Happy New Year - change out your bag stuff


solocanoe

solocanoe

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Hi all -
I've been stuck in my recliner for 5 days with the crud...but I did make it to the garage today and pulled out the BOB's for the family.

emergencybags001.jpg




My 15 yr old son grew over 11" this year - had to change his boxers,boots, socks, field shirt, pants, and light jacket. we had bought some stuff at the army surplus store 2 weeks ago...the rest I grabbed out of his dresser.

My 17 yr old daughter stayed the same height, but lost 20 pounds and her foot grew - bigger socks and boots from her closet, changed her undies to a style she wears now, + she wanted to change out her pants to a pair she liked better for camping / whatnot. ohyeah...we added Buff's to their bags I had gotten at clearance this past year.

My wife's bag stayed the same, but she's fighting a lot of stuff....no way I can pack all the meds she is on now...but we did make an updated list...her docs, #'s, doseages, and took pics of all her bottles with her phone. If she is separated from us...at least it may help.

My bag is in flux, as my EDC is changing, which will 'roll downhill' and change my BOB...but I'll have it all worked out today or tommorrow.

Batteries were changed out from last year (we don't put them IN stuff...but they are in the bags)

Food Bars changed out

We changed my son's 22 ammo to 9mm in his BOB - since he's done so well this year with his Glock 19.

Wife and daughter's bag we rotated the .38 ammo to some new stuff - not that ammo spoils, but I had them down off the wall...so why not, right? They each know how to grab their snub's and the bag and head out in minutes.

well, that's all I did today. or for too many days!
Stupid flu (or whatever) anyway....I change this stuff every Jan 1 - thought you'd all maybe appreciate a reminder - especially about the kids clothes - if they are growing! It would suck to have a "katrina-like event" and them not have clothes that fit them! :p
 
Way cool. Wife and I were talking about a family bag today. I have my truck pretty well stocked with basics for tools (fire steel, mag bar, knife, multi tool, big FAK) but I want to make it more self-sufficient. My biggest issue is to do so in a way that the local thieves can't see it and stock it with stuff that is heat-stable. Water and food are the biggest issues there.

I really like your multi-pack setup. Good location too. Even considering a structural collapse due to earthquake, it's still readily accessible even if one has to dig a little in rubble to get to it.
 
New years is also a good time to check the dates on any stored food or just in your pantry. Also change the batteries and check all your smoke detectors.
 
Gryphonblade said:
Way cool. Wife and I were talking about a family bag today.
Click to expand...

I'd do it, bro. Katrina was a huge wake up call for us. and since our kids were old enough at that time.... we started with bags for each of them.

over weeks, I slowly built them up with surplus and wally world camping aisle stuff - most of it is still in its blister packs - mostly so they can read the directions on something in a panick situation if they forget anything - like directions for water tablets, etc.....

upgrades came over time - better blades, surefire flashlights, etc...but the basics were just that - basics. and we wanted to have separate bags if we were separated.
 
Great Idea,

My son keeps his in the car since he drives 70 miles round trip to school each day.
The daughter is getting more girly and is less into the BOB's and what not but she still has one.
The wife figures the rest of us will take care of everything

My food stuffs are all dried food so I rotate every 2 years and it seems I'm always adjusting the gear in it.
 
Top notch!

I am thinking of doing something like that, too..... but withg a 10 year old son and a 9 year old and 5 year old daughter...... That's difficult!
I can not pack a pack for the little one with food, spare clothes and some emergency gear. She wouldn't be able to handle that.
So I am constantly planning and rethinking the BOB's, but especially the wintertime proves to be a problem!
 
yeah...5 may be a little too small....but then again, it could start her "ownership" of her own bag.

My daughter now carries a SAK card in her wallet, a flashlight in her purse and a complete 'break down kit' in her car. She's shown her bag to enough of her friends coming over - thru the years - that it's gone from a little embarrassing to her...to a sense of pride I think for her.

she talks about going off to college and having 'her Alice pack' go with her - and not with rolled eyes....so that's good. :D

it's all a process....and anything you do, you hope you never need...but will be appreciated if needed.
 
I threw one together after Katrina and Rita. Katrina only gave us rain, and Rita messed up the town a bit, but it was all the riffraff that were coming through that gave me pause. I usually just end up changing up stuff around black friday because everything is on sale.
 
Great thread and one I feel is important part of family preparedness!

We too have packs for the family that "evolve" as the kids/needs change. If for nothing more than a medical emergency at home, power outages or severe weather. Our family has been very fortunate to not have "weathered" a disaster in person, but my experiences in Emergency Services and volunteering with the Red Cross for a time, allowed me the opportunity to see the naked truth up front and personal.

It NEVER hurts to have a little something set aside for whatever may affect your day to day. Hope your feeling better real soon Solo, thinking about you and your family!
 
I made my first BOB last year. I have always had a "camping" kit, but never a dedicated BOB. Once I got the wife on board it was easierto get things together.

I recently bought some "crank" flashlights from ebay. Thy are neat and very handy!
 
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