Do you know BOB?

A component of your disaster kit should be your GO-BAG, affectionately known as BOB or Bug Out Bag. Put the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly.  Prepare one BOB for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

• Flashlight
• Radio – battery operated
• Batteries
• Whistle
• Dust mask/respirator N95
• Pocket knife
• Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
• Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat
• Local map
• Some water and food for 3 days
• Permanent marker, paper and tape
• Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
• List of emergency point-of -contact phone numbers
• List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
• Copy of health insurance and identification cards
• Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
• Prescription medications and first aid supplies
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Extra keys to your house and vehicle
• Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.

Your BOB should not weigh more than 25 pounds for adults and around 10-15 depending upon the child.

Here is a detailed list from Kumerakid in New Zealand, a friend at PFI, that is right around 25 pounds. It also tells you why they included the items they did.  This may help you decide what you should put in your BOB.

6 Tealight Candles ~ Great for starting fires with.
2 Disposable Cigarette Lighters ~To light the candles, and check wind direction when hunting
3 Torches (all take the same batteries)
2 hand held and one headlight all LED
1 Spare set of Batteries
30 metres 3/8” Nylon Rope ~To get down rock faces I’m too scared to climb down
2, 30 metre lengths of Braided Nylon Chord
12 Cable Ties ~ Plastic zip lock ties are great for lashing and binding
2, 5metre lengths of rubber inner tube cut into a ¼” strip ~ For lashing, fire lighting and makes a nice tourniquet
3 metres muslin ~ For wrapping dressed carcass, or use as towel
1 Pair Folding Reading Spectacles
2, $50.00 Bills
Pencil & Paper
1 Scalpel Blade
First aid uses
2 Roll Plastic Electrical Tape
First aid and trail marking
Eye Drops ~ We have a native pampas grass that can really beat your eyes up and cause infections
Personal Medication ~ Anti inflammatory for my old arthritic knees
Needle and Thread ~ First aid and sewing up dogs that have been ripped by a pig and general running repairs
1 Condom ~ To waterproof dressings and carrying water
1 Tampon
1 Sanitary Pad ~ Tampons and sanitary pads make a great dressing for big wounds like the ones bullets or compound fractures make
½ Roll Toilet Paper ~ First aid dressing, cleaning lenses and trail marking
1 Emergency Locator Beacon ~ In case I break a leg etc
1 Survival Blanket ~ Keeping the rain off the fire and so the authorities can say I’m well equipped
1 Disposable Plastic Poncho ~ Backup to my jacket, wind and rain in combination can be a real killer
1 Whistle ~ If I need help, an easy way to attract attention
Food
200gram Tin of tuna in oil and 200grams oatmeal/raisin mix per day
750 mil Bottle of Water
1 Folding Pruning Saw ~ Really effective saws and often the only way through thick bush
1 Pair of Binoculars ~ Bushnell 8×25
1 Compass & Topographic Map
1 Swiss Army Knife
Small two blades
1 Skinning knife
41/2” drop point skinning high carbon steel
1 Sharpening Steel
1 Flounder Spear Head
If I need food I tie it to a sapling with a strip of rubber and spear trout, eels, birds etc
Sleeping Bag ( plus silk liner and cover)
Down -10 deg., with Gortex cover.
Rifle
Kimber Montana .260 Remington with Leopold 3.5-10 power scope
10 Rounds Ammunition
120gn Nosler bt
Day Pack
Nike 15 Litre (900 cubic inch)

Remember, your BOB should be specific to your needs.  If you are in the South or West, you may wish to pack more water.  If you are in the North or East, you may wish to pack extra gloves, hats and socks for warmth.