It’s one of my biggest challenges in helping our Warrior Life Academy members…
“Emptying their glass” of the misinformation and lies about how to build the ultimate bugout bag for a forced evacuation.
And now a military study on how carrying too much weight greatly decreases survivability is proving how deadly these common “bugout gear mistakes” are for the average prepper.
In fact, I’ve seen these mistakes over and over again, so let me share with you…
The Fastest Way To Knock 15 Lbs Off Your Bugout Bag Gear To Survive A Forced Evacuation
Here’s What You’ll Discover In This Week’s Episode:
- How a Marine Captain set out to measure the exact amount of weight that was literally killing soldiers out on the battlefield!
- How I shove a full 3 days worth of food – a full 6,000 calories – into just ONE 8″ tactical pouch on my bugout bag!
- The 6″ covert tent that will keep you warm and dry while drastically knocking pounds off your load weight!
- My one single item that replaces 3 large, heavy tools most preppers are carrying!
- And much, MUCH more!
Compare these bugout bag gear tips with your own load-out and adjust your plan accordingly to increase your survivability.
I’m almost alone right now. If I foot-out to hills, I stay long. Most important is the time it takes to live off land, and the tools that save time. If I can’t carry it all on my back, I got to drag some with bike to wheeled cart conversion or (sturdy/gutted golf bag). I bought 3-5 xBOBs to grab/go early with all I want in trunk, 1 bag=big boil pots/containers (for being in camp). 1 canteen is not enough H20 for a day, and boiling 3-4 times a day suggests staying put. Pre-caching is best, wheel dragging next; last resort on my back–most suitable for Op-sec/supply expeditions. Even migration takes time weaving around people, cities. Anything I leave behind will be in a planned “retreat” location (going back may be safer than forward); one needs alternatives.
So… I have 3 BOB ‘s for my family. I originally filled them with all the items that are on the BOB pack list. I added more medical supplies , Sam splints, med glue, Israeli bandages, blah blah blah… 3 days of freeze dried food, three sets of clothes, socks, etc. The only heavy thing I added was a Henry AR 7 Survival rifle , 3 seven round mags FILLED(7EA.) and 25 rounds of spare 22 ammo. Bags were closing in on 40 pounds. I’m 60, two total knee replacements, my wife is 29 ( for the last 31 years) so neither one of us is in “marathon” condition. Our first test voyages proved that making “tracks” or putting great distances between danger and safety on foot were not realistic. I went back into our bags and removed a lot of the redundancies. Did we really need 4 tourniquets, 8 Israeli bandages ,2 sam splints etc. We split all the basic needs between the two bags, reduced clothes by half, but not socks and ultimately reduced bag weight down to 28 lbs per pack including the 3.5 lb Henry and 1lb of ammo. Over zealousness when we initially packed led to excessive weight that we would not have realized unless we had taken the bags out for a “walk about” Once slimmed down, my wife and I can put 2-3 miles on the bags each Sunday morning on local trails without issue. The only thing I carry that my wife does not is a belly bag with my hand piece and extra mags in it. It adds 8lbs to my load but is up front which for some reason doesn’t feel that heavy… My advice…Take it for a walk…you may rethink your pack out… Great video! Thanks!
Radar again.
I watched your video after my first post. I did not disagree with anything you said, its good you said it because not all military were infantry, so a lot of our heavy gear was hauled by truck to a drop-point not far from expedition start points. Another good reason to keep weight down is the weight of water (8.3 lbs/gal., just the water). Hanging out near water can be dangerous, because plenty will be out there begging for food. My opinion, get in, take water, get out, stay away from unprepared people. Even hide your bag, walk in get your water, walk out.
As far as other gear to consider for Winter-cold Snow States is a hammock. You can’t find leaves under two feet of snow. If you start a fire on bare ground, somehow you had to move the snow. A hammock is quick, fast. You are not on frozen anything, dealing only with wind-chill, to which you can fold pack-clothes to create a wind-block next to where you sleep in your hammock (have it ready to attach in 5 minutes). It will be better than sleeping on the ground or on snow (done that). Second thing, get a bunch of steel rat traps (large mouse traps). You need wire to mount it to a fallen tree or ground. Go to Emergency Essentials buy a #10 can freeze-dried Peanut Powder (your lure bait). Set nearby to catch squirrels. Next post another issue.
Radar againer. Most people are in my current situation. When a BugOut is needed they have no place to go. So, on the one hand they have to leave where they are at (and could have a BOB), but don’t know how to set up a temporary hide-spot camp. In the mean time, all BOB Talks keep saying the same thing. Jeff, what are your thoughts on how to strategically set up a camp that looks vacant to anyone passing by, and has the equipment you don’t bring in the BOB? Keep in mind that I said earlier that when you and I were in combat situations THERE WAS ALMOST ALWAYS A “DROP SPOT” (temporary camp) start point before an expedition; and often trucks brought our heavy gear. I had my own vehicle. You do so much for being helpful (even your disabled soldier charity). Tell/show us how to set up a hidden camp (some miles from wherever)–the basic strategy and use BOB for our water, food gathering, surveillance expeditions, etc. It is the missing link in anybody/everybody’s mind in a “melt-down” situation (as opposed to a natural disaster situation). Also consider mention of the pitfalls of caching (what to avoid). Thanks. And do this in connection with another xBOB talk.
Jeff, who makes that tiny wool blanket that you showed in the video.