Hello all,

I know that this topic has been covered a zillion times, but it would be greatly helpful to me to learn from some of you experts.

I have been building a BOB for several months, and I think it is decent, but definitely needs work. I want to be as well prepared for a SHTF situation as possible. At the same time I have a horrible steel addiction, and would like to save money wherever I can, so for items that I need I want quality & affordability.

My main BOB is a Maxpedition Vulture II

What I'd like input on is the following:
1. Organization: Right now, I use a small Tupperware container for my FAK and a small drawstring sack (like a laundry bag) for my clothing. The rest of my stuff is shoved into the 2 additional compartments on my BOB & into 2 small & 2 large Tactical Tailor Molle pouches that are attached to the outside of my bag.

I'd like to know how you organize your BOB gear, what type of containers/pouches you use for inside the bag, and possibly some leads to where I can find some inexpensive pouches/containers to organize everything.

2. Gear you can't live without: My BOB gear is definitely missing a few key things. What are some essentials that you would never leave out of your BOB?

Also, what do you keep in your FAK that you think is essential?

I've got some other questions, but have to run at the moment.

What I'd really love to do is post some pictures of my kit and a full inventory to get your input on what is missing and how I can organize and pack better. My problem is that my pack is nearly full and I know I need a lot more.

I have made an inventory based on memory that I will post below. I know I am forgetting stuff, but I think I got most of it down.

I will post a list and pictures tonight as long as I don't have to work all night.

If anyone has an inventory and/or pictures of their bag, I'd love to see what you've got.

Thanks!

Clothing:
1 x Long Sleeve Thermal Top Layer
1 x Thermal Underwear
1 X Paracord Belt (thank you mr. Barnes)
1 x Wool Gloves
1 x Polyester blend cap (need wool)
1 x Heavy Wool Socks
1 x Lighter Wool Socks
1 x Columbia "Water Proof" jacket with fleece lining (need to upgrade)
FAK:
Various bandages
1 x Sm. tube of Neosporen (Spelling?)
14 x 130 mg potassium iodide
20 x 800 mg ibuprofen
Assorted meds: Loperamide (Imodium,) Amoxicillin, Clindamycin, et al. 
8 x Cotton Balls
1 x Rolled Cotton
3 x Rolls of gauze
5-8 x Q-Tips
Sewing Kit
1 x tube of Super Glue 
1 x Roll of Duct Tape
2 x Large & Durable garbage bags
5 x sandwich baggies
4 x Boxes of Waterproof matches
1 x Waterproof match container
1 x Waterproof Container (can fit about a deck of cards)
24" Snare Wire
1 x Prescription bottle filled with Vaseline soaked cotton balls
Gear:
Fenix LD-40 LED light
12 x AA batteries
Leatherman Wave
Various sharpening tools (Need to upgrade)
1 x Light My Fire Rod
2 x Bic Butane Lighters
1 x 1L Nalgene Bottle (knock off - need to upgrade) 
1 x Tarp (Forget the size)
2 x Emergency Blankets
1 x Poncho
1 x button compass 
(need a good full size compass because my cheap one broke)
4 x long lasting emergency glow sticks
50 ft. 550 Paracord Digital ACU
60-80 ft. Paracord in the form of a belt made by Mr. Barnes.
1 x folding shovel

This is what Architect said about a SMALL BOB.

(Qty) Item - Explanation

(2) Bic Classic Butane Lighters - makes burning stuff easy.

(3) 12 Hour Chem-Sticks / Cyalume Light Sticks - keep one in your med kit...nothing like trying to treat a wound while holding a flash light. Ask how I know.

(1) Quick Touch Up Knife Sharpener - knocks off dull edge.

(1) Knife Sharpening Stone or Stick - takes nicks out, etc.

(1) 3600 Calorie Food Bar - you eat it. Food is good. Calories = working body = getting home.

(1) $10 Water Purification "Survival Straw" (Aqua Mira Frontier or $20 Pro) - no drinky = no livey.
(1) LED Headlamp with Spare Set Of Batteries - frees your hands to do other stuff like fight off zombies / open doors / wield weapons.

(1) $2 Emergency Space Blanket - its cheap and works if you use it while nekkid.

(1) Rain Coat - Don't know where Howe is, but if its like Indiana....getting cold and wet = hypothermia = potentially dying = suckage.

(1) Wool Watch Cap - see above.

(1) 32oz Nalgene Bottle - you put water in it.

(1) Nesting Cup - fits on the bottom of the Nalgene (space saver) and boils water / heats food / etc.

(10) Katadyn Water Purification Tablets - don't drink untreated water.

(1) Whistle - you might want to be found if a building collapses on you, you get lost at Wal-Mart, etc. Whistles last longer than your voice.



Quote: (As I said, this information is from Architect).
Here......this is my current EDC (you're describing an EveryDay Carry pack) list.....


Personal Survival Kit


Clothing

(1) Cap, Watch-Type 100% Acrylic (B)
(1 pr) Gloves, USGI Leather (B)
(1 pr) Glove Liners, USGI Wool (OD)
(1 pr) Socks, Cold Weather Wool

Fire Making

(1) Butane Lighter, Bic Classic
(1) Butane Lighter, Generic
(1) Ferro Rod, LMF Scout Model
(1) Matches, Strike Anywhere in Waterproof Match Case
(1) Tinder Bottle, Film Canister with Petrol Cotton

First Aid & Hygiene

(1) Antibiotic Ointment
(6) Anti-Diarrhea, 2mg EXPIRES 1/13
(X) Bandages, Assorted Adhesive
(6) Benadryl, 25mg EXPIRES 2/14
(2) Gauze, Sterile
(1) Hemostatic, QuikClot Combat Sponge
(8) Ibuprofen, 200mg EXPIRES 1/13
(1) Light Stick, Cyalume
(2) Sanitation Wipes, Playtex
(3) Sanitation Wipes, Germ-X Singles
(1) Splinter Remover
(1 pkt) Tissue, Kleenex Travel Size
(1) Tourniquet, North American Rescue CAT

Food

(1) Emergency Ration, 3600 Calorie Mainstay

Firearms Related

(49) 45Acp Ammunition, 230gr Remington GS
(1) Handgun, Sig P220SAO with Night Sights
(6) 8rd Magazine, Sig
(1) Weapon Light, Streamlight TRL-1
(4)Batteries, SureFire CR123

Navigation & Signaling

(1) Compass, Silva Starter
(1) Flashlight, Streamlight Nano
(1) Head Lamp, Coleman LED
(6) Batteries, Energizer AAA
(1) Marker, Industrial Sharpie
(1) Pencil, Mechanical 0.5mm
(1) Whistle, Fox40 Micro

Shelter

(50f) ParaCord, 7-Strand 550
(1) Poncho, Emergency
(1) Survival Blanket, Adventure Medical Kits 2-Person
(1) Survival Blanket, Emergency
(1) Trash Bag, 1Mil 39 Gallon

Tools

(10) Duct Tape, Wrapped on Business Card
(1) Fixed Blade Knife (Gary), SRKW Rodent Solution
(1) Sheath, Kydex
(1) Fixed Blade Knife (Gary), SRKW RMD
(1) Sheath, Kydex
(1) Knife Sharpener, Gatco TriSeps
(1) Knife Sharpener, Gerber Ceramic
(1) S-Biner, Nite-Ize
(1) Swiss Army Knife, Wenger Highlander

Water

(1) Canteen Cup, USGI
(1) Emergency Water Filter, AquaMira Frontier
(1) Pre Filter, Bandana
(1) Water Bottle, Platypus 1L
(1) Water Filter, Berkey Sports Bottle
(1 btl) Water Purification Tablets, Aqua Pure
(2) Water Purification Tablets, Katadyn
(1) Ziplock Bag, 1 Gallon Freeze

Just use this or use this as a starting point and I don't think you will go wrong.

AND Arch HIGHLY stressed this:

The Belt Order

The Belt Order is designed as a "mini-survival kit". This is to be on you at ALL TIMES! You can leave your ruck in camp while you forage / set up traps / fish or hunt / use the bathroom / scout / etc as long as you do not take off the belt order! The contents of a survival belt order usually include:

1. USGI or Improved Civilian Equivalent Pistol Belt - this is NOT used to hold up your trousers. This is to be worn OVER your trouser belt.
2. Handgun Holster
3. Handgun Magazine Pouches
4. PSK (Personal Survival Kit) with:

4a) USGI Canteen Cup.

4b) 550 Cord (50 feet in ADDITION to the 100 feet in your BOB).

4c) Survival Straw.

4d) Lighter (this is in ADDITION to the lighter in your BOB).

4e) Firesteel.

4f) Tinder (this is in ADDITION to the tinder in your BOB).

4g) Knife Sharpener.

4h) Space Blanket.

4i) Bandanna.

4j) Compass.

4k) Water Purification Tablets (4 in addition to the tablets in your BOB).

5. Small & Medium Fixed Blade Knifes (more on this later).

6. Trauma Kit (more on this later).

Now that we've addressed those issues, lets move on to the BOB itself....

For even more information, go to Architect's thread below and read the FIRST post.

http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthread...ge=2#Post477619

I hope the information I have listed in the above posts helps you out.

Yes! I totally forgot about that thread. Thanks Skunk!

Do you or anyone else have any advice about organization? I am thinking of trying to find 4 smaller rectangular zipper pouches that fit within the main compartment of my bag to organize supplies better, but I have no good local stores where I can find such things.

I guess this is a pretty worthless thread now that skunk gave some good tips & reminded me of Architects great thread.

If anyone has pics of what they use to organize the contents of your bag, or where I can find cheap pouches/organizers that would serve me well, I'd appreciate it greatly.

you MIGHT want to consider Pelican cases or Otterboxes for SOME things. Pouches, a LOT of manufacturers. You Might want to check out Optics Planet for some pouches that don't cost an arm and a leg but seem to be good for storing things inside a bag.

Those hard cases are good for very fragile gear but they add up on weight so use accordingly.

And any time you get people thinking is a good thing so no wasted post flux!

I agree with what Sar5 says!

Thanks for the info and the link SH. I am in the process of putting together a kit for my wife and this really helps!

Good advice Skunk & Sar5! Otter box makes good stuff; I have an iPhone case made by them and it is a lifesaver.

I didn't get a chance to take a full inventory or any pictures.

I can tell you a few important things that I am missing:
- A good compass
- Binoculars
- Firearms (At least until I move to New Hampshire)

I'm sure there are other things I'm not thinking of.

If anyone can recommend a good & fairly inexpensive compass and binoculars, I'd definitely appreciate it.

Silva makes some good compasses, and Brunton does as well.

Here are some links: http://www.opticsplanet.net/brunton-brand.html

Along the top (when you go to the link above) you will see some icons sporting optics, hunting...etc. roll your mouse over those and all sorts of stuff will pop up.

This is of course just a start.
And here is another one for compasses. http://www.opticsplanet.net/compasses.html

Just look at different brands, then check for reviews of those brands and models and make your decision based upon that and your personal likes and needs.

And like I said, these links are just to get you started looking for what YOU want.