Update The Bug Out Bag

I’ve been trying to update my prior thoughts and posts due to my move out of the People’s Republic of New Jersey (PRNJ), but all the Coronavirus conversation has derailed my progress.  I’m going to try to update my thoughts on Bug Out Bags (BOBs), though I am unlikely to go anywhere in the near future.  Maybe I’ll get some new readers who are just starting.  😉

You may recall my thoughts on BOBs, which I described here and here.  BOBs are where most preppers start, so with my move, I decided to reevaluate the BOB contents for all family members.  The first thing to recognize was the change of climate.  In the People’s Republic of New Jersey (PRNJ), snow or blizzards screwing up the roads was a type of disaster.  Here the problem is more likely to be a traffic jam caused by a quarter inch of snow.

In South Carolina, I actually saw a snow flurry one day.  It didn’t stick.  I thought to myself we should have moved a little further south.  😊  The winter here was a bit wet, but the temperatures never required more than a light jacket.  I’m keeping the closet full of warm coats for occasional travel to other climates, but my family BOBs can use lighter clothes than before, especially with summer coming.

My limited “Escape From New York” kits are irrelevant.  There is no mass transit, so I am going to have a car trunk with a full pack minimum.  There are also no islands to be stuck on, at least in this part of the state, so that problem is eliminated as well.  😊

Purpose of Bags

Instead of getting hung up in all the jargon around bags, I tend to just refer to everything as a BOB, but our primary bags stay in the cars and really serve as Get Home Bags (GHB).  There are more bags at home, so if I am at home and actually bugging out, I can just toss the incremental bags in the cars and go.  Nonetheless, I will refer to everything as a BOB.

My “in the car” bags have become more important at the same time my mass transit commuting has become a non-issue.  I want to improve my in the car BOB.

What is in the Bag?

To figure out what to put in the BOB, I again use my Supply Categories.

• Water: I keep a case of bottled water, as discussed above, in my car.  I also carry water purification tablets in the BOB, and a Sport Berkey water bottle.  In the disasters I have actually experienced, not to mention my Escapes from New York, water has been a clear necessity.

• Food: Previously, I recommended food bars such as Datrex, MayDay, or Millennium bars.  This approach eliminates the need for a mess kit or utensils.  After having eaten a fair number of these bars, I can safely say the Millennium Bars are by far the best tasting.  They still aren’t as tasty as Clif bars, but they will be okay for many years, while Clif Bars expire.

• Hygiene: I have made no changes to my hygiene kit.  Remember “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and don’t forget a towel!  😊  Given the Covid-19 experience. I think I’ll leave the bandana and goggles in the bags.
• First Aid: A first aid kit for accidents is in the trunk, but kept outside the BOB, keeping it handy in case of an auto accident.  For South Carolina, I want to add more insect repellent.
• Energy: A fire starter kit and some batteries are in the BOB.  This is unchanged.
• Clothing: My BOB contains a complete change of clothing and boots, hat, gloves, etc. and a poncho.  Don’t forget extra socks!  😊  For South Carolina, I am going to remove the long underwear I had in New Jersey, and probably add a light jacket that will remain in the trunk.
• Shelter: I favor Tube Tents.  They are light, and are good enough for a couple days.  I also have a bivy sack in each bag.  These are made of space blanket material and keep you surprisingly warm.  Both are negligible in weight.  These are unchanged from PRNJ to SC.

• Transportation: With the car broken down, I would be on foot, unless I can find an alternate means of transportation.  Maps can be taken from the car and a compass is in the BOB, as are quality boots.  My maps need to be updated for the new region.  Fortunately, the roads here are in great condition and well-marked.  PRNJ potholes are not an issue!  Several mapping programs are on the phone.
• Communications: I carry a cell phone, and the BOB contains a wind-up AM/FM radio and an FRS/GMRS radio.  I also carry a pen and paper.  😊  Other than routine phone upgrades, this is unchanged.  On the trip down, we caravanned using the FRS/GMRS radios and everything worked great.  😊
• Tools: In addition to the car repair kit, the BOB contains a multi-tool and a Swiss Army knife (SAK).  I also carry flashlights, paracord, and other miscellaneous items.  Since there are fewer people to worry about, I am considering an upgrade to the multi-tools.  Some folks wonder why the SAK and the multitool.  The simple answer is the screw driver on the SAK works when using the pliers on the multitool.  They also provide a small amount of redundancy.
• Library: While I don’t carry an obvious library in my BOB, there is a Kindle app on my phone, and copies of important documents in the bag.

Security

The major change to my bag is security.  In PRNJ a Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) is unobtainable and there are restrictions on transportation of firearms.  Driving around with a firearm in your trunk all the time is a felony.  Here in SC I was able to get a CWP in three weeks.  SC is a “shall issue state”.  Weapons must be concealed, not openly carried.  Inside the BOB is certainly concealed.

Given this new found freedom, I would like to put a firearm in my bag, so whether I am carrying on my person or not, if disaster strikes, I have a weapon in my BOB.  This opens up a whole dialog on what sorts of firearms do I want in SC, not just for my BOB.  Criteria at the moment is it must be concealable, so I want a pistol, not a rifle.  Since the gun will be inside the bag, locked in the trunk, I want something relatively worthless.

I own a Ruger 22/45 Mark III, which is almost impossible to clean.  I think for now I will clean it, oil it liberally, toss it in a zip lock bag, which will go in the BOB with several magazines filled with MiniMags.  I might get something better, but more likely I’ll have a real carry weapon and the 22/45 will stay in the bag as a backup.  Before you criticize this choice, remember I already own it.  You can’t beat that price!  😊

Update: Conclusion

My updated BOB will get a few tweaks and a firearm, but is basically not bad. In addition to all the changes above, I am going to include a N95 mask.  I already have some cheap goggles in the BOB, which were originally, a blizzard prep, but now will be a “keep stuff out of the eyes” prep.  I guess at least one aspect of my PRNJ prepping has held up okay.  😊