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I came across this list some time ago. It makes a lot of sense if you're putting togather a [/b][/i]BOB[/i][/b]. What do you think of it?
1. Defense against Violence, i.e. your firearms, your knives and support gear. It would vary as to the expected threat level, as to being No.1 or lower on the chain. The threat could be immediate, or distant. You don't need 1,000 rounds in the Hurricane shelter, though a pistol in the belt, or a rifle or shotgun in the bag, is a good idea.
2. Shelter and protection against the elements. This can be your clothing, poncho, Ranger Roll, sleeping bag, whatever. You must avoid hypothermia at all costs. You can die in minutes from hypothermia, or in better climates, it is not an issue at all. Also consider shelter from heat exhaustion, a hat.
3. Water. Avoiding dehydration. This can be the water carried on you, and purification systems for making the water you find, potable. You can die in three days, or so, without water.
4. Food. Avoid starvation; keep your energy levels high. It takes many weeks to starve, but not too long to become sluggish due to hunger/malnutrition.
5. Sanitation. Having Dysentery will knock you out of a fight, or flight, very rapidly. Hordes of soldiers used to die from disease, rather than wounds, in earlier centuries. Studies by Russians showed that an ungodly percentage of the food and water resources in Grozny, during the fighting there in the early '90's, was contaminated with fecal material. Wash your hands and utensils, purify your water.
6. Transportation. Boots, really. Blisters from ill-fitting boots will REALLY slow you down. Putting your junk on a bike, and pushing it, will help you transport your gear with less punishment to your body, as well. Of course, the good old 4X4 truck is handy too. Just have a full gas tank.
7. Information. Maps, Binoculars, GPS, Compass, etc. Without knowing where you are going, it's darned hard to get there. Also, handy to know what is in your immediate path.
8. Communications. Radios, chem lights, smoke, whatever. If you are with others, or others expect you, then you had better have a reliable way to communicate with them, or you have a recipe for disaster.
Of course, all of this has LOTS of room for personal taste, needs of the local AO, and budget. More of a base to begin from, and then fill in as you go. Every AO is different, and not all emergencies are SHTF. Best to have flexibility, and be able to add/discard (or at least de-emphasize) things based upon the immediate situation.
1. Defense against Violence, i.e. your firearms, your knives and support gear. It would vary as to the expected threat level, as to being No.1 or lower on the chain. The threat could be immediate, or distant. You don't need 1,000 rounds in the Hurricane shelter, though a pistol in the belt, or a rifle or shotgun in the bag, is a good idea.
2. Shelter and protection against the elements. This can be your clothing, poncho, Ranger Roll, sleeping bag, whatever. You must avoid hypothermia at all costs. You can die in minutes from hypothermia, or in better climates, it is not an issue at all. Also consider shelter from heat exhaustion, a hat.
3. Water. Avoiding dehydration. This can be the water carried on you, and purification systems for making the water you find, potable. You can die in three days, or so, without water.
4. Food. Avoid starvation; keep your energy levels high. It takes many weeks to starve, but not too long to become sluggish due to hunger/malnutrition.
5. Sanitation. Having Dysentery will knock you out of a fight, or flight, very rapidly. Hordes of soldiers used to die from disease, rather than wounds, in earlier centuries. Studies by Russians showed that an ungodly percentage of the food and water resources in Grozny, during the fighting there in the early '90's, was contaminated with fecal material. Wash your hands and utensils, purify your water.
6. Transportation. Boots, really. Blisters from ill-fitting boots will REALLY slow you down. Putting your junk on a bike, and pushing it, will help you transport your gear with less punishment to your body, as well. Of course, the good old 4X4 truck is handy too. Just have a full gas tank.
7. Information. Maps, Binoculars, GPS, Compass, etc. Without knowing where you are going, it's darned hard to get there. Also, handy to know what is in your immediate path.
8. Communications. Radios, chem lights, smoke, whatever. If you are with others, or others expect you, then you had better have a reliable way to communicate with them, or you have a recipe for disaster.
Of course, all of this has LOTS of room for personal taste, needs of the local AO, and budget. More of a base to begin from, and then fill in as you go. Every AO is different, and not all emergencies are SHTF. Best to have flexibility, and be able to add/discard (or at least de-emphasize) things based upon the immediate situation.
