My 4 Day "Oh, Poop!" Survival Bag

[kenno]

Because I already live at my BOL I don't have much need for a BOB as much as I need a wilderness survival bag. More than once have I found my vechicle stuck far from the pavement and even further from home. Other travelers in my area have found themselves trapped for days inside thier vechicle when it slid into a deep ditch during a blizzard. My worst experience was walking 25 miles on back roads after dark in a snow storm with no food before reaching my front door. The lack of food to sustain my blood sugar level was the greatest challange I faced that night, and every other night I have spent in an "Oh, Poop!" situation. For this reason my pack is filled with high carb foods,enough for 4-6 days of travel. I also have a German mess kit full of oatmeal. I love the german mess kits as they are easy to cook with. I also have shelter and fire items as well as signaling items, comfort items, like insect repelant and a head net, toilet paper, gum, insulated gloves, hat and socks. Plus a compass a 6X8 blue tarp and an orange vest, along with the all the other small items you would expect for wilderness survival. Like I said, my main concern was high carb food, fire signals and shelter, I usually have a gun in the truck but would not feel naked if I was to travel gunless, black bears and cougars are not a threat to the wary traveler.
All this gear fits inside a red day pack I purchased for $10.00 at a discount sporting goods store. The pack weighs about 20 pounds and is enough to get me through most "Oh,Poop!" situations.

[Diesel]

thanks for sharing! Great post. So how many different fire starting methods do you have?

Have you considered adding road flares to your pack for fire starting and signaling? also a spare cell phone battery would be a good idea, most people who have been stranded always seem to have their cell phone die on them, as usually it's not fully charged.

Also was there a knife or two in there? Multi tool?

[kenno]

Cell service sucks in my area so no need to own a cell phone. I never concidered flares, good idea. I have four seperate means of making fire, five if you were to count the battery in my PU truck. There is a Multi tool in the pack and I carry a Machete, tool kit, 1st aid kit in the truck as well as my folder in my pocket.

[Rustyshakelford]

I have some of those GI crackers in my BOB also. They may have some nutritional value, but I often wonder if a piece of a Fed-Ex box would taste better.

[Zombie Axe]

Nice Kit kenno!

I see we have the same taste in Knife Sharpeners:) Very nice for keeping an edge on your blade until you get to the stone!

I have flares in my GHB/Survival bag, but mine are the ones that have a disposable launcher aka aerial flares. These are actually an holdover from my old seakayaking days (still do it on occassion) and well they might come in handy. BTW they weigh considerably less than road flares, but are probably no where near as handy... except to signal to airplanes...


Looks like a well thought out bag :)

[cprdummy]

Starting the fire

Hello folks...just found this site over the weekend, and I am highly impressed with the wealth of information on this forum.

I have seen various fire/spark producers in your bags etc, but was wondering whether you have ever considered using dryer lint to get things going so-to-speak.

The stuff takes up very little room in your bag, and it's free, and it's highly effective.

Bubba

[Rustyshakelford]

Yep. I store it in all of my kits. Also carry some around with me at all times, in my belly button!!!:p

[Zombie Axe]

I am gonna rework my BOB/GHB/Stranded Bag after Christmas. I plan on adding some things and dryer lint is one of those items. I have begun to 'harvest' it :)

[kenno]

My only complaint with dryer lint is that much of it is synthetic fibers that melt rather than burn. There are many alternatives.

[kenno]

I normaly keep a gallon of water in the truck and I can boil water if required. A filter straw would be a good addition.