Saturday, April 21, 2012

Frugal Prepping - Bug Out Bag Alternatives


The most common Bug Out Bag is generally in the form of a backpack. This is mainly to afford you with an easy method of carry that leaves your hands free for other tasks and offer quick and afford easy access for the transport of the basic necessities that may be required. Thankfully, they aren’t your only option.

Bug Out Bags have some drawbacks that can create problems that can be solved by using other options. These other options are inexpensive but are still effective in serving your needs. Here are just a few of the alternatives that can be used for a Bug Out Bag.

Bug Out Bag Alternatives

1. Bug Out Bucket - Buckets are very versatile items that can be found rather easily for free or at an inexpensive price. They can hold a significant amount of items but also work to limit the weight factor and generally can offer extended protection for your bug out gear items. One of the major drawbacks of a backpack is that people generally tend to over pack their BOB’s until they are almost too heavy to carry any distance and if they sit around for an extended period of time don’t offer significant protection from pests or moisture. A bucket is not going to give much, no matter how hard you try to stuff items into it. Yet it still offers significant protection for your gear and generally will have a handle as well. It can also serve a number of secondary purposes such as a means to carry water from a remote source. 

2. Bug Out Box - A simple cardboard box can also be used instead of a Bug Out Bag. They are extremely tough, inexpensive and come in a large variety of sizes. While it may not offer a comparable level of protection as a bucket, it is a very frugal alternative. A small to medium size box will put some limitations on what you can carry but this only helps you to keep the weight factor down. They are also easily stored and stacked. If your budget allows, you could even use plastic storage bins as a cheap alternative.

3. Bug Out Blanket - Even a simple blanket when made into a swag will offer you a cheap alternative for use as a Bug Out Bag. In fact, you could use just about any type of material you have available. If you’re looking for a little protection from moisture for your gear, you could easily use an old shower curtain tied off with some paracord to make a bindle, especially if you needed to bug out in a hurry.

In a survival situation, it’s important not to place arbitrary limits on how you seek to accomplish things. It’s important to focus on your immediate goals and use whatever means and resources that are available to your advantage.

You will need every advantage you can get in a survival situation.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

4 comments:

Ryan said...

If you do some thinking and are a bit creative then kits don't really need to cost a lot of money.

What do you really need to have? A bag, a knife, some food, some clothing or shelter? Most of that stuff you can probably find around the house if you look a bit.

Joe Fox did a video (I think this one http://youtu.be/iDj8DkL5HYM) where he made a BOB for like $20.

riverwalker said...

To: Ryan

Good point Ryan.

Most of the basics are easily found in most homes. It's just taking a little time to get them organized in a manner that makes your needed items readily accessible if and when they are needed.

Thanks Ryan.

RW

Loup Espiègle said...

Direct link to the inexpensive BOB from Joe Fox : Three Kits @ 20:18.

We sure don't need a $1000 BOB, even if mine quite approaches this price tag :-P !

riverwalker said...

To: Loup Espiegle

You can spend a lot of money quick when it comes to gear. If you find yourself in a bad situation and without a lot of warning, you will need to know how to improvise an alternative.

Thanks Wolf.

RW

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