Co-op: “A loaded backpacking pack should not weigh
more than about 20% of your body weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds,
your pack should not exceed 30 pounds for backpacking.) A loaded
day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10% of your body
weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds, your pack should not exceed 15
pounds for hiking.)”
[1]

●
   
From preparednessadvice.com: “… an individual in good health
should be able to carry about 20% of their body weight, a 40 lb. pack
for a 200-pound person. More experienced backpackers should be able
to carry 25% of their body weight, a 50 lb. pack for a 200-pound
person.  Very experienced and well-conditioned backpackers can carry
35% of their body weight – a 70 lb. pack for a 200-pound person.”
[2]

Factors that can influence how much I can carry:

●
   
My physical condition (e.g., stamina, medical conditions, back
problems)
 ●
   
My experience carrying a loaded backpack

●
   
The terrain on which I’ll be walking (e.g., flat versus hilly, dry
versus slippery, smooth versus rocky)

●
   
Weather (e.g., hot, cold, rain)

●
   
How far will I have to walk?

●
   
How well my backpack fits me. How comfortable is it to wear
when fully loaded?

How can I reduce the weight of my BOB?

●
   
Carefully assess all the items in your BOB. Separate them into
these groups: definitely need, maybe, and don’t need. Discard items
from the “don’t need” group.

●
   
Be aware of the weight of items you add to your BOB. When faced
with multiple options, choose the lighter alternative so long as its
quality and function meet your needs (e.g., a down feather coat versus
one made of heavy cotton).

●
   
Consider swapping out an item for a newer one that is lighter (e.g.,
a tent made of lighter materials).

●
   
Choose items that can serve multiple functions. A prime example is
a multi-tool that has a knife, saw, multiple screwdrivers, file, awl,
pliers, and scissors.

●
   
Avoid bringing canned foods that are bulky and heavy. Instead,
bring lightweight snacks and dehydrated or freeze-dried foods.

●
   
Pack items that permit you to filter and purify water when going on
long trips so you can carry less water.

●
   
Discard as much product packaging as possible. Cut out and save
important product information or instructions that you need for
 reference. You can place those in a clear, plastic, zip-lock bag and
carry them in your BOB.

●
   
Select a smaller, lighter backpack.

Should I buy Mil-Spec items?

Mil-Spec stands for Military Specification also known as Military Standard.

The specifications are set up by the Department of Defense to create
standardization and interoperability for products it procures. The military
generally purchases products from the contractor with the lowest bid. So,
while Mil-Spec products are generally of high quality and durability, they
may not the best product.

What about products labeled as Military Grade? This term can be found on
many products to convey toughness and durability. They may resemble Mil-
Spec products. However, Military Grade is a marketing term and has no
actual meaning since the products undergo no special testing and do not
have to meet any particular specifications.

There are plenty of high quality commercially produced products made for
the general public. You can assemble a great BOB using these commercial
products. But you need to do your research to evaluate the quality and
durability of these products before you purchase them. Buying Mil-Spec
products gives you the peace of mind knowing that they meet or exceed
standards set by the Department of Defense. Again, you need to do your
research because you may find better, lighter, and cheaper items in the
commercial market. You really must make your decision on an item-by-
item basis.

How do I lift and put on my fully loaded backpack without hurting myself?

The following advice is from REI Co-op.

[3]

“Avoid lifting a pack by a shoulder strap because this can damage and
prematurely wear out your shoulder harness. It also hard to control your
pack by grabbing a shoulder strap as you put it onto your back. Instead,
you’ll be able to smoothly hoist even a heavily laden pack from the ground
to your back by using the following technique:

●
   
Slightly loosen all of your straps to make the pack easier to slip on.

●
   
Position your pack in an upright position on the ground.

●
   
Stand next to the back panel with your legs well apart and knees
bent.

●
   
Grab the haul loop (the webbing loop at the top of the back panel
on your pack).

●
   
Lift and slide the pack up to rest upon your thigh while holding the
haul loop for control.

●
   
Slip one arm and shoulder through a shoulder strap until the strap
rests on top of your shoulder.

●
   
Lean forward and swing the pack onto your back. Now slip the
hand that was holding the haul loop through the other shoulder strap.

●
   
Fasten all the buckles and adjust straps to comfortably position the
pack on you.”

What are some additional points to consider?

●
   
Put your BOB somewhere you can grab it fast, but where it is
protected and preferably out of sight

●
   
Practice wearing your pack. Check for comfort. You may need to
rearrange items to change the bag’s balance and center of gravity.
Adjust straps to optimize where the pack rides on your back.

●
   
Test your BOB’s contents by living exclusively off its items for
several days. That will point out to you what items you may want to
add to your BOB as well as those that you can eliminate.
It will also
afford you the opportunity to hone your survival skills including
setting up camp, hunting, and fishing.
 ●
   
Periodically check your pack to remind yourself of its contents

●
   
Periodically rotate out outdated items such as food or medications

●
   
Stay active to maintain your physical conditioning

●
   
Educate yourself on how to use your BOB items so you can deploy
them fast in an emergency. Practice using your items. It’s not the time
to learn how to apply your tourniquet when you’re bleeding out.

Three Bags to Help You Survive

Topics covered in this chapter include:

●
   
The concept of having three different BOBs to cover Short-,
Medium-, and Long-Term emergencies

●
   
EDC versus Short-Term BOB

●
   
Medium-Term BOB

●
   
Long-Term BOB

The Concept Having Three Different BOBs

One popular approach to BOBs is to build a 72-hour bag. This means that
you’ll have a bag that should sustain you and help you to survive for 72-
hours. You can survive longer than 72-hours with that bag depending upon
what items you select to put inside of it.

Having a 72-hour BOB is an important survival tool. Some people store

their BOB in their cars. Many others store their BOB at home or at work,
ready for them to take with them in an emergency. It is a bit large to
conveniently bring with you everywhere daily. And it is useful to have extra
items beyond what will fit into a 72-hour BOB if a disaster occurs that will
place you without resources for a much longer period. Shelter items are an
example. A simple poncho may be adequate for survival in a 72-hour BOB,
but it would be suboptimal if you must be outside in the elements for weeks
or months. It would be better to have a more formal shelter such as a tent in
those cases.

It is difficult to assemble a single BOB to cover the spectrum of potential

emergencies and disasters. Any single bag will be a compromise. Exactly
what is compromised will depend upon how a particular person sets up their
BOB. Items used to address specific survival categories (e.g., water, fire,
food, etc) will vary depending upon the expected duration of the emergency
or disaster.

The concept of having three BOBs is designed to address preparing for

emergencies and disasters that last varying lengths of time and may cause
you to be in different environments. You must “grab and go” during an
emergency. There is no time to modify your BOB. So, you want to have
your BOB set up to work best for you. If you have three different bags set
up and ready to go, then you just must grab the one you want and run out
the door.

The three bags are termed Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term BOBs. Here is
a brief description of each type of BOB:

EDC versus Short-Term BOB

:

The Short-Term BOB can be thought of as an “Extended EDC,” or

Extended Everyday Carry bag. It can also be thought of as a
Commuter Bag or a Get Home Bag. Everyone should carry their EDC
items with them each day. Although EDC can vary from person to
person, some basic items usually include:

●
     
Wallet containing ID, credit or debit cards, cash, medical and car
insurance cards

●
     
Folding knife

●
     
Compact flashlight

●
     
Cell phone. You can use it to store valuable information including
your medical information (history, medications, allergies), bank and
 credit account info, investment info, deeds/titles to property, estate
planning info, Social Security card, birth certificate, etc

●
     
Keys

●
     
Spare pair of prescription eyeglasses in a hard case

●
     
One day supply of your prescription medications

●
     
Possibly a small multi-tool

●
     
Possibly a small first-aid kit

One problem is that some people must wear certain types of clothes (e.g.,
surgical scrubs) during work hours that may not permit carrying very much
on their person. In those cases, their EDC items may have to be kept in their
office or car. There is still a limitation as to how many items a person can
carry on their person even if they wear clothes with numerous pockets and
use their belt to hold other items.

The Short-Term BOB consists of a bag holding items beyond what can
usually be carried on one’s person  daily. It contains items to cover short-
term emergencies such as a major interstate accident on the drive home.
The Short Term BOB is designed to help you survive the initial emergency
and the ensuing 12-24 hours. Items to consider including in this bag are
described in the chapter, “Short-Term Bag Contents.”

Medium-Term BOB:

This bag is designed to help you survive two to seven days. Items to
consider including in this bag are described in the chapter, “Medium-Term
Bag Contents.”

Long-Term BOB:

This bag is configured to aid with surviving for weeks to months, long after
the food and water you carried with you run out. Items to consider
including in this bag are described in the chapter, “Long-Term Bag
Contents.”
 Short-Term Bag Contents
This chapter reviews suggestions for items to include in your Short-Term
BOB, which serves as an EDC Extension Bag or Commuter Bag. It is
assumed that you already have your EDC items with you (refer to the
preceding chapter for a list), so those items will not be mentioned as part of
your Short-Term BOB. Keep in mind:

●
   
The items listed are just suggestions. You will need to customize
your own BOB with items to suit your particular needs.

●
   
Items are listed by their use for particular survival categories.

●
   
A detailed description of the items along with product names as
examples, weights, and prices appear in subsequent chapters organized
by survival categories.

●
   
This same method is used in the following chapters to describe
item suggestions for your Medium- and Long-Term BOBs.

First Aid Items

●
   
Band-aids, 1x3 inches

●
   
2x2” and 4x4” gauze sponge dressings

●
   
Non-adherent dressings

●
   
Chest seal

●
   
14 gauge Angiocath™ needle, at least 3 inches length

●
   
3” gauge roll

●
   
1” tape

●
   
Steri-Strips™ (made by 3M™)
 ●
   
Safety pins

●
   
Non-latex disposable gloves

●
   
Alcohol prep pads

●
   
Iodine prep pads

●
   
Moleskin

●
   
Triple antibiotic ointment

●
   
Antihistamine ointment and tablets

●
   
Ibuprofen

●
   
Imodium

●
   
Tourniquet: CAT® Tourniquet (one-handed combat application
tourniquet)

●
   
Large tongue depressors

●
   
Full-size EMT scissors

Water Items

●
   
Bottled water

●
   
Stainless steel water bottle (1 liter, single wall, use for boiling and
transporting water) or 1-quart military canteen with nested stainless
steel cup (for boiling water) in a canteen pouch

●
   
Water filter straw. Get one that includes an activated carbon filter if
you are concerned that the water may have chemicals or heavy metals.

●
   
Chlorine dioxide water purification tablets

Fire Items
 ●
   
Bic® lighter

●
   
Stormproof matches

●
   
Ferro rod

●
   
Cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly

Food Items

●
   
Fast, easy to eat items for comfort, not for survival

Shelter Items

●
   
Compact, emergency Mylar® blanket

●
   
Construction grade plastic garbage bag

Sleep Items

●
   
Mezonn Emergency Sleep Bag

Hygiene

●
   
Toilet paper (with cardboard roll removed, paper flattened)

●
   
Soap

●
   
Hand-wipes

Clothes

●
   
Cap or wide brim hat

●
   
Lightweight rain jacket

Tools

●
   
Compact multi-tool
 ●
   
Headlight

●
   
Mini-flashlight

●
   
Extra pair of large EMT scissors

●
   
Optional: crowbar

Survival Knives

●
   
Lightweight fixed blade knife

Cordage

●
   
Duct or Gorilla® Tape

●
   
Paracord 550, 50 feet

Navigation Items

●
   
Compass

●
   
Maps

●
   
Ranger beads

●
   
Mini-binoculars, 8x21. Alternative: monocular

Communication Items

●
   
Writing pad (waterproof), pen

●
   
Emergency whistle

●
   
Signal mirror

Personal Protection Items

●
   
Lip balm
 ●
   
Sunglasses

●
   
Mask

●
   
Leather gloves

●
   
Foam earplugs

●
   
Sunscreen

●
   
Pepper spray

●
   
Your EDC knife and your survival knife

●
   
Handgun, spare ammunition (e.g., extra magazines, speed- or strip-
loaders)

Medium-Term Bag Contents

This chapter reviews suggestions for items to include in your Medium Term
BOB. Keep in mind:

●
   
The items listed are just suggestions. You will need to customize
your own BOB with items to suit your particular needs.

●
   
Items are listed by their use for particular survival categories.

●
   
A detailed description of the items along with product names as
examples, weights, and prices appear in subsequent chapters organized
by survival categories.

First Aid Items

●
   
Band-aids, 1x3 inches

●
   
2x2” and 4x4” gauze sponge dressings

●
   
Non-adherent dressings
●
   
Chest seal

●
   
14 gauge Angiocath™ needle, at least 3 inches length

●
   
2” and 4” gauge rolls

●
   
1” tape

●
   
Steri-Strips®

●
   
Skin glue

●
   
Skin staple gun

●
   
Safety pins

●
   
Triangular bandage

●
   
Non-latex disposable gloves

●
   
Alcohol prep pads

●
   
Iodine prep pads

●
   
Moleskin

●
   
Triple antibiotic ointment

●
   
Antihistamine ointment and tablets

●
   
Ibuprofen

●
   
Imodium

●
   
Tourniquet: CAT® Tourniquet (one-handed combat application
tourniquet)

●
   
Large tongue depressors

●
   
Tweezers
 ●
   
Full-size EMT scissors

Water Items

●
   
Bottled water

●
   
Stainless steel water bottle (single wall, use for boiling and
transporting water), 1 liter

●
   
1-quart military canteen with nested stainless steel cup (for boiling
water and for cooking food) in a canteen pouch

●
   
Water filter straw. Get one that includes an activated carbon filter if
you are concerned that the water may have chemicals or heavy metals.

●
   
Chlorine dioxide water purification tablets

●
   
4-way sillcock key or 10-way service utility key (to turn industrial
water valves without spigot handles)

Fire Items

●
   
BIC® lighter

●
   
Stormproof matches

●
   
Ferro rod

●
   
Cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly

Food Items

●
   
Fast, easy to eat food items

●
   
Freeze-dried food to last several days to a week

●
   
Mini-cook set (for cooking and boiling water)

●
   
Eating utensils: Long cooking spoon. Fork
 ●
   
Sponge for cleaning

●
   
Compact stove

Shelter Items

●
   
Compact, emergency Mylar® blanket

●
   
Construction grade plastic garbage bags

●
   
Poncho

●
   
Tarp

Sleep Items

●
   
Mezonn Emergency Sleep Bag

●
   
Poncho liner

Hygiene

●
   
Toothbrush

●
   
Toothpaste

●
   
Dental floss

●
   
Razor

●
   
Toilet paper (with cardboard roll removed, paper flattened)\

●
   
Soap

●
   
Hand-wipes

●
   
Nail clipper

Clothes
 ●
   
Wide brim hat

●
   
Lightweight rain jacket or other location appropriate jacket

●
   
Extra socks

●
   
Extra underwear

Tools

●
   
Full-size multi-tool

●
   
Headlight

●
   
Small flashlight

●
   
Extra pair of large EMT scissors

●
   
Hatchet

●
   
Compact knife sharpener

●
   
Charging cables and adapters for electronics

●
   
Extra batteries

●
   
Lithium-ion power bank

●
   
Optional: crowbar

Survival Knives

●
   
Lightweight fixed blade knife

●
   
Large, strong knife to permit wood splitting, chopping

Cordage

●
   
Duct or Gorilla® Tape
 ●
   
Paracord 550, 100 feet

Navigation Items

●
   
Compass

●
   
Mini-binoculars, 8x21

●
   
Map

●
   
Ranger beads

Communication Items

●
   
Writing pad (waterproof), pen

●
   
Emergency whistle

●
   
Signal mirror

Personal Protection Items

●
   
Lip balm

●
   
Sunscreen

●
   
Sunglasses

●
   
Foam earplugs

●
   
Mask

●
   
Leather gloves

●
   
Insect repellent

●
   
Pepper spray

●
   
Your EDC knife and your survival knife
 ●
   
Handgun, spare ammunition, and extra magazines, speed- or strip-
loaders

●
   
Optional: Rifle, shotgun

Long-Term Bag Contents

Your consumable supplies will eventually run out no matter how much you
carry with you even if you have the luxury of escaping in your vehicle
instead of on foot. You will need a way to procure your vital necessities and
that is one of the critical roles of your Long-Term BOB. Here are examples
of managing issues in some of your survival categories and how that relates
to your Long-Term BOB:

●
   
Water: Initially, you can use the water that you carry with you.
Water purification tablets will help for a while, but they will run out.
Water filters will last longer and some will last a very long time if they
have filters that can be cleaned in the field. The ability to boil water is
critical which means having the necessary containers and fire-starting
tools.

●
   
Food: Once the food you bring runs out, you’ll need the ability to
get food on your own. A card with names and illustrations of edible
vegetation in your area is helpful and takes minimal space. It is
possible to fashion fishing and hunting tools by using your survival
knife and things found in the wild. But, you’ll greatly benefit from
packing items that help you to fish, trap, and hunt animals.

●
   
Fire: Matches and lighters will eventually run out. It’s handy to
have a Fresnel lens, but it requires sunlight. Creating fire by friction
with a friction bow takes time, energy, and skill. Having redundant
ferro rods will allow you to make many fires for a long time.

●
   
Shelter: A tarp or tent is very handy to have. But, if the disaster that
befalls you is long term, then you’ll probably need to build a more
durable and larger shelter. That means you’ll need at least some basic
tools such as a hatchet or axe, shovel, and saw. These are items that
 you can do without in your Short-Term Bag. They would be handy to
have, but you could survive without them in your Medium-Term Bag.
You could simply use your survival knife and things found in the wild
to make a long-term shelter, but it would be much more time-
consuming and difficult.

This chapter reviews suggestions for items to include in your Long-Term

BOB. Keep in mind:

●
   
The items listed are just suggestions. You will need to customize
your own BOB with items to suit your particular needs and to meet
your space and weight limitations.

●
   
Items are listed by their use for particular survival categories.

●
   
A detailed description of the items along with product names as
examples, weights, and prices appear in subsequent chapters organized
by survival categories.

First Aid Items

●
   
Band-aids, 1x3 inches

●
   
2x2” and 4x4” gauze sponge dressings

●
   
Non-adherent dressings

●
   
Chest seal

●
   
14 gauge Angiocath™ needle, at least 3 inches length

●
   
2”, 3”, 4” gauge rolls

●
   
1” tape

●
   
Steri-Strips®

●
   
Skin glue
 ●
   
Skin staple gun

●
   
Safety pins

●
   
Triangular bandage

●
   
Non-latex disposable gloves

●
   
Alcohol prep pads

●
   
Iodine prep pads

●
   
Moleskin

●
   
Triple antibiotic ointment

●
   
Antihistamine ointment and tablets

●
   
Ibuprofen

●
   
Tourniquet: CAT® Tourniquet (one-handed combat application
tourniquet)

●
   
Large tongue depressors

●
   
Tweezers

●
   
Full-size EMT scissors

●
   
Topical Hemostatic Agents: QuikClot®, Advanced Clotting Kit

●
   
Trauma Wound Dressing with 6” hemorrhage control bandage
(Israeli Bandage Battle Dressing)

●
   
Nasopharyngeal airway

Water Items

●
   
Plastic garbage bags
 ●
   
Coffee filters (to filter water)

●
   
Stainless steel 1-liter water bottle (single wall, use for boiling and
transporting water) with 750 ml nesting cup

●
   
Consider bringing a lightweight, larger, stainless steel pot to boil
larger volumes of water and for cooking

●
   
2-quart military collapsible canteen in a canteen pouch

●
   
Collapsible larger water container (e.g., 5 gals). Lightweight
plastic. For vehicle or base camp.

●
   
Water filter straw. Get one that includes an activated carbon filter if
you are concerned that the water may have chemicals or heavy metals.

●
   
Chlorine dioxide water purification tablets

●
   
Cilantro seeds to grow plants for their leaves to remove heavy
metals from water

●
   
Ion exchange resin device if you are concerned about heavy metals
in the area you are escaping to (e.g., a product such as ZeroWater®
Portable Water Filtration Tumbler)

●
   
High volume pump ceramic water filter

●
   
4-way sillcock key or 10-way service utility key (to turn industrial
water valves without spigot handles)

●
   
Small plastic funnel to help transfer boiled water into your water
carrying vessels (e.g., canteen or water bottle)

Fire Items

●
   
Stormproof matches (2 boxes)

●
   
Ferro rods (3)
 ●
   
Fresnel lens

●
   
BIC® lighters (4)

●
   
Lightweight tinder sources: Char cloth, cotton balls coated in
petroleum jelly, fatwood chips or sticks

Food Items

●
   
Fast, easy to eat food items

●
   
Freeze-dried food to last a week

●
   
Salt

●
   
Olive oil in a small bottle

●
   
Compact cook set

●
   
3-quart lightweight stainless steel pot (for cooking and boiling
water)

●
   
Eating utensils: Long cooking spoon. Fork, spoon

●
   
Sponge for cleaning

●
   
Compact stove

●
   
Wire snares for trapping small animals

●
   
Plastic Cuban fishing reel, fishing line, a small container of fishing
tackle

●
   
Laminated brochure with names and drawings of edible wild plants
in your area

●
   
Optional:

○
       
Lightweight cooking grill top
 ○
       
Fruit and vegetable seeds that will grow in your area

Shelter Items

●
   
Construction grade plastic garbage bags

●
   
Tarp

●
   
Optional: Tent

Sleep Items

●
   
Sleeping mat

●
   
Sleeping bag

●
   
Compact blanket/tarp

●
   
Optional: Bivy bag, hammock

Hygiene

●
   
Toothbrush

●
   
Toothpaste

●
   
Dental floss

●
   
Razor

●
   
Toilet paper (with cardboard roll removed, paper flattened)

●
   
Soap

●
   
Wipes-wipes

●
   
Nail clipper

●
   
Reusable cloths
Clothes

●
   
Wide brim hat

●
   
Jacket

●
   
Extra socks

●
   
Extra underwear

●
   
Extra shirts

●
   
Extra pants

●
   
Lightweight waterproof pants

●
   
Lightweight poncho

●
   
Shemagh

Tools

●
   
Shovel

●
   
Hatchet

●
   
Saw

●
   
Sewing kit

●
   
Charging cables and adapters for electronics

●
   
Solar rechargeable battery pack

●
   
Extra batteries

●
   
Lithium-ion power bank

●
   
Solar Panel
 ●
   
Full-size multi-tool

●
   
Headlight

●
   
Small flashlight

●
   
Extra pair of large EMT scissors

●
   
Compact knife sharpener

●
   
Optional:

○
       
Axe

○
       
Sharpening tool for hatchet and axe

○
       
Shoe GOO® or Barge Cement™

○
       
Crowbar

Survival Knives

●
   
Large, strong knife to permit wood splitting, chopping

●
   
Smaller knife for delicate tasks

Cordage

●
   
Paracord 550, 200 feet

●
   
Bank line, 100 feet

●
   
Fishing line

●
   
Duct tape or Gorilla® Tape

●
   
Credit card size instruction cards with knot tying instructions

Navigation Items
 ●
   
Compass (2 compasses with one as a backup)

●
   
Mini-binoculars, 8x21

●
   
Maps

●
   
Ranger beads

Communication Items

●
   
Waterproof notebook

●
   
Pen

●
   
Hand crank emergency radio

Personal Protection Items

●
   
Lip balm

●
   
Sunscreen

●
   
Sunglasses

●
   
Safety goggles

●
   
Ballistic eyewear

●
   
Mask

●
   
Earplugs

●
   
Leather gloves

●
   
Insect repellent

●
   
Pepper spray

●
   
Knife: Your EDC knife and your survival knife
 ●
   
Handgun, spare ammunition, extra magazines, speed- or strip-
loaders

●
   
Rifle, spare ammunition

●
   
Optional:

○
       
Trekking poles

○
       
Shotgun, spare ammunition

○
       
Pellet air gun

○
       
Spare parts and cleaning supplies for your firearms

○
       
Bow, arrows

Selecting A Bag
These are the topics covered in this chapter to help you select your bags:

●
   
Type of bags

●
   
Materials

●
   
Fabric strength

●
   
Bag volume or capacity (cubic inches, liters)

●
   
Bag weights versus anticipated emergency or bug out duration

●
   
General features to look for when selecting your BOB

●
   
Features desirable in a Long-Term BOB

●
   
How to fit and size a bag to you

●
   
Internal versus external frame
 ●
   
The bottom line in selecting your BOB

It’s wise to carefully select your BOBs for their functionality and comfort.
Consider what you will be carrying in your Short-, Medium-, and Long-
Term BOBs when you choose the actual bags. It is optimal to have three
separate bags, one for each of your three BOBs since each bag will be
outfitted with different items and with more items carried in the longer-term
BOBs.

Type Of Bags

Here are some thoughts about different types of bags and their use as a
BOB:

●
   
Duffle: We’ll define these as a bag with handles for carrying. These
are not ideal to use as a BOB because they require at least one hand to
carry. That removes one hand from use for some other purpose. It is
also tiring to hand carry a bag for a long time even if one switches
back and forth between the two hands.

●
   
Waist pack: A “fanny pack” is a recognizable example of a waist
pack. Although these are available in different sizes, you’ll still be
quite limited in the number of items you can carry. The only place
these might play a role as a BOB would be for your Short Term BOB
depending upon how many items you choose to carry in that BOB.

●
   
Messenger bag: This is a briefcase type bag that has a single strap
that is placed over one shoulder for cross-carry. It may have a separate
strap that goes around a person’s torso to provide extra stability to the
bag when carried. You’ll be limited to the amount you can carry in
these bags as they tend to be rather small. You could conceivably use
one for your Short Term BOB.

●
   
Sling pack: This is a small to medium size backpack with a single
arm strap or “sling.” You will be able to hold more in one of these than
a waist pack or a messenger bag. They are not as stable or comfortable
to carry over a long period or during vigorous activity as compared to
 a backpack with two shoulder straps. You could use this type of bag
for your Short Term BOB.

●
   
Backpack: This is the best and most versatile type of bag to use for
your Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term BOBs. It comes in many sizes
and configurations including multiple internal dividers and external
organizing compartments or pouches separate from the main
compartment. It can be equipped with an internal or external frame to
aid with carrying larger loads. It has two shoulder straps at it’s most
basic set up. But, it is available with chest and waist straps, which are
particularly helpful when carrying heavier loads. A backpack provides
the best stability and comfort and should be used for all of your BOBs.

Types Of Materials

Backpacks are made available in a variety of materials including:

[4]
,
[5]
,
[6]
,
[7]

●
   
Leather: Tanned, genuine leather is fairly light, dispelling the
misconception that leather is heavy. Leather is strong and durable but
requires a conditioner to prevent its eventual drying and cracking. The
numerous steps used to process leather from hide to a usable material
are costly making leather products expensive.

●
   
Canvas: Canvas is made of cotton. It is heavy and less abrasion
resistant and durable than nylon. It tears much more easily than nylon
when tensile stress is applied to it. Wax is often applied to its surface
to make it water-resistant.

●
   
Polyester: Polyester shares similarities to nylon, but it’s more
expensive, absorbs slightly more moisture, is less abrasion resistant,
and is less durable than nylon. Polyester is lightweight and has a
smooth feel. It’s more UV resistant than nylon.

●
   
Nylon: Cheap nylon lacks durability, unlike high-quality nylon.
Nylons are flexible, lightweight, strong, abrasion-resistant, resistant to
chemicals, absorb little moisture, simple to clean, do not require any
 conditioning, and relatively inexpensive compared with other
materials.

●
   
Ripstop nylon: Thicker threads are sewn between the nylon threads
to resist ripping when the fabric is punctured. It also offers better water
resistance.

●
   
Cordura® nylon: Cordura® is Dupont® premium brand name that
is known for durability, strength, and abrasion resistance. It is made
using an especially strong material, nylon 6.6. It does not refer to a
specific fabric.

●
   
Kodra®: It is a Korean produced fabric very similar to Cordura®.

●
   
Ballistic nylon: This durable fabric is comprised of high denier
(usually 840 to 1680D) nylon in a basket weave. It is usually heavier,
has greater tensile strength and tear resistance than Cordura®.

●
   
Polyurethane (PU) coatings: This is applied to a fabric’s surface for
waterproofing. It can be harmed by exposure to excessive heat and/or
moisture, chlorine, salt, and bleach.

Fabric Strength

Denier (D) is often mentioned as a gauge of a fabric’s strength. Denier

refers to how many grams 9,000 meters of thread weighs. For example,
9,000 meters of 1000-D nylon weighs 1000 grams. A higher denier means
greater strength, but it is not directly comparable between different fabrics.

[8]
500-D nylon is almost 50% stronger than 600-D 64T polyester/PVC
fabric in tensile stress tests (i.e., stretched until torn). When subjected to
26,500 cycles of wear, 600-D polyester showed moderate abrasion while
both 500-D and 1050-D nylon showed only very slight abrasion.
[9]

600-D is strong enough for Your Short Term BOB and should be adequate
for your Medium Term BOB. But, 1050-D is better for your Long Term
BOB and even for your Medium Term BOB.
The spacing between stitches affects strength. Stitching refers to the number
of stitches per inch. Less than 6 stitches/inch is too weak especially around
areas of high stress like where shoulder straps join with the body of your
backpack. 6-10 stitches/inch is optimal while more than 10 stitches/inch can
be weaker because stitches may overlap and tear one another during the
sewing process.

Bag Volume/Capacity

The size of a bag or how much it holds is often described by its volume,
which is measured in cubic inches or liters. The unit of measure used varies
with different literature and manufacturers making comparison shopping
confusing. One liter (L) equals 61.024 cubic inches (ci). I made the
conversion table below for your convenience. You can take a photo of it
with your phone to bring with you when you go shopping for your bag.

10 L 610 ci

20 L 1220 ci

30 L 1830 ci

40 L 2440 ci

50 L 3051 ci

60 L 3610 ci

70 L 4201 ci
80 L 4802 ci

90 L 5402 ci

100 L 6102 ci

Here are some general guidelines for your BOBs:

●
   
Short-Term BOB: 20-30 L

●
   
Medium-Term BOB: 35-60 L

●
   
Long-Term BOB: Larger than 60 L

Larger bags allow you to carry more gear but weigh more than smaller
bags. The following information provides you with an estimate of how a
bag’s empty weight correlates with how much gear it will carry
[10]
:

●
   
2-3 lb. pack weight = 15-35 pounds of gear

●
   
3-5 lb. pack weight = 30-50 pounds of gear

●
   
5+ lb. pack weight = 40-70 pounds of gear

Ultralight bags help to save weight, but their drawbacks as a survival BOB
includes less durability, fewer compartments and external pouches, and
fewer external lashing points.

General Features To Look For In Selecting Your BOB

:

These are some features that are useful for all of your BOBs:

●
   
Waterproof or, at least, water-resistant

●
   
Proper fit to your body size and shape
 ●
   
Numerous pouches and compartments to aid with organization

●
   
Padding (shoulder and waist straps, pack’s back) that is
comfortably firm so it continues to function under prolonged
compression

●
   
Ventilation for your shoulder and waist straps and on the pack’s
back to promote airflow

●
   
External compression straps to stabilize your bag’s contents and
also hold items to the outside of your pack

●
   
External lashing points for larger items like a shovel or axe

●
   
MOLLE® attachment points for external pouches, first aid bag

●
   
Possibly a separate compartment to place a hydration bladder

●
   
A carry handle at the top of the bag

●
   
High-quality zippers. YKK® brand is the largest zipper brand and
has a good reputation.

●
   
Inconspicuous appearance to avoid attracting attention especially
for your Short- and Medium-Term BOBs

Features Desirable In A Long-Term BOB

:

These are some features that are especially useful for your Long-Term
BOB:

●
   
Chest and waist straps

●
   
Rigid frame (see the section below regarding internal versus
external frames)

●
   
Zippered front (preferable) or side opening to allow access to the
middle and lower parts of the main compartment of your BOB without
having to search from the top opening
 ●
   
A rain cover or top storm flap to keep your BOB contents dry

●
   
Possibly an external rig to hold a rifle

How To Fit and Size A BOB To You

:

A properly fitting bag is important for your comfort and ability to carry a
load for a sustained period. The heavier the load you carry, the more
important it is that most of the weight is borne by the top of your hips and
not just on your shoulders. One rule of thumb is to have 80% of your pack’s
weight borne on your hips and 20% over your shoulders.
[11]
The length of
your BOB needs to be such that the waist belt rests on top of your hips
when the shoulder straps are worn over the shoulders.
[12]

Start by adjusting your waist belt. You can find the proper location for your
pack’s waist belt to rest by touching the top of your bony pelvis with your
fingers. This is the hard bony area on both sides of your waist about two
inches above your pants beltline. These bony prominences are called your
iliac crests. The pads of your waist belt should sit on top of your iliac crests
and around slightly beyond the front of your iliac crests.

You can adjust the waist belt upward or downward by shortening or

lengthening the shoulder straps. The location where your shoulder straps
attach to your pack should be about 1.5-2 inches below the top of your
shoulder as the waist strap lies on top of your iliac crest when your pack is
the proper length for you.

Load-lifter straps go from the front of your shoulder straps ideally at a 45-
degree angle to attach near the top of your pack’s back (above the location
where the shoulder straps attach to your pack). They serve to keep the upper
part of your pack toward your body. This helps to keep your pack’s center
of gravity close to your body, in line with your spine, and over your hips.
Tightening them too much will lift the shoulder straps off of the tops of
your shoulders. Adjust them for comfort.

The sternum strap joins the two shoulder straps in front of your chest and
should be located about 1 inch below the bottom of your clavicles or
collarbones. Adjust them for comfort. The outside edges of your shoulder
straps will pull forward away from your chest and you might find it difficult
to breath if the sternum strap is adjusted too tightly.

If your BOB is too short, then most of the weight will be borne by your
shoulders causing your shoulders to hurt. If your BOB is too long, your
BOB will be located too low when the waist belt rests on your hips; this low
bag position will pull you backward.

Some backpacks offer an adjustable length feature whereby the distance

between the top of the shoulder straps and waist belt can be altered. This
can either be done by moving a panel containing the shoulder straps up or
down. The panel is connected to the back of the bag by hook and loop
material. Another way the shoulder harness can be moved is by attaching it
to different slots on the back of the pack. Adjustable backpacks offer a great
way to customize the fit of your backpack. Their main drawback is that they
are a bit heavier than backpacks without the adjustable feature.
[13]

You can adjust your pack’s straps during your trek for comfort. One
technique is to loosen your waist belt while tightening your shoulder straps
and periodically reverse the process. You can periodically tighten and
loosen the load-lifter straps. You can place your pack’s center of gravity
closer over your pelvis by leaning slightly forward. Remove your pack
whenever you take a break so you can give your body a rest.
[14]

Internal Versus External Frame

First, here are a few words about frameless packs. These are generally
lighter and less expensive than packs with frames. The main thing is that
they are for carrying lighter weights, usually no more than 20-22 pounds.
These are perfect for your Short-Term BOB and most Medium-Term BOBs.

Frames are structures that support your bag and are located either hidden
inside your bag (ie, internal frame) or attached to the outside of your bag
(ie, external frame). Some small bags may have an internal sheet fitted
inside a slot in the rear of the bag serving as a “pseudo-frame” to provide
some rigidity to the pack to keep it upright when empty and to protect your
back from prominent items inside your bag. These sheets may be fabricated
from foam, plastics, or composites.
Frame stays are technically a type of internal frame and are comprised of
pre-contoured strips of metal (often aluminum) or carbon fiber inserted into
vertical slots on the back wall of your pack. Frame stays provide the
following benefits
[15]
:

●
   
They serve as an interface between the contents of your bag and
your back avoiding prominent objects from poking your back
especially if they are combined with a sheet of padding.

●
   
Frame stays support the bag to keep it upright even when empty.
This makes it easier to pack and unpack your bag as well as to find
items inside of it.

●
   
They maintain your pack’s fit to your body by keeping the distance
from the top of your shoulder straps to your waist belt constant.

●
   
They can transfer weight from your shoulders to an attached waist
belt.

●
   
They are useful for carrying weights generally up to 30 pounds.

Larger bags for carrying heavier loads (e.g., 40 pounds or more) will have
formal frames. Here are some benefits of having a frame
[16]
:

●
   
The frame serves as an interface between the contents of your bag
and your back avoiding prominent objects from poking your back.

●
   
The frame supports the bag to keep it upright even when empty.
This makes it easier to pack and unpack your bag as well as to find
items inside of it.

●
   
The frame maintains your pack at a fixed height regardless of the
degree to which the pack is filled. This retains the all-important fitting
point, which is the distance from the top of your shoulder straps to
your waist belt.

●
   
It provides attachment points for your load-lifter straps.
 ●
   
The frame helps transfer weight from your shoulders to the waist
belt.

●
   
A frame permits carrying loads of up to 100 pounds or more

Internal frames are popular and comprise most of the bags sold with frames.
They are constructed of metal wire or tubes placed inside the back of the
pack. These are some characteristics of internal frames (as compared with
external frames):

●
   
They tend to fit better

●
   
The center of gravity is located lower and closer to your body
making it easier scramble on uneven terrain

●
   
Your load is usually more stable and has less tendency to shift
around especially if you are scrambling off-trail on uneven terrain.

●
   
Internal frames are lighter and more compact than external ones.

●
   
There is no exposed frame to snag on vegetation or other objects.

●
   
They are generally hotter since the pack rests directly on your back.
There are exceptions such as packs that use concave frames that create
an air space between the pack and your back, but most are not
designed this way.

●
   
More of the load is borne by your shoulders compared with an
external frame pack

●
   
They are not as good for carrying heavy loads.

●
   
It is more difficult to attach gear to the exterior of the bag.

●
   
They are more expensive

While internal frames have been around since 1967, external frames have
been around for much longer. Here are some points to consider regarding
external frame packs (as compared to internal frames):
 ●
   
They are cooler because there is ventilation between the pack and
your body

●
   
The center of gravity is higher and further from your body making
it more ideal for long treks on smooth, even trails.

●
   
Your load is less stable and there is more tendency for it to shift
from side to side making it more difficult to maintain balance when
having to scramble on uneven terrain.

●
   
They are heavier and bulkier than internal frame packs

●
   
Exposed frame can snag on objects

●
   
More of your load is borne on your hips making it more
comfortable for carrying heavy loads

●
   
Gear can be attached to the frame outside of the bag.

●
   
There are fewer bags on the market to choose from

●
   
They are cheaper

Author’s opinion: I prefer an external frame because it’s cooler, more

weight is borne by your hips so you can comfortably carry heavier loads,
you can lash items to your frame if necessary, and it’s cheaper.

The Bottom Line In Selecting Your BOB

I’ll distill what I believe are the key features for you to look for in
selecting your BOB:

●
   
Type of bag: Backpack with 2 shoulder straps

●
   
Material: Nylon

●
   
Fabric strength: Minimum 600-D nylon. 1000-D (or greater) nylon
is better.
 ●
   
Bag volume or capacity: 20-30 L for Short-Term BOB, 35-60 L for
Medium-Term BOB, and 60 L or larger for Long-Term BOB

●
   
General features to look for when selecting your BOB: Refer to the
section above on this topic

●
   
Features desirable in a Long-Term BOB: Refer to the section above
on this topic

●
   
Make sure that the bag is the right size for you and that it is
adjusted properly

●
   
External frame design for your Long-Term BOB

I will provide you with some examples of bags for your Short-, Medium-,
and Long-Term BOBs in the next three chapters.

Short-Term Bag Examples

Your Short-Term BOB is your Get Home Bag, your bag to help you survive
12-24 hours. It does not have to be very large or fancy since it is going to
hold the fewest items for the shortest length of time compared to your
Medium and Long Term BOBs. A 20-30 liter bag should be able to hold all
of your items. If you’re on a budget, you can use any backpack you might
have already (e.g., school or work bag) as long as it is durably constructed
so it does not fail on you. If your budget permits, then you can buy a more
mission-specific bag that is more durable, has better shoulder straps, a
sufficient number of compartments, etc. Here are some examples of
backpacks in a variety of price points that you can consider for your Short-
Term BOB:

Item name: Mardingtop 25L Tactical Backpacks

Vendor: Mardingtop Outdoor Equipment Co., Ltd on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WQGWYO

Price: $35.99
Weight: 1.72 lb

Size: 4.87x11.8x17.0 inches

Volume: 25 L

Material: 600-D Water-resistant Polyester

Number of external compartments, pouches: 3

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: No

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: No

Frame: None

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short-Term

Comments: It has a fairly plain appearance even though “tactical” is in its

name. YKK zippers.

Item name: OutdoorMaster 25L HYDROBACK Hydration Backpack

Vendor: Outdoor Master on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2JljmjM

Price: $39.99

Weight: 1.95 lb
Size: 6.5x8.8x17.9 inches

Volume: 25L

Material: Water-resistant, anti-rip nylon (denier not listed)

Number of external compartments, pouches: 3 compartments, 2 mesh

pouches

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: No

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: No

Frame: None

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short-Term

Comments: Includes a 2 L BPA-free water bladder

Item name: SOG Ninja Daypack

Vendor: GlobalEcom on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rtALIh

Price: $39.99

Weight: 2.37 lb

Size: 6.1x11.1x17.1 inches

Volume: 24.2 L

Material: Polyester (denier not listed)

Number of external compartments, pouches: 2 compartments, 1 side elastic

pouch

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: No

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: No

Hydration bladder compartment: No

Adjustable length: No

Frame: None

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short-Term

Comments: Manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. From the maker of SOG

Knives.

Item name: MOLLE II 3 Day Assault Pack

Vendor: Fort Bragg Surplus

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2JlPqUH

Price: $89.99 used (Author’s note: It is possible to find used packs for a
lower price, but the condition of the used packs is variable.)

Weight: 4 lb
Size: 7x12x20 inches

Volume: 30 L

Material: High-Quality Water Resistant Canvas

Number of external compartments, pouches: 1 front pouch

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: No

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: No

Frame: Yes. Removable foam and plastic back support

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short-Term

Comments: Durable, US military bag. Heavy-duty zippers and buckles.

Item name: Falcon-II Backpack

Vendor: Maxpedition

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3pr7NXF

Price: $184.99

Weight: 3.2 lb

Size: 9x10x18 inches

Volume: 23 L

Material: 1050-D water and abrasion-resistant lightweight ballistic nylon.

Triple polyurethane coated for water resistance

Number of external compartments, pouches: 3

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes. Can hold a 3 L water bladder.

Adjustable length: No

Frame: None

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short-Term

Comments: CCW pocket that fits large pistols. Teflon® fabric protector.
Self-repairing YKK® zippers. Well constructed of high-quality materials.

Item name: TRIDENT-21 (Gen-3) Backpack

Vendor: Vanquest

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3nWAOKK

Price: $209.99

Weight: 4.10 lb

Size: 8x11x18 inches

Volume: 21 L

Material: 1,000-D Mil-grade Cordura® fabric on the bottom and 500-D for
the body treated with durable water repellant coating

Number of external compartments, pouches: 3 compartments. Collapsible

water bottle side pouch.

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: No

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes. 2 inches. Removable.

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: No

Frame: None

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short-Term

Comments: Total 32 organizing compartments and slots. ITW/Duraflex™

hardware, and lockable YKK® zippers. Top or left side access to main
compartment. Main compartment has three configurable dividers.

Medium-Term Bag Examples

Your Medium-Term BOB is configured to help you survive two to seven
days. You’ll be best served with a bag somewhere in between the sizes of
your Short and Long-Term BOBs. A bag with a capacity of 35-60 liters
should be able to hold all the items you’ll require for medium-term survival.
Some examples of such bags with different price points are shown below:
Item name: REEBOW GEAR Military Tactical Backpack 3 Day Assault
Pack Army MOLLE® Bag Backpacks Rucksack 35L

Vendor: CASJ on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hl6Tcw

Price: $31.99

Weight: 3 lb

Size: 11.2x12x18 inches

Volume: 35 L

Material: “Durable high density-material.” It appears to be nylon in the

product photos. Denier is not listed.

Number of external compartments, pouches: 1 large and 2 smaller front

compartments

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: No

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes. Accommodates a 2.5 L hydration

bladder (not included)

Adjustable length: No

Frame: None

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium-Term

Comments:

Item name: 4 in 1 50L MOLLE Tactical Military Backpack

Vendor: Mo Duo on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hmsdP1

Price: $52.24 plus $10.32 shipping

Weight: Not specified

Size: 8.66x11.81x19.68 inches

Volume: 50 L

Material: 600-D nylon

Number of external compartments, pouches: 2 detachable side pouches. 1

large front compartment. 1 detachable large pouch with 4 separate zippered
compartments.

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: No

Adjustable length: No

Frame: None
Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium-Term

Comments: None

Item name: US GI Military Surplus Used Medium Complete Olive Drab

Alice Pack

Vendor: Army Surplus World

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3aSQudY

Price: $99.99

Weight: 9 lb

Size: 5.5x13x20 inches

Volume: 40 L

Material: Water-resistant, 420-D nylon duck material

Number of external compartments, pouches: 3

External compression straps: No. But, the two top flap straps will provide
some compression.

MOLLE® attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: No

Sternum strap: No

Waist belt: No

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: No
Frame: Yes. Aluminum. The bag can be worn with or without the frame.

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium-Term

Comments: Designed to hold up to 50 lbs. Extremely durable. Straps have

little padding and are uncomfortable. Heavy.

Item name: MT Military Surplus MOLLE® Medium Rucksack with Pouch

Army Tactical Backpack

Vendor: MilitaryARmaxUS

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KSMRKh

Price: $169.99 new (Author’s note: Used military versions of this bag are
available at a lower cost)

Weight: 6 lb

Size: Main compartment: 7x13.7x21.6 inches. Top front compartment:

3x9x11.4 inches. Lower front compartment: 4x10x12.5 inches. Each of the
2 removable side pouches: 4x7.5x10 inches.

Volume: 50 L main bag. 2 removable side pouches (5 L each) making the

total capacity 60 L

Material: 1000-D nylon, water repellent. Multicam®

Number of external compartments, pouches: 2 removable side pouches. 2

front compartments.

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: No

Frame: Yes. Internal, aluminum.

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium-Term

Comments: Includes 4 MOLLE® clips, a Mobile Phone Case, and a Bottle

Case, which can be hanged around the neck or on the hip belt. Carries up to
60 pounds. Manufacturer’s statement: “It is not made Under National
Military Contract, so it does not have any Government Issue Tags or marks,
but the military standard quality is guaranteed and assured.” The design is
similar to the US military MOLLE II Medium Rucksack

Item name: Falcon-III Backpack

Vendor: Maxpedition

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/37P7gJi

Price: $212.99

Weight: 1.25 pounds

Size: 10x12x18 inches

Volume: 35 L

Material: 1050-D lightweight ballistic nylon. Triple polyurethane coated for

water resistance.
Number of external compartments, pouches: 3 front compartments (1 large,
2 medium)

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: No

Frame: None

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium-Term

Comments: Teflon® fabric protector. YKK® high strength zippers. UTX-

Duraflex® nylon buckles. CCW pocket, with lockable zippers, fits large
pistols. High tensile strength composite nylon thread (stronger than
ordinary industry standard nylon thread).

Item name: Markhor-45 Backpack

Vendor: Vanquest

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3pm4CAs

Price: $299.99

Weight: 6 lb

Size: 6x12x26 inches

Volume: 45 L

Material: 1,000-D Mil-grade Cordura® fabric on the bottom and 500-D

Cordura® for the body

Number of external compartments, pouches: Dual side water bottle pockets.

2 top pockets. 1 larger bottom pocket.

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes. Removable.

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: Yes. 5 positions

Frame: Yes. Removable. Molded polycarbonate.

Additional front or side zippered access: Yes. Side access. Plus, easy
“clamshell” front access to the main compartment.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium-Term

Comments: Unique beavertail with DAM (Durable Arms Management)

design. The beavertail is double-sided, reversible, and removable, offering
gear storage, attachment, and compression. It can be used to hold a rifle
vertically on the back of the pack.

Long-Term Bag Examples

Your Long-Term BOB is configured to help you survive for weeks to
months, long after the food and water you originally carried with you run
out. Because of the longer time frame, you will want to have redundancy in
your critical items and carry items that will make you self sufficient. Your
larger Long-Term BOB will allow you to do that. Examples of some bags
for this purpose are presented in this chapter. As in prior chapters, examples
of bags in different price ranges will be presented to fit different budgets.

Item name: ALPS Mountaineering Zion External Frame Pack, 64 Liters

Vendor: ALPS Outdoorz on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KVVm7x

Price: $149.99

Weight: 4.94 lb

Size: 15x33 inches (frame dimensions)

Volume: 64 L

Material: Lightweight polyester (denier not listed)

Number of external compartments, pouches: 4

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: No

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes. Adjustable range of 28 to 40 inches

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: Yes. Telescoping frame. Torso range of 17-24 inches

Frame: Yes. External. Aluminum.

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long-Term

Comments: Limited Lifetime Warranty. Top-loading main compartment.

Sleeping bag compartment. Multiple shoulder strap positions.

Item name: ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag

Vendor: ALPS Outdoorz on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hk4eQc

Price: $159.99

Weight: 7.31 lb

Size: 6x17x40 inches

Volume: 86 L

Material: Durable Nylon Ripstop fabric (denier not listed)

Number of external compartments, pouches: 4

External compression straps: No

MOLLE® attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes. Fits 26-40 inches

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: Yes. Frame telescopes to allow torso adjustments from

17-23 inches
Frame: Yes. External. Metal (type of metal not specified). There is a
“Freighter Shelf” on the bottom of the frame.

Additional front or side zippered access: Yes. Lower front zippered access.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long-Term

Comments: Top loading. Front lashing loops. Dropdown rifle butt holder.

Item name: Kelty Tioga 5500 Classic External Frame Backpack

Vendor: Enwild

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/38Bnfd2

Price: $167.96

Weight: 5.56 lb

Size: 16x23x31 inches

Volume: 90 L

Material: 420-D coated parkcloth with 1000-D Kodra®. Water-resistant, but

not waterproof.

Number of external compartments, pouches: 4

External compression straps: No

MOLLE®attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: Yes. Adjustable suspension system accommodates torso
lengths ranging from 16-22 inches.

Frame: Yes. External. Aluminum.

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long-Term

Comments: Spindrift collar. Daisy chain attachment system, lash points,

and an ice axe loop. Top loading with enclosed lower sleeping bag
compartment.

Item name: Kelty Trekker 65 Pack

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL: https://bit.ly/37T2oCI

Price: $199.95

Weight: 5.31 lb

Size: Not specified

Volume: 65

Material: 600-D Polyester w/ 600-D Polyester Small Ripstop

Number of external compartments, pouches: 6

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes. Fits 32-54 inches.

Hydration bladder compartment: Yes

Adjustable length: Yes. The frame telescopes to fit 16 - 22 inches torso

length

Frame: Yes. External. Aluminum.

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long-Term

Comments: Hideaway daisy chain and handle. Ice axe/trekking pole loops.
Some people find that the bag rides too high on the frame for them.

I will mention here two US military bags that you can consider when you
select your Long-Term BOB. One is the old classic, the large ALICE pack.
It is extremely durable, but not the most comfortable because of old-style
shoulder and waist straps with little padding. The second is the newer large
MOLLE®II Rucksack. I like this bag because it is lighter, adjustable,
comfortable, well made, and offers the flexibility of the MOLLE®
attachment system. Here are some examples of the price ranges for new and
used versions of these packs:

Item name: Large Complete ALICE pack with Frame

(Note: This is a brand
new genuine military item. See the next item in the list for a much cheaper
new one.)

Vendor: McGuire Army Navy

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3nNOdEG

Price: $189.99

Weight: 11.0 lb

Size: 19x20x22 inches

Volume: 65 L

Material: Water-repellent 420-D military nylon duck

Number of external compartments, pouches: 3 large and 3 small

External compression straps: No. However, 2 top flap straps attach to the
front bottom of the pack and serve as pseudo-compression straps

MOLLE® attachment points: No. ALICE compatible external attachment

points for extra gear/pouches

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: No

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: No

Adjustable length: No

Frame: Yes. Steel.

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long-Term

Comments: This bag was developed for the military in the 1970s. It is hard
to find new bags. Used bags are more plentiful for purchase. These are
highly durable bags. They are designed to carry up to 70 lbs. The metal
frames can creak when carrying a heavy load, but that can be remedied
using lubricant (e.g., CLP, “gun cleaner, lubricant, preservative,” originally
developed for the military) and tape. Frame rivets can break but can be
replaced. The shoulder and waist straps are not as comfortable as those on
modern bags, but these can also be replaced and upgraded to newer
MOLLE® straps. It may not be worth the cost and trouble of doing these
modifications on a new bag but maybe worth considering if you can find a
used bag at a low price since there are people who have happily used these
bags for years. Here are examples of prices on used large ALICE packs
(Note: These used packs may be sold and no longer available by the time
this book is published. But the listings provide you an idea about used
prices.):

●
   
eBay. $99.99 plus $25 shipping.
https://ebay.to/2L2CGCP

●
   
eBay: $99.99, local pick up only.
https://ebay.to/2M7sLMV

Item name: NATO Military Large ALICE Pack With Frame, MARPAT
(Unused condition)

Vendor: Coleman’s Military Surplus

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3mT1nPA

Price: $79.95

Weight: 6 lb

Size:  inches

Volume: 40 L

Material: Cordura nylon (denier not listed)

Number of external compartments, pouches: 3 large and 3 small

External compression straps: No. However, 2 top flap straps attach to the
front bottom of the pack and serve as pseudo-compression straps

MOLLE® attachment points: No

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: No

Adjustable length: No

Frame: Yes. Metal (Probably steel)

Additional front or side zippered access: No

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long-Term

Comments: Genuine European Military Surplus. This bag was modeled

after the US Military Large Alice Pack and was made for a foreign country
that backed out after placing the order. These are unused bags. The front
pouches are sewn on to the front of the pack, which serves as the back wall
to the pouches. The pouches are not removable. There may be slight
corrosion around the frame due to long-term storage.

Item name: MOLLE® II Rucksack Backpack Assembly (ACU), Large

(New condition)

Vendor: Mojave Tracker on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3o5GJxb

Price: $149.49

Weight: 8.3 lb

Size: 10x22x24 inches

Volume: 82 L (Main compartment 65.5 L. 2 side pouches each 8.2 L)

Material: 1000-D nylon

Number of external compartments, pouches: 2 side sustainment pouches

External compression straps: Yes

MOLLE® attachment points: Yes

Load-lifter straps: Yes

Sternum strap: Yes

Waist belt: Yes

Hydration bladder compartment: No

Adjustable length: Yes

Frame: Yes. Polymer

Additional front or side zippered access: Yes or No. There is a lower

compartment with a zippered horizontal front access. The lower
compartment can be separated from the top main compartment by a
zippered divider, which, if left open, creates one large compartment.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long-Term

Comments: Made in the USA. Comfortable when carrying heavy loads.

Shoulder and waist straps are well padded. The frame in earlier versions
(Generation I and II broke most easily; Generation III was stronger)
sometimes broke when carrying heavy loads or when dropped onto the
ground. Generation IV frames (2.2 lbs weight) are made of more durable
polymer with greater impact resistance (capable of surviving 32 fps impact
with concrete). Used versions of this bag are cheaper (Note: These used
packs may be sold and no longer available by the time this book is
published. But the listings provide you an idea about used prices.):

●
   
Coleman’s Military Surplus. $79.95.
https://bit.ly/3hpJGWz

●
   
eBay: $79.99 with free shipping.
https://ebay.to/38CLJCD

Organizing The Items In Your Bag

Organizing your BOB items by survival category and placing them into
separate bags or pouches makes it much faster and easier to find things
when you need them. Here are some things you can use to organize your
items:

●
   
Heavy-duty, clear, zip-lock bags

●
   
Packing cubes used for travel

●
   
Nylon pouches and bags

Someone who calls himself  “The Urban Prepper” introduced a color-

coding system (
https://bit.ly/37Rna63
) to help you quickly identify the
contents of your various organizational bags. His idea was used by
Vanquest Gear, Inc to produce the Vanquest Prepper’s Color-Coding Kit,
which sells for $12.99 and weighs 0.7 ounces. It consists of ten strips of
hook and loop material in a variety of colors that you wrap around the
handles of your organizational bags. It comes with a morale patch that
graphically displays the color-coding system. This patch serves as a quick
reference guide and can be adhered to the outside of your backpack by hook
and loop. The color codes are defined as follows:

●
   
Red: First aid

●
   
Orange: Fire

●
   
Yellow: Communication and navigation

●
   
Green: Food

●
   
Blue: Water

●
   
Purple: Clothes and personal

●
   
Coyote: Shelter

●
   
White: Hygiene

●
   
Gray: Cookware

●
   
Black: Tools and tactical
Listed below are examples of packing cubes and pouches to provide you
with an idea about their cost and weight. The examples include lower and
higher-priced products to help readers with different budgets:

Packing Cubes

Item name: Classic Packing Cubes 3Pc Set

Vendor: eBags

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3nT715w

Price: $14.99

Weight: 0.79 lb

Size: 17.5 x 12.75 x 3.25 inches

Material: Nylon (denier not listed)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Large

Comments: These work well for larger items such as clothes. Limited
lifetime guarantee. Serves as an economical example of packing cubes.
(Smaller packing cubes are available.)

First Aid Pouches

Item name: Red Tactical First Aid Kit MOLLE Rip-Away EMT Tactical
Medical Pouch Bag

Vendor:  allstarsseller2014 on eBay

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/2WOEqTa

Price: $10.99 plus $2.99 shipping

Weight: Approx 0.4 lb

Size: 3.6x6x8 inches

Material: 900-D anti-abrasion nylon, water-resistant

Appropriate for which BOBs: Small, Medium, Large

Comments: First Aid bag, good value and size. Nice fold out zippered mesh
zippered pouch. Well made.

Item name: FATPack 4X6 (Gen-2): First Aid Trauma Pack

Vendor: Vanquest

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3hnebwd

Price: $34.99

Weight: 0.37 lb

Size: 3x4.5x6 inches

Material: 1000-D Cordura® fabric with water repellent DuPont® Teflon®

fabric protector

Appropriate for which BOBs: Small, Medium, Large

Comments: Well made First Aid Bag. Premium quality, higher price.

Item name: NEW Military MOLLE IFAK Pouch ACU Medic

UNIVERSAL First Aid Kit with Insert

Vendor:  alleghenyoutlet on eBay

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/3psV6vG

Price: $15.90

Weight: 0.33 lb
Size: 2.25x5x7 inches

Material: Cordura® nylon (denier not listed)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Small, Medium, Large

Comments: Genuine military issue. Well made. Removable insert with

elastic loops.

General Organizer Pouches

Item name: EDCM-HUSKY 2.0: EDC Maximizer Organizer

Vendor: Vanquest

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3hpKDhB

Price: $32.99

Weight: 0.47 lb

Size: 2x6x8 inches

Material: 1000-D Cordura® fabric with water repellent DuPont Teflon

fabric protector

Appropriate for which BOBs: Small, Medium, Large

Comments: High quality. Higher price.

Item name: Coyote MOLLE® Utility Pouch USMC Military Surplus

Vendor: ronnie8987 on eBay

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/38EXo44

Price: $14.95

Weight: Approx 0.6 lb

Size: 4x6x9 inches

Material: Double layer 1000-D Cordura®nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Small, Medium, Large

Comments: Good value

Item name: Taigear MOLLE® Black EMT Pouch Bag Military Tactical
Gear

Vendor: americanonlineproducts on eBay

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/3hn1die

Price: $11.75

Weight: Approx 0.4 lb

Size: 2.5x5x7 inches

Material: Polyester with PVC coating (denier not listed)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Small, Medium, Large

Comments: Although it’s called an EMT pouch, it is more of a nice general

use pouch

Item name: Orca Tactical MOLLE® Horizontal Compact EDC Utility

Pouch Bag

Vendor: orcatactical on eBay

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/2WKEPFY

Price: $15.99

Weight: Approx 0.5 lb

Size: 3x5x9 inches

Material: 600-D polyester with sturdy double stitching

Appropriate for which BOBs: Small, Medium, Large

Comments: YKK® zippers. 4 MOLLE straps on the back. MOLLE®

webbing on the front.

How To Pack Your BOB

How do you optimally pack your backpack?

There is a nice description of this topic from REI Co-op:

[17]

How you pack your backpack will determine how much you can pack into
it and also how easy it is to access your items. Determining the optimal way
to pack your bag involves some trial and error to see where items fit the
best. Place your items into your backpack in layers. Make sure the weight
of your items is equally distributed on the right and left sides so your
backpack is stable and well balanced. You can pack your items inside one
or more construction-grade garbage bags placed inside your BOB to keep
them dry. Once packed, cinching your pack’s external compression straps
will compact your pack and help to prevent your items from moving
around.

As you pack your backpack, think of it as having three main horizontal

zones or layers along with supplemental storage areas:

●
   
Bottom layer: Good for bulky gear and items not needed until
camp.

●
   
Core or middle layer: Good for your denser, heavier items.

●
   
Top layer: Good for bulkier essentials you might need on the trail.

●
   
Accessory pockets or pouches: Good for essentials you’ll need
urgently or often.
 ●
   
Tool loops and lash-on points: Good for bulky or extra-long items.

Bottom Layer

Generally, place bulky items here that you do not need to access quickly.
Some backpacks have zippers on the sides or on the bottom of the pack to
provide another way to access items at the bottom of the pack. These items
tend to be compressible and soft providing cushioning for the rest of the
items higher up in your backpack. Examples include:

●
   
Sleeping bag

●
   
Sleeping pad

●
   
Clothes that you do not immediately need

●
   
Camp shoes or down booties

Middle Layer

Items to pack in the middle layer include heavy, dense gear you do not need
to access during your hike. Placing heavy items here affords the benefit of
shock absorption from being on top of the bottom layer items. Avoid
placing heavy items in the top layer because that makes your bag top-heavy
and compromises your balance. Middle layer items can include:

●
   
Food (entrees, not snacks)

●
   
Cook kit

●
   
Stove

●
   
Water reservoir

Top Layer

Light, bulky items are packed into the top layer:

●
   
Insulated jacket
 ●
   
Fleece jacket and pants

●
   
Rain jacket

●
   
First-aid kit (this can also be attached to the outside of your pack
for rapid access)

●
   
Water filter or purifier

●
   
Toilet supplies

●
   
Tent: Permits quick access in case you encounter a rapidly
approaching storm

Accessory pockets or pouches

Backpacks vary in the number and location of accessory pockets or pouches

that they provide. They may be located inside the main compartment, on the
sides, in the front, or beneath the top cover flap. These storage areas are
handy for packing smaller items that you would like to access quickly
without having to open your main compartment.

●
   
Map

●
   
Compass

●
   
GPS

●
   
Sunglasses

●
   
Sunscreen

●
   
Lip balm

●
   
Headlamp

●
   
Bug spray

●
   
Snacks
 ●
   
Water bottles

●
   
Rain cover

●
   
Car keys (look for a clip inside one of the pockets)

●
   
ID and cash stash

Tool loops and lash on points

.

Attaching items to the outside of your backpack can increase your carrying
capacity, but be aware that these items can snag against vegetation and
other objects. These items are also more vulnerable to damage than those
kept inside your backpack. Some items to consider carrying on the outside
of your pack include:

●
   
Trekking poles

●
   
Tent poles

●
   
Large sleeping pad

●
   
Rope

●
   
Hatchet or axe

●
   
Shovel

●
   
Rifle
 Choosing Items for Your Bag:
Explanation
Chapters following this one will provide detailed descriptions of items
to consider including in your BOBs:

●
   
There are chapters for each major survival category with general
information about that category

●
   
The price of each item is listed

●
   
Weight is listed for each item

●
   
Specific product names are offered as examples

●
   
Items are marked to tell you whether the item fits into your Short,
Medium, or Long Term bags.

You can select items from each major survival category to customize your
bags and to help make sure that you have each major category (e.g., water,
shelter, food, etc) covered:

●
   
Jump to the item category that interests you (e.g., 1st aid, water,
food, etc)

●
   
You can use the item prices and weights to help configure your
bags and provide you with an estimate as to their total price and weight

●
   
The items described in this book may include things you might not
have previously considered. You may choose to select some of the
items listed as examples or use them as a launching pad to search out a
similar item on your own if a particular item looks like it will be useful
to you.

●
   
Hopefully, you already have a BOB. You can compare your items
to the various survival item categories to be sure that you have items to
 address each category. You might find some areas where you might
consider adding an item.

●
   
Here are the major survival categories to consider:

○
       
First Aid

○
       
Water

○
       
Fire

○
       
Food

○
       
Shelter

○
       
Sleep

○
       
Hygiene

○
       
Clothes

○
       
Tools

○
       
Survival knives

○
       
Cordage

○
       
Navigation

○
       
Communication

○
       
Personal protection

○
       
Pet care items

○
       
Extras you might include if you’re escaping by vehicle

As you select items for your BOBs, keep some of these general points in
mind:
 ●
   
It impossible to prepare for every possible type of emergency or
disaster

●
   
Consider your individual circumstances including what disasters
you are most likely to face in your area. Prepare accordingly.

●
   
Be realistic about how much you can carry with you.

●
   
Do not overpack your bag

●
   
Select multiple items that provide you with different options for
your essential emergency category needs (e.g., have more than one
way to start a fire)

●
   
Select items to provide redundancy (backups) for the essentials
(e.g., have more than one ferro rod in your Long-Term BOB)

●
   
Select items that can perform more than one function

●
   
Assembling your BOBs is a balance between choosing items you
need with the amount you can carry. Stop and think whether you really
need a particular item before you include it in your BOB.

How assemble your BOBs:

●
   
Set a realistic target for how much you want your bags to weigh.
Be sure to include the weight of your actual bags along with all of the
items you select.

●
   
Set an overall limit on the amount you want to spend on your
BOBs.

●
   
Consider each BOB separately (i.e., Short-, Medium-, and Long-
Term BOBs). Repeat the following process for each of your BOBs:

○
       
Make a spreadsheet with headings for each major survival
category. Create rows beneath each category heading so you can list
each item on a separate line. You’ll easily see if you have deficiencies
 that need to be addressed by adding items or if you have excessive
redundancies that require eliminating some items.

○
       
Make columns in your spreadsheet so you can record the weight,
size, and price for each item you select. You’ll also be able to
determine the overall weight and cost of your BOB by adding up the
figures in your weight and price columns. If needed, you can either
eliminate certain items or select items of similar function that weigh or
cost less, so you can meet your weight and cost goals.

○
       
It is much more difficult to get a precise estimate of the overall
volume of all of the items you select. But, the sizes listed in the
product examples throughout this book will give you a rough idea
about the size of different items as you ponder whether to include them
in your BOBs.

○
       
Here is an example of a portion of a spreadsheet:

Weight Size (Width x Depth Price

Category/Item
(lbs) x Length in inches) ($)

Tools

●
   
Saw: Brand, model xx xx xx

●
   
Hatchet: Brand, model xx xx xx

●
   
EMT scissors: Brand, model xx xx xx

Navigation
 ●
   
Compass: Brand, model xx xx xx

●
   
Maps: Brand, model xx xx xx

●
   
GPS device: Brand, model xx xx xx

Communication

●
   
Signal mirror: Brand, model xx xx xx

●
   
Whistle: Brand, model xx xx xx

●
   
Hand crank emergency
xx xx xx
radio: Brand, model

(Note: Keep adding more

categories and items to this
spreadsheet)

Totals xxx xxx xxx

First Aid Items

The following items will be discussed in this chapter:

●
   
Band-aids, 1x3 inches
●
   
2x2” and 4x4” gauze dressings

●
   
Non-adherent dressings

●
   
Chest seal

●
   
14 gauge Angiocath™ needle, at least 3 inches length

●
   
2”, 3”, 4” gauge rolls

●
   
1” tape

●
   
Steri-Strips
™

●
   
Skin glue

●
   
Skin staple gun

●
   
Safety pins

●
   
Triangular bandage

●
   
Non-latex disposable gloves

●
   
Alcohol prep pads

●
   
Iodine prep pads

●
   
Moleskin

●
   
Triple antibiotic ointment

●
   
Antihistamine ointment and tablets

●
   
Ibuprofen

●
   
Tourniquet: CAT®Tourniquet

●
   
Large tongue depressors
 ●
   
Tweezers

●
   
Full-size EMT scissors

●
   
Topical Hemostatic Agents: QuikClot®, Advanced Clotting Kit

●
   
Trauma Wound Dressing with 6” hemorrhage control bandage
(Israeli Bandage Battle Dressing)

●
   
Nasopharyngeal airway

The items discussed in this chapter are for inclusion in your First Aid Kits.
In some quarters, these are referred to as Individual First Aid Kits or
IFAKs. You can make one First Aid Kit and remember to take it along with
whichever BOB (i.e., Short-, Medium-, or Long-Term BOB) you are
escaping with depending upon the emergency that confronts you. Or, you
can make separate First Aid Kits that you keep with each of your three
BOBs. Making three different First Aid Kits gives you the flexibility to
customize their contents. Refer to the following chapters for suggestions
about items to include in each of these three First Aid Kits:

●
   
Short-Term Bag Contents

●
   
Medium-Term Bag Contents

●
   
Long-Term Bag Contents

Band-aids

Band-aids come in numerous sizes and shapes with common varieties

ranging from 7/8-inch diameter spot to 3x4 inches. You can buy variety
packages that include different sizes of band-aids. My preference is to stock
my First Aid Kits with 1x3 inch band-aids since I feel that they are the most
versatile.

Item name: Band-Aid® Adhesive Bandages, Flexible Fabric, All One Size
1" X 3", 100 Count (Pack of 2)

Vendor: MedicalRite
Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37WgW4V

Price: $16.31

Weight: 7.68 ounces for the entire package of 200 adhesive bandages

Size: 1x3 inches

Material: Not made with natural rubber latex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Includes 2 boxes containing 100 individually wrapped band-

aids each. Stretchable, comfortable fabric moves with you to fit better. The
absorbent pad won't stick to the wound for gentle removal. Unique adhesive
and more durable fabric help bandage stay in place longer.

2x2” and 4x4” Gauze Sponges

These gauze sponges can be used to help:

●
   
Clean wounds (along with saline, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine
solutions)

●
   
Place over wounds as a dressing

●
   
Pack open wounds. In a survival setting, it will probably be
difficult to thoroughly clean-contaminated wounds. Infection risk is
lessened by cleaning these wounds as best possible and then packing
them open rather than closing them (e.g., with sutures, glue, or
adhesive strips). The wounds are then allowed to heal from their
depths outward to the skin surface.

●
   
A stack of them can be placed over bleeding wounds and either
taped or wrapped in place to serve as a pressure dressing to help stop
active bleeding.

●
   
Used gauze sponges can be saved to use as tinder for fire starting.
They are available in different sizes. If you only pack one size, then the
4x4’ gauze sponges are the most versatile. It is handy to also pack a few of
the smaller 2x2’ gauze sponges. They are available both nonsterile and
sterile. Sterile gauze sponges are best for dressing or packing wounds.
Nonsterile gauze sponges are handy for pressure dressings because you can
grab a stack of them fast and place them over a wound as compared with
removing each sterile sponge from its package.

Item name: Band-Aid® Brand First Aid Products Tru-Absorb Gauze

Sponges for Cleaning Wounds, 4 in x 4 in, 50 ct (sterile)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rz0xuC

Price: $5.97

Weight: 1.6 ounces for the entire box

Size: 4x4 inches

Material: Low-linting gauze

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: This box contains 25 individually wrapped packages each with

2 sterile gauze sponges. These first aid supplies feature a special low-linting
design which helps provide cleaner wounds and may help prevent irritation.
Each large gauze sponge measures 4 inches by 4 inches in size, making
them the ideal first aid coverings for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Sterile
sponges feature eight double-thick layers for soft cushioning providing
extra comfort when cleaning dirt and contaminants from the injured area.
Use these first aid gauze sponges for cleaning and prepping wounds, or for
applying medication. They can also be used as an absorbent wound
dressing.

Non-Adherent Dressings
These are dressings that you apply directly over a wound to prevent the
covering dressing (e.g., 4x4” gauze sponge, etc) from sticking to the
wound. Some common non-adherent dressings include:

●
   
Telfa™

●
   
Petrolatum gauze

●
   
Xeroform™ Petrolatum gauze

●
   
Oil emulsion

The problem with the above four types of non-adherent dressings is that
they tend to retain moisture. My preference is Adaptic™ which is flexible
and mesh-like so fluids can easily pass through it to be absorbed by the
overlying dressing (e.g., 4x4” gauge sponge). It can be easily trimmed
smaller if necessary. It is easy to remove from wounds when you change
dressings.

Item name: Adaptic™ Non-Adherent Dressing 3" x 3" (Box of 50)

Vendor: Honest Medical on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nSH7P7

Price: $26.16

Weight: 0.48 ounces

Size: 3x3 inches

Material: Flexible, Cellulose Acetate Coated with Silicone

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The product is categorized as a contact layer dressing. A

primary non-adherent wound contact layer is designed to protect the wound
and to allow free passage of exudates into a secondary dressing. The
silicone is designed to allow the wound contact layer to gently stick to peri-
wound skin unassisted to allow for easy application of the secondary
dressing. Flexible, open-mesh primary wound contact layer comprised of
cellulose acetate coated with a soft tack silicone.

Chest Seal

These are special dressings used to close sucking chest wounds, which are
holes entering the chest cavity and created by penetrating trauma (e.g.,
bullet, knife, etc). Normally, diaphragm muscles contract and move
downward producing negative pressure in the chest when a person inhales.
That draws air into the lungs as they take a breath. Penetrating trauma
enables air from the outside to enter the chest cavity between the chest wall
and the lung. Now, as a person takes a breath and their diaphragm moves
downward, the negative pressure sucks air into their chest cavity through
the penetrating wound instead of expanding their lung. The tissues around
the penetrating wound act like a partial or complete flapper valve permitting
air to enter the chest cavity as the person takes a breath, but blocking some
or all of the air from coming back out of the hole when they exhale. The
result is that more and more air is pumped through the penetrating wound
into the chest cavity placing pressure on the lung. The result is a collapsed
lung (also known as pneumothorax) on the side of the chest where the
penetrating wound is located. The pressure inside the injured side of the
chest cavity can be so great that everything is forced over to the opposite,
uninjured side of the chest cavity. So, now there is one collapsed lung and
the lung on the uninjured side of the chest is also being compressed so it
cannot expand normally when the person takes a breath. Their lungs’ ability
to oxygenate their blood becomes severely compromised. This life-
threatening condition is called a tension pneumothorax and can quickly
result in death if not corrected.

The penetrating wound must be closed off to prevent additional outside air
from being sucked into the chest. This can be accomplished by placing an
air-tight barrier over the wound. You can use kitchen plastic wrap, place it
over the hole, and tape it on three sides to hold it in place while leaving the
fourth side open to permit air to escape when the person exhales. The
plastic is sucked up against the wound sealing it when they inhale
preventing outside air from entering the hole. There may be cases where air
does not exit the wound on exhalation (i.e., when you breathe out or exhale)
to adequately remove air from the chest cavity. The lung remains collapsed
in this case and the lung on the other side of the chest may be compressed.
You must emergently get the pressurized air out of the injured side of the
chest cavity to allow the lungs to inflate so they can oxygenate the blood.
This can be done by inserting a needle into the injured side of the chest
cavity so air can escape through it to decompress the chest cavity (See the
next section, “Angiocath™ Needle.”).

A chest seal is a commercial product that is placed over a sucking chest

wound to seal it off preventing the entry of outside air into the chest. It is
sterile and has adhesive so it sticks to the skin. Some come with one-way
valves to permit air to exit the chest through the wound when the person
exhales.

Item name: North American Rescue Genuine NAR HyFin Vent Compact
Chest Seal Twin Pack

Vendor: Best Glide ASE

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34OP6pb

Price: $15.75

Weight: 1.6 ounces

Size: Folded: H 6.5 in. x W 3.875 in. x D 0.25 in. Unfolded: L 6.5 in. x W
7.75 in. x D 0.13 in. Chest Seal Size When Deployed: H 4.75 in. x W 4.75
in.

Material: Does not contain natural rubber latex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 3-channel pressure relief vents that allow air to escape the chest
cavity during exhalation but prevents airflow from entering through the
injury site during inhalation. Two Chest Seals for the treatment of entry/exit
or multiple penetrating wounds. Advanced adhesive gel for superior
adhesion, even to sweaty or hairy chests. Red-Tip Technology single step,
peel and apply application that also allows for burping the wound if
necessary. Packaged in a rugged, easy-to-open foil pouch, the perforated
packaging allows users to open only one dressing at a time as needed. Its
small packaging is ideal for low profile kits as you do not have to fold it to
get it to fit in your kit, go-bag, cargo pocket, or body armor.

14 Gauge Angiocath™ Needle

These needles are used to allow air trapped in the chest cavity to escape
thereby decompressing a tension pneumothorax (see above in the “Chest
Seal” section). A sucking chest wound serves as a one-way valve
introducing air into the chest cavity, pressurizing that air, and collapsing the
lung. A chest seal placed over the wound prevents further air from getting
into the chest cavity. But, the air already inside the chest cavity will
probably not exit through the wound or fail to escape fast enough to remedy
this emergent situation. A needle can be inserted into the chest cavity
allowing the trapped air to escape similar to popping a balloon.

An Angiocath™ is a hollow tube made of a fluorinated ethylene propylene

(FEP) polymer that is somewhat soft and flexible.
[18]
,
[19]
It comes sterile
packaged with a hollow needle nested inside of it with the needle tip
protruding slightly beyond the end of the FEP tube. Angiocaths™ are
commonly used to achieve intravenous access for delivery of medications,
fluids, and blood transfusions. The needle with its sharp tip is used to
introduce the Angiocath™ into the interior lumen of a vein. Once
positioned inside a vein, the needle is removed, leaving the FEP tube within
the vein.

A large-bore 14 or 16 gauge Angiocath™ can be inserted into the

traumatized side of the chest in the case of  pneumothorax. The
Angiocath™ is inserted between the 2nd and 3rd ribs (i.e., the 2nd
intercostal space) along an imaginary line drawn downward from the center
of the collar bone (i.e., the mid-clavicular line). The needle should slide
along the top of the 3rd rib (to avoid injuring blood vessels and nerves that
course behind the lower part of the 2nd rib) and be directed 90 degrees to
the chest wall into the chest cavity. Advance the needle until you hear the
hissing sound of air evacuating from the chest cavity through the needle.
Remove the needle and leave the catheter in place, securing it to the skin.
The catheter may become kinked and preventing further escape of air after
removal of the needle. Some sources, therefore, advise using a larger
diameter 10 gauge Angiocath™ to reduce this chance of catheter kinking.
Studies have demonstrated that 50-75% of times a two-inch long needle is
not long enough to penetrate the chest wall into the chest cavity at the 2nd
intercostal space level. Therefore, pack 3.25 or 5.25 inch long Angiocaths™
in your first aid kit.
[20]
,
[21]
,
[22]
,
[23]

Item name: BD Angiocath™ Peripheral Venous Catheter, 14ga x 5 1/4”

Vendor: Emergency Medical Products

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3rtH6U5

Price: $22.50

Weight: Not specified

Size: 14 gauge, 5.25 inches long

Material: FEP Polymer. Latex and DEHP-free.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Manufactured by BD. Sterilized by EtO (ethylene oxide).

Sterile package.

2”, 3”, 4” Gauze Rolls

Gauze rolls are useful for:

●
   
Holding dressings (e.g., 4x4” sponges) in place over wounds

●
   
They can be cut with scissors to varying lengths and folded
multiple times to create dressings similar to 4x4” sponges

●
   
Varying lengths can be cut to pack wounds
 ●
   
A roll can be placed over an actively bleeding wound and then
wrapped under pressure with another gauze roll to create a pressure
dressing

●
   
They can be used to wrap around rigid splints to immobilize arm or
leg injuries such as fractures

Gauze rolls come sterile and non-sterile as well as in a variety of

configurations:

●
   
Non-stretch: Thinner, more stiff, tight weave, more difficult to
wrap smoothly around areas with varying circumferences. Able to
wrap it more tightly since there is no stretch, works well for
compression dressings.

●
   
Stretch or conforming: Slightly thicker, softer, and more loosely
woven than non-stretch roll gauze. The slight stretch makes it easier to
wrap around areas of varying circumferences.

●
   
Fluff wrap (Kerlix™): Thick, bulky, soft. Looser weave. Provides
cushioning. Very absorbent. More difficult to wrap tightly. Stretches.

Choose conforming roll gauze if you can only pack one type of roll gauze
because it is a good balance between the amount of bulk, softness,
absorbency, and ease of wrapping. 4” wide rolls are the most versatile, but
take up more room in your first aid kit. You can use 4” rolls on the hand,
arm, foot, ankle or leg. 5” and 6” rolls are nice to have if you have to dress
a thigh wound, but they are too large to conveniently pack in your first aid
kit. The 2” and 3” wide rolls are too narrow for optimal use on an arm or
leg. You can cut a 4” roll in half to make two 2” rolls if you need a narrower
roll to dress a finger. Non-sterile roll gauze is cheaper and adequate because
it can be used to hold an underlying sterile dressing on the wound. The roll
gauze is usually not in direct contact with the wound.

Item name: Conforming Stretch Gauze Bandage, Sterile, 4" x 4.1 Yards., 12
Rolls

Vendor: Amazon.com
Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3prcJMd

Price: $5.22

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Size: 4 inches x 4.1 yards

Material: Latex-free.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Rayon/poly knitted stretch gauze bandage. Unique weave

construction and finished edges prevent unraveling and linting. Sterile 4" x
4.1 yards, a package of 12 individually packed rolls. Provides slight
compression to the site while securely holding to any body contour. Not
made with natural rubber latex.

Tape

Many types of tape can be used as part of your first aid kit. Some of these
include:

●
   
Transpore™ (3M™): Clear plastic. Hypoallergenic, latex-free.
Tears easily in transverse and longitudinal directions. Porous for
breathability. Water-resistant. Good skin adhesion.

●
   
Paper tape: Latex-free, hypoallergenic. Air-permeable.

●
   
Medipore™ (3M™):: Soft, water-resistant, breathable, excellent
adhesion, good for fragile skin, easy to tear, hypoallergenic, stretches,
latex-free.

●
   
Durapore™ (3M™):: Woven silk cloth tape, excellent adhesion,
good for sensitive skin, tears fairly easily, hypoallergenic, minimal
stretch, latex-free, water-resistant

●
   
Microfoam™ (3M™):: Water resistant, closed-cell foam, stretches
in multiple directions, conforms well, latex-free, hypoallergenic.
 Works well for dressings, but it is thicker (so you get only 5.5 yards
per standard roll versus 10 yards for other tapes) than other tapes
making it less suitable for your first aid kit.

All of the tapes listed above work well for dressings. The tapes can be used
to tape dressing to dressing (e.g., gauze to gauze) or a dressing to the skin.
My personal favorite is Transpore tape. In an emergency, you can tear it
quickly by hand either transversely to the appropriate length or
longitudinally into narrower strips without using scissors. It adheres well
and comes off without harming the skin. It is available in 0.5, 1, 2, and 3-
inch widths. The 1-inch width is the most practical for your first aid kit
from a space standpoint.

Item name: 3M™ 30707387065950 Transpore Surgical Tape, 1" x 10 yd,

Clear (Pack of 12)

Vendor: Wiki Deals on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WO3mdk

Price: $11.18

Weight: 1.44 ounces

Size: 0.17 inches thick x 1 inch wide x 10 yards long per roll

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 12 rolls included in the box. Transparent, porous, perforated

plastic tape; bi-directional tear; easy to handle with gloves; and has good
adhesion to skin and tubing. Hypoallergenic and latex-free. Made by 3M™
in the USA.

Steri-Strips™

These are special reinforced adhesive strips that are used for wound closure.
It is safer to leave a contaminated wound open and allow it to heal from its
depths outward to its surface (i.e., healing by secondary intention) since
closing it is associated with a high risk of infection. Also, avoid closing
puncture wounds since bacteria can be trapped in the wound causing
infection. But, closing a clean wound will prevent its contamination and
help it to heal faster (i.e., primary healing). Steri-Strips™ are an easy way
to accomplish this in less time than it takes to suture a wound closed. Steri-
Strips™ will not hold a wound together as strongly as sutures or staples, so
avoid using it over areas where the skin is subjected to stretching (e.g.,
transverse wounds located over the front of the knee or back of the elbow
where bending the joint may pull the wound apart).

It is technically possible for you to suture repair a clean wound on your

abdomen or legs. But, it would be painful without the aid of local
anesthetics. It is also technically possible for you to suture a wound on one
of your hands or arms using just the uninjured hand. But, that would be
highly difficult since suturing is normally done with the non-dominant hand
holding forceps to grasp the soft tissues while the dominant hand operates
the needle holder instrument. It is almost impossible to tie a knot one-
handed at the end of your suture line. This can actually be accomplished by
using the unconventional technique of biting down on one end of the suture
with your teeth to maintain tension on it while doing one-handed surgeon’s
knots holding the other end of the suture with your uninjured hand. You will
waste a lot of suture length by doing this versus instrument tying, but it can
be done.

Steri-Strips™ are a good way to close shallow wounds that extend through
the full thickness of the skin. Deeper wounds are normally suture closed in
layers to approximate tissues and eliminate dead space. For example,
sutures are used to approximate muscle fascia if it’s disrupted. Then, an
additional suture is used to approximate the subcutaneous fatty tissue.
Finally, the skin is closed. If you’re out in the field and have only Steri-
Strips™ to use for closure of a deep wound, monitor the wound carefully to
be sure that you don’t develop a hematoma (i.e., collection of blood) in your
wound because the un-sutured deeper tissues can be forced apart by oozing
blood creating a blood-filled cavity. The best way to try to prevent slow,
low volume bleeding, and hematoma formation is to apply a pressure
dressing over the wound after you apply the Steri-Strips™. Significant,
active bleeding must be controlled and stopped by pressure or other means
(e.g., tourniquet; suture ligation, cautery, or hemostat clamping of small
vessels) before simply closing a wound with Steri-Strips™.

Steri-Strips™ are best applied to dry, clean skin. They tend not to stick to a
bloody skin surface. You can enhance the adhesion of Steri-Strips™ by first
applying benzoin or Mastisol® to the skin before applying Steri-Strips™.
Place one half of a Steri-Strip™ on the skin to one side of the wound,
pressing it onto the skin with your fingers. Pull the free end of the Steri-
Strip™ toward the other side of the wound and then adhere this end to the
skin on the other side of the wound. You effectively “pinch” the wound
edges together taking tension off of the wound by applying the Steri-
Strips™ in this fashion rather than simply adhering Steri-Strips™ to both
sides of the wound at the same time.

Item name: 3M™ Steri-Strip™ Reinforced Sterile Skin Closures, 10 Pack

Variety Pack

Vendor: Wiki Deals on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hk9hQE

Price: $12.43

Weight: 0.32 ounces for the package

Size: 0.5x4 inch and 0.25x3 inch strips

Material: Made of a porous, non-woven backing coated with a pressure-

sensitive, hypoallergenic adhesive and reinforced with polyester filaments
for added strength

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Variety Pack of 2 sizes: 1/2" x 4" (30 strips total in 5 envelopes)
and 1/4" x 3" (15 strips total in 5 envelopes). Hypoallergenic and latex-free.
The product is sterile until the envelope is opened. (Author’s note: There
are other brands of adhesive wound closure strips, but 3M™ Steri-Strips™
have the best adhesion to skin. Get the 1/2” Steri-Strips™ if you’re only
going to get one size because the 1/4” Steri-Strips™ are too narrow for
larger wounds.)

Skin Glue

Skin glues are a quick way to close shallow wounds that do not require a
layered closure (i.e., suturing of deeper layers of tissue before closing the
skin). They bond the two sides of the wound together providing an
immediate seal to prevent contamination of the wound and as an alternative
to using sutures, staples, or Steri-Strips™. Skin glue will not hold a wound
together as strongly as sutures or staples, so avoid using it over areas where
the skin is subjected to stretching (e.g., transverse wounds located over the
front of the knee or back of the elbow). Avoid closing contaminated wounds
or ones that are actively bleeding.

Non-medical or industrial superglues (methyl-2-cyanoacrylate or ethyl-2-

cyanoacrylate) can damage a wound by burning it from the heat produced
by the exothermic reaction that occurs as the glue cures. Examples of
industrial super glues are Super Glue™, Krazy Glue™, and Loctite®.
Medical skin glue differs from industrial super glues by being more flexible
and less toxic to wounds. Examples of medical skin glues include:
[24]
,
[25]

●
   
2-octyl cyanoacrylate

○
       
Dermabond®:
[26]
The most common medical skin glue

○
       
SurgiSeal®

○
       
FloraSeal®

●
   
N-butyl cyanoacrylate

○
       
Histoacryl®

○
       
Indermil Flexifuze™

○
       
GluStitch®
 ○
       
GluSeal®

○
       
LiquiBand®

●
   
2-ethyl-cyanoacrylate

○
       
Epiglue®

Item name: Dermabond Advanced® Skin Adhesive DNX12

Vendor: USA Medical And Surgical Supplies

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3ry7R9W

Price: $29.95

Weight: Not specified. Probably about 4 ounces or less.

Size: Not specified. It is approximately the size of a writing pen.

Material: Highly purified 2-octylcyanoacrylate

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Includes 1 applicator. Each applicator contains 0.7 mL of skin

adhesive to close wounds up to 7.5 inches long. Highly purified 2-
octylcyanoacrylate monomer provides strength and flexibility. Chemical
initiator ensures consistent, reliable polymerization times. Formulation
additives including a plasticizer and a thickener enhance strength,
flexibility, and skin adherence. Compared with many other topical skin
adhesives, DERMABOND ADVANCED® Adhesive provides
enhancements such as single-layer application, reduced drying time, and an
ergonomically designed applicator for improved handling during
application. Trusted by more surgeons than any other brand. Supported by
more randomized controlled trials than the alternative top 6 topical skin
adhesives combined. Made by Johnson & Johnson®/Ethicon®. Note:
Dermabond® is available in a smaller 0.36 mL applicator to close wounds
up to 3 inches long (
https://bit.ly/3prfgWH
).
Skin Staple Gun

As mentioned above, suturing a wound closed on one of your hands or arms

is next to impossible because you will have to do it with just your other
hand. It takes some skill and practice to even use both hands to suture a
wound closed on one of your legs or your abdomen. However, just about
anyone can close a wound with a skin staple gun. Although it takes only
one hand to operate a staple gun, you ideally need another hand to bring the
two sides of the wound together with a pair of forceps (i.e., toothed
tweezers) before the staple is deployed by squeezing the staple gun.
Stapling a wound together is faster than suturing. You need a staple remover
to take the staples out of the skin. Alternatively, you can use a fine tip
hemostat to remove staples by placing its nose under the staple and then
opening the hemostat to spread apart the staple’s legs that are located
beneath the skin surface. You can then lift upwards on the staple to remove
it from the skin.

Item name: Sterile Skin Stapler, 35 Wide Preloaded Staples

Vendor: MedVetInternational

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37Pt0EI

Price: $10.50

Weight: 2.4 ounces

Size: 1.18x3.15x4.72 inches

Material: Plastic housing. Metal staples

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: AHS brand. 35 preloaded staples, 5mm width when deployed.

Disposable. Sterilized with ethylene oxide. Sterile package.

Item name: Staple Remover Kit

Vendor: Amazon.com
Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37T84N2

Price: $3.50

Weight: 0.704 ounces

Size: 0.5x3.3x5 inches package

Material: Stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Contains 1 gauze sponge and 1 staple remover. (Author’s note:

Although these are disposable items, you can clean and reuse them.)

Safety Pins

There are innumerable things for which safety pins can be used as a part of
your BOBs. Here are just some of the reasons to keep safety pins in the first
aid kit of your BOB:

●
   
Remove splinters from your skin

●
   
Heat the tip of a safety pin and use it to create a hole in a finger or
toenail plate to decompress a subungual hematoma (i.e., blood beneath
a finger or toenail)

●
   
Use to close skin wounds in place of suture or staples. Penetrate
skin on one side of the wound. Pinch the wound together while
pushing the safety pin through the skin on the other side of the wound
bringing the wound edges together and avoiding a gap in the wound.

●
   
Use it along with a triangular bandage to make an arm sling

●
   
Use it to secure a gauze roll over a dressing to save tape or in the
absence of tape

●
   
Non-medical uses for safety pins include:
 ○
       
Use it to make a fishhook

○
       
Attach items together

○
       
Repair clothes, tent, etc

○
       
Use them with a battery to start a fire

Safety pins are usually made of brass, steel, nickel, or a combination of

these metals. Nickel plating helps prevent rusting. Six standard sizes range
from small Size 00 (3/4 inch) to large Size 4 (3 inches).
[27]
Size 3 (Two
inches) is the most versatile as a general-purpose safety pin for your first
aid kit and your BOB. Smaller size safety pins are more difficult to
manipulate with your fingers especially if they are cold or slippery and wet
with blood.

Item name: NiftyPlaza Extra Large 2" Safety Pins - Heavy Duty, Industrial
Strength, Nickel Plated, Rust Resistant (100 Safety Pins)

Vendor: NiftyPlaza on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37Pe75w

Price: $7.99

Weight: 4.8 ounces for the package of 100 safety pins

Size: 2 inches long

Material: Heavy-duty 0.040 gauge steel wire with a nickel finish to resist
rust and corrosion

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Includes 100 industrial-strength safety pins.

Triangular Bandage
A triangular bandage is a piece of tough cloth shaped like a right isosceles
triangle (i.e., a square that is cut in half). It is most commonly 40x40x56
inches. Some of its medical uses include:

●
   
Making an arm sling: This its most common use

●
   
As a wound dressing

●
   
To apply compression around a wound dressing

●
   
As a tourniquet

●
   
To wrap and secure splints around arms and legs

Item name: First Voice TS-3680 Latex Free Triangular Bandage with Safety
Pin, 56" Length x 40" Width (Pack of 15)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WQfLO2

Price: $16.40

Weight: 1 ounce each

Size: 40x40x56 inches

Material: Non-Woven material. Latex-free

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Includes 15 triangular bandages individually poly bagged with

2 safety pins each. Muslin or equivalent high-quality construction.

Non-Latex Disposable Gloves

Including some disposable medical gloves in your first aid kit can protect
your hands from coming into contact with blood, urine, feces, pus,
infection-causing organisms, and chemicals. Historically, latex gloves have
been used because they are inexpensive, elastic for a good fit, provide good
tactile sensibility, flexible, protective, and permit good dexterity.

Latex is a milky fluid that 10% of flowering plants produce. Natural latex
rubber is derived from Brazilian rubber tree latex and is used to make latex
gloves. Less than 1% of the US population is allergic to latex. Allergic
reactions can range from itching, skin redness, and rash to anaphylaxis
resulting in death.
[28]
,
[29]
,
[30]

Obtain non-latex gloves for your first aid kit even if you do not have a latex
allergy. You may need to assist someone else in an emergency and they
could be latex allergic. Alternative glove materials include polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), nitrile, and polyurethane. Nitrile gloves have a high level
of tear and puncture resistance as well as strong chemical and oil resistance.
Other advantages of nitrile gloves are that they conform nicely to the shape
of your hand and provide good tactile sensibility.
[31]
,
[32]

Item name: The Safety Zone GNEP-LG-1P Nitrile Exam Gloves - Medical
Grade, Powder Free, Latex Rubber Free, Disposable, Non-Sterile, Food
Safe, Textured, Indigo Color, Convenient Dispenser Pack of 100, Size
Large

Vendor: PACIFIC COAST SELLERS on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3htsMqg

Price: $26.95

Weight: 3.53 ounces

Size: 2.5x4.4x7.9 inches for the box

Material: 100% nitrile

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Includes 100 gloves in a box. Excellent hand and personal

protection. Nitrile is chemical and puncture-resistant providing a higher
level of protection against liquids, gases, and sharp objects. Non-allergenic
and non-irritating. Excellent fit, good sensitivity, and dexterity for fine
tasks. The entire glove is finely textured (including palms and fingers) to
provide consistent grip on glass wear, small objects, instruments, and tools.
Ambidextrous (fits right or left hand). Rolled cuff for easy opening, quick
donning, and fast removal. Convenient dispense pack keeps gloves clean
and organized while providing easy access.

Alcohol Prep Pads

The mechanism whereby alcohol kills micro-organisms is through protein

denaturation. Alcohol in concentrations of 60-90% is optimal for killing
microorganisms while concentrations below 50% are much less effective.
Ethyl and isopropyl alcohols rapidly kill tuberculosis, fungus, viruses, and
vegetative forms of bacteria (those that are alive and reproducing).
Common organisms that are killed by alcohol include Staphylococcus
aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, E. coli, Salmonella typhosa, hepatitis B
virus, and herpes virus.  Alcohols are ineffective at killing bacterial spores
(the dormant, inactive form of bacteria) and parasites.  Methyl alcohol is
much less effective at killing microorganisms than these other two types of
alcohol. In testing, 60-95% ethyl alcohol was found to kill within 15
seconds Serratia marcescens, E. coli, Salmonella typhosa, Staphylococcus
aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Alcohol
kills micro-organisms rapidly, but it has no persistent or residual killing
effect because it is no longer effective after it rapidly evaporates.
[33]
,
[34]
,

[35]

Contrary to popular belief, avoid using alcohol to clean open wounds

because it can harm tissue and delay healing.
[36]
,
[37]
Applying alcohol to
open wounds is also painful. Like capsaicin, alcohol stimulates heat-
activated VR1 (vanilloid receptors) to cause burning pain in the absence of
actual heat.
[38]
,
[39]

Alcohol prep pads are small, sterile, individually packaged cotton pads
containing 70% isopropyl alcohol. They are usually packaged folded in half
forming a 1.25-inch square. You can unfold the pad to a 1.25 x 2.5-inch
size. They are often used in the medical field to clean the skin before
puncturing the skin for blood tests, starting an intravenous line, injections of
medications like insulin, or to check a blood sugar level.

For emergency purposes, alcohol prep pads are handy for cleaning the skin
around a wound so dressing tape can adhere better to the skin. Other things
you can use them for include:
[40]

●
   
Wiping away small amounts of blood

●
   
Reduce itching from mosquito bites

●
   
Use it to apply alcohol to a tic to loosen its attachment to the skin
of you or your pet making it easier to remove

●
   
Place it over the bridge of your nose to reduce nausea

●
   
Use as tinder to start a fire

●
   
Use it to disinfect instruments like tweezers, scissors, or a knife
blade

●
   
Author’s note: Since isopropyl alcohol does not kill parasites (e.g.,
protozoa), you should use povidone-iodine for disinfection of surfaces
that come into contact with water of questionable purity (e.g., lakes,
ponds). Refer to “Iodine Prep Pads” below.

They take minimal space and it is useful to have a few in your first aid kit.
Be aware that these are not the same as nonsterile, larger hand wipes that
are used for cleaning your hands or tabletops.

Item name: Medpride Alcohol Prep Pads| 100 pack| Medical-Grade, Sterile,
Individually-Wrapped, Isopropyl Cotton Swabs

Vendor: HLmedical

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hxJ8hH

Price: $6.49
Weight: 3.17 ounces for the box

Size: 1.25-inch square that can be unfolded to 1.25x2.5-inches

Material: 2-ply cotton, 70% isopropyl alcohol

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Includes 100 pads individually wrapped in tinfoil. Soft, highly

absorbent 2-ply construction that is ideal for any type of skin.

Iodine Prep Pads

Iodophors are comprised of iodine and a carrier molecule that produces a

sustained, slow-release of iodine. The slow release reduces iodine’s toxicity
and tissue irritation while retaining its germicidal efficacy. The most
common iodophor is povidone-iodine (e.g., Betadine®) which was FDA
approved in December 1986. Iodine kills microorganisms by disrupting
protein and nucleic acid and its synthesis. Iodophors kill bacteria, fungus,
mycobacteria, protozoa, and viruses. They are not effective against spores.
It is often stated that microorganisms do not develop resistance to
povidone-iodine. Iodophor antiseptics (used on living tissue such as skin)
contain less free iodine than iodophor disinfectants (used on inanimate
objects such as tabletops).
[41]
,
[42]
,
[43]
,
[44]

Povidone-iodine 10% is the most common commercial version. It has no

adverse effect on wound healing and no clinical toxicity when diluted to a
1% concentration or less. (Note: Povidone-iodine “surgical scrub” is meant
to clean the surface of intact skin such as before a surgical incision. It
should not be used in a wound because it contains a detergent.)  Skin
irritation to povidone-iodine is rare and most documented cases are due to
povidone rather than to an allergic reaction to iodine. It is still safer to avoid
using povidone-iodine on individuals with an iodine allergy particularly
those with a history of severe reactions.
[45]
,
[46]

I could not find any research studies regarding how long it takes for
povidone-iodine to kill microorganisms after it is applied to skin or wounds.
I found only two somewhat vague references about this point:
 ●
       
Povidone-iodine’s effect starts immediately after it is applied to
the skin.
[47]

●
       
Betadine® (a brand of povidone-iodine) sore throat gargles are
proven in laboratory studies to kill bacteria that cause sore throats in as
little as 30 seconds.
[48]

There is a paucity of information regarding the duration of action or half-

life of povidone-iodine.
[49]
,
[50]
One study compared six different
antiseptics by taking cultures from hands at different time intervals
following hand washing using each of the antiseptics. The study found that
povidone-iodine continued to effectively kill microbes one hour after hand
washing, while alcohol did not. That finding was consistent with the fact
that alcohol loses its ability to kill microorganisms once it dries.
[51]
Another study about the use of povidone-iodine as a pre-procedural mouth
rinse found that the concentration of microorganisms remained decreased
for at least four hours.
[52]
After surgical skin prep first with detergent scrub
followed by povidone-iodine application, bactericidal action persisted for
up to eight hours.
[53]

Povidone-iodine is available in sterile, individually packaged pads. These

are worthwhile including in your first aid kit. They are useful for cleaning
wounds:
[54]
,
[55]

●
   
Effective against a broad spectrum of micro-organisms

●
   
Rapid onset of action

●
   
Its antimicrobial effectiveness persists for some time after its
application

●
   
No recorded incidence of micro-organisms developing resistance to
it (although contamination of non-sterile forms of povidone-iodine by
Burkholderia cepacia and other organisms has been reported
[56]
)

●
   
No adverse effect on wound healing

●
   
Tends not to cause a stinging or burning sensation
 ●
   
Rare skin irritation

●
   
Relatively inexpensive and readily available

Item name: PVP Iodine Wipes 100-Pack (povidone-iodine prep pads)

Vendor: MedicalRite on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KY62lU

Price: $7.99

Weight: 4.8 ounces for the box

Size: 1.25x1.25 inches. Can be unfolded to 1.25x2.5 inches

Material: 10% povidone-iodine, equivalent to 1% available iodine, cotton

pad

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 100 individual foil packets per box.

Moleskin

Moleskin is primarily used for foot blister prevention and treatment. It has
two sides. One side is soft and flannel-like while the other side is adhesive.
It is available in sheets and rolls that you can easily cut to the desired size.
Blisters on your feet develop because of friction from your shoes against
your skin. It’s easy to develop blisters when you’re on your feet extensively
as during an emergency escape on foot. They are painful, difficult to heal,
and can become infected especially when you have no choice but to
continue onward in an emergency.

You can use moleskin in a couple of ways to help prevent blisters from
forming. First, you can cut pieces of moleskin and adhere them to the skin
of your feet where you feel your shoes rubbing them. Walk around in your
shoes and pay attention to where you may feel these hot spots. They will
usually be on the back of your heel, around your toes, or at the ball of your
feet. Moleskin adhered to your skin in these areas will take up the friction
from your shoes and protect your skin. You can apply tape over the
moleskin to further secure it in place and reduce the likelihood of it peeling
off your skin while you are walking. Second, you can adhere moleskin to
the inside of your shoes coinciding with the hot spots you found while
doing your test walk in your shoes. Worn areas on the insole of your shoe
produce more friction against the sole of your foot. You can “refinish” your
insole by adhering moleskin on top of it to create a new, smooth surface.
[57]
,
[58]

It is generally better to not pop a blister because it increases the chance of

infection. You can leave smaller blisters intact and protect them by creating
a raised doughnut around them using multiple layers of moleskin so that
their combined height exceeds the height of the blister. To make the
doughnut, cut a piece of moleskin approximately 0.75 inches larger than the
blister. Fold the moleskin in half and cut a half-circle out of its center such
that the diameter of the half-circle is larger than the blister’s diameter. Once
unfolded, the moleskin piece will have a circle in its center with a diameter
larger than the blister. Make similar moleskin doughnuts and adhere them
one on top of the other until the overall height of the doughnut is higher
than the top of the blister. Now, use a solid piece of moleskin to cover the
central doughnut hole. You can even cut a circular piece of moleskin to
adhere to the center of the covering moleskin piece so its undersurface is
smooth and will not rub or adhere to the top of the blister. For large blisters,
puncture them with a sterile needle to drain the fluid before applying the
moleskin doughnut around it. Do not adhere moleskin directly over a blister
because the adhesive will tear the blister when you remove the moleskin.

[59]
,
[60]
,
[61]

Item name: FirstChoice Extra Durable Moleskin - 2" x 2 yards

Vendor: RadBizz on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/38HKQc0

Price: $6.99

Weight: 2.4 ounces

Size: 2x3x3 inches roll. 6 feet length

Material: 100% Cotton, Latex-Free, and is backed with Premium Adhesive

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: This material is easy to cut into smaller pieces. For blisters,
sores, corns, calluses, chafing, or any other issue that is friction or weight-
related. 100% Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee

Triple Antibiotic Ointment (TAO)

Preventing infection is of paramount importance during a disaster. It is

helpful to include a tube of triple antibiotic ointment in your first aid kit. It
can be applied to wounds to help treat minor infections. TAO is effective
against most infection causing skin bacteria and those found in wounds.
Bacteria rarely develop resistance to TAOs and allergic reactions are
uncommon.
[62]
  It can also help to prevent dressings from adhering to
wounds. TAO is c
omprised of these antibiotics and amounts per gram of
ointment:

●
   
Bacitracin zinc 400 units:
[63]
Effective against gram-positive
bacteria, particularly those causing skin infections. Susceptible
bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis,
and Streptococcus pyogenes.

●
   
Neomycin sulfate 3.5 mg:
[64]
An aminoglycoside antibiotic.
Highly effective against gram-negative bacteria including E. coli,
Proteus vulgaris, and Enterobacter cloacae. Partially effective against
gram-negative bacteria.

●
   
Polymyxin B sulfate 5,000 units:
[65]
,
[66]
Effective against many
gram-negative bacteria bacilli (rods) including Haemophilus
influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ineffective against gram-
positive bacteria and gram-negative cocci.

TAO is ineffective in treating skin infections caused by fungi and viruses.

[67]
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (also known as MRSA) is
becoming a more frequent bacteria involved in infections. One study found
that TAO was 98% active against MRSA.
[68]
Only the strain of MRSA
called USA300 has been identified as being resistant to TAO.
[69]

Item name: Neosporin® Original First Aid Antibiotic Ointment  (triple

antibiotic ointment)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3ppTzpX

Price: $3.97

Weight: 0.5 ounces

Size: 1.1x3.6x4.8 inch box. The antibiotic ointment is packaged in a tube

inside this box.

Material: Neomycin sulfate, bacitracin zinc, and polymyxin B antibiotic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: #1 doctor recommended brand for treating minor cuts, scrapes,

and burns. Wound care ointment is formulated with neomycin sulfate,
bacitracin zinc, and polymyxin B antibiotic ingredients to provide 24-hour
infection protection for minor wounds. Topical first-aid ointment nourishes
skin to minimize the appearance of scars after healing. Contains
HeliDerm® Technology that provides a nourishing environment for skin to
heal, resulting in healthier looking skin after use. To use, apply a small
amount of the first-aid antibiotic ointment to the affected area one to three
times daily. Cover the wound with a bandage for extra protection.

Antihistamine Ointment And Tablets

Diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl™) is a first-generation antihistamine.

Others include Chlor-Trimeton™, Dimetane™, Tavist™, Unisom®,
Atrarax™, Vistaril®, Phenergan™.
[70]
Antihistamines block histamines,

[71]
which are released by the body as part of an allergic reaction to an
irritant or allergen. Histamines cause increased blood flow to the affected
area of your body such as around an insect bite or your sinuses. Other
portions of your immune system are activated to combat the irritant.
Inflammation is part of this process and in the case of a skin reaction (e.g.,
insect bite, abrasions, poison ivy) there will be local swelling, pain, and
itching. Antihistamines including diphenhydramine help to suppress this
immune response and relieve the swelling, pain, and itching.

Side effects of first-generation antihistamines include drowsiness, dizziness,

decreased thinking ability, and orthostatic hypotension (i.e., a drop in blood
pressure when a person goes from lying down or sitting to standing)
[72]
The
topical form is ideal for skin irritations since it avoids these problems. I
always have diphenhydramine cream in a tube to use on insect bites
because they create an extremely itchy, raised area like a hive that lasts
three days. Diphenhydramine cream is highly effective for me and prevents
me from scratching the bite areas until they are bloody.

If you suffer from “hay fever” with watering eyes, nasal congestion,
running nose, and sneezing, then you will need the oral form. One way to
avoid the drowsiness and other side effects of first-generation
antihistamines like diphenhydramine is to use one of the “newer”
antihistamines that do not cross the blood-brain barrier. This is an important
advantage when you are in an emergency and need to remain mentally and
physically sharp. Examples of some “newer” antihistamines include
Claritin™, Allegra™, and Zyrtec™.
[73]

Item name: Benadryl™ Original Strength Anti-Itch Relief Cream for Most
Outdoor Itches, Topical Analgesic, 1 oz (diphenhydramine cream)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2M0E35x

Price: $3.97

Weight: 1 ounce

Size: Tube of cream fits inside a box measuring 1.8x3.9x4.3 inches

Material: 1% diphenhydramine hydrochloride topical analgesic and 0.1%
zinc acetate skin protectant

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments:  This topical cream temporarily relieves itching associated with

insect bites, sunburn, scrapes, minor skin irritations, burns, and cuts. It
contains a histamine blocker and dries the oozing and weeping of poison
ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Original Strength Benadryl™ Itch
Stopping Cream is intended for ages two years and older.

Item name: Amazon Basic Care Allergy Relief Loratadine Tablets 10 mg,
300 Count (generic for Claritin™, antihistamine tablets)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37Tymz4

Price: $24.83

Weight: 1.59 ounces for the boxed package of 300 tablets

Size: 1.63x1.69x3.25 inches in box package

Material: Loratadine Tablets 10 mg (generic for Claritin™, antihistamine

tablets)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Compare to Claritin Tablets active ingredient. With allergy

relief from Amazon Basic Care Loratadine Tablets 10 mg, you will once
again be the boss of spring – and any other time when you suffer allergy
symptoms, outdoor or indoor. One dose of Loratadine Tablets 10 mg
provides all-day, 24-hour relief of sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery
eyes, and itchy throat or nose. The active ingredient is loratadine 10 mg, an
antihistamine in original prescription strength that won’t make you drowsy
when taken as directed.

Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®) belongs to the class of drugs called nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. They help to treat fever, pain, and
inflammation. It’s useful to include it in your first aid kit to help reduce pain
from sprains, strains, back pain, toothache, headache, and arthritis-related
joint pain. Ibuprofen can cause bleeding stomach ulcers. It can cause liver
and kidney dysfunction. It can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke
with prolonged use. Ibuprofen should not be used by people who have any
of those problems. Ibuprofen inhibits platelets, one of the components of
blood that is responsible for clotting, so it can lead to prolonged bleeding
similar to aspirin.

Naproxen sodium (e.g., Aleve®) is another NSAID and functions similarly

to ibuprofen. It has the same potential side effects as ibuprofen and the
same contraindications to its use. The main advantage of naproxen sodium
is that it can be taken twice daily rather than three to four times daily as for
ibuprofen for maximum therapeutic effectiveness. Choosing one over the
other is an individual choice because one often works better than the other
for a given individual.

Acetaminophen is an alternative medication for those who cannot or should

not take ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) is
not a NSAID and does not cause gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding. It
does not increase the risk of heart attack or stroke and it does not cause
kidney dysfunction. Acetaminophen is liver toxic and caution must be used
to avoid excessive use. Also, avoid any alcohol intake while taking
acetaminophen because the two together further increases the risk of liver
damage.

Item name: Amazon Basic Care Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg, Pain
Reliever/Fever Reducer (NSAID), 200 Count

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/38CerDU

Price: $6.15

Weight: 3.84 ounces for the entire box package

Size: 2x2.03x4.25 inches for the outside box package

Material: Ibuprofen 200mg tablets

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 200 tablets of ibuprofen 200mg. A pain reliever/fever reducer

and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for adults and children
12 years and over. These coated tablets temporarily relieve minor aches and
pains due to headache, muscular aches, minor pain of arthritis, toothache,
backache, the common cold, and menstrual cramps.

Imodium™
[74]
,
[75]

Diarrhea can be a particularly serious problem when you are dealing with
an emergency and away from home. You may not have restroom facilities
available to you. You can lose water and electrolytes with diarrhea causing
you to become dehydrated and experience electrolyte imbalance.

Imodium™ (loperamide) is a medication for you to consider packing in

your first aid kit to treat diarrhea. It works by reducing contractions of the
muscles around your intestines thereby slowing the passage of stool and
permitting more time for absorption of water and electrolytes through the
intestinal wall.

Common side effects of Imodium include:

●
   
Constipation

●
   
Dizziness

●
   
Drowsiness

●
   
Stomach cramps

●
   
Headache

●
   
Nausea, vomiting
 ●
   
Dry mouth

Potential severe complications associated with Imodium™ include:

●
   
Paralytic ileus whereby the intestine becomes paralyzed and does
not contract to move stool along.

●
   
Overdose can result in rapid heart rate, irregular heart rhythm,
death

Like all medications, there are warnings to observe with this medication.
Avoid taking Imodium™ if you have any of the following:

●
   
Stomach pain without diarrhea

●
   
Diarrhea and a high fever

●
   
Ulcerative colitis

●
   
Bacterial infection as a cause of the diarrhea

●
   
Black, bloody, or tarry stools (indicative of a gastrointestinal bleed)

●
   
Liver problems

Item name: Imodium™ A-D Diarrhea Relief Caplets, Loperamide

Hydrochloride, 24 count

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/38JPeaK

Price: $9.97

Weight: 0.81 ounces

Size: 1.38x3.31x3.56 inches for the box package

Material: Loperamide Hydrochloride

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Help control your diarrhea symptoms with Imodium™ A-D

Caplets. From the #1 doctor-recommended anti-diarrheal brand, Imodium™
A-D works faster than the prescription anti-diarrheal medication Lomotil®,
containing diphenoxylate and atropine. Each caplet of anti-diarrheal
medicine contains 2 mg of loperamide hydrochloride with a proven formula
that works with your body to slow down your system and restore its natural
rhythm and balance. These anti-diarrheal caplets help treat and control
symptoms of diarrhea due to acute, active, and traveler's diarrhea. The
convenient tear-away blister packaging makes these caplets ideal for use
anywhere, both at home or on-the-go. This medication for diarrhea is
suitable for adults and children ages 6 and up (for children ages 2-5 ask a
doctor; do not use for children under 2 years).

CAT® Tourniquet

Lacerating a blood vessel can occur by knife, bullet, glass, tree branch, tent
stake, tools, and many other means. Rapid blood loss from a major arterial
injury can lead to death as a result of reduced blood supply and oxygen
delivery to vital organs such as the heart and brain. Having a tourniquet in
your first aid kit and knowing how to use it can save your life. An adult
weighing 180 pounds has a total blood volume of approximately 1.5 gallons
or 5.7 liters.
[76]
Gutierrez, et al published the following information about
four stages of hemorrhage, modified from the Committee on Trauma (Note:
The blood volumes listed in the table are based upon someone with a total
blood volume of 5 liters):
[77]

Hemorrhage Classes I-IV: Clinical findings for each class

PARAMETER I II III IV

Blood loss, ml <750 750-1500 1500-2000 >2000

Blood loss, % <15% 15-30% 30-40% >40%

Pulse, beats/min <100 >100 >120 >140

Blood pressure Normal Decreased Decreased Decreased

Respiratory rate, breaths/min 14-20 20-30 30-40 >35

Mentation Normal Anxious Confused Lethargic

The ability to palpate a pulse does not mean that a person is not already
going into shock from blood loss. A systolic blood pressure of only 60
mmHg results in palpable carotid and femoral pulses.
[78]
Blood pressure
begins to drop and changes in mentation (i.e., anxiousness) occur with a
15% loss of blood volume (i.e., 750ml). Confusion develops after a 30%
blood loss. Lethargy occurs when blood loss is over 40% of total blood
volume and death can ensue if bleeding is not stopped and treatment
rendered immediately. A body can compensate better for gradual blood loss
than when blood loss is abrupt. A healthy and physically fit individual can
also compensate better for acute blood loss.
[79]
Two Canadian physicians
with extensive trauma experience provided the following estimates
regarding the time a person becomes unconscious or dies after an
incomplete arterial transection (i.e., an artery that is not entirely cut in half
into two pieces):
[80]

●
   
Carotid artery (in the neck): Approximately 2-20 minutes

●
   
Brachial artery (in the upper arm): Approximately 5-60 minutes

●
   
Femoral artery (in the groin and upper thigh): Approximately 5-60
minutes

●
   
Popliteal artery (behind the knee): Slightly less than for the femoral
artery
Emergent cessation of bleeding is essential when there is acute, major
arterial bleeding. A study done in 2006-2007 by the US Army Institute of
Surgical Research found a 94% chance of survival if hemorrhage is stopped
before 15% blood loss. The chance of survival decreased to 14% if blood
loss reached 30% or more. A study involving 11 urban Level 1 trauma
centers in Texas found a six-fold reduction in the mortality rate amongst
people with peripheral vascular injuries when a tourniquet was used before
they arrived at the hospital.
[81]

It is a proven fact that a tourniquet can save your life. Emergency use
tourniquets are small and light. You should definitely include one or more
of them in your first aid kit. There are four main types of tourniquets:
[82]
,

[83]

●
   
Windlass:

○
       
A strap is wrapped around or slid on to a limb. A stick (windlass)
is twisted to tighten the strap. The stick is then locked into place with a
D-ring or clip to prevent it from unwinding.

○
       
Easy to use one-handed

○
       
Easy to tighten the strap enough to provide adequate blood vessel
compression

○
       
Simple to make adjustments in tension on the strap by adding or
reducing the number of twists with the windlass.

○
       
Examples: CAT® (Combat Application Tourniquet® from North
American Rescue) and SOFTT® (Special Operations Force Tactical
Tourniquet® from Tactical Medical Solutions). SOFTT®-NH is 1”
wide and SOFTT®-W is 1.5” wide.

●
   
Ratchet:

○
       
A strap is wrapped around a limb and a lever is used to operate a
ratchet mechanism to tighten the strap
○
       
Fairly easy to use one-handed, but the use of a bite loop with your
teeth is necessary to provide counter traction when tightening the strap.

○
       
Packs down to a smaller size than windlass tourniquets

○
       
Strap material under the ratchet bunches up creating pressure
areas when the strap is tightened

○
       
Examples: RMT (Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet® from m2®
Inc) and the SATS (Self Applied Tourniquet System from Marketing
Tactics, LLC)

●
   
Elastic:

○
       
These are elastic bands similar to exercise bands.

○
       
They are intuitive to use and require little training.

○
       
They can be applied high in the upper arm and thigh

○
       
They can be applied to limbs of all sizes including small limbs on
children and dogs

○
       
Difficult to apply with only one hand. Hard to secure the free end
when starting to wrap it around a limb. Difficult to tuck the unused
part of the roll under the portion already wrapped around the limb.

○
       
Difficult to make changes in the amount of compression. Requires
at least partially unwrapping and then rewrapping the roll.

○
       
Least expensive type of tourniquet

○
       
Examples: RATS (Rapid Application Tourniquet System from
ratstourniquet.com), TK-4 (Tourni-Kwik from H & H Medical Corp)
and SWAT-T™ (Stretch, Wrap And Tuck Tourniquet from
swattourniquet.com)

●
   
Pneumatic:
 ○
       
Similar to a blood pressure cuff

○
       
Large, bulky

○
       
Air bladder can be punctured

○
       
Expensive

○
       
Generally used in operating room setting rather than in the field

Features to look for in selecting a tourniquet for your first aid kit:
[84]

●
   
Simple to use

●
   
Fast to apply the tourniquet

●
   
Adequately stops blood flow

●
   
Can be applied with only one hand

●
   
Durable and strong. Will not break when tightened enough to
occlude blood flow

●
   
Remains tight without slipping or loosening

●
   
1.5 inches minimum width to reduce pain and tissue damage under
the tourniquet. In general, the wider the band, the less tension it takes
to stop blood flow.

●
   
A location on the tourniquet to write the time it was applied to help
you and emergency first responders know the duration the tourniquet
has been in place

●
   
Preferably a windlass type tourniquet

●
   
On the recommended tourniquet list from the Committee on
Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC) 
The CoTCCC is a division of the Department of Defense’s Joint Trauma
System (JTS). It is comprised of trauma surgeons, combat medics,
emergency physicians, and others who study traumatic injuries. The
CoTCCC is endorsed by the American College of Surgeons and the
National Association of EMTs. It tests and recommends tourniquets based
upon their use in combat environments. The CoTCCC released a revised
Recommended Devices & Adjuncts document on May 6, 2019, listing six
non-pneumatic tourniquets:
[85]
,
[86]
,
[87]

●
   
Combat Application Tourniquet® (CAT®) Gen 7 and Gen 6.
Windlass tourniquet. Distributed by North American Rescue, LLC.

●
   
SOF Tactical Tourniquet® – Wide (SOFTT®-W). Windlass
tourniquet. Made by Tactical Medical Solutions.

●
   
SAM® Extremity Tourniquet (SAM-XT). Windlass tourniquet.
Made by SAM Medical

●
   
Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet (TMT™). Windlass tourniquet.
Made by AlphaPointe Tactical.

●
   
Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet® -Tactical (RMT-T). Ratcheting
tourniquet. Made by m2 Inc.

●
   
TX2™ Tourniquet (TX2) and TX3™ Tourniquet (TX3).
Ratcheting tourniquet. Made by m2 Inc, but marketed by RevMedX™.

There are many other tourniquets available on the market, but I will limit
my discussion to those recommended by the CoTCCC. The CAT® and
SOFTT® tourniquets are considered the “classics” and were on the
CoTCCC’s prior recommended list as well as on the current list. The CAT®
tourniquet has been studied more extensively than other tourniquets. It is a
windlass style tourniquet with a strap that is about 37.5 inches long. The
initial adjustment is made by Velcro, which is followed by tightening using
the windlass with either one or both hands. The windlass is secured by a bi-
directional clip. A Velcro strap attaches over the top of the clip’s opening
preventing the windlass from being inadvertently released. The Gen 7
version offers enhancements over the Gen 6 version of the CAT®
tourniquet:
[88]
,
[89]

●
   
Single Routing Buckle

○
       
The Gen 6 model has a two-slot buckle. The strap can be passed
through one or both slots.

○
       
Faster application and effective slack removal resulting in
decreased blood loss and fewer windlass turns to achieve arterial
occlusion

○
       
Simplified training with single protocol directions for all
applications

●
   
Windlass Rod

○
       
Increased diameter for enhanced strength

○
       
Aggressive ribbing for improved grip

●
   
Windlass Clip

○
       
Bilateral beveled entry for rapid windlass lock

○
       
Bilateral buttress for added strength

●
   
Windlass Strap

○
       
Sonic welded to clip for constant contact

○
       
Color changed to Gray for tactical considerations (Black C-A-T
Only)

●
   
Stabilization Bar

○
       
Reinforced, beveled contact bar maintains the plate's integrity and
decreases skin pinching
Both the Gen 6 and Gen 7 CAT® tourniquets are on the CoTCCC
recommended list. A lab study was done comparing these two tourniquets.
The Gen 7 tourniquet was found easier to use and was preferred over the
Gen 6 version by the test subjects.
[90]
[91]
The Army states that both the
Gen 6 and Gen 7 versions are effective and that people that have the Gen 6
version do not have to upgrade to Gen 7.
[92]

Item name: COMBAT APPLICATION TOURNIQUET® (C-A-T)

Vendor: North American Rescue, LLC

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3hk1S3Q

Price: $29.99

Weight: 2.7 ounces

Size: 37.5 inches long. Packaged size: 1.5x2.4x6.5 inches.

Material: Not specified. Strap appears to be made of nylon and hardware

made of plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Official Tourniquet of the U.S. Army. Proven to be 100%

effective in occluding blood flow in both upper and lower extremities by the
U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Research. NEW Single Routing Buckle
for faster application, decreased blood loss, effective slack removal, fewer
windlass turns, and simplified training with single protocol application
standards. Includes reinforced windlass, stabilization plate, windlass clip,
and writeable windlass security strap. Featuring NAR's signature Red Tip
Technology® elliptical tab providing added visual clues during application.
Patented free-moving internal band providing true circumferential pressure
to the extremity. Available in black, orange, and blue colors.

The Gen 4 SOFTT®-W is also a windlass tourniquet with a strap of

approximately 40 inches long. The initial adjustment is done by pulling the
strap through a sliding buckle, while the final tightening is done by twisting
a windlass. The windlass is secured by placing one end into a bi-directional
clip (i.e., TRAC or Tourniquet Retention Assistance Clip) similar to the one
on a CAT® tourniquet. The windlass can be further secured in the clip by
flipping a tri-ring over the end of the windlass. It has a quick-release snap-
lock hook and loop buckle that enables the strap to be rapidly converted
from a loop to a straight strap so it can be placed around a thigh without
sliding the closed-loop over the foot and up the leg. It is more difficult to
operate with one hand than the CAT® tourniquet.

Item name: SOF® TOURNIQUET GEN 4 (SOFTT®-W)

Vendor: Tactical Medical Solutions

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/38F4g1m

Price: $29.93

Weight: 4 ounces

Size: 1.75x2x5 inches

Material: Webbing appears to be made of nylon. Windlass handle is made

of aircraft-grade aluminum that has been anodized to make it less visible.
The tri-rings are molded Acetyl, a high-impact plastic.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The SOF® Tourniquet Gen 4 is built upon its original

ruggedness and durability, which was the result of an exhaustive 24-month
research initiative compiling end-user research and laboratory studies. The
tourniquet is comprised of high-strength, lightweight alloy components. Its
design allows the tourniquet to slide over a limb or, if the limb is trapped,
the tourniquet can be rapidly disconnected and reconnected around the limb
without rethreading the strap. With one application method for both the arm
and the leg, the Gen 4 is the easiest tourniquet to operate under stress,
which can lead to reduced levels of blood loss and ultimately better quality
patient care. The Gen 4 still maintains its true 1.5" tourniquet strap,
providing a wider compression pattern than most standard tourniquets or
tourniquets with a 1" constricting band moving through a 1.5" sleeve. The
wider compression pattern results in additional arterial compression and
increased patient comfort. Additionally, each tourniquet is shipped with two
UV-resistant black rubber bands for mounting to your equipment. The
SOF® Tourniquet Gen 4 is approved for use by the Department of Defense,
approved for use by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and
the tourniquet of choice for the American Red Cross. It is used by everyone
from elite military operators around the world to the largest police
departments in the country to fire and EMS paramedics on the streets to
civilians in everyday public places just trying to be prepared. The SOF®
Tourniquet Generation 4 (SOFTT®-W) is a true generational upgrade to the
most effective windlass tourniquet on the market featuring 4 key upgrades:
(1) TRAC - Tourniquet Retention Assistance Clip: The TRAC assists in
applications by providing a temporary control point to hold the windlass
while engaging the tri-ring, resulting in faster application times and
doubling the security of the device in combination with the tri-ring during
patient movements. This is especially helpful in one-handed applications
and for those who do not have much experience applying tourniquets. The
TRAC is an optional accessory for application, and the windlass must still
be secured in the tri-ring for proper use. (2) 5.5" Windlass: The increase in
length eases the process of securing the windlass into the clip and tri-ring,
increasing the effectiveness of the dual retention system. It still maintains
its distinct conical ends while being machined from a single piece of
aircraft-grade aluminum bar stock and anodized to minimize the product's
signature in a tactical environment. (3) Quick-Compression Buckle: The
Quick-Compression Buckle, added to the tourniquet last year, allows for
smoother buckle manipulation due to its rounded edges. This also allows
for easier one-handed application and overall faster application time. (4)
Reinforced Material: Yes, we found a way to make the strongest tourniquet
even stronger. Available colors: Black, orange, tan, red, blue.

There are some differences between the CAT® and the SOFTT®
tourniquets:
[93]

●
       
Width: CAT® is 1.5” wide. The original SOFTT® is only 1”
wide. The upgraded SOFTT®-W 1.5” wide.
 ●
       
Material: CAT® is made from Velcro-backed webbing. SOFTT®
is made of thicker webbing.

●
       
Weight: SOFTT® is heavier at 4 oz (vs. 2.7oz) because of its
thicker webbing and heftier hardware.

●
       
Buckle: CAT® has a traditional buckle with a slot that the strap
passes through. The SOFTT® employs a rigid, hook and loop quick
release buckle allowing quick disconnect and reconnect to place the
strap around a limb rather than pulling the looped strap over the foot
and up the leg.

●
       
Windlass lock: CAT® uses a bi-directional hook system topped
with a Velcro strap for retention. SOFTT® uses a bi-directional hook
system plus a D-ring for retention. The bi-directional hook or windlass
clip to accommodate twisting the windlass in either a clockwise or
counterclockwise direction.

The CAT® and SOFTT® windlass tourniquets have been recommended by

the CoTCCC since 2004. The SAM Extremity Tourniquet (SAM®-XT) and
Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet (TMT™) are two other windlass
tourniquets that were added by CoTCCC to their recommended list in 2019.
The SAM®-XT ($37.95 MSRP) tourniquet functions similar to the CAT®
tourniquet whereby the windless rod is secured in a bi-directional clip that
is topped by a Velcro retention strap. The TMT™ tourniquet ($29.60
MSRP) uses a unidirectional clip to secure the windlass rod after it has been
twisted in a clockwise direction. (Note: All of the other windlass
tourniquets on the CoTCCC recommended list allow locking of the
windlass whether it is twisted in a clockwise or counter-clockwise
direction.) The rod is twisted slightly counterclockwise and pushed into the
open end of the clip. The open end of the C-shaped clip has a downward
directed prominence that prevents the windless rod (called a torsion bar by
the manufacturer) from slipping out of the clip once it is pushed inside of
the clip. The windlass rod can be released by lifting upwards on the open
end of the clip and twisting the rod out in a clockwise direction. More
detailed product information can be found for these two tourniquets at their
manufacturer’s websites:
 ●
   
SAM®-XT: https://www.sammedical.com/products/sam-xt

●
   
TMT™: https://www.alphatactical.com

Most research studies have been done on the CAT® tourniquet. A Hong
Kong study found that commercial tourniquets including the CAT® are
useful to prevent exsanguination in patients being transported by ambulance
to a hospital. Those researchers advised the use of the CAT® tourniquet
because of its proven effectiveness in prior studies although their study was
inconclusive as to whether it was better than other commercial tourniquets.

[94]
Kragh, et al, compared the performance of the SAM®-XT to the CAT®
on mannequins and found better results with the CAT® concerning time to
bleeding stoppage, ease of use, mannequin damage, blood loss rate, and
pressure. The differences in these measures were small between the two
tourniquets.
[95]

Gibson, et al, did a comparison study of the TMT™ and CAT® tourniquets
on mannequin thighs. They also included the popular Rapid Application
Tourniquet System (RATS) elastic tourniquet, one that is not on the
CoTCCC recommended list. All three were capable of controlling
hemorrhage. The CAT® was better than the RATS for the metrics of time to
hemorrhage control, speed of application, and simulated blood loss. The
CAT® was able to apply more pressure than the TMT™, but those two
were otherwise similar in other performance metrics tested. The authors
concluded that the RATS and TMT™ did not provide any improvement
over the CAT®.
[96]
Beaven, et al, also did a head-to-head study of the
TMT™ and CAT® tourniquets. They found no significant difference
between the two in terms of time to achieve complete arterial occlusion,
pain score, or self-application success/failure rate. They concluded that the
TMT™ offered no advantage over the CAT®.
[97]

For those who prefer a tourniquet with a ratchet mechanism, the m2 Inc
Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet -Tactical (RMT-T®) is recommended by the
CoTCCC. The Tactical version is 1.5 inches wide. There is a fabric loop on
the end of the Ladder Strap opposite from the Ratcheting Buckle. A finger
can be placed through the fabric loop or teeth can bite down on it to apply
counter traction as the free end of the strap is pulled to remove slack from
it. The strap passes through textured double rectangular rings to prevent it
from slipping once it is tensioned. The ratchet is then used to tighten the
tourniquet. The ratchet has a lever that is manipulated up and down to move
the ratchet along a Ladder Strap having evenly spaced, transverse notches
on it. The ratchet is self-locking and will maintain the final degree of
tightening without needing any additional retention devices. To release the
tourniquet, pull upwards on the tab located in the center of the cutout in the
ratchet lever. Pulling up on this tab disengages the ratchet from the notches
of the Ladder Strap allowing the ratchet to slide freely. The RMT®
tourniquet comes in:
[98]

●
   
3 Civilian versions

○
       
<120 lbs: 1.5” wide strap. 0.75” Ratcheting Buckle and Ladder
Strap. 3 ounces. $39.95

○
       
>120 lbs: 2” wide strap. 1” Ratcheting Buckle and Ladder Strap.
5.2 ounces. $37.95

○
       
XL: 3” wide strap. Extra-long (60”). 1” Ratcheting Buckle and
Ladder Strap. 9.6 ounces. $44.95

●
   
3 Military/Law Enforcement versions

○
       
Tactical: 1.5” wide strap. Smallest and lightest Military/Law
version with 0.75” Ratcheting Buckle and Ladder Strap. 3.6 ounces.
$35.96

○
       
Paramedic: 1.5” wide strap. Larger than Tactical version, with 1”
Ratcheting Buckle and Ladder Strap. 4.6 ounces. $36.95

○
       
2”: 2” wide strap. 1” Ratcheting Buckle and Ladder Strap. 5
ounces. $39.95

Item name: Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet® (RMT) – TACTICAL version

Vendor: M2inc.
Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3pqKnSj

Price: $35.95

Weight: 3.6 ounces

Size: 1.5x2.5x4.4 inches folded

Material: Not specified

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 0.75″ buckle and ladder strap with 1.5″ webbing. Ratchet
mechanism. Pull or bite loop to aid with tightening the strap. Proven
Technology since 2002. Simple, intuitive ‘glove’ operation. Applies precise
mechanical pressure. The system is self-locking. Easily applied with one
hand. Requires only ‘gross’ motor skills to operate. Ratcheting sound when
activated. Compact, lightweight, and durable, and rugged. Instructions are
clearly printed on RMT™.

Besides the RMT-T® tourniquet, the CoTCCC recommends two other

ratcheting tourniquets: the TX2™ Tourniquet (TX2) and TX3™ Tourniquet
(TX3). These are made by m2® Inc, the same company that makes the
RMT-T®, but they are marketed by RevMedX. These three tourniquets are
very similar in design, which is not surprising since they are all made by the
same company. I could find no research studies comparing these three
ratcheting tourniquets. I could only find one study comparing the RMT® to
the CAT® and its finding was that laypeople were able to successfully
apply the RMT® in a greater percentage of cases than the CAT®.
[99]

It is important to select a tourniquet that allows easy and fast adjustment of

vessel compression by modifying the amount of tension on its strap or
elastic band. There are times when the tourniquet must be tightened after its
initial application:

●
   
If the initial tightening was insufficient and bleeding persists. The
tourniquet needs to be tightened more. (Note: In rare cases, bleeding
will persist despite maximally tightening a tourniquet. Consider
 applying a second tourniquet above the first one to gain greater
compression. This usually occurs in limbs with a large circumference

[100]
, a high percentage of adipose tissue, and in limbs with peripheral
vascular disease where arteries are less compressible. It can also occur
when a person’s blood pressure is exceedingly elevated.

●
   
If bleeding ceases initially but then resumes later. This can occur if
the victim’s blood pressure rises after the tourniquet was initially
applied (e.g., due to pain and ischemia from prolonged tourniquet
pressure on the limb).
[101]
The tourniquet needs to be tightened more.

●
   
If a “venous tourniquet” situation develops as a result of the
tourniquet providing compression sufficient to block venous blood
return back up the limb, yet insufficient to totally occlude arterial
blood flow down the limb. There will still be enough blood flow
through collateral vessels to fill the limb below the site of injury even
if a major artery is entirely transected. A substantial amount of
bleeding can occur depending upon the degree of venous tourniquet
effect.
[102]
Two things can be done:

○
       
The tourniquet can either be tightened more or,

○
       
The wound can be packed with sponges, manual pressure applied
to the wound, the tourniquet released, the limb elevated to allow
venous drainage via gravity, and the tourniquet tightened again with
greater tension on the strap than initially.

The stoppage of blood flow into a limb by a tourniquet causes tissue

ischemia, which produces tissue damage and eventually necrosis. It is also
important that a tourniquet can be loosened periodically and then tightened
again to allow the limb to reperfuse (i.e., to allow blood to flow back into
the limb) and prevent tissue injury. Numerous studies have been conducted
to determine a “safe” upper limit to tourniquet compression time.

●
   
Estebe, et al, stated that 3 hours of continuous ischemia will not
result in permanent damage to healthy muscle, but it does cause diffuse
sublethal cellular injury. They also cited that reperfusion after 2 hours
(range 60-90 minutes) worsens muscle injury. They advised that a
 tourniquet be released for at least 10 minutes after it has been in place
for 1 hour.
[103]

●
   
Kumar, et al, cited that a 1-3 hour safe tourniquet compression time
has been described. They recommended the following tourniquet
guidelines in the operating room:
[104]

○
       
After a tourniquet has been in place for 2.5 hours, release it for 10
minutes. If the tourniquet has to be tightened again, then release it for
10 minutes after every 60 minutes thereafter.

○
       
In children, release the tourniquet after 75 minutes for lower
extremities.

●
   
Sharma, et al, also notes that a 1-3 hour safe tourniquet
compression time has been described. They recommended the
following for tourniquet usage in the operating room:
[105]

○
       
Use the lowest effective tourniquet pressure to minimize tissue
injury

○
       
After 1.5 hours of upper extremity surgery, deflate the tourniquet
for 10 minutes

○
       
After 2 hours of lower extremity surgery, deflate the tourniquet for
10 minutes

○
       
Absolute maximum tourniquet inflation time of 3 hours

Lee, et al, noted that most studies on tourniquets have been done in the
operating room on people with normal blood pressures undergoing elective
surgery using pneumatic tourniquets. The authors posited that research
findings based upon these operating room studies might not apply to the use
of non-pneumatic tourniquets in the field on hypovolemic trauma victims.
They referenced a study by Lakstein that found a 5.5% incidence of nerve
injury out of 110 pre-hospital tourniquet applications with tourniquet times
ranging from 109 to 187 minutes. The average tourniquet time resulting in
no nerve complications was 78 minutes.
[106]
Generally, the complication rate with tourniquet use is low. One study of 68
patients found no complications from tourniquets. Another study found a
1.7% incidence of nerve palsy, no amputations, and a high survival rate.
Some reported complications associated with using tourniquets include:

[107]
,
[108]
,
[109]

●
   
Compartment syndrome,

●
   
Reperfusion injury: Additional ischemic tissue damage occurs after
the tourniquet is released. Can result in adult respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS), venous embolism, and sometimes-fatal kidney and
heart injury.

●
   
Nerve damage: One in 6,200 upper extremity and one in 3,700
lower extremity tourniquet uses

●
   
Muscle injury

●
   
Vascular injury: Uncommon. Most often occurs in children, obese,
elderly, and peripheral vascular disease

●
   
Skin necrosis

So, what do you do when you are faced with a major bleed during an
emergency and there is no formal medical help nearby?

●
   
Try applying pressure to the wound first to see if you can stop the
bleeding. You can do this by placing a dressing over the wound and
applying manual pressure over it or wrap something over the wound
and around the limb to provide compression

●
   
Something we will discuss later is the use of hemostatic agents to
promote clotting of blood to aid with stopping bleeding. You can use
this if pressure alone does not stop the bleeding.

●
   
Apply a tourniquet around the limb (at least two to three inches
above the wound) if manual pressure does not stop the bleeding. Note:
An exception to this treatment algorithm of applying pressure first is if
 you deem the bleeding to be imminently life-threatening. In these
cases, apply a tourniquet immediately if the bleeding site is in a
location where a tourniquet can be used.
[110]

●
   
You are in a limb saving or life-saving situation if you have to
resort to using a tourniquet. You cannot worry about the possible
complications that may occur using the tourniquet. Your main concern
is to stop the hemorrhage before you lose consciousness.

●
   
Tighten the tourniquet until bleeding ceases. Then, monitor the
wound for recurrent bleeding, which would necessitate further
tightening the tourniquet.

●
   
Keep track of the length of time the tourniquet has been in place.
Apply a compression dressing to the wound and then release the
tourniquet for ten minutes after every two hours of tourniquet time in
the lower extremity and after every 1.5 hours of tourniquet time in the
upper extremity. This will allow the limb to reperfuse and decrease
ischemic tissue damage.

●
   
Each time you release the tourniquet, take some pressure off of
your pressure dressing and see if bleeding has stopped or at least
slowed down to the point it can be controlled by the pressure dressing
alone. If so, then you can leave the tourniquet around your limb in a
loosened state to allow perfusion to the limb but to be available to
immediately tighten again if bleeding recurs.

●
   
Pack at least two tourniquets in your first aid kit:

○
       
You may need to use “stacked” tourniquets with them placed side-
by-side if the initial tourniquet does not stop the bleeding

○
       
You may need a tourniquet for two separately injured limbs

○
       
You may need to use the tourniquets to help others

The bottom line regarding which tourniquet to get for your first aid kit:
●
   
Windlass tourniquets:

○
       
CAT®: Easiest to use with one hand, an advantage if it has to be
applied by yourself to an injured arm

○
       
SOFTT®-W: The quick release snap-lock hook and loop buckle
enable the strap to be rapidly converted from a loop to a straight strap
so it can be placed around a thigh without sliding the closed loop over
the foot and up the leg.

○
       
SAM®-XT and TMT™ offer no advantages over the CAT®

○
       
All of the windlass tourniquets are fast and simple to either tighten
for more compression or loosen to allow limb reperfusion

●
   
Ratchet tourniquets:

○
       
The three approved by the CoTCCC (i.e., RMT®-T, TX2™,
TX3™) are all made by the same manufacturer and are very similar.

○
       
The RMT® can be successfully applied more often than the
CAT® tourniquet according to one study

○
       
The strap can bunch up beneath the ratchet when it is tightened.

○
       
The ratchet is self-locking and prevents the strap from slipping

○
       
It is fast and easy to add extra tension to tighten the strap by
operating the lever of the ratchet

○
       
It is fast and easy to completely release the tourniquet by pulling
upwards on the release tab to reperfuse the limb

●
   
***Overall first choice: CAT® tourniquet

○
       
A long record of successful use by the military, law enforcement,
and emergency medical personnel
 ○
       
It has been the most studied tourniquet. Studies have
demonstrated its effectiveness. Newer windlass tourniquets offer no
advantages over the CAT®

○
       
Its windlass mechanism provides reliable compression to stop a
hemorrhage

○
       
It is the easiest to use with only one hand

○
       
Folds down compactly and deploys rapidly

Tourniquets are fairly simple devices, but one study of three common
commercial tourniquets found that laypeople applied them improperly in a
shockingly high percentage of cases. Successful tourniquet application was
accomplished in only 16.9% of CAT®, 23.4% of RAT, and 10.6% of
SWAT-T ™tourniquets. The most common mistakes people made when
applying tourniquets were:
[111]

●
   
Insufficient tightness 74.1%

●
   
Improper placement 44.4%

●
   
Incorrect positioning 16.7%

The take-away message from the Ross study is that simply carrying a
tourniquet with you is not enough. You need to learn how to properly use it
and then practice using it. Practice applying it to your upper and lower
extremities using your dominant and non-dominant hands. It is best to use a
spare tourniquet for practice rather than your emergency carry tourniquet so
you are not subjecting it to repeated cycles of high tension as you tighten
and release it.

What if you need to apply a tourniquet to a small child’s limb?  Ross, et al,
reported on the upper and lower limb circumferences in different locations
in children from newborn to 12 months of age:
[112]

Location Age (months) Circumference (in)

 Forearm 0-3 4.4

10-12 5.5

Upper Arm 0-3 4.3

10-12 5.8

Mid-Thigh 0-3 7.0

7-9 8.9

Ross’ paper states that the CAT® tourniquet (Gen 6 and 7) are effective for
limbs with circumferences from 5 to 35 inches. The RMT® tourniquet
comes in a children’s version (i.e., CHILD/Pediatric RMT®) that is
effective for limbs as small as 2.5 inches in circumference. Other studies
have addressed tourniquet use in children:

●
   
Gen 7 CAT® was effective in occluding arterial flow in the upper
and lower extremities of children from 6 to 16 years old.
[113]

●
   
Gen 7 CAT® was effective in occluding arterial flow in the upper
and lower extremities of children from 2 to 7 years old.
[114]

●
   
CAT® was tested on a simulated 3 to 5-month old infant-sized limb
with a 5.25-inch circumference. It was easy to apply the tourniquet but
required a modification of the retention band that spans over the
opening of the windlass clip.
[115]
 ●
   
Gen 6 CAT® was effective in controlling hemorrhage from
wartime trauma in children from 4 to 17 years old.
[116]

●
   
9 commercial tourniquets were tested on 6 different sized
mannequins simulating children’s arms:
[117]

○
       
The Stretch Wrap And Tuck (SWAT™), TacMed™ K9 (TMK9),
and Rapid Application Tourniquet System (RATS) stopped the flow of
water (use to simulate blood) on all of the sizes of mannequins. (Note:
These are all elastic type tourniquets. None of these 3 tourniquets is on
the CoTCCC recommended list.)

○
       
The Child Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet (CRMT®) was the only
mechanical advantage tourniquet that stopped the flow of water on all
of the sizes of mannequins.

○
       
The CAT®, SAM®-XT, TMT™, and SOFTT®-W tourniquets all
failed on arms with a 2-inch circumference. (Note: This is not
clinically applicable because the average circumference of an infant
aged 0-3 months old is 4.3-4.4 inches for the upper arm and forearm.)

The bottom line regarding tourniquet use for children:

●
   
The Stretch Wrap And Tuck (SWAT™), TacMed™ K9 (TMK9),
Rapid Application Tourniquet System (RATS), and Child Ratcheting
Medical Tourniquet (CRMT®) are effective for children of all ages.

●
   
The Gen 7 CAT® is effective for the upper and lower extremities
of children 6 years and older according to two studies. And, it is
probably effective for children as young as 10-12 months based upon
Ross’ findings that it is effective for limbs as small as 5 inches in
circumference.

Tourniquets for dogs are covered in the chapter entitled, “Items For Your
Pet.”

Counterfeit tourniquets are prevalent in the marketplace and there are

numerous articles about how to spot a fake one.
[118]
,
[119]
,
[120]
They can
be dangerous because they are of poor quality and constructed of inferior
materials that can fail when you tighten them while you try to stop a
hemorrhage. Their failure could result in your death or the death of the
person you are trying to help. Many of the fake tourniquets are of the
CAT® design since that is the most popular. Here are some of the reported
failure points that have occurred with these fakes:
[121]
,
[122]
,
[123]

●
   
Windlass breaks or bends so it does not lock into the windlass lock

●
   
Windlass lock bends

●
   
Buckle breaks

●
   
Stitching comes apart

The CoTCCC is an official government agency that recommends

tourniquets after they are subjected to a rigorous testing protocol. They
periodically publish an updated list of recommended tourniquets.
Unscrupulous makers of counterfeit or low-quality tourniquets may market
them as “TCCC Approved,” a for-profit trademark that is not the same as
CoTCCC recommended.
[124]
,
[125]

Some counterfeit tourniquets look very similar to the genuine article and it
may be difficult to tell them apart. One red flag signaling a counterfeit is a
price that is significantly lower than the genuine product. Your safest route
to getting a genuine product is to buy directly from the manufacturer. The
list of CoTCCC approved tourniquets cited earlier also lists the name of the
manufacturer of each of these tourniquets.

Tourniquets are not damaged from the heat inside a vehicle.

[126]
Davinson,
et al, studied the CAT®, SOFTT®, and RMT® tourniquets in a lab setting,
subjecting them to 130 °F for 91 days. They found that the heat did not
damage any of the tourniquets nor compromise their ability to gain control
of hemorrhage or eliminate the distal pulse.
[127]
UV radiation exposure
should be limited particularly for elastic tourniquets. Inspect tourniquets
periodically especially if they are carried in exposed locations (e.g., duty
belts, on the outside of vests, etc). Replace them if they show signs of
damage or wear.
[128]
It is a good idea to carry your tourniquet in a pouch where it is immediately
accessible, permits rapid deployment, and also to protect it. There are
pouches specifically designed to carry particular tourniquets. It is also
possible to use other similarly sized pouches that fit your tourniquet. Avoid
carrying the pouch on the shoulder strap of your backpack or on your vest
near your shoulder where it may be damaged if your arm on that side is
traumatized.
[129]
,
[130]
Here are some tourniquet carriers:
[131]

●
   
PHLster Flatpack Tourniquet Carrier:

○
       
Designed for versatility, it allows you to carry a folded and staged
windlass tourniquet on your belt, in a pocket, or with MALICE
CLIPS® for MOLLE/PALS mounting. Easy one-handed deployment
of your tourniquet.

○
       
Price $24.99

○
       
https://bit.ly/3rvc4LC

●
   
North American Rescue CAT MOLLE tourniquet holder:

○
       
Nylon pouch with a top flap that closes with Velcro. MOLLE
strap in back with snap closure.

○
       
Price $19.95

○
       
https://amzn.to/2KZcbOU

●
   
ITS TourniQuick Rapid Deployment Pouch w/ Tourniquet (see
below)

Item name: TourniQuick Rapid Deployment Pouch including a Tourniquet

Vendor: Imminent Threat Solutions (ITS)

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/37Sbz6M

Price: $54.99
Weight: 8.78 ounces

Size: 2x2.5x6.5 inches

Material: Nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The pouch includes your choice of either a Gen 7 CAT® or Gen
4 SOFTT®-W tourniquet (both come in black, coyote, and MultiCam®
choices). The TourniQuick™ features our patent-pending, 4-Way Mounting
System™. The 4WMS allows you to mount the tourniquet pouch vertically
on a duty belt, vertically to MOLLE® (PALS webbing), horizontally on a
belt, or even vertically on a backpack strap. The mounting possibilities are
truly unlimited. MALICE Clip for MOLLE® attachment available
separately as an Add-On ($4.99 for a pair). The pouch acts as a protective
tourniquet pouch, reducing exposure to the elements. dirt, debris, and UV
light that can degrade the life of your life-saving device. Patent-Pending
Revolutionary Tourniquet Pouch Deployment System. Rapidly Access and
Deploy Your Tourniquet, Saving Valuable Time. Reduces Time from
Deployment to Application.

Tongue Depressor

A standard, wooden tongue depressor is flat, light, inexpensive, and a useful

item to pack in your first aid kit. Here are some things you can use them
for:

●
   
Finger splint

●
   
Scrape off a bee sting

●
   
Apply topical ointment (e.g., antihistamine, antibiotic) to the skin

●
   
Applying and spreading glue

●
   
Make into tinder for a fire

●
   
Use as kindling for a fire
 ●
   
Leg splint for your dog

Item name: 100 Sterile Tongue Depressors

Vendor: medicalproductsdepot

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/37PZAGA

Price: $7.25

Weight: Not specified

Size: 0.75x6 inches

Material: Wood

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Individually packaged, sterile tongue depressors. For medical

use. 100 tongue depressors.

Full-Size EMT Scissors

Please refer to the section on “Cutting Tools” in the chapter entitled “Tools”
in this book for a discussion about full-size EMT scissors and a product
example.

Tweezers

Including tweezers in your first aid kit can be useful for numerous things
including:

●
   
Removing splinters (i.e., metal, wood, glass, etc) from your skin

●
   
To hold thread to aid with threading it through the eye of a needle

●
   
Removing small bones from fish
Tweezers are made in two ways. The first method is to fuse two pieces of
metal at one end leaving the other end open to create two grasping tips that
can be pressed together. The second method is to fashion the tweezers out
of a single piece of metal bent in its center bringing the two ends close
together. Tweezers made out of a single piece of metal are less expensive to
fabricate but provide less grip.
[132]

Different materials are used to make tweezers:

[133]

●
   
Plastic: Avoid these because they lack durability and precision.

●
   
Stainless steel: Affordable, resists rusting.

●
   
Titanium: More expensive. Light weight. Holds its shape better and
lasts longer.

Tweezers are available with a variety of different tip configurations:

[134]

●
   
Pointed slant tip tweezers:  Usually the most versatile option.
They’re the best bet if you plan to use your tweezers for a variety of
tasks.

●
   
Slant tip tweezers: Most common type. Good for general brow
grooming and other stray hair removal.

●
   
Pointed tip tweezers: Best choice if you plan to use them for
removing ingrown hairs or very small or fine hairs. Most effective
choice for removing splinters. The pointed tips must be aligned since
their contact area is so small. Their minute contact area limits their
versatility for multiple function use.

●
   
Round tip tweezers: Ideal to remove coarse hair.

●
   
Flat tip tweezers: Good choice if you plan to use your tweezers
primarily for applying false eyelashes.

Other factors to consider when choosing tweezers:

[135]
 ●
   
Tip width: More pointed tips permit more precise work, but reduce
the available pinch surface and pulling force.

●
   
Overall length: Longer than 3.5 inches is easier to use than shorter
tweezers

●
   
Protective case: Helps to keep tweezers tips sharp and aligned.

●
   
Angled or curved (commonly at a 45-degree angle from the
handle): Generally used for application purposes (e.g., applying false
eyelashes, rhinestones, etc)

Item name: Surgical Tweezers for Ingrown Hair - Precision Sharp Needle
Nose Pointed Tweezers for Splinters, Ticks and Glass Removal

Vendor: Majestic Bombay on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34NRHzE

Price: $9.97

Weight: 0.71 ounces

Size: 0.39x0.39x4.33 inches

Material: Stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Premium perfect ultra-strong fine-tip tweezers. "Professional

Grade," well-made, precise tweezers tips are super strong with hand-
calibrated ends. And, needlepoint precision for wood splinters, ticks, and
ingrown hairs. Tips are perfectly aligned, pointed, and sharp. LIFETIME
GUARANTEE: If you are not satisfied, contact us and we will give you a
full refund or a replacement. Available in black, green, and yellow. Also,
available with a pointed, slant tip for the same price.

Topical Hemostatic Agents (THA)

THAs are substances that are placed directly into a wound to aid with the
cessation of bleeding. Situations where they are useful include:
[136]

●
   
When direct pressure to a wound fails to control bleeding

●
   
When a bleeding site is located somewhere that a tourniquet cannot
be used (i.e., in the shoulder or groin, chest, abdomen, etc)

THAs help the blood to clot by two general mechanisms:

[137]

●
   
Some THAs adhere to the wound, rapidly absorb blood, plasma,
and other tissue fluids from the wound. This concentrates the blood
cells making the blood clotting process more effective. The absorption
of fluid by the THA converts them into a gel, which creates a
mechanical seal for the wound including sealing blood vessels.

●
   
Some THAs can activate different parts of the body’s normal
coagulation cascade to promote blood clotting.

There are numerous THAs available on the market. The following three
THAs are approved by the CoTCCC:
[138]
,
[139]

●
   
Combat Gauze (CG) Z-Fold (QuikClot® Combat Gauze)

○
       
Manufacturer: Z-Medica Corporation

○
       
Intended for use as a topical dressing for local management of
bleeding wounds such as cuts, lacerations, and abrasions. It may also
be used for temporary treatment of severely bleeding wounds, such as
surgical wounds (operative, postoperative, dermatological, etc.) and
traumatic injuries.

○
       
Mechanism of action: Nonwoven gauze impregnated with kaolin,
an inert mineral that does not contain animal or human proteins or
botanicals. The intrinsic blood-clotting pathway is initiated by Kaolin,
which promotes the activation of Factor XII (FXII) in the presence of
kallikrein and high molecular weight kininogen. Activated FXII
initiates the intrinsic clotting pathway via the activation of platelet-
 associated Factor XI (FXI). Activated FXI continues the coagulation
pathway that ends with the formation of a fibrin clot.

○
       
Sterility expiration date: 5-years
[140]

●
   
Celox™ Gauze, Z-Fold 5'

○
       
Manufacturer: Medtrade Products, Ltd.

○
       
Indicated for temporary external treatment for controlling
moderate to severe bleeding

○
       
Mechanism of action: It is a high-density gauze, impregnated with
the proven Celox™ granules (chitosan). Chitosan absorbs fluid, swells,
and forms a gel. Celox™ electrostatically attracts red blood cells and
forms a gel-like plug. Does not rely on the body’s clotting mechanism.
No heat generated

●
   
ChitoGauze®

○
       
Manufacturer: TriStar Wellness Solutions

○
       
Indicated for use as a hemostatic dressing for the external,
temporary control of severely bleeding wounds.

○
       
Mechanism of action: Works by becoming extremely adherent
when in contact with blood. This adhesive-like action seals the wound
and controls bleeding. Fabricated from chitosan, a naturally occurring,
biocompatible polysaccharide. Because chitosan has a positive charge,
it attracts red blood cells, which have a negative charge. The red blood
cells create a seal over the wound as they are drawn into the bandage,
forming a very tight, coherent seal.

QuikClot® is the best known of the hemostatic agents. In 2008, after

extensive testing, the CoTCCC chose QuikClot® Combat Gauze as the only
hemostatic dressing used by all branches of the US military for
compressible hemorrhage not amenable to tourniquet use or as an adjunct to
tourniquet removal if evacuation time was expected to be more than 2
hours.
[141]
. Animal studies showed that survival times were significantly
higher with QuikClot® Combat Gauze than with other hemostatic agents
tested including Celox®, HemCon® (ChitoGauze®), or TraumaStat™.
[142]

Item name: QuikClot® Combat Gauze - Z Fold

Vendor: Live Action Safety

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3aLJ4cw

Price: $36.21, shipping $3.43

Weight: 0.8 ounces

Size: 3 inches x 4 yards. 1x4x6 inches packaged size.

Material: Sterile, nonwoven gauze impregnated with kaolin

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Hydrophilic gauze impregnated with kaolin. Does not contain

animal or human proteins or botanicals X-ray detectable strip. Rapid
deployment Z-Fold.  The QuikClot® Combat Gauze Z-Fold is even easier
to apply since the gauze is in a z-fold format, which makes packing wounds
easier and eliminates the risk of the roll falling away and getting
contaminated. The vacuum-packed feature of the QuikClot® Combat
Gauze Z-Fold makes it much more compact, saving room. Packaged in a
vacuum-sealed military grade foil pouch and is indicated for the temporary
external control of traumatic bleeding. Like all of the QuikClot® gauze
products, it is flexible and pliable and contours to all wounds.

Item name: QuikClot®, Advanced Clotting Kit

Vendor: Tall Ridge on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KVTtHY

Price: $19.99
Weight: 1.36 ounces

Size: 0.62x5.5x5.5 inches package size

Material: Kaolin-impregnated gauze

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 2 pieces of 3x24 inch QuikClot® gauze come in 1 resealable

pouch that easily fits in any first aid kit, suture kit, medical kit, IFAK
pouch, EDC pouch, and survival kits. Nonallergenic first aid gauze
accelerates natural blood clotting and stops bleeding within minutes. Used
by hospitals, EMS/first responders, military, law enforcement, the general
public, and outdoorsman. In vitro testing showed that clot formation
occurred in < 2 minutes with QuikClot® gauze as compared to > 10
minutes with gauze without a hemostatic agent.

Trauma Wound Dressing with 6” hemorrhage control bandage (Israeli

Bandage Battle Dressing)

Application of pressure to a wound is an important component of stopping

hemorrhage. A large amount of pressure is necessary to stop major bleeding
and accomplishing that with manual pressure is fatiguing and also takes
away the ability for one or both of your hands to perform other functions. It
is better to apply a pressure dressing that can maintain pressure over a
bleeding wound. This can be done by packing a wound or placing a
dressing over a wound and then tightly wrapping it with a gauze roll or
elastic bandage. This can be accomplished more quickly and easily with a
trauma wound dressing such as an Israeli Bandage, which offers several
advantages:

●
   
You only have to open one package instead of multiple packages
(e.g., bandages, gauze roll, or elastic bandage)

●
   
It is more compact and you have less to carry and pack into your
first aid kit

●
   
It can be applied with one hand
 ●
   
Its pressure bar can be used if necessary as a windlass to achieve
greater compression on the wound by functioning as a pseudo-
tourniquet

●
   
It has a closing bar that permits one hand to secure the end of the
bandage without additional supplies such as tape or the need to tie a
knot or tuck the end beneath prior rolls around the limb.

The Israeli Bandage was invented by Bernard Bar-Natan, an Israeli military

medic and it has been available since 2000. It is currently used by the
military around the world including the US. It is available in 4, 6, and 12-
inch widths. Some of its features include:
[143]
,
[144]

●
   
A sterile dressing is attached to one side of a roll of elastic
material. The dressing is placed over the wound.

●
   
A pressure bar that comes attached to the elastic wrap applies
pressure over the wound.

●
   
The elastic material is wrapped around the injured limb and then
fed through the horizontal, open slot in the pressure bar, which serves
as a sliding anchor point for the elastic material.

●
   
The elastic material is pulled in the direction opposite to its original
direction thereby compressing the pressure bar against the underlying
elastic material and wound

●
   
The elastic material is wound around the limb until its end is
reached.

●
   
A closure bar having a slotted opening is located at the end of the
elastic material. The closure bar captures the previously wrapped
elastic material securing the free end to it.

●
   
If more compression is necessary, then the pressure bar can be used
as a windlass to twist the elastic material in a tourniquet fashion to
generate up to 30 pounds of pressure. Once twisted, the remaining
 elastic wrap is wound around the pressure bar and then wrapped
around the limb. The free end is secured by the closure bar.

The T3 Bandage is a new, improved version of the Israeli Bandage. It has

the same pressure bar and closure bar as the original Israeli Bandage. It
includes the following new features:
[145]
,
[146]

●
   
Expandable sterile pad. Large, sterile dressing pad with one half of
it attached to the elastic roll material and one half of it unattached to
the elastic material. This large dressing can be folded in half for a
double-thick dressing. It can be left attached and used unfolded to
cover a larger area; the elastic roll can be wrapped around the entire
large dressing. Or, it can be torn in half with one half remaining
attached to the elastic material and the other half used to dress a
second wound in a different location.

●
   
Detachable sterile pad. It can be removed and used as a separate
dressing.

●
   
Folded gauze that can be used to clean the wound, as a wound
packing, or dressing.

●
   
8-year shelf life before expiration

Item name: Persys Medical T3 Tactical Trauma Treatment Israeli Bandage

Vendor: Botach

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3pryf3E

Price: $6.98

Weight: 3 ounces

Size: Elasticized leader: 4x145 inches. Expandable pad: 4x7 inches.

Detachable pad: 4x7 inches. Folded gauze: 4x29.5 inches.

Material: Not specified

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Adopted by military and civilian organizations worldwide. In

addition to treating conventional wounds, abdominal and large wounds,
amputations, entrance/exit wounds, and more, the bandage facilitates the
cleaning, packing, covering, and compressing of single and multiple
wounds. Non-adherent pads eliminate removal pain and wound re-opening.
integral pressure applicator exerts immediate direct pressure on the wound.
Built-in closure bar, no pins, no clips, no tape, no hook-and-loop, no knots.
Compact, durable, lightweight, waterproof, vacuum-sealed packaging.
Sterile, long shelf life up to 8-years expiry.

Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)

Tilting a person’s head backward while lifting their chin forward can help to
move their tongue out of the way and help to straighten the path of their
airway. If this head tilt-chin lift technique is ineffective or contraindicated
(i.e., in case of cervical spine injury), then an alternate measure must be
employed to provide an open airway for them to ventilate. An
oropharyngeal airway (OPA) passed through the mouth, over, and behind
the tongue can be used in an unconscious person. But, an OPA cannot be
used in a conscious person because it will stimulate their gag reflex. An
NPA is a soft, flexible, rubber tube that is introduced through a person’s
nostril and with one end located behind their tongue to keep their airway
open while the other end is flared and remains outside their nose. It is also
called a nasal trumpet because of the appearance of the flared end. NPAs
can be used in conscious and unconscious individuals.
[147]

To insert an NPA, first, lubricate it with a water-soluble gel. Pass it into one
nostril and direct it in the plane of the roof of the mouth and angle it toward
the back of the opposite eyeball. Advance the NPA until you detect air
flowing in and out of it.
[148]

Traditional teaching advised selecting the size NPA based upon the size of a
person’s small finger. However, studies have demonstrated that the length
of the NPA is more important than its diameter. An NPA that is too short
will not pass far enough back to separate the soft palate from the pharynx
thereby failing to open the airway. An NPA that is too long may both
stimulate coughing and gag reflexes or its tip may be pushed up against soft
tissue, which serves to plug the NPA preventing airflow through it. The tip
of the NPA should ideally be located 1cm above the epiglottis. Research has
shown that the optimal NPA length correlates with a person’s height. Using
the figures of 163cm (64 inches) and 178cm (70 inches) as the average
heights for females and males, respectively, the following recommendations
have been made for NPA size based upon an individual’s height:
[149]

Subject Height NPA Size (Portex Size)

Short female 6 (130mm long)

Average female, short male 6 (130mm long)

Tall female, average male 7 (150mm long)

Tall male 8

Despite the literature that supports selecting NPA size based upon length,
almost all commercial NPAs are sold by diameter measured in French (Fr).
Here are some general guidelines based upon a person’s height:
[150]

Height Size (French) External Diameter (mm)

Small Adult 18-21 6-7

Regular Adult 21-24 7-8

 Large Adult 24-27 8-9

There are circumstances when an NPA should not be used including:

[151]
,

[152]

●
   
Traumatic brain injury or central facial fractures: These injuries can
cause cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to leak from a tear to the brain’s dura
out through the nose. Insertion of an NPA can introduce infection into
the CSF, cause fracture displacement, or further soft tissue injury.

●
   
Basilar skull or cribriform fractures: Insertion of an NPA can lead
to the tube passing through the fracture into the anterior fossa of the
brain.

●
   
Anticoagulation therapy: Individuals taking anticoagulants (e.g.,
aspirin, warfarin, heparin, etc) are more likely to develop a nosebleed
during insertion of an NPA.

●
   
Coagulation disorders: These individuals may bleed profusely if
soft tissues are scraped during NPA insertion.

Item name: Nasopharyngeal (Nasal) Airway Kit, 6 pieces

Vendor: Lightning X Products, Inc on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mSUFsX

Price: $18.99

Weight: 6.56 ounces

Size: 2.99x4.45x9.8 inches for the package of 6 NPAs. Includes 6 sizes

from 22 to 32 Fr diameter

Material: Latex-free plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Sterile. Individually wrapped. Comes with 6 small individual
packs of lubricant.
 Water Items
Topics covered in this chapter include:

●
   
Water: A critical necessity for survival

●
   
List of water items to include in your Short, Medium, and Long
Term BOBs

●
   
Bottled water

●
   
Sports drinks and electrolytes

●
   
Water containers

○
       
Bottled water

○
       
Nalgene® bottles

○
       
Metal bottles

○
       
Canteens

○
       
Hydration bladders

○
       
Larger, collapsible containers

●
   
Water filtration versus purification

●
   
Water filters

○
       
Coffee filters and other items to use as coarse filters

○
       
Activated carbon (charcoal) filters

○
       
Filter straws

○
       
High volume water filters: gravity, pump mechanisms
 ○
       
Portable desalinators

●
   
Water purification

○
       
UV light

○
       
Boiling

○
       
Chemicals

●
   
Removing heavy metals from water

●
   
Tools

○
       
Funnel

○
       
Service utility key

○
       
Shovel

○
       
Plastic sheet

●
   
The Bottom Line: Best ways to remove contaminants from water

Water: A Critical Necessity For Survival

Water is a critical necessity that you must have covered since humans can
survive only three days without it. And, you’ll need water before that length
of time if you’re to function at your maximum capability during a stressful
emergency. So, why is water so essential for survival? About 60% of an
adult’s body is comprised of water. Some tissues like the brain and muscle
are composed of 75% water.
[153]
We lose water from our bodies by various
means including water vapor when we exhale each breath, perspiration,
urination, and defecation. Our rate and amount of water loss increase at
higher ambient temperatures and the more we are physically active. On
average, the daily water requirement is three liters (3.2 quarts) for an adult
male and 2.2 liters (2.3 quarts) for an adult female.
[154]
Dehydration occurs when you do not have adequate water intake. Some of
the things that happen with dehydration include:
[155]
,
[156]
,
[157]

●
   
Thirst

●
   
Fatigue

●
   
Reduced sweating resulting in increased core body temperature,
over-heating

●
   
Headache

●
   
Confusion

●
   
Dizziness

●
   
Cardiac arrhythmia

●
   
Reduced circulating blood volume leading to decreased blood
pressure and hypovolemic shock

●
   
Kidney failure

●
   
Cerebral edema

●
   
Unconsciousness

●
   
Seizures

●
   
Death from causes including cardiac arrhythmia, kidney failure,
liver failure

A person will deteriorate quickly without water. In the absence of water,

thirst and slight sluggishness on the first day will progress to organ failure
and death on the third day. The rapidity of a person’s demise may be
affected by their age, health status, activity level, and environmental
conditions.
[158]
,
[159]
From a survival standpoint, do not make your plans
thinking that you can do without water for three days. Your mental and
physical function will become impaired even during the first day without
water. Your ability to concentrate will be reduced after a 2% decrease in
your body’s water level. You will experience a 25% reduction in energy
level after just a 5% decrease in your body’s water level.
[160]
  A 10% loss
of your body’s water level constitutes a medical emergency. Death results
after a 15% loss of your body’s water level.
[161]
You need to prioritize
getting drinkable water fast.

Water Items To Include In Each Of Your 3 BOBs

How you deal with your water needs will vary depending upon the
anticipated duration of your emergency and will influence what you pack in
each of your BOBs. It’s important to build some redundancy into your
water kit since water is so essential. Include multiple ways to carry and
store your water as well as multiple ways to filter and purify your water.
Boiling water is always a possibility if you lack other means to purify
water, but it’s energy and time-consuming. Be prepared by having other
methods besides boiling water available for you to use.

The list below provides some examples of items to include in your BOBs.
The list is followed by a discussion of the items along with illustrative
product examples of the items.

●
   
Water Items—Short-Term BOB (for 12-24 hours survival)

○
       
Bottled water

○
       
Stainless steel water bottle (1 liter, single wall, use for boiling and
transporting water) or 1-quart military canteen with nested stainless
steel cup (for boiling water) in a canteen pouch

○
       
Water filter straw

●
   
Water Items—Medium-Term BOB (for 2-7 days survival)

○
       
Bottled water

○
       
Stainless steel water bottle (1 liter, single wall, use for boiling and
transporting water), or a 1-quart military canteen with nested stainless
 steel cup (for boiling water and cooking food) in a canteen pouch

○
       
Water filter straw

○
       
Chlorine dioxide water purification tablets

○
       
4-way sillcock key or 10-way service utility key (to turn industrial
water valves without spigot handles)

●
   
Water Items—Long-Term BOB (for weeks to months survival)

○
       
Coffee filters (to filter large particulates from water)

○
       
Stainless steel 1-liter water bottle (single wall, use for boiling and
transporting water) with 750 ml nesting cup

○
       
Consider bringing a lightweight, larger, stainless steel pot to boil
larger volumes of water and for cooking

○
       
2-quart military collapsible canteen in a canteen pouch

○
       
Collapsible larger water container (e.g., 5 gals). Lightweight
plastic. For vehicle or base camp.

○
       
Water filter straw

○
       
Chlorine dioxide water purification tablets

○
       
High volume pump ceramic water filter

○
       
4-way sillcock key or 10-way service utility key (to turn industrial
water valves without spigot handles)

○
       
Small plastic funnel to help transfer boiled water into your water
carrying vessels (e.g., canteen or water bottle)

Bottled Water
It’s a good idea to pack a couple of bottles of water with each of your
BOBs. That way, you’ll have water available immediately for your short
term water needs. You can bring some extra water bottles if you’re escaping
by vehicle. Bottled water is readily available, inexpensive, and simple to
store. Watch the expiration date, so you can cycle out and use the water
before then and substitute it with new water bottles. Do not discard your
empty plastic water bottles because you can use them later to transport
water and also for UV water purification (see the section below about
“Solar Water Disinfection or SODIS”).

Just having some bottled water with you should take care of your Short-
Term BOB water items. However, you can include some backup water
items such as a water-filled stainless steel water bottle (1 liter, single wall,
use for boiling and transporting water) or water-filled 1-quart military
canteen with nested stainless steel cup (for boiling water) in a canteen
pouch. You can also consider including a water filter straw as a backup
since it’s light and compact.

Water is heavy and bulky, so you can only carry limited amounts of water
with you. You’ll eventually deplete the supply of water you bring with you
and you need to have other ways to provide yourself with drinkable water.

Sports Drinks And Electrolytes

Escaping during an emergency can involve sustained periods of strenuous

physical activity. Sweating is a way your body cools down as your core
temperature rises. Sweating increases with greater duration and intensity of
exertion, higher ambient temperature, higher humidity, and the type and
amount of clothes you wear. Water and electrolytes such as sodium,
potassium, and magnesium are lost through sweat. Vomiting and diarrhea
are other ways water and electrolytes may be lost either through illness or
after eating something improper during an emergency survival situation.

Published research about sweating and fluid/electrolyte replacement has

focused on athletes. Sweat varies greatly between individuals
[162]
,
[163]
:

●
   
Sweat rate: This reflects how much a person sweats and is
measured in liters per hour (L/hr). The sweat rate can vary up to five to
 six-fold amongst athletes. Sweat rates frequently range from 0.5 to 2.0
L/hr.

●
   
Sweat concentration: This refers to the amount of electrolytes lost
in sweat and is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Electrolyte
loss is comprised primarily of sodium and chloride. Other electrolytes
are lost in much smaller quantities (e.g., potassium, calcium,
magnesium). Sweat concentration can vary up to ten-fold amongst
athletes with the average loss approximating 950 mg/L. You may
notice a white powdery residue on the inside of your cap or the surface
of your skin if you have a high sweat concentration. The white residue
represents electrolytes after the liquid part of sweat has evaporated.
This residue tastes salty if you lick it because it consists primarily of
sodium chloride (NaCl) or salt.

Data in this table demonstrates how sodium and chloride are the electrolytes
lost in the greatest amounts in sweat
[164]
:

Electrolyte Average Concentration in Sweat

Sodium 35 mEq/L

Chloride 30 mEq/L

Potassium 5 mEq/L

Calcium 1 mEq/L

Magnesium 0.8 mEq/L

Sports drinks were developed to help replenish fluid and electrolytes lost
during physical exertion. In addition to containing water and electrolytes,
sports drinks also include sugar (i.e., carbohydrate) in the form of glucose,
high fructose corn syrup, or sucrose (note: sugar-free versions are
available). The average sugar content is 26%, which is less than the amount
of sugar in sodas. Some also include Vitamin B, amino acids, and other
ingredients. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American
College of Sports Medicine recommend sports drinks only for intense
exercise lasting over one hour.
[165]

Sugar in sports drinks slows gastric emptying thereby slowing the

movement of water through the stomach into the small intestine where the
vast majority of fluid is absorbed into the body. Increasing the amount of
sugar in sports drinks increases the amount of sugar absorbed by the body
while reducing the rate of water absorption in the small intestine.
[166]
,
[167]
This relationship between sugar concentration and the rate of water
absorption has lead to the development of sports drinks with varying
amounts of sugar resulting in drinks with different levels of tonicity.
Tonicity refers to the concentration or amount of dissolved substances (e.g.,
sugar, electrolytes) in a solution (e.g., water). Sugar is the substance present
in the greatest quantities in sports drinks, so it has the greatest effect on
tonicity. Drinks can be divided by tonicity into three groups
[168]
,
[169]
:

●
   
Isotonic drinks:

○
       
Tonicity or concentration of dissolved substances is similar to
tonicity of human blood which is approximately 285 mOsm/kg
(milliosmole per kilogram)

○
       
Includes common sports drinks such as Gatorade®, Powerade,
Lucozade Sport

○
       
Contain approximately 6-8% sugar which is 1.5-2 times more than
found in most hypotonic drinks

○
       
Useful for short duration, intense exercise where the goal is rapid
delivery of sugar with less importance placed upon rapid fluid
absorption through the gut.
 ●
   
Hypotonic drinks:

○
       
Tonicity is lower than human blood

○
       
Lower sugar content (i.e., generally less than 6%)

○
       
Provide less energy since they contain less sugar

○
       
Best for hydration because fluid absorption through the small
intestine is the fastest

●
   
Hypertonic drinks:

○
       
Tonicity is higher than human blood.

○
       
Contain large amounts of sugar

○
       
Maximize sugar absorption with the trade-off being slower fluid
absorption across the small intestine.

○
       
Useful for maximal energy delivery for high-intensity activities

○
       
Not optimal when hydration is the primary goal

In addition to tonicity, the amount of salts in water also influences the

degree to which the intestine absorbs water
[170]
:

●
   
Water without any salts (i.e., distilled water) is 59% absorbed by
the intestine

●
   
The percentage of water absorbed by the intestine progressively
increases as the water’s salt concentration increases

●
   
Water absorption reaches a maximum of 95% with water
containing 0.4-0.7% NaCl.

●
   
Water absorption through the intestine decreases with higher
concentrations of NaCl because the resultant osmotic gradient causes a
reverse flow of fluid from the body into the intestine.
In an emergency survival situation, the main goal is to prevent dehydration
and therefore prioritize hydration over energy delivery. The electrolytes
contained in sweat are predominantly sodium and chloride with other
electrolytes present in much smaller quantities. Thus, you can compensate
for heavy sweating by adding simple table salt (consists of 97-99% NaCl

[171]
) to water. Maximal intestinal water absorption occurs with solutions of
0.4-0.7% sodium chloride (ie NaCl) as previously noted. To make a solution
of 0.5% NaCl one must add 5 gm of NaCl to 1000 ml of water.
[172]
  One
teaspoon of salt contains 6 grams of salt, which includes 2,400 mg of
sodium.
[173]
So, add approximately 0.8 teaspoons of salt to one liter of
water to make a 0.5% NaCl solution to replenish your fluids and
electrolytes during your bid for survival.

The bottom line regarding fluid and electrolyte replacement in survival

situations:

●
   
Including sports drinks with your BOBs is optional, but not a
necessity.

●
   
It is fine if you want to include a couple of bottles of sports drinks
and perhaps more if you are escaping by vehicle.

●
   
When choosing a sports drink, select one that is hypotonic for the
fastest fluid absorption through the intestine. Avoid hypertonic drinks
since they are associated with the slowest fluid absorption. Prioritize
hydration over energy delivery (ie, choose drinks with lower sugar
content) for your survival drinks. You can fulfill your energy needs by
eating solid foods.

●
   
Any liquid is heavy and bulky to carry. So, you can take only a
limited amount of sports drink with you.

●
   
You will soon run out of all the sports drinks you bring with you.

●
   
It is more practical to carry simple table salt with you so you can
mix your own electrolyte drink by adding it to water for those times
you sweat profusely. Table salt is cheap, readily available (if you get it
 before an emergency), light, and compact as compared to sports
drinks. Pack some of it in your Medium and Long-Term BOBs.

●
   
Recipe for making your electrolyte drink: 0.8 teaspoons of table
salt in one liter of water

●
   
Plain water (with no added electrolytes) is adequate for hydration
in the vast majority of situations.

Water Containers

Water containers can serve two purposes:

●
   
Transporting and storing water: Bottles, canteens, hydration packs

●
   
Water purification

○
       
Sunlight: Clear bottle

○
       
Boiling: Metal bottle

These are some water containers that you can consider carrying with you:

●
   
Bottled water: Save the plastic bottles after you finish drinking the
water. The bottles can be used to transport water, purify water by
sunlight, connect to a filter straw to collect and store purified water.

●
   
Nalgene®, BPA free bottles: Advantages include lightweight,
durable, leak-proof, wide mouth, standardized thread pattern,
compatible with many water filters.

●
   
Metal bottles: Get single wall, non-insulated metal bottles so you
can boil water in them in addition to transporting water. Some bottles
come nested in a metal cup (adds a little extra weight, but takes up
almost no extra space) that can be used for boiling water, cooking, and
drinking.

●
   
Canteens: They come in metal and rigid or collapsible plastic.
Standard sizes are one and two-quart. The one-quart canteens are
 available with nested stainless steel or aluminum cups that can be used
to boil water or cook food.

●
   
Hydration packs: These are rubber or plastic reservoirs (bladder)
with a filler port and a valved tube. Make sure that that the bladder is
made from BPA and phthalate-free food-grade materials. Bite valves
permit hands-free drinking. Push/pull valves require the use of your
hands to push them closed. Bladders fill either with a screw cap filler
port or through an open-top slide closure. The opening should be large
enough to facilitate cleaning the inside of the bladder. Open top
bladders allow you to get your hand inside and some can be turned
inside-out for cleaning and drying. Volume capacity ranges from 0.5-3
liters.
[174]
/,
[175]
,
[176]
The most practical size for survival purposes is
two to three liters; larger is generally better because you have the
option of not filling it maximally.  They’re usually packaged in a
backpack or waist pack. Just buy a hydration bladder to put inside your
BOB since you will not need the outside carrier.

●
   
Collapsible larger containers: These are lightweight plastic usually
with a filler cap and dispensing valve. A common size is a five-gallon
capacity. You can consider these if you are escaping by vehicle or for
your base camp.

Item name:
Nalgene®
Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free
Water Bottle
, Grey
w/Black Cap, 32 oz

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3pshrcy

Price: $11.99

Weight: 6.25 ounces

Size: 3.5-inch diameter, 8.25-inch height. 32-ounce volume

Material: BPA-free Tritan

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Available in 25 different colors. The original. Nalgene®'s

BESTSELLING water bottle for more than 30 years. Impact-resistant.
Completely leak-proof, made of virtually indestructible BPA-free Tritan,
easy to clean, and dishwasher safe on the top rack. Suitable for both warm
and cold beverages (-40 to 212 °F). Wide mouth makes cleaning and adding
ice cubes easy. Free of BPA, BPS, and phthalates. The opening
accommodates most water filters. It is marked with milliliters and ounces
for easy measurement. 32-ounces. Easy to use screw top lid is secure when
packed. Loop-top can be clipped to a bag or harness.

Item name: Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth

Single Wall Stainless Steel Water
Bottle
with Leak Proof Stainless Steel Interior Cap, 27 ounces (800 ml)

Vendor: Apple Green Baby on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37Tg8xi

Price: $19.95.

Weight: 8.1 ounces

Size:  9.9 inches height, 2.9 inches wide. 2.125-inch opening

Material: Stainless steel bottle. Polypropylene #5 cap with stainless steel

insert.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Lightweight SINGLE WALL, non-insulated water bottle

design. LEAK PROOF loop cap made from BPA-free, leach-free,
polypropylene #5. Cap has a stainless steel bottom insert creating an ALL
STAINLESS STEEL interior so your liquid doesn't touch plastic. Large
2.125 inch (54 mm) opening fits ice and is easy to fill and pour. All
stainless steel SINGLE WALL water bottle construction with no coatings
means it can be used to boil water when needed for sterilization. All seams,
threads, and stainless steel finishes are smooth and easy to clean.
LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Item name: Pathfinder H006 32 Oz

Bottle and Nesting Cup Set
with
Stainless Steel
Construction

Vendor: Knife Country USA

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3nUox9o

Price: $40.00

Weight: Bottle 8.1 ounces with cap. Cup 7.1 ounces with lid.

Size: Bottle: 8″ tall, 3-¾" diameter (with cap). Cup: 4 ½” tall, 3 ¾”

diameter

Material: 304 stainless steel, 0.5mm thick

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Includes 32oz wide-mouth bottle with ABS lid and silicone
seal; 25oz cup with batwing handles; and cup lid with straining holes and
D-Ring. Cup has laser-etched graduations. Designed to hold exactly 32oz of
liquid. The reason: Purification tablets are typically added to 32oz of water.
That being the case, you can simply fill your bottle and add the tablets. No
more measuring, no more worry. Can be used to boil water.

Item name: TargetEvo

Stainless Steel Military Canteen 1QT
Portable with
0.5QT Cup and Green Cover

Vendor: Xiangqu on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nNFK4p

Price: $26.99

Weight: 1.1 lb
Size: Canteen Size: 5.1x3.1x7.3". Mouth 0.8-inch diameter. Cup Size:
5.2x3.1x3.9", Thickness: 0.24".

Material: Stainless steel canteen and cup. Plastic canteen cap with chain
attachment.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Stainless steel canteen nests inside the cup. Cup has a folding
handle and it can be used to boil water and for cooking. Snap closure
pouch, detailed construction with a tough heavyweight nylon bag.

Item name: G.A.K 90026 G.I. Type, U.S Made

1 QT Canteen (rigid plastic)
with New
Stainless Steel Cup
and G.I. Military ACU MOLLE® II
Pouch
KIT

Vendor: Allegheny Surplus Outlet, Inc. on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3pugvES

Price: $27.55

Weight: 1 lb, 3 ounces

Size: Not specified. Canteen measures approximately 3.1x5.1x7.3 inches.

Cup measures approximately 3.1x3.9x5.2 inches.

Material: Rigid, BPA-free, plastic canteen. Stainless steel cup. Nylon

canteen pouch.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Brand new US Military 1-quart canteen, US made. Brand new

military-style (brushed matte finish) stainless steel cup with butterfly
handle, imported. Genuine used G.I. Surplus, ACU MOLLE® II (2
attachment straps) Pouch Kit. Some might have some spots and some
markings but they are all functional and in good condition.
Item name: Olive drab
2qt Canteen
and Desert Tan 2qt
Canteen Cover
w/
Strap and ALICE Clips.

Vendor: Ozark Outdoorz, LLC

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37PKVLt

Price: $17.25

Weight: 1.05 lb

Size: 2-quart canteen volume. 2.7x8.7x14.1 inches.

Material: Collapsible plastic canteen. Nylon canteen cover.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Canteen and cover are genuine US Military issue, made in the
USA. New, unused condition. This Canteen Holds Twice as much water as
the traditional 1-Quart Canteen and can be carried over the shoulder or
worn on the belt. Mask drink cap. LC Alice Clips on the back and
detachable shoulder strap make this canteen a vital piece of field gear.
Durable double hook plastic snap closure on the case and a small front
pocket with Velcro closure designed to carry salt tablets to prevent
dehydration. Includes 2-quart collapsible canteen, nylon case, and
detachable, adjustable shoulder strap.

Item name: Platypus Big Zip

Water Reservoir for Hydration Backpacks
, 3-
Liter, LP with Standard Valve

Vendor: BJF Fulfillment on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/38BCOBu

Price: $47.49

Weight: 6.7 ounces

Size: 9x17.2 inches

Material: Food-grade, BPA-free, BPS-free, phthalate-free materials. The
bladder is made of a 2-layer polyethylene material; the inner layer ensures
that the water is taste-free while the outer layer is more robust and provides
durability. Furthermore, the inner layer is silver-ion treated and thus
protects the reservoir from bacteria and mold.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Premium taste-free, leak-proof reservoir. Embedded silver-ion

to protect clean water from mold and bacteria. All materials are certified
food-grade, BPA-, BPS-, phthalate-free, and taste-free for a clean taste.
Open top with Secure Slide Lock slides both ways to open the reservoir
easily and close it securely. Low-profile design with a center baffle helps
the reservoir ride flat in a pack. Features Standard Valve (bite valve) with
1/4-inch drink tube. 3.0-Liter (also available in 1.5 and 2-liter versions).
Made in the USA. Limited lifetime warranty.

Item name: WaterStorageCube® BPA-Free

Collapsible Water Container
with Spigot
, 5.3 gallons (20 liters)

Vendor: WaterStorageCube® on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3prZvyV

Price: $10.24

Weight: 12 ounces

Size: 3.5x9.8x10.2 inches

Material: Food Safe BPA-Free LDPE Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Foldable space-saving design store away easily. Remains soft

and flexible even when cold yet retains shape and is easy to fill, dry, drain,
and reuse. Soft, molded handles make holding and transport easy. Reusable.
Custom made lid and spigot with gasketless design means no leaks or parts
to replace. Good spigot water-flow. A thicker lid to withstand heavy
pressure. Easy on/off spigot with controllable flow. 1-piece design with no
seams to leak or handles to break. Durable and dependable.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: If for any reason within 30 days you're
not satisfied, simply return for a refund or replacement.

Water Filtration versus Purification

The water you find in your environment during a survival situation is

almost always contaminated with microorganisms. Protozoa (e.g.,
Cryptosporidium, Giardia, etc) and bacteria (e.g., E. Coli, Salmonella, etc)
are most often found in water in locations where there is little human
contact. Those microorganisms along with viruses (e.g., Hepatitis, cholera,
etc) are common in the water where humans frequent.
[177]
Drinking
contaminated water will cause illness often including stomach cramps,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weight loss, and sometimes, even death.

[178]

Water filtration and purification are two methods to make water safe to
drink. We will discuss filtration first. Different types of filters can be used
to filter water:
[179]

●
   
Mechanical: Remove particles from water by passing it through a
barrier.

●
   
Adsorption: Activated carbon or charcoal is used most often
because its extensive internal labyrinth of crevices “traps”
contaminants in water. Carbon in filters may be in granular (GAC or
granular activated carbon) form or more expensive blocks. Carbon
may be made from wood or coconut shell (more effective, more
expensive).

●
   
Ion exchange: Used in water softeners to remove magnesium and
calcium from hard water by replacing them with sodium or hydrogen
ions.

●
   
Reverse osmosis: Pressure forces water through a membrane
serving as a filter. Offers the best level of filtration, but is the most
 expensive. Usually combined with a mechanical and an absorption
filter.

For survival purposes, water is filtered by mechanical and adsorption

methods. Mechanical water filtration involves removing particles from
water by passing it through a permeable, pore-filled barrier (i.e., a filter).
The pore size determines a filter’s effectiveness. Filters having large pores
can be useful for removing sediment or dirt. Mechanical filters for survival
purposes are effective for filtering bacteria, mold, and protozoa, but will not
filter out viruses. Mechanical filters will also not remove toxins produced
by bacteria nor heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury).
[180]

The following information provides some context as to the sizes of various

contaminants that may be present in water. Sizes are listed in microns. One
inch equals 25,400 microns:
[181]

●
   
Bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella, Cholera, Shigella, coliform)):
0.2-60

●
   
Mold: 3-12

●
   
Mold spores: 10-30

●
   
Protozoa (e.g., Cryptosporidium, Giardia, cyclospora): 1-200,000

●
   
Viruses (e.g., Hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus): 0.005-0.3

●
   
Beach sand: 100-10,000

●
   
Fertilizer: 10-1,000

●
   
Insecticide dusts: 0.5-10

●
   
Lead: 0.1-0.7

●
   
Pesticides and herbicides: 0.001

●
   
Pollens: 10-1,000
Survival filters are effective at removing bacteria, mold, and protozoa. But,
they generally do not remove viruses because they are much smaller than
the pore size of filters. One exception is the MSR Guardian Purifier ($349
at MSR:
https://bit.ly/2JtqdrG
) that uses an Advanced Hollow Fiber filter
with a pore size of 0.02 microns, small enough to remove viruses.

Water purification is different than filtration:

[182]

●
   
Purification:

○
       
Methods of purification include UV light, boiling, and chemicals

○
       
Eliminates micro-organisms from water including bacteria,
protozoa,
and
viruses

○
       
Takes time for purification to be effective:

○
       
UV light pen: 90 seconds for 32 ounces of water

○
       
Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS): Six hours to two days
depending upon the intensity of sunlight

○
       
Boiling: Rolling boil one to three minutes depending upon
elevation

○
       
Chemicals: 30 minutes to four hours

○
       
Does not remove chemicals, heavy metals, sediment, or debris
from the water

○
       
Often combined with the use of a mechanical filter

●
   
Mechanical filtration:

○
       
Eliminates bacteria and protozoa, but not viruses (because viruses
are smaller than the pore size of most filters). One exception is the
aforementioned MSR Guardian that uses Advanced Hollow Fibers
with pores so small that viruses are also filtered.
 ○
       
Removes sediment and debris from the water

○
       
Filtration works instantly, but it takes time to filter large volumes
of water

●
   
Filtration plus purification

○
       
Filtration alone: Unable to remove viruses. Does remove bacteria,
protozoa, and particulates.

○
       
Purification alone: Unable to remove particulates. Does remove
bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.

○
       
Filtration plus purification: Removes bacteria, protozoa, viruses,
and particulates

Viruses enter water primarily through contamination by human feces and

sometimes, animal feces. Virus contaminated water is rarely found in
glacier melt or moving streams. It is also not common in the United States
or Canada backcountry. Although mechanical filtration alone is usually
sufficient for safe drinking water in these areas, it is still a good precaution
to utilize purification techniques on the filtered water.
[183]

Water Filters

You can use material with a large pore size to provide initial filtering to
remove suspended debris such as dirt, leaves, and sand from your water
before boiling it. This initial filtering can also help to reduce clogging if
you are using a small pore, final filtration system. Initial filtration is
important if you are relying upon UV light to purify your water since
particulates in water can reduce UV light’s effectiveness:
[184]
,
[185]

●
   
Commercial coffee filters: Lightweight, folds flat, inexpensive

●
   
Clothing items: Bandanna, shemagh, shirt. Folding these items will
make them more effective since the water will pass through multiple
layers of fabric.
 ●
   
Make a survival water filter using a container (e.g., two-liter plastic
bottle), charcoal, and items found in nature (e.g., grass, sand, gravel of
varying sizes).
[186]

Activated Carbon (also known as Activated Charcoal)

Activated carbon (also known as activated charcoal) is commonly used as a

filtration material because of its high surface area and surface attraction
properties. It is created by burning carbon-rich materials (e.g., wood,
coconut shells, coal, etc) at high temperatures to form charcoal powder.
Increased surface area is created by making fine pores within this powder
through treatments including charring with chloride salts followed by acid
washing and then exposure to an oxidizing gas or carbon dioxide. Surface
area ranges from 600-1,200 sq meters/gram. One pound of activated carbon
is about 1 quart in volume and, at 1,200 sq meters/gram, has a total surface
area of 125 acres.
[187]
,
[188]

Activated carbon removes contaminants from water by drawing them into

and trapping them inside its vast network of pores. It also facilitates
chemical reactions such as converting chlorine to chloride. Carbon is
electrically neutral or non-polar, carrying neither a positive or negative
charge. It works well to attract non-polar substances like organics (e.g.,
pesticides, herbicides). It’s effective in adsorbing taste and odor-causing
compounds.
[189]
Activated carbon also effectively removes from water:

[190]
,
[191]

●
   
Perfluoroctanesulfonic acid (PFOS, a synthetic chemical
compound that is a health hazard)

●
   
Polychlorinated PCBs

●
   
Trihalomethanes (THMs)

●
   
Mercury

●
   
Radon gas

●
   
Phosphate
 ●
   
Chlorine

●
   
Chloride

●
   
Lithium

●
   
Block form activated carbon will remove: Arsenic, asbestos, lead

Activated carbon will not remove from water:

[192]
,
[193]

●
   
Radionuclides

●
   
Most microorganisms (an exception is activated carbon with a pore
size of < 1 micron can filter protozoa and some bacteria): Bacteria,
protozoa, viruses

●
   
Significant amounts of heavy metals, copper, iron

●
   
Fluoride

●
   
Nitrate

●
   
Calcium

●
   
Potassium

●
   
Magnesium

●
   
Significant amounts of hydrocarbons or petroleum distillates

●
   
Granular activated carbon (GAC) will not remove: Arsenic,
asbestos, lead

Activated carbon filters do not function well as mechanical filters because

they function by adsorption. Therefore, activated carbon filters are often
combined with mechanical filters that utilize membranes or ceramic.
Activated carbon filters need to be periodically replaced. Over time, the
pores within the filters will become full. Water with a higher concentration
of contaminants will exhaust a carbon filter more quickly. Eventually,
collected particles will shed from within the pores and flow into your water
supply.
[194]

Filter Straws

Filter straws are a popular type of water filter for emergencies and survival
because they are lightweight, compact, and inexpensive. They are easy to
use and have a long usage cycle before they need to be replaced. They are
cylindrical devices usually made of plastic that have an internal filtration
system that can include a coarse filter screen, fiber membrane, and activated
carbon. You use them by placing one end into your water source and your
mouth on the other end. Water is pulled up through the straw by suction
your mouth creates just like drinking with a regular straw. The more
effective filters require more suction to draw water through them.

Filter straws generally filter particulates down to the 0.05-0.2 micron range,
which means that they will eliminate bacteria, mold, and protozoa.
However, they will not filter out viruses. It’s best to get a filter straw that
filters down to 0.1 microns to be extra safe since bacteria can range down to
the 0.2 microns size. Filter straws are convenient and will provide you with
water to drink right away, but they will not provide high volumes of water
quickly. They are easy to clean by blowing through the mouthpiece
reversing the direction of flow. Here is some information about commonly
available filter straws:

Pore
Weight
Product Size (in) Lifespan Size Price
(oz)
(micron)

Sawyer MINI
378,549 liters
Water Filter 1.25x5.5 2 0.1 19.97
(100,000 gallons)
Straw

LifeStraw 1x9 2 4,000 liters (1,057 0.2 $17.47

Personal Water gallons)
Filter Straw

Membrane
Solutions 1,500 liters (267
1.1x6.7 6 0.176 $9.99
Water Filter gallons)
Straw

Membrane filter
Survivor
100,000 liters
Filter,
1.38x7.09 3.53 (26,417 gallons). 0.05 $30.00
Replaceable
Carbon filter 1000
Carbon Filter
liters (264 gallons)

Item name: Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3psKXyU

Price: $19.97

Weight: 2 ounces

Size: 1.25x5.5 inches

Material: Plastic housing. Hollow fiber membrane filter.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: High-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter. Sawyer’s

water filters are comprised of tiny hollow fiber membranes that allow water
to enter into their core through tiny micro-pores. Thicker fiber walls
combined with a smaller inner diameter make Sawyer fibers 75% stronger
than typical hollow fiber membranes, giving you a fast flow and enabling
the filter to be continually back-washed forcefully to restore up to 98% of
the original flow rate. Attaches to included drinking pouch, standard
disposable water bottles, hydration packs, or use the straw to drink directly
from your water source. Removes 99.99999% of all bacteria (salmonella,
cholera, and E. coli); removes 99.9999% of all protozoa (such as Giardia
and Cryptosporidium); also removes 100% of microplastics. Filter rated up
to 100,000 gallons; Includes one Sawyer MINI filter, 16-ounce reusable
squeeze pouch, 7-inch drinking straw, and cleaning plunger. Note: You can
use an empty plastic water bottle to collect and store water filtered by
squeezing water from the included pouch through the filter. It does not filter
heavy metals or chemicals.

Item name: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34NQLuX

Price: $17.47

Weight: 2 ounces

Size: 1x9 inches

Material: Plastic housing. Hollow fiber membrane filter. BPA-Free

materials.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: LifeStraw’s membrane microfilters are made of hollow fiber

membranes. Filters up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of contaminated water
without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals; does not require batteries and
has no moving parts. Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria,
99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, microplastics, and filters to 0.2
microns; surpasses EPA filter standards. High flow rate for drinking from
the source. Comes in a sealed bag. It does not filter heavy metals or
chemicals.
Item name: Survivor Filter - 0.05 Micron Portable Water Filter Straw with a
Cleanable UF Membrane, Replaceable Carbon Filter (Reduces Metals and
Improves Taste) and 6 Cotton Pre-Filters

Vendor: Kaspien on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2M7I5cp

Price: $30.00

Weight: 3.53 ounces

Size: 1.38x7.09 inches

Material: Plastic outer housing. Three internal filter stages.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Proven protection against tested virus, bacteria, and Staph.

Bacteria will never get into the mouthpiece of your device thanks to our
proven 0.05 Micron filtration and the Special Flip Top and Mouthpiece. Use
as a squeeze system with the Survivor Filter Canteens, Screws into most
standard Water Bottles (such as a Dasani or smartwater®) or drink directly
from freshwater source like a straw. We cover all manufacturing and other
defects with our Lifetime Warranty. Three Removable Internal Filter
Stages:

●
   
Stage 1: Cotton Pre-Filters which last 264 gallons per filter (Five
Extra Cotton Pre-filters included). This section is placed directly in
contact with the fresh water source and provides the first line of
defense to remove large particles.

●
   
Stage 2: Ultra Filter. The 0.05 Micron Ultra Filter acts as a barrier
to help remove pollen, algae, large particles, Giardia, E.coli, protozoa,
cysts, Cryptosporidium, toxins, and heavy metals. Independent tests
have shown that the ultra filter can also filter out 99.999% of virus,
bacteria, and Staph. The Ultra Filter can be easily cleaned after every
trip and reused up to 100,000 liters (26, 417 gallons).
 ●
   
Stage 3: Carbon Filter Mouthpiece. Made from food-grade coconut
shells, the carbon filter mouthpiece is designed to
reduce heavy metals
and chemicals
that made it through stages 1 and 2 as well as improve
water taste. The carbon filter can be reused up to 1,000 liters (264
gallons).

High Volume Water Filters

Filter straws are something to consider including in all of your BOBs, but
they are low volume water filtration systems. You might consider a high
volume water filtration device for your Long Term BOB. Their main
drawback is that they can be heavy and bulky. Two types of systems rapidly
provide high volumes of water:

●
   
Gravity: These consist of two bags connected by tubing with an
inline filter. The top bag is filled with water and suspended from a
height and water flows through the filter by gravity into a lower bag,
bottle, or another container.

●
   
Manual pump: These generally use ceramics for mechanical
filtering and may also include carbon for absorptive filtering. A lever
is used to manually pump water from an intake tube through the filter
out to a container.

Item name: Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0L Water Filter, Fast Flow, 0.1
Micron EZ Clean Membrane (
Gravity Water Filter
)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34MGcsm

Price: $59.95

Weight: 6.8 ounces

Size: 9x17.6 inches

Material: Durable BPA-free Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Just fill up the flask and let the gravity do the work through the
EZ-Clean Membrane™.  Maintain the EZ-Clean Membrane™ quickly and
easily for a longer life and more enjoyment. Simply fill the flask with water,
attach the cover and shake free the debris. Or, remove the filter from the
flask and swish in any lake, river, or stream. And when you’re ready to hit
the road, the collapsible flask packs small to fit into tight spaces. Just
smash, stash, and go! Hydrapak® Soft Flask is longer-lasting, rugged, high-
tech, flexible, BPA-free. No back-flushing and no clumsy tools. Simply
shake or swish the EZ-Clean Membrane™ in the water and be on your way.
0.1-micron hollow fiber technology. removes harmful organisms like
bacteria 99.9999% and protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium 99.9%,
surpassing EPA standards. For solo or group use. Suitable for cloudy water.
Lightweight and portable. Flow Rate: Two liters per minute. Tested to 1000
L, depending on water quality.

Item name: Katadyn Hiker Microfilter Water Filter (

Manual Pump Water
Filter
)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2Md6LjV

Price: $69.95

Weight: 11 ounces

Size: 2.4x3x6.5 inches

Material: ABS plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Filter physically removes particles, protozoa, and bacteria down

to 0.2 microns in size, including Giardia, Salmonella, Cryptosporidia, and
others. Glass-fiber element is pleated for increased surface area to handle
silt and muddy water. Activated-carbon core adsorbs chemicals and
pesticides to improve the taste of water. Approximately 48 strokes per min.
provide 1 liter of clean drinking water. Pump force 8 pounds. Pre-filter at
hose inlet filters to 150 microns, removing larger contaminants before they
reach the main filter to increase its life span. The included adapter allows
the filter output hose to attach to the quick-connect fitting built into some
hydration reservoirs (reservoir not included). Katadyn Hiker water filter
includes a carry sack and bottle adapter that fits most water bottles. The
cartridge can clean up to approximately 200 gallons (750 liters) of water,
depending on the condition of the water. Note: Replacement cartridges costs
$49.95 (
https://amzn.to/2JmL6Vg
)

Portable Desalinators

Desalinators remove salt from saltwater converting it to drinkable fresh

water. They are a consideration for only a very few people as an emergency
item. It may be an important item if you plan to escape a long distance by
ocean-going boat or if you’re heading to an island with limited access to
fresh water. Or, perhaps you escape to a coastal area with unlimited
seawater, but you’re unable to go inland to procure fresh water.

Desalinators force saltwater under pressure through a membrane that allows

water to pass through it while preventing the passage of salt, debris, most
bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other dangerous contaminants like heavy
metals and chlorinated pesticides. This process is called reverse osmosis. It
does not remove most pesticides and herbicides.
[195]
,
[196]
Large scale
desalinization units operate by electricity, diesel, or solar power. Portable
desalinators for emergency purposes are available that are hand-powered.

[197]
,
[198]

The following two products exemplify hand-operated desalinators. They

require a lot of your energy to operate.

Item name: Katadyne Survivor 06 (

Portable Desalinator
)

Vendor: Survival Warehouse

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3mVQbl4
Price: $995.00

Weight: 2.5 lb

Size: 2.5x5x8 inches

Material: Not specified

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Provides 0.89 liters of water per hour. Salt rejection 99.4%
average (95.3% minimum). Average pump rate of 40 strokes/minute. It is
the smallest hand-operated emergency desalinator in the world. Compact
and lightweight. Trusted by militaries and individuals around the globe.
Approved by the US Coast Guard. Katadyns’ Energy Recovery system
takes advantage of stored energy in the high pressure reject water that is
typically wasted. The pressurized reject water is recirculated to the backside
of the piston to aid the next stroke. This energy is kept in the system,
resulting in less work to achieve fresh water. Long life, compact, and simple
to use. For water needs of 1-6 persons to survive. Replaceable reverse
osmosis membrane.

Item name: Katadyne Survivor 35 (

Portable Desalinator
)

Vendor: WaterCheck.biz

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3rq7GgS

Price: $2,495.00

Weight: 7 lb

Size: 3.5x5.5x22 inches

Material: No specified

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: It is the world's highest-producing manual desalinator. Makes
seawater into safe drinking water. Reverse osmosis technology. Salt
Rejection: 98.4% average (95.3% minimum). Water Temperature: 33° to
120 °F. Meets U.S. Military and Coast Guard specs. Makes 4.5 liters (1.2
gallons) per hour. Recommended for a 12-person life raft. Replaceable
reverse osmosis membrane.

Water Purification

Water purification can be accomplished by several means:

●
   
UV light

●
   
Boiling water

●
   
Chemicals

Water Purification: UV Light

UV (ultraviolet) light can be used to sterilize water by killing

microorganisms without leaving any residual chemical or radiation. It does
not affect the taste of the water. UV light’s mechanism of action is to
damage the DNA of microorganisms preventing DNA replication and
causing their death and inability to cause infection. Organisms have some
ability to repair damaged DNA. But, if exposed to enough UV light, so
much DNA damage occurs that it overwhelms the organism’s ability to
repair the damage. UV light harms all organisms including bacteria, viruses,
algae, protozoa, and mold. The amount of UV light exposure (i.e., UV
dose) required to kill varies with the type of organism. Killing viruses
requires extremely high amounts of UV light.
[199]
,
[200]
,
[201]

UV light has a shorter wavelength than visible light. The UV light spectrum
is divided into 5 parts based upon wavelength:
[202]
,
[203]
,
[204]

●
   
UV-A: 315-400 nm. Penetrates to the skin’s dermis and
hypodermis.

●
   
UV-B: 280-315 nm. This causes skin to tan.
 ●
   
UV-C: 200-280 nm. Germicidal. Most effective for disinfecting
because 260 nm is the wavelength that DNA absorbs maximally.

●
   
Far-UVC: 207-222 nm. Germicidal. Effective for disinfecting.

●
   
VUV Far-UV: 100-200 nm. It cannot penetrate beyond the outer
layer of human skin, but it can deactivate bacteria and viruses.

UV light does not remove chemicals, heavy metals, or particulates from

water. Filter water to remove particulates before treating it with UV
radiation.

Commercial Portable UV Water Purifiers

Commercial UV water purifiers are available. They are battery-operated,

compact, lightweight, and rapidly kill microorganisms in water.

Item name: Katadyn Steripen Adventurer Opti

UV Water Purifier

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2KEJEOH

Price: $99.95

Weight: 3.8 ounces with batteries

Size: 1x1.5x6.1 inches

Material: BPA free

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Included CR123 battery treats 50 liters of water.  Rechargeable

RCR123 battery treats 30 liters of water. Treats 32 ounces of water in 90
seconds. Easy to use: Simply click the button to activate, place in water and
stir; when water is purified, the UV lamp turns off, and an indicator signals.
Ultraviolet UV-C light rays safely sterilize clear water by destroying
99.99% of protozoa, including Giardia, Cryptosporidia, bacteria, and even
viruses. UV-C purification of clear water helps protect you from risks that
cause botulism, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and more. Optical sensor
doubles as a convenient LED flashlight. UV lamp life: 8,000 treatments.

Solar Water Disinfection (Solar Disinfection = SODIS)

UV radiation from sunlight can be used to purify water in a survival

situation. All it takes is a clean, clear bottle. SODIS reduces viruses,
bacteria, and protozoa in water, but it does not remove chemicals, heavy
metals, or particulates. UV radiation’s effectiveness is reduced with greater
depth and particularly when there are suspended particulates in the water.
Therefore, SODIS is most effective when used with small bottles and with
water that has been filtered to remove particulates. Limit bottle size to two
liters at most. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends
leaving your bottled water under the sun for 6 hours under sunny conditions
and for two days under cloudy skies.
[205]

You can use plastic bottles from bottled water for SODIS. These are made
of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and are recyclable. UV light
transmission through PET bottles is equal to that for commercial glass
bottles. You can also use a clear, Nalgene® bottle for SODIS if you’re
carrying one as a “canteen.”
[206]

The steps involved in SODIS to create drinkable water include:

[207]

●
   
Use a clear bottle that ranges in volume from 0.3 to 2 liters.

●
   
Clean the bottle as well as possible

●
   
Find a source of water

●
   
Filter the water to remove particulate matter

●
   
Fill your clear bottle 75% full with your filtered water leaving
space for oxygen-containing air

●
   
Vigorously shake the bottle to get as much of the oxygen from the
empty part of the bottle into the water to oxygenate it.
 ●
   
Fill up the rest of the bottle with your filtered water.

●
   
Cap the bottle

●
   
Place the bottle directly in the sun’s rays

●
   
Disinfection occurs three times faster once the temperature of the
water exceeds 122 °F

●
   
Optional: Place a material or object behind the bottle to reflect the
sunlight back through the water in the bottle

●
   
Let the water cool before drinking

●
   
Be sure that the threads on the bottle’s mouth are clean because
they will not be exposed to the sun’s UV radiation and could harbor
microorganisms from originally pouring water from its source into the
bottle.

Boiling Water

Boiling water is a reliable method of killing disease-causing bacteria,

viruses, and parasites. Similar to UV water purification, boiling will not
remove chemicals or particulates from water. Remove particulates by
filtering water before boiling it.

The following guidelines are provided by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and the National Park Service (NPS) for boiling
water to make it safe to drink:
[208]
,
[209]

●
   
Pre-filter the water if it is cloudy (e.g., clean cloth, paper towel, or
coffee filter) or allow particulates in the water to settle at the bottom of
your container

●
   
Draw off the clear water

●
   
At elevations below 6,500 feet: Bring the clear water to a rolling
boil for one minute
 ●
   
At elevations above 6,500 feet: Bring the clear water to a rolling
boil for three minutes

●
   
Store the boiled water in clean, sanitized containers with tight
covers

You will need a metal container to boil water. The type of container that you
pack in your BOB will depend upon the anticipated duration of your
emergency escape. Some examples include the following:

●
   
For your Short-Term BOB (12-24 hours):

○
       
It is optional to carry a container for boiling water for an
emergency lasting 24 hours or less. You can survive this length of time
without any water. But, it is better if you have access to water. You can
bring some bottled water with you. Or, you can bring some chemicals
for water treatment or a water filter straw.

○
       
Some lightweight options that enable you to boil water include
packing a stainless steel water bottle (one liter, single wall, use for
boiling and transporting water) or a one-quart military canteen with
nested stainless steel cup in a canteen pouch

●
   
For your Medium-Term BOB (two to seven days):

○
       
It is unlikely that you can pack enough water to last you seven
days unless you are escaping by vehicle. It is a good idea to have the
ability to boil water in addition to having some water purifying
chemicals and a water filter straw.

○
       
Consider packing a stainless steel water bottle (one liter, single
wall, use for boiling and transporting water) or a one-quart military
canteen with nested stainless steel cup (for boiling water and for
cooking food) in a canteen pouch

○
       
You can also use a mini-cook set for boiling water and cooking
food (see the “Food Items” chapter for an example)
 ●
   
For your Long Term BOB (weeks to months):

○
       
You will be unable to bring enough water to last this length of
time even if you are escaping by vehicle. So, you must have ways to
purify water. Since water is essential for survival, you should have
multiple ways to purify water. You should have a way to boil water in
addition to having some water purifying chemicals and water filters.

○
       
Some of the items you can use for boiling water include a
stainless steel one-liter water bottle (single wall, use for boiling and
transporting water) with a 750 ml nesting cup or a cooking set.

○
       
Most compact cook sets include relatively small cooking vessels
limiting the amount of water you can boil. You might consider
bringing a lightweight, larger, stainless steel pot to boil larger volumes
of water; it can also be used for cooking.

Water Purification Using Chemicals

There are several different chemicals commonly used for water purification.
They vary in their ability to kill microorganisms. Chemicals are available in
solid (e.g., tablet) or liquid form. Both forms are effective. One
consideration for survival purposes is that tablets are lighter and occupy less
space than liquid water purification chemicals. Chemical purification does
not remove chemicals, heavy metals, or particulates. Filtering water to
remove particulates should be done before adding chemicals for
purification.

Common types of chemicals used for water purification:

[210]
,
[211]
,
[212]
,

[213]

●
   
Chlorine dioxide:

○
       
Used in most water purification tablets. This is the only one of the
commonly used water purification chemicals that kills
Cryptosporidium
○
       
They do not leave a bad aftertaste as do iodine and chlorine-based
chemicals

○
       
15 minute wait time for bacteria and viruses

○
       
30 minute wait time for Giardia

○
       
Four hour wait time for Cryptosporidium due to its protective
shell

○
       
Dosage of one tablet per quart of water

○
       
5-year shelf life

○
       
Product example: Katadyn Micropur MP1 Purification Tablets

●
   
Sodium hypochlorite:
[214]

○
       
Found in household bleach

○
       
Use unscented chlorine bleach that contains 6% or 8.25% sodium
hypochlorite

○
       
Dosage: 8 drops of 6% bleach or 6 drops of 8.25% bleach per
gallon of water. Double the amount of bleach if the water is cloudy,
colored, or very cold. Stir and wait for 30 minutes. Repeat the dosage
and wait another 15 minutes before use if water does not have a slight
chlorine odor.

○
       
Shelf life: One-year if the bottle is unopened

●
   
Chlorine (sodium dichloroisocyanurate):

○
       
30 minute wait time for bacteria, viruses, Giardia.

○
       
Ineffective against Cryptosporidium

○
       
Dosage of one tablet per two quarts of water
 ○
       
Five-year shelf life

○
       
Product example: Aquatabs® AQT100 Water Purification Tablets

●
   
Iodine (tetraglycine hydroperiodide):

○
       
Available as a liquid, crystal, and tablet

○
       
35 minute wait time for bacteria, viruses, Giardia

○
       
Ineffective against Cryptosporidium

○
       
Dosage of two tablets per quart of water

○
       
Less effective in cold temperatures or cold water

○
       
Four-year shelf life if the bottle is unopened. One-year shelf life if
the bottle is opened.

○
       
Product example: Potable Aqua Water Purification Treatment

Item name: Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets - Package of 30 (

chlorine dioxide tablets
)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3mT0YN9

Price: $13.95

Weight: 0.9 ounces

Size: Not specified

Material: Chlorine dioxide tablets

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Features the same proven technology used in municipal water
supplies, Micropur tablets are effective against viruses, bacteria, Giardia,
and Cryptosporidium. Destroys viruses and bacteria in 15 min., Giardia in
30 min. and Cryptosporidium in four hrs. Use 1 tablet per quart of water.
Meets the US Environmental Protection Agency purification guidelines;
active ingredient is chlorine dioxide. Each tablet is individually wrapped
and sealed. While a four hr. wait time may be inconvenient, alternative
disinfectants do not claim to destroy Cryptosporidium. Made in the USA.
Five-year shelf life.

How To Remove Heavy Metals From Water

Heavy metals that can be found in water include:

[215]

●
   
Lead

●
   
Mercury

●
   
Arsenic

●
   
Cadmium

●
   
Nickel

●
   
Chromium

●
   
Copper

●
   
Tin

●
   
Beryllium

●
   
Antimony

●
   
Silver

●
   
Lithium

Heavy metals can find their way into water through:

[216]
 ●
   
Lead plumbing

●
   
Heavy metals that are naturally present in the earth can enter
underground water sources

●
   
Farm chemicals containing heavy metals entering above ground
and underground water sources

●
   
Industrial and mining waste containing heavy metals can enter
above ground and underground water sources through intentional
dumping and accidental spills

Some of the ill effects produced by the ingestion of heavy metals include:

[217]

●
   
Nausea, vomiting

●
   
Cramping

●
   
Headache

●
   
Vertigo

●
   
Bone marrow loss

●
   
Tremor

●
   
Memory difficulty

●
   
Kidney failure

●
   
Nerve damage

●
   
Heart damage

Of concern is that you cannot tell if water is contaminated with heavy

metals since they generally have no taste or odor. Laboratory testing is
necessary to confirm their presence and concentration. It is best to assume
that water contains heavy metals especially if you have escaped to an area
near to or downstream from factories, mines, or farms.

Here are some ways that you can remove heavy metals from water:

●
   
Reverse osmosis membranes:
[218]
,
[219]
Water is forced under
pressure through a membrane with extremely small pores. Water
passes through the membrane while larger molecules including heavy
metals are filtered out of the water. Desalinators operate using reverse
osmosis (see the prior section about Portable Desalinators).

●
   
Distillation:
[220]
Simply boiling water will concentrate heavy
metals in the water remaining after evaporation through the generation
of steam. You need to use tubing to collect the pure water in the steam
generated by boiling water and transfer it into a second container.
Heavy metals will remain in the first container while water in the
collecting container will be free of heavy metals.

●
   
Cilantro:
[221]
When dried, cilantro leaves are potent bioabsorbents
and remove heavy metals from water. It is easy to grow cilantro plants
and they can be sun-dried to use in this capacity. The dried leaves can
be placed inside a tube for water to run through or they can be placed
inside a tea bag (you can use a commonly available metal tea ball or
mesh infuser ball) and allowed to sit in a pitcher of water for a few
minutes to remove heavy metals.

●
   
Ion exchange resin:
[222]
,
[223]
Replaces heavy metals with benign
ions having a similar electrical charge. Product example: ZeroWater®
Portable Water Filtration Tumbler (see below)

●
   
Black Berkey® Purification Elements:
[224]
,
[225]
These are
proprietary filters comprised of high-grade coconut shell carbon mixed
with 5 other media. It functions by using micro-pores to trap harmful
contaminants (e.g., bacteria, viruses) along with material having
adsorption and ion exchange properties to attract molecules (e.g.,
heavy metals, pesticides, inorganic minerals, volatile organic
compounds, and viruses). Product example: Travel Berkey® Water
Filter (see below)
Item name: ZeroWater® Portable Water Filtration Tumbler (
Ion Exchange
Technology
)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3poKii0

Price: $18.13

Weight: 0.89 lb for plastic tumbler plus filter. 1.65 pounds for the tumbler
and the 3 included filters

Size: 3.75x3.75x10.25 inches

Material: Plastic tumbler.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Tumbler has 0.75-liter (26 ounces) capacity. 3 filters included.

Exclusive color-changing filter technology that indicates the appropriate
time to replace your filter. Unique 5-Stage Ion Exchange technology
compared to conventional 2-Stage filtration. Enjoy the purest tasting water
with a filter that removes 99.6% of TDS (total dissolved solids) from your
tap water, such as Aluminum, Zinc, Nitrate, Fluoride, and more! It is the
only water filter that meets FDA standards for TDS in purified bottled
water. Replacement filters are available for $11.99 each (
https://amzn.to/2KHpO5t
). Premium 5- Stage Filtration:

Stage 1: Removes suspended solids such as dust and rust that make your
water appear cloudy

Stage 2: Removes additional suspended solids

Stage 3: Removes organic contaminants; pesticides, herbicides, mercury,

chlorine, chloramine, and stops bacteria from growing

Stage 4: Removes inorganic compounds i.e. metals, nonmetals, and

radiological contaminants.
Stage 5: Removes remaining suspended solids, holds the resin in place

**Author’s note: People who have used this product comment that the
plastic tumbler is fragile and breaks easily.

Item name: Travel Berkey® Water Filter System

Vendor: Berkey® Filters

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3ho1uSc

Price: $249.00

Weight: 6.0 lb

Size: 7.5x7.5x11.0 inches nested. 7.5x7.5x19.0 inches with the two

chambers/containers stacked one on top of the other.

Material: High polish 304 stainless steel lid and upper and lower containers.
Spigot material: BPA free, FDA approved, high impact polypropylene.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Includes 2 Black Berkey® filters. Filtered Water Capacity: 1.5

Gallons. Filter up to 2.75 gallons of water an hour. Lifespan: 3,000 gallons
of water per filter. Removes from water >200 contaminants including
Viruses (99.999%), Pathogenic bacteria (99.9999%), Chloramine (below
lab detectable limit), Trihalomethanes (99.8%), Pharmaceuticals (99.9%),
Most heavy metals, Pesticides (below lab detectable limit)

Tools

Some tools can help you with the process of getting drinkable water in a
survival situation:

●
   
Funnel: A simple plastic funnel is lightweight and will help reduce
the loss of precious water as you transfer it from your boiling vessel
into your drinking and/or transport container (e.g., canteen, water
bottle).
 ●
   
4-way sillcock key: Some business and industrial buildings will
have exterior water faucets without valve handles to prevent
unauthorized access to water. These faucets require the use of special
keys. A 4-way sillcock key has 4 heads of different sizes to fit most of
these faucets giving you access to water in an urban setting.

●
   
Shovel: Can be used to dig at the bottom of a canyon to search for
water or dig a hole to make a solar still (See Tools chapter for
discussion about shovels and product examples)

●
   
Plastic garbage bag: Can be used to collect rainwater, make a solar
still, transport water, etc. (See Shelter Items chapter for a discussion
about garbage bags)

Item name: Cobra Products PST154 4-Way Sillcock Key

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2JnNCdT

Price: $4.26

Weight: 0.38 lb

Size: Approx 0.5x4x4 inches

Material: Steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments:  Used to open and close sillcocks or spigots; used in place of

sillcock handles. 4-way key fits 1/4", 9/32", 5/16" and 11/32" stems.
Durable steel construction

The Bottom Line: Best Ways To Remove Contaminants From Water

It is difficult or impossible to totally remove all contaminants from the

water you find during survival situations because you are limited in what
you can carry with you. The closest thing to a single solution from a
technology standpoint is the Travel Berkey® Water Filter System (see
above), but its size and weight (6 pounds) make it impractical for most
people unless you are escaping by vehicle. Here is a list of common
contaminants in water and ways to remove them:

●
   
Bacteria, mold, protozoa (excluding Cryptosporidium):

○
       
Survival filters including the MSR Guardian Purifier filter

○
       
UV light (commercial portable UV water purifiers, solar water
disinfection)

○
       
Boiling

○
       
Chemicals (e.g., chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine,
iodine). Note: Chlorine dioxide is the only common water purification
chemical that is effective in killing Cryptosporidium

○
       
Distillation

○
       
Portable desalinators (reverse osmosis)

○
       
Black Berkey® filters (see above)

●
   
Viruses:

○
       
UV light (commercial portable UV water purifiers, solar water
disinfection)

○
       
Boiling

○
       
Distillation

○
       
Chemicals (e.g., chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine,
iodine)

○
       
Portable desalinator (reverse osmosis)

○
       
Black Berkey® filters (see above)
 ○
       
MSR Guardian Purifier filter (see above)

●
   
Particulates (e.g., sediment, debris, etc):

○
       
Survival filters including the MSR Guardian Purifier filter

○
       
Portable desalinator (reverse osmosis)

○
       
Distillation

○
       
Black Berkey® filters (see above)

●
   
Chemicals (e.g., pesticides, herbicides, chlorine):

○
       
Activated carbon (charcoal)

○
       
Ion exchange resins
[226]

○
       
Black Berkey® filters (see above)

●
   
Heavy metals:

○
       
Portable desalinator (reverse osmosis)

○
       
Distillation

○
       
Ion exchange resins

○
       
Cilantro (dried leaves)

○
       
Black Berkey® filters (see above)

The goal during a survival situation is to have safe, drinkable water. The
following is a suggested strategy for accomplishing this while keeping
necessary items to a manageable level.

For your Short-Term BOB:

●
   
Bottled water
 ●
   
Survival filter straw. Get one that includes an activated carbon
filter if you are concerned that the water may have chemicals or heavy
metals.

●
   
Metal vessel for boiling water (e.g., single wall stainless steel
bottle or 1-quart canteen nested inside a metal cup)

●
   
Chlorine dioxide tablets

For your Medium-Term BOB:

●
   
Bottled water

●
   
Survival filter straw. Get one that includes an activated carbon
filter if you are concerned that the water may have chemicals or heavy
metals.

●
   
Metal vessel for boiling water (e.g., single wall stainless steel
bottle, one-quart canteen nested inside a metal cup, or a mini-cook set)

●
   
Chlorine dioxide tablets. Save these and do not use them
immediately just for convenience. They may be handy to have if your
survival filter straw breaks and you are too tired or cannot find the
wood necessary to make a fire to boil water.

●
   
Service utility key

●
   
Funnel (optional)

For your Long-Term BOB:

●
   
Bottled water

●
   
Prefilter

○
       
Unless the water is clear, it is important to prefilter it to remove
particulates (e.g., sediment and debris)
○
       
Sediment and debris in water will more quickly clog the pores of
your definitive filter device and will render UV purification less
effective.

○
       
Particulates will remain after boiling water

○
       
Prefilters can include disposable coffee filters, clothing fabrics

●
   
Survival filter straw. Get one that includes an activated carbon
filter if you are concerned that the water may have chemicals or heavy
metals.

●
   
Consider bringing a high-volume water filter

●
   
Metal vessel for boiling water (e.g., single wall stainless steel
bottle, cook set, and/or a larger pot)

●
   
Clear plastic or Nalgene® bottle to use for solar disinfection
(optional)

●
   
Cilantro seeds to grow plants for their leaves to remove heavy
metals from water

●
   
Ion exchange resin device if you are concerned about heavy metals
in the area you are escaping to (e.g., a product such as ZeroWater®
Portable Water Filtration Tumbler)

●
   
Chlorine dioxide tablets. Do not use them immediately just for
convenience. Save them for a time when other alternatives are not
convenient or are unavailable.

●
   
Service utility key

●
   
Funnel

●
   
Shovel

●
   
Plastic garbage bags
 Fire Items
Topics covered in this chapter include:

●
   
Starting a fire

●
   
Commercial survival fire starting kits

●
   
Fire starters

○
       
Wind and waterproof storm matches

○
       
BIC® lighter

○
       
Ferro rod

○
       
Magnifying lens of compass base

○
       
Fresnel lens

○
       
Flint and steel

●
   
Tinder

○
       
Char cloth

○
       
Dryer lint

○
       
Cotton balls (even better if covered in petroleum jelly)

○
       
Wood shavings from a pencil sharpener

○
       
Fatwood chips or sticks

○
       
Jute, burlap

○
       
Magnesium block

○
       
Others: #0000 steel wool, potato chips, Purell®
 ○
       
Natural sources: dried leaves and grass, bird nests, dandelion seed
heads, dry pine needles, tree bark

●
   
Kindling

○
       
Fatwood

○
       
Natural sources: twigs, small branches, pine cones, pine sap

Having the ability to start a fire is crucial in survival situations. Fire is

essential for:

●
   
Boiling and sterilizing water

●
   
Cooking food including killing disease-carrying organisms

●
   
Providing warmth

●
   
Providing light

●
   
Providing a way to get the attention of others

●
   
Keeping predatory animals away

Starting a fire generally requires the following:

●
   
A fire starter: These are used to ignite a combustible material (e.g.,
tinder) to start a fire. Examples include a bow drill, matches, lighter,
ferro rod.

●
   
Tinder: A material that catches fire easily, burns for a relatively
short time, and is used to ignite kindling. Examples include char cloth,
petroleum jelly coated cotton balls, dry grass, birch bark, fatwood

●
   
Kindling: It is larger than tinder and more difficult to ignite directly
with a fire starter. Burning tinder is used to ignite kindling. Kindling is
small and light enough that it will not smother the tinder fire. It burns
longer than tinder and is used to ignite larger pieces of wood (more
 difficult to catch on fire), which serve as fuel for your fire. Examples
include dry, small twigs, fatwood, and dry, tree bark

●
   
Wood: Dry, wood serves as the fuel to sustain your fire.

It is important to include items in your BOBs that enable you to start a fire.
Most fire-starting items are lightweight and compact making it easy to
assemble a kit. The items in your kit will vary for each of your BOBs (i.e.,
Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term). For example, you might only include a
BIC® lighter, some weatherproof matches, a ferro rod, and some petroleum
jelly coated cotton balls in your Short-Term BOB since it needs to help you
survive for only 24 hours or less. You might add another BIC® lighter,
additional weatherproof matches, an extra ferro rod, and a magnesium
block to your Medium-Term BOB. Your Long-Term BOB is designed to
help you survive for weeks to many months, so you will want to build in
more redundancy to cover the possibility of lost or exhausted items (e.g.,
BIC® lighter, waterproof matches, etc). You might add some extra tinder
(e.g., char cloth, fatwood chips), extra ferro rods, and a Fresnel lens.

It is possible to start by purchasing a commercial fire starting kit. There are

many available on the market. Here is an example of one:

Item name: Fire B.O.S.S.Off Grid Tools Survival Fire Starting Kit - Bug
Out Bag Ready Fire Kit Includes 33 Fire Starting Items.

Vendor: Nifty Home on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3pq5q7r

Price: $29.99

Weight: Not specified

Size: 2.25x4.5x7.75 inches

Material: Plastic ziplock bag

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 1 Lighter, Waterproof Matches, Ferro Rod and Striker, Pocket
Fresnel Lens, 6 Magnesium Capsules, Steel Wool, 4 pieces Char Cloth, 2
Tealight Candles, 1 oz. Fatwood Sticks, Foil Paper, Pencil Sharpener, 6
Tinder Tabs, 10' Jute Twine, Waterproof Tinder Ball, Wire Saw, 6' Kevlar
Thread (for fire bow/drill), 1 Flange Bearing (for fire bow/drill), 1 Folding
Knife, and 1 waterproof survival instruction sheet

Rather than buying a commercial fire starting kit, you can put one together
yourself. You can make one, all-purpose, fire starting kit, place it in a small
bag, and then put that bag into whichever BOB (i.e., Short-, Medium-, or
Long-Term) that you grab for your particular emergency. Or, better yet, you
can make a more mission appropriate fire-starting kit for each of your three
BOBs based upon the time frame they are designed to help you survive.
Doing that will allow you to select items specific to each BOB and also
obviate the need to remember to grab your one and only, all-purpose fire
starting kit to put into the BOB you take with you in an emergency. Include
fire starting and tinder items in your fire kit. You can gather kindling and
fuel (e.g., wood) for your fire from your environment, so there is no need to
pack those items.

Fire Starters

Fire starters are the items you use to ignite a fire. You can use your survival
knife to fashion a bow drill out of wood and cordage in the wild.
[227]
It
takes skill, energy, and time to effectively use a bow drill to start a fire
through friction. It’s much easier and more efficient to bring some fire
starters with you. Commonly available fire starters include:

●
   
Wind and waterproof storm matches: These wooden matches can
light in rain or even after being submerged underwater because of a
protective paraffin wax coating. They can also light in heavy wind.

●
   
BIC® lighter: Plastic, disposable. Full-size versions are capable of
up to 3,000 lights (according to the FAQ page of the BIC® company
web site). Protect the thumb “button” to prevent its accidental
depression from depleting the fuel. When the fuel is depleted, you can
still spin the metal wheel against the flint to create a spark for fire
starting.
●
   
Ferro (ferrocerium) rod:
[228]
,
[229]
Man-made of iron and the rare
earth element cerium. Often coated to prevent oxidation because of
iron content. Useful as a fire starter because of its brittleness and low
autoignition temperature. Small fragments are created when it is struck
by a rough surface (e.g., metal striker, knife blade spine, rock). Those
fragments are rapidly oxidized and spontaneously ignite when exposed
to oxygen in air producing sparks that can reach a temperature of 5,400
°F. Creates sparks in the wind, rain, cold temperatures, and after being
submerged underwater. Rapid corrosion occurs if rods are exposed to
saltwater. Ferro rods create sparks but do not burn. Rods made of at
least 21% iron and 41% (>53% in better ones) cerium will last longer
than those made with lower amounts of these components. Larger rods
will last longer than smaller ones of the same composition. Rods
hardened with iron oxide and magnesium oxide create hotter sparks.
Low-quality rods are softer and require more strikes to produce sparks
adequate to start a fire.

●
   
Magnifying lens of compass base: Some compasses include a
magnifying glass (see the “SUUNTO Compass with magnifying glass”
product example in the Navigation Items chapter). The convex shape
of a magnifying lens focuses sunlight’s photons (and their heat energy)
into a concentrated, 450 °F beam that can be used to start a fire. You
would focus the sun’s light with a magnifying glass on to tinder to
ignite it in a survival situation. It’s easier to start fires with larger
lenses. The convex lenses in binoculars can also be used to start fires.

[230]

●
   
Fresnel lens: These lenses are flat on one side while the other side
has concentric ridges of varying angles that function like prisms to
focus light into a concentrated central beam much like a magnifying
lens. Their advantage is that they can be made essentially flat using
much less material than standard lenses. Fresnel lenses made for
survival purposes are the size of a credit card, cost about $1-2 each,
and typically come in 2-3x magnification. Some are available in 4-5x
magnification and make it easier to start fires.
[231]
,
[232]
 ●
   
Flint and steel: Natural flint rock (which is harder than steel)
striking high carbon steel skives off iron particles that oxidize when
exposed to oxygen in the air resulting in spontaneous ignition,
producing sparks of about 800 °F.
[233]
,
[234]

Item name: NEW UCO Stormproof Matches 50-Pack w/Strikers Windproof

Waterproof Survival Gear

Vendor: beagleoutdoors on ebay.com

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/2KT8Lgt

Price: $9.99

Weight: 1.6 ounces for a pack of 50 matches

Size: 2.75 inches long each match

Material: Wooden matches

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Windproof and waterproof matches. Matches are easy to light

and will relight after being submerged in water. Up to 15 second burn time.
The extended length of the match allows for added safety to keep from
burning fingertips.

Item name: BIC® Classic® Lighter, 12 lighters

Vendor: BIC®

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3aJMTyS

Price: $13.74

Weight: 0.89 ounces

Size: 1x3.25 inches for each lighter

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 2 packages of 6 lighters each. Assorted colors. Child-resistant,

safe, and reliable, 100% Quality Inspected. Up to 2 times the lights vs. the
next full-size leading brand. Each lighter provides up to 3,000 lights. Every
BIC® lighter undergoes more than 50 separate, automatic quality checks
during the manufacturing process.

Item name: Überleben Hexå Fire Starter | 1/2” Thick Hexagon Bushcraft
Fire Steel | 3” or 6” Lengths | 20,000 Strikes |
Survival Ferro Rod
| Multi-
Tool Striker and Full Grain Leather Lanyard

Vendor: Modern Outdoor Life on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rtq0FY

Price: $32.00 for 6-inch long rod, $18.00 for 3-inch long rod

Weight: Not specified

Size: 0.5-inch diameter. Available in 3 and 6 inch-lengths.

Material:  Ferrocerium

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The hexagon shape provides flat striking surfaces. Überleben’s

Sånft-korr ferrocerium is the perfect balance between softness and
durability, consistently outperforming the leading fire starters. Easily throw
a 5,500ºF shower of molten sparks in any weather (waterproof), at any
altitude. The 6-inch long Hexå will yield 20,000+ strikes with absolute
confidence. Full-grain leather lanyard. Multi-tool striker (straight-edge
spine, concave tinder scraper, map scale, ruler, hex wrench… and most
importantly, bottle opener). HASSLE-FREE GUARANTEE. If for any
reason you’re not absolutely thrilled with your Hexå, let us know. We’ll fix
it.
Item name: FOSTAR 2PCS Upgrade Ferro Rod Flint Fire Starter, 1/2 Inch
X 5 Inch Thick Fire Steel Rod with a Scraper, Drilled Lanyard Hole

Vendor: Fostar on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nSEsFl

Price: $12.99

Weight: 4 ounces

Size: 0.5x5 inches each rod. 2 rods included

Material: Ferrocerium

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: It can strike up to 15,000 times with super hot sparks, designed
to make fires in any conditions, at any altitude. Windproof & weather
resistant. 4mm Lanyard Hole and one carbon steel scraper included. 100%
SATISFACTION OR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.

Item name: DOSMAMZ 5pcs Premium Ferro Rod Scraper, Ferro rods
Magnesium Rods Striker, Adapt for All Kind Ferrocerium Rods

Vendor: Dosmamz on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rEupWT

Price: $5.65

Weight: Approximately 0.4 ounces for each striker

Size: 0.0625x0.75x3.0 inches for each striker

Material: Premium high carbon steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Multifunction emergency tool Includes concave serrated end,
hex wrench, bottle opener, and ruler. It can produce extreme sparks from
any ferro rod.

Item name: Best Glide ASE Credit Card Size

Fresnel Lens Fire Starter and
Magnifier Lenses
(3 Pack - Green)

Vendor: Best Glide ASE

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mVTMQ6

Price: $5.99

Weight: 0.19 ounces

Size: .02x2.125x3.375 inches

Material: Optical PVC

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Up to 4x magnification (many Fresnel lenses offer only 2x

magnification) which starts fires faster. Can be used to read small print and
small objects. They are thin, extremely light, flexible, and about the size of
a credit card. They will fit in your wallet, purse, backpack, first aid kit, and
go bag without weight or taking up space. Keep one handy in multiple
locations for quick use.  Each lens comes with a protective sleeve.

Item name: ACVCY Flint and Steel Fire Starter Kit

Vendor: ACVCY Sport on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2X1vl9H

Price: $14.99

Weight: 6 ounces

Size: 1.5x3.7x5.1 inches for the metal box container.

Material: Flintstone and carbon steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Includes Flintstone, carbon steel striker, jute tinder, carbon char
cloth, metal telescoping blow tube, metal storage box.

Tinder

As described earlier, tinder is a material that catches fire easily, burns for a
relatively short time, and is used to ignite kindling. It’s an essential
ingredient to assist you in starting fires. You can find natural tinder such as
dry grass or leaves, birch bark, cedar bark, fatwood, dry pine needles, pine
resin, Spanish moss, cattail fluff, dandelion clock, and bird nests. In an
urban survival situation, you can look for tinder such as shredded paper or
cardboard, steel wool, plastic or rubber that you can dice into small pieces,
tobacco from cigarettes or cigars, cigarette filters, animal dung, plastic
bags, shoe polish, tampons, and diapers.
[235]

It’s a good idea to pack some tinder in a waterproof container for each of
your BOBs. You may be in a situation where it’s hard to find dry tinder in
your surroundings. Even if tinder is available to find, it is much faster and
will save you energy if you have some tinder with you ready to use
whenever you need to start a fire in a hurry or when you are tired. You can
replenish your tinder as needed, so you’ll always have a supply with you. If
you buy a commercial fire starter kit, it will usually include some tinder
items. You can also compile custom tinder items including some of the
following items:

●
   
Char cloth: It is any fabric made from plant fiber (e.g., cotton, jute)
that is charred, but not burned. It is readily ignited by a spark creating
an ember. You can buy it or make it yourself.
[236]

●
   
Dryer lint

●
   
Cotton balls: Cotton balls are cheap and easier than collecting dryer
lint. Cotton balls covered in petroleum jelly will provide waterproofing
and also burn longer. You can pack them in a small plastic bag.
 ●
   
Wood shavings from a pencil sharpener: A small pencil sharpener
is cheap and small. You can use it to create shavings from small twigs.
(Note: You can use your survival knife instead of packing a pencil
sharpener.)

●
   
Fatwood chips or sticks: Coniferous trees (e.g., spruce, fir, cedar,
Boswellia, etc) secrete thick, sticky resin (also known as pitch) on their
bark. Deciduous trees (e.g., ash, birch, blue beech, ash, white oak, etc)
do not make resin.
[237]
The resin contains terpene, which is highly
flammable. Fatwood is the resin-saturated wood found in the center of
the stumps of dead trees. You can harvest fatwood yourself or you can
purchase fatwood in chip or stick form.
[238]
Fatwood ignites easily and
burns for an extended time even when wet.

●
   
Jute, burlap: Jute is a long fiber that comes from the jute plant.
There are two main types of jute plants, white and tossa jute. The
fibers are used to make a strong coarse thread, which is used to make
burlap.
[239]
Jute thread or burlap can be pulled apart to make tinder
that easily ignites.

●
   
Magnesium block: Magnesium burns, but requires an ignition
source. Create shavings off the block and then ignite them with sparks
(e.g., from a ferro rod). Creates a flame that burns hotter than 4000 °F.
It works even when wet. Some magnesium blocks come with a metal
scraper to scrape shavings off of them and with a ferro rod to ignite the
shavings.
[240]

●
   
#0000 steel wool: Steel wool is comprised of fine strands of metal
(usually carbon steel, but may be made of aluminum or stainless steel).
Finer steel wools have a large surface area of metal and ignite more
easily by a spark or by electricity (e.g., contact with a battery). Use
extra fine or thin steel wool for tinder.
[241]
Steel wool is very light and
can be compressed down into a small size.

●
   
Others: Potato chips and Purell® hand sanitizer ignite easily

Item name: Char Cloth Fire Starter

Vendor: stevkaese-7 on ebay.com

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/3poLZMo

Price: $8.79

Weight: Not specified

Size: 5 rolls of 2x18 inch char cloth

Material: 100% natural 15 oz cotton duck

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Char Cloth (5) 2in wide x 18in long, total of 90 inches. Each
roll comes in an individual waterproof reusable zip lock bag. Starts with a
spark from ferro rod. Starts 90 fires. No chemicals are used. American
made 100% natural 15 oz cotton duck.  What does that mean? The heavier
the material the hotter burning and longer-lasting. Our char cloth is the
hottest burning char cloth you can buy.

Item name: Manual Pencil Sharpeners, 4 PCS

Vendor: Aipker on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nV9lc9

Price: $6.99

Weight: 0.35 ounces

Size: 1x1.57x2 inches

Material: Plastic body, carbon steel blade.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 4 sharpeners are included. 2 different sized holes which allow it

to accommodate standard to large sized pencils. Carbon steel blade. Spill-
proof design and a transparent shavings receptacle, so you will know
exactly when to empty the easy-to-clean shavings tray. Includes sharpeners
in one of each of the following colors: orange, blue, red, and green. These
sharpeners are useful for making tinder out of small branches. The shavings
receptacle collects the shavings. You can put one sharpener in each of your
3 BOBs and have an extra for backup. (Author’s note: Pencil sharpeners are
optional because you can use your survival knife to make tinder.)

Item name: 5 + 5 Free 10 Large Bags Fatwood Shavings Chips Tinder Fire
Starter

Vendor: NancyBTown on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34NbmQ4

Price: $9.99 plus $4.99 shipping

Weight: Not specified. Sold By: Volume, Not By Weight

Size: 2x3 inches resealable bags

Material: Pine Fatwood Shavings, Chips, Powder, and Dust

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 10 bags included. Ignite with a Flint Striker / Ferro Rod,

Matches, any Flame, Charcloth, etc. Because of the system we use to fill the
Bags, the Bags have 2 times the amount as others. If you take the Fatwood
out of the Bag you will not be able to get it all back into the bag.

Item name: PBL Fatwood 20 Sticks Firestarters in Tin

Vendor: STEVE KAESER PHOTOGRAPHIC LIGHTING & ACC on

Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hlRXe5

Price: $9.59
Weight: 6.03 ounces

Size: 7/8 x 3-5/8 x 4-1/2 inches hinged tin can. 4-inch long Fatwood sticks
(20)

Material: Fatwood sticks

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Twenty (20) Fatwood Sticks 4in long naturally rich in resin,
makes it easier to light a fire. Start a fire anywhere, in snow, rain, or wind.

Item name: Perfin 328 Feet Natural Jute Twine, 3mm 4Ply

Vendor: Perfin Shop on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WMUVz5

Price: $5.99

Weight: 7.58 ounces for the roll

Size: 328 feet long (100 meters). 0.12-inch (3mm) diameter

Material: 100% natural jute

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Handmade. Biodegradable. Natural brown color. 100%

Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Item name: LaRibbons 3" Wide Burlap Fabric, 10 yards

Vendor: Laribbons on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37PIoRu

Price: $6.90
Weight: 4.8 ounces

Size: 3 inches wide, 10 yards long

Material: 100% burlap

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Comes in a roll (3.1 inches wide, 6.1 inches diameter). Sewn
edges without fraying.

Item name: HTS 222B0 Magnesium Block Fire Starter with Flint and
Striker

Vendor: HTS USA on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WO0XPN

Price: $5.95

Weight: 1.8 ounces

Size: 0.33 x 1 x 3 inches

Material: Magnesium block. Ferrocerium rod. Steel striker.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 3" x 1" x 3/8" magnesium block with attached ball chain.
Ferrocerium flint sparking rod and steel striker. Striker can be used to shave
magnesium slivers. Shavings burn at approximately 5,400°F / 2,982°C; will
burn in wet and windy conditions. Magnesium is waterproof and fire-
resistant in block form.

Item name: Homax 10120000 Steel Wool, 12 pad, Super Fine Grade #0000,
Rhodes American, Final Finish

Vendor: Amazon.com
Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mT3cvZ

Price: $3.78

Weight: 2.08 ounces

Size: 2.91x4.37x9.06 inches for the package of 12 pads

Material: Steel wool

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Steel wool super fine grade #0000.

 Food Items
Topics we’ll cover in this chapter include:

●
   
What you pack will vary for each BOB (i.e., Short-, Medium-, and
Long-Term BOBs)

●
   
Short-term food items: Energy bars, snacks

●
   
Medium-term food items: Energy bars, snacks, emergency ration
bars. Freeze-dried foods and meals.

●
   
Long-term food items: Energy bars, snacks, emergency ration bars.
Freeze-dried foods and meals.

●
   
Food preparation items: Cook sets, utensils, seasonings

●
   
Stove

●
   
Long term food procurement items: Fishing, hunting, trapping
items. Seeds. Edible plants.

●
   
Edible plants guide

●
   
Fishing

○
       
Emergency survival fishing kits: Ready-made commercial kits
versus custom homemade kits

○
       
Fishing tackle: Fishing line, sinkers, hooks, swivels, bobbers,
lures, etc.

○
       
Trotline fishing

○
       
Hobo fishing reel

○
       
Cuban Yo-Yo fishing reel
 ●
   
Hunting: Handgun, rifle, shotgun, pellet air gun, bow and arrows

●
   
Trapping

●
   
Seeds

An often-cited rule-of-thumb is that you can survive for three weeks

without food.
[242]
,
[243]
,
[244]
,
[245]
You’ll die way before that time, usually
by three days, if you have no access to water. But, with water, it is possible
to survive longer than three weeks without any food. Published literature
varies in terms of how long a person can live without eating. Most
information comes from observations of people on hunger strikes and
voluntary total fasting. For example, fasting had to be stopped because of
being “unwell” by a monk after 36 days, four adults after 38-40 days, and
33 prisoners after up to 28 days in three separate papers. These people did
not fast until death. Those who did die from fasting succumbed between 45-
61 days.
[246]
Another article suggests that a person may survive 8-21 days
without food or water and up to two months without food if water is
available.
[247]
It is important to keep in mind that all of these reports dealt
with people who were sedentary and not involved in the highly physical
activities involved in emergency and disaster situations. Starvation
ultimately leads to death from causes such as convulsions, organ failure,
and cardiac arrest.

You might survive without food longer than the three weeks commonly
cited in numerous publications. But, you’ll need food much sooner to
maintain the ability to function optimally in an emotionally and physically
stressful emergency. Significant impairment of cognitive function occurs
when you eat 50% or less of the amount your body requires particularly
when you are subjected to physical exertion and sleep deprivation.
[248]
Physical dysfunction associated with starvation includes fatigue, dizziness,
hypotension, and cold intolerance.
[249]

Your food needs differ depending upon the duration of your survival
situation and hence, the food items that you pack will vary for your Short,
Medium, and Long Term BOBs.
Items To Short-Term BOB, Medium-Term Long-Term BOB,
Include In BOB,
BOB 12-24 hours of Weeks to months
survival 2-7 days of of survival
survival

Comfort and
Purpose for Comfort and energy.
energy. Not Food essential for
your food Not essential for
essential for survival.
items: survival.
survival.

Energy bars, sports

Energy bars, sports Energy bars, sports
gels, jerky, tuna
Foods that gels, jerky, tuna gels, jerky, tuna
pouches, trail mix,
pack easily, pouches, trail mix, pouches, trail mix,
nuts, dried fruit,
require no nuts, dried fruit, nuts, dried fruit,
crackers with cheese
preparation, crackers with crackers with
or peanut butter.
quick and cheese or peanut cheese or peanut
Optional:
easy to eat: butter. Emergency butter. Emergency
Emergency ration
ration bars. ration bars.
bars.

Freeze-
dried food Bring 5-7 day Bring as much as
XXX
(Light, supply you can carry
compact):

Food XXX Mini-cook set (for Compact cook set.

preparation cooking and Larger cooking
items, boiling water).  items if you have
utensils: Utensils. the space to carry
them. Utensils.
Salt, sugar, and
spices.
 Mini-stove.
Optional grill top
Stove: XXX Mini-stove.
to use over
campfire.

Items to
procure Fishing, hunting,
food once trapping items.
the food you XXX XXX Vegetable and fruit
pack in seeds. Local edible
your BOB is plants guide.
depleted:

Foods That You Can Pack And Take With You

Since your Short-Term BOB is meant to help you survive for 24 hours or
less, you do not have to bring any food items. You will easily survive
without food during this short time frame. However, you’ll be much better
off and more comfortable if you bring some snacks that are compact as well
as fast and easy to eat on the run. Examples include energy bars, sports gels,
jerky, tuna pouches, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, and crackers with cheese or
peanut butter. Some common energy bars include:

Item name: PowerBar® Protein Plus (

Energy Bar
)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KYns1M

Price: $21.99 for 15 bars

Weight: 2.11 ounces per bar

Size: 2.7x6.55x8.6 inches for a box of 15 bars

Material: Power Bar® Tri-source™ Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate,
Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Isolate), Maltitol Syrup, Coating (Sugar,
Fractioned Palm Kernel Oil, Whey, Nonfat Milk, Cultured Whey, Soy
Lecithin, Natural Flavor), Oligofructose (From Chicory Root), Fructose,
Nonfat Milk, Cane Invert Syrup, Water, High Oleic Canola Oil, and less
than 2% of Soy Lecithin, Ground Almonds, Partially Defatted Peanut Flour,
and Natural Flavor.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Flavors include Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookies and Cream,

Peanut Butter Cookie, and Vanilla. Gluten-free. 20g protein and 4g fiber per
bar. PowerBar® Protein Plus Tri-Source™ Protein Blend contains all nine
essential amino acids. No artificial flavors or colors.

Item name: Cliff® Bars (

Energy Bar
)

Vendor: Zenesty on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/38DdivM

Price: $14.58 for a box of 12 bars

Weight: 2.4 ounces per bar

Size: Not specified

Material: A mix of fast-acting and longer-lasting carbohydrates from sugars

and organic rolled oats, along with smaller amounts of good fats and plant-
powered protein

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Flavors include Blueberry Crisp, Caramel Toffee, Chocolate

Chip, Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter Honey, and Peanut Toffee Buzz.
Contain 9–10 grams of plant protein alongside fast-acting and longer-
lasting carbohydrates, making them a perfect way to fuel up before or
during long, moderate-intensity activities. Made with 70% organic
ingredients. While it isn’t gluten-free, it is non-GMO and free of high-
fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors.  9-11g protein per bar.

Your Medium-Term BOB is designed to get you safely through two to

seven days of survival. You can pack the same snack items as you do for
your Short-Term BOB. However, you might consider adding calorie and
nutrient-dense emergency ration bars to provide you with more calories in a
small package. Most of these contain 2400 to 3600 calories per pack. Here
are two examples of emergency ration bars:

Item name: DATREX

Emergency Food Ration Bars

Vendor: FHS Retail on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KDpuVj

Price: $11.98 for one pack of 12 bars

Weight: 16.9 ounces for one pack (12 bars)

Size: Not specified. Each bar is about the size of a fig bar.

Material: Each bar contains 3g protein, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugar), 9g fat.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Each pack (2400 total calories) contains 12 bars (200 calories
per bar). 5-year shelf life. Approved by US Coast Guard.

Item name: Millennium Energy Bars (

Emergency Food Ration Bars)

Vendor: FHS Retail on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37QpEBj

Price: $58.95 for a box of 36 bars

Weight: 7.6 lb for a box of 36 bars

Size: 5.6x10.3x10.5 inches for box of 36 bars

Material: Each bar contains 8g protein, 18g fat, 53g total carbohydrates, 1g
fiber

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 5-year shelf life. Approved by US Coast Guard. 400 calories

per bar. A variety of Lemon, Vanilla, Raspberry, Cherry, Apricot, Orange,
Coconut flavored bars.

You will not die of starvation even if you do not include any food items in
your Medium-Term BOB since you should theoretically survive three
weeks without food. You can certainly survive fine for up to one week if
you simply pack snacks (including energy bars) and/or emergency ration
bars. But, once you eat those bars for a couple of days, it will be much nicer
if you have some food that resembles a regular meal. Pack the most
compact and light food available. Avoid bringing heavy and bulky canned
or bottled foods. Military MREs (i.e., Meals Ready To Eat) are a good
source of survival food, but they come with a lot of packaging and things
besides food (e.g., napkin, moist towelette, seasoning, salt, pepper, sugar,
instant coffee, flameless ration heater, spoon) creating more bulk to carry.

The lightest form of food to bring with you is freeze-dried food. These
come in single-serving or multiple-serving sealed packages and have a long
shelf life, some lasting more than 25 years. They rehydrate with the
addition of water and retain almost all of their nutritional value while
having decent taste and texture. The commercial process for producing
freeze-dried food involves first cooking the food and then placing it on
trays inside a freezer to freeze the food. The trays of frozen food are
transferred into a vacuum chamber where they are subjected to low heat,
causing water in the food to vaporize away (sublimate), dehydrating the
food. The now freeze-dried food is placed into impermeable bags along
with an oxygen-absorbing packet and then sealed airtight. Some
manufacturers flush the bags with nitrogen to drive out oxygen before
sealing the bags. Removing oxygen prevents food oxidation thereby
prolonging its shelf life.
[250]
Purchasing commercially freeze-dried foods is expensive. There are ways
that you can freeze dry foods at home. The cheapest and simplest way is to
use your refrigerator freezer or a deep freeze. However, only the most
superficial layers of food will sublimate this way because there is no
vacuum. You can only process the thinnest of foods and it will take a long
time (i.e., weeks to months). Using dry ice or liquid nitrogen is more
effective than using a standard freezer, but it is difficult to process
significant volumes of food this way. Buying a home freeze-drying machine
is the best method, but those machines are expensive with prices starting at
about $2,500.
[251]
,
[252]

Dehydrated foods are cheaper than freeze-dried foods. The simplest method
is to dry food under the sun. Dehydration removes water from food through
evaporation, but some water is retained in the food making it slightly
heavier than freeze fried food. Its shelf life is also shorter at one to five
years. The dehydration process results in the loss of approximately 40% of
a food’s nutritional value. Upon rehydration, the food retains its taste but
takes on a mushy texture.
[253]
,
[254]

Reconstituting freeze-dried food usually involves adding hot water directly

to the pouch of single-serve meals. Packs containing multiple servings need
to be rehydrated in a separate container since these pounces are thinner and
lighter. You can rehydrate freeze-dried food using cold water if you have no
way to heat water. Freeze-dried food is ready to eat about ten minutes after
rehydration using hot water and 45 minutes after using cold water. You can
even eat freeze-dried food straight out of the package without rehydration if
you have no access to water. The food will crumble when handled and it
will “melt” in your mouth when it contacts your saliva.
[255]
,
[256]
,
[257]

The “tastiness” of commercially available freeze-dried meals varies greatly

even amongst offerings from the same manufacturer. Some meals rank
highly in taste while others taste bad. You’ll need to try out various freeze-
dried foods to see which appeal to your taste before stocking up on large
quantities of food that you might not like. It is important to realize that what
manufacturers consider one serving consists of limited calories. Breakfast,
lunch, and dinner consisting of one serving each of commercially packaged
food provide a daily total of about 900-1200 calories, roughly half of a
person’s basal caloric needs. Your energy expenditure and caloric needs will
most likely increase significantly when you’re in an emergency survival
situation. You will slowly starve to death if over the long term you eat only
a manufacturer’s described three servings per day. You will realistically
have to eat at least two servings of freeze-dried food per meal to meet your
daily caloric requirement.
[258]
Keep that in mind when you pack freeze-
dried food in your BOBs or at home for a “hunker down at home”
emergency. You can stock up on much lower cost food options for your
“stay at home” preparedness, things like canned foods (e.g., vegetables,
tuna, chicken, etc), bulk rice, bulk dried beans, and bulk oatmeal. Common
brands for emergency freeze-dried foods include Mountain House,
ReadyWise (formerly Wise Company), My Patriot Supply, Augason Farms,
Legacy Food Storage, and Valley Food Storage. Here are some examples of
popular freeze-dried meals:

Item name: Mountain House Classic Bucket |

Freeze Dried
Backpacking
and Camping
Food
| 24 Servings

Vendor: 24-7 Shopping on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2JqARiQ

Price: $138.59

Weight: 5.7 lb

Size: 10x12x12.31 inches plastic bucket

Material: Freeze-dried food assortment

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Easy to carry bucket consisting of 12 total meal pouches that

are loaded with unbelievable flavor. This bucket contains 24 total servings
of freeze-dried backpacker favorites. Meals included are (3) pouches of
Beef Stew, (3) Beef Stroganoff, (2) Granola with Milk and Blueberries, (2)
Classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, and (2) Chicken Fried Rice. Just add
hot water to the pouch and eat in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup.
This pouch is wider and shorter, providing a great bowl-like experience. To
prepare all meals in this bucket, 18 cups of water will be needed. Meals are
freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness and reduce weight. Longest
proven shelf life in the industry! Backed by a 30-Year Taste Guarantee.

Item name: Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply

Freeze-Dried Food

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37P6Fav

Price: $143.99

Weight: 24 lb

Size: 12x12x20 inches plastic bucket

Material: Assorted freeze-dried foods

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Pail includes enough food for one person for thirty days or a
family of four for one week. The survival food is secured in a watertight,
easily transportable 8.5-gallon pail that’s perfect for storing at home and
office for unexpected emergencies. Quality Survival Standards (QSS)
advise that you have a minimum of 1, 800 calories and 40 grams of protein
per person, per day. This emergency food supply provides more than that
with a total of 1, 854 calories and 47 grams of protein per person, per day.
With nourishment like this, you're in a better position to survive and thrive
during a crisis—something very few emergency food storage kits can claim.
Majority of meal pouches up to 25 years; bananas up to 10 years. Includes
cheesy broccoli rice and creamy chicken flavored rice, macaroni and
cheese, hearty vegetable chicken soup and creamy potato soup, maple
brown sugar oatmeal, morning moo’s low-fat milk alternative, instant
potatoes, banana chips. 30-Day and 45-Day Meal Planner. In an emergency,
it is critical that food is carefully prepared to ensure you have a balanced
number of calories each day for an extended period. If there’s a chance an
emergency might go beyond 30 days, the 45-day planner is an important
tool to help you spread the food across additional days. It’s safe to say this
meal planner could be a lifesaver.

Item name: My Patriot Supply 2-Week Emergency Food Supply (1,500+

calories/day)
Freeze-Dried Food

Vendor: My Patriot Supply

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/37RpIRu

Price: $157.00

Weight: 14.15 lb

Size: 8x9x13.5 inch plastic bucket

Material: Assorted freeze-dried foods

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Up to 25-year shelf life. Resealable zipper-top heavy-duty 4-

layer pouch packaging. 4.3 Gallons of water are needed to prepare the
entire kit. Includes 4 servings of Traveler’s Stew, 8 servings of Creamy
Chicken Flavored Rice, 4 servings of Mac and Cheese, 20 servings of Long
Grain White Rice, 20 servings of Buttermilk Pancakes, 8 servings of
Southwest Savory Rice, 16 servings of Maple Grove Oatmeal, and 12
servings of Homestyle Potato Soup.

Food Preparation Items and Utensils

You will need a way to boil and sterilize water for your Medium- and Long-
Term BOBs. That means having a metal container, which can also be used
for food preparation. A couple of examples of compact metal containers
that can be part of your Medium-Term BOB for this purpose include a
canteen nested inside a metal cup and a mini-cook set (These are
satisfactory for short term food preparation, but you need something larger
for your Long-Term BOB.):
Item name:
G.I. Style Stainless Steel 1qt. Canteen with Cup
and Vented
Lid. With Used Very Good Condition G.I. Issue ACU COVER

Vendor:  warren575757 on eBay.com

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/3aHBtMd

Price: $34.95 plus $8.75 shipping

Weight: Approximately 1.8 lbs.

Size: Approximately 6x6x8 inches

Material: Stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: New GI style 1-quart stainless steel canteen with vertically

folding handle cup. Stainless steel vented lid for the cup. Used, very good
condition, surplus genuine GI issue (ACU) canteen cover with MOLLE® II
attachments.

Item name: Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set -

24oz Stainless Steel Kettle
with 2 Ceramic Cups

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WLqclO

Price: $13.55

Weight: 7.5 ounces for kettle and lid. 13.9 ounces total including the 2
ceramic cups.

Size: 4.3x5.8 inches

Material: Stainless steel kettle and lid. Ceramic cups (2)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium

Comments: A vented stainless steel lid for the kettle to let steam escape or
strain liquid. The locking handle extends for stable cooking but folds over
the lid to save space. The kettle/coffee maker is constructed with 18/8
stainless steel and features two insulated ceramic portable 10oz/295mL
tumblers to enjoy hot and cold beverages. The entire kit is made with BPA
free materials. The kettle has graduated marks going up to 20oz. Lifetime
warranty.

Item name: TOAKS

Titanium Long Handle Spoon
with Polished Bowl

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3mTbmnK

Price: $10.95

Weight: 0.7 ounces

Size: 8.6 inches long

Material: Pure titanium

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: A long handle spoon is handy for cooking and eating. Pure
titanium construction resists corrosion, withstands high temperatures, and
eliminates metallic aftertaste. The polished head allows for a smooth touch
while the matte-finish handle offers a solid grip. Dishwasher safe.

A single, small metal container can work for food preparation for your
Medium-Term BOB since its purpose is to help you survive for up to one
week. Food preparation will be easier and more convenient if you can make
room for some larger cookware for your Long-Term BOB because you’ll
use them to prepare food for weeks to months. You can pack a single-
person cookware mess kit if you want to be a minimalist. One example of
this is a GI mess kit:

Item name: Rothco

GI Type Stainless Steel Mess Kit
Vendor: SPLG Products on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nUpZsz

Price: $15.99

Weight: 14.39 ounces

Size: 2.5x7.5x7.5 inches

Material: Stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Frying pan with folding handle. The bottom of the lid is divided
into two spaces and can serve as a cover for the frying pan, as a plate for
your food, or as a separate container for cooking food. The lid and pan are
placed together and secured by folding the long handle over the two. The
pan and the lid are shallow, so they are not practical for boiling water in any
significant quantity.

A compact cookware mess kit is a step up from the GI Mess Kit and
provides you with some more cooking options while taking up little extra
space:

Item name: Texsport

5 pc Stainless Steel
Camping
Cookware
Outdoor Mess
Kit

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mStgXR

Price: $17.48

Weight: 1.32 lb

Size: 2.5x6.5x6.75 inches

Material: Polished stainless steel with copper bottoms

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: High-Quality Polished Stainless Steel 5 Pc. Cooking Set with

Copper Bottoms that CONDUCTS HEAT QUICKLY. FIVE PIECE SET
Includes 6¾" and 6½" fry pan plus a ¾ Qt. Boiling Pot (with pivoting metal
C-handle) with Lid and one 8 oz. Plastic Cup. Interchangeable handle for
frying pans. All pieces next together in a small bundle for convenient carry.

Item name: Item name: Snow Peak

Personal
Cooker 3
Cookset

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3rzIYuv

Price: $29.95

Weight: 1 lb 4.5 ounces

Size: 3.2x5.9 inches

Material: Stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Cookset includes 2 pots with folding handles; 1 lid; 1 plate; 1

bowl; 1 fry pan. Pieces store inside each other and fit easily in the included
nylon carry sack.

A barbecue grill grate is a handy item to have if you have space to carry
one, especially if you’re escaping by vehicle. You can either grab the one
off of your home barbecue or purchase a replacement grill grate. A grate
provides you with a level surface to place your cooking pans and pots on to
and you can adjust its height above your fire or coals by placing stones
beneath them. You can also cook your fish and game directly on your grate,
something especially useful if you have more to cook than will fit inside the
smallish pans included in compact cookware kits. Grates are round or
rectangular and come in various sizes. They are flat, so they take up little
space. But, they are heavy since they’re made of metal. Cheaper ones are
lighter but less durable.
Item name: Onlyfire BBQ Stainless Steel Cladding Rod
Cooking Grate
Fits
for Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Gas Grill

Vendor: Onlyfire Outdoor LLC on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34Km0r2

Price: $10.99

Weight: 2.14 lb

Size: 11.81 x 17.25 inches

Material: Stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: The cooking grate is large enough to fit 12 hamburgers. Retains

heat and delivers professional searing, prevents sticking, and allows for
easy clean-up, much longer life than porcelain grates.

Food preparation is a big component of your long-term survival. Other

items that will make cooking faster and easier are larger pans and pots. A
larger frying pan will allow you to cook more food at one time than the
small frying pan that’s included in compact cookware kits. A larger pot
provides a way to boil more water at one time than a metal water bottle, the
metal cup that comes nested with a canteen, or the small pots that are
included in a compact cookware kit. It makes water sterilization much more
efficient saving you time and also reduces the work (gathering and
preparing wood, etc) of maintaining a fire for this purpose. You can also use
the larger pot for cooking food and for carrying water from a stream to your
campfire. Whether you can include these larger convenience items in your
vehicle or Long Term BOB depends upon your particular circumstances and
what else you pack.

Item name: GSI Outdoors Glacier

Stainless Frypan - 10 in
.

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2KWjHtV

Price: $39.95

Weight: 1 lb 7.5 ounces

Size: 2.7x10.5x11 inches

Material: 18/8 stainless steel exterior surrounds a heavy-gauge, clad

aluminum core

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Quick heating and the unrivaled durability only stainless steel
can provide. Durable, laser-etched nonstick surface offers excellent food
release and easy cleanup. Exclusive SureLock folding handle.

Item name:
Stainless Steel Pot 3QT Camp Pot
with Lid and Mesh Carry
Bag

Vendor:  allamericanoutdoorscom on eBay.com

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/3aMXHfY

Price: $19.99

Weight: 1 lb 3 ounces

Size: 4.25x8.5 inches

Material: 18/10 stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Holds 3 quarts or 2.8 liters. The pot has a metal C-handle that
can be used to carry or hang the pot.

Your short-term snacks and freeze-dried foods will be tasty and convenient.
But, long term, you’ll have to forage for vegetation and catch fish or game
to feed yourself. Packing some spices will make your meals much more
enjoyable. The example below enables you to pack six different spices. You
can also consider bringing small plastic bottles of cooking oil with you.

Item name: GSI Outdoors Waterproof

Spice Rack

Vendor: Montaro on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WLXiCb

Price: $12.95

Weight: 3.5 ounces

Size: 1.5x2.8x4.7 inches

Material: Copolyester (BPA free plastic)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Three waterproof, 2 sided, clear bottles attached by a

removable, loopable bandolier. Space for 0.8 ounces each of 6 different
spices. 18 removable, pre-printed spice labels and 4 additional customizable
labels are included. Each container has removable screens for easy refilling,
with both large and small screens to dispense different kinds of spices.
Lifetime warranty.

Stove

Having a stove is a convenience since you will not have to take the time and
go through the work of making a campfire. Except for a wood-burning
stove, all of the other stoves require a fuel source that will eventually run
out making it necessary for you to build fires. So, be sure that you have
sufficient means to start fires (see the Fire Items chapter). You can carry
enough fuel in your Medium-Term BOB to carry you through intermediate
duration emergencies if you chose to do so. What you carry is all about
prioritizing an item’s importance to you since you have only a limited
amount of volume and weight you can bring with you. You might choose to
bring extra ammunition or more fishing tackle instead of a stove for your
Long-Term BOB. The choice is yours.

Here is a rundown on different types of stoves based upon the fuel they use:
[259]

●
   
Wood stoves: These are essentially a framework into which you
place wood to burn. Heat is directed upwards. Your cooking vessel is
placed on top of the frame. A simple improvised version can be made
by removing the top from an aluminum soft drink can and cutting an
opening in the can’s side for inserting wood. Commercially available
stoves include sheet metal frames that fold flat. Temperature regulation
is accomplished by varying the amount of wood placed inside the
stove. Side openings permit the addition of wood without removing
your cooking vessel to add wood from the top. Example: Emberlit

●
   
Woodgas stoves: These are more efficient than simple wood stoves
because they burn wood and then also burn the combustible gases that
form from the burning of wood. So, you get a secondary burn from the
original wood. This is accomplished by burning wood inside a can
with a perforated bottom and vent holes at its top to permit airflow.
This inner can is placed inside a larger outer can that also has vent
holes to permit air circulation. These stoves have to be designed
properly to function and they are expensive. Example: Solo Stove

●
   
Liquid fuel stoves: These stove generally employ white gas (also
known as Coleman fuel, 5-7 year self-life) as a fuel, although some
can also use kerosene or unleaded gasoline. They are readily available.
They work well in cold temperatures. Have replacement O-rings or
gaskets available. Exercise caution when lighting these stoves because
a large flame can arise. Example: MSR Whisperlite™

●
   
Alcohol stoves: These stoves are simple to use and simple in
design with no moving parts. Denatured alcohol or the gas additive,
HEET, are common fuels for this type of stove. Simply pour in a bit of
fuel and light it to use the stove. Alcohol vaporizes poorly in low
temperatures, so it may not be possible to ignite a flame. These stoves
take longer than other stoves to boil water. More alcohol is required to
 provide the same degree of burn as compared with other fuels, so
you’ll need a greater quantity. Example: White Box Alcohol Stove

●
   
Canister stoves: These stoves screw on to canisters filled with
pressurized gas (the type of gas varies with different manufacturers,
shelf life > 3 years). The couplings (i.e., Lindal valve meeting the
EN417 specification) are standardized so stoves and canisters can be
intermixed. These stoves start up immediately with full power and do
not require priming. Example: Jetboil

●
   
Butane burner stoves: These are single burner stoves that generally
burn 1.5-2 hours on an 8 ounce can of butane fuel. They function as a
gas range stove and are the largest practical survival stove. Example:
Sterna® brand stoves

●
   
Solid fuel stoves: These stoves use a solid manufactured fuel that is
manufacturer specific to a particular stove. Examples of solid fuel
include Stove in a Can (wood chips embedded in wax disks), Esbit
(trioxane or hexamine chemical pellets), and Sterna (jellied alcohol).
Heat generation is less than for liquid fuel stoves and it’s harder to
vary the heat intensity than with other stoves. Solid fuel has a long
shelf life, but it’s expensive. These stoves are for short-term use.
Example: Sterna solid fuel stove

Butane burner stoves are the least optimal as your survival stove because of
their size and weight. Any of the other stoves along with their fuel would
work for your Medium-Term BOB if you decide to pack a stove. Alcohol
stoves are popular, compact, and lightweight. Alcohol is an inexpensive fuel
source and has an almost indefinite shelf life.

Item name: White Box Next Generation

Alcohol Stove

Vendor: Campsaver

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2Jo6BFj

Price: $16.96
Weight: 1 ounce

Size: 2.25x2.25 inches

Material: Aluminum

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium

Comments: Boil time of 5 minutes for 2 cups of water. Uses denatured

alcohol or methyl alcohol (HEET in yellow bottles). Holds up to 2.5 ounces
of fuel and burns up to 20+ minutes. Boils up to 8 cups of water on one fill
of fuel. Designed to be used with pots that have a diameter of 5 inches or
wider. An optional windscreen is available at extra cost.

A wood or woodgas stove is more practical for your Long-Term BOB

because they will continue to operate after other stoves are depleted of the
manufactured fuel that you bring with you. A simple wood stove packs
down smaller than a woodgas stove although it is not as efficient at
generating heat. A simple wood stove is your lightest, most compact, and
the cheapest alternative.

Item name: Emberlit Stainless Steel Stove (

wood-burning stove
)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37PtkTY

Price: $44.99

Weight: 11.45 ounces

Size: 4x5.5x6 inches

Material: 304 stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Impervious to corrosion and is remarkably strong. Will hold the

weight of any pot or pan that will sit securely without wobble. Side opening
for adding wood. Comes with a lifetime guarantee because you are never
going to wear it out. Packs flat for storage. Boils water in 10 min.

Long-Term Food Procurement

You’ll eventually run out of the food you pack in your BOBs no matter how
much you bring with you. At some point, you will have to procure food to
feed yourself. You can do this by foraging, fishing, hunting, trapping, and
farming. It’s wise to begin procuring food for yourself before you deplete
the food that you bring with you so that food can be kept in reserve to eat
during times your food procurement efforts are unsuccessful. You may go
hungry if you do not try to procure food until the food you brought with you
runs out since there is no guarantee that your efforts will be immediately
rewarded. You’ll want to be as efficient as possible in procuring food for
yourself because energy and calorie conservation is crucial when you’re in
survival mode.

Foraging can include removing edible items from garbage cans in the city
or collecting edible plants in the wild. A useful item for your Long-Term
BOB is a plastic laminated card with a description and drawing or
photograph of edible and poisonous plants in the area where you plan to
escape. These cards can help you avoid eating plants that may make you ill.
They are compact and generally cost less than $10. Here is an example:

Item name:
Edible Wild Plants
: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar North
American Species (Outdoor Skills and Preparedness)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3ru1zbn

Price: $7.94

Weight: 1.31 ounces

Size: 0.71x3.75x8.25 inches

Material: Laminated with clear plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 12-page pamphlet. Some wild edible plants have poisonous

look-alikes, and it is important to know the difference when harvesting.
Edible Wild Plants is a simplified guide to familiar and widespread species
of edible berries, nuts, leaves, and roots found in North America. This
beautifully illustrated guide identifies over 100 familiar species and
includes information on how to harvest their edible parts. It also includes a
section on dangerous poisonous plants to avoid that have contact poisons
that can blister skin.

There are some nutrients that you will be missing eating a plant-based diet:

[260]

●
   
Vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin): Present in fish, meat,
dairy products, and eggs. Plays a role in red blood cell formation as
well as nerve and brain function. Deficiency causes weakness, fatigue,
neurological and psychiatric disorders, megaloblastic anemia.

●
   
Creatine: Sourced from meats. Stored in muscle and brain. Serves
as an energy source for muscle. Made by the liver. Eating only
vegetables results in lower amounts in the muscle. Supplements given
to vegetarians can improve physical performance and brain function.

●
   
Carnosine: Sources include meat, poultry, and fish. It’s an
antioxidant found mainly in human and animal muscles and brain.
Non-essential because humans can fabricate it from the amino acids
histidine and beta-alanine. However, carnosine muscle levels are lower
in people that eat only vegetables. Beta-alanine supplements in
vegetarians can raise carnosine muscle content improving endurance
and increasing muscle mass.

●
   
Vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol): Most rich sources are
fatty fish and egg yolks with lesser amounts found in cod liver oil,
milk, and enriched cereals. Humans can generate Vitamin D3 when
their skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D3 deficiency is associated
with decreased bone mass and increased fracture risk, cancer, heart
 disease, impaired brain function, muscle wasting, reduced strength.
(Note: Vitamin D2, also known as ergocalciferol, is found in plants)

●
   
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): Sourced from fatty fish, fish oil,
certain microalgae. Humans can manufacture clinically insignificant
amounts of DHA by eating flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. DHA is
an essential omega-3 fatty acid. Important for normal brain
development and function.

●
   
Heme iron: Found only in meat, especially red meat. Iron
deficiency leads to anemia. Heme iron is more readily absorbed
through the intestines than plant-based non-heme iron. Heme iron is
not affected by anti-nutrients found in plants, which inhibit intestinal
absorption of non-heme iron. If you’re limited to eating only plants,
you can avoid anemia by eating those that are high in non-heme iron
such as soybeans, lentils, beans (i.e., lima, white, red kidney, navy),
chickpeas, black-eyed peas, nuts, seeds (e.g., pumpkin, sesame, flax
seeds), leafy green vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale, Swiss chard, collard,
and beet greens), potatoes, white and oyster mushrooms, palm hearts,
olives.

●
   
Taurine: Sourced from fish, seafood, meat, poultry, and dairy
products. It’s a sulfur compound found in brain, kidney, and heart. It
appears to aid with muscle function, bile salt formation, and
antioxidant defenses. Humans produce small amounts of taurine, but
taurine levels are lower in people eating only vegetables compared
with meat-eaters.

Fishing

Eating only wild plants can temporarily sustain you, but will be insufficient
for the long term. Fishing can be an important way for you to feed yourself
depending upon your escape destination. You can make fishing hooks and
line from items you scavenge or find in the wild. But, it takes skill and time
to do this. It is best to pack some fishing hooks, fishing line, and sinkers as
a very minimum. You can use as live bait anything you can find such as
worms, grubs, crickets, or flies. You can use pieces of fish as bait once you
begin catching fish.
Lots of survival fishing kits are available for purchase and many are small
enough to fit into a cargo pants pocket. These offer an easy way for you to
bring items to cover your basic fishing needs. Pre-packaged kits vary in the
number of items they include and usually come in metal or plastic
containers or zip-lock plastic bags. The most basic kits will include at least
25 feet of fishing line, sinkers, and a bobber along with other items.

Item name: Uncle Flint's Survival Fishing Kit

Vendor: Uncle Flint’s Outdoor on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rwJg5p

Price: $28.95

Weight: 5.61 ounces

Size: 1x3x4.5 inches

Material: Assorted materials

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Steel storage tin with hinged lid. Survival Fishing Kit consists
of over 63 pieces of essential survival fishing supplies. Survival Fishing Kit
easily fits in the pocket of a coat, small pack, vest, etc. Contains 50 ft. 20 lb
test monofilament line, 50 ft. 40 lb test monofilament line, floating jig head
lure size small, floating jig head lure size medium, floating jig head lure
size large, artificial fly lure, 6 plastic twist tail lures, 1 spinning lure, 1
spoon lure, 3 size 4 baitholder hooks, 3 size 6 baitholder hooks, 3 size 8
baitholder hooks, 2 size 12 panfish hooks, 4 size 2/0 Tru-Turn® catfish
hooks, 2 size 1 treble hooks, 2 size 2 circle hooks, 2 size 3 snap swivels, 2
size 6 snap swivels, 2 size 8 snap swivels, 2 size 10 snap swivels, 2 steel
leaders 20 lb test, 2 steel leaders 40 lb test, 10 size 5 split shot sinkers, 2
size 3/4 inch plastic bobbers, 4 large safety pins, MiniScraper™ single edge
razor blade and plastic holder, heavy-duty aluminum foil - folded - 1 piece
approximately 12" x 24", basic fishing knot tying instruction sheet.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind. You can substitute or add
items to a pre-packaged fishing kit. Be sure to pack some small hooks
because they can be used to catch large fish, but large hooks cannot be used
to catch small fish. Also, pack items that will be most appropriate for the
area you anticipate escaping to taking into consideration its environment
and types of fish. You can also forgo a pre-packaged kit and put together
one of your own giving you the ability to customize it to your liking.
Common items to consider including in your survival fishing kit:
[261]
,
[262]
,
[263]
,
[264]
,
[265]

●
   
Fishing line: It is ideal to match the weight (measured in test
pounds) of your line with the type of fish you plan to catch. But, for
your BOB, you’ll want to have your fishing line packed and ready to
go. Too light a line will break more easily. Too heavy a line is more
visible to fish making it harder to catch them. Packing 12-20 pound
test line will provide good versatility and is a good compromise
between strength and visibility to fish. (See the Cordage chapter for
more detailed information about fishing line.)

●
   
Sinkers: These are weights attached to your line to aid with casting
your line and for making your line sink. Sinkers begin at about BB size
(e.g., 1/4 ounce) and progress upwards in weight. Split shot sinkers are
round with a side slit for inserting your line. The shot is squeezed to
trap the line inside the slit. Some of these are removable and reusable
by opening the split to extract the line. Other types of sinkers have an
eye for attachment to your line. Slip sinkers are threaded onto your line
so they can slide back and forth on the line. You can pack different
types of sinkers to serve a variety of purposes. There are bank sinkers
(to keep your line vertical in the water column), bell sinkers (prevents
snagging the bottom), pyramid sinkers (for sandy bottoms), and others.

●
   
Hooks: It’s helpful to pack a variety of different types and sizes of
hooks. Barbed hooks have a portion at the point that is directed
backwards to make it harder for a fish to become unhooked. Unbarbed
hooks are easier to remove and are used for catch-and-release but are
not optimal for survival purposes because it’s easier for fish to slip off
these hooks. There are many variations in the shapes of the eye, shank,
and bend (the U-portion) of a hook. Hook size is denoted by the
numbers 32 to 1 followed by 1/0 to 19/0, progressing from smallest
(32) to largest (19/0). Hooks with a single eye can come with one
(single), two (double), or three (treble) shanks, bends, and points.
Smaller hooks are needed when you fish for smaller fish like bluegill
and crappie while using small baits like grubs and pieces of worms.
Larger hooks are useful for larger fish like bass, walleye, trout and
pike while using baits like whole earthworms, minnows, and shad.

●
   
Swivels: These are small, metal devices that swivel or rotate in
their central part and with eyes on either end for connecting a lure or
leader to your main line to prevent twisting of your line. Three-way
swivels include a third rotating arm with an eye and can be used to
attach a sinker or bobber. Stainless steel swivels are stronger than
those made of brass. They are available painted dark gray or black to
make them less visible. Snaps can be connected to swivels for rapidly
connecting and disconnecting components from one another.

●
   
Snaps: These are small, metal, safety pin type devices that are used
to quick-connect lures and hooks to your line.

●
   
Leaders: This is a length of wire or fishing line placed between
your main line and your hook or lure. It serves to increase the line’s
resistance to abrasion and breakage. (See the Cordage chapter for more
detailed information about leaders.)

●
   
Bobbers: These are flotation devices that are round or cigar-shaped.
Clip-on bobbers attach to your main line by a metal spring clip
allowing adjustment of the depth of your hook beneath the surface.
They are usually brightly colored so you can see them “bob” and get
pulled under the water when fish bite your hook or lure. That’s your
signal to pull on your line to set the hook in the fish’s mouth. Slip
bobbers are threaded onto your line and are designed to slide along
your line. Some of these are clear to make them less visible to fish and
these are filled with water to add casting weight, which is helpful when
using extra light bait or lures.
 ●
   
Lures: It’s handy to include some lures in your custom kit. While
live bait can be cast and allowed to rest in place, lures need to be
reeled back creating some action to attract fish.

As a supplement to live bait, there are many types of lures and you can
customize your survival fishing kit by selecting those that are most
appropriate for fishing in your locale:
[266]

●
   
Jigs: These lures have heads of metal providing weight. They have
tails comprised of animal hair, flexible plastic, feathers, or rubber. Bait
can be attached to its hook.

●
   
Poppers: The front of these lures has a concave depression that
gives them action when pulled through the water with spin-casting
tackle.

●
   
Spoons: These versatile lures are metal and come in different
colors depending upon the fish you are trying to attract. Their
movement resembles baitfish or minnows. Different designs vary in
their action in the water.

●
   
Plugs: These have a plastic or wood body and are either designed
to float on the surface (topwater or floating plugs) or dive to a certain
depth (diving plugs).

●
   
Spinners: One or more blades spin around a straight wire shaft on
these lures. Some also have tails composed of soft plastic or animal
hair.

●
   
Surface lures: These are made of wood or plastic and have one or
two treble hooks. They remain at the surface and mimic frogs, large
crawling insects, small fish, and the like. They derive their action from
a concavity in the front of the lure’s body or blades attached to the
body.

●
   
Soft, plastic baits (e.g., worms, grubs, etc): These come in a wide
range of colors and sizes. Some are scented to attract fish. They can be
used with weights, jigs, or spinners by attaching them to the hooks.
You can buy individual items for your custom fishing kit. Or, you can
purchase a freshwater fishing tackle assortment kit as an easy and
economical way to have a range of items to select from for your
personalized survival fishing kit:

Item name: TOPFORT 187/230pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

Vendor: Topfort US on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rw3X1f

Price: $21.99

Weight: 8.8 ounces

Size: 1.2x3.9x4.7 inches

Material: Anti-Corrosion Stainless Steel, plastic, ABS, PP, etc.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments:

●
   
ABS plastic case.

●
   
Head Jigs Fishing Hooks *4 pieces

●
   
Jig Hook 1# 2# 2/0# 1/0# *5 pieces

●
   
Sinker weights 5g/7g *2 pieces

●
   
Spoon lure *4 pieces

●
   
Fishing Leaders *4 pieces

●
   
Fishing lure Hooks Keeper *1 piece

●
   
Removable split Shot 0.8g/1.0g/1.2g/1.5g /10 pieces
 ●
   
Split Rings *10 pieces

●
   
Night Luminous Beads *30 pieces

●
   
Heart-Shaped Plastic Sheet *10 pieces

●
   
Space Beans *4 pieces

Item name: 16 Fishing Bobbers for Fishing

Vendor: Big Worm Fishing on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3py6OoV

Price: $6.97

Weight: 3.99 ounces

Size: 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75-inch diameter bobbers

Material: Plastic and metal

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Round bobbers are white and red.16 pack of fishing bobbers.
Sizes included: 4 (1-inch Bobbers), 4 (1.25-inch bobbers), 4 (1.5-inch
bobbers) and 4 (1.75-inch bobbers). This pack of fishing gear bobbers have
a specially designed top and bottom that will allow you to easily secure the
fishing line. Designed to work on multiple sizes of fish.

You can use your fishing tackle to make a trotline.

[267]
,
[268]
,
[269]
There
are a wide variety of ways to set up a trotline. It is comprised of multiple
droplines and hooks that are all attached to a main line. Examples of some
trotline setups include:

●
   
The main line can be strung from trees or stakes on both banks of a
stream. In this case, you can use paracord or tarred bank line (see
Cordage chapter for details about these lines) for your main line if it is
tensioned to lie above the water. You can use a heavy fishing line for
 your main line if you make it droop underwater in a U or V shape
presenting your hooks on their droplines at different depths.

●
   
The main line is attached to a tree or stake on one bank and the
other end is attached to a sinker. This places your main line at an angle
presenting your hooks at different depths.

●
   
The main line is attached to a tree or stake on one bank and the
other end is attached to a bobber on the water’s surface. Your hooks
are all at the same depth providing the droplines are of the same
length.

●
   
You can also use a tree branch as your “main line” and simply hang
multiple droplines with hooks off of it.

It takes some work to set up a trotline, but the advantage in a survival

situation is that you have multiple hooks in the water and you can leave it
unattended while you either rest or work on other things such as setting up
shelter. You periodically check your lines to see if you’ve caught any fish.

You probably will not have space to carry your rod and reel in an
emergency unless you are escaping by vehicle. In a pinch, you can do
handline fishing using just your hands to handle your fishing line. You can
usually create a makeshift fishing rod by tying a fishing line to the end of a
small tree limb or a branch. You can make an improvised spindle by
spooling fishing line around available items including empty aluminum
cans or a piece of a tree branch. A couple of compact, more formal devices
that you can consider including in your Long-Term BOB include a hobo
fishing reel or a Cuban Yo-Yo hand reel.

You can make a hobo fishing reel on your own or purchase a ready-made
one. It consists of a hollow cylinder usually made of wood and sealed on
one end. The other end has a removable plug in it. Your fishing tackle fits
inside the cylinder. Fishing line is spooled around the cylinder on the side
with the sealed end. There are two raised ridges to contain the line similar
to a spool used to hold sewing thread. Kevin shows how you can make a
hobo fishing reel out of a wooden pepper mill on his Laplander’s Natural
Lore Blog.
[270]
Daggerfish Gear sells a professionally made Hobo fishing
kit:

Item name: Daggerfish Portable Fishing Kit

Vendor: Daggerfish Gear on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3aPDLZF

Price: $60.00

Weight: 5 ounces

Size: 2.2x2.3x10.7 inches

Material: Hollow wood handle

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Hand-carved from solid wood for superior durability in wet

conditions, and hollowed out for increased storage. Complete lead-free
tackle kit inside includes hooks, sinkers, swivels, jig head, rubber grubs,
and a float. Additional storage space in the handle and reel for other
favorites.  Includes 25 yards of 6-lb monofilament line. Can be refilled with
other lines, as well. Can be used for freshwater, lake, pond, creek, stream,
backcountry, survival, bushcraft, spin fishing, spin casting, and wet-fly
fishing. Easily packable. Designed and handmade in the USA by a master
craftsman and fisherman.

A Cuban Yo-Yo hand reel is cheap, light, and simple. Commercial versions
are made of plastic of varying diameters and they look like yo-yo’s with a
wide central depression with thin sidewalls to contain your fishing line. One
sidewall is usually lower and more tapered than the other taller, more
vertical sidewall. The reel is held in one hand and the fishing line is cast
and unspooled out of the side of the reel with the lower, more tapered
sidewall. All you need to catch fish in a wide range of sizes is a Cuban Yo-
Yo reel, fishing line, a sinker, and a hook for the most basic setup.
[271]
Item name: 1 Hand Reel Cuban YOYO Cubano Fishing cast Manual Kite
line Plastic RED 6 1/2"

Vendor: Vidi-Shop on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34Q7Moy

Price: $10.84

Weight: Approximately 4 ounces

Size: 6.5 inches diameter, approximately 2 inches wide

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Red color

There are several tools to have in your pack to help you with fishing. Other
tools in your BOB should serve these same functions obviating the need to
bring extra tools:

●
   
Needle nose pliers: These can be used to remove hooks from a
fish’s mouth. Those with longer points can reach further into a fish’s
mouth if necessary. They can also be used to crimp and remove split
shot sinkers from your fishing line. Although there are needle nose
pliers made especially for fishing, you can use those that come with
your multi-tool (see the Tools chapter for more about multi-tools).

●
   
Scissors or nail clippers: These can be used to cut your fishing line
including the free end after knot tying. Some multi-tools come with
scissors and many of them come with wire cutters that can be used for
cutting fishing line. Or, you may have a nail cutter as part of your
hygiene kit that can be used to cut fishing line.

●
   
Fillet knife: To save space and weight, use your smaller survival
knife instead of bringing a fillet knife (see Survival Knives chapter for
information about your small and large survival knives).
 ●
   
Also, bring sunscreen, insect repellent: See Personal Protection
chapter for information about these items

Hunting

Hunting fowl and game is another way to add protein to your diet keeping
you alive for the long term. You can fashion some primitive hunting tools if
you find yourself without other resources. For example, you can bind your
survival knife to a branch to make a spear. Or, you can use your knife to
sharpen one end of a branch into a point to serve as a spear. You can also
use your knife to construct a bow and arrows. You can use these tools to
hunt and fish. But, your effective hunting range will be short, they are
difficult to deploy with accuracy, and the lethality of these tools is limited.
Your survival knife is one of your most important survival tools. You risk
damaging your knife if you’re repeatedly throwing it with force as part of a
spear in your quest for food.

Since this is a book about disaster and emergency preparation, I encourage

you to give this thought and formulate a plan now as to how you plan to
hunt for your food. Now is the time to decide what tools work best for you
and to get them ready to grab in a hurry when disaster strikes.

You can use the following items to protect yourself and also for hunting,
some to better effect than others. I’ll just mention them here since a
complete discussion about them along with examples and recommendations
can be found in the Personal Protection Items chapter:

●
   
Handgun

●
   
Rifle

●
   
Shotgun

●
   
Pellet air gun

●
   
Bow and arrows
Author’s tip: Don’t run through all of your ammunition hunting. Always
save some ammunition so you will be able to use it for personal protection
purposes.

Trapping

Traps are another way to catch animals for food. It takes experience and it is
time-consuming to set up traps. You need to set up multiple traps because
trapping is a numbers game. You’ll generally achieve greater success
catching animals if you set up more traps at the same time. Traps are
somewhat similar to trotline fishing in that you can leave them unattended
and either take time to rest or accomplish something else. You just have to
check your traps periodically for trapped animals and make sure you get
them before another predator does. You may have to resort to trapping in an
extremely long-term survival situation where you’ve depleted your
ammunition and fishing supplies. So, it’s good to pack some trapping
supplies and learn how to use them.

First, become familiar with the animals in the area you’ll be escaping to and
learn their habitats, habits, and food preferences. Small animals are usually
creatures of habit, active in the early morning and early evening, travel the
same paths often along edges of open ground, using dense vegetation as
cover. Learn to recognize their tracks. Try to locate their dens and nesting
areas. Set your traps right in the middle of the paths frequented by your
target animals, near watering and feeding sites, and by their nesting and den
sites. Select a bait that appeals to your targeted animals. Peanut butter and
salt often work well. Scatter small bits of bait around your trap for the
animal to taste piquing its interest in the bait in the trap.
[272]
,
[273]
Try to
avoid leaving your scent at the site of your traps.
[274]

There are many different types of traps. They fall into the following general
categories:
[275]
,
[276]

●
   
Pit traps: These are covered holes that animals fall into and cannot
get out of. These are easier to dig if you have a survival shovel (see the
Tools chapter)
 ●
   
Dead fall traps: A heavy object (e.g., stone or log) falls on top of
the animal crushing it after the animal releases a trigger.

●
   
Snares: An animal is trapped by a noose that goes around its neck.
The noose tightens as the animal tries to get away.

Some traps (e.g., dead fall trap, twitch-up snare) can be made using only
items found in the wild such as rigid branches, flexible branches, vines or
roots to serve as cordage, and rocks or heavy logs. Other traps can consist
of things you pack with you such as lightweight rat traps (i.e., larger
versions of spring-loaded wooden mouse traps) to catch muskrats, squirrels,
and birds.
[277]

Item name: Victor Metal Pedal Rat Trap (Pack of 12)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WMD4bc

Price: $26.35

Weight: 0.3 lb

Size: 1.1x4.1x10.2 inches

Material: Wood-based wire snap trap with metal trip petal

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Made in the USA using environmentally friendly wood

harvested from FSC certified wood. It is the world’s No. 1 selling rat trap
with over 1 billion sold. Trusted to control rats for over 100 years. Designed
for indoor and outdoor use. Victor rat traps are the professionals' trap of
choice.

Snares are usually made of braided, galvanized or stainless steel cable.

Stainless steel is stronger than galvanized and it will not rust. They come in
different lengths and gauges depending upon the game you’re targeting.
Although strong, they are usually single-use items because animals will
twist and ruin them. You can buy pre-made snares for simplicity (see the
Vigilant Trails Pocket Survival Snare Traps product listing below as an
example). Or, you can buy snare wire in bulk along with some component
parts and then make your own snares more economically (see the Super
Special Kit product listing below as an example).

Item name: Vigilant Trails Pocket Survival Snare Traps. Includes 3 Locking
Small Game Snares

Vendor: Vigilant Trails on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3ho8ezu

Price: $19.95

Weight: 3.49 ounces

Size: 1.14x4.09x6.26 inches

Material: Snares are made of High-Grade Aircraft Cable

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Intended for Most North American Small Game Species Under
20-25 Pounds. Includes Three Small Game Snares with Micro Locks, Three
Individually Cut Anchor Wires, One Metal Carry Case, and Instructions.
Easily Carried and Packed. Weighs Less Than Five Ounces, Fits Into A
Shirt Pocket. Made of High-Grade Aircraft Cable and Metal Components.
Hinged All Metal Carry Case Keeps Your Gear Safe, Organized, and
Always Available.

Item name: Super Special Kit = Makes 100 Swiveled Snares

Vendor: The Snare Shop

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3mTpVYK

Price: $77.14
Weight: Not specified

Size: 1x19 1/16” cable. Other available cable size options include 1x19
3/32” ($104.12), 1x19 5/64” ($89.83), 7x7 1/16” ($92.74), 7x7 3/32”
($102.87), 7x7 5/64” ($96.44)

Material: Galvanized steel aircraft cable. Steel cable ends.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: This kit includes: 500' of cable, 200 steel ends, 100 micro
locks, 100 twist-on support collars, 100 #9 swivels, swivel washers, 100
deer stops, and a sample snare. This is enough to make 100 5' snares. The
tools you will need are a hammer, cable cutter, and pliers. This pack has
Steel Cable ends instead of Aluminum Stops and Double Ferrules. These
ends are annealed non-cracking nuts that you will be able to smash with a
hammer and no special crimper is needed. The cable cutters are for cutting
the cable in the lengths you prefer and the pliers are for the bend in the
cable by the lock.

Here is some information to help you select what type of snare cable to
purchase.
[278]
There are three main considerations regarding cable: Type of
construction, diameter, and length. Your cable choice will depend upon the
animals you want to trap.

●
   
Cable construction:

○
       
7x7: Less flexible. Most popular for snares.

○
       
7x19: Extremely flexible. The strongest of the three constructions
listed here. It’s not as prone to kinks. Usually used for large animal
foot snares (bear, hog), downers, and extensions. Usually not used for
neck snares because it forms a teardrop loop due to its high flexibility.

○
       
1x19: Stiff, smooth, strong cable. Kinks somewhat easily. Used
mainly for dispatch snares. It’s very fast when “loaded”. Its strength
allows you to choose a smaller diameter cable and still be able to hold
the bigger animals.
●
   
Cable diameter:

○
       
1/32” - Squirrel, Pine Marten, etc

○
       
3/64” - Mink, Squirrel, Rabbit, etc

○
       
1/16” - Bobcat, Fox, Rabbit, Ground Hog, Opossum, etc

○
       
5/64” - Bobcat, Fox, Raccoon, Coyote (1x19), etc

○
       
3/32” - Raccoon, Coyote, Fox, Beaver, Badger. This is the most
popular size for snaring.

○
       
7
​
/64” - Coyote, Bear Cub, Small Alligator, Wild Hog, Wolf

○
       
1/8” - Coyote, Bear, Alligator, Wild Hog, Wolf

○
       
5/32” - Bear, Alligator, Wild Hog

○
       
3/16” - Large Bear

●
   
Cable length: Smaller animals require smaller loops and the cable
can be quite a bit shorter.

○
       
30” - Mink, Squirrel, Rabbits, etc

○
       
33” - Beaver or fox.

○
       
42” - 48” - Raccoon, Fox, Bobcat, Badger, Rabbit, Opossum,
Ground Hog

○
       
5’ - Raccoon, Fox, Beaver, Coyote. This is the most popular
length.

○
       
7’ - Coyote, Beaver, Wild Hog

○
       
8’ - Wolf, Wild Hog

○
       
10’ - Bear, Alligator, Wild Hog
There are some other components you will need to buy besides cable if you
are making your own snares:

●
   
Lock: Prevents the snare loop from opening after the animal is
caught in the loop.

●
   
Support wire: 14 to 9 gauge wire (stiff, yet bendable - you can also
use a metal clothes hanger) that attaches to your anchor (e.g., tree
trunk or stake) and supports your snare cable. The support wire is bent
to place your snare loop in the most optimal position.

●
   
Support collar: This piece attaches to the cable and provides a
connection site for your support wire. You can bend your support wire
to hold up your cable without using a support collar.

●
   
Steel cable ends or aluminum stops: These are located at each end
of the snare cable and hold everything together.

●
   
Swivels: These permit the cable to twist around the swivel thereby
preventing kinks in the cable as the trapped animal struggles to get
away.

●
   
Deer stop: These prevent the snare loop from closing completely,
so a deer can remove its leg from the loop to escape

To set up a basic snare:

[279]

●
   
Select the location where you want to set up your snare.

●
   
Secure the anchoring end of your snare cable and also your support
wire to your anchor (e.g., tree trunk or stake, etc).

●
   
Adjust the loop in your snare cable to the appropriate diameter for
the animal you want to trap.

●
   
Connect your support wire to your snare cable either using the
support collar if available or by bending the support wire to cradle the
cable.
 ●
   
Bend the support wire to position your cable in the proper location
and height above the ground in the center of the animal’s path. The
height of the loop above the ground will depend upon the size of the
animal you want to trap. You are creating a hangman’s noose for the
animal to walk into.

Dyann Joyce wrote an article with illustrations that nicely details numerous
snare techniques.
[280]
. Here are a couple of books that provide more
information about trapping for survival:

●
   
Angier, Bradford and Young, Jon. “How to Eat in the Woods: A
Complete Guide to Foraging, Trapping, Fishing, and Finding
Sustenance in the Wild.” Black Dog and Leventhal. New York City,
New York. March 15, 2016.

●
   
Livingston, Eustace Hazard. “The Trapper’s Bible: The Most
Complete Guide on Trapping and Hunting Tips Ever.” Skyhorse
Publishing. New York. 2012.

Seeds

Including seeds in your Long-Term BOB is something for you to consider

to cover the possibility that an emergency becomes extended. Seeds are
compact, lightweight, easy to transport, relatively inexpensive, have a long
shelf life, and can provide you with a long-term food source. Seeds provide
you with the ability to grow a survival garden to satisfy your nutritional
needs for vitamins, carbohydrates, and protein. They can help feed you
during times when your hunting and fishing efforts are unsuccessful. And,
you can use them to barter with other people for supplies.

There are different types of seeds:

[281]
,
[282]

●
   
Open-pollinated seeds: These are seeds from plants that are
naturally pollinated with the help of pollinating insects, wind, rain, or
in some cases by self-pollination. Harvesting these seeds permits new
growth identical to the parent plant (”true to type”) year after year.
Cross-pollination between two different open-pollinated plants occurs
in nature.
 ●
   
Hybrid seeds: Most seeds today are hybrids formed by the manual
pollination of two parent plants of the same species to develop a plant
with desired characteristics. Most hybrids are sterile and do not form
seeds. Those that can reproduce produce plants that are not “true to
type” meaning that they differ from the parent plant. Hybrids are
denoted by F1, F2, F3, etc where the number refers to the generation
with F1 being the direct product (first generation) of the parent plants.

●
   
Heirloom seeds: These seeds pass through multiple generations
spanning at least 40 years using open pollination. The plants naturally
develop favorable characteristics over this time such as the ability to
thrive in certain climates and environments as well as resistance to
diseases and insects. These seeds can be planted year after year and
they often taste better and are hardier than other seed types. They are
never hybrids or GMO’s. They tend to be less costly than hybrid seeds.
If you plan to save seeds from heirloom plants, be sure to avoid
planting them near other plants because cross-pollination can occur
through open pollination.

●
   
GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) seeds: GMO’s are created
by gene splicing in the lab for large volume commercial use. The
plants are engineered to have certain desirable traits like drought
tolerance and resistance to insects. They are made to be sterile forcing
farmers to buy new seeds every year. These seeds are expensive and
only available in bulk quantities.

You’ll want open-pollinated seeds for your survival purposes so seeds from
each crop can be saved and planted for upcoming seasons resulting in the
same yield and quality. That means you’ll want open-pollinated or heirloom
seeds.
[283]
An alternative is to store seeds of perennials, which grow back
on their own annually. Examples include Asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes,
horseradish, garlic, and herbs.
[284]
You can collect your own seeds and then
process and store them. You have an endless supply of seeds if you collect
seeds from your own garden each year. Place your seeds into individually
sealed and labeled bags. Store them in a cool, dark location. You can store
them in your freezer to increase their longevity. The germination rate (i.e.,
the percentage of seeds in a given batch that grow) for your seeds steadily
decreases during storage. Keep your seeds fresh by rotating them out
regularly with new seeds of the same variety.
[285]
,
[286]

You can buy a commercial survival seed bank if you prefer not to harvest
your own seeds or if you currently have no garden to harvest.  Popular
brands include:

●
   
Open Seed Vault Survival Garden 32 Variety Pack Heirloom
Vegetable Seeds (see below)

●
   
Heritage Survival Seed Vault Heirloom Seeds ($129.99 on
Amazon.com)

●
   
Survival Essentials 135 Variety Heirloom Survival Seed Bank
($140.94 on eBay)

Some of these seed banks include seeds that can grow in a variety of
regions and climates. They are packaged in Mylar® bags or plastic
containers. They will last about five years in storage if kept cool and dry.
They will last even longer in a freezer. Once you plant your seeds, they will
produce more seeds that you can harvest and replant. You can repeat this
process over and over again to maintain a continual supply of food.
[287]
,

[288]
,
[289]

Item name: Item name: Survival Garden 15,000 Non-GMO Heirloom

Vegetable Seeds, 32 Variety Pack by Open Seed Vault

Vendor: Open Seed Vault on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34Jvna7

Price: $49.95

Weight: 3.2 ounces

Size: 5.5x8.25 inches

Material: Assorted seeds.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 32 Varieties of All Natural Vegetable Seeds: Non-hybrid, Non-

GMO, Heirloom. 100% Naturally Grown and Open Pollinated seeds with
high Germination Rate. Vegetable Growing and Seed Harvesting Guide
Included with Seeds Tested for Maximum Germination and Yield. USA
Seeds Stored in Air Tight, Moisture Proof Resealable Bag for Safer, Long
Term Storage. Carefully Selected Seed and Vegetable Varieties to Provide a
Well Balanced Healthy Diet. EACH PACK CONTAINS THE
FOLLOWING 32 SEED PACKETS:

1. Tomato Beef Steak ~ 180 seeds

2. Eggplant Black Beauty ~ 80 seeds

3. Green Bean Tendergreen Improved ~ 20 seeds

4. Zucchini Black Beauty ~ 25 seeds

5. Lettuce Buttercrunch Butterhead ~ 2280 seeds

6. Lettuce Ruby Leaf ~ 2280 seeds

7. Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson ~ 2280 seeds

8. Brussels Sprouts Long Island ~ 230 seeds

9. Bell Pepper California Wonder ~ 40 seeds

10. Radish Cherry Belle ~ 180 seeds

11. Okra Clemson Spineless ~ 50 seeds

12. Beet Detroit Dark Red ~ 180 seeds

13. Onion Evergreen Bunching ~ 200 seeds

14. Cabbage Golden Acre ~ 280 seeds

15. Corn Golden Bantam ~ 45 seeds

16. Cantaloupe Hales Best Jumbo ~ 20 seeds

17. Watermelon Sugar Baby ~ 30-35 seeds

18. Kale Vates Blue Scotch ~ 280 seeds

19. Lima Henderson ~ 15 seeds

20. Swiss Chard Giant Fordhook ~ 90 seeds

21. Cucumber Marketmore ~ 40 seeds

22. Spinach Bloomsdale ~ 130 seeds

23. Carrot Scarlet Nantes ~ 1750 seeds

24. Turnip Shogoin ~ 430 seeds

25. Pumpkin Sugar Pie ~ 15 seeds

26. Cauliflower Snowball Y ~ 280 seeds

27. Pea Sugar Daddy ~ 25 seeds

28. Broccoli Waltham ~ 330 seeds

29. Winter Squash Waltham Butternut ~ 25 seeds

30. Sunflower Mammoth ~ 20 seeds

31. Parsnips All American ~ 250 seeds

32. Celery Tall Utah Improved ~ 3000 seeds

Here are some factors to consider when choosing what seeds to store:
[290]
,

[291]
,
[292]
 ●
   
Which are the plants that grow best in the area?

●
   
How long is your gardening season?

●
   
What is your experience level? Some plants are easier to grow than
others.

●
   
Focus on plants that deliver calorie-dense foods.

●
   
Select seeds that produce food that provide you with adequate
vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

●
   
Select plants that produce food in the shortest time and in the
smallest space.

Seeds yield foods with different magnitudes of calorie density:

[293]

●
   
Green beans: 140 cal/lb (calories per pound)

●
   
Acorn squash: 220 cal/lb

●
   
Peas: 330 cal/lb

●
   
Corn: 340 cal/lb

●
   
Potatoes: 340 cal/lb

●
   
Yams: 460 cal/lb

●
   
Pinto and navy beans: 570 cal/lb

Here are some tips to fulfill your nutritional needs when you select your
seeds:
[294]

●
   
Protein sources: Beans, peas, and grain

●
   
Carbohydrate sources: Starchy vegetables (e.g., potato, sweet
potato, corn, peas, pumpkin, winter squash)
 ●
   
Fat sources: Oil seeds (e.g., sunflower, soybean)

●
   
Fiber: Beans, peas, potatoes

If you are an inexperienced gardener, stock seeds of some favorite beginner

garden varieties like radishes, Swiss chard, lettuce, carrots, squash,
zucchini, cucumbers, cabbage, and beans. Here is a list of some seeds for
you to consider adding to your seed vault. They offer you good nutritional
value and are easy to grow. There is probably something here for just about
everyone’s taste, so survival does not have to mean deprivation:
[295]
,
[296]
,

[297]
,
[298]

●
   
Allium varieties: Examples include onion, garlic, scallion, shallot,
and leek. Provide fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, and potassium

●
   
Berries: Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C

●
   
Beans: Beans are very high in fiber, calcium, vitamins A, C, and K.
They are a good source of proteins. They store easily for long periods.
Common varieties of beans include pole, kidney, and bush beans. Pole
beans produce almost twice the yield of bush beans. Bush beans yield
about two months after planting. Pole beans take longer to yield but
continue to yield for a longer duration.

●
   
Beets: Multiple plants can be located inches from one another. This
cool-season vegetable can survive frost and it’s ready to harvest two
months after planting. They provide 20% of your folate and 14% of
your manganese daily requirements.

●
   
Broccoli: It’s a good source of protein, vitamins A and K, and
carbohydrates. It yields vegetables three months after planting. It can
be planted one per square foot. Yield is extended by smaller heads
arising from every side after the main head is harvested.

●
   
Carrots – It’s a good source of carbohydrates, vitamin A and C.
Yields food 2.5-3 months after planting. They can be harvested year-
round if you stagger the timing of planting the seeds.
●
   
Corn: It’s a warm-weather crop and it is a good source of proteins,
carbohydrates, and calcium. It provides greater yield than small grains
like wheat. Each stalk produces 1-2 ears of corn. You can store sweet
corn for up to 3 years.

●
   
Grains: They’re a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and
manganese

●
   
Kale: Excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, folate, and riboflavin.
Also, a rich source of calcium, iron, and manganese.  It grows well in
all kinds of soils. Yields about two months after planting.

●
   
Lettuce: Rich in vitamins A and K. Provides moderate amounts of
vitamin C and folate. Can be grown anywhere. Yields fast after
planting. There are several types of lettuce, each with different
nutritional characteristics.

●
   
Peanuts: Protein and fat-rich legume. Good source of folate, niacin,
pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, thiamin, vitamin E, copper, iron,
magnesium, phosphorous, and zinc. Can be planted six inches apart.
Yields four months after planting. Grows well in the warmer Southern
states

●
   
Peas: Green peas are a good source of fiber, protein, carbohydrates,
iron, manganese, zinc, pyridoxine, folate, niacin, thiamin and vitamins
A, C, and K.They are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. They can
be planted at the same time as potatoes, and they are resistant to frost.
Most varieties of peas are fast-growing and high-yielding. They’re
ready to harvest two months after planting. Being cool-season crops,
snow peas can be grown in winter and spring.

●
   
Peppers: High in vitamins A and C. They grow well in warmer
months and are ready to harvest 2-3 months after planting.

●
   
Potatoes: Good source of carbohydrate, potassium, and vitamins
B6, C. It’s a calorie-dense food and provides a moderate amount of
fiber and protein as compared to other vegetables. A single plant yields
about 4-5 small potatoes. Store some of the best potatoes in a cool,
dark place to serve as seed stock for another batch of potatoes next
season.

●
   
Pumpkin: Excellent source of fat, protein, and fiber. Rich in
copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin E.
Also, provides a good amount of folate, niacin, pantothenic acid,
riboflavin, thiamin, and potassium. Substantial yield 3-4 months after
planting. Stores well.

●
   
Radish: Fast-growing, ready to harvest 20-30 days after planting.
High in vitamin C while providing a moderate amount of vitamin E.

●
   
Soy: Rich in protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, fiber,
folate, riboflavin, thiamin, potassium, copper, and vitamin K. Also,
high in pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, and calcium.

●
   
Spinach: High in vitamins A and C, iron, thiamine, thiamine, and
folate. Moderately high in potassium, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and
vitamin E. Grows in cool temperatures and requires regular moisture.

●
   
Sunflower: Excellent source of fat and calories. Provides a good
amount of protein and fiber. Rich in pyridoxine, thiamin, and vitamin
E. High in folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and potassium.
They are low-maintenance. Capable of growing in poor soil as long as
they receive adequate sunlight. Plant in springtime. The large seed
heads of each plant will give a substantial quantity of tasty seeds.

●
   
Swiss chard (silverbeet): Extremely rich in vitamins K and A. Also,
a good source of vitamins C and E, copper, iron, magnesium, and
manganese. Fast-growing. Tasty leaves. Ready to harvest two months
after planting.

●
   
Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A and C.
Provides smaller amounts of manganese, iron, phosphorus, folate,
niacin, pyridoxine, and vitamin E.

●
   
Winter squash: They include pumpkin, acorn squash, butternut
squash, spaghetti squash, and buttercup squash. Low in calories and
 fat. Rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and E, magnesium, potassium, and
manganese. These are harvested in the fall, but will keep through the
winter. High-yield and easy to grow. Can be stored for an indefinite
amount of time if dried and placed into water-tight containers.

Here are some places you can buy heirloom seeds for individual plants if
you want to customize your survival seed collection rather than buying a
commercial seed vault:
[299]
,
[300]

●
   
Baker Creek: https://www.rareseeds.com

●
   
Seeds Savers Exchange: https://www.seedsavers.org

●
   
Johnny’s Seeds: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/?
prefn1=prod_feature_seed_type&prefv1=4

You can employ intercropping, which is the technique of growing different

plants together rather than in separate plots of land. It improves yield
especially when space is limited. It serves as “insurance” because of the
likelihood that something will grow to provide you with food even if some
plants do not survive. Corn, beans, and squash are known as “The Three
Sisters” and mix cropping with them began possibly 5,000 years ago.
[301]

The nutrients required by all plants include:

[302]

●
   
Nitrogen

●
   
Potassium

●
   
Phosphorus

●
   
Other important nutrients that crops may require include:
Magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron

Compost is a means to maintain a continuous supply of nutrients in the soil.

You can create a compost pile using discards from your cooking and
thereby make one of the most popular natural fertilizers for your garden.
Some animal-based natural fertilizers include bone meal, fish meal, blood
meal, and chicken meal.

In a mass disaster, there will most likely be many others like you who will
be escaping their environs. Many of you may end up in the same area.
Some of the people that are inclined to steal from others during normal
times may escape to somewhere near you. They may scout the area looking
for food or other items to take for themselves. Rick Austin’s book, “Secret
Garden of Survival” details how you can camouflage your garden making it
blend into its surroundings and protect it from looters and thieves.
[303]

All of your survival gardening work will be made easier if you have a
shovel. That is one more reason why you should consider including a
survival shovel with your Long-Term BOB. You should also keep one in
your vehicle so you’ll be able to access it even for your short-term survival
needs. You’ll find information about survival shovels at the end of the Tools
chapter.

Shelter Items
Items covered in this chapter include:

●
   
Garbage bags

●
   
Plastic painting dropcloth

●
   
Solar blanket

●
   
Emergency blanket/tarp

●
   
Poncho

●
   
Bivy sack

●
   
Tarp

●
   
Tent
 ●
   
Hammock

●
   
Mosquito Nets

Shelter items are essential for your BOBs. It’s frequently stated that you can
survive only 3 hours without shelter if exposed to nature’s elements. Three
hours is a short time. How can that be? You can quickly die from
hypothermia or hyperthermia.

Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops to 95 °F or

lower. It occurs when your body loses more heat than it can generate. You
experience shivering initially and difficulty with fine motor skills. You
progress to fatigue, confusion, loss of consciousness, and death.
Hypothermia occurs more quickly when you’re exposed to wind and rain.
Being wet drastically increases heat loss. Wet clothing results in five times
greater heat loss while being immersed in water results in a 25 times
increase in heat loss compared with being dry. You may work up a sweat
even in cold temperatures while physically exerting yourself in a survival
situation. It is important to dress in clothes that wick perspiration away
from your skin as well as wear outer layers of clothes that allow water
vapor to escape so you stay dry.
[304]
,
[305]

On the other extreme from hypothermia, you can die from over-heating in a
hot environment especially if you are vigorously active trying to survive.
You can initially develop heat exhaustion as your core body temperature
rises. You may experience headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and muscle
cramps. This progresses to heat stroke or hyperthermia when your core
body temperature reaches 105 °F. At that point, you’ll suffer from
confusion or unconsciousness followed by tissue destruction damaging vital
organs including the heart. The end result is death.
[306]
Your risk of
developing hyperthermia increases as the temperature rises. A shelter that
provides you with shade is important because the heat index value can be
up to 15 °F greater under direct sunlight compared with being in the shade.

[307]

It’s often stated that you can survive three days without water and three
weeks without food. So, you can even perish faster if you lack shelter than
if you’re without water or food when faced with extreme environmental
conditions. You can build a shelter from materials you find in your
environment. Make your shelter small since it takes less time to build and
will retain your heat better than a larger shelter. Any shelter you have to
build will take valuable time and energy; you want to conserve both in an
emergency. So, everyone must pack some shelter items to help them
survive. What you choose to pack will depend upon your circumstances.
The most simple shelter items are the clothes you wear (e.g., hat, jacket,
gloves, etc) and those are discussed in the Clothes chapter. Here, we’ll
review some common shelter items beginning with the most basic and then
progressing to more formal shelters.

Garbage Bag

The most basic shelter items are the clothes you’re wearing. Beyond that
are things that you place over yourself for protection against the elements
including sun, wind, rain, or snow. If you are escaping with a very light
pack, then you might consider bringing one or two construction grade 42 to
55-gallon garbage bags to serve as a minimal shelter item. They are light
and take up very little space in your pack. Of course, higher mil bags will
be heavier and take up more space than lower mil bags. If weight and space
are a priority, then you can select a lower mil bag, but you’ll be giving up
strength and durability. Garbage bags are rated by their thickness in mil (1
mil equals 1/1000 inch thickness) with higher mil equating to higher
strength. Here is a rundown on available bags
[308]

●
   
Standard strength: 0.7-1.1 mil. For general food and office waste.

●
   
Heavy strength: 1.2-1.7 mil. For everyday trash. Puncture resistant
(e.g., sticks, items with sharp corners)

●
   
Extra heavy strength: 2.0-2.7 mil. For heavy trash. Resists tears
from sharp edges (e.g., broken glass)

●
   
Contractor strength: 3.0-6.0 mil. For super heavy rough trash (e.g.,
construction debris). Great tear resistance.

You might consider carrying garbage bags as your stand-alone shelter item
for your Short-Term BOB. Garbage bags are still worthwhile to include in
your Medium- and Long-Term BOBs because they have many other uses
besides for shelter. However, it is better to also pack more substantial
shelter items with your longer-term bags.

Ways you can use garbage bags for shelter include (some techniques work
better if you combine 2 garbage bags):

●
   
Making a rain poncho (Note: Garbage bags are impermeable to
water and water vapor, so they can make you wet by not permitting
water vapor to escape if used as a rain poncho or a sleeping bag.)

●
   
Create a sleeping bag

●
   
Covering your pack

●
   
Making an overhead cover either by draping it over branches or
using a ridgeline

●
   
Making a tube tent

●
   
Making a lean-to

Item name: 55-60 Gallon

Contractor Bags

Vendor: Plastic Place

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/38Thesz

Price: $46.79 for 1 case containing 50 bags

Weight: 7 ounces

Size: 38x58 inches

Material:  3.0 mil of low-density plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Low-density resins are both strong and flexible, and at this
thickness, bags can cope with anything from nails to jagged glass or
splintered framing. Each bag is sealed with a carefully reinforced gusset
seam. Bag volume capacity 55-60 gallons. Standard, twist-tie.

Plastic Painting Dropcloth

Plastic painting dropcloths are inexpensive, compact, and lightweight. They

have numerous applications when you are in a disaster situation including
keeping your woodpile dry, collecting rainwater, forming the top of a solar
still, and creating the walls of a greenhouse. They can also be used to create
temporary shelters if you need to put together something fast that is
waterproof. One specific type of shelter they can be used for is to create the
front of a super shelter (greenhouse principle of retaining heat in an
enclosed structure with a transparent wall) as described by Mors Kochanski.
[309]
, 
[310]

Plastic painting cloths consist of a polyethylene film and are usually clear
or black. They generally range from 3-6 mil in thickness and common sizes
are 10x25 feet and 20x25 feet.
[311]

Item name:
Plastic
10-ft x 25-ft
Drop Cloth

Vendor: Lowes

Webpage URL:
https://low.es/2KDruwM

Price: $11.98

Weight: Not specified

Size: 10x25 feet

Material: Plastic sheeting

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 3.5 mil clear sheeting. 250 square feet.

Emergency Solar Blanket

There are lots of emergency solar blankets on the market. They are made of
Mylar® which consists of a thin plastic sheet on to which vaporized
aluminum is deposited creating a reflective surface. It was designed for use
by NASA in 1973 to direct the sun’s heat away from the orbiting Spacelab
space station. It functions in a survival situation by reflecting from 70-90%
of your body heat back toward you. Some reasons why they are so popular
as survival items include:
[312]

●
   
They are inexpensive. You can buy a basic one for under $1.00.
More durable versions are available at extra cost.

●
   
Lightweight: 2-2.5 ounces for the basic style

●
   
Compact: About the size of a deck of cards when folded. Basic
ones are 52-54 inches wide and 82-84 inches long unfolded.

●
   
Waterproof

●
   
Windproof

Some disadvantages of these emergency blankets include:

●
   
Fragile. Tear easily. For short-term use as a blanket.

●
   
Moisture does not permeate through them, so you can become
damp or wet when wrapped beneath them

●
   
Noisy

●
   
The aluminum coating can wear off

There are numerous ways an emergency solar blanket can be helpful as a

part of your survival shelter:

●
   
As ground cover beneath your sleeping bag to protect against
moisture and cold
 ●
   
As the back wall to your shelter to reflect heat on to you from your
body and a fire built in front of your shelter

●
   
As a covering over your makeshift shelter to offer protection
against wind and rain

●
   
As a covering over your shelter to reflect the sun’s heat

●
   
Placed beneath your hammock to serve as insulation from drafts
and cold air

●
   
Placed on the outside of your shelter, it will make your shelter
more visible to rescuers

●
   
Use to collect rainwater

Item name: Science Purchase 73MYLARPK20

Emergency Mylar Thermal
Blankets
, 54" x 84" (Pack of 20)

Vendor: Electronix Express on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34O0xgD

Price: $17.99 for a package of 20

Weight: 1.44 ounces

Size: 54x84 inches unfolded size for each blanket

Material: Mylar

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments:  Consistently Retains and Reflects 90% of Body Heat.

Individually Sealed Packaging. Folded to Compact Wallet Size For Easy
Storage.

Emergency Blanket/Tarp
While emergency space blankets are cheap and almost one-time use items,
emergency blankets are a step up in durability and cost. Emergency
blankets are thicker, heavier, and stronger than emergency space blankets.
They usually include grommets at each corner and sometimes along the
sides, so they can be tied down to function as a small tarp (see the section
below about Tarps). They can perform all of the functions of an emergency
space blanket, but they are durable enough to be reusable.

Item name: UTOOL Extra Large Heavy Duty

Emergency Blanket
,
Waterproof Insulated
Tarp

Vendor: UtoolDirect on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34NbzTD

Price: $19.97

Weight: 1.25 lb

Size: 60x84 inches

Material: Three layers consisting of nonwoven fabric on the outside surface

(for heat retention), polymesh in the middle (increases tensile strength
drastically, reduces tearing), and aluminized Mylar® on the inside surface
(gas and moisture-proof, heat retention and reflection, impact-resistant)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 3-layer thickened materials, reusable and tough enough under

the heavy rain or wild wind even for first aid. Four reinforced grommets at
the corners + waterproof and windproof, functions as a lean-to shelter, tarp
or ground cover. 93% heat retention, reflects the sunlight for a signal and
keeps warm. Four metal stakes are included. 100% money-back guarantee.

Poncho
(also mentioned in the Sleep and Clothes chapters)

Military ponchos can play an important role in your BOBs. Besides serving
as a raincoat, they can be used for many other things including ground
cover, sleeping bag, tarp, water carrier, stretcher, collect rain, carry satchel,
protect you from the elements (sun, rain, wind), hammock, blanket, pillow,
make a solar still, sling, hold cold water or snow to make a cold compress,
or use as a sail.
[313]

Be sure that you get a poncho that has:

●
   
Snaps on its sides joining the front and back halves together.
Unsnapping the poncho will allow it to open up and serve as a tarp.
You can also snap multiple ponchos together to create a larger shelter.

●
   
Grommets on its hem. The grommets permit you to tie down your
poncho when it is unsnapped and opened up.

●
   
Ripstop nylon fabric to make it harder to tear.

●
   
Waterproof coating.

●
   
Large enough to cover you while you’re carrying your backpack on
your back. Most ponchos come in one size. Select the most optimal
size for you if there are size options.

Note: Poncho liners are discussed in the Sleep Items chapter.

All you need is some cordage and you can use your poncho to quickly make
a simple shelter:
[314]
,
[315]

●
   
Basic lean-to

●
   
Ridgeline lean-to

●
   
A-frame

●
   
Plow point

Some downsides to a poncho:

●
   
Most of them do not breathe well, so moisture will accumulate
beneath them
 ●
   
They can flap around and be blown upwards by wind. A drawstring
around the waist will limit the amount the poncho will flap upwards

Item name: Mil-Tec Ripstop Wet Weather

Poncho
, Multi-Use Bivouac
Sack, Emergency Shelter Tent

Vendor: Military_1st on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nRSF5u

Price: $40.95 plus $4.99 shipping

Weight: 1.72 lb

Size: 56x90 inches

Material: 100% Polyester waterproof ripstop, polyvinyl chloride coated

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Drawcord hood, Matching carry pouch. Six Brass Eyelets and
Press Studs. Available in seven different colors and patterns.

Bivy Sack

A bivy sack refers to bivouac, which is a temporary encampment usually in

an area without shelter. It’s also known simply as a bivy. They started as
waterproof sleeping bag covers. Over time, bivies have transformed into
more formal compact shelters akin to short height tents. They can increase
your warmth by 5-10°F. Bivies protect you from rain and insects. A bivy’s
bottom is usually waterproofed by coating nylon with urethane similar to
the floor of a tent. The top of bivies is generally constructed of ripstop
nylon treated with a waterproof, breathable laminate (e.g., Gore-Tex®).
Some have an enlarged, enclosed head area. The main advantage of bivies
is that they are compact and easy to pack. The main disadvantage is that
they are very small with space only enough for you and your sleeping bag.
Even your backpack will have to be kept outside your bivy. Bivies are most
appropriate for short escapes. Some factors to consider when you select a
bivy include:
[316]
,
[317]
,
[318]

●
   
Size and weight. A head hoop adds weight and bulk.

●
   
Waterproof

●
   
Good air circulation. Higher breathability sacrifices some degree of
waterproofing.

●
   
High-quality materials

●
   
Rain and weather-resistant

●
   
Multiple zippers that allow armhole openings and multiple
ventilation options

●
   
Sleeping pad stabilization straps

●
   
Price

Item name: Outdoor Research Alpine

Bivy

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3hoi9EQ

Price: $250.00

Weight: 1 lb 5.5 ounces

Size: 26 inches shoulder width, 84-inch length

Material: 3-layer GORE-TEX® Respiration Positive fabric.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 3-4-season. Protects from rain and snow without collecting

interior condensation. All seams are taped to ensure waterproofness.
Overlapping zipper-opening lets you breathe freely without letting in the
weather. A single pole can be used to create overhead space or left at the
trailhead to save weight.

Tarp

A tarp is simple, inexpensive, compact, lightweight, and has a multitude of

uses. It is something to consider for your Medium- and Long-Term BOBs.
It can be used for all of the things previously described for emergency solar
blankets and emergency blanket/tarps, but it’s larger and more durable. A
tarp for a single person used as a shelter should be 8x8 feet or larger. Tarps
are lighter, smaller, less expensive, and can be used for more purposes than
a tent. In a survival situation, tarps can be used to construct a life-saving
shelter much faster than utilizing things you find in nature. The downsides
of using a tarp as a shelter as compared with a tent are that you’ll be more
exposed to weather, there is no inherent protection from the ground, it
requires more skill to set up as a shelter, and you’ll be exposed to insects
and snakes.

The reference list in the back of this book lists the following additional
references that provide you with information about using tarps to create
shelters:

●
   
Jardine, Ray. “The Ray-Way Tarp Book Essential.” AdventureLore
Press. Danville, New Hampshire. 2011.

●
   
Stewart, Creek. “Pocket Field Guide: Survival Tarp Shelters.”
Dropstone Press. Anderson, Indiana. 2016.

Tarps are made of a variety of materials including:

[319]
,
[320]

●
   
Plastic: Most common. Relatively inexpensive. Waterproof.
Generally, UV treated. Strength and durability vary. Usually have a
polyethylene film and more layers provide greater durability.

●
   
Nylon (polyamide): Exceptionally strong, abrasion-resistant,
resistant to damage from oil and many chemicals. Melts then burns
rapidly. Low moisture absorbency. Light weight. Compact.
 ●
   
Polyester (polyethylene naphthalate): Strong, resistant to stretching
and shrinking, resistant to most chemicals, crisp and resilient wet or
dry, abrasion-resistant. Melts and burns simultaneously. Quick-drying.
Lightweight.

●
   
Tyvek®: It’s a plastic (flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers).
Often used to protect buildings under construction. Water vapor passes
through it, but liquid water does not. Resists tearing. Lightweight,
chemical resistant. Opaque. Looks like paper.

●
   
Visqueen: A brand of polyethylene plastic sheeting (typically low-
density polyethylene). Often used for painting drop cloths, to line
ponds, and for greenhouses. Available in clear, opaque, blue, and
black.

Sheets of Tyvek® and Visqueen are inexpensive, but they do not come with
grommets. Survival tarps need to have grommets or tie-out loops as tie-
down sites. You need a tarp that is strong and durable. Grommets may tear
out. Tie-down loops are sewn often with reinforcing fabric to distribute
tension from a rope over a broader area reducing the chance of tearing. It’s
important that there are tie-downs along all of the edges and not only at the
corners. Tarps often come with a waterproof coating, which can wear off
over time creating water leaks. Square tarps can be used for more types of
shelters than rectangular tarps. You want to strike a balance between
compactness, weight, and durability. Generally, lighter tarps will be less
durable.
[321]

Item name: AquaQuest Safari

Tarp

Vendor: Gear Out Here USA on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rv1t3p

Price: $109.99

Weight: 2.1 lb
Size: 10x13 feet open. Packed size 4x5x11 inches. Compressed size: 2x5x5
inches.

Material: 70D nylon fabric + Non-toxic dual Silicone and PU coating

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 100% WATERPROOF - The AquaQuest Safari tarp will keep

you completely dry, even in extreme weather. 5000mm waterproof rating.
With dual coatings of non-toxic Polyurethane and Silicone you can be
absolutely certain that not a single drop of water will get through your tarp.
LIGHTWEIGHT and COMPACT - At only 2.1 lbs, you’ll hardly notice
you’re carrying it. The Safari packs up so small that you can fit it in almost
any space. Complete with its own convenient stuff-sack. 19 reinforced
webbing tie loops in and around the perimeter, 2 lantern loops, and a total
coverage of 122 sq ft. The AquaQuest Safari gives you the perfect balance;
it is very lightweight, yet also durable and resilient to the forces of nature. It
is essentially a cross between two of Aqua Quest's best-selling tarps - the
ultralight 'Guide' and the heavy-duty 'Defender'. AquaQuest products are
backed by a Lifetime Warranty.

Tent

A tent will provide you with the best protection against weather, insects,
and snakes. A tarp will serve you adequately as a means of short-term
shelter and should therefore be a serious consideration for your Medium
Term BOB. An experienced survivalist can use a tarp for long-term survival
and create a more permanent shelter out of items found in nature. A tent is
an easier and more comfortable long-term shelter. In an extended survival
situation, a tent will eventually break down, but it should last plenty of time
to permit you to build a more permanent shelter out of items found in your
locale. As an aside, it is worthwhile packing a tarp (if you have space) even
if you bring a tent because a tarp has so many uses including serving as a
backup shelter.

Tents have three major configurations:

[322]
,
[323]
 ●
   
Freestanding tents: These tents stand up on their own without
needing to be staked out. Stakes are still a good idea so your tent will
be anchored to withstand wind. Rain flies must generally be staked to
create a vestibule.  Support is derived from tent poles. These tents can
be lifted and moved around while maintaining their shape. Most of
these tents have a separate outer, waterproof rain fly over an inner,
breathable (but, not waterproof) tent body, which means that they have
a double wall. The double wall and pole support combine to provide
the best protection against wind and rain. A few of these tents are
designed with a single, waterproof wall; these tents have low
breathability.

●
   
Non-freestanding tents: These tents need to be staked out first and
then one or more poles are used to prop them up. They require fewer
pole sections. Most are single wall, lightweight, and compact. Some
have double walls. They provide less headroom and weather protection
than freestanding tents.

●
   
Semi-freestanding tents: These tents are less common than the
other two types of tents. A pole similar to freestanding tents supports
them, but they also need to be staked out for the tent to reach full size
and to achieve a rigid frame.

Tent manufacturers list two weights:

[324]
,
[325]

●
   
Packaged weight: Includes tent body, rain fly, poles, footprint,
stakes, guylines, stuff sack, and anything else in the manufacturer’s
package.

●
   
Minimum weight (also known as trail weight): Includes tent body,
rain fly, and poles. Does not include stakes, guylines, or stuff sack.

Your tent usually weighs more than anything else you pack. Some
generalizations for 2 person tents are as follows:

●
   
Heavy/midweight: >4.5 pounds. Most room. Most durable. Does
not utilize the lightest weight materials. Cheaper. 4 season tents fall in
this weight range.
 ●
   
Lightweight (also known as backpacking tents): 3-4.5 pounds. Full
features. Thinner, lighter materials. More costly. Mostly for 3 season
use

●
   
Ultralight: 2-3 pounds. Less interior space.  Tapered dimensions,
simplified pole structures, lower head height, smaller vestibules, fewer
features.

●
   
Crazylight: Less than 2 pounds. Thinnest materials. Non-
freestanding, single wall designs.

Factors to consider when choosing your tent:

[326]
,
[327]
,
[328]
,
[329]
,
[330]
,

[331]
,
[332]

●
   
Weather protection: Taped seams provide protection. Freestanding
tents are better at protecting against wind and rain because most are
double-walled with an outer rain fly. A rain fly is a fabric cover that
goes over your tent to provide wind and rain protection. It can be full
or partial coverage. Full coverage is better at blocking wind and rain.
Rain flies are commonly made of nylon or polyester. Nylon is cheaper,
but it absorbs more water and is heavier when wet. Polyester is more
expensive, absorbs less water making it weigh less when wet, and dries
faster when wet. Stronger poles and many guylines provide wind
resistance.

●
   
Waterproof: Waterproof rating of at least 2000mm means the tent
can withstand 2000mm of water on top of it before it begins to leak. It
can tolerate most storms.

●
   
Footprint: Most water leakage comes from the ground at the
bottom of the tent. A footprint is a waterproof material that is placed
between the ground and your tent to keep water out. It also provides
insulation and protection against puncture or tearing of your tent’s
floor. Be sure to get one designed for your tent so it matches the shape
of your tent and its grommets will directly attach to the tent’s poles.
You can use a tarp or section of Tyvek® or Polycryo material if you do
not have a formal footprint.
●
   
Ventilation: Double-wall tents have an inner wall made of
breathable mesh fabric, which allows these tents to breathe much
better when the rain fly cover is opened. Rain flies are waterproof and
have low breathability. Ventilation can be improved by having rain fly
vents at the top of the roof and also space between the lower edge of
the rain fly and the tent body. Single wall tents must be made of
waterproof fabrics, which are less breathable.

●
   
Shape and color: Low profile aerodynamic shape is best for windy
locations. Natural color or camouflage is best if you want to blend into
your surroundings. A bright color is better if you want to be seen by
rescuers

●
   
Weight and packed size: Non-freestanding tents weigh much less
and pack much smaller than freestanding tents. Ultra-light models cost
more and are less durable. Lighter is better even if you are escaping by
car since you may have to leave your car on foot at some point. Try to
get a tent in the 3-5 lb range.

●
   
Appropriate for your locale’s climate: You can get a lighter two or
three season tent versus a four season tent if your locale does not
become very cold in the winter.

●
   
Winter tent (four seasons): Made of thicker materials. Insulation.
Removable rain fly to make it cooler in the summer. They have
stronger frames. They can hold up to high winds and snowfall. They
have angled sides to shed snow. They have vents to release water
vapor. They are heavier than three season tents.

●
   
Interior space: Some tents are narrower and lower at the feet than
the shoulders (referenced with a person lying down) to save space and
weight. Most backpacking tents have a peak height of around 40-42
inches. The walls of newer freestanding tents have a more vertical
profile due to their pole design pulling the fabric outward. Ultra-light,
non-freestanding, and cheaper tents have a more A-frame profile that
results in much reduced interior volume.
●
   
Number of occupants. You can get a two-person tent just for
yourself so you have room for your gear. The trade-off is extra weight.

●
   
Durability: More durable tents are made of heavier, thicker fabrics
that have higher denier (D) ratings). Thinner fabrics are lighter but less
durable. Adding multiple layers of silicone is an expensive method that
increases strength without significantly increasing fabric thickness or
weight. High denier floors that extend up against the wall helps
prevent leaks and tears. (Note: Do not wear shoes or boots inside your
tent. Dirt and debris on shoes will abrade and accelerate wear to the
tent’s floor.) Greater durability at the expense of extra weight is a
consideration if you anticipate a prolonged survival situation.

●
   
Doors: Tents may have one door. A single door located at the head
is more convenient than a side door so you don’t have to climb over
your gear or partner when you go in and out of the tent. Tents for two
or more people may have two doors, each with a vestibule.

●
   
Vestibule: Provides a protected place outside the tent for storage.
Keeps your items dry and leaves more room for you inside the tent.
This is an option for freestanding and non-freestanding tents. They
range from about 8 SF (square feet) single vestibules to two-door tents
with two vestibules having a total of 22 SF.

●
   
Internal organization: Pouches (solid or mesh) or hang loops for
suspending a light.

●
   
Tent poles: Almost all quality tents use aluminum poles. They are
fairly inexpensive, lightweight, and will flex considerably before
breaking. There are some quality carbon fiber poles.

●
   
Tent stakes: Most tents come with four stakes, one for each corner.
They come with two extra stakes for the vestibule. However, you
should bring more stakes and cordage to serve as guylines to deal with
winds, provide greater stability, and keep the rain fly fabric taut.
Quality aluminum stakes include:
 ○
       
DAC (
https://amzn.to/3pqbWLr
). $12-58 for eight stakes.
Available in four different sizes.

○
       
MSR Groundhog stakes (
https://amzn.to/37Rss1e
). $20 for six
stakes. Available in two sizes.

●
   
Setup: Freestanding tents can easily be moved around once they are
set up. Non-freestanding tents have to be disassembled and
reassembled to change their location. You can assemble a non-
freestanding tent in the rain without getting its interior wet since its
single wall is waterproof. The inside of a double-wall tent will get wet
until the rain fly is installed when setting up in the rain since the inner
wall (i.e., the tent body) is not waterproof. You want a tent that a single
person can set up and take down easily and quickly. Speed is critical in
survival circumstances.

●
   
Flexibility: Non-freestanding tents generally have only one
configuration. Freestanding tents offer more flexibility. You can leave
off the rain fly and use just the breathable bottom wall of a
freestanding tent on a warm, dry day.

●
   
Price: Freestanding and non-freestanding tents vary greatly in price
and quality. Generally, lighter tents are more expensive since they use
more advanced components.

Here are a few examples of tents that favor durability over lightweight since
durability is a priority in a potentially long-term survival situation. You may
not be able to stay in one place and benefit from constructing a long-term
shelter using things available in your environment. A tent shelter is highly
useful if you have to pack up and move quickly from place to place.

Item name: REI Co-op Passage 2

Tent
with Footprint

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/34KUj14

Price: $159.00
Weight: Minimum Trail weight 4 lbs 2 oz. Packaged weight 5 lb 10oz

Size: Packed size 8x18 inches. Floor dimensions: 52x88 inches. Peak
height: 40 inches. Vestibule area: 19 SF

Material: 75-D polyester canopy, floor, and rain fly

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Freestanding design in an X-pole configuration. Easy to set up.

8.5mm diameter aluminum poles. 2 doors. 2-person sleeping capacity. 3
seasons. 2 twin stake-out vestibules provide large covered areas for gear
storage. Adjustable ceiling vents help reduce condensation by moving moist
air outside. Fly doors roll up over the roof for a clear view of the sky,
improved venting, and reduced condensation. A symmetrical, rectangular
floor provides an efficient, comfortable layout. Internal pockets and gear
loops help organize your essentials. Includes footprint, stuff sack, stakes,
and guylines with tighteners.

Item name: REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus

Tent

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3aK0rKX

Price: $229.00

Weight: Minimum trail weight 4 lb 14 oz. Packaged weight: 5 lbs 5 oz.

Size: Packed size 7x20.5 inches. Floor dimensions: 56x92 inches. Peak
height: 44 inches. Vestibule area: 22.5 SF

Material: Canopy Fabric: 40-denier ripstop nylon/20-denier nylon mesh.

Floor Fabric: 70-denier taffeta nylon. Rainfly Fabric: 40-denier nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Freestanding design. 2-person design. 1 hubbed poleset

simplifies set up. Improved pole architecture boosts livable space; vertical
sidewalls provide generous head and shoulder room. Mesh panels in the
upper portion of the tent improve ventilation and views; ripstop panels in
the lower portion provide privacy, reduce drafts, and exposure to blowing
dust and dirt. REI Exclusive tension-truss architecture creates stable vertical
sidewalls for generous space and plenty of headroom. 2 large doors and 2
vestibules offer easy access and additional covered storage. Pockets and
hang loops help organize the interior. When zipped open, doors stash out of
the way in pockets just inside the door opening. Fly design allows sides and
ends to be rolled up to maximize views and airflow; everything also rolls
down quickly if a storm blows in. Fly has 4 ceiling vents that provide
airflow to prevent condensation buildup. Includes guylines with tighteners,
pole-repair tube, pole bag, 8 stakes, and stake bag. Footprint not included.
Inducted in the Editors' Choice 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame by
Backpacker magazine (2018).

Item name: Kelty Dirt Motel 2

Tent

Vendor: Kelty

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2KZH8CB

Price: $259.95

Weight: Minimum weight: 4 lbs 4 oz. Packaged weight: 4 lbs 13 oz

Size: Dimensions (LxWxH): 84x50x42.5 inches. Floor area: 28 SF.

Vestibule area: 2x8.9 SF

Material: Wall material: No-See-Um Mesh. Floor material: 70-D Nylon /

3000 PU coating. Fly material: 40D Siliconized Nylon Ripstop / 1500mm 

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Freestanding design. 3 seasons.  Number of poles: 3. Pole type:

DAC Pressfit™ - Aluminum. A compact hubbed aluminum pole set for
easy packing and lightning-fast setup. Number of doors: 2. Number of
vestibules: 2. Capacity: 2. Stargazing Fly™ that can be open/closed from
inside the tent. Oversized doors and super-spacious interior. Compact and
lightweight.

Hammock
[333]
,
[334]
/,
[335]
,
[336]
,
[337]
,
[338]
,
[339]

A hammock is something many people do not think to include in their

BOB. There are some advantages to hammocks that may sway you to
consider getting one:

●
   
Lightweight.

●
   
Compact. About the size of a softball or cantaloupe when packed.
This is a big plus since sleep and shelter items take up the most space
in a BOB.

●
   
Inexpensive

●
   
High-quality versions are durable

●
   
Simple and fast to set up and take down

●
   
Can protect you from insects, sun, rain if you include an insect net
and rain fly

●
   
Comfortable. Lets you sleep off of the hard ground

●
   
No need to worry if no flat ground is available to set up your sleep
area

●
   
It can serve as a blanket

Here are some features to consider when choosing a hammock:

●
   
General types of hammocks:

○
       
Simple, unstructured, gathered ends: Attached at both ends. The
amount of droop can be adjusted by altering the tension on the support
ropes or straps. Cheapest.
○
       
Hammocks with integrated ridgelines. A line is attached to both
ends of the hammock serving to suspend an insect net and/or rain fly.
It also creates a fixed droop regardless of the amount of tension in the
support ropes or straps.

○
       
Spreader bar hammocks. A rigid bar oriented perpendicularly at
both ends of the hammock holds the sides apart. Spreader bars add
weight and bulk. These hammocks can twist to the right or left side
causing a person to fall off.

○
       
Thru-hiker hammocks. Most durable. For long-term use.
Comfortable. Many have integrated insect nets and rain flies. Heavy
and expensive.

○
       
Hammock tent. Can be suspended or used on the ground like a
tent. Comfortable. Heavier, expensive.

○
       
A hammock can be created using your BOB tarp and cordage
(e.g., 550 paracord)

●
   
Material:

○
       
Most are made from lightweight 300D nylon or polyester
parachute material. Avoid cotton, which is heavier and absorbs
moisture.

○
       
Ripstop stitching to resist tearing and stretching

○
       
Fast drying

●
   
Construction:

○
       
Reinforced seams

○
       
Double or triple stitched at corners and support joints

●
   
Hardware:
○
       
A carabiner is less likely to slip than an S-hook at the ends of the
hammock for attachment of ropes or straps

○
       
If your hammock comes with S-hooks, it’s easy to replace them
with carabiners.

○
       
Double-sided, paired zippers that can be operated from inside or
outside and from either end of the hammock.

●
   
Hanging cordage:

○
       
Most hammocks include either rope or webbed nylon straps on
either end

○
       
You can use 550 paracord if your hammock does not include
hanging cordage

○
       
Straps are more convenient to use than rope. Many straps come
with daisy-chained loops so you can easily adjust the tension on the
strap by attaching the carabiner to loops in different locations on the
strap. Multi-loop straps are heavier than those with single loops.

○
       
You can buy strap or rope cover sleeves to protect tree bark. Some
straps are designed to avoid tree bark damage.

●
   
Size:

○
       
Single or double for one or two people.

○
       
Longer and wider hammocks are more comfortable, but are
bulkier and weigh more

○
       
If you have the space to carry it, you can get a two-person
hammock for just yourself.

○
       
Ultra-light hammocks are less durable and less comfortable

●
   
Weight capacity: Maximum weight that the hammock can support
 ●
   
Integrated insect net with zipper closure

●
   
Integrated rain and sun cover (fly)

●
   
Complete sleep system hammocks include insect net and rain fly

●
   
Some hammocks are double layered so a sleeping pad can be
placed for insulation between the two layers. Even without a sleeping
pad, the double layer will protect you from insect bites that can occur
through hammocks with only a single layer of fabric.

Here are some common issues associated with using a hammock and how
to overcome them:

●
   
Lying on a concave surface causing your back to be flexed forward.
This can be avoided by simply lying diagonally on your hammock
with your head at 1:30 and your feet at 7:30 if you consider the head
and foot of the hammock to be at 12 and 6 o’clock, respectively. Lying
at an angle allows you to sleep comfortably in a flat position.

●
   
Becoming cold because the hammock’s thin fabric is all that
separates you from the air beneath the hammock. This can be remedied
by:

○
       
Placing your sleeping bag over an insulating material such as a
sleeping pad (discussed in the Sleep Items chapter) or blanket. These
can shift around.

○
       
Using an underquilt that goes beneath the hammock.
[340]
Bulkier,
more to carry. This can be combined with a top quilt or blanket instead
of a sleeping bag.

●
   
Insects. You can either get a hammock with an integrated insect net
or add an insect net as an add-on.

●
   
Rain and sun. You can either get a hammock with an integrated
rain fly or make one using a tarp placed over a ridgeline located above
your hammock.
 ●
   
Concern about falling out of the hammock. Avoid spreader bar
hammocks which are less stable than simple hammocks with or
without integrated ridgelines.

●
   
No place to store your gear in a hammock. You can keep some
small items in the hammock with you. But, your pack and other larger
items will need to go elsewhere:

○
       
Beneath your hammock. Dig trenches around your pack to divert
rainwater away from it.

○
       
Hung from a tree

○
       
Hung from a ridgeline placed over your hammock

○
       
Hung from your hammock suspension ropes or straps

○
       
Place your pack inside a waterproof cover if you’re hanging it
somewhere it’s exposed to rain

●
   
What if there are no trees to use to suspend your hammock? No
problem if you’re packing a hammock-tent that can be set up on the
ground. The drawback with these is that they are heavier and bulkier.

●
   
A hammock is not ideal for multiple people even if you get a two-
person hammock. Getting separate single person hammocks for each
person or using a tent are better alternatives.

Item name: ENO - Eagles Nest Outfitters Atlas

Hammock Straps
,
Suspension System

Vendor: thePruneDanish on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2JoA6qz

Price: $29.94

Weight: 11 ounces
Size: 1-inch x 9 feet, each strap

Material: Durable polyfilament (nylon/polyester) webbing

Appropriate for which BOBs:  Medium, Long

Comments: Two straps each 9 feet long, allowing you to wrap them around
big trees. Each strap has 15 adjustment points. Support up to 400 pounds.
Easy on the bark of trees.

Item name: Active Roots Double Camping Hammock with Tree Straps (
budget simple hammock
)

Vendor: Active Roots on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WOghvL

Price: $39.99

Weight: 2.1 lb

Size: 0.1x78x118 inches

Material: Nylon parachute fabric

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Double camping hammock supports up to 500 pounds. Highest

quality tree straps (that DON'T harm trees), carabiners, and stuff bag
included. The full setup will take you less than three minutes. 100%
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Does not come with an insect net or rain
fly.

Item name: Eagles Nest Outfitters JungleNest™ Sleep System (

hammock,
insect net, and rain fly
)

Vendor: Eagles Nest Outfitters, Inc.

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2WNB7LJ
Price: $109.95

Weight: 32 ounces

Size: 57x112 inches

Material: 210-D ripstop nylon taffeta base with no-see-um mesh on top

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Supports 400 pounds. Complete sleep system includes insect

net, rain fly, straps, aluminum carabiners, and aluminum stakes. Full-length
side zipper for ease of getting in and out. Internal hanging loops, an
organizer pocket, and internal ridgeline height adjustment. Attached stuff
sack. Suspension system sold separately

Item name: Lawson Hammock Blue Ridge Camping

Hammock and Tent
(Rainfly and Bug Net Included)

Vendor: Kaviso Outdoors on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3psbEUx

Price: $199.00

Weight: 4.25 lb

Size: 6x22 inches packed size. 42x90 inches interior dimensions.

Material: Waterproof ripstop nylon and polyester. Aluminum poles.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Weight limit of 275 pounds. Hanging straps are sold separately.
The patented design allows for use suspended, as a hammock or on the
ground, as a tent.  Built-in no-see-um bug net and attachable rainfly. Strong
spreader bars and shock-corded aluminum arch poles are used for the rock-
solid canopy. Unique spread bar system, which is attached to the ropes at
the ends of the hammock and spreads the support ropes over a flatter area.
This keeps the floor more stable in the air as well as reduces the hammock
sag. Provided stuff sack for easy packing. Two interior storage pockets for
cell phone, etc. Two ceiling O-rings for attaching reading light, etc.

Item name: Hammock Gear Economy Phoenix (

budget hammock
underquilt
)

Vendor: Hammockgear

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2WO84Yv

Price: $109.95

Weight: 13.78 ounces

Size: 44x52 inches

Material: 20-D Calendared Nylon Taffeta fabric. 800-fill power DWR

Treated Grey Duck Down.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 40-degree temperature rating. 3/4 length (from shoulders to

below knees). Ergonomically shaped to reduce weight and provide a more
secure wrap around the hammock eliminating drafts. Shock cord suspension
system. Includes a complimentary cotton storage sack and a nylon stuff
sack. It is also available in temperature ratings of 0, 10, 20, and 30°F. There
is a full-length version called the Incubator.

Mosquito Nets

Insects including mosquitoes can be a bother and disrupt your ability to rest
and get essential sleep to recharge yourself. They can also cause allergic
reactions and transmit diseases such as West Nile virus. You’ll be exposed
to insects if you’re:

●
   
Sleeping unprotected on the ground

●
   
Using a tarp as a shelter
 ●
   
Using a hammock without an integrated insect net

You’ll have protection from mosquitoes and other insects under the
following if you are using:

●
   
Bivy sack

●
   
Tent

●
   
Hammock with integrated insect net

●
   
A mosquito net beneath a tarp shelter

Mosquito nets are a lightweight item to include in your BOBs. They will
protect you from flies, moths, ticks, and other insects besides mosquitoes.
Here are some things to consider when selecting a mosquito net:
[341]
,
[342]
,
[343]

●
   
Size: Large enough to cover all of you with additional netting to
slide beneath the edges of your sleeping bag. (Note: Some nets come
with pegs to secure its edges to the ground.)

●
   
Design: Hanging nets can be suspended by hooks or cordage. Pop-
up nets are self-supporting.

●
   
Easy and fast to use

●
   
Weight: Some are lighter than others

●
   
Mildew resistant

●
   
Insecticide-treated mesh

●
   
Breathable mesh

●
   
Reinforced corners and hanging points

●
   
Durability
Item name: COGHLANS 9640 32x78
Mosquito Bed Net

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WQBkOu

Price: $13.99

Weight: Not specified

Size: 59x63x78 inches

Material: Fine white 180 mesh polyester netting

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Rectangular double-wide mosquito net provides fully enclosed

protection against biting insects and mosquitoes when sleeping outdoors or
indoors. Fine white 180-mesh polyester netting with floor base completely
covers two single sleeping bags or cots. Six reinforced metal tie tabs at
corners and sides; anchor four corners into the ground, hang top corners
from tree or posts. Durable mildew resistant polyester netting packs in the
easy enclosing carrying bag. Includes 4-1 inch nails, 4- 1/4 inch hooks, 4
wall anchors, and 78 inches of white cord.

When you are moving around, it is handy to have a mosquito head net that
you place over your head. You can combine that with wearing a long sleeve
shirt and long leg pants tucked into your boots for protection.

Item name:
Mosquito Head Net
Mesh

Vendor: Tough Outfitters on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3aLss4T

Price: $10.95

Weight: 1 ounce
Size: 1.89x2.99x5.2 inches package size

Material: Polyester mesh fabric

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Wear alone or with a hat. Adjustable drawcords to keep the

head net in place and bugs out. Protects down to your shoulders. Free carry
pouch.
 Sleep Items
Various items related to your survival sleep module will be discussed in this
chapter. You can review the list and select those items for your BOB that
suit your circumstances and fit in with your space and carrying capacity.
When on foot, it’s desirable to bring a sleeping bag and sleeping pad that
together weighs less than five pounds. You can configure your escape plan
to include additional items to bring with you if you’re able to escape in your
vehicle rather than on foot. Topics covered in this chapter include:

●
   
Sleeping pads

●
   
Poncho and poncho liner

●
   
Emergency sleeping bags

●
   
Sleeping bag

●
   
Sleeping bag liner

Sleeping Pads

Sleeping pads are more than a comfort item. They do provide cushioning so
you are not sleeping on a hard surface. But, they also help provide an
insulating layer between you and the ground, particularly important in cold
climates. The amount of insulation provided by a sleeping pad is reflected
by its R-value, with one representing minimal and ten being maximal
insulation. An R-value of 1-3 is fine for summertime while you’ll need a
pad with an R-value of greater than 5 for snow.
[344]
,
[345]

You can create a makeshift sleeping pad by piling up dry leaves beneath
you. Or, you can stuff dry leaves into a heavy plastic garbage bag to serve
as a sleeping pad.  Your sleeping bag goes on top of the sleeping pad.

Sleeping pads are constructed in a variety of ways.

[346]
,
[347]
,
[348]

●
   
Closed-cell foam pads
○
       
Inexpensive ($10-$50)

○
       
Durable. Don’t have to worry about them deflating. Less likely to
tear than other types of pads.

○
       
Lightweight

○
       
Bulky and harder to pack

○
       
Poor at insulating

○
       
The least comfortable type of pad

●
   
Air pads

○
       
Inflate by breath or built-in pump

○
       
Intermediate price ($25-$125)

○
       
Lightest option

○
       
Most compact option

○
       
Good insulation provided by bonded insulation or baffling

○
       
Comfortable

○
       
Can adjust the firmness by varying amount of inflation

○
       
Can be noisy

○
       
Can tear or get punctured and deflate

○
       
Difficult to repair

●
   
Self-inflating pads

○
       
Combine open-cell foam with compartments that automatically
fill with air when a valve is opened.
 ○
       
Expensive ($75-$300)

○
       
Heavier and less compact than air pads

○
       
Best insulation of the different pad types

○
       
More durable than air pads.

○
       
Can adjust the firmness by varying amount of inflation

○
       
Can tear or get punctured. The foam provides some padding even
when the pad is deflated.

○
       
Easier to repair than air pads

Factors to consider when choosing a sleeping pad:

[349]
,
[350]
,
[351]

●
   
Length

○
       
Full length (72-80 inches). Provides cushion and insulation for
legs and feet.

○
       
3/4 length (48 inches). Leg and feet are off of the pad. The pad is
lighter, more compact

●
   
Width

○
       
Standard: 20 inches wide

○
       
Extra-wide: 25-30 inches wide. For larger people and those who
turn while sleeping

●
   
Shape

○
       
Rectangular

○
       
Mummy: Wider at the shoulders, narrower at the feet. Lighter.

●
   
Thickness
○
       
Need at least two inches thickness for comfort. Some pads go up
to five inches in thickness.

○
       
Thicker pads are heavier

●
   
Weight

○
       
Lighter pads are less durable

○
       
Best pad options with current technology and good insulation and
comfort come in the 12-18 ounce weight range.

●
   
Packed size

○
       
Depends upon pad type, the magnitude of insulation, and fabric
thickness.

○
       
Uninsulated or lightly insulated air pads are the most compact

●
   
Durability

○
       
Denier is a measure of a fabric’s strength. The higher the denier,
the stronger, more durable, and more puncture-resistant the pad.

○
       
Higher denier fabrics will be heavier

●
   
Valve type

○
       
Old style twist-stem valve. Comes on some inexpensive pads. Air
passes freely in both directions, so air escapes from the pad in between
filling breaths. The stem is prominent. Deflates slowly.

○
       
Flat valves. Low profile. A valve flap prevents the escape of air
between filling breaths. There may be separate inflation or deflation
valves or combination valves for both inflation and deflation. Deflates
fast. Valves are not replaceable.

○
       
WingLock™ valves on Therm-a-Rest pads prevent the escape of
air between filling breaths. Air released by twisting the side wings.
 Deflation is not as fast as for flat valves. The valve is replaceable.

●
   
Textured pad. The textured surface of the pad reduces sliding of
your sleeping bag on the pad.

You can consider bringing a foam pad to place on the ground and then place
an air pad on top of it for extra insulation and cushioning if you have the
extra space (i.e., escaping by vehicle). Pack a patch kit to repair punctures
and tears if you have an air or self-inflating pad.

Item name: NEMO Switchback

Sleeping Pad (closed-cell foam)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/37PAQOS

Price: $39.95

Weight: 14.5 ounces

Size: 5x5.5x20 inches packed size. 0.9x20x72 inches unpacked size

Material: Closed-cell Foam

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Highly efficient hexagonal nesting pattern allows for taller,

wider nodes, providing great plushness without increasing packed size.
Taller nodes create 20% more space for uncompressed sleeping bag
insulation, trapping more warmth around your body. Premium dual-density,
abrasion-resistant Axiotomic™ foam offers a supple top layer for comfort
and a resilient lower layer for premium support and years of adventures.
Metalized thermal reflective film reflects heat back to your body and is
durable, use after use.

Item name: Klymit Insulated Static V Lite

Sleeping Pad (air pad)

Vendor: Klymit Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3o68xBz

Price: $99.99

Weight: 19.6 ounces

Size: 5x8 inches packed size. 2.5x23x72 inches unpacked size

Material: 30-D polyester

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 4 season camping pad. Inset FLIP valve style inflation port. 
Inflates in 10-15 breaths. V-chamber design and Klymalite™ synthetic
lofted insulation to limit air movement and heat loss (R-Value of 4. 4). Side
rails to help keep you on the pad. Stuff Sack and Patches included

Item name: REI Co-op Camp Bed

Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/3ru5EfH

Price: $69.89 (regular size), $83.29 (XL size)

Weight: XL: 5 lbs. 4 oz., Regular: 3 lbs. 10 oz

Size: Packed size XL: 8.5 x 30 inches, Regular: 5.5 x 26 inches. Unpacked
size XL: 78 x 30 x 2.5 inches, Regular: 72 x 25 x 2.5 inches

Material: Soft, stretch polyester fabric on top. 150-D polyester bottom

resists wear.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Pad Thickness XL: 2.5 inches, Regular: 2.5 inches. Rectangular
shape. Open-cell foam insulation. A high-flow valve allows for easy
inflation/deflation. All seams are welded for leakproof strength. This pad
has an R-value of 7.6, which makes it best for adventures in extremely cold
conditions; it provides high levels of insulation from the ground. Stuff sack
included.

Poncho And Poncho Liner

A military poncho (discussed in the Shelter chapter) can be worn as a

raincoat or used to make a shelter (e.g., lean-to, plow point, standard
inverted-V tent, etc.). But, it can also be folded in half and joined together
at its edges to create a lightweight sleeping bag.

A poncho liner is also called a woobie and it is not meant to line the inside
of a poncho that is serving as a raincoat. The poncho liner has no hole for
your head to pass through. (Some people cut a hole in the center of the
poncho liner and then stitch around the holes edges to make an opening for
their head to pass through.  The poncho and liner can then be used together
as an insulated raincoat.) Poncho liners have ties that are tied into a
poncho's grommets to join them together. The poncho is folded in half and
the snaps on the sides are snapped together to create a sleeping bag.

A woobie can also serve as a blanket by itself. Or, it can serve as a sleeping
pad or a liner for a hammock. You can also use it to make a bed for your
dog if you have one traveling with you.

You can purchase ponchos and poncho liners separately or together as a

unit.

Item name: Mil-Spec Plus G.I. Style Poncho + Liner Combo

Vendor: Combat Sport Supply

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/34Pofct

Price: $59.95

Weight: Approx 3.4 lb

Size: 56x86 inches poncho and 56x86 inches poncho liner

Material: Poncho: 100% waterproof ripstop nylon. Poncho liner: Outer shell
100% nylon. 100% polyester fill.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Available in 8 different colors/patterns. Mil-Spec. Use poncho

as a waterproof ground cloth, or as a two-person shelter by simply snapping
two ponchos together. The full cut (56” x 86”) covers both you and your
pack. Brand New.

Emergency Sleeping Bags

Emergency sleeping bags are lightweight, compact tools for short-term

survival use. They are worthwhile keeping in your vehicle and your Short-
and Medium-Term BOBs since they are relatively inexpensive and take up
very little space.

Some of these bags are made of Mylar® which reflects body heat back
towards you. But, Mylar® does not breathe, so moisture accumulates inside
the bags. It is better to get a bag that breathes to avoid this problem.

Many of these bags are difficult to repack once they are opened up and
used.  Most are waterproof. Some are fragile and for single use. Others are
more durable, tear, and puncture-resistant. These can be reused and often
come with a stuff bag for storage. Emergency sleeping bags can be used
alone or inside a poncho liner or regular sleeping bag to provide more
warmth. They can also be used outside of your sleeping bag.

Item name: Survive Outdoors Longer S.O.L. 70% Reflective Escape Bivy,
Orange

Vendor: S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3aLZLVe

Price: $59.95

Weight: 8.5 ounces

Size: 31x84 inches unpacked. 4x6.25.8.5 inches packed.

Material: Proprietary spun-bonded olefin fabric with a metalized coating

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium

Comments: Reflects 70% of your body heat back to you to prevent heat loss
and trap warm air. Waterproof seams and drawstring hood lets you seal out
the elements. Zipper. Mummy bag shape. Features a quiet, tear-resistant
material that won’t shred to pieces if punctured. A reusable bivy can easily
be used as a sleeping bag or emergency blanket. Breathable fabric prevents
condensation from forming keeping you dry. Good for temperatures above
50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sleeping Bags

There are numerous factors to consider when selecting a sleeping bag for
your BOB:
[352]
,
[353]
,
[354]
,
[355]
,
[356]
,
[357]

●
   
Weight:

○
       
Budget bags: Over three pounds

○
       
Lightweight: Two pounds or less. Two to three season use.

○
       
Ultra-lightweight: Can weigh as little as 15 ounces. Expensive.

○
       
Weight is reduced by using thin shell fabric and zippers, narrower
shape, and high fill power down.

○
       
Lighter bags generally less warm. Can maximize warmth by using
high fill power down insulation.

○
       
Generally, down bags weigh one to three pounds while synthetic-
filled bags weigh two to four pounds.

●
   
Shape:

○
       
Rectangular: Least insulated. More space. Bulkier.
○
       
Semi-rectangular: Narrower around legs and feet for better heat
retention. Lighter and more compact than rectangular bags.

○
       
Mummy: Maximum insulation. Least moving space. Lighter.

●
   
Length:

○
       
Short (also known as women’s length): 66 inches

○
       
Regular: 72 inches

○
       
Tall: 78 inches

○
       
Longer bags: More expensive, heavier, larger packed size

●
   
Temperature rating:

○
       
The rating refers to the lowest comfortable temperature the bag
can be used for.

○
       
Three season bags are rated 20-32°F. Sleep comfortably 20-40°F.
These are the most common and popular.

○
       
Summer bags start at a 32°F rating. Sleep comfortably 40-50s°F.
Lighter weight. Compact.

○
       
Winter bags are rated 20°F and below.

○
       
EN (European Norm) and the newer ISO (International
Organization for Standardization) are attempts by the sleeping bag
industry to provide a uniform method for comparing temperature
levels across different bags. The ratings tend to be 10°F lower than
realistic. Printing EN and ISO ratings on bags is voluntary, so they do
not appear on all bags.

○
       
You need the insulation afforded by a sleeping bag pad to realize
the full benefit of a bag’s temperature rating.

●
   
Insulation:
○
       
Duck or goose down: Better insulation. Insulating ability degrades
when wet. Down treated with hydrophobic polymer repels water, now
commonly available; can handle minor moisture but still gets wet
when exposed to a lot of water. Lighter weight. Higher fill power
equals a better insulation-to-weight ratio. Packs more compactly. More
expensive.

○
       
Synthetic insulation: Polyester fibers. Much better than down at
insulating when wet. Fast-drying. Non-allergenic. Not as insulated as
down. Cheaper.

○
       
Insulation is more effective the more snuggly your bag fits around
you.

●
   
Packed volume:

○
       
Measured in liters

○
       
Compact bags are less than three liters packed

○
       
Volume does not always correlate with the weight of the bag.

○
       
Down packs smaller than synthetic-filled bags

○
       
High fill power down compacts more than low fill power down

○
       
Bags with less insulation, thinner shell fabric, and narrower
shapes will pack more compactly

○
       
A compression sack can optimize the compactness of your bag
versus the non-compressible stuff bag that comes with the bag.

●
   
Shell:

○
       
The outside layer of the bag

○
       
Water-resistant coating: Durable water repellent (DWR) coating
applied to the outside of the shell
 ○
       
Hydrophobic material: Repels water

○
       
Durability: Measured by denier (D). Ultra-light bags 7-D, three
season bags 10-30-D, heavy-duty bags up to 70-D.

●
   
Baffles: Stitches are sewn to create compartments to contain
insulation and prevents its migration. Serves to prevent cold spots.

●
   
Draft collar: It is a large insulation filled baffle surrounding the
bag’s top opening to block out cold.

●
   
Draft tube: An insulation filled tube or baffle that runs alongside
the zipper to block out cold

Item name: oaskys Camping Sleeping Bag - 3 Season (

budget sleeping bag
)

Vendor: oaskys Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rus54t

Price: $25.99

Weight: 3 lb

Size: 29.5x86.6 inches

Material: Outer Cover Material-premium 210T Anti-tearing Polyester

Fabric which is waterproof and Breathable; Lining Material: 190T polyester
pongee; Fill-Material: 100% hollow cotton.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Temp Rating: 30°F. designed for 35~50°F. Can be wiped clean
or machine washed. A separated zipper at the bottom can also make your
feet often come out through the wind. A half-circle hood with an adjustable
drawstring keeps your head warmer even in extreme conditions. Comes
with a compression sack with straps, allowing for super convenient storage
and easy carry maneuverability. 100% SATISFACTION: 100% NO
QUESTIONS ASKED, no hassle money back or replacement.

Item name: Teton Sport Celsius XXL 0 Degree Sleeping Bag (

budget cold
weather bag
)

Vendor: TETON Sports Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34KWemi

Price: $71.94

Weight: 7 lb

Size: 39x90 inches. Pack size 12.5x17 inches

Material: Taffeta Shell. Brushed Poly-Flannel Liner. SuperLoft™ Elite fill

material

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Temp Rating: 0°F. Durable compression sack included. Comes

in right and left-sided zipper versions. The half-circle mummy style hood
keeps you warm and your pillow clean. Unzips on each side for airflow and
easy access. The zipper and shoulder draft tubes, thermal enhancing,
double-layer offset stitching, and innovative hollow fiberfill work together
so the warmth stays in. Interior storage pocket for your wallet or keys. Hang
loops for long-term storage to maintain maximum loft.

Item name: Kelty Cosmic 20 (

intermediate price bag
)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2WQCqK6

Price: $134.89 (regular length), $142.39 (long length)

Weight: Long: 2 lbs. 10.7 oz., Regular: 2 lbs. 6.6 oz.

Stuff Sack Size: Long: 8 x 16.5 inches, Regular: 8 x 15.5 inches

Material: Shell: 20-D nylon taffeta fabric. Lining: 50-D polyester taffeta.
Fill: 600-fill-power DriDown™

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Temp Rating: 19°F. Mummy shape. Shoulder Girth: 64” (long),
62” (regular). Hip Girth: 60” (long), 58” (regular). Stuff Sack Volume: 13.6
liters (long), 12.8 liters (regular)

Item name: Marmot Trestles 15 (

budget synthetic bag
)

Vendor: Marmot Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KWFscT

Price: $115.00

Weight: 3 lb 6.1 ounces

Size: Interior length 85 inches

Material: Shell: 70-D polyester. SpiraFil® high loft insulation

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Temp EN Rating: 15 °F. Mummy shape. 14 liters pack volume.

Unique blend of large, spiral hollow fibers and small polyester fibers
provides the exceptional warmth, softness, and compressibility of natural
down while increasing moisture resistance. Dual-zipper design: a full-
length anti-snag main zipper, plus a second fold-down zipper for added
ventilation and easy access. Adjustable 3D hood. Dual hang loops, and an
included stuff sack that compresses for convenient packability.

Item name: Sea to Summit Ascent AcI 25 Sleeping Bag (

ultra-light bag
)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3mWT5pD

Price: $349.00, regular length(also available in long length, $369.00)

Weight: 1 lb. 14 oz.

Size: Fits up to 72 inches. Shoulder girth 61 inches. Hip girth 57 inches.

Material: Shell and lining: 20-D nylon. Fill: 750-fill-power UltraDry™

Down (water-resistant)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Temp Rating: 25°F. Tapered rectangular shape creates the

perfect balance of space and adaptable warmth. Anatomically shaped
footbox retains warmth around your feet. Vertical chest baffles prevent
down migration and cold spots. Generously sized hood and dual cord
adjustment offer maximum warmth retention. Lightweight 20-D nylon shell
and lining fabrics offer a minimal packed size and maximum breathability. 
Half-zip right side; full-length, 2-way #5 YKK zip left side and separate
foot zips allow maximum ventilation and use as a quilt. Includes Ultra-Sil™
compression bag for compact storage. Oversize draft tube with anti-snag
materials. Oversize neck draft tube with dual adjustment system. Large
internal security pocket.

Item name:
US Military 4-PC Weather Resistant Modular Sleep System
with Waterproof Gore-Tex Cover (new)

Vendor: Tennier Industries, Inc. on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KClKmQ

Price: $475.00 (available used for $225 and less)

Weight: 9.5 lb

Size: 8.8x21.1x25 inches packed. Patrol bag 37x92 inches. Intermediate

cold weather bag 35x87 inches. Bivy cover 28” wide at feet, 35” wide at
shoulders, and 85” length
Material: The patrol bag and intermediate cold weather bags are constructed
of water-resistant rip-stop nylon. The Bivy Cover is made of durably
waterproof and windproof 3-layer GORE-TEX fabric.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Temp Rating: -10°F. This is a genuine U.S. Army Modular

Sleeping system which is one of the best found anywhere in the world and
it's rated to up to -50 degrees!! This Genuine U.S. Army Modular Sleeping
System is constructed to insulate the user in environments ranging from
mild weather to extremely cold weather. It includes 4 brand new items, a
green patrol bag, the black intermediate cold weather bag, a woodland camo
bivy cover, and a stuff sack. These two mummy-style sleeping bags can be
used independently or together in colder environments. The patrol bag is
rated at +30 degrees, the black intermediate cold weather bag is rated to
+10 degrees and both bags can be used with the vapor-permeable bivy
cover. When all three components are used together (patrol bag, cold
weather bag, and bivy cover) it is rated at -10 degrees and if combined with
various insulating layers of the extended cold weather clothing system, it is
rated to -50 degrees. Each bag is constructed of water-resistant rip-stop
nylon and is machine washable and non-flammable. The Woodland Camo
Bivy Cover is made of durably waterproof and windproof 3-layer GORE-
TEX fabric and includes a snap fastener and slide fastener. This modular
sleep system features an anatomically designed foot box that contains twice
the insulation as the bag Sewn-in, quilted chest collar prevents air drafts up
and down through the hood. It has a reversible double-pull (opens end to
end) slider that allows top or bottom ventilation Non-locking slide fastener
self-repairs if jammed or snagged. It is free from cold spots and the snaps
prevent the insulation from migrating in the bag. The draft flap prevents
heat loss and the hood adjusts for heat retention (includes a nylon drawcord
and barrel lock.). Generous "boot box" at the bottom is designed to allow
the user to keep his or her boots on. Durable YKK zippers are used on
either end of the bag allowing wearers to customize the amount of
ventilation. Zippers are dual-sided and can be easily accessed from the
inside. STUFF SACK: Compressible to approx. one cubic foot, six 1"' wide
nylon webbing straps by ladder lock buckles, reinforcement webbing is
sewn around the circumference of the bag, nylon draw cord closure with a
barrel lock. This is a versatile and durable bag. Its main drawbacks are its
size and weight.

Sleeping Bag Liner

[358]

Sleeping bag liners are bags that go inside your sleeping bag. They serve
two primary purposes:

●
                   
Keep the inside of your sleeping bag clean and protected. It’s
easier to clean the liner than the sleeping bag.

●
                   
Provide greater temperature range flexibility for your sleeping
bag by adding insulation and warmth when needed.

You can get sleeping bag liners that are made of various materials:

●
   
Silk: Light, compact, breathable. Not very durable. Moderate to
expensive

●
   
Cotton: Strong, durable, not very light or compact. Cheap

●
   
Fleece and microfleece: Moisture-wicking, fast-drying, bulky, and
heavy. Can add up to 12°F of warmth. Moderate price.

●
   
Synthetics (e.g., polyesters): Moisture-wicking, breathable.
Moderate price

●
   
Insulated: As an example, Thermolite® can add up to 25°F of
warmth. Moderate to expensive.

Item name: Sea to Summit Thermolite® Reactor Compact Plus

Sleeping
Bag Liner

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3hnwlhA

Price: $66.95
Weight: 9.3 ounces

Size: 4x6 inches packed. 36x72 inches unpacked

Material: Polyester

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Mummy shape. Constructed of insulating Thermolite® fabric, a

hollow-core, breathable fiber that provides extraordinary warmth for its
weight. Combined with the regular 80g/m² Thermolite®, super-insulating
110g/m² Thermolite® panels provide added warmth in the torso and
footbed areas. Adds up to 20°F of warmth to a sleeping bag; can also be
used as a summer ultralight sleeping bag. Liner helps keep the inside of
your bag clean, saving it from the wear and tear of washings. Drawcord
hood with mini cordlock cinches around the face to hold warmth in.
Lightweight Ultra-Sil™ stuff sack included.

Hygiene Items
The following represents a list of hygiene items for you to consider. Each
person will need to prioritize and select only those items they deem most
important since space is limited in your BOBs.

Oral hygiene:

●
   
Toothbrush

●
   
Toothpaste

●
   
Dental floss

●
   
Mouthwash

Toilet articles:

●
   
Toilet paper
 ●
   
Compressed toilet paper tablets

●
   
Microfiber washcloth

●
   
5-gallon plastic bucket +/- toilet seat

●
   
Garbage bags

●
   
Shovel to bury food and human waste, to dig a latrine. (See the
Tools chapter for more about shovels)

Hair, beard, nails:

●
   
Comb

●
   
Straight razor

●
   
Nail clipper

Skin:

●
   
Deodorant

●
   
Lotion

●
   
Lip balm

Sanitation:

●
   
Feminine hygiene products

●
   
Alcohol swabs

●
   
Hand wipes

●
   
Lime oil to remove grease, sap

●
   
Soap

●
   
Laundry detergent
 ●
   
Solar shower bag

Here are some examples of specific hygiene items:

Item name
100 Compressed Towels
Tablet Camping Toilet Wipes Wash
Cloths Survival Emergency

Vendor: sgsdepot on eBay.com

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/2WMLuzk

Price: $14.99

Weight: Not specified

Size:  Tablet size ¾ inch. Expanded size 9.5x10 inches. Package of 100
towels.

Material: 100% Rayon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: To turn your tablet into a usable towel, simply add water or
briefly dip in water. Allow towel to expand and unroll. Each towel is
individually plastic sealed and wrapped. Unscented. Biodegradable.

Item name: Portable Camping Survival Emergency

Toilet Seat Lid for 5
Gallon Buckets

Vendor: aplussurvival on eBay.com

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/2Mde5Mn

Price: $19.99

Weight: 15.5 ounces

Size: 1.5x14x15 inches

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Folding portable toilet seat and lid for the (Honey Bucket) Port-
A-Pottie. Use with most 5 gallon buckets.

Item name: Equate

Flushable Wipes
, Fresh Scent, 5 packs of 48 wipes, 240
wipes

Vendor: Walmart

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2KTnfNn

Price: $6.42

Weight: 3.43 lb for 5 packages containing 240 wipes

Size: 5.25x7 inches for each wipe

Material: The material used to make the wipes is not specified. It breaks
down after flushing. Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium
Chloride Phosphate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl
Butylcarbamate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe
Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Fragrance.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Easy-dispensing wipes. Resealable packs that are flat and take
up little space. Alcohol-free and hypoallergenic. Good for sensitive skin.
Soothing aloe and vitamin E. 5 pack of 48 wipes each- totaling 240 wipes

Item name: ADVANCED ELEMENTS 5 Gallon Summer Shower/

Solar
Shower

Vendor: Advanced Elements Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2Mdenmr
Price: $34.99

Weight: 1 lb 4 ounces

Size: 2x6x20 inches

Material: Polyurethane laminate bag. The other components used are

Polyethylene, ABS, silicone tubing, and Nylon hardware.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 5-gallon outdoor shower powered by solar technology. 4-ply

construction with reflector panel and insulator panel. 0.5-inch hose
diameter. Easy-to-use on/off showerhead and extra-large filling valve. Side
pocket for soap and shampoo; water temperature gauge. Velcro straps for
washcloths. Pocket with built-in reflective mirror for all your grooming
needs. Rubber handle.

Clothes
Topics and examples of survival clothing items covered in this chapter
include:

●
   
The concept of layering clothing

●
   
Wool versus cotton

●
   
Down versus synthetic insulation versus synthetic fleece

●
   
Shorts and pants for survival

●
   
Underwear briefs

●
   
Socks

●
   
T-shirts

●
   
Long underwear
 ●
   
Shirts

●
   
Shorts

●
   
Pants

●
   
Convertible pants

●
   
Vest

●
   
Light jacket

●
   
Windbreaker

●
   
Rain jacket and pants (Note: Ponchos are discussed in the Shelter
Items chapter)

●
   
Waterproof, down jacket

●
   
Wool beanie

●
   
Wide brim hat

●
   
Neck gaiter

●
   
Balaclava

●
   
Shemagh

●
   
Belt

●
   
Shoes, boots

You will find a list of clothes to consider for different anticipated durations
of escape in the chapters Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Bag Contents.
Your selection of clothes is a very individual decision and will be
influenced by your locale, escape destination, and personal preferences.
First, we’ll cover some general clothing tips to consider.
Take into account how your various clothing items will “layer” together to
help you adapt to varying weather and exertion levels:
[359]
,
[360]
,
[361]
,
[362]

●
   
Sub Layer

○
       
This is the layer that contacts your skin. Its primary function is to
keep you dry. Insulation is provided by the overlying layers.

○
       
Choose fabrics that wick perspiration away from your skin.

○
       
Avoid cotton for any of your layers because it soaks up
perspiration and external moisture (e.g., rain) negating its insulating
effect. Can cause hypothermia in cold weather.

○
       
COOLMAX® (proprietary polyester fabric) or merino wool
(wicks well, fairly durable, cools via evaporation) socks

○
       
Underwear made of synthetic material (e.g., polyester, nylon,
polypropylene). Synthetics are lightweight, durable, wick away
moisture, and dry quickly.

○
       
Bra: Pullover sports bra without metal or plastic clasps that can
press into your skin from the weight of overlying backpack straps.

●
   
Base Layer

○
       
Hot weather: Can do without a base layer

○
       
Warm weather: Tanktop (synthetic fabric)

○
       
Cool -weather: T-shirt (synthetic fabric)

○
       
Cold-weather: Polypropylene or merino wool long underwear.
These are available in light, mid, and heavyweight. Silk long
underwear is warm and comfortable, but it is not durable enough to use
for survival purposes.

●
   
Core Layer
○
       
One layer in warm weather or multiple layers in cold weather

○
       
Shirt

○
       
Pants, shorts, or convertible pants/shorts

○
       
Fleece, synthetic insulation, down, or wool garment for extra
insulation. These all come in varying “weights.”

○
       
Neck gaiter or balaclava made of polyester or fleece for cold
temperatures

○
       
Shemagh scarf

○
       
Fleece or wool beanie cap

○
       
Wide brim hat for sun and rain protection

●
   
Outer Shell

○
       
For protecting you and your underlying clothing layers against
wind, rain, and snow

○
       
At least water-resistant. Waterproof is better

○
       
For warmer temperatures: Your outer shell can consist of a
lightweight, water-resistant, windbreaker jacket or waterproof,
breathable, rain jacket combined with rain pants

○
       
For cool temperatures: Your outer shell could consist of a fleece
jacket (it will not be wind or waterproof)

○
       
For colder temperatures: Your outer shell can contain synthetic
insulation or down for greater insulation. A waterproof shell is
essential since synthetic insulation or down absorbs water and loses its
ability to insulate when wet.

○
       
Should be breathable and have vents to avoid trapping in moisture
and causing your underlying layers to get wet from perspiration.
 Inexpensive waterproof fabrics are not breathable (e.g., coated nylon)
and will hold moisture in making you wet.

○
       
Fabrics that are both waterproof and breathable are the best but
are expensive. Gore-Tex® is one example.

○
       
Insulated gloves

●
   
Others

○
       
Belt. Gun belt level of stoutness. Enables carry of a sidearm,
holster, spare magazines, knife sheath, multi-tool, etc. Can serve as a
tourniquet, weapon, strop for sharpening your knife blades.

○
       
Shoes: Provide support. Protect your feet from rocks. Provide wet
and dry traction.

○
       
Boots: Provide ankle support. Keeps debris out of your shoes.
Protects against scrapes and bruises from bumping into vegetation,
rocks.

Some layer tips:

●
   
There are innumerable ways to configure your layering. You’ll
need to customize the components you use for your layering to suit
your location and climate.

●
   
You can add or remove components from your layers during your
trek as you warm-up or cool down to adjust to changes in weather and
your physical activity.

●
   
Ultraviolet sunlight protection
[363]

○
       
Clothes that provide better sun protection include darker fabrics
with denser weaves. Polyester and nylon protect better than natural
fibers.

○
       
Many materials offer less sun protection when wet. Polyester is an
exception and may provide better sun protection when wet.
 ○
       
Loose clothing is better. Fabric that is stretched tightly provides
less UV light protection.

○
       
Some clothing is promoted to protect you against the sun’s UV
radiation. Look for its stated UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor)
rating. UPF measures the fabric’s protection against UV-A and UV-B
radiation. A UPF of >40 is excellent, meaning the fabric permits
passage of 1/40 (2.5%) or less of UV radiation through it. Fabrics with
UPF <15 (i.e., 1/15 or 6.7% of UV radiation passes through it) are not
considered UV protecting. A cotton T-shirt has roughly a UPF 5 (i.e.,
1/5 or 20% of UV radiation passes through it).

Choose wool over cotton for most applications: Wool fibers break after
being subjected to 20,000 bending cycles compared to 3,000 for cotton
fibers. This greater resistance to bending leads to better durability and is
one advantage of wearing wool rather than cotton socks. Wool insulates
better than cotton because of the air pockets formed between its fibers,
keeping you warmer. Wool is water-resistant and can absorb water equal to
30% of its weight. However, wool still insulates when it’s wet. It dries
faster than cotton once it is wet. Wool wicks moisture away from your skin
keeping you cooler in the summer (through evaporative cooling) and
warmer in the winter (through insulation).
[364]

Down versus synthetic insulation versus synthetic fleece: Which is better

for outerwear?
[365]
,
[366]
Down comes from geese and ducks. Its fluffiness
is known as loft and makes it extremely light and compressible. Down with
higher loft comes from older birds and is more expensive; the same amount
of weight occupies a larger volume of space. Fill power is a measure of loft
and represents how many cubic inches of volume is occupied by one ounce
of down. Higher fill power garments are warmer, lighter, and more
expensive. Fill power generally ranges from 450-900. Duck down has less
loft, a lower fill power (topping out at 750-800), and is less expensive than
goose down.

Down functions well in dry conditions. But, it doesn’t repel water and loses
loft and its insulating ability when wet. It is also slow to dry once wet.
There are specially treated downs that are water-resistant, but they will still
lose loft when exposed to heavy rain. Encasing down beneath waterproof
fabric can preserve down’s insulating properties by keeping it dry.

Synthetic insulation is made of polyester fibers that try to mimic the loft
provided by down. It is less durable, less expensive than down, insulates
when wet, and it is hypoallergenic. Synthetic insulation is heavier, bulkier,
less compressible, and has a lower fill power than down. Hybrid insulation
combines water-resistant down and synthetic insulation; its characteristics
fall in between those two components.

If the higher cost is not an impediment, then getting a down garment is best
for dry areas. Getting a down garment with overlying waterproof fabric is
the best for wet areas. Down is the best, but it costs more. Synthetic
insulation is heavier, bulkier, and less efficient at insulating than down. Its
main advantage is that it’s cheaper.

Fleece
[367]
is a synthetic generally made of polyester fibers to mimic wool.
Its qualities include moisture wicking, low water adsorption permitting
water to pass through its fibers, dries fast when wet, it’s lighter than wool,
and it’s inexpensive. As compared to down, fleece is a bit more water-
resistant and dries more quickly. Both are durable, but fleece is easier to
care for; it’s machine washable. Down insulates better and it is warmer and
more expensive than fleece. Fleece can be used as an outer layer in
moderate cold and as a mid-layer in more extreme cold. Down is versatile
and can be appropriate for a wide range of temperatures depending upon its
fill power. Down combined with a waterproof outer fabric can be used for
extreme cold.

Here are some considerations for choosing your survival shorts and pants:

[368]
,
[369]
,
[370]

●
   
Select a weight based upon your climate

●
   
Durable fabric that will not easily tear:

○
       
Cotton: Comfortable, durable, heavier, absorbs water. Silicone
treatments can provide water resistance.
 ○
       
Cotton blends: Better wicking, lighter

○
       
Canvas: Durable, heavy, stiffer.

○
       
Synthetics (e.g., Lycra® or spandex): Light, flexible, wick
moisture well.

●
   
Soil and stain resistant

●
   
Comfortable, flexible

●
   
Drab color to blend in with other people and your environment

●
   
Numerous pockets, some with zipper or hook and loop closure

●
   
Teflon® coated fabric for water resistance in wet areas

●
   
Quick-drying

●
   
Easy to pack

●
   
For pants:

○
       
Get relaxed-fit so you can wear long underwear beneath them

○
       
Tapered pant leg opening to fit more easily inside socks or boots
(an alternative is to have a drawstring around the bottom hem) to keep
out insects and debris.

Socks are a critical part of your survival gear. Feet sweat a lot and socks
need to be able to wick away the sweat keeping your feet dry and prevent
blisters that form due to friction. Wool socks pull moisture away from your
feet and facilitate evaporation making your feet feel cool. Wool is also a
good insulator in cold weather. Cotton socks absorb water and perspiration
keeping your feet wet and cotton is slow to dry once wet. Merino wool
alone or blended with synthetic material is great for socks. Merino wool is
not itchy like ragg wool. It dries slower and is more expensive than
synthetics. Blended fabrics may include nylon or spandex (Lycra®) for
elasticity and shape retention. Polyester (COOLMAX®), acrylic
(Wickspun®), and polypropylene (Isolfil®) are used to wick moisture away
from your skin. Synthetics are durable, but provide less insulation when
wet. Socks come in different weights or thicknesses with heavier ones
providing more cushion and insulation. Liner socks are meant to be worn
beneath your primary socks. They are often fabricated from polyester
(COOLMAX®) to transfer moisture from your feet to your overlying
primary sock for evaporation. Some liner socks are made of silk which is
less desirable because they wear out much faster. To save space in your
BOB, you can pack numerous pairs of the smaller liner socks and just a few
pairs of the bulkier primary socks. Liner socks dry faster than primary
socks, so you can more easily wash them daily keeping a clean pair on your
feet. You can wash your primary socks less frequently this way.
[371]

Here, we’ll provide illustrative examples of various clothing items

beginning with your Sub Layer and progressing to your Outer Shell.
Examples are given for women’s and men’s clothing. Some items of
clothing are unisex. Here are the examples:

Item name: Brooks UpRise Crossback

Sports Bra

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3hnxaaa

Price: $25.73

Weight: Not specified

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

Material: 85% polyester/15% spandex. Lining fabric: polyester

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Lightweight, perforated cups provide excellent ventilation to

keep you cool. Mesh straps deliver maximum ventilation. DriLayer® Adapt
bottom band molds to the body for a personalized fit with every wear.
Available colors include black, heather asphalt, and quartz marble/berry.
Item name: Smartwool Seamless
Bikini Underwear - Women's

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/34JpSs8

Price: $23.79

Weight: Not specified

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL

Material: 77% merino wool/23% nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The ventilation zones, soft merino wool interior, and covered
elastic waistband of the women's Smartwool Seamless Bikini underwear
help keep you comfortable and deliver an all-day fit. The outer layer is
designed for support. Available colors include black, deep navy, and light
wave blue.

Item name: Under Armour Men's Original Series 6-inch Boxerjock

Boxer
Briefs
- 2 Pack

Vendor: Mike's Online Solutions on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KZONAR

Price: $21.58

Weight: 7.2 ounces

Size: Small through 5-XL

Material: 95% Polyester/5% Spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Lightweight, smooth HeatGear® fabric. 4-way stretch
construction moves better. Wicks sweat and dries really fast. Anti-odor
technology. Working fly. 2 boxer briefs per pack. Inseam: 6".

Item name: Darn Tough Merino

Wool Boot Sock
Full Cushion

Vendor: Darn Tough Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hiMXXO

Price: $25.95

Weight: 8 ounces

Size: Small through 2-XL

Material: 66% Merino Wool 32% Nylon 2% Lycra Spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Merino-wool. MIDWEIGHT WITH FULL CUSHION - A

midweight sock with high density cushioning throughout the entire sock for
full-on comfort and performance. True Seamless technology allows for an
undetectable seam fusion for an ultra-smooth, invisible feel. BOOT SOCK
HEIGHT - Sits mid-calf for added protection and warmth. COMPOSITION
- The fast action wicking pulls moisture away from skin, so no more
sweaty, stinky socks. The soft, breathable merino wool has fast-drying, all-
weather performance that keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the
winter. GUARANTEED FOR LIFE - Darn Tough's famous guarantee - if
these socks wear, tear, or develop holes, Darn Tough will replace them no
questions asked.

Item name: REI Co-op COOLMAX® EcoMade

Liner
Crew
Socks

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3mS1E5o

Price: $8.95
Weight: Not specified

Size:  Small through XL

Material: 50% COOLMAX® EcoMade polyester/49% nylon/1% spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The polyester yarn in REI Co-op COOLMAX® EcoMade liner

socks is made from recycled water bottles. Nylon adds durability, while
spandex offers stretch and shape retention so the fit will remain snug, wash
after wash. Smooth, flat toe seams ensure no bunching or irritation for your
toes. Machine wash inside out in cold or warm water; no bleach or fabric
softener; tumble dry low.

Item name: Odlo Blackcomb Light Crew

Base Layer Top - Women's

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3pw5brt

Price: $38.73

Weight: Not specified

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL

Material: 69% polyamide/31% polyester

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Short sleeve, T-shirt style base layer top. Moisture-wicking.

Providing excellent comfort on any activity and in any weather conditions,
the women's Odlo Blackcomb Light crew-neck base layer top can be worn
year-round. Enjoy unrestricted freedom of movement with seamless body-
mapping technology that's built to perform with your body, not against it.
Highly elastic and fast-drying fabric increases comfort during your favorite
activities. Effect by Odlo means you'll feel fresher for longer thanks to
permanent anti-odor treatment. Reflective details. Earphone loop helps
wrangle your cord.

Item name: Mato & Hash Workout Shirts for

Men
|
Moisture Wicking
Shirts
, Breathable Build

Vendor: Mato & Hash Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hpvLQy

Price: $11.99

Weight: 3.8 ounces

Size: Sizes small through 4-XL

Material: 100% Polyester

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Breathable, moisture-wicking, and lightweight. Not too snug,

not too baggy. You’ll be able to move freely. Many different colors. Can use
it for your sublayer or base layer.

Item name: Bodtek

Women’s Thermal Underwear
Set Premium Long John
Base Layer Fleece Lined
Top and Bottom

Vendor: Bodtek Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2JtJBEY

Price: $29.99

Weight: 10.41 ounces

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL

Material: 92% ultra-soft polyester and 8% spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments:  Made with a poly-spandex blend that offers you 4-way

stretchability. Their fleece lining and stitching prevent ripping and tearing
for your thermal's longevity. Moisture-wicking technology on our long
johns women wicks away moisture while eliminating chafing and skin
irritation. Elastic waistband. Snug fit.

Item name: Bodtek

Men’s Thermal Underwear
Set Premium Long John
Base Layer Fleece Lined
Top and Bottom

Vendor: Bodtek Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3aKDlDP

Price: $29.99

Weight: 12 ounces

Size: Small through 2-XL

Material: 92% polyester, 8% spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 4-way stretchability. Their fleece lining and stitching prevent

ripping and tearing for your thermals longevity. Moisture-wicking
technology to stay dry and comfortable.

Item name: Craft Core Trim

Thermal Mid Layer - Women's

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3mUvohI

Price: $89.95

Weight: Not specified

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL

Material: 93% polyester/7% spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Long sleeve. Hip length. Partial zip. Moisture-wicking. Quick-

drying. Thumbholes in sleeves. Color: Trace/Melange.

Item name: REI Co-op Active Pursuits

Half-Zip Shirt
-
Men's

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3rsrAbj

Price: $49.95

Weight: Not specified

Size: Small through 2-XL

Material: 89% polyester/11% spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Partial-zip. Deep neck opening offers extra venting on hot days.
Sun protective fabric with UPF Rating 50. Moisture-wicking. Quick-drying.
Long sleeve. Fabric blend traps air to keep you warm and comfortable on
cool days. Thumbholes keep sleeves in place when you’re moving fast. Soft
ribbing at the collar. Use it as your core layer.

Item name: Carhartt

Women's
Rugged Flex Original Fit Canvas Work
Cargo
8 Inch
Short

Vendor: Moosejaw

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3nV81G7

Price: $29.99
Weight: Not specified

Size: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18

Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex canvas. Fabric weight: 8 ounces per

square yard.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: A durable cargo short for summer comfort. The stretchy cotton
canvas is lightweight, breathable, soft on the skin, and comfy on the move.
Mid-rise; sits slightly below the waist. Easy fit through the hip and thigh.
Contoured waistband prevents gapping in the back. Triple stitched main
seams. The hammer loop, cargo pockets, and slip pockets hang onto the
daily necessities, including a snack for the trail. Available colors: Tarmac
and Yukon.

Item name:
Men's
DuluthFlex Fire Hose® 11"
Cargo Shorts

Vendor: Duluth Trading

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/34KvYIY

Price: $64.50

Weight: Not specified

Size: Waist 32 through 48 inches

Material: 97% cotton/3% spandex Duluth Flex Fire Hose fabric

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Available in 5 colors. Crouch Gusset® for more room where it

counts and triple-stitched seams that won’t rip out. Pre-washed 8-oz. Fire
Hose cotton canvas is 30% lighter than the originals, just as abrasion-
resistant. Stain- and water-repelling FendOff Finish® fabric treatment. 11
pockets, including cargo pockets with in-or-out tuckable pocket flaps.
Relaxed Fit. 11" inseam hits just below the knee on your average 5'10" all-
American Joe (also available in 9" inseam).

Item name:
Women’s
Taclite Pro
Pant

Vendor: 5.11 Tactical

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2KvQaYc

Price: $49.99

Weight: Not specified

Size: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. Regular 31 inch inseam. Long 35
inch inseam.

Material: 6.2 oz. polyester/ cotton TACLITE® ripstop fabric

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Lightweight, durable. Double reinforced seat and knees. Hip

mounted D-ring. YKK zippers. Gusseted construction. Bartacking at major
seams and stress points. Seven pockets including strap and slash pockets.
Teflon finish. Prym snaps. Designed to provide outstanding performance in
hot and humid climates. Also available in shorts.

Item name: CQR

Men's
Tactical Pants, Water Repellent
Ripstop Cargo
Pants
, Lightweight EDC Hiking Work Pants

Vendor: CQR Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37QB8EV

Price: $39.98

Weight: Not specified

Size: Waist 28 through 46 inches. Length 30 through 36 inches.

Material: Mix of Polyester and Cotton Rip-stop fabric materials. Duratex
Fabric repels liquids, dirt, and other contaminants.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Multi-purpose cargo pockets for various tools and equipment.

Fade, shrink, and wrinkle resistant. High-strength High-density metal alloy
button and zipper along with a durable mounted stopper.

Item name: REI Co-op Sahara

Convertible Pants (to shorts) - Women's

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/38D8Kph

Price: $48.89

Weight: Not specified

Size: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16. Inseam: 32 inches pants, 7 inches shorts.

Material: 94% nylon/6% spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Mid-rise. Lightweight nylon blend fabric dries fast and has a
durable water-repellent finish; low-bulk fabric with flat seams prevents
chafing, also allowing pants to pack down small. UPF 50+ rating provides
excellent protection against harmful UV rays. Multiple pockets provide
storage for essentials; many pockets have secure zip closures and all
pockets have mesh or eyelets to allow drainage. Reinforced cuff backs stand
up to abrasion from boots. Stretch fabric with a center gusset provides
comfort, allows you to move freely with a full range of motion. These
lightweight pants zip off into trail-ready shorts in a flash. Color-coded thigh
zippers help you easily tell the right leg from the left leg when converting
back to pants. The fabric packs down small and dries quickly, so
globetrotting hikers can easily wash them on the go. Available colors
include Dark Army Cot, Quiet Shade, and Beachwood
Item name: Columbia
Men's
Silver Ridge™
Convertible Pants To Shorts

Vendor: Columbia

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2WNIlPR

Price: $45.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: Waist 28 through 44 inches. Length 28 through 36 inches

Material: OMNI-SHADE MAIN BODY: 100% nylon Silver Ridge ripstop.

OMNI-WICK MESH PANELS: 57% recycled polyester/43% polyester
mesh

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: With one zip, go from pants to shorts in no time. Made of nylon
ripstop with an advanced wicking fabric and UPF 50, these pants keep you
cool and dry. Partial elastic at waist. Gusset detail. Pockets with hook and
loop closure. Zip-closed security pocket. Mesh pocket bags.

Item name:
Women's
Mountain Pile
Fleece Vest

Vendor: L. L. Bean

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/38DXHMr

Price: $89.00

Weight:  lb

Size: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL

Material: 100% polyester

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Thick and cozy 300-weight sherpa fleece provides serious
warmth during outdoor excursions. Falls at the hip. Machine wash, line dry.
Elastic at armholes and hem for flexible comfort and to block out wind.
Two lower zippered hand pockets. Available colors: Black, natural, nautical
navy, vintage lavender. Available in Plus sizes (1X, 2X, 3X) for $99.00

Item name:
Men's
Basin Trail™
Fleece Vest

Vendor: Columbia

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/37Q4WBB

Price: $32.90

Weight: Not specified

Size: Small through XXL

Material: 100% Polyester 225gm Anti Pill Solid Microfleece

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Black color. Drawcord-adjustable waist, this versatile vest can

be worn alone or as a heat-trapping layer. Hand pockets. Binding at collar.

Item name: The North Face Osito

Fleece Jacket - Women's

Vendor: Back Country

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3aJmTDN

Price: $74.21

Weight: 1.3 lb

Size:  XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

Material: 100% polyester

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Soft, high pile zip-up fleece jacket. Mid-weight. Regular fit.
Tall collar. Stretch cuffs. 2 zippered hand pockets. Hip length. 27.25 inches
long center back. Lifetime manufacturer warranty. Available in 5 different
colors: Marllard blue, blue frost, black, white, grey.

Item name:
Men’s
Wind Protector™
Fleece Jacket

Vendor: Columbia

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2KTotIt

Price: $49.99 (Regularly $99.99)

Weight: Not specified

Size: Small through XXL

Material: Shell: 100% polyester Windproof Fleece Lite. Lining: 100%

polyester Omni-Heat Reflective™. Chamois Touch Tricot

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Olive Green and Black colors. Crafted from laminated fleece
for windproof protection, this toasty zip-up jacket is the best combination of
comfort, protection, and style. The thermal-reflective lining retains your
body heat while remaining breathable. Features: Omni-Heat™ thermal
reflective, Omni-Wind™ Block windproof, Abrasion resistant chin guard,
Zippered chest pocket, Zippered hand pockets, Modern Classic Fit,
Drawcord adjustable hem.

Item name:
Women's
Roffe Ridge™ Windblock Full-Zip Jacket
(Windbreaker lightweight jacket)

Vendor: Coumbia

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2WPZvwg
Price: $100.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

Material: Outer shell:100% Polyester Windblock Peached Back. Shell:

180g Thermo Stretch Fleece 91% polyester / 9% elastane

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Full zip wind-blocking jacket. Omni-Wind™ Block windproof,

breathable. The fleece lining provides a layer of warmth and additional
protection from the wind. Integrated stretch fabric allows this jacket to
move with you. Zippered hand pockets. Colors: Dark Nocturnal, Lapis
Blue, White.

Item name: Patagonia Houdini Jacket -

Men's
(
Windbreaker lightweight
jacket
)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3nV1ISW

Price: $99.00

Weight: 3.7 ounces

Size: Small through XXL

Material: 1.2 oz. recycled ripstop nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 11 different colors. Durable water repellent (DWR) coating

provides the first layer of defense against moisture. Weather-resistant and
featherweight ripstop nylon blocks wind, withstands abrasion, and packs
down into chest pocket. Zippered chest pocket converts to a stuffsack with a
reinforced carabiner clip-in loop. Hood adjusts in one pull, and won't block
peripheral vision. Durable half-elastic cuffs and drawcord hem seal out the
elements. Reflective detail enhances visibility in low-light conditions. Slim
fit with a slight drop tail for better fit during movement; accommodates a
base layer or a light mid-layer.

Item name: FROGG TOGGS®

Women's
Classic All-Purpose Waterproof
Breathable
Rain Suit

Vendor: FROGG TOGGS Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2L1MHjD

Price: $45.99

Weight: 1 lb

Size: S, M, L, XL

Material: 100% Polypropylene

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Includes jacket and pants. The Jacket features an adjustable,

tuck-away hood with E-Z push cord locks to protect the user’s head and
hair. The jacket comes in a full-length parka cut, front zip with snap-down
storm flap, elastic cuffs, shock cord/barrel lock adjustable waist. The pant
features an adjustable, elastic waist, and leg openings with a straight-leg
design.  Available colors: Black, Cherry/Black, Realtree® Edge, and Safety
Green jacket and Black pants.

Item name: FROGG TOGGS®

Men's
Classic All-Sport Waterproof
Breathable
Rain Suit

Vendor: FROGG TOGGS Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nSTtqP

Price: $36.20
Weight: 10.4 ounces

Size: Small through 3XL

Material: 100% Polyester

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: All-Sport Rain Suit includes a jacket and pants. Made with
Frogg Toggs® breathable, non-woven fabric that is waterproof, wind-
resistant, and lightweight. Jacket features an adjustable, removable hood
and a full-length parka-cut, open-waist design. Jacket zipper is covered by a
snap-down storm flap and elastic cuffs are provided to keep you dry. Pant
features an adjustable, elastic waist and adjustable leg openings.

Item name: REI Co-op Stormhenge 850

Down Jacket - Women's
(Waterproof)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3aL6ChD

Price: $249.00

Weight: 1 lb 6 ounces

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL

Material: Shell: 98% nylon/2% polyester. Lining: polyester. Insulation: 850-

fill power goose down

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 2-layer waterproof, breathable nylon shell with fully sealed

seams provides burly weather protection. 850-fill-power goose down is
highly compressible and provides abundant warmth for its lightweight.
Down has also been treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) to help it
resist water. Insulation is mapped to the body, providing warmth where it's
needed and reduced bulk where it's not. Bonded baffles welded to the shell
eliminate cold spots. Insulated 3-way hood adds protection and warmth. Pit
zips and 2-way front zipper act as vents to dump core heat as needed. Seam-
free shoulders won't chafe under pack straps. Adjustable cuffs seal out the
elements. Zippered hand pockets securely stow essentials. Hip length. Back
length 26.25 inches.

Item name: REI Co-op Stormhenge 850

Down Jacket - Men's (Waterproof
)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3mQXNp1

Price: $249.00

Weight: 1 lb 11 ounces

Size: Small through XXL

Material: Shell: 98% nylon/2% polyester. Lining: polyester. Insulation: 850-

fill power goose down

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 2-layer waterproof, breathable nylon shell with fully sealed

seams provides burly weather protection. 850-fill-power goose down is
highly compressible and provides abundant warmth for its lightweight.
Down has also been treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) to help it
resist water. Insulation is mapped to the body, providing warmth where it's
needed and reduced bulk where it's not. Bonded baffles welded to the shell
eliminate cold spots. Insulated 3-way hood adds protection and warmth. Pit
zips and 2-way front zipper act as vents to dump core heat as needed. Seam-
free shoulders won't chafe under pack straps. Adjustable cuffs seal out the
elements. Zippered hand pockets securely stow essentials. Hip length. Back
length 28.75 inches.

Item name: REI Co-op Power Wool

Beanie

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2M80GoJ

Price: $26.95

Weight: Not specified

Size: One size

Material: Polartec® power wool (merino wool interior, synthetic fiber

exterior)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Merino wool interior is breathable, warm, and soft; synthetic

fiber exterior is stretchy and durable. Water beads up and rolls off the
durable water repellent (DWR) finish. Wicks moisture, dries quickly, and is
naturally odor-resistant. Minimal seaming ensures comfort.

Item name: Outdoor Research Cloud Forest

Rain Hat
(
Wide brim, UV
protection, waterproof
)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/34NkPXT

Price: $45.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: S/M and L/XL

Material: Nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Walnut color. In cooler climates, a Ventia™ waterproof nylon

shell and under-brim polyurethane coating shed foul weather. On hot days,
dark fabric under the brim deflects sunlight while the breathable
TransAction™ headband prevents sweat from interfering with your vision.
UPF 50+ fabric shields you from harmful UV rays. Single-handed drawcord
adjustment and removable chin cord secure your fit. Packable design is easy
to stash in your bag. Reflective OR logo adds visibility in low light. Quick-
drying, waterproof, and moisture-wicking to keep you dry.

Item name: Buff Original

Multifunctional
Headwear (
Neck gaiter
and
many other uses - see below in comments)

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/34Jrke4

Price: $20.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: One size

Material: REPREVE® polyester microfiber

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 5 colors. Wear it climber style or as a neck gaiter, bandana,

hairband, helmet liner, headband, beanie, balaclava, half mask, hood, or
scarf. REPREVE® performance polyester microfiber is made from recycled
materials—including single-use plastic bottles. 4-way stretch fabric moves
easily with you and holds its shape over and over. UPF 50 fabric shields
against harmful UV rays. Recycled polyester fabric helps manage moisture
and dries quickly. Seamless construction is comfortable against the skin.

Item name: Outdoor Research Helmetclava

Balaclava

Vendor:  REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2M3HWqo

Price: $42.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: S, M, L

Material: 68% nylon/26% polypropylene/6% spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments:  Gore WindStopper® soft-shell fabric to keep you warm in

stormy weather. Soft, insulating Motion Fleece™ at the back of the neck
enhances warmth. Thermodynamic™ fabric at the crown and ear panels fits
smoothly under a helmet without bunching up; fabric does not inhibit sound
from traveling to your ears. Breathable fabric and a laser die-cut breathing
port allow moisture to escape.

Item name: Rothco Solid Color

Shemagh
Tactical Desert Keffiyeh Scarf

Vendor: Rothco Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3psiVUl

Price: $11.99

Weight: 7.2 ounces

Size: One size. 42x42 inches.

Material: Woven cotton

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 8 solid colors. Rothco’s Solid Color Shemagh Keffiyeh Scarves

are adaptable to any environment. Great as a face mask, neck gaiter,
headwrap, and much more! Breathable Woven Cotton Construction
Provides the Perfect Combination of Comfort and Resiliency While
Protecting Your Head and Neck From Harmful Sunrays, Snow, Sand, and
Other Debris. Can Be Manipulated and Used as a Makeshift Sling,
Tourniquet, Pouch, and Much More.

Item name: WOLF TACTICAL Everyday Riggers Belt - Tactical 1.75”

Nylon Web Belt
for CQB, Military Training, Holsters, Concealed Carry,
Law Enforcement, First Responders

Vendor: Wolf Tactical Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mSneGP

Price: $18.99

Weight: No specified

Size: S (28-34”), M (35-41”), L 42-51”)

Material: 1.75” nylon webbing. DURABLE STEEL BUCKLE AND D-

RING.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Featuring breathable soft nylon webbing, our riggers belt is

comfortable enough for daily wear, but sturdy enough for tactical use. If
you’re looking for a versatile lightweight belt that can be worn casually and
can also safely carry smaller concealed firearms, holsters, and tactical gear,
look no further. Solid metal hardware allows our belt to convert into a tie-
down, carry strap, or tactical harness in emergencies. Velcro hook and loop
secures the running end to make sure your belt stays cinched and will never
slip. Perfect for military, law enforcement, first responders, EMTs, hunting,
and outdoor survival. Crafted with rugged, rip-resistant 1.75” nylon
webbing. Single-layer nylon webbing allows our belt to stay super
comfortable throughout the day. No holes in the belt mean you can fully
adjust for a custom fit whether or not you’re carrying. Full refund if your
expectations aren’t met for any reason.

Item name: Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Concealed Carry CCW

Gun
Belt
| Made in USA | 14 oz
Leather

Vendor: Relentless Tactical on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nUC80D

Price: $59.99
Weight: 11.2 ounces

Size: 32-52 inches

Material: 1.5 inch wide, 14 ounce, one-piece Premium Full Grain US

Leather

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: PROUDLY HANDMADE IN THE USA! LIFETIME

WARRANTY! If you are ever unhappy with this belt for any reason just let
us know and we will replace it at absolutely no cost to you. KEEP YOUR
FIREARM WHERE YOU WANT IT WHEN YOU NEED IT! Won't
stretch, bend or sag! A Strong and Secure platform for your IWB or OWB
holster, mag pouches, flashlights, and any other gear you need! SAY NO
TO NYLON BELTS! This 1.5 Inch 14 ounce Premium Full Grain US
Leather Belt is strong enough to carry all your gear and stylish enough for
discreet everyday use. No plastic inserts or multiple piece lamination to
worry about falling apart. THE BEST REVIEWED GUN BELT ON
AMAZON! Great for Open Carry as well.

Survival Shoes And Boots

Buying shoes is a very personal choice and the best type for your escape
will depend upon your locale and where you anticipate ending up. Consider
factors such as the terrain (e.g., city landscape, flat countryside, bayous,
mountains, etc), water exposure (e.g., streams, rivers, rainy climate),
temperature range, and how much walking you’ll be doing.

Proper fit and comfort are prime considerations when choosing your
footwear. Measure your feet or try on footwear in the afternoon to account
for enlargement of your feet due to swelling that occurs as the day
progresses. Also, try on footwear while wearing the socks you will be
wearing when you escape from disaster. Your survival socks may be thicker
than your everyday socks, so you’ll need to account for that when you size
your shoes.

You’ll have some decisions to make:

[372]
,
[373]
●
   
Low cut (lighter) versus high top (heavier, more support, more
protection against scrapes and bumps) shoewear

●
   
Waterproofing (e.g., Gore-Tex lining)

○
       
Heavier. Slow to dry when wet. Not very breathable

○
       
Even waterproof shoewear eventually gets wet.

○
       
Non-waterproof shoewear: Lighter, breath more freely, dry faster
when wet.

●
   
Material used for the upper:
[374]

○
       
Synthetic: Lighter. Less expensive

○
       
Full-grain leather: Leather that is not brushed or roughened on its
inside or outside surface. Stiffer than nubuck or suede. Best water
resistance. Durable. More expensive

○
       
Nubuck: Made by leather’s outside (i.e., top-grain) surface.
Textured to have a napped finish. More breaking-in needed. Less
water-resistant than full-grain leather. Stronger and more water and
abrasion-resistant than suede.

○
       
Split grain leather: The bottom or inner layer of leather (includes
suede). Better water resistance. Cheaper

○
       
Suede: Soft. Created by brushing the leather’s inside surface to
create a napped finish. Soft and pliable.

●
   
Strong lacing system (e.g., D-rings, eyelets, hooks) that resists
breakage.

●
   
Sole material and configuration

○
       
Toe and heel brakes for steep terrain
 ○
       
Self-cleaning tread that sheds mud and small stones as the sole
flexes while walking.

○
       
Shock-absorbing material

○
       
Prevent pain, bruising of the soles of your feet from branches,
stones, etc.

○
       
Flexible

○
       
A tread pattern that provides good traction

○
       
Vulcanized rubber: Chemically altered natural rubber. Resists
deformation and elasticity loss with temperature changes. Longer
lasting and more durable.

Saving weight on your shoes is important because the weight on your feet
results in approximately 4-6 times the energy expenditure as the same
amount of weight carried on your back.
[375]
,
[376]
One of the biggest
advantages of low cut shoes is their weight savings as compared to high top
boots.

One question is whether high-top boots offer protection against ankle

injuries such as sprains. The results of numerous studies were either
inconclusive or showed that high top boots or high top shoes provided no
ankle protection compared to low cut shoes. Studies show that ankle braces
and exercises to strengthen muscles about the ankle can protect against
ankle sprains.
[377]
,
[378]
,
[379]
,
[380]
Many people like the support they feel
high top boots give them. So, feel free to choose high top boots if you
prefer them. They do protect your ankles from scrapes and bruising when
walking around vegetation and rocks.

You have a variety of shoe styles to choose from:

●
   
Trail running shoes

●
   
Hiking shoes
 ●
   
Hiking boots

●
   
Tactical boots

Trail Running Shoes

Trail running shoes

[381]
,
[382]
are lighter than hiking boots. They are similar
to but stouter than regular road running shoes. Most are low cut.
Waterproofing is available, but the non-waterproof version offers better
breathability. Their soles provide greater resistance to twisting than
standard running shoes. But, their softer soles do not protect the bottom of
your feet as well as hiking boots from stepping on rocks and other hard
objects. They are less durable than hiking shoes and will last approximately
500 trail miles.

Item name: Salomon® Speedcross 5

Trail-Running Shoes - Women's

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3aKXeL3

Price: $130.00

Weight: 1 lb 3.8 ounces

Size: 6 through 12 in regular and wide widths

Material: Upper: Nylon mesh/welded synthetic overlays. Midsole: Injected

EVA. Outsole: Contagrip® rubber

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Moderate cushion. 10mm heel to toe drop. Heel units create
cradles for heels, ensuring clean foot strike and stability through the stride.
Completely welded uppers with dissociated SensiFit™ arms move naturally
with feet; SensiFit™ cradles feet from midsoles to laces, providing a secure
and snug fit. Contagrip® rubber outsoles use deep, sharp lugs made from a
compound that balances durability and adhesion for maximum grip on
loose, soft, or rugged and uneven surfaces. EnergyCell™+ high-rebound
midsoles provide exceptional energy return along with substantial
cushioning and durability. Removable OrthoLite® footbeds add shock
absorption; antimicrobial treatment deters odors. Quicklace™ system
ensures a secure and customized fit: just pull, lock the toggle and go;
pockets on tongues store laces out of the way. Protective toecaps guard
against bumps and abrasion.

Item name: Salomon® Wildcross

Trail-Running Shoes - Men's

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3aMzxCg

Price: $130.00

Weight: 1 lb 4.4 ounces

Size: 8 through 14

Material: Upper: Nylon mesh/welded synthetic overlays. Midsole:

EnergyCell™. Outsole: Contagrip® TA rubber

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Ankle height. Moderate cushion. 8mm heel-to-toe drop. More

space in the forefoot, SensiFit™ DreamTex wings and water-repellent TPU
mesh keep your feet secure and comfortable. EnergyCell™+ high-rebound
midsoles provide exceptional energy return along with substantial
cushioning and durability. Quicklace™ system ensures a secure and
customized fit—just pull, lock the toggle, and go. Protective toecaps guard
against bumps and abrasion. Full rubber Contagrip® outsoles with
multidirectional lugs give you more traction in the mud.

Hiking Shoes

Hiking shoes are more durable but heavier than trail running shoes. They
generally last about 750 trail miles. They are low cut below the ankle and
are available with or without waterproofing. They occupy the product space
between trail runners and hiking boots.
[383]
,
[384]
,
[385]

Item name: Salomon®

Women's
X Ultra 3 GTX
Hiking Shoes

Vendor: Backountry on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2MdgXZF

Price:  $150.00

Weight: 27 ounces

Size: 5 through 12

Material: Water-resistant mesh and waterproof PU-coated leather upper.

GORE-TEX® breathable,  waterproof protection. Injected EVA midsole.
Contagrip® outsole.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Thanks to Descent Control technology, it efficiently tackles

technical hikes and really shines during tough descents. Wear this pair and
head downhill with a spring in your step, even in wet conditions. Protective
mudguard around the base of the foot protects the lateral and medial sides
from muddy trails. Anti-debris Mesh upper prevents debris from being
trapped between your foot and the footbed. EnergyCell™ midsole, a high-
performance EVA foam, provides shock attenuation. Gore-Tex®
waterproof.

Item name: Salomon® X Ultra 3 GTX

Hiking Shoe, Men’s

Vendor: Salomon

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/354qhFZ

Price: $112.50

Weight: 28 ounces per pair of size 9.5 shoes

Size: 7 through 12.5. D and EE width

Material: Water-resistant mesh and waterproof PU-coated leather upper.

GORE-TEX® breathable,  waterproof protection. Injected EVA midsole.
Contagrip® outsole. 

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Ideal for fast hiking over moderate to technical terrain in wet-
weather conditions. Waterproof bootie construction. SENSIFIT™ system
envelopes the foot for a precise, secure fit. Stitch-free upper construction
provides a smooth, glove-like, fit, and feel. Gusseted tongue helps keep the
debris out. Protective rubber toecap. Mud guard. External heel counter
locks the foot into place. Heel pull. Plush tongue and collar. Breathable
fabric lining for a great in-shoe feel. Removable EVA footbed with
OrthoLite® sock liner that combines a specific cushioned foam and an EVA
heel cup. Ortholite® foam creates a cooler, drier, better-cushioned
cushioned environment under the foot. EVA heel cups allow for better heel
support and added cushioning. Advanced Chassis™ system maximizes
motion control, energy management, and propulsion for a stable, efficient,
and responsive ride. Molded shank provides enhanced stability. Non-
marking Contagrip® outsole delivers exceptional grip and durability.
Chevron lug design with deep penetration and multi-directional grip,
improving traction on soft surfaces like mud or loose dirt. A patterned area
on the heel grabs terrain more aggressively, giving you more control
especially on descents.

Hiking Boots

Hiking boots
[386]
,
[387]
,
[388]
,
[389]
have collars that extend above the ankle.
They are heavier and more durable than other types of hiking shoewear.
They will last about 300-500 to 1000 trail miles depending upon factors like
terrain, weather, gait, and carry weight. The sole may vary from flexible to
stiff and it is made of a harder, more durable rubber than on trail running
shoes. Shoes with stiffer soles provide better support when carrying heavier
loads and when walking on uneven terrain. They come with and without
waterproofing, varying degrees of breathability, and for differing
temperature ranges.
Item name: Salomon® Quest 4D 3 GTX
Hiking Boots - Women's

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3rEK8VV

Price: $230.00

Weight: 2 lb 5 ounces per pair

Size: 6 through 12

Material: Upper: Nubuck leather/textile. Lining: Gore-Tex. Midsole: Dual-

density EVA. Outsole: Contagrip rubber

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Over-the-ankle. Lace-up closure. Seam-sealed Gore-Tex®

membranes offer excellent protection from water and allow vapor to escape
to help keep feet dry and cool. New lug design for better grip on all
surfaces. New 4D Advanced Chassis design enables more forefoot flexion
for a smoother ride that flows from step to step. Long-lasting split suede
leather and nylon mesh uppers offer flexibility, breathability, and
lightweight comfort. Padded, gusseted tongues have a contoured instep fit;
tongue folds lie flat and smooth to relieve lace pressure while keeping trail
debris and moisture out. Laces feature sheath materials that provide soft
flex and secure grip, keeping knots secure while on the move. Wicking
polyester linings absorb and disperse excess moisture for comfort.
Removable OrthoLite® footbeds absorb shock; antimicrobial treatment
deters odors inside the boots. Dual-density EVA midsoles supply lasting
comfort and support.

Item name: Salomon® Quest 4D 3 GTX

Hiking Boots, Men’s

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3rypwys

Price: $172.49
Weight: 2 lb 13.2 ounces per pair

Size: 8 through 14

Material: Upper: Nubuck leather/textile. Lining: Gore-Tex. Midsole: Dual-

density EVA. Outsole: Contagrip® rubber

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Over-the-ankle. Lace-up closure. Seam-sealed Gore-Tex®

membranes offer excellent protection from water and allow vapor to escape
to help keep feet dry and cool. New lug design for better grip on all
surfaces. New 4D Advanced Chassis design enables more forefoot flexion
for a smoother ride that flows from step to step. Long-lasting split suede
leather and nylon mesh uppers offer flexibility, breathability, and
lightweight comfort. Padded, gusseted tongues have a contoured instep fit;
tongue folds lie flat and smooth to relieve lace pressure while keeping trail
debris and moisture out. Laces feature sheath materials that provide soft
flex and secure grip, keeping knots secure while on the move. Wicking
polyester linings absorb and disperse excess moisture for comfort.
Removable Orthoclase footbeds absorb shock; antimicrobial treatment
deters odors inside the boots. Dual-density EVA midsoles supply lasting
comfort and support.

Tactical boots

First, how do tactical boots differ from hiking boots and combat boots?
[390]
,
[391]
,
[392]
Here are some key features of each type of boots:

●
   
Tactical Boots:

○
       
Thinner, lighter, more flexible

○
       
Most often synthetic or combo synthetic and leather upper

○
       
Sole softer and less durable than combat boot sole

○
       
May or may not be waterproof
 ○
       
Readily available for civilians from many retail outlets

●
   
Hiking Boots:

○
       
More flexible than combat boots

○
       
Provide stability on uneven ground

○
       
Lighter weight than combat boots

○
       
Heel breaks to aid with descents

●
   
Combat Boots:

○
       
Long-lasting

○
       
Generally, heavy leather upper

○
       
More durable

○
       
Replaceable outsole

○
       
Waterproof

○
       
Heavier

Tactical boot uppers come in synthetic, leather, or a combination of the two

materials. Uppers made of synthetics and leather are popular because they
have good breathability and resistance to abrasion, but they are less durable
than all-leather boots. They dry faster when wet. You can get tactical boots
with insulated and moisture-wicking lining materials. They are also
available with Gore-Tex lining for waterproofing. Gore-Tex® can become
more permeable allowing water to penetrate boots that have been worn
extensively particularly when exposed to moisture, heat, and UV radiation.
Leather boots can receive repeated wax surface treatments to keep them
waterproof, but they have poor breathability, they are heavy and more
expensive.
[393]
,
[394]
,
[395]
Here are some things to know about and look for in the construction of your
boots:
[396]

●
   
The boot’s sole is comprised of the midsole and outsole

●
   
Midsole

○
       
Provides cushioning

○
       
Often made of EVA foam or polyurethane foam

○
       
EVA foam: Lighter, softer. Loses its ability to rebound and
becomes compressed faster thereby losing its cushioning function

○
       
Polyurethane foam: Denser. Initially stiffer. Retains its shape
longer providing more durable cushioning

●
   
Outsole

○
       
Usually made of natural or synthetic rubber

○
       
Most are oil-resistant, non-marking

○
       
Lug pattern provides traction

●
   
Toe protection: This is optional. Composite is better than steel
since it does not remain bent and pressed against your toes upon heavy
impact. It is also not cold like steel in lower temperatures.

●
   
Boot height (collar length) can vary between four and eight inches,
although some are even longer. Shorter collars are better for carrying
light loads, scrambling, and running. Taller collars are better for
carrying heavy loads and for protection against bumps or scrapes from
objects you may encounter.

●
   
Arch support: More important the heavier load you’re carrying.
Substitute the factory insole with an aftermarket insole if needed.
 ●
   
Zipper closure: Faster than using laces. Allows less frequent lace
adjustment. Some boots come with a built-in side zipper closure.
Aftermarket zipper closure add-ons are also available.

Some reputable manufacturers of tactical boots include:

[397]

●
   
Salomon®

●
   
Asolo

●
   
Rocky

●
   
LOWA

●
   
Meindl

●
   
Hanwag

Item name: Rocky Alpha Force

Women's
Waterproof Public Service (
tactical boot
)

Vendor: Rocky

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3rw3YlZ

Price: $113.00

Weight: 1.30 lb

Size: 5 through 10. Medium and wide widths.

Material: Full-grain water-resistant leather upper. Airport Footbed Provides

Support and Cushioning. Oil- and slip-resistant, non-marking RigiTrac™
molded EVA/rubber outsole. Rubber Outsole is Non-Marking

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Rubber Outsole is Non-Marking. Guaranteed Rocky®

Waterproof construction. Non-metallic stabilizer. Contoured removable
polyurethane cushion insole providing direct underfoot cushion comfort.
The polyurethane material used in its insole is known for its cushioning
while not bottoming out features. Some open-celled foams feel very
comfortable to the initial touch but will tend to break down faster than a
product made with polyurethane. Plus, it is extra thick in the heel contact
area. This provides additional underfoot comfort to the wearer. 2-inch heel
height

Item name: 5.11

Women's
A.T.A.C. 2.0 8” Storm
Tactical Boots

Vendor: 5.11

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3mS3BPg

Price: $139.99

Weight: Not specified

Size: 5 through 10. Regular and wide widths.

Material: Roughed out suede toe. 840D nylon upper. Full-length dual
durometer Ortholite® footbed

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 8 inches high. Airflow breathable tongue construction. Achilles

heel flex zone for enhanced comfort and flexibility. Shock Mitigation
System®. Strobel construction. Hidden knife pocket. Lighter weight upper
construction. Ortholite® Achilles cuff for comfort. YKK® side zipper. Slip-
and oil-resistant outsole. SlipStream™ waterproof BBP membrane. Black
color.

Item name: Rocky S2V Predator

Military Boot, Mens

Vendor: Rocky Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37SBvza

Price: $146.75
Weight: 4 lb

Size:  4 through 15 in half sizes, regular and wide width

Material: Water-resistant leather and 1,000-denier CORDURA nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Coyote Brown and Black colors. GSA/TAA compliant boot.

PTFE-coated for flame resistance. Drainage vents with advanced S2V Sieve
technology circulate air in and push water out, allowing you to quickly
"walk-them-dry.” The durable, triple-stitched military boot stays together
through wear and tear and reduces ankle injuries with Roll-Stop Ankle
Stability™. The stretch LYCRA® tongue hugs your foot for a secure fit.
This tactical boot has a Vibram® sole with proprietary high walls and a
polyurethane midsole. Dri-Lex® lining wicks away moisture. The Rocky
Air-Port™ footbed cushions your foot and has perforations for airflow. An
Aegis® Microbe Shield™ on the footbed helps fight odor and bacteria. The
fiberglass shank supports the arch of your foot.

Item name: 5.11 Tactical ATAC

Men's
8" Leather Jungle Combat
Military
Coyote
Boots
, Style 12110

Vendor: 5.11 Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WQK9b4

Price: $84.99

Weight: 3.6 lb

Size:  4 through 15 in both regular and wide widths

Material:  Full-grain leather and durable, extra-strong nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Coyote Brown and Black colors. Synthetic sole. Shaft measures
approximately 8" from arch. 5.11 Tactical A.T.A.C. 8" Side Zip. Open-cell
foam cushion and Cushioned Ortholite® insole. Hypertext lasting board
with Injection-molded Phylon midsole. Non-metallic shank with Oil and
slip-resistant outsole. Semi-rigid heel and toe reinforcement and Moisture-
wicking lining. Suede with Covert tactical pocket. 5.11 Shock Mitigation
System and YKK® zippers.
 Tools
Tools for your BOBs covered in this chapter include:

●
   
Cutting tools

○
       
Saw

○
       
Hatchet

○
       
Axe

○
       
EMT scissors

●
   
Electricity related tools

○
       
Headlamp

○
       
Rechargeable batteries

○
       
Battery charger

○
       
Lithium-ion power bank

○
       
Solar Panel

●
   
Maintenance tools

○
       
Sharpening tools

○
       
Caring for your hatchet and axe

○
       
Sewing kit

○
       
Shoe Goo® or Barge Cement™

●
   
Other tools
 ○
       
Multi-tool

○
       
Shovel

○
       
Crowbar

As a means of providing you with cross-reference, the following tools are

covered in other chapters in this book:

●
   
Knives: Survival Knives chapter

●
   
Flashlights: Communications chapter

●
   
Water valve wrench: Water chapter

●
   
Gun cleaning: Please see the “Spare Parts And Cleaning Supplies
For Your Firearms” section in the “Personal Protection Items” chapter

One thing to keep in mind when selecting tools for your BOBs is to try to
choose tools that have multiple functions so you can save space and weight.
Examples include:

●
   
Multi-tools that include a knife, saw, pliers, file, screwdrivers, etc

●
   
Shovels that have a saw on one side edge and a sharpened edge for
chopping

●
   
Hatchet that can be used as a hand axe and hammer

Saw, Hatchet, Axe: Which should I pack in my BOB?

There could be circumstances where you might find a use for them in your
Short-Term BOB. But, these are items to primarily consider for your
Medium- and Long-Term BOBs. All three of these tools can help you in
numerous ways including:

●
   
Processing wood for fires and shelters

●
   
Making tools and weapons
 ●
   
Processing game

●
   
Clearing debris

Let’s examine some of the pros and cons of each.

[398]
,
[399]
,
[400]
,
[401]
,

[402]
,
[403]

Saw:

●
   
Pros:

○
       
Lightweight

○
       
Compact

○
       
Safer, requires less skill to use than hatchet or axe

○
       
Faster at cutting wood against the grain than hatchet or axe

○
       
Good for processing wood and game

○
       
Easier to make straight, precision cuts than with hatchet or axe

●
   
Cons

○
       
Difficult to sharpen a blade when it dulls

○
       
Blade can break

Hatchet (a small axe with a short handle that can be used with one hand):

●
   
Pros

○
       
One-handed use for detailed work

○
       
Most handles are long enough to permit 2 hand grip when more
power is needed

○
       
Shorter handle enables it to be used in tighter spaces than an axe
 ○
       
Lighter, more compact than an axe

○
       
Can sharpen it with makeshift materials or objects (concrete
sidewalk, rocks, etc) when in a pinch

○
       
Can be used as a hammer

○
       
Handy for limbing trees, chopping small trees, splitting wood,
carving, processing game.

○
       
Harder to break and lasts longer than a saw

○
       
Can be used as a weapon

●
   
Cons

○
       
Bulkier and heavier than a saw

○
       
Greater risk of injury than with a saw

○
       
Shorter handle makes a miss or over swing more likely to cause
injury than a long-handled axe

○
       
Requires more energy to use than a saw

Axe (handles longer than 14 inches):

●
   
Pros

○
       
Good at quickly splitting wood in line with its grain

○
       
Longer handle provides more powerful strikes

○
       
Can process larger pieces of wood, game

○
       
Can sharpen it with makeshift materials or objects (concrete
sidewalk, rocks, etc) when in a pinch

○
       
Can be used as a hammer, carve wood
 ○
       
Hard to break, lasts longer than a saw

○
       
Can be used as a weapon

●
   
Cons

○
       
Large, heavy

○
       
The bit (cutting part of the axe) can skive off of or be deflected by
wood upon impact potentially causing injury

○
       
Requires space to swing it

○
       
Be aware of what’s behind you when swinging overhead

○
       
Overtravel of the bit can cause it to strike the user especially when
standing too close to the object being chopped or split

○
       
Not as good for chopping against the wood’s grain

What you decide to carry will depend upon your circumstances and
preferences. Your Short-Term BOB will be the lightest of your bags and
contain the fewest items. You will probably not include a saw, hatchet, or
axe in your Short-Term BOB since other items will take priority

Modern survival saws are compact and light making them easy to carry and
worthwhile addition to your Medium- and Long-Term BOBs. A hatchet is a
multi-use tool and can do some things better than a saw. It’s more durable
than a saw and it can be sharpened, which are advantages in longer-term
survival situations. It’s worthy of including in your Medium- and Long-
Term BOBs. You might pack both a saw and a hatchet if you can
accommodate their size and weight considering the other items you’ll be
carrying.

An axe is too large and heavy to carry on one’s person since there are plenty
of other items that will be more critical to include in your BOBs. An axe is
something to consider packing if you’re escaping in your vehicle. You’ll
have limited space even in a vehicle, so what you bring will need to be
vetted based upon your assessment of what you will likely need the most.
Saw

You may have seen wire saws that come packaged as part of survival tins.
These are braided wires with handles on each end, often comprised of metal
rings into which a finger can be placed. Their main advantages are that they
are inexpensive, very light, and compact. You can use them for light cutting
chores on a variety of materials including wood, plastic, bones, and thin,
soft metals. Most cut when pulled in both directions. Their main
disadvantages are that they lack durability and they tend to bind when
cutting through materials.

Pocket chainsaws are similar to wire saws, but use chains as their cutting
mechanism. Chainsaws are larger and heavier than wire saws. The chains
are similar to those found on power chain saws. They have a handle on both
ends of the chain. The chain cuts in both directions. The better chainsaws
have sharp teeth made of carbon steel with heavy-duty hand straps. Saw
lengths of 24 and 36 inches require fewer back and forth cutting strokes
making sawing easier than with shorter chainsaws. The advantages of
chainsaws are that they are light and compact. They can cut fast since they
are cutting three sides of an object at the same time. The disadvantage is
that they require two hands, they are more difficult to clean, and expend
more energy to operate than a folding saw.
[404]
,
[405]

A pocket chainsaw is more effective than a wire saw in terms of durability

and its cutting ability. Because of their small size, you could consider
including one of them in your EDC and perhaps as a backup saw in one of
your three BOBs. However, a folding saw is a better choice as your primary
saw for BOBs. Here is an example of a pocket chainsaw:

Item name: Sportsman

Pocket Chainsaw
36 Inch Long Chainsaw

Vendor: Sportsman Industries on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rw4hx9

Price: $23.95

Weight: 4.9 ounces

Size: 36 inches not including handles

Material: 65 MN high carbon heat-treated steel.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Bidirectional, self-cleaning chainsaw style cutting teeth. Heavy-

duty rugged cross-stitched handles with metal brackets. Can easily be re-
sharpened with a regular 5/32 round chainsaw file, unlike other sharp
pointed pocket saws. Heavy-duty nylon storage pouch comes with front a
snap clip and a belt loop. Free fire starter. Lifetime Money Back Guarantee.

A folding saw is a handy item for your Medium and Long Term BOBs.
Some features to look for:
[406]
,
[407]
,
[408]

●
   
Folding saw for space savings

●
   
There are limitations to a bucksaw (also known as a frame saw).
Most have C or H metal shaped frames. The frame size limits the size
of wood that can be cut. Buck saws tend to be bulkier and heavier than
folding saws.

●
   
A saw blade that cuts in both push and pull directions. These cut
quickly and aggressively, but leave a rough cut.

●
   
A saw blade that cuts on the pull stroke provides more control and
a smoother cut, but tend to jam if a lot of pressure is applied to them.

●
   
A blade with a high number of teeth per inch (TPI) will cut more
smoothly, but less aggressively, taking more time to cut

●
   
A blade with a lower TPI cuts fast but leaves a rougher cut edge.

●
   
Hardened stainless steel blades are more durable and remain
sharper longer.

●
   
Coated blades prevent rust and friction
 ●
   
Locking mechanism that securely holds the blade opened and
closed

●
   
The ability to replace saw blades if you anticipate a long term
survival situation where you’ll process lots of wood

Item name: Corona RazorTooth

Folding
Pruning
Saw
, 10 Inch Curved
Blade, RS 7265D

Vendor: Corona Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34PDLVE

Price: $21.98

Weight: 12.8 ounces

Size: 1x2.68x12 inches

Material: Impulse hardened steel blade

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 3 sided razor teeth for efficient cutting. 10" blade is ideal for
cutting 5" - 6" diameter, small to medium, branches. The handle provides a
comfortable grip. The folding blade is curved, taper-ground, and
replaceable. Blade latch prevents injury when not in use. Impulse hardened
teeth for long service life. Up to 6 teeth per inch and curved blade design
for faster cutting. Cuts are smoother and quicker than a traditional saw.
Chrome-plated blade reduces friction and improves efficiency. Also
available with 7 and 8 inch long saw blades.

Item name: Silky Ultra Accel Professional 240mm Curved

Folding Saw
Large Teeth

Vendor: Silky Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WOqfxb
Price: $60.43

Weight: 10.4 ounces

Size: 1.5x3x12 inches

Material:  Lightweight aluminum chassis

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 9.5 inches (240-mm) blade length - Large teeth, 6.4 teeth per
inch. Curved blade for maximum speed and efficiency. Easy-grip
rubberized handle. Replaceable blades.

Hatchet

Here are some things to consider when choosing a hatchet:

[409]
,
[410]
,
[411]

●
   
Handle: Wood handles are classic. Often hickory. Be sure that the
wood’s grain runs parallel to the long axis of the handle for strength.
Other handle materials include fiberglass, metal, and plastic. Some
handles are straight. Curved handles are more comfortable to hold.
Some come covered with rubber, leather, or paracord.

●
   
Head: Forged, carbon steel

●
   
Weight: Lighter is easier to carry and swing quickly. Heavier
provides more power.

●
   
Balance: Balance between the head and the handle provides
comfort and control.

●
   
Length: Shorter is easier to pack and to use for precise functions
like carving, light chopping. Longer gives greater power.

●
   
Sharpness: Stainless steel is more durable, but not as easy to
sharpen and not as sharp as high carbon steel.

●
   
Sheath: To protect the bit from damage and for safety.
 ●
   
Price: Paying more does not mean you’ll get a better hatchet. If
you’re unfamiliar with hatchets, read numerous reviews to get a sense
of which ones are best.

Item name: Fiskars® 378501-1002 X7

Hatchet

Vendor: Fiskars® Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hkwYZc

Price: $28.98

Weight: 1.38 lb

Size: 1x5.5x16.5 inches

Material: Handle is made of composite fiberglass material. Forged steel

head.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Proprietary blade-grinding technique provides a sharper edge

for better contact and cleaner cuts.  Low-friction blade coating powers
through wood and prevents the head from getting stuck.  Stronger-than-steel
FiberComp® handles and inseparable insert-molded heads. Handle has a
non-slip grip and a vibration-absorbing chamber.  Virtually impossible to
break. Sheath included. Lifetime warranty.

Item name: Estwing Sportsman's Axe - 14" Camping

Hatchet
with Forged
Steel Construction and Genuine Leather Grip - E24A

Vendor: Estwing Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rtGcHg

Price: $34.98

Weight: 1.7 lb
Size: 2x7x13 inches

Material: Forged 1055 carbon steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Forged in 1 piece. Leather grip, hand sanded, and lacquered for
a durable, yet comfortable finish. Made in the USA. Ballistic nylon sheath.
Available with 2.75 or 3.25 blade.

Axe

Different types of axes are optimized for different tasks:

[412]

●
   
Felling axes: Long handle. Heavy. Narrower bit to concentrate
impact to a smaller area. For felling trees and chopping logs. Designed
to cut against a wood’s grain.

●
   
Forest axes: Heavy-duty. Extra-long handle. Flared blade with a
slightly curved tip. Used for felling trees.

●
   
Splitting axes: Long handle. Wide-wedged head. Splits wood.

●
   
Splitting maul: Similar to a felling axe, but much heavier, thicker,
wedge shaped head. Long handle. Designed to cut with the grain to
split wood.

●
   
Broad axes: Blade is flat on one side and has a broad bevel on the
other side for chopping. Used for hewing (making round timber into
flat-edged timber)

●
   
Carpenter’s axes: Small, but larger than a hatchet. Straight, sharp
blade for accurate cuts. May have a nail removal notch in the blade.
Not ideal for felling or chopping. Used for woodworking

●
   
Hunter’s axes: Grooved handle to improve grip when bloody.
Rounded flay poll is useful for game skinning without damaging the
hide like the straight poll with sharp corners found on an ordinary axe
blade.
 ●
   
Double bit axes: Two blades, one on each side of the head. One
blade is sharp for felling and chopping. The other blade is blunt for
splitting wood. Heavy and bulky.

●
   
General duty axes: Rounded bits to handle a broad spectrum of
tasks

Factors to consider in selecting a survival axe:

[413]
,
[414]
,
[415]
,
[416]

●
   
Length: 15-20 inches is a good compromise between power,
weight, and portability.

●
   
Weight: Two pounds or less for the axe head is a good compromise
between power and weight.

●
   
Balance: Proper weight balance enables the axe to swing properly

●
   
Handle: Hickory is the most popular. It is strong, flexible, and
comfortable to grip

●
   
Forged carbon steel. Swedish steel has a reputation for strength

●
   
Durable, protective sheath to protect the bit

Item name: Fiskars® 378571-1002 X15 Chopping

Axe
23.5"

Vendor: Fiskars® Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hllk0d

Price: $44.33

Weight: 3.6 lb

Size: 1.75x7.5x26.75 inches

Material: Handle is made of composite fiberglass material. Drop forged

medium carbon steel blade
Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Ideal for felling trees. Perfected balance and power-to-weight

ratio increases swing speed to multiply power. Friction-reducing non-stick
coating to the head. Shock-absorbing FiberComp® handle is lightweight yet
stronger than steel to prevent overstrike damage. An insert-molded design
locks the blade in place so it won't ever unhitch itself from the durable,
weatherproof handle. Sturdy sheath included. Lifetime warranty

Item name: Gransfors Bruks Small Forest

Axe
19 Inch

Vendor: Boundary Waters

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3hllowZ

Price: $173.00

Weight: 2.25 lb (1.5 lb head)

Size: Head 3.75x7 inches. Overall 19.5 inches.

Material: Forged steel head. Hickory handle

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Excellent for felling trees, limbing, splitting small sticks.

Vegetable-tanned leather sheath. Handmade in Sweden. 20-year guarantee.

EMT Scissors

EMT scissors (also known as trauma shears) should be part of your first aid
kit, EDC, and each of your three BOBs. They are small, lightweight, and
can function in many different scenarios. They are much more effective at
cutting than regular scissors. They can cut clothes, webbing, light sheet
metal, medical dressings, leather, rubber, wire, rope, small branches, etc.
Some common features of these scissors include:

●
   
Large, plastic handles that accommodate multiple fingers so you
can squeeze the blades together with more force than with regular
 scissors

●
   
Serrated blades. Milled serrations are carved into the blades
making them more durable than stamped serrations that are pressed
into the blade.

●
   
Blades generally made of stainless steel

●
   
Blunt, extended lower blade to protect a person’s body when
scissors are used to remove a covering from them (e.g., clothes, shoes,
splints, dressings, etc)

●
   
The blades angle upwards approximately 30 degrees midway
between the handles and the blade tips

●
   
Each blade has a central concave depression running along its
length to provide greater bending resistance

●
   
Tough and durable

●
   
Can cut through almost any material

Item name: Ever Ready Titanium Bonded Bandage Shears 7 1/4" Bent (
EMT Scissors
)

Vendor: Ever Ready First Aid Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KDCuKB

Price: $6.95

Weight: 2.4 ounces

Size: 0.5x3.9x7 inches

Material: Blades are made of bonded titanium, which is a lot stronger than
steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Blunt tip. Bent handle.

Item name: Leatherman Raptor Shears, Black with MOLLE Compatible

Holster, Multi-Tool, Stainless Steel Folding Sheers with Strap Cutter, Ring
Cutter, Ruler, Glass Breaker (
EMT Scissors
)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nXdDQu

Price: $64.99

Weight: 9.59 ounces

Size: 0.7x2.7x6.2 inches

Material: 420HC stainless steel blades. Glass-filled nylon handles

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The shears come apart for cleaning and maintenance. The
blades fold in between the handles to make them more compact. Serrated
blades. Strap cutter. Ring cutter. Ruler. Carbide glass breaker. Oxygen tank
wrench. Lanyard hole. Replaceable pocket clip. Hard holster included. 25-
year warranty.

Headlamp

The primary advantage of a headlamp over a flashlight is its hands-free

operation. This is a huge advantage in a survival situation where you need
to use of both hands:

●
   
Processing wood

●
   
Building shelter

●
   
Cooking

●
   
Navigating
 ●
   
Map reading

●
   
Finding items in your BOB

●
   
Cleaning your gun or sharpening your knife

Headlamps are a good addition to your EDC and BOBs, but you should also
carry a flashlight. You can always carry a flashlight on your person, access
and deploy it quickly, use it as a defensive tool including in conjunction
with your handgun.

Some features to look for in a headlamp include:

[417]
,
[418]
,
[419]
,
[420]
,

[421]

●
   
Variable brightness levels: High-output of at least 200 lumens.

●
   
Floodlight mode: Wide beam, shorter throw. More illumination off
to the sides

●
   
Spotlight mode: Focused, narrower beam, longer throw.

●
   
LED: Better power consumption, smaller size than conventional
bulbs. Almost all current headlamps use LEDs.

●
   
LED housing that tilts. Some also swivel.

●
   
Control buttons that are easily accessible and manipulated

●
   
Battery life: Most use 3-4 AA or AAA batteries.

●
   
Size

●
   
Light weight: The greater the number of LEDs, the heavier the
headlamp.

●
   
Comfort and fit

●
   
Water-resistant, waterproof
 ●
   
Durable

●
   
Optional features: Red light to preserve night vision and make you
less conspicuous. Strobe mode. Rechargeable via USB cable. Lock-out
feature (handy to prevent inadvertent activation inside BOB).
Remaining power level indicator. Detachable LED housing to permit
handheld use.

Item name: Energizer Vision HD + LED

Headlamp

Vendor: Walmart

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2KWGZQc

Price: $16.97

Weight: 2.96 ounces

Size: Not specified

Material: Plastic housing

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: LED. Pivotable head. 4 light modes (spotlight, floodlight, spot

and floodlight joined, and red light for night vision). Uses 3 AAA batteries
(included). Powerful bar comes to up to 80 meters and puts out up to 350
lumens. Launderable band. Tolerates drops up to 1 meter high. Water-
resistant (IPX-4). Runs as long as 4 hours in high mode.

Item name: Black Diamond Storm

Headlamp

Vendor: Black Diamond store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34OhFD8

Price: $37.95

Weight: 3.9 ounces

Size: Not specified

Material: Plastic housing

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: One Quad Power LED and one Double Power white LED emit
350 lumens. LED housing tilts.  Red, green, and blue Single Power LEDs
for night vision have dimming and strobe settings and activate without
cycling through white mode. Power Tap Technology allows instant
transitioning between full and dimmed power. Settings include full strength
in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red, green, and blue
night-vision, and lock mode. Waterproof (30 minutes submerged in 1 meter
of water) and dustproof. Sealed housing withstands immersion up to 1
meter for 30 minutes.

Rechargeable Batteries

Items in your BOBs like your headlamp and flashlight require batteries.
Some of these devices are capable of being recharged, usually using a USB
cable. But, most devices rely upon removable batteries. Carrying extra
batteries takes more weight and space. And, your batteries will be depleted
eventually. It’s better to use rechargeable batteries and bring a solar charger.

Here are some advantages of rechargeable batteries over single-use

batteries:

●
   
Overall cheaper despite higher initial cost because they can be used
over and over many times

●
   
Convenience of not having to have a supply of single-use batteries
on hand

●
   
Better for the environment

Alkaline batteries employ electrodes of zinc and manganese dioxide in an

alkaline electrolyte of potassium hydroxide (KOH). They account for the
majority of batteries sold worldwide. Most cannot be recharged and can
rupture if attempts are made to recharge them. There are a few rechargeable
alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries can leak KOH causing respiratory, eye,
and skin irritation.
[422]

There are different types of rechargeable batteries:

[423]
,
[424]
,
[425]

●
   
Nickel-cadmium (NiCd)

○
       
They were the first rechargeables

○
       
Contains cadmium, a toxic metal

○
       
Lowest capacity of the rechargeables

○
       
Discharges when left unused over a month

○
       
Rarely used today

●
   
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)

○
       
Works well in high drain items needing a lot of power quickly
(e.g., digital cameras)

○
       
Larger capacity than other rechargeables, three times the capacity
of NiCds

○
       
Must be charged before use (the exception is that LSD versions
come pre-charged)

○
       
Maintain their voltage until near the end of their charge versus the
steady voltage decline that occurs with alkaline batteries

○
       
Can be recharged 150 to >500 times

○
       
Overcharging and repeatedly discharging the batteries completely
can reduce the number of times it can be recharged

○
       
Readily available in retail outlets
○
       
Low voltage of 1.2V. Cheap, unregulated flashlights run dimmer.
Devices using >4 batteries may discharge batteries fast or not operate
at all.

○
       
Highest discharge rate of any battery type. Many brands self
discharge completely when unused for several months. Low Self
Discharge (LSD) versions have a lower capacity.

○
       
Select batteries with capacity of at least 1900mAh (milliamps per
hour, a measure of capacity and how long the battery will run)

●
   
Nickel-zinc (NiZn)

○
       
Works well in high drain items

○
       
Lasts longer in some high-drain devices than NiMH's

○
       
Higher voltage (1.65V+) makes lights burn brighter (except some
LED flashlights which regulate the voltage)

○
       
Can damage some electronics with no voltage regulator because
of its higher voltage

○
       
High self-discharge rate, losing approximately 13% of their initial
charge per month of not being used

○
       
Capacity decreases with more cycles of discharge and recharging

○
       
Variable performance with some batteries ceasing function
quickly or self-discharging faster than usual

○
       
Requires special charger

○
       
Available only in AA and AAA sizes

●
   
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)

○
       
Works well in high drain items
 ○
       
AAA, AA, C, and D-size Li-ion put out 3.7V instead of 1.5V.
Accidentally putting a 3.7V Li-ion in a 1.5V device could easily
destroy it.

○
       
Some flashlights/headlamps are designed for either standard 1.5V
or 3.7V Li-ion's and they're typically brighter with Li-ion's.

○
       
Requires a special charger

Bottom line
: Pack at least two sets of NiMH rechargeable batteries for each
of your battery-operated devices. You can keep one set of batteries in your
devices while the second set of batteries are recharging. You may able to
recharge batteries using your vehicle, but you’ll most likely be recharging
them using a solar panel in a survival situation. It can take many hours to
recharge batteries using a solar panel on a sunny day. You don’t want to be
without the use of your device while waiting for its batteries to recharge.

Item name: Panasonic BK-3HCCA4BA Eneloop pro AA High Capacity

Ni-
MH
Pre-Charged
Rechargeable Batteries
, 4 Pack, Black

Vendor: Eneloop Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nTwf3K

Price: $18.72

Weight: 0.48 ounces

Size: 1.2x3.38x4.25 inches

Material: Ni-MH High Capacity

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: These are premium, highly rated batteries that cost more than
other batteries. 2550mAh type, 2450mAh min, Ni-MH High Capacity. 1.2V.
Pre-charged. Recharge up to 500 times. Low Self Discharge: Maintain 85%
of their charge up to 1 year (when not in use). No memory effect - batteries
can be recharged when fully, or partially discharged. Work in extreme
temperatures down to -4ºF. Also available in AAA (950mAh, recharge up to
500 times)

Battery Charger

You’ll need a battery charger if you’re going to use rechargeable batteries.

After an extensive search, I found the following:

●
   
Battery chargers that work on wall outlet AC power that also have
cigarette lighter adapters so they can be used in a vehicle

●
   
Battery chargers that derive power through USB cables

However, I could not find a battery charger that derives power through a
USB cable and has a car adapter. That means having to get two separate
battery chargers if you anticipate escaping by vehicle:

●
   
One battery charger to keep in your vehicle that has a cigarette
lighter adapter. These chargers usually also include an AC adapter, so
you can plug them into a wall socket if you have access to one.

●
   
A second battery charger that is powered through an USB cable so
you can connect it to a solar panel if you’re escaping on foot or if you
anticipate transitioning from vehicle to foot travel. One possible
workaround is to use to connect the battery charger’s USB cable into a
USB-vehicle cigarette lighter adapter similar to those commonly used
to charge cell phones. But, I can find no literature that discusses this
manner of use to determine if it works or if it is safe.

Here is an example of an AAA, AA battery charger that works of AC and

has a car adapter:

Item name: Nitecore® D4 Digital Smart

Battery Charger
for Li-ion Ni-MH
Ni-CD with 12V DC
Car Adapter
, NBM40 18650 Battery Magazine and
EdisonBright Battery Carry Case

Vendor: EdisonBright Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hnYO6X
Price: $38.95

Weight: 15 ounces

Size: 2x8x8 inches

Material: Plastic case

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Capable of charging 4 types of batteries simultaneously.

Compatible with Li-ion (26650, 22650, 18650, 17670, 18490, 17500,
18350, 16340(RCR123), 14500, 10440), Ni-MH and Ni-Cd (AA, AAA,
AAAA, C) rechargeable batteries. Intelligent circuitry detects the battery
type and status before entering automatic charge mode. Intelligent
automatic power-off function terminates current when charging is complete.
Features over-charge prevention to protect batteries. Features temperature
monitoring to prevent overheating. Features reverse polarity protection.
Integrated LCD panel clearly displays charging parameters and progress.
12V DC Cable, Nitecore® NBM40 battery magazine, and BBX3
EdisonBright battery carry case included.

Here is an example of an AAA, AA battery charger that works of a USB

cable, so it can be connected to a solar panel:

Item name: EBL 40Min iQuick Smart

Battery Charger
(Model EBL-U421)
with USB Port
and AA 2300mAh. Rechargeable Batteries 4 Counts

Vendor: EBL Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mWMkEq

Price: $18.99

Weight: 11.22 ounces

Size: 2.01x3.9x4.41 inches

Material: Plastic case

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Unique USB design freely compatible with all 5V USB enable
devices like power bank, adapter, solar charger, etc. For 1/2/3/4 AA AAA
Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. Four EBL 2300mAh AA Rechargeable
Batteries included.

Solar Panel

A solar panel can keep your battery-powered devices running in a grid-

down situation or if you have to escape somewhere without access to
electrical power. It can also be useful if you escape by vehicle in case
you’re unable to refuel. Your car battery will eventually run down and
you’ll be left without power.

Having a power bank (an external battery) may suffice for your EDC or
Short Term BOB. Some power banks come with a solar panel attached to
one of their surfaces. The small solar panels on these power banks are not
practical for recharging a depleted power bank or external devices. It can
take days for the solar panel to even recharge the power bank. You’ll need a
dedicated solar panel if you want to generate useful power from sunlight.
Fortunately, there are numerous portable solar panels designed for those
traveling on foot. Some of these solar panels can be attached to the back of
a rucksack so it can recharge your devices while you’re walking.

Depending upon your circumstances and priorities, you may decide to pack
numerous devices that can benefit from having a solar panel as part of your
BOB:

●
   
Cell phone

●
   
Flashlight

●
   
Headlamp

●
   
Emergency radio’s internal battery

●
   
GPS
 ●
   
Tablet

●
   
Laptop

●
   
Ham radio

●
   
Satellite phone

●
   
USB battery charger

A solar panel’s charging ability is dependent upon the sun. If you connect
devices directly to your solar panel, the charge they receive will fluctuate
depending upon the intensity of sunlight at a given moment. Very little
charging may occur if clouds move in to block the sun thereby prolonging
your recharging time. A better way to charge your devices that have internal
batteries is to first connect a power bank (external battery) to the solar panel
so it will be fully charged by the time you need to recharge one of your
devices. Connect your devices needing recharge to the power bank rather
than directly to the solar panel. That way, you will always have a steady and
maximal charge from the power bank available when you need it. Simply
recharge your power bank as needed so it is always ready to use. Some
solar panels come with an integrated battery pack negating the need for an
external power bank.
[426]

It’s best to obtain a Li-Ion power bank rather than rechargeable AA battery
packs as the intermediary to deliver charge from the solar panel to your
devices. Li-Ion power banks provide 50% more charge for 50% less weight
than the AA battery packs used for the same purpose.
[427]

You can use a battery charger to recharge batteries for your devices that
have removable batteries rather than built-in rechargeable batteries. The
battery charger can be connected directly to your solar panel when there is
sunlight or to your power bank if sunlight is inadequate or at nighttime.

Item name: Portable Charger

Power Bank
25800mAh Huge Capacity
External Battery Pack

Vendor:  LanLukDirect on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34OibRA

Price: $25.95

Weight: 11.3 ounces

Size: 0.59x2.95x5.91 inches

Material: Lithium polymer battery

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 25800mAh power bank could charge your phone at least 5-8
times. 2 USP ports: one 5V/1A output port and one 5V/2.1A output ports
allow charging 2 devices simultaneously with high speed. 4 led lights
indicate the remaining power. The power bank can be fully charged in 14
hours via the charger and the supplied micro USB cable. (If you use 2.1A
Charger and USB cable to charge, it will faster. Built-in security devices
protect your devices from excessive power, overheating, and overcharging.

Some points to consider regarding solar panels:

[428]

●
   
Assess your charging needs (i.e., what devices do you need to
recharge) and then select a solar panel that will provide adequate
power to suit your needs

●
   
Larger solar panels will provide greater charge. Balance panel size
and capacity with how much you can carry

●
   
Position the solar panels perpendicular to the sun to capture the
most of the sun’s energy

●
   
Panels will decrease their charging ability the more the sun is
blocked, but they will return to full charging capacity once
unobstructed sunlight is restored

●
   
Keep solar panels off of hot surfaces because heat reduces their
charging performance
 ●
   
Heat degrades batteries, so avoid connecting your devices directly
to the solar panel while it’s being exposed to the sun

Item name: Ryno-Tuff Portable Solar Charger for Camping - 21W

Foldable
Solar Panel Charger
2 USB Ports - Waterproof and Durable

Vendor:  Ryno Tuff USA on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37RAqY2

Price: $50.95

Weight: 16.6 ounces

Size: 0.79x5.9x11.8 inches folded. 0.12x11.8x18.1 inches unfolded.

Material: Rugged 600D waterproof PVC canvas material on the outside of

the solar panels. PET laminated X-Series SUNPOWER solar cells.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: The 21w Solar Charger can charge your cell phone or tablet in
as little as 2 hours. Charge 2 devices at once. Will automatically stop
charging when fully charged or the device is overheated. Delivers 2.4amp
per port with a max of 3amps when both ports are in use. You can also store
the devices in the protective pocket while charging. Rugged 600D
waterproof PVC canvas material protects your solar panel. 2 carabiners are
included for hanging the unit.  Lifetime Warranty, free replacement if it
breaks under normal usage.

Sharpening Tools

You’ll most likely have a folding knife as part of your EDC. And, you’ll
generally have one or two fixed blade knives as part of your three BOBs.
You may even have a machete, hatchet, or an axe. Having a way to keep
those cutting tools sharp is important to include in your Long Term and
possibly your Medium Term BOBs.
The sharpeners that you select for your BOB need to be compact, light, and
durable. You may sacrifice the ability to hone your blades to a razor-sharp
edge with these survival sharpeners, but they will convert blades dulled
from use to ones with serviceable edges. Some sharpeners commonly used
at home would not be ideal in your BOB in a disaster situation:

●
   
Traditional whetstones: Too large and heavy

●
   
Traditional diamond plates: Too large and heavy

●
   
Traditional ceramic rod sharpening systems: Easier to break

●
   
Multi-stone and guide systems: Too large and heavy

Here are some compact knife sharpeners for you to consider for your
BOBs:

Item name: Hoffman Richter HR-1

Pocket Knife Sharpener

Vendor: Hoffman Ricter

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3hlWHQS

Price: $9.95

Weight: 0.35 ounces

Size: 0.3x2.5x3.2 inches

Material: Tungsten carbide rods. Ceramic finishing rods. ABS plastic

housing

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Hone your knife to an exact 22.5 degrees, to give your blade a
constantly perfect edge each time, in seconds flat, from your old pocket
knife to a full-sized machete. Just a few strokes over the tungsten carbide
rods will almost instantly restore even the dullest blade. Super-tough
ceramic rods will then polish almost any sharpened blade to a finished edge
in just a few strokes.  Ironclad Lifetime Warranty.

Item name: Victorinox VN43323 Fixed Blade, Knife, Hunting, Camping,

Outdoor
Knife Sharpener

Vendor: Victorinox Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3aNmDE2

Price: $13.84

Weight: 1.41 ounces

Size: 5.625 inches long

Material: Ceramic rod

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Compact ceramic sharpener features a ceramic v-groove and

oval rod. Red pocket clip

Item name:  Lansky® QuadSharp™ Carbide/Ceramic Multi-Angle

Knife
Sharpener

Vendor: Lansky

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2WQOECd

Price: $21.99

Weight: 3.2 ounces

Size: 0.5x2.25x4.25 inches

Material: Metal casing. Carbide and ceramic sharpeners

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Four separate carbide slots with sharpening angles of 17º, 20º,
25º, and 30º.  Sharpen in 3-4 strokes. Ceramic (800 grit) benchstone for fine
polishing. Ceramic Benchstone is harder than steel, will never wear out, and
can be used often as the primary sharpening element of your QuadSharp™.
The Ceramic Benchstone is also tapered for sharpening serrated knives. Can
be used to sharpen regular, serrated, and filet blades.

Hatchets and axes can be sharpened in the field using a file or compact
whetstone, things that can be packed into your Long Term BOB:

Item name: Bahco 1-143-08-1-2 Mill Cut 1-

File with Handle
, 8-Inch

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WOhgMv

Price: $11.06

Weight: 3.2 ounces

Size: 1.5x3x10 inches

Material: Metal (the type of metal is not specified). Plastic handle

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 8-Inch file. Width of 25/32-Inch. 44 teeth per-Inch. Type of cut:

bastard. Widely used for sharpening tools and implements such as spades,
shovels, hoes and scrapers.

Item name: Fallkniven Diamond-Ceramic

Whetstone Sharpener

Vendor:  primesalles on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mWb8we

Price: $19.89

Weight: 2.3 ounces

Size: 0.25x1.25x4.0 inches

Material: Ceramic on one side, diamond on the other side

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Highly effective axe sharpener. One side is made from fine
ceramic and the other from a coarser diamond. The ceramic side of the
sharpener has a 2000 grit rating, while the diamond has about 800. Thanks
to this, this sharpener can be used both for “rough” sharpening and fine
honing to make it shaving-sharp. Fallkniven recommends using it dry
without water or oil.

Author’s note: Here are some other sharpening tips:

●
   
You can use your leather belt as a strop to add the finishing touch
to sharpening your knife, hatchet, and axe blades

●
   
In case you did not pack sharpeners for your knives, hatchet, or axe
in your BOBs, you can use the file on your multi-tool as a sharpener in
a pinch. You can also use a stone with a flat side to it as a sharpening
surface.

Caring For Your Hatchet and Axe

Most hatchet and axe handles are made of hickory because it is a strong,
durable wood that has sufficient flexibility to absorb vibration from
impacts. The wood can be damaged by moisture causing it to swell or warp.
Wood can also shrink if it dries out. This can be a particular problem where
the handle fits inside the metal head.

You can protect your wooden handle by wetting it to raise the wood grain,
letting it dry, then lightly sanding it, followed by applying oil to it,
especially on the two ends where the wood will absorb the most. The most
popular oils to use are linseed oil (made from flax seeds) and boiled linseed
oil.  Boiled linseed oil is not actually boiled. It has mineral spirits added to
it to make it dry faster than pure linseed oil. Linseed oil can encourage the
growth of molds and does not provide UV protection, important factors if
you leave your axe outdoors.
[429]

Pure tung oil (from the nut of the Tung tree) is even better because it is
more water-resistant, dries faster, and does not attract mildew like linseed
oil. It is non-toxic and penetrates wood sealing it. It hardens when dry
providing a protective surface; it’s used as a surface finish for wooden
decks and floors that are meant to be walked on. It is elastic, so it will not
crack when wood swells and shrinks with weather changes. It does not
protect against UV radiation.
[430]
,
[431]
,
[432]

Apply three to five coats of these oils on your handle initially and then
about once yearly thereafter. Pure linseed and tung oils can take 30-45
weeks to cure. But, they will dry enough in two to seven days that you can
apply the next coat of oil. Do a light sanding between coats using 400-600
grit sandpaper or #0000-grade steel wool. Do not sand the final coat. The
initial process of applying multiple layers is time consuming. That’s why
some people use boiled linseed oil since it dries in one to three days.
[433]
,

[434]

Item name: Hopes 16to12 1 Pint 100%

Tung Oil

Vendor:  max_warehouse on eBay.com

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/2JlYjO2

Price: $19.33

Weight: 1 lb

Size: Not specified

Material: 100% Tung Oil

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: None
Item name: LinSheen Raw
Linseed Oil
– Food-Grade Wood Treatment. 4
oz bottle

Vendor: LinSheen on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nSVP99

Price: $8.50

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Size: 1.55x1.55x5.2 inches

Material: 100% raw linseed oil

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: None

Hatchet and axe heads are most often made of high carbon steel rather than
stainless steel, so they are prone to rust. Dirt and moisture speed corrosion.
You can remove rust using white vinegar and steel wool. You can prevent
rust by removing dirt and sap, cleaning, drying, and applying oil to the steel
head. For those of you carrying a firearm maintenance kit, you can use gun
oil such as Rem® Oil for this purpose. You can also use 3-IN-ONE® oil.

[435]
,
[436]
,
[437]

Item name:
Rem®-Oil
, 1 oz bottle

Vendor: Outdoor Gear To Go on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37TEN4Q

Price: $6.49

Weight: Approximately 3 ounces

Size: 1x3x5 inches

Material: Oil

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Exclusive Teflon® formula provides thin long-lasting film.

Cleans dirt and grime from exposed metal surfaces. Penetrates the smallest
metal pores. Displaces non-visible moisture from metal pores for rust
protection. Cleans, lubricates, protects.

Most hatchet and axe sheaths are made of leather. It will require some care
to prevent it from drying out and cracking. Also, you’ll want to protect it
from moisture. Do not use any product that will cause the leather to soften
or stretch to compromise its fit on the head. You can use wax products
designed for leather.
[438]

Item name: Nikwax® Waterproofing

Wax for Leather

Vendor: Nikwax® Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3ryrmiQ

Price: $9.00

Weight: Approximately 4.5 ounces

Size: Not specified

Material: Wax-based product

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 3.4 fluid ounces. Non-flammable, safe product that you can
apply to wet or dry leather, providing instant Durable Water Repellency
(DWR). Works immediately after treating and will not soften leather. Water-
based, biodegradable, and contains no PFCs, VOCs, optical brighteners, or
added scent.

Sewing Kit
A sewing kit is light, compact, and a useful item, especially for your
Medium- and Long-Term BOBs. Examples of how it may come in handy
include:

●
   
Repairs: Clothes, sleeping bag, backpack, etc

●
   
First aid: Suture lacerations, ligate a bleeding blood vessel

●
   
Assembly: Use fabric from torn pants to make a satchel or pouch,
etc

These are some items to include in a sewing kit:

[439]
,
[440]

●
   
Needles: Pack a variety of needles of different sizes, shapes, and
points.

○
       
Standard straight needles

○
       
Sailmaker's needles. Developed to use on heavy canvas sails.
Much stronger than standard needles, easier to grip.

○
       
Sack needles. Large curved needles with extra-large eyes. Strong.

○
       
Leather needles. For leather and heavy nylon. Blunt tips.

●
   
Thread: Pack threads of different sizes and types.

○
       
Braided is stronger than non-braided thread

○
       
Kevlar thread is very strong

○
       
Waxed thread helps seal seams, glides more easily through fabric,
is slightly stronger versus un-waxed thread.

○
       
In a pinch, you can use fishing line or the internal strands that
make up the paracord you packed in your BOB as thread

●
   
Scissors: You can use the small scissors of your multi-tool to cut
thread and your EMT scissors to cut fabric
 ●
   
Awl: Useful for making holes in canvas and leather. Although not
as pointed and fine as a regular awl, most multi-tools include an awl.

●
   
Pins or safety pins: To hold fabric together as you sew.

●
   
Pieces of linen to serve as patch material

●
   
Sharpening stone for your needles. You can use the same
sharpening tools you packed for your knives, hatchet, axe.

●
   
A small metal or plastic container (e.g., Altoid® tin) or zippered
nylon pouch to store your sewing kit.

●
   
Optional items: Thimble, buttons

It takes a bit more work to assemble your own sewing kit, but it allows you
to customize it to suit your preferences and needs. The product below is an
economical choice for needles:

Item name: SINGER Heavy Duty Household Hand

Needles
7 Count, 3-
Pack

Vendor: Singer Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KuYqaR

Price: $5.00

Weight: 0.81 ounces

Size: 0.01x0.01x0.01 inches

Material: Metal needles

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Singer heavy duty assorted hand needles come in a variety of

sizes and shapes. Use these hand needles on things like carpets, canvas,
upholstery, coats, tents, mattresses, furs, and leather. You get 3 packs each
containing 7 needles. Each pack has 3 thinner, straight needles of different
lengths, 2 curved needles of different lengths, and 2 long, thick, straight
needles (one has an upward angle near its tip).

Here is a product for those of you who want a pre-packaged sewing kit to
avoid assembling a kit from scratch on your own:

Item name: Best Glide ASE Survival

Sewing and Repair Kit

Vendor:  Best Glide ASE on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3aJqbqD

Price: $14.99

Weight: 0.8 ounces (This printed weight is probably incorrect and too low)

Size: 0.2x4x4.8 inches

Material: Not specified

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Includes the following items: (1) MILSPEC 5 x 4 Aloksak®

Bag, (1) 2 3/4” x 1/2“ Needle Holder, (2) #7 Needle, (2) #18 Darner
Needle, (1) #16 Darner Needle

(4) Heavy Duty Straight Pins, (6) Assorted Buttons, (6) Assorted Safety
Pins, (1) Thread - #69 Heavy-Duty, (1) Needle Threader, (1) Metal
Thimble, (1) Fresnel Lens Magnifier, Bonded Kevlar Thread, 50 lbs test,
Brass Repair Wire, Type 1A MILSPEC Utility Cord

Duct Tape (Made in the USA), (1) 3” x 4” Durable Waterproof Patch, (2)
Commercial Grade Cable Ties, (1) Military Approved Derma Safe Knife.

Shoe Goo® or Barge Cement™

Most people will probably not have an extra pair of shoes or boots in their
BOB. This could be an issue for long-term survival since you’ll be putting
your shoewear through heavy use including carrying a heavy pack over
rugged terrain. Serviceable shoewear is critical for keeping your feet
protected and uninjured. Shoe Goo® and Barge Cement™ are both all-
purpose adhesives that can be used for shoe repair and much more. They
can bond materials together, patch small holes, and serve as a waterproof
surface sealant. They can be used on rubber, vinyl, PVC, polyurethane,
cotton, canvas, woven fabrics, synthetic fabrics, and leather.

Item name: Repair Adhesive for Fixing Worn Shoes or Boots (

Shoe Goo®
)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nTwVWQ

Price: $4.96

Weight: 3.7 ounces

Size: 3.7-ounce tube. Available in other sizes also

Material: Adhesive

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Synthetic. Clear. Shoe Repair and Protective Coating for

Leather, Vinyl, Rubber, or Canvas. Shoe Goo® is ideal for fixing worn
soles or damaged heels, coating shoes to prevent premature wear, sealing
galoshes, waders, or rubber boots. The unique formula is designed for
strong abrasion resistance and better adhesion to flexible materials. Bonds,
protects, and rebuilds for a permanent repair. Excellent sealant – Perfect for
patching small holes. Waterproof – bond remains secure even when
exposed to Water. Creates extra traction – can even be used on skateboards.
Stronger than glue.

Item name:
Barge Original All Purpose Cement
2oz Tube Adhesive Glue
(2-Pack)

Vendor: Amazon.com
Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hktxSp

Price: $11.00

Weight: 5.1 ounces

Size: 2-ounce tube, 2.5x4x8 inches. 2 tubes included

Material: Adhesive

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: All-purpose cement. Neoprene Base. Waterproof. Superior

Flexible Bond Perfect for outdoor gear repair. Toluene-free tube. All-
Purpose Cement is a professional strength glue/adhesive that can be used on
Leather, Rubber, Vinyl, PVC, Polyurethane, Cotton, Synthetic fabrics,
Woven fabrics. It is much stronger than anything you can find in a retail
store.

Multi-Tool

A multi-tool best exemplifies the principle of having each item in your

BOB serve multiple functions. These compact tools should be in your EDC
and each of your three BOBs. Some pocket knives like those made by
Victorinox can be considered to be multi-tools, but here we will limit our
discussion to the larger, folding tools first popularized by Leatherman. Most
of these tools will include:

●
   
A knife with a plain edge and sometimes a second, serrated blade
knife

●
   
Needle nose pliers with integrated wire cutter

●
   
1-3 flathead screwdrivers of various sizes

●
   
Phillips head screwdriver

●
   
Saw
 ●
   
File often with different grits to its two sides

●
   
Can and bottle top opener

●
   
Awl

●
   
Crimping tool

●
   
Ruler markings on the handles

Factors to consider when choosing your survival multi-tool:

●
   
Size and weight

●
   
Select a tool with functions that fit your individual needs. Avoid
tools with functions that you won’t use

●
   
Quality of materials and construction. Lots of imports from China
are junk from my personal experience. Stay with a major brand (e.g.,
Leatherman, Gerber, SOG, Victorinox)

●
   
Comfort when gripping the handles hard (e.g., squeezing the pliers,
etc)

●
   
Ease of accessing the tools

●
   
Locking mechanism to keep the tool being used from accidentally
closing back onto your hand.

●
   
This is one of the survival items that you will use the most. So, get
the best that you can afford.

Item name: Gerber Suspension NXT

Multi-Tool

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3rrfpeN

Price: $32.95
Weight: 6.7 ounces

Size: 4.25 inches closed.  6.25 inches open

Material: Stainless steel blade and handle

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Tools include: Single 2.25 inch long knife blade with straight
and serrated edge, Phillips and standard screwdriver, bottle opener, can
opener, wire stripper, fingernail file, lanyard ring, pliers, awl, ruler.

Item name: Leatherman Wave Plus

Multi-Tool

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3rEMt39

Price: $99.95

Weight: 8.5 ounces

Size: 4 inches closed.

Material: 420HC stainless steel knife blade. Handle made of stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 18 tools include needle-nose and regular pliers, premium

replaceable wire/hard-wire cutters, electrical crimper, wire stripper, 420HC
knife, serrated knife and saw, spring-action scissors, 8 in. (19 cm) ruler, can
opener, bottle opener, wood/metal file, diamond-coated file, small and large
bit driver and medium screwdriver. Many features are outside-accessible,
allowing you to access them when the multi-tool is folded and closed. All
features are locking and can be operated with a single hand. Made in the
USA.

Shovel
Lots of survival shovels now come bundled with multiple tools on their
blades and inside their handles. You can use those tools as a backup for
your primary tools or perhaps even use them as a substitute for other tools
to save weight and space. A shovels most basic function is digging and it
does that better than you can with your bare hands, knife, or makeshift tools
like a plank or stick. Some common short and long-term survival uses for a
shovel include:

●
   
Digging your vehicle out of mud or snow

●
   
Leveling ground for your tent

●
   
Digging a trench around your tent to divert water away from it

●
   
Creating a fire pit

●
   
Digging a latrine

●
   
Digging for water in a dry riverbed

●
   
Digging a hole to make a solar still for water collection

●
   
As a chopping tool especially if you sharpen its edge

●
   
Plant a garden using your survival seeds

●
   
As a weapon

Factors to consider when selecting a survival shovel:

[441]
,
[442]
,
[443]
,
[444]
,
[445]

●
   
Do you plan to carry it with you or leave it in your vehicle? (It’s
best to take it with you if you have to leave your vehicle.)

●
   
Avoid plastic shovel blades or handles. They are lightweight, but
break easily

●
   
The type of metal used in its construction:
 ○
       
Aluminum: Lighter. Not as strong

○
       
Stainless steel. Won’t rust. Fairly heavy

○
       
High carbon steel. Stronger than regular stainless steel. Rusts.
Usually covered with oxide paint to prevent rust, but paint can come
off.

●
   
Handle length. Longer handle easier to use but increases weight
and bulk

●
   
Handle type:

○
       
Fixed: Strong. Takes more space

○
       
Folding: Easier to carry, smaller size when folded. Can be used as
a pickaxe or hoe with the blade locked perpendicular to the handle.
Folding pivot is a weak point for breakage.

○
       
Telescoping: Flexible length. Each junction between the segments
is a weak point subject to breakage

●
   
Blade size: Larger blades move more dirt, require more energy, and
can be difficult to work around rocks

●
   
Blade edge: Some have a sharpened plain edge, others have a
sharpened serrated edge

●
   
Blade thickness: Thin blade can bend and eventually break

●
   
Blade shape: Narrow versus wide, pointed versus flat.

●
   
What tools are included with a multi-function shovel? (And, what
is the quality of their materials and construction?)

Your choice of survival shovels comes down to 3 broad types. Which type
you pick is a matter of your personal preference. Here are the three types
and an example of each:
 ●
   
A simple, super-strong non-folding shovel: Cold Steel 92SFS
Special Forces Shovel

●
   
A simple, folding shovel to save space: Gerber E-Tool Folding
Spade, Serrated Edge

●
   
A multi-function shovel: EST Gear Survival Shovel

Item name: Cold Steel 92SFS Special Forces

Shovel

Vendor: Blade Shop on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2L1PuJD

Price: $27.97

Weight: 1.6 lb

Size: 20.50 inches

Material: Medium carbon steel blade, 2mm thick. Hardwood handle

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Sheath not included, but available separately. Broad flat steel
blade and 3 sharp edges. Modeled after an original Soviet 'Spetsnaz'
military.  entrenching tool. A popular tool with military and special
operations units worldwide.

Item name: Gerber E-Tool

Folding Spade
, Serrated Edge

Vendor:  Ozark Outdoorz, LLC.

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nUEJHV

Price: $48.10

Weight: 2.25 lb
Size: 2.13x6x9.5 inches when closed

Material: Powder-coated boron carbon steel spade head and a 7075

aluminum shaft

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The Folding Spade has a serrated blade edge for chopping and
sawing roots. Built with a glass-filled nylon handle, a powder-coated steel
spade head and an anodized 7075 aluminum shaft. Lightweight and tough. 
Ridged knob around the shaft operates a locking mechanism that keeps the
tool open when in use. No sheath included. Sheath part number is Gerber
22-00026

Item name: EST Gear Survival Shovel (

Multi-function shovel
)

Vendor: EST Gear on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3ppUdnw

Price: $119.99

Weight: 3.81 lb

Size: 36 inches assembled length. Spade size 6 inches

Material: Heat-Treated, High Quality, SOLID Carbon Steel blade.

Aerospace-Grade Aluminum handle.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 18 tools: shovel, saw, axe, knife, spear, bottle opener, hoe, fire
starter, wire-cutter, trowel, hexagon wrenches, nail puller, ice pick, ruler,
hook, waterproof storage, screwdriver, whistle compass, and rope cutter.
Includes packable ripstop nylon pouch. Free LIFETIME REPLACEMENT
guarantee.

Crowbar
A crowbar can be used for numerous tasks during a survival situation
including:

●
   
Prying open doors

●
   
Breaking windows

●
   
Break locks

●
   
Pry wooden pallets apart to use as fuel for fire

●
   
As a lever to raise a heavy object

●
   
Breaking into a vending machine for food and drinks

●
   
As an impact weapon

Crowbars are more useful if you are facing a disaster situation in an urban
environment. They come in numerous lengths and shapes. Most are made of
carbon steel. Titanium crowbars are available but are more costly. Their
primary advantages are greater strength and less weight than steel. You can
consider bringing a larger crowbar (e.g., 36 inches long) with you if you are
escaping by vehicle. Longer crowbars provide you with greater leverage.
You will need to opt for a smaller crow bar (e.g., 7-15 inches) if you plan to
carry one while escaping on foot. I once bought a crowbar from a discount
tool store and it bent the first time I used it. So, be sure that your crowbar is
made of high-quality metal. The following product example represents a
compromise. It is not the smallest crowbar. But, it is long enough to provide
significant leverage.

Item name: VAUGHAN Superbar 15-in Carbon Steel Crowbar

Vendor: Lowes

Webpage URL:
https://low.es/3poyxIv

Price: $13.98

Weight: 1.5 lb
Size: 15 inches

Material: Spring-tempered carbon steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 15-In length provides excellent leverage. Rocker head design

offers maximum prying power. 3 Beveled nail slots provide easier twist
prying. Polished, sharp blades offer easy insertion.

Survival Knives
Knives are a critical part of your EDC and BOBs. Most would argue that
knives are one of the very most important items in your kit. Because of their
importance, we’ll spend time to delve into some technical aspects of knives
to provide you with information to help you make an informed decision as
you select your knives. Examples of survival knives at various price points
will be listed at the end of this chapter.

A folding knife is most convenient for your EDC and since it is carried with
you all the time, you do not need to add another folding knife to your
BOBs. It is important to add at least one fixed blade knife to your BOBs
because they are more durable than folding knives. The weak link to folding
knives is their folding mechanism. A single fixed blade knife is adequate
for your Short Term BOB, but it is worthwhile to consider adding
redundancy and versatility to your Medium and Long Term BOBs by
having two fixed blade knives. This is particularly true for your Long Term
Bag because your knives will be subject to hard use over potentially a long
time. One of these knives can be smaller and useful for finer work like
feathering wood for tinder or carving. The larger knife can be used to baton
wood and for chopping (to serve a similar function as a machete).

Covered in this chapter are some features to evaluate when choosing knives
for your BOB:

●
   
Length

●
   
Handle material
 ●
   
Full tang

●
   
Blade material, type of steel

●
   
Hardness of the steel (Rockwell C rating)

●
   
Blade shape

●
   
Blade cutting edge profile (grind)

●
   
Straight or serrated cutting edge

●
   
Blade thickness

●
   
Sheath

Now, we’ll look at each one of these features in some detail.

Knife Length

Different tasks are more easily accomplished with different length knife
blades. This is why you might consider packing two knives of different
sizes. Here are some general guidelines
[446]
:

●
   
Blade length 3.5-5 inches: Delicate, detailed work. Examples
include feathering, carving wood. Meat and fish preparation

●
   
Blade length 6-7.5 inches: Can perform functions of smaller and
larger knives, although not as well

●
   
Blade length 8-10 inches: Baton wood, chopping

Handle Material

A comfortable handle grip is important and this is a highly individualized

factor. You have to hold the knife in your hand to determine if it feels good
to you. The handle’s length, circumference, and cross-section profile
contribute to its fit in your hand.
The handle should be made of a material that is strong and durable. The
material should afford a secure grip and does not become slippery when it is
wet. Leather is not ideal for the long term because it is not as durable as
some other materials and it may rot. Wood scales are more prone to break
and are less durable than some other materials. Micarta® (fabric in a
thermosetting plastic) is a hard, solid material commonly used for handles.
Other hard handle materials include G10 (high-pressure fiberglass laminate)
and carbon fiber laminates. Some handles are made of synthetic rubber-type
materials that are resistant to UV-radiation, temperature extremes, and
chemicals. A couple of these are Krayton ®(Krayton Polymers) and
Hypalon® (Dupont®).

Full Tang

Full tang means that the portion of the metal knife blade that resides inside
the handle extends the full length and width of the handle. This provides the
greatest strength. Less expensive knives may have a full length, but very
narrow tang within the handle. This narrow tang results in a weak point at
the junction where the blade enters the handle raising the risk of blade
breakage. Other knives have partial tangs that extend only part of the length
of the handle. Full tang knives are the preferred choice because of their
strength. The metal of some knives extends slightly beyond the end of the
handle to create a pommel that can be used for striking or hammering.

Blade Material

Blades of survival knives are made of steel. Other blade materials such as
ceramic are not used because they are easier to chip, crack, and break than
steel. The three common steels used for knife blades are carbon, stainless,
and tool. There are many types of steel within these three main categories.
To save space here, please refer to the following reference describing some
of the more common types of steel: Bell, Terence. "Compare 20 Grades of
Knife Steel." ThoughtCo, Jan. 31, 2020, thoughtco.com/knife-steel-grades-
2340185.

Here are some pros and cons of the different types of steels:
 ●
   
Carbon steel: Good edge retention. Easier to sharpen, sharper but
not as tough as stainless steel. Rusts easily. Examples: 1050, 1060,
1070, 1084, 1095, Carbon V, 5160

●
   
Stainless steel (carbon steel alloyed with chromium): Good edge
retention, corrosion resistance (can still rust if not given proper care),
tough, and resistant to wear. More durable, but not as easy to sharpen
and not as sharp as high carbon steel. Examples: ATS-34, AUS-6,
AUS-8, AUS-10, BG-42, 420, 420HC, 420J, 440A, 440C, 154CM,
VG-10, S30, S60V, 12C27

●
   
Tool steel (carbon steel with alloying to increase mechanical
properties): Good edge retention. Good wear resistance. Corrosion
resistance better than carbon steel, but not as good as stainless steel.
Examples: A2, D2, W2

Here is a variety of steel categorized by quality

[447]

●
   
Premium Steels: M390, CTS-204P, CPM-20CV, CPM-M4, CPM-
S90V, CPM-S110V, Elmax

●
   
High-End Steels: CPM-154, CPM-3V, CPM-4V, CPM-S30V,
CPM-S35VN, CTS-XHP, LC200N

●
   
Mid-Range Steels: 1095, 154CM, A2, D2, H1, O1, N690, VG-10

●
   
Budget Steels: 420, 420HC, 440C, AUS-8, CTS-BD1, Sandvik
Series, 14C28N, 12C27MoV, 7CR17MoV, 8Cr13MoV

Hardness Of The Steel

The hardness of a steel is denoted by its Rockwell C rating (HRc). The

hardness test is done by using a drill-press type machine to apply light
pressure and then heavy pressure through a pointed metal tip to the surface
of a flat piece of steel. The applied pressure produces a slight depression in
the metal’s surface. For any given amount of pressure, the depression made
will be deeper in softer steels. The HRc rating number is lower for softer
metals and higher for harder metals.  A steel’s hardness can differ from one
point to another on its surface and depending upon the depth from the
surface. Therefore, a steel’s hardness rating is generally stated as a range
rather than a single number.

Why is steel hardness important? Excessively hard steel is more brittle and
will chip or break more easily. Harder steels will have better edge retention
but are more difficult to sharpen. On the other hand, softer metals with
lower Rockwell C ratings are easier to sharpen but will become dull more
quickly. Harder steels are less durable and less resistant to breaking when
subjected to impact stresses than softer steels. A good compromise for a
survival knife is a steel with a hardness rating of HRc 55-58, which
balances edge retention with the ability to withstand repeated impacts (e.g.,
batoning, chopping).
[448]
It’s not always possible to learn the HRc rating of
a knife’s steel when shopping for your knives. Most product descriptions
will list the type of steel used to make the knife’s blade, but most times an
HRc rating is not included.

Blade Shape

Knives come with many different types of blade shapes and tip
configurations. Choosing the optimal one will depend upon its intended use.
Some common blade types include drop point, clip point, tanto, hawkbill,
spey point, spear point, sheepsfoot, and trailing point. The most popular
blade shapes for survival knives are drop point and clip point.

A drop point blade’s spine (i.e., the top of the blade on the opposite side of
the cutting edge) begins straight as it leaves the handle and then “drops”
towards the tip of the blade creating a convex profile (when viewed from
the side) in the area of the drop. A clip point blade’s spine also begins
straight as it leaves the handle, but it takes on a concave profile (when
viewed from the side) as it curves towards the tip.

Here are some benefits of a drop point blade:

●
   
The belly (i.e., the curved portion of the blade behind its tip end) is
fairly large. Good for slicing and slashing.

●
   
There is a relatively long straight cutting edge. Good for slicing.
 ●
   
The tip is lower and close to the center, longitudinal axis of the
knife enhancing ability to control the knife

●
   
The tip is sharp and strong (stronger than a clip point). Good for
piercing thrust cuts. The tip is not as prominent as a clip point making
it better suited for skinning and field dressing game with less chance of
puncturing their gut.

●
   
Can be used for self-protection

Here are some benefits of a clip point blade:

●
   
The tip is lower and close to the center, longitudinal axis of the
knife enhancing ability to control the knife

●
   
The tip is more pointed and sharp (the downside is that this makes
the tip weaker)

●
   
There is a lot of belly. Good for slicing and slashing

●
   
There is a relatively long straight cutting edge. Good for slicing.

Blade Cutting Edge Profile (Grind)

A blade’s grind refers to the shape of its cutting edge. There are numerous
different grinds. The best for survival knives are the flat grind and sabre
grind. But, first let’s touch upon another popular grind, the hollow grind.

In a hollow grind, the two sides of the knife blade are concave (i.e., curved
inwards) as they merge towards the cutting edge. This creates a very sharp
cutting edge and hence is popular for hunting knives. It does well cutting
through soft tissues, but the thin edge is relatively weak and can chip if it
strikes bone. Hollow grind blades can do shallow slicing and are good for
downward press cutting. This grind tends to dull easily.

There are three varieties of flat grind depending upon where the single
bevel begins: Full, High, and Scandinavian. The bevel begins at the spine
on both sides of the blade with a full flat grind. A high flat grind leaves a
short amount of blade the same thickness as the spine before the bevel
begins and the two sides of the blade taper towards the cutting edge. The
Scandinavian flat grind is also called a Scandi or V Grind. The blade bevels
in a Scandi grind begins much farther below the spine than with a high flat
grind.

The single bevel of a flat grind can be sharpened to a fine edge. It can be
sharpened fairly easily in the field because of its single bevel. One of the
reasons for the popularity of Scandi grinds is their ease of sharpening. In
general terms, the flat grind is not as sharp as a hollow grind, but it’s
sharper than a sabre grind. It retains its edge better than a hollow grind, but
not as well as a sabre grind. Its flat edge is stronger than a hollow grind
(which has less metal because it is concave), but it can chip easier than a
sabre grind. Flat grinds are good for slicing and chopping. Flat grinds
provide a good balance between strength, sharpness, and edge retention.

A sabre grind has a dual bevel. It begins like a flat grind (the primary
bevel), but there is a short, secondary bevel just before the cutting edge.
This short secondary bevel is backed by more metal than a hollow or flat
grind, so it is stronger than either of those grinds making it ideal for
chopping and splitting wood. It is not as good for slicing because of its
thicker edge. It is more difficult to sharpen a sabre grind because of its dual
bevel. Only the short secondary bevel is sharpened. Once sharpened, it
tends to retain its edge well.

Straight Or Serrated Cutting Edge

Serrated cutting edges on knives have a chisel grind, which means that they
are beveled only on one side. They are useful for slicing and sawing where
the blade is moved forward and backward. They are well suited for cutting
through nylon webbing, hard surfaces, animal tissue, fibrous materials, and
thick rope. They are not as good at push cuts where the blade is pushed
straight downward; this is something flat grind blades do better. One
downside is that serrated blades are more difficult to sharpen than straight-
edge blades.

Blade Thickness
A thick blade is stronger than a thinner one if both are made of the same
type of steel. But the thin blade will usually have a thinner cutting edge, so
it will cut more easily than the thicker blade. The thinner blade will be
better for intricate, more detailed, and precise work, but they will not hold
up as well to extensive heavy work.   Thicker blades will be more durable
and are better for batoning wood and chopping activities.

Survival knives need to be up to the task of hard use over potentially a long
period. If you are to have only one knife with you, then it will have to
withstand being used for splitting and chopping wood. Such a heavy use
knife should have a width of 1/8 to 1/4 inch. It will be more difficult to use
this thicker and larger knife for fine tasks, so you might consider also
carrying a smaller, lighter survival knife in your BOB.

Sheath

Knife sheaths come in different designs and quality. They should have some
retention device. Some sheaths capture the knife with friction or mechanical
fit where prominent material inside the sheath captures part of the knife.
Other sheaths have a strap and snap to retain the knife somewhere around
its handle.

Sheaths may have a fixed loop or a loop with a snap or hook and loop
closure. These loops are designed to go around a belt. Other sheaths are
MOLLE® compatible.

Leather is a common sheath material. It requires some care such as oil

application or the use of a wax-based product (e.g., Sno-Seal®) to protect
the leather from water.

Nylon is also commonly used for sheaths. It is essentially maintenance-free

and durable. Some of these sheaths will have compartments to hold a
honing stone and/or a ferro rod.

Kydex® is a thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride material that is

extremely durable, scratch-resistant, waterproof, and it will not shrink or
stretch. It is an excellent material for knife sheaths.
Examples of Survival Knives

Here, some examples of survival knives in varying price ranges will be

listed along with their specifications.

Item name:
KA-BAR® BK7 Becker Combat Utility

Vendor: Amazon

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hku0E9

Price: $98.97

Weight: 0.85 lb

Blade/Overall Length: 7.0/12.75 inches

Blade thickness: 0.188 inches

Blade shape: Clip point

Steel type: Carbon (1095 Cro-Van steel)

Blade grind: Flat

Tang: Full

Handle material: Ultramid®, Grivory®

Sheath: Nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Made in the USA

Item name:
KA-BAR® Becker Campanion BK2

Vendor: Amazon

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hyfM2J
Price: $93.84

Weight: 1.0 lb

Blade/Overall Length: 5.25/10.5 inches

Blade thickness: 0.25 inches

Blade shape: Drop point

Steel type: Carbon (1095 Cro-Van steel)

Blade grind: Flat

Tang: Full

Handle material: Ultramid®

Sheath: Hard plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Made in the USA

Item name:
Schrade SCHF9

Vendor: Amazon

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37PHjZY

Price: $39.38

Weight: 1.0 lb

Blade/Overall Length: 6.4/12.1 inches

Blade thickness: 0.25

Blade shape: Kukri

Steel type: Carbon (1095). A stainless steel version is also available (model
SCHF9N)

Blade grind: Hollow

Tang: Full

Handle material: Textured thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), Krayton®

Sheath: Ballistic nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 90-degree flat spine. Made in Taiwan.

Item name:
Gerber LMF II Survival Knife

Vendor: Amazon

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2L3IWKU

Price: $72.37

Weight: 0.73 lb

Blade/Overall Length: 4.84/10.59 inches

Blade thickness: 0.189 inches

Blade shape: Clip/Drop point

Steel type: 420HC stainless

Blade grind: Sabre

Tang: Full

Handle material: Glass-filled nylon with TPV overmold

Sheath: Kydex® with ballistic nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Partially serrated blade. Made in the USA.

Item name:
Cold Steel 80PGTK GI Tanto 7" Carbon

Vendor: Amazon

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2L1PZU1

Price: $26.63

Weight: 1.0 lb

Blade/Overall Length: 7.0/12.0 inches

Blade thickness: 0.157 inches (4mm)

Blade shape: Tanto

Steel type: 1055 carbon

Blade grind: Flat

Tang: Full

Handle material: Polypropylene

Sheath: Zytel® Secure-Ex sheath

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Popular, strong, durable knife for its low price. Thick blade.
Many people customize this knife. Handle is slippery. Made in China.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Morakniv knives because they are
popular amongst preppers and survivalists. They are low-cost knives with a
reputation for sharpness and edge retention. The company traces its roots
back to 1891 in the village of Ostnor in Mora, Sweden. These knives are
lighter in construction than standard all-in-one survival knives and are not
meant for heavy use like batoning or chopping. For those who pack a light
knife for smaller, finer tasks and a larger knife to handle heavy tasks, then
Mora knives can be considered for the light knife spot in their BOB. They
can be used for wood carving, feathering wood for tinder, game and fish
prep, and the like. Here are some examples of their knives:

Item name:
Morakniv Bushcraft Survival

Vendor: Amazon

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/354tdT1

Price: $59.61

Weight: 0.5 lb

Blade/Overall Length: 4.3/9.1 inches

Blade thickness: 0.125 inches

Blade shape: Straight (with a slight drop)

Steel type: 12C27 (carbon)

Blade grind: Scandi

Tang: Partial (extends 3/4 the length of the handle)

Handle material: TPE rubber

Sheath: Polymer (Note: Knife sharpener and fire starter rod integrated with
the sheath)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 90-degree spine for ferro rod striking. Made in Sweden.

Item name:
Morakniv Garberg
Vendor: Amazon

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3aKJMH2

Price: $89.99

Weight: 0.6 lb

Blade/Overall Length: 4.3/9.0 inches

Blade thickness: 0.125 inches

Blade shape: Straight (with a slight drop)

Steel type: Carbon (there is a version available with 14C28N stainless steel)

Blade grind: Scandi

Tang: Full (Note: this is the only full tang knife Morakniv currently makes)

Handle material: Polyamide

Sheath: Polymer

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 90-degree spine for ferro rod (not included) striking.  Made in
Sweden.

Item name:
Morakniv Companion HD (Heavy Duty)

Vendor: Knife Country USA

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2WQ9l1m

Price: $20.29

Weight: 0.4 lb

Blade/Overall Length: 4.1/8.8 inches

Blade thickness: 0.125 inches

Blade shape: Straight (with a very slight drop)

Steel type: Carbon

Blade grind: Scandi

Tang: Partial

Handle material: TPE rubber

Sheath: Molded polymer

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Blade is thicker than Morakniv’s lower-priced knives.  Made in

Sweden.

Cordage
Cordage is the subject of this chapter. Here are topics that will be covered:

●
   
Paracord

●
   
Bank line

●
   
Fishing line

●
   
Tying knots

●
   
Duct tape or Gorilla® Tape

Cordage has innumerable uses and it is essential to include some in your

BOB. You may be able to scavenge some cordage if your escape from
disaster places you in an urban area. You can fashion cordage from
naturally occurring things if you end up in the woods (e.g., stalks of
stinging nettle or milkweed plants, bark from sagebrush trees, vines, the
roots of some plants, animal tendons and fascia, etc). It takes valuable time
and energy to find or make cordage especially when you need it right now.
It’s much better to be sure to carry cordage with you.

Paracord

Paracord is one of the most popular and commonly used forms of cordage,
especially for survival. There are entire articles written about the many uses
for paracord. First, what is paracord? There are six types of paracord
according to the US Military standard. Type III is also known as 550
paracord because it has a tensile strength of 550 pounds and it is the one
that is most commonly used, including by survivalists. Type IV paracord is
stronger with a tensile strength of 750 pounds, but it is rarely used because
it is much more expensive, thicker, and heavier than Type III paracord.
Paracord 550 has the best balance of cost, weight, and strength.

Beware that not all paracord is the same even if it’s called 550. There are
cheaper, foreign-made paracords that are inferior either due to poorer
materials, poorer construction, or both. Generally, paracord made in the
USA will be of the highest quality.

Paracord is strong because of its kermantle construction, which means that

it has an inner kern or core for strength and a braided outer sheath for
protection against abrasion. The military standard, or Mil Spec, specifies
that paracord III/550 must have its kern comprised of seven to nine yarns
each made of three nylon fibers. This means that when paracord 550 is
taken apart in a survival situation, it will yield at least seven lengths of yarn
or 21 lengths of individual nylon fibers. Mil Spec paracord tends to be of
larger diameter (4mm) as compared to many commercial paracord 550
(3mm) that use two nylon fibers per yarn.
[449]

Some additional points: If you’re looking for genuine Mil Spec paracord, its
formal name is Genuine 550 Parachute Cord (MIL-C-5040 Type III). Mil
Spec paracord III/550 is made entirely of nylon (kern and outer sheath); the
outer sheath is made of braided nylon 32 or 36-strand. Lower quality
paracords may use polyester instead of nylon for the kern, sheath, or both.
You can burn the cut end of paracord to prevent it from separating. Paracord
is not meant to be used for climbing. Its strength rating (e.g., 550 pounds) is
based upon testing using a static weight, so it can fail if it is subjected to a
lighter weight that is falling. Protect your paracord from abrasion to avoid
damaging its sheath.  Paracord can degrade when exposed to UV radiation,
so keep it out of sunlight.
[450]

Many articles discuss the plethora of uses for paracord. Here is one example
of such an article that lists 80 uses for paracord: https://survivallife.com/80-
uses-for-paracord/

Here are some examples of paracord that you can buy:

Item name: Genuine

550 Parachute Cord
(MIL-C-5040 Type III) - 100 ft

Vendor: Adventure Survival Equipment

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2KuZBXP

Price: $11.95

Weight: 7.2 ounces

Size: 100 feet length

Material: Nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 50 ft (3.6 ounces) for $6.50 from this same vendor. These are
examples of true Mil Spec paracord III/550

Item name: JET BLACK

550 PARACORD
MADE IN USA

Vendor: Paracord Galaxy

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/38IptHP

Price: $5.89

Weight: Approx 7.2 ounces

Size: 100 feet length

Material: Nylon/nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: This is an example of a good grade commercial version of Mil

Spec 550 Parachute Cord. It has seven two-ply cabled inner nylon strands.
(Note: The 2-ply inner nylon strands do not meet the Mil-Spec requirement
of having 3 inner nylon strands.) Its outer sheath is 32-strand woven nylon
and its diameter is 4mm. It has a minimum tensile strength of 550 pounds.

Bank Line

Bank line is another useful form of cordage to have in your pack. Although
it’s not as well known as paracord, it has some advantages. First of all, what
is bank line? It is an inexpensive, strong, waterproof, UV resistant nylon
twine that is tarred giving it a black color. The tarred surface helps bank line
hold knots well. Its braided version has higher tensile strength, but its
twisted version can be separated into smaller strands for finer uses. It has
innumerable survival uses including as snares, fishing line, lashing, knots
for ridgelines, and sewing.

Bank line is available in many sizes. #36 is a good size for survival
purposes. It is much lighter and compact than paracord 550. #36 bank line
is about 2mm in diameter, has a tensile strength of 320 pounds, and 100 feet
weighs approximately 2.9 ounces.
[451]

Item name:
Bank Line
Size 36 Tarred Braided 5col Survival Supply Half
Pound Roll 240 ft

Vendor: 5col on eBay

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/3nXaBvp

Price: $17.99

Weight: 0.5 lb
Size: 240 feet length

Material: Braided tarred #36 bank line

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Braided

Item name: Catahoula No 36 Tarred Twisted

Bank Line
4 oz Spool 117 ft
Nylon AA Seine Twine

Vendor: 5col on eBay

Webpage URL:
https://ebay.to/3nOrd8y

Price: $8.99

Weight: 0.25 lb

Size: 117 feet length

Material: Twisted tarred #36 bank line

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Twisted

Fishing Line

Fishing line is handy to have for other uses besides fishing. Some of its uses
include:

●
   
Suspend a tarp to use as a shelter

●
   
Suspend food off the ground keeping it away from animals

●
   
Repairs: Clothes, tent, backpack, tarp

●
   
Suturing wounds
 ●
   
Make snares to trap game

There are so many different types of fishing lines available that it’s
confusing choosing which line is best to use in a survival situation. The
purpose of this section is to provide you with information to make the best
choice for you. In case you are “bottom line-oriented” and do not want to
read the complete discussion about fishing lines, just skip to the end of this
section for the “conclusions.”

Some of the issues to consider when selecting your BOB fishing line
include:

●
   
What type of line do I get? The main types are monofilament
nylon, braided, super-braided, and fluorocarbon

●
   
Color of the line

●
   
Pounds test

●
   
Durability: Becomes most important for your Long Term BOB
since what you pack with you is probably all you’ll ever have to use.
Longevity can be affected by UV radiation exposure, abrasion against
rocks and vegetation.

●
   
Spool memory: How much does the line take on a coiled shape
after being wrapped around a reel for a prolonged time? Lines with
low spool memory experience less coil effect.

●
   
Use a leader?

●
   
Cost

●
   
Length of line to pack

There are four main categories of fishing line:

[452]
,
[453]
,
[454]
,
[455]
,
[456]
,

[457]
,
[458]
,
[459]
,
[460]
,
[461]

●
   
Braided
○
       
Oldest line. Includes nylon and Dacron. Now, the least used line
since the advent of superbraided lines. Its primary use is deep water
bottom fishing.

○
       
Pros: Minimal stretch. Cheaper than superbraid and fluorocarbon
lines

○
       
Cons: Larger diameter for the same degree of strength as
compared with other lines (comparable to monofilament). More
expensive than monofilament.

●
   
Monofilament nylon

○
       
Created as a cheaper line compared with braided line. It stretches
more than any of the other lines, which can be an advantage or
disadvantage depending upon the application. Increased stretch helps
absorb the shock of a big fish striking a fast-moving lure. Increased
stretch also prevents your hook from tearing a hole in the fish’s mouth.
The disadvantage of increased stretch is that it makes it harder for you
to feel when a fish strikes (i.e., less sensitive).

○
       
Pros: Inexpensive. Supple, flexible making knot tying easier.
Holds knots well. Good for casting live bait or lures. Slips through
guides of a rod with much less interference than with fluorocarbon
line. It floats which is an advantage for top fishing.

○
       
Cons: Large diameter making it harder to cast long distances and
also means you can spool less onto your reel. The large diameter also
creates more drag, which makes it more difficult to keep light lures or
jigs on target near the bottom in moving water or windy conditions.
Loses strength with UV exposure. Absorbs water making it less
durable. More visible underwater than fluorocarbon line. Soft making
it wear faster. Tends to fray. High spool memory (develops coils when
stored on a reel for a long time).

●
   
Super-braided
○
        
Superbraid lines are made from woven fabric. The materials used
to make braided lines consist of fibers such as Dacron® (Polyester; it’s
cheaper, but not as strong and stretches more than Spectra of the same
diameter), Spectra® or Dyneema® (both are UHMWPE fibers).

○
        
Pros: Smaller diameter for a comparable strength compared with
other lines. The smaller diameter results in less drag allowing the use
of smaller jigs and lures. There is less defection in wind and currents.
Can spool more line on a reel than larger diameter monofilament or
fluorocarbon line. Small diameter allows it to be cast over longer
distances.
Similar
strength at 50% or less of the diameter of
monofilament, fluorocarbon, and regular braid. Some manufactures
have tested their line to be up to 15 times stronger than other types of
fishing line. Abrasion-resistant, durable, outlasts the others threefold.
Good for larger fish, higher test applications, trolling, rocky terrain,
heavy cover, or rough bottoms. Fish like pike or walleye with sharp
teeth will also have a tough time biting through braided line.
Low
stretch makes it easier to feel fish strikes (i.e., more sensitive) and
drive your hook into a fish’s mouth better when you set the hook on a
strike than with higher stretch monofilament or fluorocarbon lines.
Low spool memory (i.e., resists coiling).

○
        
Cons: Expensive. Highly visible in water compared with other
lines. Tangles easily and is harder to untangle. Harder to tie knots in
braided lines than it is in other types of lines. Color tends to fade over
time.

●
   
Fluorocarbon

○
       
Most are 100% fluorocarbon and extruded as single strands, but
some lines are blended with other fibers.

○
       
Pros: Nearly invisible in water (the least visible of all the lines).
Good for targeting line-shy species that spook at the presence of more
visible lines like braid or even clear monofilament line. Almost no
stretch making them very sensitive allowing you to better feel fish
strikes. Small diameter. Water absorption, UV light, and abrasion-
resistant contributing to better durability. Fast-sinking line moves
 through the water quickly and get to the bottom of the water. A good
choice for fishing light baits near the bottom, especially in places
where moving currents will not create a drag on your line.

○
       
Cons: Expensive. A tendency to not cinch knots down securely
leading to poorer knot strength. U
se knots suggested by the
manufacturer or at least those with multiple wraps to spread the load. 
It is also critical to wet the line before snugging down the knot
.
They
are thicker than braided lines of the same breaking strength. Because
fluorocarbon sinks it is not always the best choice to use with floating
lures like topwater plugs or for suspending lures. Fluorocarbon line is
stiffer and has more memory than monofilament, which can lead to
more tangles, especially if you try to spool too much onto your reel.

For those who prefer a line that is least visible to fish, fluorocarbon line is
the best because its refractive index is the same as water allowing light to
pass through with less distortion. That makes fluorocarbon the least visible
lines to fish underwater. That is an advantage since fish may be spooked by
a fishing line that they can see. Clear monofilament is difficult to see
underwater. Clear blue monofilament line is also difficult to see underwater,
but it is visible to the fisherman above water. Yo-Zuri H.D. Carbon
Fluorocarbon Leader has a pink tint. Pink disappears easily in water.
[462]
Areas of your line that gets kinked or scraped are readily noticeable with a
regular fluorocarbon line but are invisible with the Yo-Zuri® line.
[463]

Some anglers choose fishing lines, which are visible clearly underwater.
The reason behind choosing such type of fishing lines is that anglers can
clearly see the line move and also distinguish between multiple lines in the
water. Yellow and red-colored lines are useful for this purpose.
[464]
  Some
anglers, however, do not prefer such type of fishing lines because they are
also visible to fish. This makes fish alert and may spook them. So, some
people select lines of various colors to make them less visible to fish. This
is an area without a definitive answer and there are many different line
colors available with adherents to each. Some anglers choose the color of
fishing lines according to the place where they are fishing. For example,
they may use fishing lines of green color to blend in where vegetation is
dense and make fish think that the line is natural. The green-colored line
would be easily visible in clear water lacking vegetation.
[465]
, 
[466]
Some
people argue that line color is not so important and that the focus should be
on line material and how it affects lure action, reel speed, spool size, and
tangling.
[467]

The tensile strength of a fishing line is described as its test and measured in
pounds. It refers to how large a fish you can catch with a particular line. In a
survival situation, you may not have a rod and reel. You may be handline
fishing, which involves just using your hands to handle the line. You might
fish by tying fishing line to the end of a tree limb or branch. Or, you may be
using a manual hand reel such as a hobo fishing rod
[468]
or Cuban Yo-Yo
reel.
[469]
You will not have the benefit of the drag setting provided by a
mechanical reel or the flex of a fishing rod to dampen the fish’s pull, so
there is a greater risk of breaking your line. It’s a good idea to build in a
safety margin by using a higher test line when you are handline fishing as
compared with fishing with a rod and reel.

A leader is a short length of clear, low visibility monofilament or

fluorocarbon fishing line that is attached to the end of the main line, which
is often braided. Leaders are usually 24-30 inches long. They can be 30-42
inches long if you’re using live bait. The purposes of a leader include:
[470]

●
   
It’s harder for fish to see a clear leader than it is for them to see
braided main line. Using a leader gives you the advantage of your
hook being tied to a low visibility line while having the strength of a
braided main line.

●
   
Leader material has more stretch than braid, which helps absorb the
shock caused by a striking fish. This helps avoid the hook tearing out
of the fish’s mouth and also protects your main line.

●
   
Avoid a thrashing fish from twisting your main line through the use
of placing a swivel between your leader and main lines.

Fluorocarbon or monofilament line is most often used to make leaders.

Monofilament leaders float, making them better for fishing floating lures
like topwater plugs. They offer abrasion resistance because of their large
diameter. Fluorocarbon leaders sink, making them better for subsurface
presentations. Fluorocarbon leaders are also better at resisting abrasion.
Most experienced anglers attach a leader to the end of their line before tying
on a hook or a lure.

The number of pounds test line to select depends upon what type of fish
you anticipate catching. This will depend upon your locale. Some examples
of different fish and the appropriate test for them include:
[471]

●
   
Freshwater fishing:

○
       
2-4 lb test for panfish, trout

○
       
6-12 lb test for bass, walleye, salmon

○
       
14-20+ lb test for catfish, stripers, pike

●
   
Saltwater fishing:

○
       
8-14 lb test for flounder, sea bass

○
       
16-25 lb test for redfish, stripers, blues

○
       
>30 lb for tuna, marlin, shark

Some people choose to pack very heavy test line ranging from 65-100
pounds for their BOB.
[472]
,
[473]
The rationale for including a heavy test
line is so it can be used for other purposes like serving as a ridgeline and
lashing wood together. However, it is better to pack bank line and paracord
for these purposes. Plus, these heavy test lines are impractical to use for
survival fishing except for use as the main line for trotline fishing (see the
chapter “Food Items” for more information about trotline fishing).

How much line should you pack in your BOB fishing kit? Most ready-made
survival fishing kits include 50 feet of 10-14 pound test monofilament line.
Some include up to 250 feet of line. If you are assembling a kit and have the
space, you might pack a 150-250 yard spool of fishing line since it is
lightweight.
Here is the bottom line as far as what type of fishing line to pack in your
BOB
(Feel free to use your favorite line. These are my choices along with
the reasoning behind them.):

●
   
Type of line:

○
       
Use braided line if you have to choose only one line to pack in
your BOB. Strong. Smaller diameter for comparable strength versus
other lines. Lower drag. High sensitivity giving better awareness of
fish bites. Low spool memory. Tangles less.

○
       
Monofilament is cheaper and popular, but it has a larger diameter,
so you’ll be able to carry less of it if space is a concern. Monofilament
also loses strength with UV radiation exposure, absorbs water, and has
high spool memory causing it to coil. Pack some monofilament line to
use as leaders to attach to your braided main line.

○
       
Fluorocarbon lines are nearly invisible and resistant to water
absorption, UV radiation, and abrasion. But, fluorocarbon is
expensive, has poor knot strength, is thicker than braided, and sinks
fast making it poor for top fishing (monofilament floats making it best
for top fishing, braided is a compromise because it doesn’t float as
well as monofilament, but sinks much more slowly than fluorocarbon).

●
   
Test weight: 12-20 lbs. This range of test weights provides good
versatility for survival fishing. Choose 20 lb test if you have room to
carry only one spool of line. It is better to not go with a really high test
line for the idea of using the fishing line for other functions like
ridgelines. It is more difficult to catch fish with a thick, higher test
weight line because it is more visible to fish. Also, since you are
preparing ahead of an emergency, you have the ability to pack other
cordage (e.g., 550 paracord) to better address things like making
ridgelines.

●
   
Line color:

○
       
There is no single color that will be “least visible” underwater for
all circumstances. Green is a popular low visibility color for braided
 line. It blends in with a wide range of environments, but it will be
visible in clear water lacking vegetation. Using a clear leader is helpful
in those conditions.

○
       
Red or yellow if you want to be able to see your line

●
   
Leader: Optional. Can pack 100-200 feet or more of clear
monofilament or fluorocarbon line to use as low visibility leaders.

●
   
Length of main line to pack: At least 150-250 yards

Warning: Handline fishing without a pole and reel can but your hands. Wet
fishing line is also slippery as you pull it in from the water by hand. Be sure
to wear protective leather gloves when handline fishing so you can protect
your hands. Bringing a lightweight hobo reel or Cuban Yo-Yo reel (read
more about these two items in the “Food Items” chapter) will also help to
protect your hands since you can wind your line back on to these reels. You
can also tie your fishing line to the end of a tree limb or branch to serve as a
fishing pole. Without a reel, you can simply walk inland from the water’s
edge while holding your makeshift fishing pole to bring your fish on to
land.

Item name: KastKing® Extremus

Braided Fishing Line

Vendor:  High-end Sports on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3rzZ1sf

Price: $17.99

Weight: Not specified

Size: 300 yards of 20 lb test weight line

Material: Braid line with 4 strands of MultiTuf fibers. Green color

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Unlike other braid line brands using water-based dyes that wear
off easily and allow water to penetrate the fibers, Extremus braided line
utilizes a “petroleum derivative” based coating that is the best at preventing
water absorption and color fading. Advanced Braid Technology -
Combining proprietary KastKing® processes of “Diamond Weave”
technology, Extremus braided fishing line is extremely abrasion-resistant
and made for fishing around hard structure. Thin Diameter and Extreme
Sensitivity – KastKing® Extremus braided line is available in consistent
line strengths from 6-80 lbs, but with the monofilament diameter equivalent
of lines from 1-20 lbs. Extremus braided fishing lines are also zero memory,
zero stretch, and extremely sensitive. You can cast farther, feel the slightest
bites even with heavier lines, and have the confidence to land any large fish
in rugged conditions. Greater knot strength is an added bonus.

Item name: Berkley® Trilene® Big Game

Monofilament Fishing Line

Vendor: litvakpro on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mSjbdu

Price: $19.37

Weight: Not specified

Size: 650 yards. 0.018 inches diameter, 20 lb test weight line.

Material: Monofilament nylon. Clear color.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Incredible strength, reliability, and value. Its shock-resistant

design allows controlled stretch for awesome fighting power. The line also
boasts exceptional abrasion resistance, making it super-tough against rough
or sharp objects, as well as outstanding knot strength for durable holding
power. Also available in brown, green, blue colors.

Item name: Trilene® 100%

Fluorocarbon
Professional Grade/Leader
Material
Fishing Line
Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3aLZH88

Price: $23.56

Weight: Not specified

Size:  200 yards or 20 lb test weight line. Spooled size 1x5x5 inches.

Material: Fluorocarbon line. Clear color.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Ultimate invisibility - similar refract index to water so fish can't

see it. Ultimate impact strength - proprietary 100% pad formula specially
processed for the ultimate in impact strength. Excellent
MANAGEABILITY - lower memory for superior casting. Used by pros.
Low stretch. Extremely sensitive. Available in clear - reduces sparkle and
flash.

Knot Tying

You don’t have to be an expert at tying knots. But, you must know how to
tie some basic knots. Learn how to tie them and then practice using a length
of your paracord. Opinions may vary, but here are some useful knots to
know before disaster strikes:

●
   
Bowline: This creates a non-slip loop

●
   
Square knot: Joins 2 ends of the same rope or 2 different ropes
together

●
   
Taut-line: This creates a slip knot loop that is handy for adjusting
the length of a rope.

●
   
Trucker’s hitch (also known as power cinch knot): This is a
compound knot useful for securing tension in a line where length does
not need adjusting.
 ●
   
Sheet bend or double sheet bend: Quickly joins 2 pieces of cordage
together. Especially handy when the cords are of different sizes.

●
   
Clove hitch: Fast way to secure a load around something like a
post. It becomes tighter as the load increases and will come apart when
the load is released.

●
   
Shear lashing: Used to joint the ends of two poles together when
making an A-frame.

●
   
Square lashing: Used to join sticks or poles together at right angles
to one another.

A book on knot tying by Patty Hahne is on the reference list at the end of
this book. Here are some on-line resources about tying essential knots for
survival:

●
   
https://urbansurvivalsite.com/survival-knots/

●
   
https://prepper.com/survival-knots/

●
   
https://www.skilledsurvival.com/survival-knots/

●
   
https://www.primalsurvivor.net/survival-knots/

It is handy to pack into your BOB a compact knot tying reference for those
of you who are less experienced at tying knots. There are references made
of plastic and about the size of a credit card. Some have multiple plastic
cards connected by a rivet. They are inexpensive, waterproof, take up little
space, and their weight is negligible. An example is listed below:

Item name: Pro-Knot Outdoor Knots by John E. Sherry (9th edition. August
15, 2019)
Knot Tying Guide

Vendor: Survival Metric, LLC on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KZTUB3

Price: $6.95
Weight: Not described. Probably 1-2 ounces

Size: 0.125 x 2.25 x 3.5 inches

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 20 knots are described on these cards

Duct Tape

Having some duct tape in your BOB can help you in many ways including
repair (e.g., tent, poncho, BOB), holding dressings in place, hold the edges
of wounds together, treating blisters on your foot, wrap a sprained ankle, as
a fire starter, or lash your survival knife to a pole to create a spear. Duct
tape, also known as duck tape since it repels water like a duck’s back, is an
adhesive tape backed by cloth and coated with waterproof polyethylene.

Several brands including Gorilla® Tape consist of an enhanced duct tape

utilizing three layers. According to its manufacturer, it is three times
stronger compared to a leading value brand duct tape and it’s made with
double-thick adhesive and a strong reinforced backing with a tight weave.
Its weather-resistant coating withstands moisture, UV radiation, and
temperature changes. It is thicker and heavier than standard duct tape.

There are numerous ways to bring duct tape with you while minimizing
space and weight. First, remove how much duct you need from its heavy
cardboard spool and then carry it in one of the following ways:

●
   
Fold it over-and-over on itself to make a flat “roll” of whatever
length best suits your storage situation

●
   
Roll it around a credit card

●
   
Roll it around itself without any center spool

Item name: T.R.U. Utility Grade Cloth

Duct Tape
. 2" Wide X 60 Yd.
Length (Black)
Vendor: tapessuply on eBay

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/2KWJbXW

Price: $11.99

Weight: 1.1 lb for 1 roll

Size: 2” wide x 60 yards

Material: Economy grade polyethylene-coated cloth with a natural rubber

adhesive

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Physical Properties: Total Thickness: 7.2 Mils Adhesion to

Steel: 44 oz/in Tensile Strength: 31lbs/ in Elongation: 19% Temperature
Range: -4 F to 140 F

Item name: Black Gorilla®

Duct Tape
Heavy Duty Double Thick 1.88
Inches X 35 Yard 1 Roll

Vendor: dealsteam on eBay

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/38FfO4t

Price: $11.99

Weight: 1.7 lb for 1 roll

Size:  1.88” wide x 35 yards

Material: Double-thick adhesive, strong reinforced backing, and a tough all-

weather shell

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 2-3x as thick as traditional duct tape

 Navigation Items
This chapter will cover the following navigation tools for your
consideration:

●
   
Compass

●
   
Maps

●
   
Ranger beads

●
   
GPS device (optional)

●
   
Binocular versus monocular

Compass

Having a compass is essential. And, it is inexpensive, takes very little

space, and weighs little. It is worthwhile to include a compass in each of
your BOBs. There are numerous types of compasses. But, these are the
main types to consider for your BOB:

●
   
Baseplate compass: This is the least expensive type of compass. It
has a clear plastic base plate so you can view a map placed beneath it.
Its straight edges can be used to draw bearing lines on the map. Some
include a flip-up cover that has a sighting hole at its base and a mirror
on its under-surface. The flip-up cover adds little cost and is helpful
for sighting distant objects when taking a bearing. The mirror allows
you to see your compass reading while sighting, so you don’t have to
lower the compass and shift your position while viewing the needle
housing. The mirror can also be used for emergency signaling. Some
also include a clinometer (a needle that pivots as the compass is angled
upwards) to gauge the angle of a slope.

●
   
Lensatic compass: This is a heavier compass that is designed for
rugged use. The protective flip-up cover includes a clear window with
a sighting wire. There is a flip-up rear sight that you look through to
line up the sighting wire with a distant object to take a reading. The
 flip-up rear sight may include a magnifying glass to help you view the
needle housing. Some have a rear portal in the compass body that
permits you to see the directional reading more easily without having
to lower the compass so you can look through the top of the needle
housing. Some include a clinometer.

Author’s note: I have a lensatic compass and put it in my Short-Term BOB

because it contains the fewest number of items and I have the extra space
for the bulkier lensatic compass. I have baseplate compasses in my
Medium- and Long-Term BOBs. I keep a second baseplate compass to
serve as a backup in my Long-Term BOB because it takes so little space
and it is such an essential item. My preference is a baseplate compass with a
flip-up cover because the sighting hole and mirror make it easier to take a
reading as compared to a baseplate compass without a cover.

The compass you select must have the ability to compensate for declination,
which is the difference between magnetic north (which is the direction a
compass needle points) and true north. The amount of declination varies
depending upon your location and also over time, so it is important to have
the current declination values for your area and the area you plan to escape
to. You can still account for declination using a compass that does not
compensate for it, but it is harder because you’ll need to add or subtract the
declination value in degrees from your compass reading.

Author’s note: Two books are listed in the References section of this book
and they provide detailed information about compass features and how to
navigate using a compass:

●
   
Burns, Bob and Burns, Mike: “Wilderness Navigation.
Mountaineers Outdoor Basics,” Third Edition. Mountaineers Books.
Seattle, Washington. 2015.

●
   
Department of the Army: “Map Reading And Land Navigation -
FM 3-25.26 US Army Field Manual FM 21-26. 2001.” Doublebit
Press. Eugene, Oregon. 2019 (with new content, introduction, and
annotations).
I will mention a few words about electronic compasses. These can be
incorporated into your cell phone, wristwatch, or can be separate devices.
They are accurate and can store bearings, but like all things electronic, they
require batteries and they can be subject to damage. It is important to carry
a standard magnetic compass even if you use an electronic compass.

The two companies that sell the most baseplate compasses are Brunton and
Suunto. Silva is another reputable company. Their compasses are of good
quality and reasonably priced. Be sure to buy a compass that compensates
for declination. Brunton compasses have a revolving part in the base plate
that you rotate to dial in your declination reading. Suunto compasses
require the use of a small key to set the declination value.

Item name: TruArc 3 -

Base Plate Compass

Vendor: Brunton on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KF6967

Price: $15.29

Weight: 1.3 ounces

Size: 0.6x2.4x4.1 inches

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Tool-free declination adjustment. No flip-up cover

Item name: SUUNTO MCB Amphibian

Compass

Vendor: Forestry Suppliers

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3nS7hSo

Price: $24.75
Weight: 1.3 ounces

Size: 1.2x2.3x2.7 inches

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Flip-up top with sighting hole and mirror. Floats. Detachable
snap-lock nylon lanyard with a whistle. Fixed declination scale.

Item name: SUUNTO

Compass
with magnifying glass

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2M6kuJ3

Price: $19.75

Weight: 1.1 ounces

Size: 0.6x2.4x4.1 inches

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: SS012095013 SUUNTO A-30 NH Metric Compass. A

compact, accurate compass for hiking and orienteering. Balanced for the
northern hemisphere. Metric scales

Fixed declination correction scale. Luminescent markings for working in

low light. Baseplate with magnifying lens. Control marking holes.
Detachable snap-lock lanyard. Easy to detach for working with the map.

Maps

A compass will tell you your direction of travel, but it will not tell you your
location without a map. You should pack maps of your area, surrounding
area, and any area you think you may escape to. Simple road maps are
handy if you are escaping in your vehicle and will be traveling by road. You
can get road maps for free from the Automobile Association Of America
(AAA) if you’re a member. You can also find road maps in most mini-marts
attached to gasoline filling stations. But, road maps do not provide
declination values nor topographic information.

You can go to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s

(NOAA) website and use their magnetic declination calculator to determine
the declination for any location. The calculator can be found at this URL:

https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/magcalc.shtml

To use the calculator, just type in the longitude and latitude coordinates for
your location and you can get the current declination value (or the value
from any prior date). There is a place for you to type in an address to find
its longitude and latitude so you can enter those values into the calculator. It
is handy to look up the declination values for your area and wherever you
think you may escape to. Write those declination values down for reference
in case you have to navigate by map.

If your escape plan includes going to areas that are remote and away from
roads, then a road map will be less helpful. It is much more useful to get
topographical maps like backpackers use. These maps use contour lines to
show elevation and will list the area’s declination value at the bottom;
check the map’s date so you know you have the current declination value.

You can view and download .pdf maps for free on the US Geological
Service (USGS) website (
https://www.usgs.gov/products/maps/topo-maps
). Another free resource for these maps is on the TopoQuest web site (
https://www.topoquest.com/
).

You can purchase topographical maps from numerous sources including on

the USGS web site. Other places you can purchase topographical maps
include:

●
   
REI Co-op: They stock many maps, but not all of them include
contour lines to denote elevation. Maps are available in paper and
 waterproof versions. Prices per map range from approximately $12.95
to $19.95.

●
   
Amazon.com: These are mostly $8.95 and include contour lines.
These are not waterproof.

You can also choose to make custom maps to cover a particular area of
interest to you.
[474]
First, you would search online for a map that includes
your area of interest. Second, you could crop the portion of the map that
you want to print and save that as a .pdf file. It is useful to save one file as
an overview map that covers a larger area to give you more perspective.
Then, save two more files that are “zoomed in” on the specific area that
interests you. You now have .pdf files of 3 maps of that area that you can
pack and carry with you. The third step is to print those .pdf files and here
are just a few ways that you can accomplish that:

●
   
Bring your .pdf files to a local FedEx or UPS Store and let them
print them for you. If desired, you can even buy waterproof paper
ahead of time and bring it with you to have the maps printed on.

●
   
You can print the files at home on your laser printer. You can use
waterproof paper if you want.

A useful custom mapping tool is offered by Caltopo (

https://www.caltopo.com/
) which has free and subscription services. You
can select your area to map and then add overlays of additional data
including contours, slope angle shading, public lands, and more. You can
either print your map, save it to Google® to share, or save it in a format that
can be uploaded to a GPS device.

Ranger Beads

Ranger beads have been used for centuries to help keep track of distance
traveled. Their name is associated with the Army Rangers.  They are also
known as pace counting beads or SAS (British Army Special Air Service)
beads. You might consider adding them to your BOBs because they are
inexpensive, simple to use, compact, lightweight, and durable. The usual
configuration is a cord with knots at both ends and another knot located 2/3
the length of the cord from one of the ends. Beads are strung on the cord
with nine on the longer segment and four on the shorter segment side of the
cord. The beads are all pushed towards one side of the cord to start. Start
walking. After every tenth step, move one of the nine beads upwards on the
cord. Repeat this by moving another bead upwards after every tenth step.
Walk another ten steps after all nine beads have been moved and then move
one of the groups of four beads up along the cord. Now, push all nine beads
back to the bottom of its section of cord and start all over. Each time all
nine beads are pushed to the other side of their section of cord, push another
of the group of four beads upwards along the cord. Once all four beads have
been moved to the other side of their section of cord, you will have walked
500 steps and you can start all over. Using Ranger beads in this fashion
provides you with a step count.
[475]
,
[476]

Do a test walk and count how many steps it takes you to walk 100 yards or
100 meters. Use this information to convert your Ranger bead pace count
into the number of yards or meters you walked. From there, you can
calculate how many miles or kilometers you traveled:

●
   
1 mile = 1760 yards

●
   
1 kilometer = 1000 meters

The number of steps you record using your Ranger beads for a given
distance will differ from what you measured during your test walk
depending upon terrain. For example, your stride length will be shorter if
you are scaling steep inclines on a slippery surface, causing your Ranger
beads to overestimate the distance you traveled.

Another way to use your Ranger beads is to move a bead each time you
take the number of steps that it took you to walk either 100 yards or 100
meters during your test walk. For example, if it took you 100 steps to cover
100 yards during your test walk, then move a bead on your Ranger pace
counter after you take 100 steps. This way, your Ranger beads will keep
track of your distance walked rather than the number of steps that you took
as in the first method described above.
[477]

Item name: Ranger Paracord

Pacecounter Beads
- Set of Three (3)
Vendor: briarwoodsupply on ebay.com

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/3rxNXfu

Price: $8.99

Weight: Less than 1 ounce

Size: Approximately 12 inches in length

Material: Paracord and plastic beads

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Three Ranger Bead pace counters are included. It has a looped
end to help attach it to your pack, vest, belt, etc. without any additional
hardware.

GPS Device (optional)

Your compass and maps are your “go-to” navigation items. They are the
“must -have” items for your BOB. Having a GPS device is handy, but
optional. It will be another thing to pack taking up space and adding weight.
And, it will work only so long as it has battery power. You can maintain its
usefulness if you have a solar charger to replenish its batteries, but that is
another item to carry. Having one is a matter of personal choice and
depends on how much else you’ll be carrying.

GPS devices work off satellites, so anything that interferes with signal
reception will impair their function. They may not work indoors, in caves,
on cloudy days, or under a canopy of trees.

Most smartphones made after 2007 have a built-in GPS receiver chip to
enable 911 emergency call centers to locate you.
[478]
These chips receive
information from GPS satellites and do not rely on cellular towers or cell
service. Newer phones employ assisted GPS or A-GPS where cell tower
information is incorporated with satellite information for faster location
information.
[479]
GPS apps in phones require a cellular signal to download
maps, so be sure to load desired maps ahead of time since cellular reception
may be degraded or non-existent in remote areas or the event of a disaster.
Also, using a cell phone’s GPS app depletes the phone’s battery. You may
want to conserve your phone’s battery for emergency calls in case of a
disaster.

There are different types of GPS devices including those for automotive,
marine, and outdoors/hiking uses. An automotive GPS is ideal if you plan
to escape in your vehicle. Some vehicles have built-in GPS capability. If
you think your escape will include getting off-road into remote areas, then
an outdoor GPS is better because:

●
   
It is lighter and more rugged

●
   
You can upload into it the latest topographical maps from the
USGS. Some units come preloaded with topographical maps.

●
   
It provides altitude and distance information

●
   
You can save location data to create a “bread crumb” trail by
setting way-points to help you retrace your steps

●
   
It can include an electronic compass. This is a feature you want to
be sure it includes so the device can calculate a bearing while you’re
standing still. A 3-axis compass can calculate a bearing with the GPS
held in any position while a 2-axis compass requires that you hold the
GPS device level.

US satellites use the GPS system while Russia has its satellite system called
GLONASS. Most current GPS devices use both satellite systems for
accuracy, so be sure your unit has that capability.

Item name: Garmin® GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K with High-
Sensitivity
GPS
and GLONASS Receiver

Vendor: SpddyS on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/38IqZK1
Price: $499.99

Weight:  8.1 ounces with batteries

Size: 1.43x2.15x2.6 inches

Material: Not specified

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 2.6-inch color display. 16-hour battery life. 3-axis compass.

Altimeter. GPS and GLONASS receiver. 8 GB of internal memory and a
microSD card slot. Preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K maps plus a 1-year
BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription.

Item name: Garmin® eTrex 30x

GPS

Vendor: GPS City on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/38E3qSr

Price: $184.99

Weight: 0.31 lb

Size: 1.3x2.1x4.0 inches

Material: Plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 2.2 inch color display. Battery life up to 25 hours. 3-axis

compass. Altimeter. GPS and GLONASS receiver. 3.7 GB of internal
memory and microSD card slot. Preloaded base map. You can load your
topographical maps.

Binocular versus monocular

Having a magnifying optic in your BOB is useful for many things
including:

●
   
Watching for problems lurking ahead of you on your escape path
such as physical barriers, unfriendly people, or animals

●
   
Scouting for animals or signs of animals when hunting for food

●
   
Identifying possible water sources in the distance

●
   
Looking for shelter

●
   
It can be used to help start a fire similar to a magnifying glass

A monocular is a single tube magnifying optic and a binocular is two

monoculars connected together. Two numbers presented as 8x22 are used to
reference both types of optics. The first number, 8, indicates the amount of
magnification and the second number, 22, indicates the diameter of the
objective lens (i.e., the lens on the end of the optic farthest away from your
eye or closest to the object you’re looking at). The field of view is the size
of the area that you see when looking through the optic. The field of view
shrinks as magnification increases. Larger objectives collect more light and
help in low light situations, but they are bigger and heavier. The quality of
your image will be better with higher quality BK-4 glass as compared to
less expensive BK-7 glass. Coatings placed over the lenses will also
improve image quality. Waterproofing and a rubber-coated body are pluses
for use in the field.
[480]
,
[481]

Here are some points regarding monoculars:

●
   
Generally less expensive than binoculars

●
   
Lighter

●
   
Smaller

●
   
More strain on the eye when viewing through it for long periods
especially at moving objects
Here are some points regarding binoculars:

●
   
Generally more costly

●
   
Heavier

●
   
Larger

●
   
Easier on the eyes when looking through them for a long time

●
   
Wider field of view

You can use a rifle scope if you have one, but it will not be as ideal as
having a monocular or binocular. It will be harder to hold for an extended
period and have a narrower field of view. Moving a rifle and scope makes
you more visible than viewing through compact binoculars. You must also
be careful about pointing your rifle in the direction of people if you use
your scope in this manner. One option is to remove the scope from your
rifle before using it as a monocular.

Here is an example of an economical monocular that is lightweight,

compact, and 7x18:

Item name: Brunton® Echo Pocket Scope (

monocular
)

Vendor: Escape Distribution on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hiS7mE

Price: $27.81

Weight: 1.8 ounces

Size: 1.3x3.3 inches

Material: Polymer frame

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 7x18 monocular comes with a lanyard, carry case, and lint
cleaning cloth.

Binoculars come in a wide range of magnification and cost. 6-8 x 21-32 is a

good range of magnification and objective diameter for a BOB binocular.
Buy the best quality that you can afford. Realistically, there are usually
budget constraints, so I would opt for an inexpensive one and put the
money saved into other items for my BOB. Some reputable brands include
Tasco®, Bushnell, and Nikon (more expensive). Zeiss® and Steiner have a
reputation for making high-end optics and they may be something to
consider if your budget allows it.  Here are examples of an economical pair
and a higher end pair of binoculars that could be part of a BOB:

Item name: Bushnell PowerView Roof Prism 8x 21mm

Binoculars

Vendor: TacticalGear.com

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/38D2Fch

Price: $13.49

Weight: 7 ounces

Size: 1.75x2.75x4.5  inches

Material: Synthetic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Fully coated lenses. BK-7 glass lenses. Fold-down eyecups.

Rubber armor.

Item name: Zeiss® 8x25 Terra ED Compact Pocket Grey-Black

Binocular

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3psWvm0

Price: $289.99
Weight:10.9 ounces

Size: 4x6.7x9.5 inches

Material: Aluminum

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Waterproof. SCHOTT ED glass featuring a hydrophobic multi-

coating. Lens Coating -Hydrophobic ZEISS MC. Easy-grip surfaces and
focus wheel. Smooth focus and ergonomically correct eyecups. 2-year
guarantee.
 Communication Items
In this chapter, we’ll cover the following communication items:

●
   
Cell phone

●
   
Signal mirror

●
   
Flashlight

●
   
Whistle

●
   
Hand crank emergency radio

●
   
Portable two-way radio

●
   
Satellite phone

Cell Phone

Almost everyone will have their cell phone with him or her when they
escape in an emergency. You will want to use it as little as possible to
conserve its battery unless you have a way to recharge it (e.g., with your
vehicle’s battery or solar charger; see “Tools” chapter for information about
solar chargers). Save it for emergency calls or texts. You will have other
items in your BOB that can perform these functions, but in a pinch your cell
phone can do these things:

●
   
Its glass face can serve as a signal mirror

●
   
Its flashlight can be used to signal or just as an illumination source

●
   
It can serve as a GPS device (you’ll need an app and downloaded
maps)

●
   
It can serve as a compass (generally requires that you download a
compass app)
 ●
   
Its battery can be used to ignite tinder to start a fire

●
   
Its internal metal chassis and circuit board can be sharpened against
a stone and used as a cutting tool

Signal Mirror

Mirrors are the simplest and most reliable signaling devices. They do not
rely on a power source such as chemical or electrical lights. They are
available in a variety of sizes and styles. The simplest mirrors are solid
pieces of reflective metal, plastic, polycarbonate, or glass. Typical
unobstructed distances that a mirror can be seen are 6-10 miles on the
ground and 20 miles from the ground to sky.
[482]

My preferred mirror has a central hole that is used for targeting or aiming
the reflected light from your mirror at an object (e.g., ship, plane, or
helicopter) or person to get their attention. You can also use it to send
Morse code. Military mirrors and high-quality commercial mirrors use a
retroreflective mesh in this central hole to cast an image of a “glowing ball”
or “fireball” over your intended target when the mirror is properly oriented.

[483]

There are mirrors on the market with fake, non-functioning, imitation

aiming mesh in their aiming hole.
[484]
Real retroreflective mesh is made by
gluing reflective glass beads to the mesh. Mirrors with fake aiming holes
use various materials that have a mesh appearance but lack the
retroreflective property, so they are useless. You can easily recognize a fake
signal mirror because you will not see the “fireball” when looking at the
mesh in the central aiming hole. How can you avoid getting a fake mirror
before buying one? Most fake mirrors are made in Taiwan and are priced
way lower than mirrors with real retroreflective mesh. Genuine signal
mirrors have the following markings on the back of the mirror:

●
   
“Mil-M-18371E” for those made by S. I. Howard

●
   
“Made in Japan:” for those made by Vector 1. Its most common
distributor is Coghlan’s
Author’s note: I bought a fake signal mirror as my first mirror thinking that
I had scored a bargain. I was puzzled why I could not see a “fireball” when
looking through the aiming hole. I realized that I actually “scored” a fake
after doing some reading. I subsequently bought two genuine Mil Spec
mirrors. The items below are genuine signal mirrors:

Item name: Star Flash

Signal Mirror
- Ultimate Survival

Vendor: Adventure Survival Equipment

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3mQ23oJ

Price: $8.95

Weight: 0.7 ounces

Size: 2x3 and 3x5 inches

Material: Lexan™, polycarbonate

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The Star Flash Signal Mirror has been an included item in Air
Force Survival Kits. Targeting Star: Retroreflective encapsulated bead
fabric. Lighter than glass mirrors. Floats in water. Durable, rugged.

Item name: MIL-M-18371E Emergency

Signaling Mirror
, Mark 3, Military
Issue

Vendor: Scol Survival Supply on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/34NMUhB

Price: $29.99

Weight: 2.72 ounces

Size: 2x3 inches

Material: Glass

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Manufactured from glass for maximum reflectivity, this mil-

spec signal mirror is substantially brighter than its plastic counterparts.
Conforms to US military specification MIL-M-18731E Type I 2 in. x 3 in.
Lanyard included.

A genuine signal mirror is light and compact. It is worthwhile including in

your BOBs. Other uses for your mirror include:

●
   
To see yourself while shaving

●
   
To look for foreign bodies on the surface of your eye

●
   
To look around corners without exposing your head

Flashlight

A flashlight has so many uses and is a must-have item for your EDC and all
of your BOBs. Some features to look for in a BOB flashlight include:

●
   
Compact

●
   
Rugged, durable

●
   
Uses readily available size batteries

●
   
Either rechargeable (USB) or uses rechargeable batteries that can
be recharged by your vehicle’s battery or a solar charger

●
   
High and low output modes to permit high visibility and battery
conservation

●
   
Water-resistant or waterproof

●
   
A pocket clip or a case for belt or MOLLE® attachment
 ●
   
A lanyard to help prevent you from dropping and losing your
flashlight

●
   
Minimum 200 lumens, preferably 400 lumens or greater for its
high output mode

Optional features:

●
   
A removable red lens filter to use at night. It helps preserve your
night vision and makes you less conspicuous to others

●
   
A strobe mode. This is found on many flashlights to stun potential
threats. Its usefulness is limited and I find it is just one more mode to
cycle through when pressing the flashlight’s function button. It can be
used as a signaling device. But, you can simply turn your flashlight on
and off if you don’t have a strobe mode.

●
   
Ability to float

Author’s note: Headlamps are an important part of your BOB because they
free up both of your hands. They are covered in the Tools chapter.

There are many flashlight manufacturers and models to choose from that fit
the criteria for use in your BOB. Your choice will largely depend upon your
personal preference and price point. Here are two of my personal flashlights
that I like:

Item name: LED Lenser F1 (

flashlight
)

Vendor: trekk inn Outdoor shop by tradeinn

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3mMpEGY

Price: $58.99

Weight: 3.53 ounces

Size: 1.06x3.46 inches

Material: Anodized aluminum

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: HA III anodizing (housing: matte black) with military standard,

is waterproof (IPX8), and features electronic control with a temperature
sensor, a tail stand, integrated roll protection, an interchangeable glass-
breaking ring. 400 lumens max output. Modes: High, low, strobe. Pocket
clip. Hand strap. 5-year warranty. Note: The F1R model is the rechargeable
version of this flashlight, priced $89.95 on Amazon.com

Item name: Olight M2R Pro Warrior

Flashlight
(this is the new version of
the discontinued Warrior model which is the one I have)

Vendor: Olight Direct on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3ppG75C

Price: $109.95

Weight: 6.31 ounces

Size: 1.16x5.37 inches

Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum body with anti-scratch type III hard

anodizing

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Third Generation Magnetic Charging Cable. Rechargeable

lithium battery with maximum runtime of 50 days. Pocket clip, lanyard,
holster. Max output 1800 lumens. Output modes: 1, 15, 60, 250, 750, 1800
lumens. Side and tailcap button switches. Waterproof (IPX8).

Whistle

A whistle is so inexpensive, lightweight, and compact that there is no

reason not to include one in your BOBs as a signaling device. You can
scream for help to draw someone’s attention, but your voice will soon
become tired, sore, and hoarse. It requires much less energy to blow a
whistle and you can do it for longer.

There are two universally recognized distress signals that you can use with
your whistle
[485]
:

●
   
International distress call: Three whistle blasts each lasting three
seconds. This is easier to perform and to remember than the SOS
signal in Morse code.

●
   
Morse code: “SOS” in Morse code means, “help” and is
represented by three dots, three dashes, and three dots. Three short
whistle blasts represent the three dots. Three longer whistle blasts
represent the dashes.

Besides signaling for help, a whistle can be used to

[486]
:

●
   
Scare off animals

●
   
Scare off threatening humans

●
   
Make your location known if you buried under rubble after an
earthquake

Some features to look for when selecting a whistle for your BOB includes:

●
   
High quality plastic material. Functions well at high and low
temperatures. Corrosion-resistant. Strong. Floats.

●
   
Loudness level of 100-120 decibels. These can be heard over
background noises up to distances of 0.5-1 mile or more

●
   
Pea-less design. So you don’t have to be concerned about the pea
becoming jammed or frozen in place.

●
   
High visibility bright color

●
   
Attachment site for a lanyard
Item name: Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG (cushioned mouth grip)
Whistle

Vendor: greatcallathletics on eBay.com

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/3nTKCoG

Price: $9.49

Weight: 0.64 ounces

Size: 1x1x2 inches

Material: High-impact ABS plastic

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Pea-less design. 2 chambers which self-clear after being

submerged in water. Break-away lanyard. Can be heard over 1 mile away.
More than 120 decibels. High pitched sound. Available in approx 18 colors
and color combinations.

Hand Crank Emergency Radio

Emergency radios keep you connected to the world even when there may be
no cellular, landline, or Internet service during a disaster. All 50 states in the
USA can receive emergency weather broadcasts through the National
Weather Radio (NWR) network, which is controlled by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NWR also
transmits alerts regarding natural, public, and environmental safety as well
as national security and AMBER alerts,
[487]

Most of these emergency radios also have:

●
   
Capability to receive all 7 NOAA channels

●
   
AM and FM reception

●
   
SW (short wave) band reception
 ●
   
Flashlights

●
   
Emergency siren

●
   
The ability to charge other devices via a variety of ports including
USB

An emergency radio must have the capability to be manually powered by a

hand crank when the power grid is down. These radios generally also have
other means of power including one or more of the following:

●
   
Rechargeable batteries

●
   
Cigarette lighter adapter for charging in a vehicle

●
   
USB port

●
   
Solar panel

●
   
AC adapter

Here is an example of a popular hand-crank emergency radio:

Item name: Kaito KA500 Voyager (

hand-crank emergency radio
)

Vendor: Electronixx on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mOF5hX

Price: $49.98

Weight: 1.4 lb

Size: 2.25x5x8.25 inches

Material: Premium impact-resistant and water-resistant ABS material

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: NOAA Certified Emergency Radio (provides coverage of AM,
FM, SW1, and SW2, plus all 7 pre-programmed national weather
channels).  6-way powered portable emergency radio with hand crank
generator, solar panel. Works as an emergency mobile battery charger for
other devices. 5-LED reading lamp, LED flashlight and a red LED S.O.S.
beacon light.

Portable Two-Way Radio

Portable radios that offer two-way communication provides a way to stay in

contact when cellular, landline, and Internet service is down. You will need
to have a way to keep them powered (e.g., solar charger or vehicle battery)
during a disaster. There are different types of portable two-way radios
(PTWR) based upon the part of the radio frequency spectrum they utilize.
Here is a comparison of the most common types of PTWRs
[488]
,
[489]
,
[490]
,
[491]

●
   
Amateur (ham) radio

○
       
Frequency spectrum: 1.8-1,300 mHz

○
       
License required: Yes

○
       
Test required: Yes

○
       
Power: 5-8 watts typical for handheld ham radios. FCC (Federal
Communications Commission) maximum allowable is 200 watts with
a Technician license and 1,500 watts for a General license

○
       
Able to utilize repeaters: Yes

○
       
Access to emergency channels: Yes

●
   
Citizen’s band (CB) radio. Most often associated with use by truck
drivers.

○
       
Frequency spectrum: 26-27 mHz, 40 channels

○
       
License required: No
○
       
Test required: No

○
       
Power: Maximum allowable 4 watts

○
       
Able to utilize repeaters: No

○
       
Access to emergency channels: No

●
   
Family Radio Service (FRS). Inexpensive and found in big-box
discount stores. Common “walkie talkie.”

○
       
Frequency spectrum: 462-467 mHz, 22 channels

○
       
License required: No

○
       
Test required: No

○
       
Power: Maximum allowable 2 watts

○
       
Able to utilize repeaters: No

○
       
Access to emergency channels: No

●
   
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

○
       
Frequency spectrum: 462-467 mHz, 22 FRS channels plus 8
repeater channels

○
       
License required: Yes

○
       
Test required: No

○
       
Power: Maximum allowable 5 watts

○
       
Able to utilize repeaters: Yes

○
       
Access to emergency channels: No
Published radio transmission distances are based upon theoretical ideal
conditions. Real-life transmission distances will be much less and will
depend upon factors such as weather, terrain, physical obstructions, power
output and design of the radio, signal frequency and channel, quality of
your antenna, and the vertical height above ground of your antenna. Here
are some estimates for communication distances between two handheld
radios of the same type taking into account various realistic situations
[492]
,

[493]
:

●
   
Amateur (ham) radio: 1-2 miles

●
   
CB radio: 1-2 miles

●
   
FRS radio: 0.25-1 mile

●
   
GMRS radio: 0.5-2 miles

One way that radios can extend their communication distance is to transmit
their signal to a repeater, which is an antenna placed atop of a high location
(e.g., mountain top, tall building). The repeater passes the signal to another
repeater or another radio. The FCC allows only ham and GMRS radios to
utilize repeaters.

Ham radio users are required by the FCC to be licensed and users have the
choice of testing for three different levels of licenses: Technician, General,
and Extra. While most people preparing for disasters opt for the basic
Technician’s license, ham radio users can gain access to longer wavelength
high frequency (HF) bands to significantly increase their communication
distance if they upgrade their license.
[494]
,
[495]

So, which portable two-way radio is best for your BOB? Your best bet
overall is to go with a ham radio for a variety of reasons. Its higher power,
the capability of using repeaters when available, and ability to use high
frequency allow it to operate over longer distances under the right
conditions. It operates over the broadest frequency range helping you to
avoid the congestion posed by many people using the other types of radios
that operate over narrow frequency bands. Ham radio is the only portable
radio that allows the reception of local emergency services and NOAA
broadcasts. So, you could consider ditching your hand crank emergency
radio if you carry a portable ham radio that is capable of emergency
broadcast reception so long as you have a way to keep it powered over the
long term.

For those of you interested in getting a ham radio, you can find information
about the three different classes of licenses and how to get them by going to
this web page:

https://www.bugoutbagbuilder.com/learning-tutorials/how-get-your-radio-
license

Here is the link to the page on the FCC’s web site regarding ham radio
licensing: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-
division/amateur-radio-service

The following is a popular portable ham radio:

Item name: BaoFeng BF-F8HP 8 Watt Dual Band Handheld

Ham Radio
(3rd generation)

Vendor: BaoFeng on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WQ4Ofa

Price: $69.89

Weight: 10.1 ounces

Size: 2x2x10.5 inches

Material: “New Hardened Durable Radio Shell.” Details are unavailable. It

appears to be made of ABS plastic. Water-resistant, but not waterproof.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: High / Med / Low Power Settings. Frequency Range: 65-108

MHz (Only commercial FM radio reception), VHF: 136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx),
UHF: 400-520 MHz(Rx/Tx); Broad (Wide) / Narrowband (Narrow)
Selectable. Battery life 20 hours (8 watts) and 24 hours (5 watts). Includes
2000 mAh battery, 7-inch high gain dual output V-85 antenna, power
adapter, earpiece, belt clip, hand strap, battery charger. 1-year concierge
service and warranty support.

The BaoFeng BF-F8HP radio has been very popular and has therefore
spawned counterfeit versions. Here is a web page from the “BaoFeng Tech
News and Blog” that describes how to be sure you’re buying a genuine
version of this radio:
http://bit.ly/3mSJTTh

Satellite Phones

Satellite phones or sat phones are another communication device alternative

when cellular, landline and Internet services are down. Sat phones utilize
satellites orbiting the earth. Globalstar®, Iridium®, and Inmarsat® are the
major companies offering paid service for the commercial sat phone
market. You can make voice calls, text messages, and email depending
upon the type of service and phone that you have. Sat phones require an
unobstructed view of the sky to acquire signals from satellites. You may
experience varying degrees of latency or delay between signal transmission
and reception depending upon your location and the satellite system you’re
connecting to (i.e., less latency with low earth orbiting versus
geosynchronous or geostationary satellites orbiting over the equator).
[496]
,

[497]
,
[498]

Iridium® owns and operates 66 low earth orbit satellites, the largest number
of satellites of any satellite network. It provides coverage everywhere on
the globe and with the shortest latency. Inmarsat® lacks coverage at the
north and south poles as does Globalstar®. Globalstar® also lacks coverage
in some mid-ocean areas. You have to stand still and have the antenna
pointed towards the equator to use the Inmarsat® network. You can be on
the move while using your phone on the Iridium and Globalstar® networks.
All three of these major networks support voice, text, data, and GPS
location. However, Globalstar® is capable of only incoming texts.
[499]

You can buy satellite phone service from the major service providers either
on a monthly plan or by prepaid airtime. As an example, an Iridium®
monthly plan for $52.95/month comes with 10 minutes of outgoing voice
and 10 outgoing text messages. Incoming voice calls and texts are free.
Excess outgoing voice calls are charged $1.29/minute and excess texts are
charged $0.50/message.
[500]
An example of a prepaid card is an Iridium®
card that offers 4,500 units (1 unit/minute of voice, 6 units/outgoing text)
that expire after 30 days for $144.00. Incoming voice calls and text
messages are free and cost you no units off your prepaid plan.
[501]

Even though prices have decreased over time, sat phones are still costly.
You can rent sat phones by the day or by the month. But, for BOB purposes,
you’ll want to buy one so it is ready to go when you are. A popular and
rugged option for a sat phone is the following:

Item name: Iridium® Extreme 9575

Satellite Phone

Vendor: SatPhoneStore on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3psKJb0

Price: $1,150.00

Weight: 8.6 ounces

Size: 1.08x2.4x5.6 inches (length includes the external antenna)

Material: Not specified

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Military-grade durability (MIL-STD 810F). Battery Standby

time: Up to 30 hours. Talk time: Up to 4-hour. Two-way SMS and short
email capability. Combines location awareness, a fully integrated SOS
button with included emergency response service. FACTORY INCLUDED
ACCESSORIES: Iridium 9575 Extreme handset, battery, AC travel charger
with international adapters, DC car charger, hands-free earpiece with
microphone, leather case, USB data cable, quick start guide, CD-ROM with
software, 2 accessory adapters, and a magnetic vehicle mount antenna.
SATPHONESTORE BONUS ACCESSORIES: Tempered glass screen
protector designed for Iridium 9575, SatPhoneStore Tough Case, and a
silicon protective case.

Personal Protection Items

This chapter reviews items for personal protection. Your environment and
where you anticipate escaping will largely influence what you choose to
pack in your BOBs. The items discussed below will give you some things
to consider packing:

●
   
Sunscreen

●
   
Sunglasses

●
   
Safety goggles

●
   
Ballistic eyewear

●
   
Mask

●
   
Earplugs

●
   
Leather gloves

●
   
Trekking poles

●
   
Insect repellent

●
   
Pepper spray

●
   
Knife

●
   
Handgun

●
   
Rifle

●
   
Shotgun

●
   
Pellet air gun
 ●
   
Spare parts and cleaning supplies for your firearms

●
   
Bow, arrows

Some additional personal protection items will be discussed for you to

consider bringing with you when you can carry more by escaping by
vehicle rather than on foot:

●
   
Ballistic vest

●
   
Ballistic helmet

●
   
Gas mask

●
   
Alarms, camp security systems

Sunscreen

Pack some sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn especially if you
will be escaping on foot. Use a sunscreen that protects you from UV-A and
UV-B radiation. Select a sunscreen with a rating of at least 30 SPF (Sun
Protection Factor), but be aware that sunscreens with greater than SPF 50
provide only slightly more protection. Buy water-resistant sunscreen, which
means that SPF is maintained up to 40 minutes in water. SPF that’s
maintained in water for 80 minutes is termed very water-resistant. The
mode of application is a matter of personal preference; lotion is thinner and
less greasy than cream and it’s easier to apply over a large area. Don’t
forget to apply lip balm with at least SPF 30 to your lips and wear
sunglasses, a wide brim hat, long sleeve shirts, and long pants to further
protect your skin. If possible, try to avoid being in the sun from 10 am to 4
pm.
[502]

The composition of sunscreen is another factor to consider. Some include

zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which lie on the skin’s surface, and they are
called physical or mineral sunscreens. Others called chemical sunscreens
contain substances like oxybenzone or avobenzone, which are absorbed into
the skin. It’s best to go with a physical sunscreen if you have sensitive skin
or acne.
[503]
Item name: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70
Sunscreen
Lotion, 3
fl. oz

Vendor: Walmart

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3aLd5ZX

Price: $8.97

Weight:  3 ounces

Size: Not specified

Material: This is a chemical sunscreen. Active ingredients include

Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (15%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene
(2.8%), Oxybenzone (6%)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Water-resistant. Non-greasy feel. Absorbs quickly.

Recommended by dermatologists.

Sunglasses

Be sure to protect your eyes. UV radiation can damage the surface and the
inside of your eyes. Sunburned eyes can result in photokeratitis, which is
inflammation of the cornea or outside coating of your eye. One form of
photokeratitis is snow blindness, but it can also occur from the reflection of
light off water. Symptoms include eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos,
swelling, sensitivity to bright light, and temporary vision loss; these are all
things you want to avoid when you’re focused on your survival. Long term
UV eye damage can include growths (e.g., pterygium), cancer, and
cataracts.
[504]
,
[505]

What to look for when buying sunglasses for eye protection

[506]
:

●
   
Blocks 99-100% of UV-A and UV-B light. The statement “UV
absorption up to 400” means 100% UV blocking
 ●
   
Meets Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria for impact
resistance

●
   
Wrap-around design to block UV radiation from the sides and top

●
   
Optional features that are unrelated to UV absorption: Polarized to
reduce glare. Darker lenses for brighter situations. Mirror coated to
reduce light transmission. Blue-blocking to make distant objects
appear sharper especially in snow or a haze. Polycarbonate lenses are
more impact, but less scratch-resistant, so be sure they have a scratch-
resistant coating.

There are countless sunglass choices. People requiring prescription

sunglasses will have a somewhat smaller selection to choose from. The
price range is vast. Sunglasses weigh about 0.8-1.3 ounces.
[507]

This is one item where I will not leave a product example since everyone is
familiar with sunglasses and choosing one is such an individual choice.

Safety Goggles

Formal medical care will be difficult or impossible to obtain during a

disaster. So, you will want to do everything you can to protect yourself from
injury. Lightweight safety goggles are handy to have with you to protect
your eyes from things like windblown sand, vegetation if you’re trekking
through dense brush, and wood chips when axing wood. Unlike eyeglasses,
goggles provide a seal all-around your eyes for much greater protection.
Anything is better than nothing, so those on a strict budget can get an
inexpensive plastic pair as we used in chemistry class. Better quality
goggles are available at a higher price. Make sure your goggles have vents
to prevent fogging.

Item name:
Safety Goggles
, Protective Safety Glasses, 2 pairs

Vendor: Yun Tuo on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nSZmEr
Price: $10.99 for 2 pairs

Weight: 2.7 ounces

Size: 3.15x3.54x6.3 inches

Material: Transparent PVC frame, uncoated polycarbonate lenses,

adjustable elastic strap

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Can wear over eyeglasses. 4 vents permit airflow while

preventing entry by liquids, certain airborne particulates, and chemicals.
99% UV protection. Scratch-resistant. Anti-fog.

Item name:
Safety Goggles
- Spherical Medical Protective OTG Anti-splash
Glasses

Vendor: Pagurio on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3ppXUJU

Price: $13.99

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Size: 3.2x5.1x7.5 inches

Material: Transparent PVC frame, uncoated polycarbonate lenses,

adjustable elastic strap

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Polycarbonate transparent lens with impact-resistant,

effectively blocking ultraviolet rays. Anti-fogging coating. No vents. Made
to fit the prescription glasses underneath them. There is a slot on each side
of the frame to accommodate eyeglass temples. Certified Safety Goggles -
Passed the test of FDA for solid indoor and outdoor protection under
multiple circumstances including lab, welding, grinding, and etc. These
goggles received a 4.3-star rating on Amazon. There were a few people
who experienced fogging, but the vast majority described having no
fogging problems.

Item name: Rothco OTG

Ballistic Goggles

Vendor: Tungsten Blue on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2WLHFKU

Price: $35.98

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Size: 3.2x3.2x7.0 inches

Material: Rubber, Foam, Polycarbonate

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Goggles Are Set to Military MIL-DTL-43511D (the standard

for polycarbonate flyer’s helmet visors, used to certify goggles) and ANSI-
Z87-1 Standards For Ballistic Eyewear Protection. Fits over prescription
glasses. There is a slot on each side of the frame to accommodate eyeglass
temples. 2mm thick polycarbonate anti-fog and anti-scratch lenses and UV
400 protection treatment. Movable hinges, adjustable straps. 3/8” foam seal.
Top and bottom vents.

Ballistic Eyeglasses

You’ll need to have eye protection if you plan to use firearms for hunting
game or hunkering down in a defensive situation. To save carrying ballistic
eyeglasses, you could use your ballistic goggles for this purpose (see the
Rothco OTG Ballistic Goggle example under the “Safety Goggles”
section).

Be sure whatever eye protection you get is ballistic protection certified. At a

minimum, your glasses should be ANSI Z87.1 certified by the American
National Standards Institute which tests occupational and educational
personal eye and face protection devices in the US. Testing includes
protection against UV radiation, chemicals, and impacts. The marking
Z87.1 means that the glasses or goggles have passed the basic impact test.
The marking Z87.1+ means that the lenses passed the high mass test (500
gram pointed weight dropped from 5 feet onto the lens) and high-velocity
impact test. That test consists of a 1/4″ steel ball shot at the lens 102 mph
from 150 feet for eyeglasses and at 170 mph from 250 feet and 205 mph
from 300 feet for goggles.
[508]

Military standards for ballistic eye protection are more stringent than ANSI
Z87.1, so look for your glasses to be certified MIL-PRF-31013 (spectacles)
and MIL-DTL-43511D (goggles). The MIL-PRF-31013 testing produces
approximately 7 times more impact energy than the ANSI Z87.1 standard.

[509]
To be MIL-DTL-43511D certified, a lens must withstand impact from a

.22 caliber, 17-grain projectile traveling 550-560 fps.

[510]

US military personnel must wear eye protection that is APEL (Authorized

Protective Eyewear List) approved. Civilian products need not bear the
APEL marking even if they pass military ballistic standards; they will
usually bear the markings MIL-PRF-31013 or MIL-DTL-43511D.

Item name: Edge Tactical Eyewear Dragon Fire Safety Glasses Clear Anti-
Fog Lens (
Ballistic Eyeglasses
)

Vendor: Safety Glasses USA

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3hkmQQj

Price: $7.95

Weight: Not specified

Size: Not specified

Material: Frame consists of a flexible and durable TR90/Nylon compound

material (material increases "grip" as it becomes moist or warm). Lens
material is not specified.
Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Complies with ANSI Z87.1+2010 and Military Ballistic

MCEPS GL-PD 10-12 standards. Clear lenses. All Edge lenses block 99.9%
of UVA, UVB, and UVC radiation and are coated to reduce scratching.
Anti-fog.

Item name: Bolle Assault Tactical Safety Glasses with Matte Black Frame
and ESP Anti-Fog Lens (
Ballistic Eyeglasses
)

Vendor: Safety Glasses USA

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3mQyF1x

Price: $28.99

Weight: Not specified

Size: Not specified

Material: Ultra-Flexible And Comfortable Nylon Frame. Ballistic

Polycarbonate Lens.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Certified to Ballistic Resistance Standard GL-PD 10-12, MIL-

PRF-31013 and ANSI Z87.1-2015. Non-slip bridge, flexible temples. Anti-
Scratch, Anti-Fog Coatings. ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) an award-
winning innovative coating that enhances the ability to see detail and
improve contrast without distorting colors. Reduces glare, eyestrain, and the
harmful effects of blue light. ESP filters 70% of blue light while delivering
63% visible light transmission and 100% UVA/UVB protection.

Mask

Masks come in all different varieties.

[511]
,
[512]
The most basic ones will
protect you from dust, pollen, particulates, and bacteria. Better masks will
offer protection from chemicals. Some people use shemaghs as a face
covering and that will help protect against larger particulates like blowing
sand, but it will not offer protection against inhaling smaller objects.

A study from Duke University comparing 14 masks in the context of the

Covid-19 virus demonstrated the importance of a mask’s “pore” size and fit
on its effectiveness in blocking speech-related droplets from the person
wearing the mask. It is reasonable to surmise that their results would apply
for droplets and particles going the other direction as well. The researchers
found that the more interwoven layers a mask has, the more effective it will
be at blocking particles. This explains why the multi-layered cotton,
surgical and N95 masks performed so well. All fabric and textiles have
spaces between their fibers, so having multiple layers makes it more
difficult for particles to pass through. The study also found that a tightly
fitting mask forces particles to pass through the mask itself. However,
particles can escape out the sides, top, and bottom of a loosely fitting mask.
The combination of larger pores and a loose fit make neck fleece and
bandanas ineffective as protective masks.
[513]

Lighter weight masks come in disposable and reusable varieties. Disposable

medical masks are among the lightest and least expensive masks.
Disposable, multi-layered surgical masks were second most effective in the
Duke University study, with N95 respirator masks coming in first place
ahead of them. Examples are listed below of different masks starting with
the least protective and progressing to the most protective. First, here is an
example of a multi-layer surgical mask:

Item name: Disposable 3 ply

Face Masks
Pack of 50 pieces/Box, Albatross
Health 3ply Deluxe Procedure Earloop Face Mask

Vendor: Albatross Health New England on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nVeMaX

Price: $27.98 for 50 masks

Weight:  Not specified

Size: Not specified

Material: Melt Blown Polypropylene (MBPP), Spunbond Polypropylene
(SBPP), Plastic Covered Iron, Polyester and Spandex

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Tested by Nelson Labs in the USA for quality and safety. Skin
Friendly - Meets ISO 10993 standards, latex-free. Triple-layered mask for
maximum particle filtration. The non-woven melt-blown material prevents
saliva droplets and dust to penetrate. Hydrophobic material creates a barrier
against any size liquid particle such as saliva. 80mmHg fluid resistance
meets the requirements of ASTM F2100. Adjust Nose Clip. Easy
Breathability. Flat knitted earloop.

Here is an example of a disposable mask that is rated P100 (higher filter

rating than N95 masks):

Item name: 3M 8293 P100

Particulate Respirator

Vendor: Safety Company

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3px1nXf

Price: $10.09

Weight:  0.2 ounces

Size: 2.5x4x7.5 inches

Material: Electrostatically charged microfiber filter media. Foam face seal.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: P100 Approved, NIOSH's highest rated filtration efficiency in a

filtering facepiece respirator. 3M™ Cool Flow™ Valve. Adjustable buckle
straps and nose clip. Provides a minimum filter efficiency of 99.97%
against oil and non-oil-based particles. Protects against lead, MDA, arsenic,
cadmium (excluding asbestos), dust, mold, silica.
The following is an example of a full face respirator mask rated N95. This
type of mask is large and something you would probably include if you are
escaping in your vehicle:

Item name: PD-100 Full Face

Respirator Gas Mask
with Organic Vapor P-
A-1 N95 Equivalent Filter Set

Vendor: Parcil Distribution

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/37S1oiz

Price: $99.97

Weight: 1.6 lb

Size: 6x7.5x9.3 inches

Material: ABS plastic, silicone, activated charcoal

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Filters 95% of non-oil-based particulates according to NIOSH

standards. Blocks lead, cadmium, arsenic, methylenedianiline, dust, mold,
gasoline, ether, nitroalkane, nitrobenzene, carbon trichloride, gases and
organic vapor, acetone, alcohols, anilines, carbon dioxide, chloroform,
chloropicrin. Replaceable filters. Clear plastic full face shield. Cannot wear
eyeglasses inside the face shield. Utilizes air circulation technology to keep
your face cool and ensure the lens never fogs. Equipped with a speaking
diaphragm. Comes with two filter cartridges. 1-year warranty.

There are other large, protective masks that you would probably only take
with you if you are escaping in your vehicle. These masks include:

●
   
CBA/RCA masks rated for chemical blowing and riot control
agents like pepper spray, tear gas

●
   
NBC masks rated for nuclear, biological, and chemical threats
 ●
   
CBRN masks rated for chemical, biological, radiation fallout from
a dirty bomb, and nuclear threats

An example of a CBRN mask is:

Item name: Mira Safety CM-6M Tactical Gas Mask.

Full-face respirator
for
CBRN Defense

Vendor: Mira Safety

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3ho2UMn

Price: $239.99

Weight: 1.23 lb without filter

Size: 6x7x10 inches

Material: Facepiece bromine-butyl rubber. Visor polycarbonate.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 20-year shelf life. Compatible with the 3M Safety 6878

Spectacle Kit (sold separately). Uses widely available NATO-standard, 40-
mm filter cartridges. Can be used with 1 or 2 filters. Meets CBRN
protection standards. Hypoallergenic inner mask prevents fogging, even
under hard use. Tested resistance to mustard gas penetration for nearly 30
hours. Helmet-compatible. Comes with a pre-installed hydration system and
900 ml canteen. Compatible with CamelBak® water bladders with a Type
M adapter (not included). Meets all requirements under EN 136:1998, Class
III. Complies with all standards under EN 168 for impact protection,
making this the perfect mask for riot control situations. 5-year
manufacturer's warranty. Manufactured in the Czech Republic.

Earplugs

Some form of hearing protection is important especially if you will be

discharging a firearm for hunting or personal protection. Earplugs are small,
light, and inexpensive. They are perfect for packing into your BOB.
Because of their small size, they are preferable to earmuffs.

It’s possible to get high-end electronic earplugs that amplify speech and
other low sounds while dampening loud sounds. These are rechargeable.
These will not be included in the current discussion because of their
recharging requirement. Standard earplugs work well and do not require
any power source so they are better suited for your BOBs.

Hearing protective equipment is rated by how much they reduce overall

noise. The NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) measures this noise reduction in
decibels (db).
[514]
For example, a person exposed to 100 db noise level
while wearing hearing protection with a 25 db NRR will experience an
actual noise level of 75 db. It is best to buy earplugs with the highest NRR
rating. Here is an example of economical earplugs with a 33 db NRR:

Item name: Mack's Ultra Soft Foam

Earplugs
, 50 Pair - 33dB Highest NRR

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KTuxRf

Price: $9.89 for 50 pairs

Weight: Not specified

Size: Not specified

Material: Super low-pressure, slow-release, Comfy Cush Comfort Foam

(Polyurethane foam)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments:

Leather Gloves

Since medical help may be unavailable in a disaster situation, it’s important

to protect your hands from blisters, punctures, and lacerations that may
become infected. A simple precaution is to pack good quality leather gloves
in your BOBs. Avoid all fabric gloves or gloves with leather palms, but
fabric tops since they offer less protection than all leather gloves. Here is an
example of some reasonably priced gloves:

Item name: Mens Wells Lamont

Leather Work Gloves
All Purpose

Vendor: maxsalvage on eBay.com

Webpage URL:
http://ebay.to/3aILWXK

Price: $13.49

Weight: 0.3 lb

Size: Not specified

Material: Premium cowhide leather

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Pre-curved fingers. Reinforced palm.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are an optional item, but they offer some useful benefits
especially when walking on uneven terrain weighed down by a backpack:

[515]
,
[516]
,
[517]
,
[518]
,
[519]

●
   
They aid with you maintaining your balance improving your safety

●
   
Reduce impact to your legs, knees, ankles, and feet especially
when descending hills

●
   
Use them to move obstructions away from your path of travel

●
   
Increases your speed of walking

●
   
Improves your traction especially on mud, snow, and loose rock
 ●
   
Can be used to probe water puddles, snow, mud

●
   
Use as a defensive tool to ward off animal or human predators

●
   
Allows your arms to help pull you uphill

●
   
Helps you maintain proper posture

●
   
Helps remove some load from your back

Trekking poles may be used for other purposes besides as walking aids:

●
   
They can replace your tent poles

●
   
Serve as splints for injured limbs

●
   
Serve as makeshift crutches for lower limb injuries

What are some downsides of using trekking poles?

●
   
They represent an added cost

●
   
More weight to carry

●
   
More bulk to take up space in or on your pack

●
   
If you need to frequently use your hands, then you’ll have to pack
and unpack your trekking poles

Factors to consider when selecting trekking poles:

●
   
Get one pole or two? Two poles are better than one because they
will better accomplish the benefits listed in an earlier paragraph

●
   
Type of pole shaft material:

○
       
Carbon fiber: Expensive. Light. Not as strong as aluminum.
Suddenly snaps when it breaks.
○
       
Aluminum: Cheaper than carbon fiber. Heavier. Very strong.
Bends rather than snaps when over-stressed.

●
   
Type of grip material

○
       
Cork: Molds to your hand over time. Moisture and bacteria
resistant. Durable. Wicks perspiration away from your hands to reduce
blisters. Heavier than foam. More expensive, but the best choice.

○
       
Rubber: The most water-resistant. Very durable. Less expensive.
Friction when wet can cause skin blisters.

○
       
Foam: Softest, comfortable. Absorbs water. Breaks down faster.

●
   
Grip extensions: The grip material extends 4-5 inches down the
shaft from the normal grip area. This allows your hands to be
positioned higher or lower, so you don’t have to lengthen and shorten
your poles to adjust their height to match the terrain.

●
   
Pole shaft design:

○
       
2 Section Telescoping: Tallest, heaviest, most durable, good for
heavy use

●
       
3 Section Telescoping: Lighter, but less durable than 2 section
poles.

○
       
Trifold: Multiple shaft segments attached by an elastic cord.
Lightweight. Less durable than telescoping poles.

○
       
Fixed: One piece. Strongest, safest, most durable.

●
   
Locking mechanism

○
       
The different sections of telescoping and folding shafts are
secured by one of two locking mechanisms.

○
       
Twist lock: They permit adjustment without any tools. Tighten
and loosen by twisting a threaded locking ring at the junction between
the shaft segments.

○
       
Flick lock: A lever is flipped to lock and unlock the shaft
segments. A screwdriver is usually needed to make large adjustments.

●
   
Basket

○
       
These are the ring-like pieces at the end of the pole that keep the
pole from sinking into soft surfaces

○
       
They are screwed into place and interchangeable on most poles.
They are fixed and not replaceable in some poles.

○
       
Baskets of < 3 inches diameter are for more firm surfaces and
present less material to potentially snag against vegetation.

○
       
Baskets of > 3inches diameter are for softer surfaces like mud and
snow.

●
   
Tip

○
       
Carbide: Most common tip. Good for soft surfaces. Can skid on
hard surfaces. Noisier when contacting the ground.

○
       
Rubber: Good on hard surfaces. Quieter when contacting the
ground. Not as effective as carbide tips on soft surfaces.

○
       
Rubber caps: Available to place over carbide tips to use on hard
surfaces to protect the tips and provide better traction.

●
   
Shock-absorbing poles

○
       
An internal spring absorbs shock.

○
       
Heavier, more expensive, less stable

○
       
Shock absorbers can be turned on and off on some poles
 ○
       
Helps on long downhill descents to absorb impact and protect
hips, knees, ankles.

○
       
A disadvantage for ascending hills because compression of the
spring results in loss of power.

○
       

●
   
Proper length for your trekking poles:

○
       
On level ground: Your elbows should be bent 90 degrees when
you are gripping your pole with your arms at your side.

○
       
Going uphill: Your poles should be shortened so your elbows
maintain a 90 degree bent position.

○
       
Going downhill: Your poles should be lengthened so your elbows
maintain a 90 degree bent position.

Item name: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork

Trekking Poles

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2L1SPZb

Price: $129.95

Weight: 1 lb, 2 ounces

Size: 27 inches collapsed. 55 inches maximum length.

Material: Aluminum shaft. Cork grip material.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Three-section shaft. External Lever Lock offers quick and

secure length changes. Ergonomic, natural cork grips wick sweat and
provide comfort; updated soft rubber grip extensions and solution straps
offer added security and better handling. 15° corrective angle delivers
optimal grip position. Interchangeable carbide Tech Tips; 38mm trekking
baskets. Ski-compatible ferrules will accept 100mm powder baskets (sold
separately) for deep snow.

Insect Repellent

It is worthwhile packing insect repellent if your emergency escape takes

you outdoors. Insect bites (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, etc.) can create irritating
wounds especially for those with sensitive skin. Insect bites can also
transmit diseases.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved six insect

repellents for use on the skin. They are DEET (the most popular and
longest-lasting), picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-
menthane-diol (PMD), and 2-undecanone. Avoid using OLE or PMD on
children younger than 3 years and avoid DEET on children younger than 2
months. Insect repellents containing 10% or less of the active ingredient
will last only a couple of hours. Buy repellents containing up to 30% of the
active ingredient. Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants to protect your skin.
Also, tuck your pant legs into tall socks for further protection.
[520]

Insect repellents come as sprays, lotions, and wipes. Here are some
examples:

Item name: OFF! Deep Woods

Insect and Mosquito Repellent
VIII,
DryTouch Technology, Long-Lasting Protection 4 oz. (Pack of 2)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/38IjjqU

Price: $7.97 for 2 spray cans

Weight: 13.3 ounces

Size: 1.8x3.6x6.4 inches

Material: 25% DEET

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Protection from biting insects such as mosquitoes, black flies,

sand flies, chiggers, gnats, and ticks, including those that may carry Lyme
disease.

Item name: REPEL Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus

Insect Repellent
, Pump
Spray, 4-Ounce

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3psYLtu

Price: $4.97

Weight: 0.8 ounces

Size: 1x2x5.5 inches

Material: Oil of lemon eucalyptus

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Oil of lemon eucalyptus is the only plant-based active

ingredient recommended by the CDC. Derived from oil obtained from the
leaves of the Eucalyptus citriodora tree, this active ingredient repels
mosquitoes and deer ticks for up to six hours. DEET-free.

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray
[521]
is a common form of non-lethal self-defense against
animals and people. Pepper spray can cause respiratory arrest and sudden
elevation of blood pressure. People, especially those with asthma, have died
from pepper spray exposure even though it’s thought of as non-lethal. More
typically, people will experience 30-45 minutes of eye pain and blindness.
They may also experience burning in the throat, wheezing, cough, and
shortness of breath.
Oleoresin capsicum (OC) is the active ingredient in pepper spray. Scoville
Heat Units (SHU) are used to grade a pepper’s heat. A bell pepper rates 0
SHU while a jalapeno pepper rates 2,500-5,000 SHU. Commercial pepper
sprays rate approximately 2 million SHU. Police grade pepper spray rates
approximately 5 million SHU and have a capsaicin content of 10-30%
compared with bear sprays that contain much lower concentrations of
capsaicin of about 1-2%
[522]

Pepper spray is available in different forms

[523]
:

●
   
Fogger: Very fine droplets. Range 4-8 feet. Not good in windy
situations where spray may blow back on to you.

●
   
Stream: Sprays with higher force. Range 15-20 feet. Works even in
wind. Less likely to blow back on to you. You may inhale it or get
splashed if used indoors.

●
   
Gel: Ideal for indoor and close quarters. Range 25 feet. Sticks to
whomever you spray. Doesn’t splatter.

●
   
Foam: Ideal for indoor and close quarters. Range 6-8 feet.

●
   
Animal: OC concentration is less than sprays designed for use on
humans

Item name: Police Strength 23

Pepper Spray
1/2 oz Flip Top (2 PACK)

Vendor: Defense Shopper

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2KFHBd5

Price: $28.99

Weight: Approximately 2 ounces

Size: Approximately 1.5x4.5 inches

Material: Case made of plastic. 1.47% Total Capsaicinoids

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Each container contains 1/2 oz. Streetwise 23 Pepper Spray and
comes in a hard case with key chain attachment. Incapacitates for up to 45
minutes. UV marking dye. The Certified Heat Rating (CHR) measures how
hot the pepper spray will be once it comes in contact with your attacker.
Streetwise 23 Pepper Spray has a CHR of over 230,000 SHU (1.47% Total
Capsaicinoids) making it one of the hottest, most effective self-defense
sprays on the market. For comparison, the independent laboratory tested
competing brands. They found the average heat rating to be 123,000 SHU,
making Streetwise 23 over 87% hotter than the competition. Warranty: 1
year for canister and nozzle, until expiration date for pepper spray.

Knife

Your EDC and BOB knives can also be used for personal protection. So,
there is no need to get a separate knife for personal protection. You can
refer to the chapter “Survival Knives” for information about knives.

Handgun

A handgun is the lightest and most compact firearm, so it’s the first one to
consider making a part of your EDC and BOBs. Just be cognizant of and
obey the laws governing carrying and using a firearm in your area and areas
where you travel.

There are numerous considerations in choosing your handgun. Many of you

already have your favorite handguns and carry them on your person
regularly. There can be much debate over what comprises the best handgun
and ammunition caliber for emergencies. There is no single handgun that is
best for everyone. It comes down to an individual choice. Having any
handgun is better than having none. Here are some general points to ponder
as you make your selection:

●
   
Semi-automatic pistol versus revolver

●
   
Size: Sub-compact, compact, mid-size, or full-size pistol or
revolver
 ●
   
Caliber: Most commonly a choice between .38, .357, 9mm, 40
S&W, .45

●
   
Ammunition: Generally an expanding, hollow-point bullet

●
   
Extra ammunition: Carry spare magazines, speed loaders, speed
strips, dump pouches

●
   
Iron sights versus night sights versus optical sight (e.g., red dot,
etc)

●
   
Holster type: Inside waistband (IWB), outside waistband (OWB),
appendix carry, over-the-chest open carry (if in the wilderness)

Here is an example of a
medium frame revolver
:

Item name: Ruger® GP-100, 6-inch barrel, stainless (manufacturer’s part

1707)

Vendor: Brownells

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3ruGFcd

Price: $697.99

Weight: 2.87 lb

Size: 6-inch barrel. 11.5 inches overall

Material: Stainless steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Can shoot .38 or .357 ammunition. 6 round. Adjustable front

and rear sights. Polymer grip. Full under lug.

Here is an example of a
mid-size semi-automatic pistol
:

Item name: Glock® 19, Gen 5

Vendor: Omaha Outdoors

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3hopaG4

Price: $629.00

Weight: 23.63 ounces

Size: Barrel length 4.02 inches. Overall length 7.28 inches. Slide width 1
inch.

Material: Polymer frame. Slide finish nDLC.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Contrast white front dot and white bracket rear sight. Trigger
pull 5.8 pounds. Caliber 9mm. Comes with 3 magazines, lock, cleaning rod,
nylon brush, mag loader, modular backstraps

Here is an example of a
full-size semi-automatic pistol
:

Item name: Sig Sauer® P320 Full Size .40 S&W, night sights

Vendor: Osage County Guns

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/34L9WFM

Price: $579.99

Weight: 29.5 ounces

Size: Barrel length 4.7 inches. Overall length 8 inches. Overall height 5.5
inches. Overall width 1.3 inches.

Material: Stainless steel frame. Black Nitron stainless steel slide. Modular
black polymer grip.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: 40 S&W. Striker type trigger. Siglite night sights. M1913
accessory rail. Two 10 round steel magazines included. 14 round magazines
are available.

Rifle

A rifle is worthwhile taking with you especially as part of your Long Term
BOB and if you are escaping by vehicle. You can certainly bring a rifle with
you if you escape on foot, but you’ll have to judge if you can carry its extra
bulk and weight along with all your other survival items. If you are out in
the backwoods on your own after running out of the food you were able to
carry with you, you will need to procure food. That will probably include
hunting. Since you will be without refrigeration, your hunting will be
geared towards small game, things that you can eat right away. Unless it is
winter time and you’re in a very cold location, you will not be able to keep
larger game like deer from spoiling before you can eat it all. Also, small
game is more plentiful than large game like deer, elk, moose, wild boar, or
bear.

From a practical standpoint, you’ll be hunting things like squirrels, rabbits,

raccoons, and birds. That means you will not need a high power rifle. A
high power rifle would create so much soft tissue destruction in small
animals and birds as to make them inedible. A .22 LR caliber rifle is
optimal for small game. .22 LR caliber rifles are relatively inexpensive,
they are lightweight (especially with a polymer stock), and ammunition is
cheaper, smaller, and lighter to carry than other calibers. A .22 LR caliber
rifle can also be used for personal protection, although larger caliber rifles
would serve better for that purpose.

If you prioritize personal protection, then you might select a rifle that shoots
.223 cal or 5.56x45 mm NATO rounds, something like an AR-15 style rifle.
AR-15 rifles come with 14.5, 16, and 20 inch long barrels. You can choose
one of the shorter barrels if you want a more compact platform. AR-15’s
also come in pistol versions that have 10.5-inch barrels and no stock. Only
the buffer tube protrudes out the rear of the pistol. Rifles chambered for
.223/5.56 are heavier than .22 LR rifles and their ammo is bulkier and
heavier also.
Here are some examples of .22 LR caliber and .223/5.56 rifles:

Item name: Ruger® 10/22, polymer stock, stainless,

.22 LR Semiautomatic
Rifle

Vendor: Academy Sports and Outdoors

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3pp90yM

Price: $279.99

Weight: 5 lb

Size: 37 inches overall. Barrel length 18.5 inches.

Material: Black synthetic stock. Stainless steel, hammer-forged barrel.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Detachable rotary 10-round magazine with extended-release.

Combination scope base adapter. Push-button manual safety. Gold bead
front sight. Adjustable rear sight. Semi-automatic. .22 LR rimfire. There is
also a version called the Ruger® 10/22 Takedown Lite that weighs 4.5 lbs
and comes apart into 2 pieces for more compact carry.

Item name: Henry U.S. Survival AR-7

.22 LR Semiautomatic Rifle

Vendor: Academy Sports and Outdoor

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3aL53QV

Price: $249.99

Weight: 3.5 lb

Size: 16.5 inches when stowed (comes apart to save space). 35 inches
assembled

Material: Steel barrel. ABS plastic stock (impact and water-resistant)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Assembles and disassembles without tools. Pieces fit inside the
stock when the rifle is disassembled. Thumb safety. Semiautomatic. Two 8-
round magazines included. 3/8" grooved, Teflon®-coated receiver for
mounting a scope (not included). Blade front sight; adjustable rear peep
sight. Steel barrel is covered in ABS plastic and coated with waterproof
Teflon®. .22 LR rimfire. Rubber buttplate. Used by US Air Force pilots as
a survival rifle since 1959.

Item name: Springfield Armory Saint

5.56mm Semi-Automatic Rifle

Vendor: Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/2WMfdZt

Price: $949.99

Weight: 6 lb 9 ounces

Size: 35.5 inches with fully extended stock, 32.25 inches with stock
collapsed

Material: Upper and lower receivers made of Type III Hard Coat Anodized
Aircraft Grade 7075 T6 Aluminum

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: Free Float Handguard. 5/56x45 NATO or .223 Rem. 16-inch

chrome moly vanadium 1:8 RH twist Melonite® barrel. Direct
impingement mid-length gas system with low profile gas block.  Springfield
Armory® proprietary nickel boron coated GI trigger. SA low-profile flip-up
dual aperture rear sight with 1/2 MOA windage adjustment. Flip-up front
sight with 1/2 MOA elevation adjustment. Bravo Company Mod 3 pistol
grip. M-Lok® aluminum SA patent-pending free float handguard with SA
locking tabs. Bravo Company 6 position buttstock. Carbine "H" heavy
tungsten buffer. Mil-Spec carbine receiver extension 7075 T6 Type III hard-
anodized aluminum. GI-style charging handle. M16 bolt carrier group with
Carpenter 158 steel bolt, shot-peened and magnetic particle inspected. 2-30
round Magpul® PMAG® Gen M3 magazines. Cable lock. Soft rifle case.

You can use iron sights to save space and weight. But, a riflescope will
enhance the accuracy of your shots and help you conserve ammunition by
reducing the number of missed shots. The following is an example of a
riflescope with 3-9x variable magnification:

Item name: Bushnell Optics, Drop Zone BDC Reticle

Riflescope
with
Target Turrets and Side Parallax, Matte Black, 3-9x/40mm

Vendor: Angel Seller on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/37SvmTj

Price: $119.99

Weight: 1.13 lb

Size: Tube 1-inch diameter. Length 12.2 inches.

Material:  High-durability aluminum alloy, anodize-finished and sealed

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 3-9x variable magnification. Fully multi-coated Optics. Target

turrets. Fast-focus eyepiece. Side focus parallax adjustment for adjustable
long-range accuracy. Target turrets (1/4 MOA click value) for pinpoint
precise adjustments. Medium height rings provide the clearance necessary
to eliminate contact with the cap and the scope base or receiver on most
firearms. Drop Zone-223 BDC Ballistic Reticle is calibrated for 55-62
grain, 223 REM/5.556 loads with aiming points out to 500 yards.

Shotgun

A shotgun is a great home defense tool. But, you would be better off with a
rifle than a shotgun as your long gun choice for your BOB and emergency
escape. Shotguns have a shorter effective range of fire than rifles. Shotguns
have a smaller magazine capacity and generally hold five to eight shells
even with an extended magazine tube. Some exceptions include shotguns
with removable box magazines holding ten shells (e.g., Kalashnikov
Komrade 12.5 at 8.5 pounds unloaded) or double barrel high capacity
models (e.g., DP-12 with two 14 shell magazines at 9.5 pounds unloaded
weight, Kel-Tec® KSG-25 with two 12 shell tubes at 9.25 pounds unloaded
weight). These high capacity shotguns are heavier than most rifles.

Another disadvantage of shotguns is that shotshells are bulkier and heavier

than rifle ammunition limiting the number of rounds you can carry. Twenty
Federal® TruBall slugs weigh two pounds compared to twenty .223 Rem.
cartridges that weigh 0.5 pounds.
[524]

The example of a shotgun below is the Remington Model 870, which has
sold over 11 million, making it the best-selling shotgun of any type in
history. It is available in dozens of configurations. For those who want to
carry a shotgun, it would be one to consider:

Item name: Model 870 Express Synthetic Field and Home Combo (2
barrels)
Shotgun

Vendor: Remington

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/2M1drkT

Price: $578.00

Weight: 7 lb

Size: 46.5 inches overall

Material: Steel receiver

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Long

Comments: 12 gauge. Shoots shotshells and slugs. Receiver milled from a

solid billet of steel for strength and durability. Pump action. Twin action
bars ensure smooth, reliable non-binding action. 2 barrels included with 26
and 18.5-inch lengths. Smooth bore barrels. 4+1 magazine capacity. Single
bead sight. Vent rib. Matte blue. Non-glare finish.  Black synthetic stock
and fore-end. Rubber recoil butt pad.

Pellet Air Gun

Earlier, I mentioned that any gun is better than having no gun. That is
particularly true when you’re faced with feeding yourself to survive. You
may not be in a location where you can fish. The use of snares and traps
requires skill, patience, and has a relatively low yield. You usually need to
put out numerous snares and traps as you play the numbers game hoping to
catch game. You can fashion a spear by lashing your survival knife to a
wooden pole. You can bushcraft a bow and arrows. None of these things is
as practical or simple as having a gun to hunt game for food.

Those on a budget might not be able to afford a firearm. Consider getting a

pellet air gun. There are high-end air rifles costing over $1,000 that can fire
a .45 caliber projectile at 1100+ fps that can kill large game up to coyote,
javelina, boar, or small deer size. But, here, we’ll limit our discussion to
more economical air guns. These fire .177, .22, or .25 caliber pellets at
about 1000 fps with sufficient power to take small game like squirrels.
Avoid CO2 powered air guns because they will not work once you run out
of CO2 cartridges.

You want an air gun that is self-powered for your emergency BOB. There
are two main power systems: gas piston and spring piston powered air guns.
They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Both types of rifles are
lightweight, very accurate, and fully self-contained. On the whole, you
should go with a spring-piston gun because they are simpler to use, require
less maintenance, and it is possible for you to fix it if it breaks.
[525]

Here are some advantages of using an air rifle:

●
   
Relatively inexpensive compared to firearms

●
   
Accurate

●
   
Lightweight
 ●
   
Pellets are lightweight and inexpensive compared to rimfire and
centerfire ammunition

●
   
Quieter when discharged compared with firearms

The effective hunting range of an air rifle is a subject for debate. An oft-
stated distance is 40 meters where a pellet still has more than adequate kill
power. Air rifles have more than enough accuracy at this range. The
limiting factor is your own skill and accuracy. Headshots are the most
reliable way to kill small game using pellets. Heart and lung shots are next
best if you can get the right shot angle. Your target area is a little more than
one-inch diameter with any of these kill shots when hunting game as small
as squirrels.
[526]
Iron sights are fine if you can get close enough to your
quarry. Having the option of an air rifle scope can aid your longer shots.

Here is an example of a spring-piston air rifle that you can use for hunting
small game:

Item name: Ruger® Air Hawk Scope Combo (

spring-piston air rifle
)

Vendor: Airgun Depot

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/37Svq5v

Price: $149.95

Weight: 8.16 lb

Size: 44.80 inches

Material: Blued steel. Hardwood ambidextrous stock.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Medium, Large

Comments: Shoots .177 caliber pellets at 1,000 fps. Single shot. Spring
piston mechanism. Single stroke break barrel mechanism. 18.70-inch long
rifled barrel. Fiber optic front and rear sights, two-stage adjustable trigger,
11mm dovetail rail, a muzzle brake, a conveniently placed automatic safety,
a rubber recoil pad, Monte Carlo cheek rest. 4X32 Scope with two-piece
mounts. 1-year limited warranty.

Spare Parts And Cleaning Supplies For Your Firearms

I’ll briefly mention spare parts for your firearms. Firearms are generally
durable and will function over many cycles with normal use. You won’t
need to pack spare parts for a revolver or air gun since they have few parts
that may break. Having spare parts is a consideration for semi-automatic
pistols and rifles, so you will be able to put them back into action if
something fails. Parts may vary depending upon the manufacturer and
model of your firearm. Spare parts are light, small, and relatively
inexpensive, so you might consider packing some in your Long Term BOB.
Some of the more common parts that may fail include:

●
   
Extractor

●
   
Firing pin

●
   
Springs: Recoil, trigger, hammer, slide stop lever, magazine

●
   
Magazine follower

It is important to have a cleaning kit including lubricant in your Long Term

BOB for your firearms. You can either get a kit for the specific caliber of
your firearm or you can get a universal kit.

Item name: Otis Technologies FG-750 Cleaning System, Tactical, Clam

Package (
Firearm Cleaning Kit
)

Vendor: Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2Mbplca

Price: $41.31

Weight: 0.8 lb

Size: 4x4x2.5 inches

Material: Aircraft-grade Memory-Flex cables. Bronze bore brushes.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Cleans all rifles/pistols/shotguns. Three Memory-Flex cleaning

cables with over 750-pound tensile strength. Three forged slotted brass tips.
T-handle for added comfort. Small and large obstruction removers knock
out mud, snow, stuck casings, and doubles as T-handle base for included T-
handle. 0.5-ounce tube of Otis O85 Ultra Bore cleaner, lubricant, and
preservative. All-caliber cotton cleaning patches for 0.270 caliber and
larger. Small caliber patches for 0.17 to 0.223 caliber. Shotgun brush
adapter and rubber Patch Savers to get 360-degree coverage in your shotgun
barrels. Six high-quality bore brushes. Bore reflector/flag safety.

Bow And Arrows

Some of you may already have a bow and arrows. Those of you would still
be better served to invest in a firearm for your BOB. For those of you who
do not already have a bow and arrows, it is better that you place your focus
on firearms.

Some potential advantages offered by bow and arrows as compared to

firearms include:

●
   
Lightweight (this advantage is negated when using a compound
bow or crossbow)

●
   
Less expensive (although high-end bows can cost as much as some
firearms)

●
   
Quiet when fired

A bow and arrows’ shortcoming outweigh their advantages:

●
   
Requires a high skill level to use effectively for hunting

●
   
Effective hunting range is short so you have to be close to your
prey
 ●
   
Followup shots are slower than with a firearm

●
   
You can only carry a limited number of arrows because of their
size. The fact that they are reusable partially mitigates this factor.

●
   
Less effective as a personal defense tool than a firearm

Author’s Comment

Here is my bottom line personal advice and preference for lethal personal
protection items assuming you have the room to carry them. Realize that
others may have their own opinion as to what is best.

●
   
Handgun: Compact to medium frame (instead of full-size frame)
semiautomatic with iron sights in 9mm or 40cal as a good balance
between size, weight, and power. Pack a holster of your choosing.

●
   
Rifle: .22cal if you prioritize hunting or .223cal/556mm if you
prioritize personal protection. 3-9x/40mm variable power scope. Two-
point sling. Also, have a way to attach it to the outside of your pack.

●
   
Spare magazines and ammo: As much as you can carry

●
   
Compact cleaning kit for your guns

Ballistic Vest

Ballistic vests are a type of body armor designed to protect you from bullets
and shrapnel. As we’ll soon see, without special additions, they do not
protect you against edged blades or spikes. You might consider adding a
ballistic vest to your BOB if you want to be prepared for civil unrest such as
rioting, looting, or home invasion. Ballistic vests tend to be bulky and
heavy. It is something that you will be more likely to carry with you if you
escape by vehicle rather than on foot. If the situation is dangerous enough,
you might even consider the added weight a worthwhile trade-off to have
the extra protection when escaping on foot even if it means having to leave
something else behind.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is part of the US Department of
Justice. It developed the NIJ Body Armor Classification based upon the
level of protection provided against different projectiles
[527]
:

●
   
Type I: 22 LR, 380 ACP

●
   
Type IIA: 9mm, 40 S&W

●
   
Type II: 9mm, 357 Magnum

●
   
Type IIIA: High velocity 9mm, 44 Magnum

●
   
Type III: Rifle ammo up to 7.62x51mm NATO FMJ (U.S. Military
designation M80) at a velocity of ~2780 ft/s, which is very similar to
the .308 Winchester round

●
   
Type IV: Armor-piercing rifle

The body armor industry created a new protection level called III+, which is
in between Level III and Level IV. It is not sanctioned by the NIJ, so its
definition varies slightly from one manufacturer to another. Generally,
Level III+ will protect against the same rounds as for Level III, but at
higher velocities or will protect from additional threats such as 5.56x45
M855 and 5.56x45 M193 rounds.

Types of protection offered by body armor

[528]
,
[529]
,
[530]
:

●
   
Ballistic:

○
       
Threats: Bullets

○
       
For Level I-IIIA: Soft materials comprised of layers of woven
fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar®, Twaron®, Goldflex®) or
polyethylene fibers (e.g., Spectra®, Dyneema®)

○
       
For Level III and IV: Hard materials like steel, ceramics,
polyethylene, hybrid (steel and polyethylene)
[531]

●
   
Edged blade:
 ○
       
Threat: Knives, axes, broken bottles

○
       
Materials like chainmail to defeat edged blades

○
       
Usually ballistic material like Kevlar underneath

●
   
Spike:

●
       
Threat: Ice picks, screwdrivers, needles

●
       
Layers of plastic laminate on the surface to defeat spikes

●
       
Usually Kevlar and possibly chainmail underneath

●
   
Multi-threat

○
       
Threat: A combination of two or more of the threats above

○
       
A combination of materials to defeat the multiple threats

The most comfortable body armor uses soft armor either sewn into a wrap-
around vest that can be low profile and worn beneath clothing. The soft
armor inserts can also be placed into plate carriers that are generally worn
outside of clothing and can include MOLLE attachment points for holsters
and other gear. Hard armor offers higher levels of protection but is much
heavier. It comes in solid plates that are inserted into plate carriers. It is
even more important to invest in a high-quality plate carrier when using
solid ballistic plates especially the heavier steel ones. The plate carriers
need to be sturdy, prevent the plates from shifting as you move, have well-
padded shoulder straps, and strong pouches to hold the ballistic plates.

Wrap around ballistic vests come in an all-in-one unit with the soft armor
built-in. If you go the plate carrier route, you can either buy a package that
includes the body armor inserts or you can purchase the inserts separately.
You can select the level of ballistic protection you desire and also whether
you want to have protection against edged weapons and spikes. You can
select the material used to make the ballistic inserts. This can make a big
difference in weight if you decide to get solid plates. Although steel plates
are the least costly solid plate option, they are the heaviest. At the most
basic, you will purchase front and back ballistic inserts. You have the option
of purchasing side ballistic inserts that fit into pouches in your plate carrier.
The front, back, and side inserts come in different sizes. The most common
plate sizes are 8x10, 10x12, and 10x14 inches. The front and back inserts
come in a squared-off profile or you can choose to get cutouts on both sides
of the top of the inserts to facilitate arm movement. The front and back
plates also come either flat or curved for a more anatomical fit to your body.
You can get an optional coating for the plates that reduce spall (e.g.,
fragmentation of the bullet after impact with the vest). It’s a good idea to
buy optional non-ballistic trauma pads to place between the soft or hard
ballistic panels and your body to help dissipate bullet impact forces and
reduce energy transfer to your body.

There are lots of options you can choose for the outside of your carrier vest.
You can add pistol and/or rifle magazine pouches, pistol holster, first aid
pouch, tourniquet pouch, flashlight holder, radio pouch, or hydration pouch.
Your rig will be heavier and more expensive as you add accessories.

Level IIIA soft armor is a good choice if you want a compromise between
weight and comfort versus protection level. It is a reasonable choice if you
anticipate that your most likely threats will be from handguns. And, it is
concealable.

Level III plates are the most commonly employed solid plates and they
protect against all handgun rounds as well as many rifle rounds. There is a
company (Safe Life Defense) that offers a Multi-Threat Armor System
whereby a rifle plate can be inserted into a Level IIIA vest to provide Level
IV protection when desired.

Although Level III plates are commonly used, steel versions are heavy. AR
500 Armor makes a Level III+ steel plate that is thinner and lighter than a
Level III steel plate, so you get more protection at less weight. Their Level
III+ Lightweight 10x12 inch steel plate costs $115 and weighs 6.5 pounds.
For comparison, their Level III 10x12 inch steel plate costs $65 and weighs
eight pounds.  A 6x8 inch side plate costs $67 and weighs 2.5 pounds in
Level III+ Lightweight while a similar side plate costs $36 and weighs 3.5
pounds in Level III. The overall weight savings is five pounds between
Level III and Level III+ Lightweight for a rig with front, back, and 2 side
plates. So, if you can bear the additional cost, a Level III+ set up would be
better.

Here are some examples of ballistic vests:

Item name: Concealable Multi-Threat

Vest Level IIIA
(
ballistic vest
)

Vendor: Safe Life Defense

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3nT1cFd

Price: $449.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: From 4XS to 3XL, regular and short lengths

Material:  Custom para-aramid

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Safe Life Defense armor reliably defends against all common
handgun rounds including .357 Magnum, 9mm, .45 ACP, all the way up to
.44 Magnum. Level IIIA protection even protects the wearer from shotgun
rounds including 00 buckshot, 12 gauge slugs and even submachine gun
rounds. In conjunction with our level IV rifle plate, our armor protects
against rifle threats up to .30-06. Bullet, strike, and slash-resistant. Ultra-
concealable. Engineered for comfort and maneuverability. Cooling mesh
liner. 10 Point adjustable with 4 Comfort Straps. 2 Hidden pockets for level
IV hard plates. Water-resistant 600D polyester carrier. Comes standard with
wrap-around side protection. 5-Year manufacturer warranty on all ballistic
panels and plates. 2-Year warranty on all carriers.

Item name: AR500 Armor® Testudo™ Fully Loaded Package - Carrier,

Level III
Curved Plates, Pads and Pouches (
ballistic vest
)

Vendor: Armored Republic, LLC

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3hkxwhP
Price: $419.40

Weight: Not specified

Size: 1 standard size

Material: Steel plates

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Two  AR500 Armor® Level III 10" x 12" Curved Plates (steel)
and two Trauma Pads. Testudo™ Gen 2 Plate Carrier with a fully adjustable
cummerbund and shoulder straps. Rugged side retention buckles and straps.
500D Cordura® nylon. Strategic lower-offset rear shoulder mounts position
the rear plate pocket higher, alleviating the traditional “low hanging” rear
plate pocket as seen on carriers that lost sight of proper armor placement.
Inner plate retention straps on both pockets further ensure ideal body armor
ride height for optimal vital coverage. 3D Mesh Technology dramatically
increases ventilation and airflow for a cooling and comfort effect.  Heavy-
duty drag handle. Dual admin pockets increase storage capacity. The
Testudo™ front and rear plate pockets are compatible with our Trauma
Plate Insert. Optional 6x8 inch side armor plates ($45 for two).

Ballistic Helmet

There are helmets designed to protect your head from impacts, but offer no
ballistic protection from firearm projectiles or shrapnel. These are termed
bump helmets. Ballistic helmets offer protection against bullets and are
much more expensive than bump helmets. Most are rated to provide Level
IIIA ballistic protection (i.e., protects against handgun, but not rifle bullets).

Two common materials used to fabricate ballistic helmets are aramid fabrics
and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). UHMWPE is
lighter than aramid. The most well known aramid is Kevlar® (Dupont®).
Commercial brands of UHMWPE include Dyneema® (Dutch State Mines)
and Spectra® (Honeywell).
[532]
,
[533]
Kevlar® was developed by Dupont®
in 1965. It was used in the US military PASGT (Personal Armor System
For Ground Troops) helmet from the early 1980s through the mid-2000s.
Dupont® Kevlar® KM2 is an improved version capable of absorbing 20%
more kinetic energy. Dupont then combined a high toughness resin with
Kevlar® KM2 Plus fibers to create Kevlar® XP, which provides the same
performance while weighing 20% less. Improved versions of Kevlar® have
been used in helmets that replaced the PASGT.

US military helmets are listed below to help you distinguish between them
if you decide to purchase a military surplus helmet
[534]
,
[535]
,
[536]
,
[537]
:

●
   
MICH (Modular Integrated Communications Helmet). Introduced
late 1990s. Improved Kevlar®, front brow eliminated, lighter, offered
in 3 different cut levels, offer greater peripheral vision, four-point
harness/chin strap, lower brim raised to allow greater compatibility
with communications versus the PASGT.

●
   
ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet). KM2 Kevlar®. Introduced in
2002, issued in large numbers by mid-2000s. Shape identical to MICH.
In 2007, the Army introduced a ballistic "nape pad" that attaches to the
ACH's rear suspension system to protect the lower head and neck.

●
   
LW-ACH Gen II (Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet
Generation II): Introduced in 2003. 1 pound lighter than the ACH
while offering the same ballistic protection. It is the USMC’s successor
helmet to the PASGT.

●
   
CVC (Combat Vehicle Crew Helmet): Introduced in 1970s.
Originally fiberglass. Kevlar® shell was added in the 1980s. Later
upgraded to KM2 Kevlar® (Advanced CVC). Tall concave cutout
from lower brim to accommodate earmuffs for sound suppression and
communications.

●
   
FAST (Future Assault Shell Technology): Introduced in 2009.
Made by Ops-Core (acquired by Gentex® in 2011). UHMWPE. 25%
lighter than ACH. There is no covering over the ears. Allows
attachment of accessories like comms to its outer shell.

●
   
ECH (Enhanced Combat Helmet): UHMWPE. Introduced in 2013.
35% better protection against small arms fire and fragmentation than
 the ACH. Protects against some rifle bullets. A higher tactical cut
offers less protection. Allows for the addition of devices such as
communications and night-vision equipment.

●
   
IHPS (Integrated Head Protection System). Introduced in 2019.
Made by 3M. UHMWPE. Offers the same ballistic protection, but
100% greater blunt impact protection than the ECH helmet. Boltless
(eliminates four holes to avoid weakening by the holes) chinstrap
retention system, has an optional mandible with eyeshield for
maxillofacial protection, and removable side rails for attaching
equipment like flashlights. More inside space for communications
headsets. Slightly larger, but 5% lighter than ECH.

You have many choices in the commercial ballistic helmet market. You can
select a more protective, but heavier style similar to the ACH. Or, you can
choose one of the popular lighter, less protective, above the ear (ATE)
helmets similar to the FAST. (Beware than some of the ATE style helmets
on the market lack ballistic protection and are made of plastic or carbon
fiber.) Below are some examples of each:

Item name: Gentex® TBH-IIIA

Helmet
System (the low cut version is
similar to the ACH helmet)

Vendor: Tentex

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/38F1YPF

Price: $596.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: S, M, L, XL

Material: Shell made of a Woven Aramid monolithic composite.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: NIJ Level IIIA protection. Three combination

suspension/retention options. Choice of 3 colors.
Item name:
Ballistic Helmet
ATE® HHV (similar in shape to FAST helmet)

Vendor: Hard Head Veterans

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3aK9RpA

Price: $485.00

Weight: 3.0 lb

Size: S, M, L, XL

Material: Kevlar

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: NIJ Level IIIA protection. Above the ear or high cut designs.
M-LOK rails, A3S shroud, and 3 part comfort pad system. Designed to be
compatible and upgradable with other helmet manufacturers’ systems and
various components.

Alarms, Camp Security Systems

Security is an important issue whether you escape in your vehicle or on

foot, especially if you are alone. You cannot be alert 24 hours per day.
There are times when you’re distracted, focusing on some task, or asleep.
Even when awake, you’ll be a more attractive target to predators than if
you’re a member of a group.

You can do some basic things to make yourself less of an attractive target.
Blend in with your surroundings to make yourself less visible to others.
Place your gear and valuables out of sight. Hang your food from a height
out of reach of animals. Bury food waste or move it a distance away from
your campsite so it doesn’t attract animals. Set up as close to possible to a
water source to minimize the time you leave your gear unattended.

You can try to choose the safest location possible for your vehicle or camp.
Determine routes of ingress and egress into your location. Pre-determine a
defensible position. Have pre-planned escape routes. Are there areas around
you where someone can stage an attack on your position? Are there areas
that are blind to you?

If you’re escaping with your dog, then they can help serve as an early
detection system. But, without a dog, you can still prep your camp to detect
intruders by setting up warnings placed at least 50 yards away from your
camp. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways including:

●
   
Tripwire: cordage (e.g., fishing line) attached to empty cans

●
   
Tripwire: cordage (e.g., fishing line) attached to a bottle to fall
from a height and break

●
   
Tripwire attached to a commercial pin-pull alarm

●
   
Motion sensors

●
   
A camera that transmits alerts to your smartphone

●
   
Smoke grenade head assemblies that have been removed from the
body of the grenade. (Available for $55 for 10 head assemblies at Old
Sarge’s Drop Zone,
http://bit.ly/37SvHFz
) Remove the “spoon” and
the igniter casing. Enlarge the igniter casing hole large enough to fit a
shotgun primer. Tie one end of a tripwire to the cotter pin that holds
back the hammer/firing pin.
[538]

●
   
Tripwire attached to a mousetrap (painted a dark color for
concealment) that strikes 2 pistol ammo primers glued into holes
drilled into the trap’s wooden base.
[539]

●
   
Tripwire attached to a Sentry Alarm Mine loaded with a .22 cal
blank. These can be mounted with screws or nails. They can also be
pushed into the ground. Very durable and loud. They are metal, large
and heavy. You can purchase one for $24.99 and 6 for $119.99 at
https://www.alarmmine.com
[540]

Here is another camp security product:

Item name: 209 CCI Primer Trip
Alarm

Vendor: Fith Ops

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/3aTxxI6

Price: $25.00

Weight: 1.3 ounces

Size: 1x1x4 inches

Material: Aluminum and steel

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Tripwire operated. Discharges a 209 CCI primer (for shotgun

shell).

Items for Your Pet

Be sure to prepare items for your pet’s survival and comfort. Do not leave
your pets at home expecting to return for them sometime in the future. Pets
may not survive when left alone. They may succumb to injury, starvation,
or become prey for other animals. Make preparations to take your pets with
you when you have to escape at a moment’s notice. Your pets depend on
you.
[541]
,
[542]
,
[543]
,
[544]

Some items to include for your pet include:

●
   
Leash

●
   
Collar or harness

●
   
Up-to-date ID tags around their neck (and have them microchipped
ahead of time)

●
   
Shoes
 ●
   
Jacket and/or raincoat

●
   
Food. Dried, not canned food for weight savings. When food is
depleted, they will be eating what you eat.

●
   
Water

●
   
Prescription medication

●
   
1-month supply of flea, tick, and heartworm preventative
medications

●
   
Collapsible food and water bowls

●
   
Treats

●
   
Pet waste bags

●
   
Litter box, litter, litter scoop for cats

●
   
Life vest for flotation

●
   
Canine tourniquet

●
   
Doggy backpack: You can consider getting a doggy backpack if
you have a larger dog so they can help carry some of their own lighter
weight items such as their collapsible food and water bowls, food,
and/or treats.

Documentation about your pet to photocopy and take with you in a

waterproof container
[545]
:

●
   
Veterinary records: Rabies certificate, vaccination record, medical
summary, heartworm test result (dogs), FeLV/FIV results (cats)

●
   
Medication prescriptions with a schedule log

●
   
Registration info: Proof of ownership or adoption records
 ●
   
Pet description: Breed, sex, color, weight

●
   
Recent photos of your pet

●
   
Microchip information: Registration number. Name and contact
information for the microchip company.

●
   
Your contact information

Items to include if you’re escaping by vehicle:

●
   
Pet carrier

●
   
Bed

●
   
Toys

●
   
Extra food

●
   
Canine ballistic vest

Dog Shoes

Dog shoes can protect your dog’s feet in a variety of conditions

[546]
,
[547]
:

●
   
Winter boots: Insulate your dog’s feet from cold, dampness, ice,
snow, salt, deicers (many are toxic for dogs). Should be insulated,
waterproof

●
   
Summer boots: Protect feet from hot concrete and asphalt

●
   
Hiking boots: Guard feet from rocks, thorns, burrs, cacti. Should
have thicker rubber soles with extra grip. Tighter straps. More durable
material.

●
   
Boots for rain or other slippery conditions: Should be waterproof
and not vented.

There are challenges associated with dog shoes:

 ●
   
It is hard to order the right size shoes even when measuring your
dog’s feet and using sizing tables

●
   
It’s hard to get those shoes on to your dog’s paws especially when
your dog is not cooperating with you

●
   
It’s hard to keep the shoes from falling off.

Qualities to look for in shoes for your dog:

●
   
They should fit snugly, but not too tight

●
   
There should be room to accommodate the nails on your dog’s feet

●
   
The material should be flexible enough to conform to the shape of
your dog’s feet

●
   
The material of the upper should be durable

●
   
The material of the sole should be non-slip and durable

●
   
The shoe should have sturdy adjustable ankle straps to prevent the
shoe from slipping off

Be aware that one-way dogs cool themselves is by their paw pads

perspiring. Summer shoes can hamper this cooling process causing your
dog to overheat. You may need to periodically remove your dog’s shoes on
hot days to help them cool off.

Item name: Ruffwear Grip Trex™, All-Terrain Paw Wear for Dogs

Vendor: NetRush on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2JmyfSX

Price: $37.50

Weight: 3.2 ounces

Size: 1.5x2x3.9 inches

Material: Breathable mesh upper keeps dirt and debris out while keeping
them cool and comfortable. Ruffwear-designed Vibram® outsole for
flexibility and exceptional grip.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: These shoes are rated highly in multiple surveys. The closure
system combines hook-and-loop with hardware and cinches around the
narrowest part of the dog’s leg, providing a secure fit. Reflective trim. Wide
opening that makes it easy to put boots on. Comes in 3 colors.

Collapsible Water And Food Bowls

Here are a couple of points to keep in mind about bowls for your pets:

●
   
Make sure that they are BPA-free

●
   
Bring along two bowls so they will have one for food and one for
water

Item name: Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl

Vendor: Outward Hound on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KZIMnK

Price: $4.99

Weight: 1.44 ounces

Size: 5.2x6.2x7 inches

Material: Nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Folds flat, dry fast. For food or water. Easy to clean. Hold 48
ounces of water. Green color.

Item name: Prima Pets Collapsible Silicone Food and Water Travel Bowl

Vendor: Little Lots USA on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3mUDQ0q

Price: $11.99

Weight: Not specified

Size: 3 (full expanded height) x 5 (base) x 7 (top opening) inches. 0.75 inch
fully collapsed height.

Material: Food-grade silicone. BPA-free plastic rim.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Holds 5 cups (42 ounces) when fully expanded. Holds 2 cups
(16 ounces) when partially expanded. Carabiner quick release clip included.
Available in 5 different colors. Sturdy base prevents bowl from tipping
over.

Dog Life Vest

Why consider getting a life vest for your dog? Most dogs are good
swimmers. But, even good swimmers will eventually tire and drown if left
in water long enough. It’s worthwhile bringing a life vest for your dog if
you’ll be near any area of water including a river, lake, ocean, or if you live
in an area prone to flooding. Some pets are even at higher risk for drowning
[548]
:

●
   
Older dogs

●
   
Dogs with medical problems

●
   
Dogs with mobility limitations
 ●
   
Dogs with short noses and flat faces (brachycephalic breeds) like
pugs, shih tzu, chao chaos.

●
   
Dogs with low body fat like greyhounds

Here are some features in a dog life vest to look for

[549]
,
[550]
:

●
   
Good buoyancy: Flotation cells beneath abdomen, chest, sides, and
around the neck area to keep your dog’s head above water.

●
   
Sturdy handle used to carry and lift your dog

●
   
Bright color along with reflective material for enhanced visibility

●
   
Durable material

●
   
Comfortable

●
   
Proper fit so our dog can easily sit, lie down, and urinate, defecate

●
   
Easy to put on and take off your dog

Item name: RUFFWEAR - Float Coat Dog Life Jacket

Vendor: FUFFWEAR Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3nTBQag

Price: $79.95

Weight: 6.4 ounces for size XXS

Size: 2.5x7.3x8.1 inches for size XXS

Material: 1680-denier ballistic nylon. Closed-cell foam panels. Water-

compatible webbing.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL. Choice of three colors. Strong,
low-profile handle on the back. Reflective trim. Leash attachment point.
Adjustable neck closure. Easy-to-clip covered buckles. Loop located on top
for attachment of optional light beacon.  If a dog flips over, the Float Coat
returns the dog to their natural swimming position.

Item name: Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket

Vendor: Outward Hound Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/2KYHrxk

Price: $27.99

Weight: 9.6 ounces

Size: 9x11x16.5 inches for medium size vest

Material: Ripstop nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL. Front float support helps keep your
dog's head above water. Adjustable side release buckles provide a secure fit
and a neoprene belly band supports their chest and belly. Dual grab handles.

Canine Tourniquet

If your dog sustains an injury that involves major bleeding, the first step is
to apply pressure over the wound similar to what one would do for humans.
Pressure can be applied with your hands or with a circumferential pressure
dressing. There are also hemostatic agents for dogs that are placed within
the wound to aid with blood clotting (e.g., Celox™ Veterinary gauze and
Pet Clot).
[551]

Tourniquets are needed much less often for dogs than for humans
[552]
, but
it is still worthwhile packing one since they are small and lightweight. A
major hemorrhage from an extremity blood vessel is less likely to occur in
dogs than humans. The legs of a dog receive less blood as a percentage of
their total blood volume than the arms and legs of a human. And, the
axillary and femoral arteries are better protected by body tissue in dogs than
humans. When a tourniquet is needed for a dog, it should be placed as high
as possible where the legs join the body. Tourniquets will tend to slide
downward because the upper part of a dog’s leg is funnel-shaped.
[553]

Tourniquets for people are covered in the “First Aid” chapter of this book.
Standard windlass tourniquets are too large for dogs. The TK-4, SWAT-T™,
and RATS are elastic tourniquets and can be used for dogs.
[554]
,
[555]
The
TacMed™ K-9 tourniquet is designed specifically for dogs:

Item name: TacMed™ K-9 Tourniquet

Vendor: TacMed™

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/37TAw1s

Price: $23.00

Weight: 3.8 ounces

Size: 1.5x2.5x5.5 inches folded size

Material: Not specified. The strap appears to be constructed of nylon

webbing along with plastic hardware.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: The K9 Tourniquet is engineered to work effectively on tapered

anatomies, such as the leg of a K9, and is designed to be placed high on the
limb. It has integrated traction technology that prevents the tourniquet from
slipping down the animal’s leg, which would result in a loss of
compression. The slippage is amplified when the animal is moved and
extricated. Slippage is a common occurrence when tourniquets or pressure
dressings designed for humans are used on such tapered anatomy. The K9
Tourniquet addresses these issues and does so while offering rapid
application.
Dog Backpack

A backpack lets a dog carry some of his or her items (e.g., food, water,
leash, water bowls, shoes) freeing up space in your backpack. It gives them
a sense that they’re doing a job, especially those with a work-dog mentality.
Having to focus more on balance while walking with the weight of the
backpack on their back also serves to calm some dogs.

Start training your dog to wear a backpack only after it is fully grown,
usually at 12 months for small dogs and 18 months for larger dogs. Begin
getting them used to the backpack by placing it empty on them. This should
be easy if they are already used to wearing a harness. Start by placing the
backpack on them for a few minutes and then gradually increase the time.
Once your dog is accustomed to wearing the backpack, you can gradually
begin adding items to it, reaching the desired capacity after a few days to
weeks
[556]
.

Here are some guidelines as to how much your dog can carry
[557]
:

●
   
Maximum of 20% of your dog’s weight. Carrying this much will
make the distance walked feel twice as long to your dog.

●
   
Most dogs can comfortably carry 10-15% of their body weight.

●
   
Be aware that some dogs (especially small dogs) are not suited to
carry any weight. Young dogs with immature skeletons should not
carry weight.

●
   
A dog’s ability to carry weight will generally decrease as they
become older and with certain medical problems.

Here are some features important in a backpack for your dog:

●
   
Proper fit: Important not only for comfort, but to prevent the
backpack from shifting around, rubbing, and injuring your dog.

●
   
Adjustable straps to help ensure an optimum fit
 ●
   
Bright color and reflective material for high visibility

●
   
Strong carry handle to aid with carrying and lifting your dog

●
   
Durable material

●
   
Chest strap to prevent the backpack from sliding towards the rear
of your dog

●
   
Select a bag based not only on your dog’s size but what you plan
for your dog to carry.

●
   
Padding on the backpacks harness and straps to reduce chafing

●
   
Mesh lining to improve air circulation if you’re in a hot climate

Item name: RUFFWEAR - Approach Dog Pack, Backpack

Vendor: REI Co-op

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/38CMdca

Price: $79.99

Weight: 1 lb and 5 ounces for L/XL size

Size: 1x15x25.4 inches for L/XL size

Material: 420-denier ripstop nylon

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Sizes XS, S, M, L/XL. External gear loops. Reflective trim.

Light loop for an optional beacon. Integrated harness with five points of
adjustment for just the right fit. A padded handle and supportive straps. Two
leash points: clip in with the strong aluminum V-ring and reinforced
webbing loop leash attachment points. 4 exterior pockets. Colors: Meadow
green or orange. Gear capacity: S: 762 cubic inches, M: 885 cubic inches,
L/XL: 1,465 cubic inches.
Canine Ballistic Vest

You might consider bringing a ballistic vest for your dog if you are escaping
during a period of civil unrest or some other violent incident. Canine vests
protect your dog’s back, sides, abdomen, and chest from bullets. Protection
against stabbing trauma from knives is also available. Vests come with
leash attachment rings and grab handles to use for lifting your dog. The
lining is usually made of a material that helps manage heat and moisture.
Vests are available in standard sizes or can be custom made to fit your dog.
Look for a vest that comfortably fits your dog, is lightweight, and enables
freedom of movement.

Item name: BulletSafe K-9 Bulletproof Vest for Dogs

Vendor: BulletSafe

Webpage URL:
http://bit.ly/37PLvZI

Price: $499.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: One size. Fits large breed dogs (e.g., German Shepherd, Malinois,
Bloodhound, Doberman Pinscher, Akita, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler)

Material: Nylon carrier. Ballistic material not specified. Soft armor

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Uses the same ballistic materials as in their vests made for
humans. Provides Level 3A protections stopping handgun rounds up to .44
Magnum. Also, provides S-1 level stab-proof chest protection. Top handle
rated for 500 lbs of force. 6 adjustable buckles to facilitate a perfect fit.

Item name: Gemini Dual Purpose Armor for dogs

Vendor: Protect Paws Alive

Webpage URL:
https://bit.ly/37Qcvbt
Price: $1,400.00

Weight: Not specified

Size: Each vest is custom made to your dog’s measurements

Material: Kevlar® bulletproof cloth (same as used for human vests)

Appropriate for which BOBs: Short, Medium, Long

Comments: Bullet and stab-resistant. NIJ level IIA ballistic protection and
level III spike protection. These vests help protect the K9s from gunshots,
stabbings, explosives, and blunt force trauma such as being kicked,
punched, or beaten with a weapon or other dangerous objects such as a bat
or tire iron. Hidden dynamic cummerbund, shoulder fit adjustments, and
covered zipper closure. These vests are a streamlined package allowing the
K9 to move freely with minimal snag points. Offer ease of movement,
breathe-ability and cooling comfort in a rigorously field-tested vest. New
three-dimensional spacer mesh lining provides outstanding heat and
moisture management to keep the K9 cool. These vests allow the K9s full
range of motion. Carry handle on the top (dog’s back) of the vest. D-ring
attachment points for short or long leads. GPS tracking pocket. six different
fabric patterns/colors available.

Dog Travel Bed

A travel bed for your dog is probably an item you’ll pack only if you’re
escaping by vehicle rather than on foot. It will give your dog a comfortable
place to hang out, rest, and sleep. It can also make anxious dogs feel more
relaxed and secure to have something familiar to them when on the road.
Travel beds can be placed inside pet carriers or crates for padding and
comfort.

Here are some characteristics of travel beds to consider

[558]
,
[559]
:

●
   
High-quality materials: Better comfort and durability

●
   
Beds thicker than 1 inch to provide greater loft, cushioning
 ●
   
Ease of cleaning

●
   
Suitable size for your dog

●
   
Water-resistant

●
   
Compact, lightweight

●
   
Easy to pack up and carry. Most fold up or roll up and are secured
by straps and buckles.

Item name: Loft Wander Waterproof  Outdoor Dog Bed

Vendor: Kurgo Store on Amazon.com

Webpage URL:
https://amzn.to/3hpE5Qi

Price: $57.95

Weight: 3.7 lb (Large size)

Size: 1.5x36x48 inches open and 9.5x17 inches rolled up (Large size)

Material: Water-resistant top made of microtomic ripstop material.

Waterproof Rufftex bottom. Polytech fill.

Appropriate for which BOBs: Long

Comments: Outdoor dog bed. Also available in medium size (1.5x25x36

inches open and 8x12.5 inches rolled up, 2.2 pounds). Colors: Brown and
chili red. Kurgo Lifetime Warranty. Plush, recycled Polygo fleece top for
comfort and rolls up like a sleeping bag with a handle. Waterproof Rufftex
non-slip bottom. Machine washable, hang dry.

Extra Items if You Are Escaping By

Vehicle
You will hopefully begin your escape from disaster in your vehicle. The big
advantage of traveling in your vehicle is that you can carry more survival
items than when on foot. You should always have your Short-Term BOB
with you or in your vehicle during normal times. Be sure to grab your
Long-Term BOB when escaping by vehicle during a disaster. Some extra
items to consider taking with you include:

●
   
More food

●
   
More water

●
   
Propane and compact stove

●
   
Larger cooking utensils

●
   
Fishing pole

●
   
Extra fishing tackle

●
   
More hygiene items

●
   
Portable, hanging shower bag

●
   
More clothes

●
   
Extra shoes

●
   
Pillow

●
   
Tent

●
   
More medical items

●
   
Extra batteries

●
   
Larger solar charger

●
   
Electrical extension cords
 ●
   
Extra cordage

●
   
More ammunition

●
   
Extra firearm

●
   
Long handle axe

●
   
Alarms, camp security systems (see the “Personal Protection”
chapter)

●
   
Ballistic vest (see the “Personal Protection” chapter)

●
   
Ballistic helmet (see the “Personal Protection” chapter)

●
   
Gas mask (see the “Personal Protection” chapter)

One fast way to gather items and have redundancy (having multiple items
that serve the same vital function) is to grab all three of your BOBs (Short-,
Medium-, and Long-Term BOBs) and put them into your vehicle. Essential
items will be duplicated in all three bags (e.g., knives, water filters, ferro
rods, compass, signal mirror, hand-cranked emergency radio, headlamp,
etc), so you will not have to put extra copies of those particular items
separately into your vehicle.

Don’t forget to store items in your vehicle to help keep it running:

●
   
Tire jack and lug nut wrench

●
   
Spare tire

●
   
Tire sealant for flat tires: TyrFil™

●
   
Tire pressure gauge

●
   
Air pump that runs off your car battery

●
   
Jumper cables
 ●
   
Fuses

●
   
Wiper blades

●
   
Spare bulbs

●
   
Ice scraper

●
   
Radiator fluid

●
   
Transmission fluid

●
   
Engine oil

●
   
Windshield washer fluid

●
   
Extra gasoline

Stay with your vehicle as long a possible. It provides shelter and security
besides transportation. There may be a time when you have to abandon your
vehicle. At that point, you’ll have your Long-Term BOB to rely upon and to
take with you.

Closing Remarks
I hope that this book has prompted you to think about how three separate
BOBs may fit into your survival preparation as you consider emergencies
that span Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term time frames. I also hope that
this book has provided you with ideas about how you can plan to address
your emergency needs for the major survival categories such as water, fire,
food, shelter, and first aid. Be sure to carry your BOBs once you assemble
them, so you can ascertain if they are of a size and weight that you can
realistically carry over extended distances and time. Size and weight
constraints will force you to prioritize which items are most important for
your survival and what you decide to include in your BOBs.

Once you put your BOBs together, make sure that you place them in
locations where you can quickly grab them when an emergency arises.
Also, regularly review the contents of your BOBs to remind yourself of
what you packed. Importantly, practice using the items in your BOBs so
you do not waste valuable time during an emergency event trying to figure
out how they function. For example, practice using your ferro rod, water
filter, compass, tourniquet, Israeli Bandage Battle Dressing, and chest seal.
Practice setting up your tarp in different shelter configurations. If you are
packing a tent, practice setting it up. Practice tying some basic knots, so
they become part of your skillset. Try living off of the items in your BOBs
as a way to familiarize yourself with them and also to better determine if
some of the items can be eliminated and if there are some other items that
you need to add.

Preparing for emergencies and disasters is an evolving process. It is indeed

a major accomplishment to have assembled your BOBs. But, for me and
many of you, our BOBs and their contents will be modified periodically
because of reasons that may include the following:

●
   
You discover a new need that must be covered, so you have to
research and purchase an item to serve that need.

●
   
New products are developed that can perform a function better than
an item you currently possess. Or, the new item may be stronger,
lighter, or more compact than your current item.

●
   
You’ve saved up money enabling you to purchase an item on your
wish list.

Continue the learning process and continue preparing. The knowledge you
gain and the items in your BOBs may one day save your life or the life of
someone else. Choose to be a survivor.

*********************

I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this book and that you gained some
valuable information to help you be better prepared to survive a disaster. I
would love to hear from you if you have comments about this book
including any ideas about how to make it better. You can email me at
[email protected]
.
Send me
(
[email protected]
)
your email address so you can:

●
   
Receive updates to this book

●
   
Be the first to learn about my new books before they are released

●
   
Be notified about specials that may include getting a free copy of
newly released books

I would greatly appreciate you helping me to make this book more visible
so it can help others. You can help me do this by:

●
   
Telling your friends about this book

●
   
Rating this book and writing your comments about this book on
Amazon.com

●
   
This is the web page on Amazon.com where you can rate my book
and leave comments:
https://amzn.to/39pLE5C

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 Author Bio
Joseph Yao, M.D. practices orthopedic surgery. He began his medical
practice in Orange County, California, and later moved to Arkansas where
he remains today.

Dr. Yao's passion for creating things and bringing them from concept to
reality lead to his inventing proprietary nerve protection pads.  These pads
divert external pressure and vibration away from the median and ulnar
nerves of the hand to treat and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and Guyon's
canal syndrome. He designed and marketed a line of gloves incorporating
these patented pads.

His long interest in research and writing include writing 19 book chapters
and articles in peer-reviewed orthopedic surgery medical journals. He also
wrote a regular medical column for trucking magazines and several
newspaper articles on orthopedic topics.

Dr. Yao’s diligence about preparation, spurred partly by his nature and
reinforced by his surgical training, prompted his interest in emergency and
disaster preparedness. He wrote the book,
Bug Out Bag Encyclopedia
, to
provide others with valuable, comprehensive information to help improve
their odds of surviving a disaster while shortening the learning curve. A
section of the book is devoted to preparedness for furry, four legged family
members.

Animals hold a special place in Dr. Yao's heart. He is a long-time supporter

of the National Wildlife Federation, The Humane Society Of The United
States, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(ASPCA). He particularly loves dogs and especially Shao Shoon, adopted
from the Seal Beach Animal Shelter.

His affection for dogs is the impetus for a future a series of books about
"CoCo, The Flying Poodle." It will be about the life and adventures of
CoCo, a toy poodle. Updates will be provided on the progress of those
books.
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