B.O.B./72 hour kit advice needed.

[Rooskibar03]

So now that I'm through "One Second After" My eyes are open to how unprepared me and my family are. Trying to put together a full blown SHTF setup is overwhelming both mentally and financially so I thought I'd start small with a BOB and 72 hour kit and then work from there.

So here are my questions:

Do you treat these two items as one or have a separate game plan for each?

In putting together a 72 hour kit would you recommend 3 individual kits, each taylored for that person(1 being a 7 yr old girl) or would you group everything into one?

Is it better to buy a pre-made kit or pack your own? Is one more cost effective then the other?

[Irving]

I don't think it is possible to purchase a premade kit that will adequately fit your needs.

PLEASE don't fall for that kit that is advertised on Craigslist for $175 all the time either.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Your 72 hour kit should be your pantry. Your BOB should be your get home bag.

[2008f450]

The bags in my vehicles are all set up about the same. They have identical basics. i do taylor them somewhat to the primary driver. In my wifes vehicle her bag has her clothes in it and the food is more to her liking. I also have set up a diaper bag for the little ones that can be attatched to her pack should she need be on foot with the boys. I set the bags up to keep 1 person going for 4 days if necesary. But in my mind the bags are there to get me home to the long term supplies. I would strongly suggest when you set up a bag take it out and try it out. i go on 2-3 day hikes to test and modify my set up. You will be amazed what looks good on paper or on the floor of your living room may not work in the field

[KevDen2005]

I have survival kits that are fairly big in each vehicle and are fairly identical. I have a 72 hour bag that I keep in the front closet that has three days worth of clothes for each member of the family (me and my fiance'). Also towels, food, a few survival items, toothbrushes, soap, etc. My idea with this is that it could be used for any reason needing to leave the house in an emergency such as a fire.

All these are separate from my survival packs for camping that are very large and full of all sorts of goodies.

[NukeRJ]

I have survival kits that are fairly big in each vehicle and are fairly identical. I have a 72 hour bag that I keep in the front closet that has three days worth of clothes for each member of the family (me and my fiance'). Also towels, food, a few survival items, toothbrushes, soap, etc. My idea with this is that it could be used for any reason needing to leave the house in an emergency such as a fire.

All these are separate from my survival packs for camping that are very large and full of all sorts of goodies.

Kev, great idea in different types of bags, but as to not confuse Rooski, perhaps some clarification.

Rooski, your 72 hour bag for any SHTF situation needs to concentrate on necessities, in other words, some food, medical kit, any required medication for family members, water carrying capability, a defensive weapon or two. You will not need extra clothes or toothbrushes and toothpaste. extra socks and one lightweight rain proof jacket per individual and a poncho is better served. Binos are always good to have as well. The only other optional item i would add is light comfortable shoes just in case you are caught out on date night, high heels would be terrible for the lady to travel in.

[NukeRJ]

Your 72 hour kit should be your pantry. Your BOB should be your get home bag.

I disagree with this - the 72 hour kit is your get home or wherever your plan to go is bag. the pantry is your cache or stash.

One cannot determine the amount of time it will take to get home, or if that is even feasible. The reason 3 days has been chosen as the magic number is because it has been determined that that is the ideal amount of gear that an average person can carry and still be mobile.

Think of it this way, my long range patrol pack weighed in at 110lbs and was good for 7 to 10 days, the avg 3 day patrol pack was 40-50 lbs. The 3 day pack can be stretch to twice that time, but thats pushing it without scavenging.

So plan accordingly and think of it as solving as much of the what if you can, while staying withing the 40 lb range.

[NukeRJ]

So now that I'm through "One Second After" My eyes are open to how unprepared me and my family are. Trying to put together a full blown SHTF setup is overwhelming both mentally and financially so I thought I'd start small with a BOB and 72 hour kit and then work from there.

So here are my questions:

Do you treat these two items as one or have a separate game plan for each?

In putting together a 72 hour kit would you recommend 3 individual kits, each taylored for that person(1 being a 7 yr old girl) or would you group everything into one?

Is it better to buy a pre-made kit or pack your own? Is one more cost effective then the other?

Your go-bag should be just that, the guys are spot on with just enough to get you to your stash, cache, or home. Personally all my bags are the same as you just never know which vehicle you will be in and when you will need it. At 7 i suggest you not trouble yourself with a bag for her- she will be a handful as it is on her own. My 9 yo will assist in carrying any other items that are seen fit to possibly need, but are expendable and can be dumped if need be.
As for tailoring bags to specific needs, again - try to refrain from doing so, make the bags as identical as possible, that way you always have what you decide you will need, and any extra bags you are able to carry are now spares. keep the pack to 30 to 40 lbs. Pack it modularly. Inside my bag I have small light cheap packs that are labeled and can be taken from the larger pack if faster movement is required, each one is absolute bare necessities needed.

hope this helps.